About Tanzania

Tanzania is a  a destination that excites us all but remains quite unknown to most of us so we hope with this blog post the iinerary and all other related blog posts will guide you and orientate you quite a bit in the planning of the trip!

Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania.

Zanzibar, the exotic island of Tanzania (or maybe not?)

Zanzibar is a rising travel destination, beloved for wedding trips and kite surfing lovers is truly a heaven on earth. Blue waters and all-white sand an unparalleled beauty scenery which contrasts in a strange and awkward way to the hard lives of the inhabitants of the island and the living conditions which  are really bad. Our feelings about the exotic Zanzibar island are mixed. If you re intrested to learn more about zanzibar island read our blog post!

What to do in Tanzania

There are many choices, among them: hiking Kilimanjaro, safari game drive at national parks, adventure in cities and villages, exotic Zanzibar, visit a village of Maasai, volunteering etc. Read three different itinerary options we recommend in our blog post depending on the time you have and your interests and create your journey from scratch!

Safari game drive in Tanzania’s National Parks

For our safari game driving experience we can write countless blog posts but we still will not be able to transfer you all of our feelings about the greatness of nature as we experienced it! What we’re going to tell you is that it’s a unique experience with absolute respect to nature and animals! Read in detail our thoughts, advice and everything about the national parks we chose to explore.

How to move in Tanzania

Tanzania is a huge country where travel is an issue that concerns us all quite specifically if you want to explore it like a lot…! Our options are as follows:

Plane

With several international airports and even more local ones it is very easy to reachable from the south to the north of the country within one hour or less! Air Companies like Air Tanzania, Precision Air  offer tickets from $50 per route e.g. from Dar El Salam to Kilimanjaro. Book your tickets online!

Bus

The bus is also a very widespread means of transport and you can easily reach for $20 and more from Dar El Salam to Arusha with companies such as Dar express. Book your tickets online!

Train

Train we didn’t try but there’s definitely one for some long asting adventures throughout the country! There’s an info page on internet, but to book your tickets you have to go to the station!

Ship

You’ll need to take a boat if you don’t choose the plane to go from the mainland to Zanzibar and back! Calculate from $35 and above for this specific route and be informed about the routes because they are limited per day.

Dala dala & Tuk tuk

Local minivans often open from top and back  can be found everywhere around the country and move affordably but not comfortably. There are dala dala stations but you can easily catch them both on the roa, just raise your hand and they will stop! Tuk tuk the classics and favorite known tricycles from Southeast Asia!

What to pack for a trip to Tanzania? – Travel Packing List for a trip to Tanzania

First of all, let us give you a really important piece of advice! Don’t go To Zanania with a suitcase, it’s only convenient for the backpack unless you’re comfortable enough and luxurious travelling  with private transfers! Check out our travel packing list for a trip to Tanzania that lasts two weeks, including camping, sea, hiking etc. You will find a useful travel packing list in our relevant blog post!

How much does a trip to Tanzania cost?

As you may understand the cost is indicative because it depends on the way you travel, the days of the trip and the type of traveller you are. There is room for everyone of course and we do not criticize any type of traveler just in case keep in mind that the prices below refer to “low to medium” budget backpacking trip (which means that the cost goes even lower). The cost is per person.

• Flights from Brussels with Turkish airlines and luggage 32 kg 350€
• Safari 5 days (including food lunch, breakfast entrances to the National Parks transfers and camping accommodation) $900 (prices vary depending on the choices and company)
• Food $10-15 per person a day with a beer (not for the safari days)
• Accommodation starts at $20 (we don’t recommend it), calculate at least $30 for a relatively comfortable stay (usually with a shared bathroom)
• Other transfers and entrances, e.g. in the waterfall areas you need to pay a small fee, also  if planning on taking a national flight calculate $50-70 a flight, bus $20 for long journeys, ship to Zanzibar 35-50 dollars. The local dala dala costs little, 500-2000 Tanzanian shillings which is less than 1.5€
• If anyone hikes Kilimanjaro, for example, a climb will cost you up from 250 usd to $5000.
• For souvenirs you will spend less. We preferred the masai market in Arusha and the locals in Zanzibar.
• Tips calculate a small amount
• Visa $50 (online)

Useful information

1. A visa is issued electronically prior to arrival in Tanzania and also applies to Zanzibar. If you are going to volunteer you may need to ask any further obligations.
2. We made local change at Kilimanjaro airport for the whole trip.
3. Internet card can be found almost everywhere eg at the airport and at local markets in obvious places.

Is a trip to Tanzania safe?

With absolute certainty our answer is yes! We didn’t feel not even for a second uncomfortable or dangerous at any point of our trip both in a city or a village we were visiting. People were everywhere kind and ready to help if needed!

