Overview
What a beautiful Journey in Africa! We invite you to climb the second-highest peak in Tanzania (Mount Meru) and also enjoy the beautiful Island of Zanzibar.
Known as Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze.
Together, this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore and a dream destination to relax and unwind from the routine of everyday life.
Enjoy the city’s rich heritage while sampling delicious dishes made from natural ingredients available only in Zanzibar. Let’s plan with you today!
Scope
- Duration: 11 Days Pride of Zanzibar
- Destination: Mount Meru and Zanzibar Island
- Enjoy a warm welcome from the team soon after arrival at the Airport, and drop off at the hotel.
- Enjoy the short ride from the airport to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can experience the warm hospitality of the Swahili people.
- Expect to meet the Blessing Safaris team for the tour briefing and other arrangements.
- A beautiful start to the day with a heavy breakfast and a hot shower at the hotel
- Expect to travel with not only a travel guide but also a friendly and knowledgeable Zanzibar expert.
- The Stone Town, Dolphin Tour, Spice Tours, and Safari Blue Tour
- Feel and be part of the world, Outstanding Island- The Soul of Africa
- Stunning view of stretching sand beaches in your hotel or during the relaxation day
- Expect to spend some minutes waiting for clearance at the airport entrance
- What a feeling! Transfer to Stone Town and enjoy the stunning view of the rich historical city
- In Zanzibar! We let the hospitality amaze you with kindly and welcoming Swahili people around every angle of the island
- Delicious, healthy meals served on time, depending on the accommodation option you have chosen (lodge, hotel).
- You will also have the option to visit cultural villages for an authentic African experience.e
- Sleep in a safe and neatly adventurous environmen,t secured and protected against mosquitoes
- Expect direct communication with the ground team for tour monitoring and in case of any emergency. Your safety is our priority.
- Return to the airport transfer for home departure, or arrange alternative transportation with the Blessing Safaris team.
Itinerary
Meet your driver at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive to your hotel in Arusha for lunch/dinner and relaxation after the long flight. Depending on your program, your mountain guide will meet you in the hotel for a briefing and equipment checking. Feel free to ask questions about Tanzania and Mount Meru in general.
After breakfast, spend your time taking memory photos together with your guides, cook, and porters before starting your journey. Within 40 minutes, you will reach the first gate in Arusha National Park known as Ngongongare Gate. After check-in at the Ngongongare gate, you keep on driving for an hour and a half to Momella gate (starting point) where registration formalities will be completed. From there the ranger will escort the group, expecting to see different species of birds and animals such as Buffaloes, Elephants, Zebras, giraffes, Monkeys, and Antelopes. You will gate to the first camp (Miriakamba camp) after 4 hours of hiking.
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. You will continue hiking slowly along the ridge for a spectacular view of the Meru Crater and the impressive Ash Cone. After lunch at Saddle Hut, you will take a short hike of about 45 minutes to Little Meru (3,820 m). At the top, before sunset, you can get a superb view of Rhino’s Point, Meru crater, and the peak of Kilimanjaro in the distance. Return to the camp for an early dinner and get rest for the summit night.
Wake up around 11 pm and get ready for the summit. After breakfast, leave the camp around midnight and hike slowly to Rhino Point at 3800 m. After a short break from Rhino Point, proceed on a hike through the crater ridge, where the trail turns narrow and harder. Remember to drink your water whenever you stop. You might be physically exhausted before reaching the summit, but don’t give up, keep moving, as you will soon reach the top and make your dream come true. You will probably get to the summit of Meru at 4,566 m during the sunrise. If the weather is good, you can see Kilimanjaro Peak above the clouds. Take many photos, then head back to Saddle Hut for a short rest and lunch, then descend to Miriakamba Hut for dinner and overnight.
After the last breakfast on the mountain, you will descend for about 4 to 5 hours to Momella Gate. You will collect your certificates and drive back to your hotel or lodge in Arusha for a shower and celebrations.
Leave Arusha via FlightLink Air to the beautiful Island of Zanzibar. Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport, you will meet our representative and transfer to Forodhani Park Hotel in Stone Town for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel | Serena Zanzibar
Your program starts with a morning visit by walk on our Historical Stone Town Tour. This tour takes you through fabled Stone Town, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People’s Palace), and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals, and countless mosques! Dinner and overnight stay at Forodhani Park Hotel.
