Tanzania Explorer - 7 days
Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara are spectacular and understandably popular destinations and of course we visit these National Parks. But this safari includes two cultural discovery days where you can find out about the way of life of the local people living here. 
Artwork on our nursery school at Esilalei
So many tourists pass through these areas leaving only trails of dust. But by visiting some of the villages, and their own development projects you enrich your experience of this part of Africa and ensure more of the benefits of tourism reach the locals directly.
Hyena and vultures on the killDay 1 Leave Arusha and drive to the Serengeti! Afternoon game drive in the rolling grasslands. Criss-crossed with forested riverine valleys, the Serengeti plays home to millions of Africa's large mammals, making this one of the world's most famous wildlife destinations. Camp overnight in bush campsite.
Serengeti cheetah Day 2 All day game drive in Serengeti. Best time for the wildebeest migration is late Dec to June but there are spectacular wildlife sights at anytime of year. Our naturalist guides and 4WD vehicles ensure that wherever there are sights to be seen you can drive to see them. Camp overnight in bush campsite.
Lone male on the SerengetiDay 3 Further game drive in Serengeti and then on to the Ngorongoro Crater. Lunch en-route at Olduvai Gorge and a view of the archaeological sites (and visit the museum) where early human tools and fossils have been found. Camp overnight on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Ngorongoro from the Crater Rim Day 4 Ngorongoro is collapsed volcano - an incredible natural amphitheatre, 25 km across and teeming with all of the African big game. Early morning descent into the crater for spectacular scenery and game viewing in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. In late afternoon a short drive to Karatu in time for local market visit or relax in a permanent campsite near the village where we stay overnight.
Strolling through farmsDay 5 Leisurely walking safari through farms and villages on the rift valley escarpment. You can discover the farming, irrigation and cattle husbandry techniques, visit houses and, if you want, sample local cuisine of the Iraqw tribe. There is also traditional wood-fired brick making, local musicians and you can generally gain a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of the people who live and work here. Camp overnight with spectacular views over Lake Manyara.
Grey Headed Kingfisher Day 6 Game-drive around Lake Manyara National Park. This park is famed for the bird life around the soda lake - flamingos in particular, and is home to unusual tree-climbing lions. It also has a large elephant population. In mid afternoon drive on to Esilalei, a small village in the wildlife corridor between Tarangire & Manyara national parks for Maasai lands and life experience. Camp overnight. Although you'll sleep to calls of hyenas and the African night, here will be Maasai sitting up round the fire and guarding the camp.
Getting involved in Maasai life Day 7 Cultural insights around the village. Here with Maasai as guides you can visit traditional huts, take part in activities like herding goats, milking cows, jewellery beadwork, spot animals & birds on a walking safari in the bush, find out about the medicinal uses of the savanna plants and learn from an elder the history and culture of these fascinating people. We built and maintain a school here which you can visit if you wish.
Return to Arusha by early afternoon. If necessary, onward travel arrangements can be made to get you back to Nairobi (or Nairobi airport) by around 19.00 in evening.
General: Accommodation is in bush camps (fully supported) and at our own permanent campsite - camping on this trip allows us access to wilder areas. We do not generally use the luxury lodges but neither do we compromise on health, safety or reasonable comfort. Lodge accommodation can be arranged for private group departures if required. Equipment will be carried by vehicles or local porters, you only carry a day-pack with personal gear. When camping you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff. We can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.
We can also arrange extra hotel bookings and airport transfers for before and after your trip.
| Cost for scheduled departures: | Group rates private departures: |
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| US $1,995 per person if you can join one of our scheduled departures - see When we go. We need a minimum of 2 people booked for these trips to run. Contact us for booking status if you are a single traveller. | US $1,860 per person for group of 9
-12 US $2,030 per person for group of 5 - 8 US $2,255 per person for group of 3 - 4 US $2,480 per person for group of 2 US $3,675 for single person departure |
| Prices quoted include: | Prices quoted exclude: |
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