13 Day Wildlife and Cultural Tour

This 13 day Wildlife Safari and Cultural Tour offers you a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Tanzania by visiting the major parks of the northern circuit as well as the local tribes.

Highlights:

• Amazing Wildlife Encounters: Experience the magic of Arusha National Park, the diverse landscapes of Tarangire, the enchanting Lake Manyara, the serene beauty of Lake Eyasi, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, and the iconic Serengeti National Park. Each destination offers unique wildlife sightings and stunning natural scenery.
• Cultural Immersion at Lake Eyasi:  Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Datoq and Hadzabe tribes. Discover their way of life and gain a deeper appreciation for their unique cultures.
• Explore Mto Wa Mbu Village: Wander through the vibrant Mto Wa Mbu Village, where you’ll encounter the warm hospitality of the local community and enjoy the colorful markets and traditional crafts.
• Stay in Handpicked Mid Range Lodges: Relax in carefully selected luxury lodges that not only provide comfort and elegance but also support community empowerment and conservation efforts. Each lodge offers a perfect blend of luxury and sustainability, ensuring your stay is both memorable and meaningful.

Itinerary for the 13 day Wildlife and Cultural Tour.

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will be met by a company representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight: Accommodation at Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge.

Day 2: Arusha National Park.

After breakfast, head to Arusha National Park at the start of your 12 day Wildlife and Culture Tour in Tanzania. The park is home to the fourth-highest African mountain—Mount Meru (4,566 m). Look out for the breathtaking landscapes ranging from the Meru Crater in the west, the Ngurdoto Crater in the southeast to the grasslands, and the alkaline Momella Lakes in the northeast.

Take on a game drive and look out for the Buffalos, zebras, and elephants among others. The Ngurdoto Crater also called “Little Ngorongoro” with its rich, swampy caldera and its steep crater walls. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Thereafter, drive back to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge.

Day 3: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Today you will head to Tarangire National Park, named after the Tarangire River which runs through it. It is famed for its special baobab trees and its elephant families, which can often be seen congregating by the river. During the game drive, look out for giraffes, bushbucks, hartebeest, lions, and leopards.  You will make your first game drive here in the afternoon.

Accommodation and Meals at Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge

Day 4: Tarangire – Nature Walk and Masai Community

After breakfast, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Tarangire with a guided botanical walk. Discover the rich flora of the region, learning about the unique plants and their uses. In the evening after lunch, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to visit a Masai community. Experience their vibrant culture, traditions, and way of life firsthand. Join in the story telling, dance and singing sessions.  Accommodation and Meals at Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge.

Day 5: Tarangire – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, continue to Lake Manyara arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, take a biking tour to the shore of Lake Manyara where there are stunning vistas of the lake, Rift Valley Wall and some small herds of wildlife like Zebras, Wildebeests, and Gazelles along with variety of birdlife species.  Accommodation and Meals at Kirurumu Manyara Lodge

Day 6: Lake Manyara – Lake Eyasi- Datoq Community

Today head out for a visit to one of the largest lakes in Tanzania and an interesting visit to two local tribes. You will arrive in time for lunch and thereafter visit the local Datoq community which is a blacksmith tribe and take a look at the different ornaments made. Accommodation and Meals at Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge.

Day 7: Hadzabe Tribe – Karatu

The day starts early and you pay an interesting visit to the Hadzabe, you can participate in the hunt and gather wild fruits and roots with this tribe. Later return to Karatu for relaxation.

Accommodation and Meals at Tloma Lodge.

Day 8: To Serengeti National Park

Today head to Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a biosphere reserve since 1981. Serengeti is one of the most famous wildlife areas in the world with the greatest concentration of wild animals on the planet!

This world-renowned park is a sanctuary for the last remaining annual wildebeest migration in the world.  Have an evening game drive in the park looking out for elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, cheetahs, and lions among others. Accommodation and Meals at Kirurumu Serengeti North Camp

Day 9: Game Safaris in Serengeti National Park

After breakfast have a full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park searching for the big cat and the Big Five. In the afternoon, your driver will set up and prepare the picnic table for lunch. Optionally you can enjoy a special balloon safari above the vast plains of the Serengeti.

Accommodation and Meals at Kirurumu Serengeti North Camp

Day 10:  Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater

Begin your journey with a visit to the historic and fascinating archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, often referred to as the cradle of mankind. From there, embark on an exciting drive to the captivating Ngorongoro Crater. This natural wonder will leave you in awe with its diverse landscapes and a rich array of animal species that thrive in this unique ecosystem.

Along the way, take a break to enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the stunning scenery. For those seeking a bit of adventure, an optional walk along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater offers breathtaking panoramic views and a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area. Alternatively, a walk at the Olmoti Crater provides another opportunity to explore the region’s remarkable terrain and wildlife. Later head back to Ngorongoro Farm House for relaxation and overnight stay.

Day 11: Game Safaris in Ngorongoro Crater

Today you will have a full-day game drive at the bottom of the crater with a picnic lunch. At the end of the afternoon, you drive to Karatu, located at the foot of the Ngorongoro crater. Accommodation and Meals at Ngorongoro Farm House.

Day 12: Visit the Mto wa Mbu Village

After breakfast, head to the small village of Mto wa Mbu located beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Activities include

Village Walk:  A guided tour through the village to experience the daily life of the local people. Learn about the various ethnic groups living in harmony and their unique cultural practices.

Banana Plantation Tour: Explore the extensive banana plantations, learn about the different banana varieties, and see how bananas are cultivated and harvested. You might also get to taste some local banana beer.

Visit Local Markets: Stroll through the bustling local markets where you can see a variety of goods for sale, including fresh produce, spices, handmade crafts, and vibrant textiles. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs and interact with local vendors.

Cultural Experiences: Engage with local artisans and learn traditional crafts such as wood carving, painting, and basket weaving. You can even try your hand at creating your own piece of art.

For the adventurous at heart, you may have cycling tour guided through the village, local markets and banana plantations. Later head back to Ngorongoro Farm House.

Day 13:  Ngorongoro – Arusha

After breakfast, your journey continues as you depart for Arusha and then proceed to Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight, marking the conclusion of your enriching 13 Day Wildlife and Cultural Tour in East Africa.

Included in the 13 Day Wildlife and Cultural Tour

• Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land cruiser with gasoline/fuel,
• Mineral water in the vehicle, 
• English speaking Driver/guide,
• Accommodation and Meals
• All activities mentioned in itinerary
• Park Entrance Fees,
• Cultural visits.

Excluded in the 13 Day Wildlife and Cultural Tour

• International Airfares;
• Visa Entry Fees USD 50 per person
• Items of personal nature such as Room service, Beverages, Laundry, etc.
• Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, 
• Optional activities unless specified as included,
• Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.