Ngorongoro crater vista point

Useful words for your arrival in Tanzania

Mambo
Jambo
Poa
Karibu
Asante

Travel and volunteering

Did you know you could combine a trip with volunteering? How with very little money you will get back a lot richer than you started? In Tanzania there are wonderful projects both held by Greek organizations and by foreign ones, you can help on your own, of course, either by physical presence or through others! Sometimes you can even exchange your services for free accommodation (e.g. if you are a web developer you can build a website for a school so that they will be able to accept shipments and funding directly from interested parties). Read ways and information about volunteering in Tanzania in our blog post and proceed to do some practicing and undo the comfort of your everyday life! This time for Africa…

Karibu!

The post THIS TIME FOR AFRICA TANZANIA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Today we are presenting 2 a two-week itineraries to choose from, for your trip to Tanzania

2 Week travel itinerary in Tanzania No 1

• Starting at Dar El Salam (International Airport)
• A day at Dar El Salam
• Bus (e.g. with Dar express bus) to the north
• Stop for a two-day staying and hiking in Lushoto
• Three to four days on safari at the national parks
• A day in Arusha transfer with Dala dala to Moshi
• One to two days in Moshi
• Flight to Zanzibar City (e.g. with Air Tanzania)
• Five days volunteer project in project in the region
• Two days relaxing and touring the island

• 2 Week travel itinerary in Tanzania No 2

  • Starting at Kilimanjaro (International Airport)
  • Five days volunteer project in the region
  • Two days on safari at national parks
  • A one day Stay in Arusha
  • Transportation by Dala dala to Moshi
  • One day stay in Moshi
  • Bus to the south (e.g. Dar express bus)
  • Stop included accommodation in Lushoto (one or two days)
  • Bus to Dar El Salam
  • Accommodation in Dar El Salam
  • Ferry to Zanzibar
  • Relaxation and island tour

2 Week travel itinerary in Tanzania No 3

If you are a hiking enthusiast and you aim to climb Kilimanjaro you should be prepared for the below two things, first one is  to spare time to complete the route (7 days) and money (indicatively $5,000). So if you re planning to dedicate the first week at the area you must have Kilimanjaro Airport as your starting point and for the second week you can choose to go with the above itineraries  more or less.

What was our itinerary?

We started from Dar El Salam we flew to Arusha from where we explored the city of Arusha and we tried a safari game drive at the national parks of Serengeti, Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the villages of Masai, then we headed to Moshi overlooking Kilimanjaro africa’s tallest mountain, we explored and hiked in the area around Kilimanjaro, Materuni and Marangu waterfalls, we flew to Zanzibar where we explored the island and the village of Jambiani where we developed some contacts with the village primary school that lists nearly 900 children. We enjoyed the sun at Paje beach and came home with lots of thoughts about new projects!

What is certain is that we are talking about a huge country with unparalleled beauty and natural wealth! Read more about our safari game drive experience and everything you need to know to participate in a voluntary program or just help by all means you could possibly do so and create the ideal travel itinerary for you!

Enjoy!

The post 2 WEEKS TRAVEL ITINERARY IN AFRICA – TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

The big five animals are: lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, puma

From Kenya to South Africa animal herds migrate from region to region depending on the time of year and the call of the nature in search of food, survival, mating and hunting! All this huge migration is a unique setting for every traveler and it is definitely worth experiencing at least once in your life!

From our personal experience of the safari game drive in four tanzanian national parks, we recommend to each one of you to try it! What we loved the most was the respectful way of the tour towards nature and animals! The truth is that we had no idea what to expect and while there was hesitation before going there, fortunately the experience is only positively valued and we share it with you below!

Safari tour in Tanzania – Game Drive Safari in Tanzania

The safari tour operator we chose is Mwewe Expeditions and the main reason is the excellent comments we had read online about the company and about the owner of Mwewe called Sariko. The initial impression was completely confirmed as professionalism was not lacking not for a minute, there was a very youthful lay out that made our safari game drive more adventurous and the whole 5 day itinerary was perfectly organized always according to the itinerary we had discussed!

Mwewe Expeditions is a locally family owned Company that operates professionally with an experienced team for over 13 years in tourism Industry in Tanzania. Whether you are honeymooners, family, solo or groups we can make your dreams turn into reality.

Their moto is “We guarantee the best experience ever, nature guaranteed”

To contact Sariko and set up your own itinerary you can contact via company’s site, Facebook or Instagram! Although he is always busy traveling on a safari game drive at north Tanzanian national parks, he responds rapidly.

Before we move on to the national parks we visited (you can of course choose more, less or different than those we chose depending on the time of year you are travelling ), the time we chose is the era of predators as we wanted to see a little action thing. Don’t forget, of course, that it is the natural environment of animals and not a show for the humans, so there is no guarantee of how much action you will see, how many animals or what time you will see them! This is, of course, the point of having a safari game drive, the game drive in the national park lasts all day and puts you in the process of constant vigilance in case you see any of the rare big five animals in action while seeing dozens and hundreds other animals migrate, guard their little ones, etc.