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel | Serena Zanzibar
The House of Wonders shows the cultural and architectural influences of Zanzibar, Britain, Portugal, and Oman over the centuries. When it was built, it was the most modern building in East Africa. It was the first building to have electricity and an elevator. The House of Wonders hosts a historical exhibition and offers insight into Zanzibari and Swahili culture. It is a significant, visually stunning historic building in Stone Town. The House of Wonders is the grandest and tallest building in all of Stone Town and is found in a prominent location in front of the Forodhani Gardens on the old town’s waterfront along Mizingani Road. Dinner and overnight stay at Forodhani Park Hotel.
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel | Serena Zanzibar
Today, you will go on an excursion to the spice and fruit plantations close to Stone Town for the famous Spice Tour. We have developed a special spice tour that provides in-depth information on spices and organically grown herbs, along with detailed descriptions of their traditional uses in medicine, cosmetics, and cooking. After the tour, we invite you for an opulent lunch at our guides’ home, where you can taste the spices and fruits. After lunch, we take you to your beach resort.
On the way, you will pass Jozani Forest, the last habitat of the rare endemic Red Colobus Monkey. With a local guide, you stroll through Jozani Chwaka National Park and look at the rare monkeys. If you wish, you can even wander down the boardwalk to the fascinating Mangrove Ecosystem. Dinner and overnight at Forodhani
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel | Serena Zanzibar
Today you will visit Kizimkazi. Situated at the southern tip of the island, Kizimkazi fishing village is home to several schools of bottlenose and Humpback dolphins, which can often be sighted on a short boat trip from the village. If you are lucky, you may be able to swim quite close to the dolphins, which can be an enriching experience. We are doing this trip in the afternoon to avoid the crowds of tourists in the morning, which in big numbers disturb the dolphins—dinner and overnight at lodge or hotel.
Accommodation: Amaan Bungalows
At 7:30, your morning begins with a pickup from your hotel to Fumba village, where you will meet your special boat. It is about visiting three different sandbanks, and you will stop in one of those for a seafood lunch, where you will later do snorkeling and have a chance to see the dolphins. It is a full day back at 17:30 in Fumba village, arriving at the hotel around 18:30. Then back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Amaan Bungalow
Accommodation: Amaan Bungalows
Depending on your flight schedule and departure point, you will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your return flight. If you are flying out of Dar es Salaam or Nairobi, we will arrange a connecting flight to catch your return flight.
Costs & Inclusions
Quote on request. Enquire now
- 2 ways transfers
- Full accommodation on vacation
- All park fees and government taxes
- Services of Professional multilingual guide
- Meals & drinks plans
- International airfare
- Items of a personal nature such as passport, visa, and traveler’s insurance.
- Tips to your vacation guide
Booking Process
General Travel Information
Climate. Tanzania’s climate is tropical and there are two rain seasons the longer being March through May and the shorter between October and November. The dry season lasts from July through October with clear skies and sunshine the whole day. The weather is suitable for beach vacations. The coastal area is normally hot and humid.
Visa: Coming to Tanzania has been made easy for visitors. It is easy to obtain a Tanzanian visa and there are three ways to obtain it: You can get a visa from a Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission from your country or upon arrival at the port of entry or you can apply online via the Tanzania Immigration site, that is, the airport or at the border port. The above procedure applies to North American and European citizens. For more details about visas please contact the nearest Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission in your area.
Tanzania’s International Airports: Tanzania has two international airports, one outside the commercial capital Dar es Salaam (airport code: DAR) and the other near Arusha (and Mount Kilimanjaro) called Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO). Charter flights and some international operators fly directly to Zanzibar Island (airport code: ZNZ)
Getting to Tanzania: If you’re planning to visit Northern Tanzania, the best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). KLM has daily flights from Amsterdam. Ethiopian and Kenya Airways / Precision Air also fly into KIA.
If you’re planning to visit Zanzibar, southern and western Tanzania, it is ideal to fly to the capital city of Dar es Salaam. European carriers that fly into Dar es Salaam include British Airways, KLM, and Swissair(which share codes with Delta). There are long-distance bus services between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Attractions: The country has a lot to offer educationally, historically, for leisure and adventures. These adventures are safaris (game) driving in National Parks like Serengeti, Manyara, and Tarangire to see wildlife, historical sites such as museums, landscapes, mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, and culture.
Social life: The country has more than 120 tribes. Each tribe has its vernacular. Although there are many languages “Swahili” was adopted as the national language in 1961 right after independence. The language has spread and is being used in the neighboring countries of Uganda, Kenya, and Central Africa. English is the second official language of the nation. You will find that Tanzanians are very welcoming and friendly.
