Essential Tanzania Safari & Cultural Experience

You will be met at the airport by our representative. You will be whisked away to your Arusha hotel to recover from your flight and enjoy your first taste of African hospitality. After a good night's rest, you will be ready for the start of your safari tomorrow! Overnight at Africa Safari Lodge Arusha. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Start your adventure at 7:30 am with a comfortable drive to Serval Wildlife Sanctuary, located three-hour drive from Arusha city, depending on traffic. Enjoy scenic views as you journey through the Tanzanian landscape. Upon arrival at Serval Wildlife Sanctuary, engage in an interactive experience with lions, zebras, giraffes, elands, Exquisite Elands, Oafish Ostriches, Mischievous Blue and vervet monkeys and other herbivores. Feed, touch, and photograph these majestic animals while spending about 2 hours exploring the sanctuary.

Serval Wildlife Sanctuary prioritizes ethical wildlife encounters spanning over 1000 acres and is developed in phases to meet the specific needs of wild animals, 50 acres at a time. Wild animals are sourced ethically, and also receive injured wildlife from the wild, with the aim of instilling natural behaviors and eventually rehabilitating them for release into the wild.

The ultimate goal of the sanctuary is to treat, train, and release them into their natural habitat within TANAPA-protected parks. Additionally, Serval Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a platform for endangered species reintroduction, helping to establish viable populations in areas where they have significantly declined or been lost.

The well-being of the animals is a top priority, and interactions are monitored to ensure they are positive. Animals can end interactions at their discretion. The staff provides a sense of security and companionship, and visitors participate in enjoyable activities. It offers unforgettable direct interactions with a variety of free-roaming wild animals.

Thereafter, we proceed to Materuni village. Materuni village is still an authentic tribal village home to the Chagga tribe and the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park. First, we start by a village walk to visit Materuni waterfalls, which are around a 45-minute walk away (optional). On the way, learn about the culture of the Chagga tribe, village life, and the surrounding flora and fauna with your guide. Admire the breathtaking views and with luck, catch sight of the summit of Kilimanjaro. After enjoying the Materuni waterfalls, you slowly return with your guide to Materuni village to experience a traditional Chagga lunch and opt to taste our local banana beer!

Coffee ceremony:

You will be invited to help with the grinding of the coffee, which is traditionally accompanied by Chagga songs and dances - a fun way to immerse yourself in the local culture. You will make your own cup of coffee using traditional ways, taste local coffee and gain knowledge about Tanzania coffee Industry. After a full day of exploration and discovery, you'll return to Arusha in the evening, filled with memories of an enriching and captivating wildlife and cultural experience. Overnight at Africa Safari Lodge Arusha

After Breakfast, set out for Tarangire National Park arriving in time for lunch followed by evening game drive. Tarangire National Park covering a 2,850 square kilometers of surface area, this park offers habitat to plenty of wildlife. This is a place where elephants dot the plains like cattle, and where lion roars and zebra barks fill the night, all set against a backdrop of constantly changing scenery. The shrinking lagoons are gathered around by migratory wildebeest, eland, gazelle, impala, zebras, kudu, rhino, hartebeest buffalo and other smaller mammals. Also regularly spotted are the dry country antelopes like the long-necked gerenuk and fringe eared Oryx.

Mongoose colonies are often hosted by abandoned drifts (anthills). The thick vegetation usually hides the main predators that are always there but cannot easily be seen just like any other parks in northern Tanzania. Overnight at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge or Similar. Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy the morning and evening game drives. But this is one place where the wildlife tells only half the story. Dominating the park's 2850 sq km are some of Northern Tanzania's most varied landscapes. The great stands of epic baobabs should be reason enough to come, also referred to as the Tree of Life. It is ‘gigantic’ in nature and can store within its trunk 300 litres and 1000 litres of water.  They have a long-life span and can survive up to six hundred (600) years. But there are also sun-blistered termite mounds in abundance, as well as grassy savannah plains and vast swamps. Cleaving the park in two is the Tarangire River, its meandering course and (in some places) steep riverbanks providing a dry-season lure for animals and thus many stirring wildlife encounters for visitors. Overnight at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge or Similar. Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we drive to Serengeti National Park. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. The Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp provides guest with visitors with a real wild experience. The furniture and accessories have been selected for their opulent appearance and modern safari style. Modern conveniences and excellent amenities, such as internet access, hot showers, traditional dance, and many more, complement these features. The welcoming staff will go to great lengths to ensure that your stay is enjoyable, gratifying, and memorable.