Serengeti National Park of Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is a Tanzanian national park in the Serengeti ecosystem in the Mara and Simiyu regions. It is famous for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 250,000 zebra and for its numerous Nile crocodile and honey badger

A vast intensity of greenery! Greener than we’ve ever seen before! This park has as much land as a small country and hosts millions of animals every year. In addition to elephant, zebra, gnous, sourcata, giraffe, hippopotamus, buffaloes, all kinds of antelope and lions you will meet (if you are lucky) cheetahs, pumas and many more species! An unforgettable image for us is that of the cheetahs sitting aristocraticly on tall trees carefree and relaxed by all danger!

Don’t worry about the food at the campsite where you re gonna overnight, as Sariko will make sure you have the best cook with you and you will all eat together at the restaurant areas with the rest of the campers or co travelers if you share the safari tour!

Ngorongoro National Park of Tanzania and Ngorongoro crater

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area  is a protected area and a World Heritage Site located 180 km (110 mi) west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area. The conservation area is administered by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, an arm of the Tanzanian government, and its boundaries follow the boundary of the Ngorongoro Division of the Arusha Region.

The 2009 Ngorogoro Wildlife Conservation Act placed new restrictions on human settlement and subsistence farming in the Crater, displacing Maasai pastoralists, most of whom had been relocated to Ngorongoro from their ancestral lands to the north when the British colonial government established Serengeti National Park in 1959.

Personally this was our favorite national park, because of the countless of animals we encountered and the unparalleled beauty! You are in the largest crater in the world in an indescribable setting that you have certainly never encountered before and you are in awe of nature unfolding before your eyes! Mothers, newborns, herds, predators all together in the same landscape!

The main feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority is the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. The crater, which formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself two to three million years ago, is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres (100 square miles).

If you stay at the campsite be sure you have isothermal clothes (see our list here) to withstand the cold and enjoy the stars in the evening up in the crystal clear night sky!

Extra hint: when you find yourself there, ask to find out where the name of the national park came from! The answer will surprise you!

Tarangire National Park of Tanzania

Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania after Ruaha, Serengeti, Mikumi, Katavi and Mkomazi. The national park is located in Manyara Region. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses through the park, being the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. During the dry season thousands of animals migrate to the Tarangire National Park from Manyara National Park.

This park includes all the animals mentioned above but the scenery and the route is very different and in addition here you will find the trees with the huge trunks calles Bao bab trees!

We ll never forget seeing an elephant into a hollow trunk of bao bab tree!

Arusha National Park of Tanzania

Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania. The park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying algal colours and are known for their wading birds.

The scenery complements a park with several unique pictures as here you will live more of the tropical part of Tanzania! You’ll be touring into the jungle, meeting monkeys, baboons, thousands of flamingos and the unique Columbus monkeys with the lovely and impressive hair (interesting fact the greek origin of the word Columbus – learn more at the museum you ll meet during the safari).

Watch our safari video on Youtube

Where to stay at the National Parks in Tanzania

For lodging inside the national parks there are two options. The first choice is to stay in a lodge, but keep in mind that due to the small number of lodges the price start from 150€ per person per night and not unfairly we would say comparing to the unique view of course and in general to the national park itself! The second choice is the one we chose and it is not other that our beloved camping under the stars! Campsites is the most common choice amongst travelers not only because of the price but mainly for the general experience it offers! The campsites are located inside the area of the national parks as well as the lodges, they are right next to the original villages of Maasai tribes and you will hear at night all nature sound including animals’ roaring or eating.  Unique unforgettable feeling!

If you decide to go on a safari tour in Tanzania and explore the extraordinary national parks in Tanzania you just go ahead and choose the best tour operator in the region, choose Mwewe Expeditions. Safari in Tanzania is an experience worth getting directly into your travel bucket list! You ll get the chance to connect with nature something that will fascinate you more than anything,  to witness the greatness of nature and admire closely the natural evolution, hunting and the coexistence of thousands of animals!

Hakuna Matata!

The post TANZANIA SAFARI TOUR BY MWEWE EXPEDITIONS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

First of all, Massai or Maasai is a neo-hamai tribe that resides in southwestern Kenya, northern Tanzania and a small group in north-central Kenya, north of Mount Kenya, next to their relative tribe, the Samburu. This is a tribe that deals mainly with livestock farming. The Maasai travel long distances with their cows to find water while they are renowned for their fighting skills. Male warriors even dye their hair with a special red paint (ochre), made perhaps from a substance coming out of a plant in the area.

Any of the these two countries you decide to visit it is for sure that your travelling curiosity will make you wonder whether to visit or not a Maasai village!

A few words about the Maasai tribe

The Maasai are a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting northern, central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks of the African Great Lakes, and their distinctive customs and dress. The Tanzanian and Kenyan governments have instituted programs to encourage the Maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, but the people have continued their age-old customs. Many Maasai tribes throughout Tanzania and Kenya welcome visits to their villages to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle, in return for a fee.