Political system: Tanzania is perhaps the leading country on the continent of Africa for its political stability, peace, and tranquility. The political system is multi-party and the government is democratic. Political and religious conflicts are resolved through dialogue. In short, religious and tribal conflicts are very rare in this country because every citizen is free to worship as he/she pleases provided that one does not violate the law of the land
Currency: The national currency of Tanzania is the “shilling” (Tshs). Exchange rates vary and are subject to change any time. Credit cards such as Euro-card, American Express, Master Card, Access, and Visa are accepted by most tourists’ hotels, carving shops, bureau de change, and banks. Also, Traveler’s Cheques in sterling pounds and US dollars are acceptable.
Religions: Because of its historical diversity Tanzania is a land of various religions. Nevertheless, the major religions are Christianity, Islam, Hindu, and African Traditional Religions. On the east coast – Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, and Tanga – the dominant religions are Islam and Hindu. This is due to the advent of Arabs and Eastern Indians which led to the spread of the two religions. The mainland is dominantly Christian and this is because European colonists, like Arabs, spread the Christian religion to the indigenous people.
Infrastructure & Accessibility: Major roads are paved and accessible throughout the year. Side roads and those around and within the National Parks are muddy and rough. For this reason, a 4WD car is required for safaris. Four-wheel cars include Toyota Land Cruisers, Land Rovers, and Toyota Hiace 4WD. These are the cars commonly used. The railway is also used in the eastern, southern, central, and western parts of the country.
Time: The time zone is GMT + 3 and the electricity is 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz.
This is not actually from the company side but has something to do with yourself, you may wish to support locals by buying souvenirs or you may arrange some extra tours around the city or tipping to your team. Is the best way to acknowledge others as one of the best practices in life. Feel comfortable to discuss with your tour planner anytime
As any other endeavor challenges are part of the journey, you may experience congestion while arriving or you may experience network outage in most of the areas while on safari. Bear in mind that there are challenges that we can control as human beings but in case of natural disasters that we do not wish to happen if we are supposed to stop your tour, immediate actions are necessary to save a life.
Packing for a Tanzania safari is vastly different from packing for just about any other trip, and it offers a different challenge depending on whether you’re a solo traveler, family, or couple. Not only do most safari-goers have weight restrictions on bush flights (a typical weight restriction is 15 kilograms or 33 pounds total per person, including camera equipment and carry-ons), but you also have the challenge of knowing which types of clothes to wear on safari are appropriate. We’ve been leading tours for years in Tanzania, and have put together our tips for what to pack for an African safari.
Duffel or soft-sided bag, TSA-approved clear toiletry case,2 pairs of pants in breathable fabric in earth tones,1 – 2 long sleeve shirts in chambray or earth tones,3 layering tanks or T-shirts, Utility jacket, Light scarf, Sports bra, Wide brim hat with chin strap, Closed-toe shoes like trail runners or fashion sneakers with good traction, Waterproof dry bag, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Insect repellent with Deet, conditioner, Lip balm, Plug adapters/converters, USB flash drive, Memory cards for your camera and First aid kit
Travel insurance is very crucial when it comes to travel around the world, for any traveler. Getting travel insurance in Tanzania is made easy through third-party companies which are dealing specifically with evacuation in case of any emergency during your tour, we do not sell it but we will be happy to recommend reliable compressive travel insurance that covers things like emergency helicopter rescue, medical evacuations expense it will be assisted protection tour to cover personal injury, repatriation expenses, and any kind of possibility illness will be covered. Having good travel insurance guarantees peace of mind while traveling, safety comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are determined to ensure that you experience the luxury of genuinely memorable travel. On every trip, we aim to create a ‘charmed space’ within which you can relax, absorb fresh insights, be stimulated and charmed by new encounters – and have fun!
- Modest dressing is appreciated by everyone in Zanzibar. Foreign standards do not apply everywhere, so some items that are standard in your home country might not be appreciated. Bikinis and minis are fine for the beach, but in the villages and towns, women should cover their shoulders and wear a skirt or trousers that reach below the knee. Likewise, men should not go shirtless and should dress respectfully.
- If you are spending time on a beach in Stone Town or other beaches that are within sight of town, consider wearing beach clothes when not swimming. Being topless is not allowed for women.
You can take photos in public areas but ask for permission before taking pictures of individual people or private houses.
