Tanzania Cultural and Wildlife Safari

Our People~ Our Culture ~Our Wildlife

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

For those seeking a spectacular safari full of variety, this trip includes adventures to the Indigenous Masai of Ndarakwai, to the big herds of Elephants in Tarangire , to the unique indigenous culture of the Hadzabe and Datonga tribes, to the unique wonders of the Ngorongoro Crator, retreats in Africa’s Rift Valley & to the great game viewing in the Serengeti plains.

Having visited most wilderness areas in East Africa, we consider the perfect safari to be ‘out there’, among the wildlife and the African People. Naturally, this experience is not for everyone, though we strongly believe everyone should try it at least once in their life. There is nothing to compare with the joys of listening to an uninterrupted cacophony of beetles, crickets and birds or of watching hyena, elephant or wildebeest from the privacy of one’s own room. It is all about appreciating nature, its romance and the excitement of meeting the local people and experiencing their different but very unique cultures!

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL -ARUSHA

JAMBO! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met by Classic Journeys Customer Care Representative who will introduce the Driver Guide who will be with you throughout the safari. He will then assist you with the transfer to Kibo Palace Hotel, assist you with the hotel check-in and brief you on your program ahead.

Kibo Palace Hotel – home of luxury, is an ultra-modern and elegant executive hotel.  Its signature standard in design, style and service creates an environment that is innovative and unique.  The hotel has exquisitely well appointed luxury suites and rooms, unrivalled international cuisine satisfying the most discerning international gastronomic connoisseur, unparallel banqueting both in style and scale – making sure you will be spoilt for nothing less

Overnight: Kibo Palace Hotel        

Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

DAY 2 : DAY TRIP TO NDARAKWAI RANCH  + MASAI CULTURAL TOUR

This morning after breakfast you will drive to West of Mt. Kilimanjaro and to Ndarakwai Ranch a privately owned ranch, started in 1995 as an experiment in self-sustaining conservation and preserves a variety of habitats that are home to over 70 mammal species, and 350 bird species

Ndarakwai is an important part of the Amboseli / Ngasurai eco-system and helps to preserve vital seasonal elephant routes. Many species (lesser kudu, Grants gazelle, warthogs, impala, wildebeest, giraffe, waterbuck, bushbuck, hyena, etc), are permanent residents on the ranch, while others (eland, zebra, buffalo, elephant, cheetah, etc) use Ndarakwai seasonally. Enjoy game viewing in this ranch accompanied by a ranger followed by lunch at Ndarakwai Camp.

Later this afternoon enjoy a cultural Masai tour, this fascinating cultural expedition brings you to a local manyatta where generations of Maasai live along with their cattle and other livestock. The homes are made by the women of the tribe from dried cow droppings and woven grass. Your day ends with a drive back to Arusha and to your hotel.

Overnight: Kibo Palace Hotel        

Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

DAY 3 : TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

This morning depart for Tarangire National Park which Tanzania’s best-kept secret on the northern safari circuit. Named after a nearby river called Tarangire, it has the same attractions as the parks up-north- the only difference is that this place is not usually as crowded as the other ones.

Hot lunch will be served at Maisha Kikoti, following check in, depart for an afternoon game viewing drive in the park returning later as the sun sets.

This is a year-round park with distinct seasons offering different experiences, from dusty, dry and baking with animals clustered around the rapidly reducing river, to the fecund green season full of new-born animals and chattering birds.

At night, Kikoti takes on an otherworldly feel, lit by moonlight and thousands of stars bright and clear in the African sky. Enjoy night game drive allowing you to see some of the hidden secrets of the surroundings.
Smaller animals such as genets, aadvarks and porcupines come out at night, along with the larger game, giraffe, Tarangire’s famous elephant and even lions and leopards. Even on quieter evenings, guests can see the dik-diks, miniature antelope bound through the bush, African hare and some of the rare elusive night birds.

Overnight: Maisha Kikoti Camp        

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 4 : TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Today you will enjoy a morning nature walk where you learn to how to track animals and recognize their habitats on a nature walk with one of the camp’s experienced guides. Find termite mounds, snake holes, animal prints and learn about the useful and medicinal properties of local plants, including the extraordinary baobab tree.

Followed by lunch and an afternoon game viewing drive in the park. Later return to your Camp for dinner and overnight.

A lot of migratory animals aim to reside here during the dry season. You can see groups and herds of animals like 600 elephants followed by zebras, buffalos and oryxes who ventured from the Maasai to the Tarangire in search for water. There are also a few lions prowling around and looking for unsuspecting preys around the jungle. Some of the other animals that you may see here are antelopes, warthogs, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, foxes, jackals and waterbucks.

