Embark on a special trip as it takes past two wonders of nature and we will start with Tarangire National Park, and then we journey on to the northern part of Serengeti National Park where we will enjoy the best of this safari holiday catch the famous Mara River crossing, that is, second wonder of the trip, which occurs yearly from late July to early October. Imagine seeing thousands of wildebeests and zebras together in a herd, all moaning and braying in their distinctive sounds, kicking up dust and protecting each other from the surrounding predators. This Great Wildebeest Migration, and especially the Mara River crossing, is an amazing and thrilling spectacle to witness, as the river is full of crocodiles lurking at all that meat crossing their waters… Can you feel the thrill? We will visit the famous Ngorongoro Crater, the second last wonder on this trip.
Detailed Itinerary Daily Information
As you walk out of Kilimanjaro International Airport, our personal African Bushwalker Tour specialist driver-guide greets you with a big smile: 'Karibu Tanzania - welcome to East Africa!' The guide will take you to the hotel, where you can relax and take in the African atmosphere. The rest of the day is ours to acclimate to our new time zone.
Accommodation At: Tulia Boutique Hotel or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: meals and drinks own guest account
Wake up to a lovely breakfast and we will begin the day with a welcome briefing by our trip experience leader and this day is set aside as a flexible break from our jetlag. We will visit Safe Water Ceramics of East Africa, where a worker at the facility will teach our group about this organization's efforts to increase access to clean water for the people of Africa. After learning many Tanzanians didn’t have access to clean water in 2005, an American woman and volunteer pottery instructor co-founded the organization, which now produces affordable ceramic water filters which provide five years of clean water for each family. We will get a hands-on demonstration led by a worker at the organization of how the handmade filters work, as well as a tour of the award-winning facility. We will also have the option to purchase a filter (or several as a group) to provide to locals in need later in our adventure.
After Lunch, we will visit the Albino Peacemaker Center, a local organization that helps albino people living in the area. Here, we will learn about albinism in Tanzania and the continued persecution of those with the condition. This is an appropriate backdrop for our conversation, as the center is a beacon of hope for this targeted population. They rely on the organization for many things from counselling services to career opportunities and even sunblock. The peacemaker center also works closely with government officials to affect social change and combat negative and false connotations associated with albinism.
Excursion & Visits: Visit Safe Water Ceramics, Conversation about the persecution of Tanzanians with albinism
Accommodation At: Tulia Boutique Hotel or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are provided (drinks own guest account)
After a hearty breakfast, we depart Arusha after our pre-safari briefing and head to the underrated gem that is Tarangire National Park which is known for its ancient baobabs and huge elephant herds, Tarangire is a quieter alternative to the busier parks and ideal for unhurried game viewing. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch in the shade before continuing our journey towards Ngorongoro. From here, the road begins to ascend, and the elevation changes as we climb the steep walls of the Great Rift Valley before arriving in Karatu. This bustling town lies in the shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater and is surrounded by beautiful, lush farmlands.
Excursion & Visits: Morning and afternoon game drives
Accommodation At: Farm of Dreams Lodge or similar
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After our delicious breakfast, we will begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way, we will visit Oldupai Gorge Museum: Sometimes known as the Cradle of Mankind, the Oldupai Gorge Museum commemorates some of the oldest evidence of human habitation ever found. Here you can see some of the oldest fossil evidence in the world of human habitation, visit the Oldupai Gorge Museum to learn more about the human journey, and take in the stunning views of this stark gorge country.
Afterwards we visit famous Maasai bomas, where we will have the opportunity to witness (and participate in) traditional Maasai dance, tour an authentic Maasai village, and even do a little souvenir shopping at the local market and proceed to Central Serengeti National Park. Hot lunch will be served either at the gate or en-route towards the heart of Serengeti with an incredible set up by your guide inside the bush. The Serengeti National Park is home to the largest concentration of wildlife than anywhere else on the planet. We will have an unlimited drive until in the evening where you will drive straight to your tented camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Excursions & Visits: Maasai Boma Visit, Afternoon Game Drive and Game Viewing
Accommodation: Tukaone Weavers Camp or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
An early morning view enclosed around the biodiverse region is the best to start the day. Pack yourself well with the breakfast before proceeding for the tour to Northern Serengeti National Park. We will spend our day driving through this distinct and beautiful region of the park in search of the Wildebeest Migration and the Big Five. The world-famous Mara River crossing of the Great Migration is a sight to behold in the northern section of Serengeti National Park every year from July to October. If you think watching the herds seek out better pastures is nerve-wracking, wait till you hear about the big cats waiting on the opposite side, ravenous for meat.