Clothes should be light, loose, washable, and preferably made from natural fabrics, rubber flip-flops or sandals are excellent choices for wandering around the villages and town, but a sturdy pair of walking shoes will normally be needed for sightseeing or walking through the forest. The tropical sun in Zanzibar is very strong, especially in midday. Sunscreen with high SPF and shady hats are preferable. It’s good to also pack sunglasses and a flashlight (the electricity is not completely reliable).
- Summer temperatures range from 20°C/68°F to 30°C/86°F, from December to March.
- Winter temperatures range from 19°C/66°F to 25°C/77°F, from March to May. From June to October, it gets very dry on the island with hot days and cool evenings.
- Late October through to mid-December is pretty hot with small thunderstorms.
Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim and filled with mosques. There are a few churches and temples for Christians and Hindus. Please do not enter the mosques if you are not Muslim.
When visiting Zanzibar, you should visit your local embassy to get details on your passport and visa. Depending on your nationality, you might be able to get a visa in Zanzibar or you might have to request it in your country. For more information kindly refer to our travel information section above.
- The unit of currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian shilling (Tsh).
- Foreign currency is usually accepted in most establishments in Tanzania. Traveler’s cheques and cash are widely accepted.
- Visa and MasterCard are accepted at all upmarket hotels and lodges.
Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.
- Zanzibar does not have any international banks. However, local banks will readily exchange foreign currency. The banks are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and closed on a Saturdays and Sundays.
- The capital of Zanzibar is Stone Town, a place where the past and present have mixed very well. Stone Town is an interesting mix of East African, Arab, Indian, Persian, and European conquerors, traders, and seafarers.
- The city is filled with old buildings created in the different periods in Zanzibar. Being a small and busy island, the town does not provide the cleanest view, but it’s interesting to see the markets, harbor, and mosques, and to dine at a few restaurants.
Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at large establishments. There are many ATM cash machines in Zanzibar Town and can be used with Visa, Visa Electron, and MasterCard. Sometimes you need to try different banks before you find the one that works with your card. American Express works in Zanzibar, but not at as many ATMs.
Whether traveling alone or with friends, Blessing Safaris guests often mention how particularly agreeable they find their traveling companions. our groups are deliberately small, comprising 2 to 7 guests, especially for safari.
- If you stay longer and need to make several phone calls, you might want to consider a local SIM card. We can arrange this for you. International calls are generally much cheaper with local SIM.
- The country code for Tanzania (including Zanzibar) is +255.
Our team carefully researched and focused on trips that attract people with the same interests and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.
Memorable meals are one of the hallmarks of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed. Depending on the service level or type of tour you have chosen, pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win situation for an enjoyable diet. Other tours are accompanied by our cook and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners including hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges.
This aspect is much overstated. You will rarely see a snake, but if you do, it will most likely be from the safety of your safari vehicle. Tents and lodges all have bug screens fitted to windows and doors. In most areas where bugs or mosquitoes are prevalent, rooms and tents are also equipped with mosquito nets, adding to the idealistic ambiance. Bear in mind that malaria is a threat in most wildlife areas, and it is necessary to consult your doctor for advice before embarking on your safari.
Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken throughout Africa, this presents no problem as English is spoken throughout East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual so we get you covered
Customer Reviews
Posted onVerified Life changing experience Our trip to Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and Tarangire National Park was life changing! We have a deeper appreciation for the culture in Africa, how people live very simple lives amongst the natural environment in which these wild animals live freely. Truly the best trip we ever have experienced!Posted onVerified Professionalism. Delight. Delicious. Incredible views. This is a team of true professionals. Everything was very clear and coordinated. Everything was on time. Discipline and professionalism. I can confidently recommend this company for climbing Kilimanjaro.Posted onVerified BEST SAFARI COMPANY🎉 We had the absolute privilege of booking our honeymoon safari with Blessings Safari, and we truly could not have asked for a more perfect experience. From start to finish, everything was seamless, thoughtful, and beyond our expectations.The owner, Elibariki, took such care in planning every detail for us. Each accommodation was not only beautiful, but also felt special and unique, which made our honeymoon even more memorable. You can really tell how much passion and heart he puts into his company.Our guide, Zoya, was incredible. His knowledge of the land, culture, and wildlife was astounding—he could spot animals we never