10 Days Tanzania Wildlife & Culture

After clearing with customs and Immigration formalities at the airport, you will be met by your driver guide for the short transfer to your Lodge, nestled between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or visit the Game Sanctuary that has for many years provided a safe haven to African plains game.

Set 23 kilometres east of Arusha, Usa River is the capital of Tanzania’s Meru District and lies between the Ndurdoto Crater and Arusha National Park. Dotted with numerous eco-lodges and other accommodation options, the town provides an ideal base for exploring the magnificent surrounding natural landscapes. Visit the seven Momela Lakes to see vast swathes of pink flamingos, and look out for buffalos and waterbuck. The park offers an array of safari tours and the chance to see unique primates such as blue monkeys, albino baboons, and colobus monkeys (this is the only place in Tanzania’s northern safari circuit where they can be found). The spectacular Mount Meru is a fantastic achievement to climb and provides unparalleled vistas of Kilimanjaro. At Usa River’s Cultural Arts Centre, take part in drum-making and Tanzanian cooking classes or visit traditional Maasai and Meru bomas.

Overnight: Mount Meru Game Lodge

Set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, the Mount Meru Game Lodge is nestled between the Usa river and the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to water buffalo, birds and monkeys, including the elusive Colobus monkey. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), the lodge is an ideal starting point for your safari.

The lodge & sanctuary date back to 1959 when Dr. Von Nagy bought the property as a family home. The main building dates back to the 1930's and was originally the farm manager's house. In the first half of the 1900's most of the area on the southern slopes of Mount Meru were coffee plantations.

Dr. Von Nagy's was passionate about animals and he quickly turned his family home into an animal sanctuary and orphanage. He setup the Mount Meru Wildlife Reserve in order to protect the wildlife on Mount Meru, what is now part of Arusha National Park. He also helped the government to establish the Wildlife Collage and used his animal sanctuary and orphanage as a training facility for the students. His home and passion attracted visitors from far and wide, rooms were added to accommodate his visitors and the lodge was born.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

This morning, wake to the views of Mt Meru before heading down to breakfast. After collecting your packed lunch, you will join your driver guide as you head to Tarangire National Park. On clearing the paperwork at the entrance, you will head into the park for a full day game drive.

As the afternoon begins to end, you will make your way out of the park and towards your Lodge. You will arrive in time for a sundowner and dinner.

Travellers heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and biking opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or simply a break between safari game drives, this underrated town has plenty to offer.

Overnight: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Located on the outskirts of the town of Karatu in Tanzania, Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is an excellent option for a countryside getaway. Set amidst lush green landscapes, this charming property is home to thirty-two cottages, ten of which are located in the coffee garden while the others are surrounding the pool area. Designed for a comfortable and convenient stay, all of the cottages are cosy and equipped with Wi-Fi, mosquito-netted king or twin beds, a dressing area, a fireplace, a large bathroom with a shower and a veranda. When it comes to dining, guests can look forward to enjoying a delicious buffet for both breakfast and lunch and, for dinner, sit down for a five-crouse event at the restaurant. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool.

Activities

Tarangire National Park, situated within Tanzania’s spectacular Manyara Region, is an awe-inspiring national park comprising of granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and free-roaming wildlife. During the annual dry season, the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. With lion being among the most commonly spotted animal, it is a rare day that a visitor does not spot this majestic animal prowling or grazing. Tarangire is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are seen regularly. This expansive area is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the wondrous mountains to the south.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Today we will head to visit local school located just outside Karatu. Here you will get to visit the students and interact with them. Albatros has been supporting this school and assisting with renovating the classrooms, as well as providing electricity and water. After the school we will take the short drive to Mto wa Mbu village to get to know the way of life in an African Village and enjoy a local lunch in the village. After lunch you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park.

Return back to your lodge in the late afternoon.

Activities

Wayo Africa Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Lake Manyara National Park

Wayo Africa Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

The Wayo Africa Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk takes guests on a journey to experience the traditional culture of the local people. Guests will visit the local farms, interact with kindergarten kids, speak to local inhabitants, and view the best deals in the market. A traditional lunch can be included in the journey and enjoyed at the local banana plantation.

Lake Manyara National Park

Situated in Tanzania’s central-northern region with the Lake Manyara to its east and the Manyara Escarpment to its west, the Lake Manyara National Park offers breathtaking views and a large variety of habitats supporting an array of wildlife. This small park is home to surprising biodiversity and features a magnificent landscape of acacia woodlands, forests, baobab strewn cliffs, algae-streaked hot springs, swamps and the lake itself. The park supports over 400 species of bird and the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world. Other species to spot include giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, warthog, the Cape clawless otter, and the Egyptian mongoose. Don’t miss the opportunity to see thousands of flamingos on the lake, the renowned tree-climbing lions, and large families of elephants strolling through the forest.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Today is an early wakeup call in order to get to the Hadzabe tribe early in the morning to venture off on their morning hunt. Here you will have the privileged opportunity to meet with the Wahadzabe tribe and observe and try your hand at hunting and gathering techniques that have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. Learn to hunt with a bow and arrow and start a fire or join the women gathering roots, tubers and wild fruit and preparing food. Exploring a way of life vastly different to our own is an unforgettable experience.

