Adventures – Tanzania

• Day 1 : Dar Es Salaam, boat to Stone Town (Zanzibar), Dala-Dala to Matemwe, 1h
• Day 2 : Matemwe, half-day sailing with fishermen
• Day 3 : Cycling from Matemwe to Nungwi, 24km one way
• Day 4 : Matemwe, half-day diving to Memba Island
• Day 5 : Stone town, boat to Dar Es Salaam
• Day 6 : Bus to Arusha, 646km, 10h
• Days 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 : Safari in Serengeti National Park (3 days), Ngorogoro Crater (1 day) and Tarangire National Park (1 day)
• Day 12 : Walk to Emaraite and visit of a Masai village
• Day 13 : Bus to Iringa, 687km, 13h
• Day 14 : Bus to Mbeya 336km, 8h & mini-bus to Malawian border (near Kyela), 135km, 3h

Around Matemwe village, Zanzibar

We stayed 3 days in a strech of the long white sand beach of Matemwe, in the North East side of Zanzibar. This is a high quality alternative to Northern resorts! You can easily swim when the tide is high, twice a day. You benefit from wonderful sunrises, at the time when fishermen prepare their boat for sail. You have access to the village and can easily meet locals and share with them the catch of the day. A lot of activities are also available: we went fishing half-day with 2 fishermen and diving near Memba Island to see tortues, dolphins and a wide range of colorful fishes.

A journey from Matemwe to Nungwi, in Zanzibar

We rented a bike for the whole day in order to travel the 24 km one way between both villages – Matemwe (North East of Zanzibar) and Nungwi (North point of Zanzibar). Cycling is a good way to enjoy the tropical countryside and to meet the Muslim poblation of the island. Don’t worry most of the route is flat and well maintained. The reward is to reach and rest on the fabulous white sand beaches of Nungwi.

A 5 days / 4 nights safari in Northern Tanzania

We booked the 5 days / 4 nights safari a day before in the town of Arusha (the starting point of all tours). We travelled with 4 others people (a jeep is up to 6 people) and opted for a camp-based safari. We paid, after negociations, 155$ per day per person. We spent the 3 first days in Serengeti National Park where we saw many lions, a cheetah, girafes, elephants, zebras and buffalos. Then, we moved to Ngorogoro Crater for 1 day where we met a lot of wildbeasts, buffalos, zebras and the rare black rhinoceros. The last day, we went to Tarangire National Park, well known to be home of thousands of zebras and hundreds of elephants. A wild adventure to meet the big five…

Population

48,3 millions

Urbanization

26,7 %

Life expectancy

61 YO

Literacy

68 %

GDP / capita

1600 $

Exports

Gold & coffee

1. To eat seafood and fresh fishes in Zanzibar beaches
2. To enjoy the wild nature beauty in the National Parks
3. To swim and dive in warm and turquoise sea
4. To benefit from the tranquility and the silence of the country

1. Tourists touts in Stone Town (Zanzibar) and Arusha, who can be very agressive
2. The city of Arusha, stay as less as you can
3. The slow service wherever you may go
4. The poor conditions of campsites (toilets, showers) during the safari

• Don’t book your safari in advance (from France, tour operators only offered us private and over-rated safaris). You will always find a group to join the day or 2 days before – and negociate the prices down. Think about Kenya if you want to spend less (up to 20% less)
• When travelling in Africa during in northern hemisphere summer, take warm clothes and a sleeping bag for the safari. Africa in the heights can be freezing at night.
• Don’t forget that some airlines companies offer flights direct to Zanzibar Island. It might cost you the same price as going to Dar Es Salaam and then take the ferry to Zanzibar – and it will save you at least some time.
• In Arusha town, go straight at Bigg Bites if you enjoy Indian Food. One of the best indian restaurant we had while travelling in Africa. The owner is really friendly & funny, he even offers a free service of escort back to your hotel at night.