Experience a thoughtfully curated tour that blends cultural discovery, natural beauty, and historical insight—designed to connect you deeply with the people, places, and past of the Swahili coast.
Dive into the vibrant history and breathtaking landscapes of coastal Tanzania with the Misafara Tour. This thoughtfully curated journey takes you from the bustling streets of Dar es Salaam to the historic ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, offering a profound exploration of the East African coast’s storied past. Experience the serene beauty of Zanzibar’s pristine beaches and the exhilarating wildlife of Nyerere National Park. With expert local guides leading the way, you’ll gain authentic insights into the cultural and natural wonders that define this region. Join us for an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends education, relaxation, and discovery.
Arrival in Dar es Salaam
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s vibrant economic and cultural capital. With Indian Ocean breezes and a blend of African, Arab, and South Asian influences, the city offers a warm and energetic welcome.
There are no scheduled activities today to allow for rest and recovery from travel. Settle into your room, meet your tour coordinator, and begin connecting with fellow travelers. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to stroll along the waterfront, try local street snacks, or simply rest in preparation for the journey ahead.
Meals Included: None
Dar es Salaam to Kilwa Masoko
After breakfast, we depart for Kilwa Masoko, a quiet coastal town rich with historical significance. The scenic drive takes you south along the Swahili Coast, offering glimpses of rural life, coastal forests, and ocean views.
Upon arrival in Kilwa, you’ll check into a breezy beachside accommodation where the turquoise sea is just steps away. The afternoon is yours to unwind, feel free to walk along the shore, take in the gentle rhythm of the Indian Ocean, or relax with a book under swaying palms.
In the evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner, a chance to enjoy fresh coastal cuisine and begin building community with your fellow travelers.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara
This morning we set out early by dhow, the traditional wooden sailing vessels that once connected the East African coast to Arabia, India, and beyond. We’ll cross the warm waters to Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites that once formed the center of a powerful Swahili trading empire.
With local guides, we’ll explore the hauntingly beautiful ruins of palaces, mosques, and coral-stone houses, remnants of centuries of maritime trade in gold, ivory, spices, and enslaved people. As we walk the island paths, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of East Africa’s global connections and the legacy of the Indian Ocean world.
Don’t forget sturdy walking shoes, sun protection, and water.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kilwa Masoko to Nyerere National Park
After breakfast along the coast, we leave the ocean behind and journey inland to Nyerere National Park, formerly known as part of the vast Selous Game Reserve. The drive offers a transition from coastal breezes to the savanna and miombo woodlands that define Tanzania’s southern circuit.
Upon arrival at the lodge, nestled within the protected park, we’ll enjoy a freshly prepared lunch and settle into our accommodations. Later in the afternoon, we’ll embark on a serene boat safari, drifting along the Rufiji River as elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of birdlife come into view. It’s a peaceful introduction to one of the most ecologically rich wildlife areas in Africa.
As the sun dips below the horizon, we return to camp for dinner under the stars. The night sounds of the bush will lull us to sleep, preparing us for the safari days ahead.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
After an early breakfast, we set off on a full-day game drive through Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest and most biodiverse conservation areas.
You’ll have the chance to spot lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and perhaps even leopards and wild dogs. This park is less visited than the northern circuit, making your wildlife encounters feel intimate and unspoiled.
We’ll pause for lunch in a scenic spot within the park, then continue our game drive until late afternoon. As the golden light softens, animals become more active, offering prime photography moments. We return to the lodge for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Second Full-Day Safari in Nyerere National Park
With another full day to explore Nyerere, we delve deeper into the park’s vast landscapes and the rhythms of its wildlife. This second day gives us time to return to areas where sightings were especially rich or to venture into new terrain, increasing our chances of observing rare species or animal behaviors.
We return to the lodge for our final night in the park.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Nyerere National Park to Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, we say farewell to the wilderness and begin our drive back to Dar es Salaam. Once we arrive and check into our hotel, the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may wish to relax at the hotel, grab a cool drink by the ocean, or explore one of the city’s local art markets or cultural centers.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day Trip to Bagamoyo
This morning we travel north to Bagamoyo, one of Tanzania’s most historically significant coastal towns. Once a major terminus of the East African slave trade and a hub for Swahili and Arab merchants, Bagamoyo is now a quiet town filled with cultural memory.
A local guide will lead us through the ruins of the old mission, caravanserai, and trading outposts, offering insight into the lives of those who passed through this town, some in search of opportunity, others through forced movement. We’ll have lunch in Bagamoyo’s Stone Town, before returning to Dar es Salaam in the evening. You’ll have free time to relax or explore the city on your own.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
City Tour of Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, we’ll take a guided tour of Dar es Salaam that introduces you to its complex history and vibrant present. Depending on the day’s flow, we may visit key sites such as the National Museum, Kariakoo Market, the fish market at Kivukoni, or historic neighborhoods that reflect the city’s multicultural roots.
The afternoon is open for you to follow your interests—whether browsing art at Nafasi Art Space, enjoying a seaside lunch, or simply taking time to rest and reflect.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
This morning we check out of our hotel and take a ferry across the Indian Ocean to the island of Zanzibar, known locally as Unguja. Upon arrival in Stonetown, you’ll immediately notice the shift in rhythm, architecture, and scent—the island pulses with spice-laced breezes and centuries of history.
After check-in at the hotel, we’ll head to Forodhani Gardens, a lively night market by the sea where you can sample local specialties like grilled seafood, sugarcane juice, and Zanzibari pizza.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stonetown
Today we dive into Zanzibar’s storied past and enduring culture. A local guide will take us on a walking tour through Stonetown’s narrow alleys, past carved wooden doors, bustling markets, and historic buildings. Key stops include the Old Fort, House of Wonders, and the former slave market, where we reflect on Zanzibar’s complex role in the Indian Ocean slave trade.
