Experience the heart of Tanzania: 15-day mid-range safari and culture

                             Unforgettable experiences await

This 15-day mid-range safari and culture trip offers an unparalleled blend of adventure and authentic cultural discovery. We take you beyond the typical tourist trails to experience the true essence of Tanzania. Prepare for encounters that will stay with you long after you return home.

This 15-day mid-range safari is perfectly designed for a diverse range of travellers seeking more than just a wildlife drive. Whether you are a family, an adventure seeker, a culture enthusiast, a senior traveller, a group of friends, or a dedicated photographer, this trip offers something special for everyone, including children.

Day1 Arrival Day

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide. He will take you to your hotel in Arusha, where you will receive a briefing on the itinerary of the safari. Afterwards, you can relax and recover from the journey.

Accommodation: Africa safari Arusha

Day 2 Arusha – Lake Eyasi
After a delicious breakfast, it is time to explore Tanzania. Our first drive inland takes us past unique locations and beautiful views. We drive past Lake Manyara, among other places, and can enjoy an impressive view of the imposing Great Rift Valley. We pass various coffee and tea plantations on our way to the rugged plains surrounding Lake Eyasi. The area is known for many (traditional) crafts, as well as for local onion cultivation. We arrive at the Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge around lunchtime. After lunch, we make a short stop at the local ironworks, where spearheads, jewelry, and other items are still made in the traditional way. We return to our lodge, where you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon in peace.

Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge 

Day 3 Lake Eyasi

Today is the time to truly get to know the Hadzabe who live along the shores of the lake. They still live in a traditional way and often under (from our perspective) very primitive conditions. Today, you will set out with the Hadzabe to take a look at one of the many daily activities of this fascinating tribe. Every day can be different, and with a little luck, you will go hunting together in a traditional hunt or search for honey, herbs, or other foodstuffs. We return to the lodge for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, we can unwind after an impressive day and have an afternoon to relax.

Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge 

Day 4 Lake Eyasi - Mto wa Mbu

After breakfast, we leave the shores of Lake Eyasi and depart for a drive to the flanks of the mighty Ngorongoro Highlands. We will spend the day at a beautiful location on the edge of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. We drive to the lodge where you will be staying; after arrival and check-in, we will enjoy lunch. After lunch, you have the choice of either staying at the lodge or heading towards the cozy, colorful village of Mto wa Mbu. In this special village, we will take a walk through the village with a local guide. During this walk, we will visit a local banana plantation, get to "enjoy" a banana beer, and learn more about which vegetables, fruits, and other foodstuffs are grown and how this is done. In addition to visiting local farms, a tour of local blacksmiths is also on the schedule. We return to the lodge to unwind and process all the impressions.

Accommodation: Africa Safari Manyara Escarpment

Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater - Ndutu
After breakfast, we set off for the spectacular trip into the Ngorongoro Crater! You will drive down a steep road into the crater, which is home to a wide variety of wildlife. During the descent to the crater floor, the first views of the crater are already breathtaking! The Ngorongoro Crater is the most densely populated wildlife area in the world, where you will encounter not only large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebras, but the many Big Cats should also not be missed during your safari day. Also known as the 8th Wonder of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient volcano has dried up, creating a whole new ecosystem. The Big Five can be spotted here, along with many other animal species. A unique experience and unparalleled natural beauty. During your game drive, you will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the Hippo-Pool. For the rest of the afternoon, you will continue searching for the many animals in this unique area. In the course of the afternoon, we leave the crater floor while exploring and head back up via the steep crater rim, driving on through the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Ndutu part of the Serengeti! There, we check into the beautifully situated Safari Heaven seasonal tented camp for a relaxed evening.

Accommodation: Safari heaven seasonal tented camp

Days 6: Ndutu

After a delicious African breakfast, we set out to explore the Ndutu area. Herds are located here from January through March. You have a full day to enjoy magnificent wildlife viewing and, with a little luck, witness the spectacle of life when hundreds of wildebeest calves are born. Predators such as lions and hyenas constantly hunt calves, and thousands upon thousands of calves are born within a few weeks of one another – for true nature lovers, this is an unforgettable experience! You are never far from the many birds and mammals that call the Ndutu area home. A packed lunch is provided around midday, which we will enjoy in the wild. You will arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon, which is situated in a fantastic location. You can relax by the campfire and admire the sunset and the moonrise over the acacia trees.

Accommodation: Safari heaven seasonal tented camp

Day 7 Central Serengeti
Today we will move within the boundaries of the mighty Serengeti. After breakfast, we will explore the vast plains as we head towards the more central part of the Serengeti. The reason for this move has to do with the landscape. Whereas the Ndutu area is densely forested and the southern part of the Serengeti is vast, the central area is characterized primarily by rock formations (known as kopjes) and water channels. Here you have an excellent chance of seeing elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and many big cats. We will take our lunch with us and eat it at our leisure by our vehicle. In the mid-afternoon, we will head to our lodge where we can enjoy an evening in nature at our leisure.