TWe will also visit the Datoga and Iraqw tribes that live in the area. Return to your lodge in time for lunch with the afternoon at leisure

Activities

In the early morning, after taking tea & coffee in camp, you proceed driving with a local guide into the surrounding hills ridges in search of a Hadzabe encampment; arriving at their last known site of camp you proceed after them on foot. Upon meeting them you are introduced to the camp

members. Visit their tiny huts, follow the women on a gathering foray and see how roots are dug, mice are caught and berries and Baobab fruit are gathered and prepared, or follow the men on a hunt, led in the wildlife rich woodland between towering Baobabs and acacias. The men are armed with long bows with poison tipped arrows, which you can see produced in the village and honey axes. If successful on the hunt, or finding a beehive, you will be offered to share their meal, a small antelope, a Francolin or Guinea fowl as luck dictates that day. Return to your Camp for lunch. In the afternoon Set out and visit a Datoga community and learn about their traditional pastoral way of life. The women still wear leather dresses, traditional jewelry and distinctive facial scarification, and the men armed with spears tend to their vast herds. Visit the traditional homesteads and experience their way of life and time permitting pass by the traditional Datoga black smith, that

still resides in the area. In the late afternoon return to your camp.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast and check out, depart to the Serengeti with a packed lunch. On our way will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a safari on the Crater floor.

You continue to the Central part of the Serengeti. As the afternoon begins to end, you will make your way towards your camp. On arrival you will be assisted with check in and shown your tent.

Ikoma is situated in Tanzania, east of the Serengeti National Park, at the base of the majestic Mt. Meru, Ikoma is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater are both within easy driving distance, making Ikoma the perfect base for exploring the region. In addition to its natural wonders, Ikoma is also home to a number of great activities, including hiking, biking and bird watching. With so much to see and do, it's no wonder Ikoma is one of Tanzania's most popular tourist destinations. Other Highlights in the surrounding area include Lake Ndutu, and the Olduvai Gorge. Ikoma is also home to a number of Masai villages, where visitors can learn about the traditional culture and way of life. With its unique location and range of activities on offer, Ikoma is an ideal destination for those looking to explore the natural beauty and culture of Tanzania.

Overnight: Serengeti Kati Kati

Serengeti Kati Kati is a mobile tented camp located in Central Serengeti, strategically located to cover the vast Serengeti Plains. The camp offers comfortable accommodation and a unique opportunity to enjoy a real safari camp experience, just a two-hour scenic drive from Olduvai Gorge Museum and Grumeti River.

Accommodation comprises 10 double tents and with one family tent, all with en-suite facilities, with a cosy mess tent located in the centre of the camp where meals are served. The campfire is ready every evening for appetizers and snacks before dinner.

Serengeti National Park is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries on the planet and the largest National Park in Tanzania, covering an extension of 15,000 square kilometres. Its landscapes depict the mythical image of an Africa of large spaces, profound blue skies dotted with clouds, cool sunrises and fire-red sunsets.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a full day, with morning and evening games drives in Serengeti National Park. Enjoy quiet evenings by the campfire and the exclusivity of absolute comfort combined with the authenticity of a night spent in the African bush, an extraordinary experience for all nature lovers.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

As the sun rises on your third day in the Serengeti, make the most of the game viewing. Order a picnic breakfast or lunch and head out into the bush and spend the day looking for game while enjoying the magic that this park has to offer. Later back at camp dinner is served and evening drinks by the campfire is the perfect way to discuss the day’s events

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

This morning we will have a morning game drive with lunch boxes. After lunch heading back to Karatu. On route will stop at a Masai Village and get a better understanding into their Nomadic way of life. We will reach our lodge in time for a sundowner and dinner.

As previously described.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Farmhouse

Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge is situated beneath the majestic Oldeani Volcano, and boasts easy access to both the untamed wilderness of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as the simple pleasure of a ramble through 500 acres of farmland.

Ngorongoro Farmhouse was inaugurated on February 20th 2003, and is offering 52 room cottages, 49 standard rooms and 3 suite rooms, all with ample space inside, built on the style of an old colonial farm and rustically decorated with local materials and full of details of good taste, with the purpose of offering our clients an imaginary journey to the life of the days gone.

Basis

Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

After early breakfast, depart with lunch boxes and drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on clearing the paperwork at the entrance you will head into the carter for game drive.

Evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Activities

Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking and visiting a local Maasai village. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.

Basis

Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

After breakfast, check out and drive to Arusha town for lunch, after lunch you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight back home.

Or After lunch in Arusha, you may decide to extend you stay to the Spice Island of Zanzibar where you will relax on the beautiful beach for couple of days, then fly back home.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast