Zebras racing through the plains in the Serengeti

10 Day Wildlife and Cultural Safari

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Tanzania

Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania in the late evening. You will be met by your driver guide and taken to the Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge for overnight.

Day 2 - On Safari in Lake Manyara National Park

Excitement will wake the family early. Enjoy breakfast on the verandah, weather permitting, before heading out to Lake Manyara. The most famous spectacle in the Lake Manyara National Park are the tree-climbing lions which spend most of the day spread out along the branches of Acacia trees. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is noted for its lush forest, home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys. The forest opens up into woodlands, grasslands, swamps and the soda lake itself, which is sanctuary to over 350 species of birds including flamingo, pelican, stork, sacred ibis, cormorant and Egyptian goose. The park is also noted for its numerous buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals. Overnight at your chosen accommodation. All meals.

Day 3 & 4 - On Safari in the Serengeti National Park

Today you journey on to the famous Serengeti. The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world. Serengeti means endless plains in the Maasai language. Over its vast grassy plains, the Serengeti National Park teems with the greatest concentration of wildlife on the African continent. About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including the “big five” – elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.

In the wake of the wildebeest migration follow the predators, lion, and cheetah. Other common species found here include hippo, giraffe, eland, impala and other antelope types, baboons, monkeys and a profusion of almost 500 bird species. Overnight at your chosen accommodation. All meals.

Rise into the African skies for an optional hot air balloon ride and champagne (oj for the kids of course) breakfast!

Day 5 - Oldupai Gorge

After breakfast, set out for a game drive en route to the Migration Museum (excellent animal displays) and Oldupai Gorge. Commonly known as Olduvai Gorge, it was here that Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis or 'handy man' - regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution. Yet, many more fossils have been discovered here including those of prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous ostriches. Overnight at your chosen accommodation. All meals.

Day 6 - On Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a place to preserve both the wildlife in the area and the culture of Maasai, is your next stop. Ngorongoro is Maasai for the sound of the cowbells produced by an ancient chief’s massive herd. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater has been declared a World Heritage Site and lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers more than 5,000 sq miles. Surrounded by steep walls rising 2,000 feet from the crater floor, this natural amphitheater is home to up to 25,000 larger mammals, such as wildebeest, buffalo, eland, hartebeest and zebra. Such vast numbers attract predators aplenty, mainly lion and hyena but also cheetah and leopard. More than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here, while countless flamingos form a pink blanket over the soda lakes. The crater is also the best place to view the rare Black Rhino. Overnight at your chosen accommodation. All meals.

Day 7 - Visit the Arusha Snake Park

Tanzania has some of the most bizarre and poisonous snakes. This snake park works closely with the local community. Many of the snakes in the park were brought in with the help of the Maasai living in the neighboring area. Instead of killing snakes that may harm livestock, the locals inform the park about any snakes seen in the neighborhood, which are then captured and taken to the park. Antidote treatment for snake bites and other basic health services are also offered here to the Maasai and other local communities free of charge. Option: you may choose to visit a Maasai Cultural Center instead of the Snake Park. Overnight at the Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge. Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Land of the Chagga

From Arusha you’ll be taken to the slopes of the Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival, you’ll have a cultural orientation followed by a village tour where you will explore waterfalls, Chagga history in the bunkers from the Chagga / Maasai wars (some large enough to house herds of cattle) and learn about traditional Chagga architecture. Overnight at the Nakara Hotel or an optional homestay. Either way, you can have evening traditional bedtime stories. All meals including a traditional Chagga dinner are included.

Day 9 - Discovering the ways of the Chagga

This day is spent with the Chagga tribe in the villages on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. What you see, learn, discover and participate in is up to you. Forge your own spear with the blacksmiths while hearing the stories of the first Chagga chieftess who secretly forged iron and was the root of this ancient tribe. Work with the soft, white wood indigenous to the area with Lawli Moshi, a premier Chagga carver. Overnight at the Nakara Hotel. All meals.

Itinerary subject to change.

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