would have seen on our own, and he shared so many stories and insights that made us feel deeply connected to Tanzania. On top of that, he was so kind, patient, and genuinely fun to spend time with. We always felt safe and well taken care of.Blessings Safari went above and beyond for us, and we are so grateful. This was the trip of a lifetime, and we will never forget the memories we made. If you are considering a safari in Tanzania, we wholeheartedly recommend choosing Blessings Safari—you will be in the best hands.Posted onVerified a dream holiday! We had a dream family holiday! All the conditions were met: first thanks to our guide Zoya for the safari party: his great experience in the field made us find a lot of animals with exciting information about their lifestyle. We also appreciated all his explanations about the country and the people. We also felt perfectly safe with him during the sometimes long journeys on dirt roads that are difficult to pass. In short, his kindness and professionalism were very valuable to us.Then on the logistics of the safari: Drinks and snacks available throughout the day and the picnics were delicious: hot meals, cooked daily with tablecloth and dishes. The hotels and lodges chosen lived up to our expectations!For the rest of the stay we went to Zanzibar where we spent 2 perfect nights at the tembo stone town hotel and ended up with a really seaside stay at the Amaan beach bungalows in nungwi for 3 days. It was perfect! A big thank you to Elikari for this millimetered organization that will make us extraordinary memories!Posted onVerified Unforgettable Safari Experience We had an unforgettable experience with Blessings Safari during our trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar! From start to finish, everything was handled with professionalism, care, and genuine warmth.Our main point of contact, Elibariki, was absolutely fantastic. He was incredibly responsive, clear with communication, and went above and beyond to make sure every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully arranged. We always felt informed and supported, which gave us peace of mind throughout our journey.We were also extremely lucky to have Zoya as our safari guide. He was top notch—friendly, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about what he does. He made sure we were always comfortable and safe, and he had a great sense of humor that made the trip even more fun. We shared so many laughs and learned so much from him about the people, the different tribes, and of course, the amazing wildlife.We highly recommend Blessings Safari to anyone planning a trip to Tanzania. They made our dream adventure a reality and gave us memories we’ll cherish forever.Posted onVerified Unforgettable Honeymoon experience Blessing Safaris made our honeymoon unforgettable. From the moment we started talking to them, all the way to departure; they answered all my questions, gave sound advice, and set up amazing experiences. Zoya was our guide for the safari for 7 days, going to Tangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti. He was so knowledgeable, compassionate, funny, and smart! We couldn't have asked for a better guide. We then had 3 days in Zanzibar, which we probably could have gone without the tours and just stayed at the all-inclusive to relax and been extremely happy. HIGHLY suggest using them to book your tour, don't be afraid to ask questions, tailor it to your own interests, and enjoy!Posted onVerified Blessing Safaris, Kilamangaro mountain ⛰️ climbing Blessing Safaris made our trip so memorable. What an amazing experience we had climbing kilamangaro mountain ⛰️. The staff was so friendly, so helpful, experienced, and most importantly kind. I would 100 percent recommend Blessing Safaris for all of you that read this review. And I would definitely go back there in the future and choose them over and over. What an amazing journey.Posted onVerified Great Experience, Great People! I don't know where to begin when it comes to the service and level of care and attention to detail Elibariki showed me when helping to customize my itinerary! He understood that I was on a tight budget and gave me a wonderful experience nonetheless, which I will cherish forever. From Tarangire, to Ngoro Ngoro, to climbing Kilimajaro, to Materuni waterfalls in Moshi! I had to skip Napuru Waterfalls due to a leg injury, and feet trauma from climbing Kilimajaro - that said, I still enjoyed every bit of my safari. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, recommend Blessing Safaris for any of your customised trips. They will deliver everything to a T and pay very close attention to detail. In terms of flexibility - 10/10; customer support at any time (sorry for calling in late Eli) 10/10, personell and team - 10/10 (Shout out to Prosper, Loy - my Kilimanjaro guide, Moses, Abraham and of course, the main man, Elibariki who went above and beyond for me. I cannot wait to do the Serengeti with Blessing Safaris. Counting the days!It honestly didn't even feel like a budget safari!Posted onVerified Kilimanjaro It was an amazing experience! The team supported us in everything, they were very nice and created an amazing atmosphere all the days we spent there on Kilimanjaro. They were also very supportive the evening we climbed the pick and thanks to them we made it! 💪 highly recommended!!Posted onVerified The Safari 2024 My guide/driver Abney was amazing .He was very knowledgeable of the animal , vegetation ,Tarangire National Park,Ngorongoro and the Serengeti .He made sure you were comfortable and answered all questions . and was patient ie. wanted to stay in a spot longer to watch the animals no problem Blessings Safari did a great job and my safari days are very memorable