Excursions & Visits: Morning and Afternoon Game Drive and Game Viewing
Accommodation: Mara Heritage Tented Camp or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
We will start our day immediately after breakfast, driving through the plains of Togoro and the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes on our way to cross the Banagi River into the Seronera region of the Central Serengeti. Along the way, you'll spot everything from the enigmatic dik-diks to towering elephants, and everything in between. The Seronera is often known as 'big cat country', and its kopjes and acacias provide an excellent opportunity to spot prides of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs out on the hunt, and leopards overseeing everything from their lofty perches. The region's hippo pools and wide-open spaces provide ample opportunities for game viewing. Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
Excursions & Visits: Morning and Afternoon Game Drive and Game Viewing
Accommodation: Tukaone Weavers Camp or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
Today you will depart early after your delicious breakfast to Ngorongoro crater with a game drive en-route. The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtakingly beautiful setting and the best place in East Africa to see the Big Five. It is one of the most beautiful natural wildlife safari sites in the world and an exceptional place to interact with people from the Maasai tribe. On reaching the crater’s edge, the 20 km diameter caldera opens up before you in all its stunning glory and you will descend into the crater on an adventurous trail. This World Heritage Site is seasonally home to over 25,000 animals in including a wide range of birds’ species, hyenas and the endangered black rhino. Hot Lunch will be served at a picnic spot at the hippo pool and after that you will continue to explore the crater. After exploration you will ascend the crater and drive straight to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Excursions & Visits: Full Day Game Drive and Game Viewing
Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After a good night’s sleep, we will awake to a vibrant, morning breakfast with a freshly brewed pot of hot coffee and enjoy your last game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, a large alkaline lake, which attracts a variety of birdlife all year round, including greater and lesser pink flamingo between November and April, as well as pelican, stork and heron. Hippo, lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest can be seen on the grassy plains and among the acacia woodlands.
After game drive and game viewing, our sightseeing ends with the unique opportunity to visit Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Tourism Enterprises. We will tour 1 and a half hours and learned about their rice production, banana groves (so many types of bananas!), and homemade banana beer (interesting, potentially could grow on you). Watched local wood carvers carve intricate ebony art (and bought some things for our kids), wandered through the vegetable market and butcher area where locals get their daily meals. Saw the school and places of worship (Muslims, Christians, and non-believers all interacting and living in community. The world needs more of that) and we visit gift shops for souvenir and then we depart to the airport for your departure flight. The driver will ensure that you stop at key points of interest along the way including the local vegetable markets and photography then a road transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onwards travel arrangements.
Meal Plan and Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch provided (dinner and drinks own guest account)
Trip Information
In a Nutshell
– A true African experience (wild and free)
– All detailed inclusive Itinerary with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
Know Before You Go – Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones.
Trip Preparation – A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in the event that your luggage is delayed or lost. Lost luggage is common. We strongly urge you to consider carry-ons instead of checked bags when possible, and when checking a bag is necessary, choose a bag colour and identification that stands out. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture with the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you’ll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhoea pills (especially when traveling outside of the USA and Western Europe). We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock. Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside and backpacks, carry-on bags or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks.
Trip Rating & Style – Easy and Moderate and cater to adventure enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences.
Countries visited –Tanzania.
Highlights – Arusha | Tarangire National Park | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Crater | Lake Manyara National Park
Activities – Animal Tracking | Cultural Mozaic Experience | Scenic Drive | Game drive
Transportations – transport for most of this safari you will travel in 4×4 jeeps/safari vehicles – see your tour itinerary for details. These may be open-roofed or enclosed. You must not leave the vehicle or lean out through windows without express permission from the guide.
Accommodation Considerations – while we make every effort to stick to the accommodations listed, please note that they serve as guidelines, and adjustments may occur. We recommend obtaining the latest version of the itinerary at least one week before departure to stay informed of any changes.
Tour leaders – a fully qualified driver/guide will run the tour and do both the driving and guiding. The guides have a wealth of knowledge about the places you will be visiting and travelling past, and many travellers note them as one of the highlights of their tour.
Group Size – small groups of not less than 4 travellers per departure safari, guaranteed with an African Bushwalker Tours Team Leader escorting the group for the entire trip
Travelling Responsibility – remember you are more than a tourist in this place. You are part of the team of global citizens, embracing diversity and committed to lifelong learning. Stay open to opportunities, contribute where you can, and connect with the many people you meet along the road.
Plan Ahead – now your chance to book any optional activities, chat with the reservation team and get planning
Life on Land – contribute to any initiative that aims to halt biodiversity loss and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems
Experience – we have more than 23 years’ experience touring throughout East and Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of East and Southern Africa but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us at African Bushwalker Tours have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.
Credit Card Payments:
– Credit card payments will attract a 3.5% handling fee of the value of the transaction.
– It is therefore advised that payments for your trip are done via Bank transfer through Paynow.co.zw
Based in Africa – probably the most important part of an African Bushwalker Tours is that we are an African company with offices in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We live in Africa; we travel in Africa and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes African Bushwalker your best travel option.
Age Policy – on all small group scheduled tours, we accept children 12-17 with accompanying adult and tailor-made tours, we accept children 5 – 17 with accompanying adult. We have no upper age limit. Clients older than 65 years of age at the time of travel require a medical certificate stating the client is fit and healthy to join an adventure travel group tour. We have many clients over 65 years of age, who are perfectly capable of enjoying every aspect of an African Bushwalker tour.