The original villages of Maasai

So what we were wondering before visiting the area was whether we should or shouldn’t visit a Maasai village and how we were supposed to do so when the only info we found on internet was some really expensive tours to some villages that didn’t sound to be that authentic!  So we made our research we saw the Maasai villages in Tanzania and sharing with you our opinion. The original Maasai villages are dozens and they are called bomas. These are small settlements in which they live by small communities and of course are located within improvised low walls of branches etc in order to be preserved by wild animals that are free in their natural environment. During the day you will see thousands of Maasai shepherds, young and old, wandering around with their flocks in the mountains with their traditional clothing, barefoot or not but always willing to give you a smile.

They are registered citizens so that they can receive health care or, for example, so that they can vote in elections, but they are not particularly interested in the “civilised” lifestyle and choose their own authentic “primitive”. Living in nature.

How to visit an authentic Maasai village

Our advice is first of all not to visit a Maasai village, because you will simply see so many villages and so many Maasai people during your driving through the national parks of Tanzania that you will satisfy every travel curiosity of yours. You don’t have to be one of the annoying tourists who pay a lot of dollars to infiltrate the Maasai sanctuaries, whereas in fact what happens is paying to see a very well organized performance in a fake Maasai village.

How much does visiting a Maasai village cost?

The truth is that with a brief search on the internet you will find many pages that suggest this tour as something unique and cultural and so on… They’ll charge you $70-100 (something cheaper definitely hides other costs, e.g. no transportation included), while if you choose to stay in a village next to the Maasai leader the price is above $150. You get what you pay after all… or not?

What do we recommend?

If despite all the Maasai seeing you ll get to have while driving through bomas at National parks (even in Zanzibar you will find them almost everywhere) you still want to visit one of the authentic villages (villages outside the area mentioned above are not authentic but staged performances for the tourists) during your trip at the national parks ask your guide to stop you in one of the villages but always check the entrance fee which varies from $5-20.

Last but not least, because even this choice seems a little uncomfortable to us… Think of a Tanzanian guy coming unexpectedly into your home and paying you to get into your life with you showing him what you’re doing in your daily life and even worse start photographing your kids in exchange for a candy! After all you can find dozens of videos on youtube or on travel shows of others, let’s call them travelers, influencers, instagrammers or whatever…  who love disturbing and ruining the maasai way of thinking and teaching us culture lessons (when you teach someone that all he has to do for money which he doesn’t even need, is to send his child to beg for a candy… we are truly sorry, but this is just a bad example of how to become a stupid tourist…).

The choice is your of course! We do not intent to judge, but this is our view, that is how we feel and these are the thoughts we would like to share with our readers. To be fair we have to admit that you can definitely visit respectfully a Maasai village without being annoying, but even this simply doesn’t fit our way of traveling.

However, we hope we helped you get a little insight into what awaits you and what choices you have!

The post DISCOVER MAASAI TRIBE IN AFRICA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Apart from the above, of course, each country is differenet and so is the travel packing list which may vary a bit! . It goes without saying, of course, that depending on the activities you intend to join you may need to change the list appropriately (e.g. if you climb Kilimanjaro you will need mountain trekking shoes but also special snowwear). So here is our travel paching list for our trip in Tanzania:

• mosquito net (especially if you stay in hostel)
• urination bags (if you are going to campsite in national parks)
• download Uber if you use a taxi in Dar El Salam
• organic or soap shower gel
• Waterproofs
• isothermal (necessarily if you are camping)
• visa (online before you travel)
• jungle spray with more than 4 deet
• snacks like cereal bars for days you might not find anything else or want to supplement your diet
• powerbank
• adaptor
• reusable bottle
• medicines and vaccines – advise the experts or travel medicine of a hospital (for malaria – treatment for malaria, vaccinations for yellow fever, typhus, hyperpatitis a and b, dipthyritis – after first testing to see if you already have antibodies, we recommend that you have antiemetics, betadin, antiseptic hankerchiefs, painkillers and electrolytes)
• Hat
• light (if camping)
• Sunscreen
• work gloves (if any volunteering is in your itinerary)
• school supplies (if you are planning to visit school)
• clothes and shoes in good condition you don’t need or spare to give them to someone who may be in need
• hand antiseptic
• Slippers
• Sportwear and shoes
• microfiber towels

And last but not least happy smiles and good mood have to be in your travel packing list! Just an advice especially while visiting countries like Tanzania. Don’t expect to find western standards services, after all, you didn’t choose Tanzania for that reason, focus on the uniqueness of this country and the vibes of its people, respect their culture and their way of life, and your stay there will be unforgettable!

The post TRAVEL PACKING LIST FOR A TRIP TO TANZANIA appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

We always visit villages and walk between houses, local shops, markets, fields etc, but during our trip to Tanzania and especially in Zanzibar we thought that we would do something different! We wanted to do something for other people, by helping them. So after a long search of several volunteering and crowdfunding programmes we contacted the school in jambiani village.

