DAY ONE – ARUSHA/MOSHI – MOUNT KILIMANJARO

You’ll start your Tanzanian experience with a visit to the Roof of Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro.

The highest mountain in Africa has enchanted and challenged climbers from around the world for decades now, and you’ll get a small taste of what climbers on the mountain experience as you take a picnic lunch and ascend to the First Hut.

Your day of trekking takes you through lush rainforest and you’ll stop at a scenic waterfall to enjoy your picnic lunch before finishing your day’s hiking.

You’ll then descend and overnight in a nearby lodge.

DAY TWO – MAJI MOTO CYCLING TOUR

You’ll set off after breakfast today for a cycling adventure that will take you from the scenic Kilimanjaro foothills to Tanzania’s safari capital, Arusha.

Setting off after an early breakfast, you’ll make the lengthy (22km) ride to the famous Maji Moto hotsprings. Casting aside your bike and helmet, you’ll have the chance to soak in the wonderfully warm waters, relax under the shade of the oasis, and eat a local lunch.

You’ll then get back on your bikes and continue cycling to Arusha.

NOTE: You do not have to ride the entire way. You’ll be accompanied at all times by a Shadows of Africa vehicle in case you need a break!

DAY THREE – HORSEBACK SAFARI AND ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

You’ll make your way to the popular Dolly Ranch this morning for your chance to experience a little old world charm in the form of a horseback safari.

There’s something uniquely thrilling about spying antelopes, zebras, and wildebeest from horseback, and your two-hour guided tour will give you a taste of the safari adventures to come.

After lunch at the Ranch, you’ll continue on to Arusha National Park for an afternoon walking safari. While the park does not have large game, you’ll spot giraffes and a variety of primates as you wander the lush undergrowth.

DAY FOUR – ARUSHA – LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you’ll set off for Lake Manyara National Park. Along the way you’ll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa.

After stopping to snap a few photos or barter for souvenirs, you’ll enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer’s playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa’s most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.

Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac breasted roller.

Optional activities within the park include canoe safaris (seasonal), a treetop walk, and night game drives. Speak with your safari expert about adding one of these activities to your safari.

DAY FIVE – LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

We’ll take an early breakfast, as we’ve got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us!

We’ll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way we’ll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth.

It’s a nearly four hour drive to the Serengeti park gates, but you can choose to break up the drive with one or both of the below optional activities:

• 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.
• Maasai boma visit: Pay a visit to one of the famous Maasai bomas, where you’ll 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.

Both of the above activities attract an additional cost. Speak with your safari expert about adding them to your itinerary.

After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

DAY SIX – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, we get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater National Park.

Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.

Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

DAY SEVEN – NGORONGORO CRATER

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you’ll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.

Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It’s a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.

From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you’ll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa’s most recognisable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.

After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch in the park.

You’ll return to your lodging in the late afternoon.

DAY EIGHT – EMPAKAI CRATER

You’ll start your day with an early breakfast before heading out for your adventure at Empakai Crater. Hiking through forested hills that come to some 300 metres above the crater floor, you’ll be rewarded with an absolutely stunning view when you reach the top.

Empakai Crater offers unparalleled views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, a still active volcano. There’s also the opportunity to see Lake Natron, the Great Rift Valley, and even distant Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

You’ll then trek down into the crater itself towards the shores of Empakai Lake, where you’ll see animals such as bushbucks, buffaloes, waterbucks, elands, and countless different species of bird.

Taking a picnic within the park offers you the chance to soak in its utter tranquility before you hike back to the car for the trip to your accommodation.

DAY NINE – LAKE EYASI HADZABE CULTURAL DAY – ARUSHA

You’ll be up before breakfast today, as you’ll be joining the Hadzabe bushmen for the opportunity to hunt for your own food!

One of the last true bushman tribes in Africa, the Hadzabe live very much as they always have despite the rapid development of Tanzania. With only 2,000 members, the Hadzabe tribe are a fascinating people who offer us a window into how life in Tanzania was in the past.

The local hunters will prepare a demonstration of hunting techniques just for us. Far from being a mere performance, this display reveals a great deal about their everyday lives when they must hunt for animals to feed their families. You will see firsthand how the Hadzabe use distinctive motions and even the body parts of certain animals to lure their prey close enough that they can be brought down with hand-crafted poisons.

After a late breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity for a drive around Lake Eyasi proper. While this shallow soda lake is not home to the same variety of wildlife you’ll find in a national park, you’ll have the chance to spot a variety of bird and mammal life. On occasion, flamingos and hippos even call the lake home.

You’ll also have time to meet with the Datoga people. Mostly farmers and cattle breeders, these fascinating people offer another insight into tribal life in Tanzania.

Once your day’s activities have been complete, you’ll make your way back to Arusha or the airport.

These prices include:

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi (before & after climb)
• Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
• Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
• Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
• Private toilet
• Four season, 3 person mountain tents, double occupancy
• Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
• Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
• Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
• Breakfast at hotel

Not included in price:

• Airfare
• Lunch or dinner at hotel
• Beverages at hotel
• Personal gear and equipment
• Tips