Enjoy your lunch before heading out for afternoon game drive into the wilds of this famed natural wonder. The Serengeti National Park is Africa's most famous. Renowned for its incredible concentrations of predators and the Great Migration of two million grazers, a safari here is guaranteed to be exceptional. The endless grassy plains are amongst the richest grazing grounds in the African bush, and therefore home to the largest herds and the highest concentrations of predators on the planet. Later return to the lodge in time for dinner around a roaring fire before laying your head to rest.  Overnight at Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp or Similar. Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy morning and evening game drives. The Serengeti Africa is one of those very rare places that has a huge reputation, yet still somehow manages to surpass expectations and take your breath away. The predator viewing here is exceptional with approximately 3-4,000 lion and huge numbers of cheetah, leopard and hyena. Other animals commonly found in the park include topi, eland, hartebeest, buffalo, elephant, caracal, serval, bat-eared fox, hyrax, genet, hares, porcupine, aardvark, giraffe, jackal, mongoose, crocodile, monitor lizard, aardwolf, many kinds of primates including baboons, vervet and colobus monkeys, and over 500 species of bird. Arriving back to your Lodge after a day replete with wildlife experience, it’s time to freshen up and get ready for dinner under the star-spangled African skies. Overnight at Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp or Similar. Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we depart for Ngorongoro conservancy with our picnic lunch.

You’ll be able to partake in immersive walking safaris and crater game drives that will introduce you to the fauna and flora of the famed Ngorongoro crater. The Crater is the world’s largest intact, un-flooded caldera. We descend over the lush rainforests of the rim, 610m (2 000ft) down to the grasslands of the crater floor, an area of about 260 square kilometers (100 square miles). Often described as the ‘Eighth’ wonder of the World, the Ngorongoro crater is so spectacular, a natural sanctuary for over 25,000 animals, including the black rhino. It is also a conservation area inhabited by the Maasai tribe.

This haven provides a year-round home to wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelle, along with Africa’s densest population of lion. The rainforests shelter elephant, mountain buck, buffalo, hyena, wild dog, leopard and cheetah. After evening game drives, you will proceed to the Lodge. Country Lodge Karatu embodies simple country comforts, providing pleasant and affordable lodging in the heart of Tanzania’s rich and scenic northern highlands and coffee estates. We grow much of the produce served in the lodge. Take a leisurely stroll through our expansive vegetable garden and coffee plantation, where the air is fragrant with the scent of fresh blooms and the promise of harvest. This picturesque setting is not only perfect for a relaxing walk but also an ideal backdrop for capturing memorable photos that will last a lifetime. Overnight at Country Lodge Karatu or Similar. Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, embark on a captivating cultural journey with a private full-day guided tour to Lake Eyasi, where you will have the unique opportunity to visit the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. This immersive experience will allow you to delve into the rich cultural heritage of these indigenous communities and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life. As you venture into the Lake Eyasi region, you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will provide insights into the history, traditions, and customs of the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes. Your guide will serve as a bridge between you and these fascinating communities, facilitating meaningful interactions and exchanges throughout the day. Upon arrival, you will have the privilege of meeting the Hadzabe people, who are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in the world. The Hadzabe have preserved their traditional way of life for centuries, relying on hunting and gathering techniques passed down through generations. You will have the opportunity to observe their daily activities, learn about their hunting methods, and gain a firsthand glimpse into their unique cultural practices. In addition to visiting the Hadzabe tribe, your tour will also include a visit to the Datoga community, known for their expertise in blacksmithing and traditional craftsmanship. The Datoga people have a rich history of metalworking, creating intricate jewelry, tools, and weapons using age-old techniques. You will have the chance to witness their craftsmanship firsthand, as well as engage with Datoga artisans to learn about their craft and cultural significance. Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to engage with members of both the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and building connections with these resilient communities. Your guide will facilitate meaningful interactions, allowing you to ask questions, participate in cultural activities, and gain a deeper appreciation for the traditions and values of the Hadzabe and Datoga people. As you immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural tapestry of Lake Eyasi, you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of the region, from its picturesque landscapes to its diverse wildlife. This full-day guided tour offers a unique opportunity to step off the beaten path and explore the hidden gems of Tanzania, connecting with indigenous communities and gaining a newfound appreciation for their way of life. In the early evening, you will return to the Lodge for a dip in a swimming pool. Overnight at Country Lodge Karatu or Similar. Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we depart to Arusha town for lunch (at traveler’s expense). Thereafter, we shall transfer you to the Kilimanjaro Int’l airport for your homebound flight. Meal Plan: Breakfast

Enjoy your Safari experience!