The village of Jambiani

Jambiani is one of the largest villages of Zanzibar and stretches over a large area of coastline,  to the west of the island. It is a beautiful village in terms of authenticity but it is very poor with no roads. Characteristic, is that there is no drinkable water. The locals have to walk (vehicles there are few) or cycle several kilometers, under an incredible heat, in order to procure water.

Arturo (Adam) a 18 years local told us that “You could die on the bike”…to bring water to your family!

If you visit the village don’t forget to walk all over the area. Try to communicate with the locals, they are very kind and smily! Watch how they grap the cocos from the trees, learn what they do with the algae and visit their houses. Ask a village boy, who might know English, to get you around or just look for Arturo!

Jambiani School

The truth is that in the search for points of contact we had some help from a Polish guy, who lives and works there. He also helped us to contact with the primary school of Jambiani village, where he volunteers as well. So our first contact with the school began. Unique experience, amazing images etched in our mind and our soul. Smily little children and admirable teachers try to do their best, in difficult conditions. With no infrustructure, no books, no places to do their lessons, no PCs… teachers try to transfer their knowledge! We have no word to describe what we saw, so you’d better see the photos we took with the school principal’s permission.

Nearly 900 kindergarten and high school children are housed there! Halls are full of children, many of them without desks (children just sit on the floor)! There also face problems in offering potable water to the children!

Jambiani school projects

School survival is very important for the local community. Its survival depends on needs that exist and are real, without any dose of exaggeration! Uniforms for students, tank for drinking water, walls painting, dining area, desks, books, notebooks, bags, PCs and many more!

How can you help?

• By Buying school supplies from Stone town (you will find small bookstores scattered in the city where you can buy notebooks) and donate them.
• To bring school supplies from your own country! Don’t worry about what to brind, because everything is precious!
• Try one of the infinite volunteer programs that exist and are already organized. In Jambiani there are African impact facilities. For example you can stay there and you could help them with projects that are already running.
• By making your “holidays” and simultaneously help the school by offering your extra time. You can teach them English, that will be very helpfull for their future!
• Send money to jambiani school or any other institution of your choice.
• Joining a crowdfunding campaign you know and trust (eg. wheeling2help).

Read more about the volunteer programs and do your search!

Why there? Certainly you can help people everywhere, even in your neighborhood. You can’t change the whole world, but you can definitely change a child’s life. It is not neccesary to offer a lot, just a simple children’s book, is enought. Jambiani school needs your help!!

The post VISIT A SCHOOL IN AFRICA – JAMBIANI VILLAGE ZANZIBAR appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

A few words about Zanzibar island

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania. It is composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 kilometres (16–31 mi) off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, referred to informally as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre is Stone Town, which is a World Heritage Site. Zanzibar’s main industries are spices, raffia, and tourism.

What to see and what to do in Zanzibar island

• Stone town (Market, slave memorial etc)
• Dala dala experience (from Stone town to Paje beach costs 2500 Tanzanian shillings or  under 2 euros while by taxi you ll gonna need at least $25)
• Prison island (bargain the price at about 3-5 usd there on site and don’t book prior traveling for $35)
• Paje beach (the most beautiful beach in our opinion)
• Jambiani village and beach
• Jambiani school visit and volunteer
• Jozani forest to see monkeys
• Butterfly forest
• Cuza caves
• Snorkel
• Kite surfing
• Rock restaurant (for a luxurious meal)
• See the tide going up and down (check out the times of the tide so that you get to enjoy the sea)
• Other beaches of the island (move around by Dala dala)
• Visit one of the near Islands

Watch our map on google earth and our video!

Where to eat in Zanzibar island?

1. Stone town Tamu (gelateria Italians for cheap pizza bites by an Italian owner)
2. Paje beach Bausinga (local restaurant with local food and fair prices)
3. Paje beach Chianti (European restaurant with touristic mood)
4. Rock restaurant (one of its kind, very pricey to our opinion)

How to get from Tanzania mainland to Zanzibar island?

There are two ways of getting around in Zanzibar, the one is of course by air via Zanzibar airport which is located just outside Stone town and the second one is by ferry from the beach of the mainland of Tanzania and Dar El Salam! There is no ideal way in terms of money because e.g. the plane ticket can cost $55 and the boat $35, but if you take a taxi to get you to the boat especially in case you are traveling late night, the cost exceeds the cost of the plane. Whenever you travel always  check both options and chose the best one for you!

Where to stay in Zanzibar island?

