Tanzania Culinary & Culture Tour

Day 1: Day 1 (9th of September)

Arrival at Kilimanjaro  International Airport – you will meet with your driver guides and transfer in 4x4 safari vehicles to Arusha. Check in at Ngaresero Mountain Lodge and enjoy a country style dinner followed by overnight.

O/n Ngaresero Mountain Lodge (D)

Day 2: Day 2 (10th of September)

Morning departure to Arusha National Park where you head out on a walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger – you will most likely see Black and White Colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys as well as Buffalo and a wide variety of birds. Return to the safari vehicle and continue with game drives of the park – your driver guide will best advice you which places to visit. The mobile food truck has arrived on a private spot in the park and you enjoy a culinary bush lunch accompanied by South African wines.

Afternoon game drives out of the park and return to Ngaresero Mountain Lodge.

O/n Ngaresero Mountain Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 3: Day 3 (11th of September)

Morning departure to Tarangire National Park for game drives of the Elephant Playground! Enter the park mid morning and head out on game drives to your own design. Tarangire National Park is known for its massive herds of Elephants but you have also good chances of spotting Lion and Leopard as well as a number of different Antelopes, Zebra, Giraffe and many bird species. Enjoy a Tapas & Meze lunch spread on one of the picnic spots accompanied by a glass of wine or fresh juice.

In the afternoon you explore the river shores and then game drives en route out of the park towards Isoitok Camp Manyara. Freshen up and gather around the fireplace for sundowner drinks while your safari chef prepares a Swahili dinner with traditional Ugali, rice, vegetables and Nyama Choma (BBQ beef, chicken and goat). Today you will eat with your hands and enjoy the Swahili cuisine.

O/n Isoitok Camp Manyara (B, L, D)

Day 4: Day 4 (12th of September)

Early morning wake up call with fresh coffee at the verandah of your tent. Meet with your local maasai guide and walk the short distance to a neighboring boma (mud dweling) for a visit to the maasai women, elders and children. Learn about their lifestyle and traditions – then return to Isoitok Camp Manyara for a hot breakfast and freshen up.

Today you will use a different mode of transport – the Tanzanian Bajaji’s (TukTuk) will be ready for you and you drive you to the lively town of Mto wa Mbu where you visit the local market and enjoy chips mayai (chips with egg) for lunch. You will return to Isoitok Camp Manyara by safari vehicle for relaxation and late afternoon you head up to the viewpoint (short hike of approximately 20 minutes) where you enjoy sundowner drinks with views across Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley.

Return to the camp before dark and get ready for your African wine tasting evening. You will try some of the African wines and enjoy accompanying dishes created by the chef.

O/n Isoitok Camp Manyara (B, L, D)

Day 5: Day 5 (13th of September)

After breakfast you will board the safari vehicles again and transfer to Lake Manyara National Park for game drives of this diverse park. If you are lucky you might see the famous tree climbing lions an a variety of other animals and birds. Picnic lunch in the park followed by afternoon game drives – then leave the park and transfer to the Edelweiss Coffee Farms in Oldeani for a homestay at Buffalo Ridge, an old farmhouse on a working farm and bordering the Ngorongoro forest. Enjoy a sundowner drink at the fireplace in the living room of the old farmhouse followed by a homemade dinner.

O/n Buffalo Ridge (B, L, D)

Day 6: Day 6 (14th of September)

Early morning transfer to the Ngorongoro Crater and descend into the crater for game drives. There are 25,000 large mammals residing in the park. The elephants are mainly bulls, females stay out of the park due to it boasting the largest predator population in Africa.

Black Rhino also make their home on the grassy plains, their numbers make up for almost half of what

can still be found in East Africa; about 20 in total. Leave the crater late afternoon and transfer back to Buffalo Ridge for dinner and overnight.

O/n Buffalo Ridge (B, L, D)

Day 7: Day 7 (15th of September)

Today you enjoy a Swahili breakfast, Mtori soup (banana soup with beef) and chapatti (flatbread) with a variety of eggs, beans and Mandazi (donut). Meet with the Edelweiss Farm manager and head out on a coffee tour. Learn how the coffee is picked, washed, dried and processed and then taste some of the fresh coffee accompanied by homemade biscuits.

Board the safari vehicle again and drive through the coffee farm to a natural picnic spot overlooking the Ngorongoro Forest – enjoy a picnic lunch spread with fantastic views.

Then slowly leave the farm and transfer back to Arusha where you check in at Onsea House. Freshen up and enjoy a 5-course dinner with accompanying wines.

O/n Onsea House (B, L, D)

Day 8: Day 8 (16th of September)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Onsea House and then transfer to Arusha airport for your flight connection to Zanzibar. You will be collected on arrival at 15:30 and transfer to the Swahili House located in the heart of Stone Town. Check in and meet with your guide who will take you to the Forodhani food market in de evening. Choose your own dinner (not included) of fresh seafood BBQ, Swahili pizza and fresh juices.

O/n Swahili House (B)

Day 9: Day 9 (17th of September)

After a leisurely breakfast you will be collected by your guide and head out on the a spices and history tour accompanied by a local guide. You will visit the Mtoni Palace and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony. Visit the Persian bath in Kidichi and then head out on a spice tour and learn about the different spices that grow on the Island. After lunch you return to the Swahili House for freshen up.

Bonita (Swahili House manager) will take you to the local market where you will purchase food supplies for tonight’s dinner. Today you cook yourself as the chef will teach you how to prepare a traditional Zanzibar pilau and fish coconut curry. Enjoy a Zanzibar cocktail while you wait for the food to cook and then enjoy your dinner all together on the rooftop restaurant of the hotel.

O/n Swahili House (B, L, D)

Day 10: Day 10 (18th of September)

Morning transfer from Stone Town towards the North East Coast of the Island where you check in at Sunshine Marine Lodge for a few days of pure beach relaxation.

O/n Sunshine Marine Lodge (B, D)

Day 11: Day 11 (19th of September)

Full day beach relaxation – snorkel and diving activities can be arranged with the lodge directly. This last evening you will enjoy a seafood platter for dinner accompanied by your choice of beverages.

O/n Sunshine Marine Lodge (B, D)

Day 12: Day 12 (20th of September)

Depending on your international flight you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. (B)