Information

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So, what is overlanding..?

 

An idea that started in the 1960's in Africa, it is a style of self-reliant, long distance travelling where you journey across a continent in a specialised off-road vehicle. It became popular for individuals and group tours because it allows you to venture to the most remote parts of the country and visit places that regular public transport just can't get to. You get to meet local people in regional areas who are living traditional lifestyles, learn about their culture and truly immerse in a country.

 
The beauty of overlanding is that it’s slow travel, you can stay longer when you like a place, or be spontaneous and go somewhere you weren’t expecting to. You get to see the WHOLE country, from start to finish. It is also a great way of seeing places which have a lot of nature and national parks, because you can spend many days camping continuously in the wild without needing infrastructure. 

These epic 4wd trucks have all the essentials on board, including food, water, picnic tables/chairs, BBQ’s, electronic systems for power and lights, tents, sleeping mats, and of course mechanical supplies for when it breaks down! There are 2 crew leading the adventure, a driver, and a guide, and they rely heavily on the participation of the guests for the trip to roll smoothly. This means you get to be apart of the adventure, not just along for the ride. You can expect to put up and pack down your tent each night, and be divided into smaller groups to take turns helping with the cooking. 

 

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Included: 

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• All Park fees 

• Activity fees (written in itinerary)

• Accommodation charges

• A professional tour guide/driver and chef

• All transportation on overland truck

• All meals whilst camping, otherwise all breakfasts. 

• Camping equipment 

• Transfers while in Zanzibar 

• Ferry to Zanzibar tickets

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Not Included:

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• International flights

• Additional accommodation not outlined in the itinerary

• Tips 

• Personal items expenses on travel insurance, visa fees and souvenirs

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Weather:

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September and August is Spring time in Tanzania, and it is about the same latitude as Cairn's, or a bit higher. So you can expect warm dry days with highs of 28 degrees and lows of 16 degrees. Rain is very low chance, about 4 days a month, so you will be able to enjoy camping without the worries of muddy boots.

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How to dress in East Africa:

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Tanzania is a relatively open minded and progressive country, however the religious beliefs and local culture still expect a degree of modesty with how you dress. Its not as strict as India for example, however you should still cover your shoulders and mid drift generally. T-shirts and shorts are fine. If we are ever passing through an area which is particularly conservative we will let you know that day so you can wear something more covering. 

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This dress code suits the weather anyway because the sun can be very strong in Tanzania and its easy to get burnt, so I would recommend loose full covering clothes to protect yourself from sunburn.

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What to pack: 

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• Summer clothes, relatively conservative. T shirts and shorts are fine, just not super short shorts or little crop tops. Loose clothing is great to be covered for sun, modesty, and hot weather.

• Sturdy walking shoes

• Swimwear

• Light jacket

• One pair of long pants in case of an unseasonably cold night.

• Hat

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

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Meeting point:

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For this adventure we will meet in Nairobi, Kenya on the 21st of August. This is due to Nairobi being the closest major international airport to where we want to begin our roadtrip at the Serengetti National Park, so you can get a wider range of flights and cheaper options than to the small Tanzanian airport.

 

You can book your flight landing on the 21st, ideally before 4pm as we will have a welcome meeting/briefing that afternoon, or fly in ealier than the 21st and book your own accomodation. (We can supply you with our hotel details so you can stay at the same place).

 

A private car will pick you up from the airport in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) and bring you to our hotel for the night where your new roadtrip friends will be awaiting you! 

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The following morning you will be introduced to our epic 4wd safari bus which will be home for the next 2 weeks, and we will set off for the Serengetti, crossing the border together into Tanzania.

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Finish point:

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Our trip will come to an end in Stone Town, Zanzibar Island, on the 5th of September and we will drop you off either at the airport at 2pm, or in the town CBD after that. There is a great international airport here where you can get flights to all the major airport hubs in the world and on to your next destination. 

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There is also another option to catch the 1.5hr ferry back to Dar Es Salaam (the capital city of Tanzania) on the afternoon of the 5th at 4pm to depart from Dar Es Salaam Airport (DAR) the next day. You would be unaccompanied for this part of your journey unless other guests of ours choose to do the same, so make sure the difference in flight prices/routes is worth the inconvenience of the extra travel.

