Tanzania Grand Tour

Your adventure in Tanzanie begins upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you are welcomed by our local team. Professional and attentive, they accompany you through your first steps in the country and ensure that your arrival goes smoothly. After customs formalities, you head towards your first camp, located near the majestic Ngorongoro Crater. This first stage allows you to reach one of the emblematic landscapes of northern Tanzanie and to begin your journey into the heart of African nature.

Along the way, you pass through the picturesque village of Mtowembu. This village, whose name means "mosquitoes" in Swahili, is a true cultural crossroads where different communities of Tanzanie live, notably the Chagga, the Iraqw and the Maasai. You can observe the activity of local markets, where craftspeople, fruit and vegetable producers and sellers of traditional fabrics gather. This stop offers a first glimpse of the cultural diversity of the region and the daily life of the inhabitants.

In the evening, you reach your camp, where you can settle in and take time to relax after this first stage of your journey. The evening unfolds under the starry sky of Tanzanie, around a dinner prepared by our team. This convivial moment allows you to enjoy the calm of the surrounding nature and rest before beginning, the next day, the exploration of Ngorongoro Crater.

Today, you discover the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a vast natural amphitheater approximately 20 km in diameter and 600 m deep, located at nearly 2,200 meters altitude. This remarkable site, often nicknamed Noah's Ark, is home to a great diversity of savanna animals. Rhinoceroses, elephants, hippopotamuses, zebras, pink flamingos, lions and hyenas thrive in a preserved environment. You spend the day exploring this natural sanctuary on your safari. Every moment can offer wildlife viewing in their habitat and the opportunity to capture beautiful images of the fauna and landscapes.

At the end of the day, you return to your equipped camping site located on the crater's ridge. From this vantage point, you enjoy a panorama of the surrounding landscapes and spend another night under Tanzanie's sky.

This morning, you wake up early to take the track towards the vast plains of the Serengeti. As you travel, the landscapes evolve and the savanna stretches as far as the eye can see. This emblematic region of Tanzanie is home to rich and varied wildlife, which you can already observe along the way.

On the way, you make a stop at Olduvai Museum. This place allows you to discover the history of archaeological discoveries made in the region as well as research dedicated to human evolution, which have made Olduvai Gorge an important site for understanding the origins of humanity.

Once in the heart of Serengeti National Park, you begin a day of photo safari in search of the famous "big five": lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinoceroses.
As you explore, you observe the wildlife evolving in the vast plains of the park. This safari offers you many opportunities to capture these encounters and fully enjoy the experience of observing wildlife in Tanzanie.

At the end of the day, you return to your equipped camp located in the heart of the park. You take time to settle in and enjoy the atmosphere of the savanna.
As the sun sets over the Serengeti, the light gradually changes and gives way to a peaceful evening in the heart of nature, after this day of safari.

Today, you are leaving the vast plains of the Serengeti to reach the western part of the park, called the "corridor". This journey takes you through large expanses of savanna dotted with umbrella acacias, with the open landscapes characteristic of this region of Tanzania. You then continue your route towards the majestic Lake Victoria. With its 69,490 km² of surface area, it is the largest freshwater lake in Africa and the second largest in the world. This stage offers a break in the journey and allows you to discover another face of Tanzania's natural landscapes.

In the evening, you set up your camp near the shores of the lake. This peaceful setting allows you to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the place, on the edge of Lake Victoria, after this day of travel through Tanzania's landscapes.

This morning, you start the day with a visit to a fishing village located on the shores of Lake Victoria. This encounter allows you to discover the way of life of the inhabitants and observe their traditional fishing techniques. If conditions permit, a boat trip can also be offered to explore the landscapes of the lake. You are here in Sukuma country, the largest ethnic group in Tanzanie. This stage is an opportunity to experience local culture and learn more about the traditions of this community.

After lunch, you continue on the road towards the city of Mwanza, the second most populated city in Tanzanie. Located on a peninsula, the city is distinguished by its imposing granite rocks that dominate the landscape and seem poised in balance above the lake. Mwanza is also the main fishing port of Lake Victoria, which contributes to the constant activity that animates its shores and port.

You then check in at the New Mwanza hotel for dinner and the night. This moment allows you to rest and enjoy the comfort of the establishment after this day of discovery around Lake Victoria.

Today, you head towards Kigoma, a port city located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Your journey begins by boarding a ferry at Mwanza, which allows you to cross the waters of Lake Victoria and appreciate its vastness. This crossing offers beautiful views of the lake and is the first stage of your journey towards the western part of the country.

The road then continues on a dirt track. The journey is an integral part of the adventure, with conditions that may vary along the way. Our team remains attentive to information concerning road conditions in order to adapt our progress.

Along the way, you take a break for dinner and spend the night in a comfortable guest house. This moment of rest allows you to regain your strength before continuing your journey to Kigoma the next day.

Today, you continue your journey on a long stage on track, sometimes demanding, but rich in discoveries. The route crosses several traditional villages, offering the opportunity to observe the daily life of the inhabitants and the rural landscapes of this region of Tanzanie.