Accommodation: Tanzania bush camp

Day 8 & 9 Serengeti North
These days we will travel within the borders of the Serengeti. This time, we are heading towards the northern part of the Serengeti, where it borders the Masai Mara in Kenya, with a keen exploration. We will stay a total of two nights in this part of the Serengeti. Just like the previous parts of the Serengeti, there are again differences in landscape to observe, and with a bit of luck, we have a chance of seeing large herds of wildebeest and zebras. Depending on various factors and with good spotting, there is a good chance of seeing the enormous herds of the “Great Migration.” This is the trek of thousands of wildebeest and zebras that takes place every year between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. You could say that the months from May to September are the best months to witness the real action of the Great Migration. With a bit of luck, we will be surrounded by hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, or even spot a real river crossing. During such a crossing, we sometimes see thousands of animals plunging into the water simultaneously, looking for a way to get to the other side of one of the rivers. It is a very impressive sight. Additionally, the large herds attract numerous other animal species, such as predators.

During these days, we have picnic lunch in nature.

Accommodation: Kontiki Camp

Day 10 Serengeti - Lake Natron
After breakfast, we leave the Serengeti with a picnic lunch for the road. Today's itinerary includes the route from the Serengeti via Loliondo and Wasso to Lake Natron. The stunning vistas and changing landscapes along the way make the journey to this fascinating destination truly captivating. En route, you will enjoy a picnic lunch at a spot chosen by the guide, right in the beautiful landscape of this impressive region. In the course of the afternoon, you will arrive at the remote and unique Lake Natron, an alkaline soda lake with spectacular color variations and a large concentration of flamingos. The lake is located in the northeast of Tanzania on the border with Kenya in a rugged volcanic landscape. This is also the territory of the many flamingos that color the shores of the lake pink and can breed undisturbed on their nests around the lake.

Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Natron

Day 11 Lake Natron
After breakfast, we get ready to head to the Ngara Sero River, accompanied by a Maasai guide. Along the way, you will see how the local Maasai live in this rugged landscape and lead a primitive existence with limited resources. We also visit Lake Natron with its beautiful colors. Together with the many flamingos that also color the lake pink, this is a captivating spectacle. Lake Natron will leave an indelible impression on you, and far off the beaten track, you can enjoy a unique piece of Tanzania. Around lunchtime, you will look for a beautiful spot to have lunch. After lunch, we visit a traditional Maasai village. Here, you will take a look inside one of the Maasai ‘houses’. It was another impressive day; you can enjoy the memories at your lodge.

Accommodation: Africa Safari Lake Natron

Day 12 Lake Natron – Tarangire National Park
After a good night's rest and a delicious breakfast, we drive through a beautiful hilly landscape, with Tarangire Park as our final destination. The landscape in this park can rightly be called special. Hills with enormous Baobab trees alternate with gorges and ravines. Tarangire National Park is home to a wide variety of animal species. Large herds of elephants roam the park, and if you're lucky, you might even spot one or more young ones. A river runs right through the park, where the animals love to drink and cool off. Savor these unique moments.

We arrive at the next location around lunchtime.

This lodge is located just outside the park, but offers an impressive view of it. After arrival, check-in, and lunch, it is time to unwind from the journey so far. From the swimming pool, we may already be able to spot plenty of wildlife, including large herds of elephants, which regularly search for food close to the lodge. Even from the cottages where you stay, we often already have a beautiful view, and there is a good chance that wildlife will come right up to your room.

Accommodation: Osupuko Lodge

Day 13Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we will explore Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is known for its hills, river, and excellent wildlife. The park is dominated by photogenic baobab and palm trees scattered throughout the hilly landscape. These trees can live for hundreds of years, and elephants use a special technique to extract moisture from them. In addition, the Tarangire River that runs through the park is the only other water source during this season. So you can imagine that this place is a paradise for large herds of up to 250 elephants. With a bit of luck, we might spot tree-climbing lions today. Furthermore, you will find a great diversity of waterbirds, especially in the swamps. Around lunchtime, we will look for a suitable spot for a picnic, after which we will continue exploring the park in the afternoon. Since it is our last safari day, we will return to the lodge in time for a farewell drink, a pleasant evening, and dinner.

Accommodation: Osupuko Lodge

Day 14 Tarangire – Arusha 
After breakfast, there is a drive back to Arusha, where the journey began two weeks ago. Late in the morning, we arrive at Africa Safari Arusha, where we will enjoy a final lunch.

Depending on flight times, we return to the international airport (Kilimanjaro Airport) in the afternoon for the farewells and check-in for your return flight.

You leave the African continent this evening with a suitcase full of new experiences and unforgettable impressions.

 

Price$ 4890,- per person on occupancy of 2 persons

3 persons $4840,- per person
4 persons $4790,- per person
5 persons $4740,- per person
6 persons $4690,- per person

including breakfast, lunch, and dinner