 

Here is the ferry company and schedule:

https://azammarine.com/#

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Visa:

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As we will be beginning our trip in Kenya, and then crossing by land border into Tanzania, you will need to obtain a visa for both countries. These are easy to get and not expensive. You should apply for both visas online at least 3-4 weeks before travelling to ensure they are approved on time. 

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Kenya

Kenya became a visa-free country in January this year. However, you'll need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival. 

For Kenyan visa and permit information, visit the ETA Kenya and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority websites.  

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https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en

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https://www.kcaa.or.ke/sites/default/files/publication/visa_free_regime_in_kenya.pdf

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Tanzania

You will need a visa to enter Tanzania. Tanzania has introduced an online visa application form that can be submitted and approved online ahead of travel.

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https://visa.immigration.go.tz/

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East African Tourist Visa

Just in case you are choosing to continue your travels to Uganda or Rwanda in collaboration with our trip, you may be interested to know there is another visa, the East Africa Tourist Visa, which combines Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda in one multi-entry 90 day visa. (Unfortunately it does NOT include Tanzania.)

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https://www.immigration.go.ug/services/east-african-tourist-visa

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Covid Vaccines:

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Both Kenya and Tanzania do not require covid vaccines to enter, however it is still recommended by their governments to be vaccinated. 

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See the latest travel information for Tanzania here.

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https://access2tanzania.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Travel-Advisory-No.-13-as-of-12-JAN-2023.pdf

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Travel Insurance:

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Travel Insurance is compulsary for this trip, you will need to send confirmation of your insurance to info@wildwomenjourneys.com before the trip begins. There are lots of different companys offering travel insurance with different prices, so do some comparing and find the insurance which fits best for you. Make sure it includes surfing and medical assistance.

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Itinerary:

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Day 1: Arrive to Nairobi

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Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important
meeting.

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Accommodation:
Hotel (1 night) Kozi suites or similar

Meals:
There are no meals included on this day.

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Day 2: Mto wa Mbu

Depart early for Mto wa Mbu in your overland truck. The trip includes a border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania, so be sure to have your passport handy. While you're on the road, there will be a stop at an ATM and a market or shop to stock uponany supplies you might need for the coming days. Arrive in Mto wa Mbu and acquaint yourself with this delightful small village – it's a fascinating snapshot of small town African life, situated well off the tourist trail.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Special information:
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours. Tonight, you'll stay at a campsite with flush toilets, showers and optional upgrades
(subject to availability).

Day 3: Serengeti National Park

 

Get up early, Travel to the gate of Serengeti National Park and have a picnic lunchat the entrance. Enter the Serengeti and enjoy a game drive on the way to your campsite. The vast plains of the Serengeti – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dryseason – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Flat and rolling, with long grass and acacia trees, these plains get their name fromthe Maasai word siringet – 'The place where the land moves on forever'. Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included activities
Serengeti National Park - Game Drive

Special information
Tonight’s camp is basic with limited running water. No accommodation upgrades or wi-fi are available. Our camp within the Serengeti National Park does not have a fence to separate the camp from the animals. This is quite the experience as animals such as buffalo and hyenas often come close to camp after sundown. On arrival at the camp, your leader will give a detailed safety briefing on what is required to ensure thesafety of the group.

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Day 4 - 6: Serengeti National Park

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Awake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals areat their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as theday begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
 

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included activities:
Serengeti National Park - overland truck Game Drive
 

Day 7: Serengeti National Park / Mto wa Mbu

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Rise with the sun and say goodbye to serengeti and enter the Ngorongoro Conservation area. A gigantic, perfectly intact volcanic crater, Ngorongoro is home tosome 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent game viewingall year round, and the photo opportunities here are unrivalled. We jump in some 4WDs and head into the crater itself for three to four hours where you can enjoy spotting the animals. Leaving the park we head to Mto wa Mbu. Once camp is set up, join the local community for a guided stroll around the farming areas, milling machine, and local homes and farmlands. After, we'll share a local dinner in a homestay.

Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included activities
Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4Game Drive
Mto Wa Mbu - Village walk & local dinner

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Day 8: Usambara Mountains

 

Prepare yourself for a long travel day heading for the Usambara Mountains. Stretchyour legs during a brief supply stop in Arusha, then jump back in the vehicle and watch the ever-changing scenery, read your favourite book or get to really knowyour fellow travellers. Your base will be Lushoto – an old German colony and home totheWasambaa people. This highland town sits at approximately 1400 metres and this evening you'll camp in the grounds of one of the oldest hotels in Africa.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 9: Usambara Mountains

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Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains today – a lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this part of the country, so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. As beautiful as the surrounding mountains and rainforests are, however, the real jewels here are the local people andvillages. You'll experience some hospitality on a visit to some of the small local communities. From your base, you will take a walk out to the gorgeous Irente viewpoint. It's best to pack some water and snacks in a day pack for this trip. On your way back, visit a local cultural project based at an Irente farm and enjoy a picnic lunch.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
 

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
 

Included activities:
Irente - Lushoto hike
Irente - Local lunch

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Day 10: Usambara Mountains

 

Explore the beautiful Usambara Mountains today – a lovely unspoilt area of Tanzania. Unlike the coast and the north, very few tourists visit this part of the country, so it has a freshness that can be hard to find elsewhere. Get to do a nice hike up the Usambaramountains towards Kisasa waterfalls for a breathtaking experience. Approximately10km of walking/hiking.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Included activities:
Kisasa waterfall hike

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Day 11: Dar Es Salaam

 

Leaving the mountains behind, travel further south to the coastal town of Mji mwemain Dar es Salaam. Your camp at Sunrise is by the beach, so make the most of it – perhaps take a stroll along the shore after you arrive and settle in.

 

Accommodation:
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

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Day 12: Stone Town

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Rise and shine to catch a ferry to Zanzibar. Filled with pristine white-sand beaches, winding cobblestone alleyways and fragrant bazaars, Zanzibar has had a colourful history – everything from slave traders to Arabian sultans and fruit exporters. The sight of traditional dhows sailing along the coast evokes what the island must have been like in centuries ago. Explore the many charms of Stone Town, the historic part of Zanzibar's main city, with a local guide. Taste the local delicacies and gain insight into daily local life living on Zanzibar.

 

Accommodation:
Hotel (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast

Special information
The ferry from Dar Es Salaam to Stone Town takes approximately 2 hours and usually departs at 9 am, arriving at 11 am. Occasionally, you may travel on the earlier departure (7 am), which arrives at 9 am.

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Day 13: Zanzibar Southern Beaches​

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Once checked out of your Stone Town accommodation, join a guided tour of the island's spice plantations, learning all about the history of this town's spice trade. Youwill have the opportunity to smell and taste various spices, such as cinnamon, vanillaand ginger, plus sample some teas made with these spices too. After lunch, head totheNorthern Beaches, where white sands and sparkling blue seas await. This is the IndianOcean at its best.

 

Accommodation:

Bungalow (1 night)

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Meals:

Breakfast

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Special information:

If you choose not to book in on the optional Zanzibar spice tour this morning, you will be transported directly to the island's Northern Beaches.

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Day 14: Zanzibar Southern Beaches

 

Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you canspend your day – perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunchof grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. It's totally up to you!
 

Accommodation:
Bungalow (1 night)
 

Meals:
Breakfast
 

Add on activities:
Zanzibar - Dhow Trip - USD60
Zanzibar - Snorkelling - USD60

 

Day 15: Zanzibar Southern Beaches

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Enjoy free time in this beautiful archipelago today. There are many ways you canspend your day – perhaps talk to your leader for any recommendations they might have. Snorkelling in search of exotic fish is an excellent option, or you could take a traditional dhow boat on the water. You might also like to feast on a sumptuous lunchof grilled local seafood, or just relax in a hammock underneath a coconut tree with a good book. It's totally up to you!
 

Accommodation:
Bungalow (1 night)

Meals:
Breakfast

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Day 16: Stone Town/Airport

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After checking out of your accommodation this morning, you will make your wayback to Stone Town which brings us to the end of this adventure. For those who are continuing on to the Kilimanjaro trek, we will stay one night in Stone Town and fly to Kilimanjaro the next morning to continue our adventure.

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And for everyone who has come to the end of your Tanzania journey, you can either: book a flight departing from Zanzibar airport on the 21st from 2pm onwards and we will drop you at the ariport; book further accomodation in Stone Town and fly out the following day or later; OR travel on the ferry back to Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania where you can get a wider variety of plane routes departing from Dar Es Salaam airport. If you take the option to return to Dar Es Salaam you should book a nights accomodation and fly out from the following day. 

 

Accomodation:

Not Included

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Meals:

Breakfast

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