In the afternoon, we head inland to a spice farm, where you’ll discover the origins of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and more. Taste, smell, and learn how Zanzibar became known as the “Spice Island.”
Meals Included: Breakfast
East Coast Zanzibar
After breakfast, we check out of our Stonetown hotel and travel across the island to the quiet, palm-lined beaches of Zanzibar’s east coast. Once checked into the beachfront hotel, the day is yours to relax or explore.
Enjoy a swim in the clear turquoise waters, read under a coconut tree, or choose from optional activities like snorkeling, diving, or a traditional sailing trip on a ngalawa canoe. These activities can be arranged through the hotel or local operators at an additional cost.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Farewell Dinner in Zanzibar
Your final full day is open for rest, connection, and play. You might choose to rise early for a sunrise walk, book a massage, explore a local village, or simply soak in the rhythm of the sea.
In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner by the beach to celebrate our shared journey. We’ll share stories, laughter, and reflections on what the Misafara experience has meant for each of us.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Departure from Zanzibar
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and begin your journey home. Depending on your travel plans, you’ll return to Dar es Salaam by ferry or fly directly out of Zanzibar’s international airport.
As you depart, we hope you carry with you not only memories, but new perspectives and lasting connections.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Every detail of the Misafara Tour is designed to provide a seamless, enriching, and comfortable experience. Here’s what’s included:
Accommodations
Stay in handpicked, mid-to-luxe boutique hotels and lodges that combine comfort with cultural charm.
Local Transportation
All in-country ground transportation, intercity travel, and safari vehicles, as per the itinerary and included activities (excludes airport transfer).
Expert Local Guides
Knowledgeable, locally based guides who offer cultural insight, historical context, and on-the-ground support throughout your journey.
Group Coordinator Support
A dedicated Refracting Africa Group Leader will accompany you on the trip and manage logistics before and during your journey, ensuring a stress-free experience.
Meals
Enjoy 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners, showcasing traditional East African cuisine and locally sourced ingredients.
Cultural & Historical Site Entry Fees
All admission fees to scheduled sites, including Kilwa Kisiwani, Bagamoyo, and Nyerere National Park.
Curated Experiences
Community-led tours, heritage site visits, wildlife safaris, and guided explorations that offer authentic, immersive engagement.
Activities & Park Fees
All scheduled activities and national park entrance fees included in the itinerary
On-Tour Support
A Refracting Africa coordinator to ensure your comfort, answer questions, and enhance your travel experience.
While we’ve designed this tour to include everything you need for an enriching and comfortable experience, the following are not included:
Flights
Airfare is not included
Medications, Antimalarials, or Vaccinations
Travelers are responsible for any personal health preparations, including medications or vaccinations recommended for travel to Tanzania.
Airport Transfer
We'd be happy to arrange an airport transfer for you for an additional fee.
Drinks & Meals Not Mentioned in the Itinerary
Additional meals and beverages not outlined in the itinerary are at the traveler's expense.
Visas
Travel visas are the responsibility of the traveler.
Tips for Local Guides
Gratuities for guides and support staff are not included and are left to the group’s discretion (encouraged!).
Travel/Trip Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased by each participant prior to departure.
Our payment schedule applies to journey costs only and is structured as follows:
$500 non-refundable deposit required at the time of booking. 90 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of the total journey cost is due. 60 Days Prior to Departure: Remaining balance is due.
If your reservation is made within 60 days of departure, full payment is due at the time of booking.
If you choose to pay the full amount at the time of booking, processing fees will be waived. For those selecting a payment plan, a 3% processing fee will be applied.
***For latest payment policy check the client service agreement***
Most travelers will need a visa to enter Tanzania. Requirements vary depending on your nationality, so we recommend checking with the Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your country for the most accurate and up-to-date information. If you have trouble finding the information you need, feel free to email us—we’re happy to help.
Packing for a group tour to Tanzania depends on the season and planned activities, but comfortable, lightweight, and breathable clothing is essential, especially for warm days and cooler evenings. Neutral-colored clothing is recommended for safaris to blend in with the environment. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are useful for outdoor activities, while insect repellent is important for protection against mosquitoes. A light rain jacket may be needed, especially during the rainy season. Other essentials include a camera with a spare battery, power bank, a universal plug adapter , and a small daypack for excursions. More detailed packing recommendations will be provided by your group leader after you book.
Travelers should check recommended vaccinations and health precautions for Tanzania. Commonly suggested vaccines include Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, and routine immunizations. Malaria is present in some areas, so preventive medication may be advised. We recommend consulting your doctor or a travel health specialist to determine the best precautions based on your health and itinerary. For those living the U.S., here is link to CDC that you can use find the nearest travel health specialist in your area: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic.
The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the official currency and is required for most local purchases. While U.S. dollars are no longer accepted by many local vendors, you can exchange USD notes dated 2009 or newer at banks or currency exchange offices.
Credit cards are generally accepted at hotels and larger establishments, but for local markets and tips, cash in Tanzanian Shillings is essential. We recommend bringing some cash and withdrawing additional TZS from ATMs upon arrival. Your group coordinator can assist with currency exchange and ATM access as needed.
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and lodges, but speeds can be slow, especially in remote areas. Mobile network coverage is generally good in cities and towns but may be limited in national parks and rural regions. For reliable connectivity, travelers can purchase a local SIM card from providers like Airtel, Vodacom, or Tigo upon arrival. If your phone supports eSIM, you can also use international eSIM providers like Airalo or Holafly, which allow you to activate a data plan before arriving in Tanzania. This can be a convenient option for staying connected without needing a physical SIM card. Another option is to be a global plan via your cell.