At the end of the day, you reach Kigoma, a port city located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Kigoma also marks the terminus of the railway line coming from Dar es Salam, approximately 1,250 km to the east. This stage allows you to discover a city with a particular character, turned towards the lake and marked by its railway and port history.

You spend the night in a comfortable hotel, where you can rest and regain your strength after this day of travel and discoveries.

You embark on a new stage towards the Gombe Stream National Park located approximately 16 km north of Kigoma. Created in 1968, this park is the smallest in Tanzanie, with an area of 52 km². The park is presented in the form of a narrow mountainous strip approximately 16 km long, whose reliefs can reach 1,200 meters in altitude.

After approximately three hours of navigation by motorized canoe, you reach the shores of the park, where you discover dense vegetation and a preserved natural environment. Gombe National Park is home to nearly 200 chimpanzees, divided into three distinct groups.

Your first exploration consists of setting out in search of these primates by traveling the park's trails. The walk takes you through the slopes and wooded reliefs of Gombe, in a natural setting conducive to wildlife observation. You bring with you the necessary equipment for camping, so you can dine and spend the night in the heart of nature, in the park's environment. This immersion allows you to fully enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the place. Depending on availability, accommodation can be in camping or in a guest house located near the park.

This morning, you experience a new encounter with chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park. You set out to search for them throughout the park to observe them in their natural environment. This experience allows you to get close to these primates and learn more about their behavior as well as their habitat in the heart of this Tanzanie forest.

After this encounter, you begin your return to Kigoma by boat. Navigation on Lake Tanganyika offers a new perspective on the landscapes of this Tanzanie region. Weather permitting, a stop is planned in Ujiji, an important historical stop for caravans arriving from the coast. This city retains a strong Swahili influence, perceptible in its architecture and the atmosphere of its streets. You take time to discover some remarkable places, including the commemorative plaque indicating the location of the meeting between Livingstone and Stanley.

In the evening, you settle into the hotel for dinner and the night. This moment allows you to rest and exchange about the experiences lived during this day of discoveries.

This morning, you begin the day by visiting the lively market in Kigoma. You can discover the local atmosphere and observe the stalls offering different everyday products as well as regional specialties.

Next, you take the main track heading towards Katavi National Park. The journey of approximately 350 km crosses varied and often wild landscapes. Due to its remoteness, Katavi is one of the least visited parks in Tanzanie, which allows you to experience a safari in a preserved environment. With an area of 4,471 km², the park consists of miombo forests, savannas dotted with acacias and vast plains that transform into flooded areas during the rainy season. This diversity of natural habitats encourages the presence of varied wildlife that you will be able to observe during your exploration.

You settle in for dinner and the night at a developed campsite, located near areas frequented by hippopotamuses. This natural setting offers good conditions for observing these animals in their environment. This stage allows you to fully enjoy the wild atmosphere of Katavi National Park, in the heart of Tanzanian nature.

You resume the main track and cross Katavi National Park again heading towards Sumbawanga. This day of driving takes you through different landscapes and offers several viewpoints on the surrounding nature.

At the end of the day, you arrive at Sumbawanga, a bustling town in western Tanzanie, where you can discover the local atmosphere and observe the daily life of its inhabitants. You dine and spend the night in a comfortable guest house, where you can rest after this day of driving.

Leaving the lands of Sumbawanga, you continue your journey towards the Nyamwezi country, a region known for its greener landscapes and agricultural lands. This stage allows you to observe a new facet of the landscapes of Tanzanie crossed during the trip.
Upon your arrival in Mbeya, you settle into a guest house for dinner and the night, to enjoy a moment of rest after this new day of travel and discoveries.

After your stopover in Mbeya, you continue your journey towards Iringa.

Leaving the verdant highlands of the region, the road crosses various landscapes before reaching this town situated in the mountains of central Tanzanie.

Upon arrival in Iringa, you discover the traditional market of the town. This visit allows you to stock up on necessary supplies for the following three days, while observing the activity of the market and the diversity of local products offered by the inhabitants.

Next, you take the trail towards the Ruaha National Park, one of the important stages of your trip to Tanzanie. The journey gradually leads you to the wild landscapes that characterize this region.

At the end of the day, you settle down for the night in the bush, in a natural environment conducive to rest and observation of the surrounding nature.

You leave your campsite early to get back on the road.

After several stages on dirt tracks, you rejoin the paved road. As you descend from the plateau, the route runs along the Lukosi river, lined with baobabs, and crosses a valley with open landscapes. This day is mainly devoted to travel, offering the opportunity to observe the landscapes that succeed one another along the road through Tanzanie.

At the end of the day, you arrive at Mikumi, where you set up your campsite for the night. This moment of rest allows you to enjoy the peace of the place before continuing your journey.

You hit the road early heading towards Dar Es Salaam, the last major stop before reaching the coast. Along the way, you drive through the Mikumi National Park, offering a final opportunity to spot wildlife in Tanzania in its natural environment.
Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, you purchase boat tickets for the next stage of the journey: Zanzibar. After this day on the road, you settle into a hotel located in the city center, near the port. The evening is free for you to rest, explore the surroundings or enjoy dinner before the night at the hotel.