Drugs & Alcohol – please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries in Africa and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession. If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to. Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.
Travel Insurance – it is compulsory that every person who travels with African Bushwalker Tours obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.
Visas and Passports – please ensure you have 6 blank pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.
Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
What do I need to bring? – comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, headtorch, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, first aid kit, yellow fever vaccination certificate, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly – a sense of adventure, It is recommended to bring mosquito spray with high mint!
About Drones– Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drone” technology has quickly become affordable and is increasingly popular with recreational users. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, others do not, or existing regulations are undergoing review and change. Travelers who wish to bring a drone on their trip are responsible to research and abide by the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting, as well as to check with their airline(s) regarding their rules for transporting drones. Please note that tours are unable to extend the length of scheduled visits and stops to accommodate use of drones.
Suggested Tipping
Gratuities – Tipping is always a matter of personal discretion. For your convenience, please refer to the summary below as a guideline for recommended gratuity amounts. Gratuities may be paid in local currency or US dollar equivalent where accepted. On some itineraries, you may encounter multiple drivers and local guides throughout. We recommend keeping small bills on hand for tipping.
Please be aware that many locals consider tipping to be a customary part of their compensation, and some may approach you for additional “compensation.” There is no need to feel intimidated by these requests, nor should you feel pressured to tip beyond the suggested amounts. If you become uncomfortable by any behavior you encounter, please advise your tour manager, or contact our office (numbers are provided in your documents).
Tour Manager/Driver: US $5 per person per day
Note: Tips for hotel porters, wait staff, and for activities on your own, gratuities are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists, as well as on safaris. Hotels and restaurants that are frequented mostly by tourists will often add a gratuity to your bill and additional tipping is at your discretion.
BOOKING – To make your booking, please make sure you have the correct names, nationalities and date of birth of all travelers – as per their passport. African Bushwalker Tours will hold an option of 14 days from the time African Bushwalker Tours have confirmed a tour, before the cancellation rules apply. If our service or a tour is booked less than 14 days prior to the service is rendered or the tour commences, cancellation rules will apply immediately. If you need longer time, please let us know. If a tour or hotel is fully booked African Bushwalker Tours will try to offer you an alternative property of a similar standard and location.
PRICES – All prices are based on costs at the time of publication. African Bushwalker Tours reserves the right to change the prices, in reasonable circumstances, at any time before a booking is made. African Bushwalker Tours will confirm price changes, if any, together with our confirmation of your booking.
For trips in Namibia & South Africa rates given in a currency other than respectively NAD (Namibian Dollar) and ZAR (South African Rand) are subject to change in case of substantial variation of the exchange rate. For trips in Kenya & Tanzania rates given in a currency other than in USD (American Dollars) are subject to change in case of substantial variation of the exchange rate.
PAYMENTS – 30% of the total booking value within 14 days of African Bushwalker Tour’s confirmation of the booking. The remaining 70% no later than 45 days from the trip starting date.
CANCELLATION – If the customer cancels a tour up to 61 days prior to departure the deposit will be lost. If cancellation is made within 60-31 days prior to departure, a penalty fee of 65% of the total price of the tour will be levied. For any cancellation made within 30-16 days before departure, a penalty fee of 85% will apply. In the case of cancellations made less than 16 days before the start of the tour we are unable to offer any reimbursement. No refunds will be given by African Bushwalker Tours for no-shows.
The payment of bank fees for bank transfers are the responsibility of the customer and are strictly non-refundable.
The trip may be cancelled with no penalty charge should war, a life-threatening epidemic, or any other natural catastrophe or similar event occur within 14 days prior to departure. This will however be on the condition that your government advises against travelling to the specific area, and that the situation in question has arisen after the booking of the tour was made.
Cancellations must be made in writing and delivered either by hand, post, fax or electronic mail.
In the case of death or serious illness, of the person for whose benefit the tour has been arranged, no cancellation fee will be charged if African Bushwalker Tours is presented with an officially-approved death/sickness certificate.
Price Includes/Excludes
Price Includes
- Airport transfers (Roundtrip) For Arrival and Departure
- Private vehicle 4×4 Safari Landcruiser transport with professional Safari Guide
- Accommodation in Mid- Range Lodge & Tented Camp
- All meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water provided in the Safari Vehicle
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- All park entry fees and Concession Fees
- First Aid Kit Box and Flying Doctors Air Ambulance Rescue (AMREF)
- Drinking water during safari drives (Guest will receive a reusable steel water bottle (supporting “TOSCO” – Tourism supporting Conservation)
Price Exclusions
- Gratuities, Baggage Handling
- Personal, Medical and Travel Insurance
- All International Flights tickets and applicable airport fees and taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Visa fees if applicable to Tanzania
- Extra Entrance fees to tourist attractions, activities or attractions not mentioned in itinerary
- Extra optional activities while in the game reserves
- All costs of a personal nature: Telephone calls, bar bills, drinks, room service, laundry, refreshments, snacks, curios, gifts, etc. unless otherwise stated as included in the daily itinerary