OVER VIEW
Discover Tanzania's Traditions and Heritage.
This extraordinary 10-day cultural journey takes you through Tanzania, where timeless traditions, ancient communities, and breathtaking landscapes intertwine to reveal a captivating cultural heritage.
Experience the vibrant rhythms of life in the Arusha Region, witness the wild beauty of Tarangire National Park, and connect with indigenous tribes at Lake Eyasi. Marvel at the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a cradle of human and wildlife harmony, before delving into the rich history and aromatic allure of Zanzibar’s iconic Stone Town and spice farms.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel in Arusha town. Take the time to unwind and relax after your long flight, enjoying a delicious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.
Accommodation: Moivaro Coffee Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Start your adventure with a warm welcome at Mzee Loti’s farm, where you’ll be greeted with a refreshing cup of coffee or tea. As you sip, learn about the farm’s innovative biogas, crossbreeding, and soil conservation projects. Afterward, take a stroll to nearby Bomas to discover traditional Maasai and Wa-Arusha houses, offering a glimpse into local architecture and culture. Continue your journey with a hike up Lekimana Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Arusha and, on clear days, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.
Next, descend to visit Ng'iresi Primary School, engaging with the local community before returning to Mzee Loti’s farm for a traditional meal lovingly prepared by the Juhudi Women’s Group. As the evening sets in, embark on the Moivaro Village Walk, where you’ll explore the vibrant Moivaro village, immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture and lifestyle. With your guide, stroll through the village and coffee plantation, learning about the local coffee processing techniques. Along the way, stop by a local banana beer brewery and experience the unique flavors of this traditional drink.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Moivaro Coffee Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Today, head out to one of Tanzania’s largest lakes and visit the Datoq community, a blacksmith tribe renowned for their craftsmanship. Explore their traditional blacksmithing techniques as they create intricate ornaments, jewelry, and tools. Learn about their rich cultural heritage and the significance of blacksmithing in their daily lives. This unique experience offers a chance to connect with the Datoq people and take home a beautiful piece of Tanzanian craftsmanship.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tindiga Tented Camp
Comfort Level: Midrange
The day begins at dawn with an exciting visit to the Hadzabe tribe, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer communities in the world. As the sun rises, you have the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in their ancient way of life. Accompanied by the tribe, you can take part in a traditional hunting expedition, learning the time-honored methods they use to track game through the wilderness.
Additionally, you'll join in the gathering of wild fruits, roots, and herbs, which are essential to their daily survival. This hands-on experience offers a fascinating glimpse into the sustainable practices that have kept the Hadzabe people connected to the land for thousands of years.
Return to the camp for lunch and thereafter head out for a Nature walk or Birdwatching in the park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tindiga Tented Camp
Comfort Level: Midrange
The journey from Lake Eyasi to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area takes you through diverse landscapes, providing a stunning transition from the tranquil lake environment to the iconic highlands of Ngorongoro. As you leave Lake Eyasi, you'll drive through the rugged terrain of the surrounding valleys, passing through small villages and lush green hills. The road winds its way upward, offering spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley and its surrounding escarpments.
As you approach Ngorongoro, the landscape begins to change, with the area becoming more elevated and the vegetation shifting from dry savannah to dense forests. You’ll pass through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands, with its rolling hills and misty atmosphere, before reaching the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater rim where you can marvel at the view of the vast, caldera below, home to one of the world’s densest concentrations of wildlife.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Crater Forest Tented Camp
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Head for a scenic drive to Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites. Known as the "Cradle of Mankind," Olduvai Gorge is where the earliest evidence of human ancestors has been discovered, dating back millions of years.
At the gorge, you’ll be guided by a resident anthropologist who will provide an insightful lecture about human evolution and the lives of our early ancestors. The lecture will delve into the fascinating history of the area, exploring the ancient landscapes that existed around 20 million years ago, and how they shaped the evolution of humankind. You’ll learn about the important fossil discoveries made here, including the remains of early hominins that offer valuable clues about the origins of humans.
Later continue on to the Maasai Village. Here, you’ll have a chance to interact with the Maasai people, who are renowned for their colorful attire, traditional lifestyle, and deep connection with the land. Explore their culture through dances, songs, and a demonstration of their day-to-day activities, such as cattle herding, beadwork, and fire-starting techniques. Return to camp for relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Crater Forest Tented Camp
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, head to Mto wa Mbu, a village located beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Activities include:
Village Walk: A guided tour to explore local life and learn about the diverse ethnic groups and their cultural practices.
Banana Plantation Tour: Visit banana plantations, discover different varieties, and see the cultivation process. Sample local banana beer.
Market Visit: Stroll through the lively market, where you’ll find fresh produce, spices, crafts, and textiles—perfect for souvenirs.
Cultural Experiences: Interact with artisans, learn traditional crafts like wood carving and basket weaving, and try making your own art.
Later head back to Arusha for an onward flight to Zanzibar arriving in stone town for relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a guided walk through the vibrant streets of Stone Town, where Arabic, Indian, and British architectural styles blend harmoniously, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Discover Kanga Street and learn about the significance and traditional uses of the colorful Kanga fabrics. Your exploration will also take you to the historic Slave Chambers, the bustling market, and the iconic Old Fort of Zanzibar.
Relax over a delightful local lunch before heading to a fascinating Spice Farm Tour. During the tour, immerse yourself in the scents and flavors of Zanzibar’s famous spices and exotic fruits. Explore a spice farm, where you'll have the chance to see, smell, and taste fresh spices and fruits like cloves, lemongrass, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla, black pepper, and tropical delights such as papaya, jackfruit, cassava, and oranges. This sensory adventure offers a deeper appreciation of Zanzibar’s agricultural heritage.
Optional Activity: Visit the Forodhani Gardens/ Forodhani Night Market, the bustling food street market with delicacies like grilled seafood, samosas, Kahawa, cassava, Zanzibar Pizza and sweet potatoes among others.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After a relaxed breakfast, head out from Stone Town to Prison Island begins with a 20-30 minute boat ride across the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Enjoy stunning views of Stone Town's historic skyline and the refreshing sea breeze. As the lush island comes into view, you may spot fishing boats and playful dolphins if you're lucky. The gentle waves and refreshing sea air make for a pleasant and relaxing ride.
You will then step ashore to explore its rich history, meet giant Aldabra tortoises, and snorkel in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Later head to Nakupenda Beach for lunch and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tembo Hotel
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After a relaxed breakfast, start your journey from Stone Town to Arusha with a domestic flight from Zanzibar Airport (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). The flight typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Indian Ocean and Tanzania’s lush landscapes.
Upon arrival in Arusha, you'll may have a day room for refreshment where you can relax before your international connecting flight home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.
• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Binoculars and a good camera.
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.
• Nature blending clothes
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.
In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.
For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.
Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.
You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.
The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).
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If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.
Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.
Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:
Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags
Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.
Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.
Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.
This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information