The options for staying are also many and affordable for all budgets. Luckily for everyone Zanzibar doesn’t even have so many all-inclusive hotels that really would spoil the aesthetics of the island! However, most of the accommodations are owned by European owners. We stayed in bungalows on Paje beach which was an excellent choice. In Stone town you could have plenty of cheap options to stay, we used a hostel, which had a fantastic view and was in the city center. Don’t forget, of course, that it is a poor island that does not have infrastructure even if you decide to stay someplace more expensive. Try understand the way of local living and do not expect it to be a dreamy vacation on a sun lounger (of course this is also available there, but you don’t have to make it all the way to Zanzibar to do that)! Don’t expect air conditioning unless you stay in a classic tourist hotel (which isn’t bad of course) and here comes our objection to the way we treat the exotic Zanzibar… and the way we westerners wanna experience the island!

Is Zanzibar an Exotic destination after all?

Zanzibar island is a wonderful island with blue waters and white sand! With wonderful pure and smiling people who have nothing to do with Western culture. It is not that  ok for all of us to go there and demand services and air conditioning while the average local of the island does not even have access to clean drinking water. We do not intent to judge but we really dont like seeing tourists waiting to live the dream of an exotic beach vacation demanding luxurious sun beds and cocktails (which are there for you of course… after all,  actually you can have anything you wish and require and the local employees are there to satisfy will pleasure the requirements that owners of the lodges mainly Europeans have already trained them to offer to the tourists) while only two meters further, in the village there is no clean water for the children!

So our point of view  is that yes, Zanzibar is an exotic dreamy destination because it is exotic naturally and not because we tourists imagine it as an exotic place! Zanzibar is a very pure place, with quiet and kind muslim people in religion, with their children living below any poverty standards but with a constant smile on their face and it is worth being respecting without any demands for all inclusive situations and demonstration of our western culture. Let’s leave some places evolve at their own pace and their own unique way, the copy paste thing and some dreaming of an exotic honeymoon trip two meters away from reality do not suit Zanzibar.

How much does a trip to Zanzibar island cost?

Assuming that airfares vary and cost about 400€ per person (we flew for 350€ per person from Brussels with Turkish airlines), a budget of 1400€ for two people for a week will offer you more than comfortable living! With food and beer at 20€ a day, cheap dala – dala travel, local restaurants with affordable food and accommodation for every budget we would say Zanzibar is a low budget destination! For lower budget travellers expect to spend 1200€ per two persons for a week with a plane ticket of 350€ per person, accommodation in hostels 250€, food 200€ and some money for transportation and  souvenirs.

So, is Zanzibar island an exotic destination you would like to visit? Of course it is! This goes without saying.. Visit Zanzibar, respect it, help it and love it for  what this place stands! After all, its beauty is so unique that it is generously given to you whether you stay in a hostel or a well-known all inclusive hotel. Its beauty is found in the simplicity of its people which you will get to feel once you visit one of its authentic villages for a real cultural experience!

The post IS ZANZIBAR ISLAND AN EXOTIC TRAVEL DESTINATION? appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Cairo is also called the City of a thousand minarets because of the Islamic architecture that can be found in the whole city!

In Cairo we stayed for two and  a half days. The first one we wandered on our own in the places we outlined in our relevant post (prices included) which is worth reading to find out the places we recommend for both food and sweets!  For the second day we joined a one-day tour at the Saqqara desert, the suburb of Giza, the famous pyramids and the Egyptian Museum with Egypt Day Tours. We recommend that you try Egypt Day Tours to have an inside view of the world largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, to enjoy and understand deeply  the exhibits, the monuments and the history of the Egyptian ancient civilization since the first Pharaoh till Alexander the Great and Cleopatra!

First stop Giza Plateau and the Pyramids

The pyramids of Giza are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world that exists and stands proudly till this day at the necropolis of Giza. These are the three great  pyramids: the Pyramid of Cheops, also known as the Great Pyramid, the little smaller pyramid of Khafre and the relatively modest pyramid of Mykerinos. All three of them belong to the Fourth dynasty of Pharaohs. Together, including the ones we mentioned in the itibitine post, they form a vast complex of  pyramids the burial tombs of the great kings! The famous Great Sphinx belongs to the necropolis of Gkiza and actually it was just a huge rock which Ramses the second, the greatest Pharaoh of all, ordered it to be sculptured with his own face on it!

The Pyramids

The pyramids were built for the sake of the pharaohs, in order to accommodate their tombs eternally! In and out of each pyramid the architecture and design of each of them does not leave anyone unmoved especially considering that we are talking about a civilization that counts more than 5,000 years from now! These pyramids are dated back in 2580 BC.

Inside the Pyramids

Inside the pyramids the chambers where the tombs and the carnivores of the pharaohs were found are located and the treasures that accompanied them as well. On their inside there are solid and narrow corridors that lead either downhill or uphill to the chamber of Carnivores. Admission is allowed with a separate ticket, the price of which you will find below as well as extra tips!

Is it worth to enter the pyramids?

Our answer is obvious and positive! Apart from the  natural curiosity of a traveler, it is not possible not to be impressed by a real human miracle! After all you can visit the cheapest one with just €5 entrance, which we do not consider unbearable taking into consideration that you will be able to witness to something unique in the  whole world. Inside them of course there is nothing to see as the relics have been transferred to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo.

The Saqqara desert and the camels

The vast land stretching from the pyramids of Giza to the depths of Central Africa is the Sahara Desert! Beautiful scenery very different from the sceneries most of us have in our countriesa, always keeps impressing us and will continue to do so… On our next trip we will cover other areas we mention in our post, because we are talking about a huge country the exploration of which needs more time! Around the pyramids of Giza you will find camel waiting stoicly to take you for a  deeper ride into the desert at a relatively low price. They’re the most adorable creatures with their cute smiles! We have not tried it, but it is your journey and your decision.

As a special offer to anyone that comes through our blog, Egypt Day Toursi will offer a 10% discount on any tour / activity  plus a free camel ride in case you are in the pyramids area.

The Unknown pyramids

Yet the pyramids of Giza are not the only ones in Egypt! There are a few more and are located 30-40 km away from Cairo! Definitely worth the visit as you will not see the big crowds of Giza and you will enjoy them better (Bend, Step Pyramid etc.).

The Mysteries of the Sphinx

We have all heard of the mysteries of the Sphinx and thats why we call Egypt the Land of mysteries. So what’s the mystery, anyway? Maybe you ll be able to unsolve the myth while entering into the mysterious plateau…

Extra Tips before you step on the sand make a wish and maybe… The Sphinx may help you achieve it!

Extra tips for your entering to the pyramids and in the case of downhill direction try to get it upside down, like you would climb it! It’s easier and safer!

Our second stop is the Egyptian Museum

We are sure that in every museum you have ever visited there have been antiquities from the Roman Empire, the Greek antiquity and of course from the anscient Egyptian civilization. Well the Egyptian Museum of Cairo has unique exhibits from all the 62 dynasties of the Pharaohs of Egypt, has hundreds of exhibits, statues, carnivores, tombs, golden relics even mummies.

We recommend Egypt Day tours as it is wise to have a guide with you both to guide you correctly through the exhibits and to help you  understand and unfold  the mysteries of the Pharaohs and the ancient history and culture of Egypt!

The carnivores as ancient pieces  of art will get your attention, and so will the golden tombs which have a room size and of course the two separately secured halls with the mummies of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt and other less famous being calculated 5,000 years ago (a separate ticket is required).

At late afternoon the most amazing day comes to an end with the most incredible memories. This was all about our second day in Cairo with the Egypt day tours.  The first day was a stroll in the urban and modern Cairo while the second was an intrusion into the mysteries of Giza. So nice contrasts amongs those two faces of Cairo just like a mystery… Our unique experience in Cairo ends with so much new information and history about humankind!

egyptian museum

Read our full itinerary with prices in our post!

We thank Egypt Day Tours for the beautiful tour!

As a special offer to anyone that comes through our blog, Egypt Day Tours will offer a 10% discount on any tour / activity by mentioning the promo code NONSTOPTRAVELLERS plus a free camel ride in case you are in the pyramids area. 

Admission tickets

• Pyramids of Gkiza 160 EGP-(360 EGP Khufu’s’s Pyramid-100 EGP Khafre’s Pyramid
• Egyptian museum 160 EGP + 50 EGP photo pass or you can buy 300EGP inclusive tickets with Royal Mummies Hall

cairo egypt day tours pyramids

The post CAIRO DAY TOUR TO GIZA PLATEAU PYRAMIDS BY EGYPT DAY TOURS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Train from Luxor to Cairo

Here there are the two options completely different from each other. The first one is the simple day trip train with options Ac1 and Ac2 and prices at €10 per route, and the second one is a night sleeper train with a private cabin and price at 80USD per person. The difference in price is chaotic indeed so it depends on your wallet, we chose the cabin due to health issues that did not allow us to travel seated for 9 hours. The cabins were cute, overpriced of course, including dinner and breakfast. The good thing about the night train is that you save an overnight stay at a hotel and don’t waste any time commuting from one city to another.

Train from Cairo to Alexandria roundtrip

At Cairo station there are no machines to get tickets on your own as we have read in other blogs so you will have to wait in huge queues, spend a lot of time, have the money ready, split up into two lines of men women ( See extra tip below to save time). Know in advance the itineraries you are interested in. See prices here. Generally there are some delays, we did not face a particular problem but be prepared for Egyptian times.

egypt how to travel by train

Finally, if you have someone local around, just ask them to help you at the counter because most employees do not speak English and you may lose your turn while looking for another queue. Theoretically you can buy your tickets online here, but we unfortunately did not succeed doing so because the system had fallen down while we were there. If you make it, remember to print the tickets in a hardcopy version. There is also control everywhere however for passengers’ bags and luggage and once you pass the checks just ask the employees to guide you on the right platform! An indicative price is at €3 the route for Ac1 and Ac2.

egypt how to travel by train

Extra Tip
Always have cash on you, credit cards are not used anywhere (except hotels and fine restaurants).