Overnight: Maisha Kikoti Camp        

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5 : LAKE EYASI

Breakfast will be at your camp before driving towards Lake Eyasi. Lunch will be served at Tindiga Tented Camp. Lake Eyasi is a very scenic soda lake found on the southern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This less visited lake lies at the base of the Eyasi escarpment on the western rift valley wall.

Late in the afternoon you will be introduced to the extraordinary people who belong to an indigenous tribe known as the ‘Hadzabe’ (hunter-gatherer bushmen). The tribe inhabits the shores of Lake Eyasi as do the Nilotic-speaking Datoga tribe. You will visit these tribes, which will include a visit to their homesteads, learn about their way of life, animal tracking, medicinal plants, and much more. Some wildlife and a wide range of bird species can be viewed during your walk around the lake.

Overnight: Tindiga Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 6 : LAKE EYASI / HUNTING/NGORONGORO

Early morning we depart to the village for local hunting experience with Hadzabe and Datonga tribes. This is not a mere performance. The bushmen rely on these techniques to survive and you’ll need to be very attentive and at times quiet, while they demonstrate their use of locally made poisons in incapacitating the poor creatures on which they depend for survival.

Return to the Tindiga Tented Camp for a late breakfast. Drive to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge arriving in time for lunch and relaxation at your lodge with great views of the crator

Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge        

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 7 : NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, descend into the ‘8th Wonder of the World’, a unique biosphere that has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. Enclosed within its towering walls are grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife. Here too are all the members of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as a large cast of plains game and one of Africa’s densest populations of predators. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before climbing back up and driving to your next lodge in time for relaxation before dinner.

Overnight:Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 8 : SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you will drive crossing into the neighboring Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch boxes. Stopping en route at Ol Duvai Gorge. Known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, this is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Pioneered by famous paleontologists Louis and Mary Leakey in the 1950s it offers a glimpse into life two million years ago. Arrive at the Bologonya Under Canvas in time to relax and enjoy a classic safari supper.

Your mobile camp has three different locations during the year according to the movement of the wildlife, allowing guests to be located close to the Migration.From December to March the camp will be located in the southern plains, from June to July the camp will be located in the western corridor and from August to November in the north, offering guests the best possible experience of a traditional Mobile Classic Safari Camp. Nevertheless, the location is determined by the movements of the Migration.

Overnight: Bologonya Under Canvas

Meal Plan: Full Board including mineral water, soft drinks, local  beer, house wine and house spirits.(Except Champagne)

DAY 9 & 10 : SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Enjoy two days of full day game drives (meals taken in true safari style ‘in the bush’) in the vast and sensational Serengeti, which covers 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah. Venue for ‘the greatest wildlife show on Earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest, the park is also renowned for its lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and plains game. Overnight at the luxury mobile camp.

On your second day  in Serengeti you will visit Serengeti Wildlife Research Center which is the genesis of all wildlife research in Tanzania. Get to enjoy a lecture on the Serengeti eco system and the entire wildlife information in Tanzania. The center is well equipped with a wildlife veterinary laboratory, a library with publications on wildlife research carried out over 50 years in Tanzania, a museum and herbarium housing many different animal and plants specimens and aircraft for wildlife census

Overnight: Bologonya Under Canvas

Meal Plan: Full Board including mineral water, soft drinks, local  beer, house wine and house spirits.(Except Champagne)

DAY 11 : FLIGHT TO ARUSHA /DEPARTURE

This morning you will be take a short flight to Arusha where you will spend time doing last minute shopping , a dayroom and lunch have been reserved for you at Arusha Kibo Palace then later you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight back home.

Say good bye to the wonderful country and promise to join us on another expedition.

*Over low season (01 april-31 may) BOLOGONYA UNDER CANVAS WILL BE CLOSED HENCE WE WILL USE SERENGETI SOPA WHICH IS ON FULL BOARD BASIS WITHOUT DRINKS INCLUSIVE

Inclusions

• Accommodation & Meals as stipulated in the itinerary.
• Transportation on safari will be in a chauffeur 4 x 4 land cruiser in Tanzania with a pop up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
• Services of a professional English speaking driver-guide.
• All transfers
• All park fees
• Domestic flight Serengeti/Arusha
• All Government taxes and levies.
• Tips for porters , waiters & housekeeping staff
• Mineral water in the safari vehicle
• One soft drink/Local beer per person over lunch or dinner
• 24 hours stand-by contact number.
• Guaranteed window seat.
• Two-way long range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle.
• On safari accessories in each vehicle: First-aid kit, wildlife books, cools box and fire extinguisher.

Exclusions

• All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc.
• Gratuities and Tips to Hotels / Camps staff and Driver/Guide(s).
• International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
• Laundry services.
• Visa fees. Visas are available on arrival at all Entry point/s