 

Extra Tip
Give the money to the lady of your group in case there is one of course because women queues are too small compared to those of men!

Extra Tip
Close either Ac1 or Ac2, they are both ok and safe.

Extra Tip
Train restrictions

The post HOW TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN EGYPT appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

From Cairo to Alexandria

We started our adventure at 6.00 in the morning when we departed from the central train station of Cairo and had Alexandria as the desination stop. For our adventure with the train and practical advice in order to avoid finding yourself into unexpected surprises check out our post! At 9.20 in the morning we arrived in Alexandria where we would meet our friend Mohammed to guide us in his beautiful home city.

Alexandria in one day

Just outside the train station, Mohammed was waiting for us. Mohammed is one of the most pleasant and friendly people we have ever met during our travels and was born in Alexandria. Mohammed has also visited many times Greece and he even studied linguistics and philosophy in Thessaloniki and speaks the Greek language too! Hes definetely our new beloved and most respected friend!

The Roman theatre located just outside the train station!

A quiet archeological site that looks almost familiar due to its greek architecture and worth a visit. Do not forget to see the Amphitheatrical Theatre, the sculptures that were excavated from the depths of the Mediterranean sea, perhaps remainings of the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria – Faros of Alexandria, and the mosaic floors of the urban “city” that stood there once.

Admission ticket 80 Egyptian Pounds

kavafis home alexandria

Kavafis’s House

The controversial Greek poet has left a great cultural heritage for all of us, revealing his unique personallity. His work has been translated into several languages and in his home you will find rare publications, writings and paintings.

Admission ticket 30 Egyptian Pounds
Photo 25 Egyptian pounds

Agios Savvas Church

It is a Greek Orthodox church in the center of Alexandria. Before entering the temple area you will see the statue of Archbishop Makarios.

The Holy Cathedral Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos

It is a three-aisled basilica built in the middle of the 19th century in Alexandria, Egypt. Ecclesiastical church belongs to the Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. The church belongs to the Greek community of Alexandria.

Alexandria corniche

The wonderful corniche of Alexandria with the characteristic fishing boats reminiscent of our beloved Thessaloniki (in a much larger version of course). A beautiful bay in the Mediterranean Sea where you have to walk and imagine while looking towards the place where it is said that the lighthouse of Alexandria stood, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world! If you walk along the seaside you will meet the café where Kavafis used to hang out and many Greek inscriptions!

The fort of Qaitbay

Towards the end of the beach of Alexandria is the fort of Qaitbay which is said to have been built from the ruins of Faros. A characteristic monument visible from afar, it is worth visiting especially to enjoy the views it offers.

Almursi Abu alabbas mosque

The architecture of the Islamic mosques is well known to all of us, but this mosque has Moroccan-Spanish style, or Andalusian as well! Right next to the mosque there is the palace which consists of similar style vibes! The ladies should not forget to take with them something to cover their head to enter the amazing mosque!

Stop for lunch

We are at the end of the wonderful tour of Mohammed and its time for some food, isnt it? Don’t hesitate to ask for a lunch break! The flavors will delight you! Dolmas, stuffed pigeon, kebab, steaks, hummus, pigeon soup and much more. Ask for a refreshing lemonade with mint after the lunch to reflresh yourself   and continue to the last  stop of the day tour which is not other than the famous library of Alexandria.

The Library of Alexandria – Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Another one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world is in Alexandria. The huge in size and variety of library books is located at the point where the old one was standing! Many myths and stories around its name and greatness! Unique experience, in a modern space, full of students, museums, exhibitions and countless books! Respect the space that is interesting in terms of architectural point and  imagine how was once the ancient library! In the courtyard of the library you will find the statue built in honor of Alexander the Great and right at the inside entrance of the library the statue of Demetrius Falireus the inspirer of the creation of the old library.

Admission ticket 70 egp

biblioteca alexandrina egypt

The end of the one-day adventure in Alexandria

The tour in Alexandria with Egypt Day Tours has come to an end with us full of experiences, images and flavors! Its time to say goodbye to our friend Mohammed and head to the train station for our return to Cairo! Our suggestion is to spend one more day if it is possible in Alexandria, we personally likedit much more than urban Cairo, especially the point of the corniche was full of people of all ages! In general it reminded us very much of Greece and not unfairly because the cultures of the two countries intertwined since ancient times, and as a result they look very much alike!

The good news of the day – Promo code – Discount

As a special offer to anyone who comes through our blog, Egypt Day Tours will offer a 10% discount on any tour/activity you choose from the site as long as you mention promo code NONSTOPTRAVELLERS and free camel rides in case you’re in the pyramid area. 

We thank Egypt Day Tours for the beautiful experience in the historical city of Alexandria, which we will definetely visit again someday!

For more info about the tours you can visit Egypt Day Tours!

The post ALEXANDRIA THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA BRIDE BY EGYPT DAY TOURS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.