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Walking and Wildlife In Tanzania
Tanzania
13 Days
Please Contact us for Pricing.
Hiking and Wildlife
Walking and Wildlife In Tanzania
Tanzania
13 Days
Please Contact us for Pricing.
Hiking and Wildlife
Trip Overview
Our African safari combines a traditional jeep-based safari during the amazing wildebeest and zebra migration with a walking safari in a remote part of Ngorongoro Highlands and the Great Rift Valley. Visiting Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro National Parks by jeep allows us to quickly go where the wildlife is best. The trek, going past the Ngorongoro Highlands across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Natron and Northeastern Serengeti, with its minimal civilization and infrastructure, provides a more intimate experience of the wilderness as well as the surrounding communities that have lived there forever. Imagine sitting in the African bush at night, listening to the sounds of the bush with the skies ablaze overhead. Or walking through the bush, alert to all that surrounds you. Or watching hippopotami wallowing in the mud or herds of wildebeest streaming across the plains. Tanzania offers a magic found nowhere else in the world. Maximum group size: 14
Highlights
- Sitting in front of your tent and listening to the sounds of the bush
- Having your eyes opened to by our naturalist guides to everything around you
- Learning about Maasai culture and lifestyle
- Visiting three completely different National Parks: Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater
- Witnessing the Great Migration of vast herds of wildebeest and zebra
- Watching elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, warthogs, and hippos, many of whom have babies this time of year
Inclusions
- Experienced guides, including an Adventures in Good Company group leader, porters, and an armed national park ranger on the camping/walking safari
- Six nights lodging in hotels or private luxury tented camps, and four nights camping
- All meals from breakfast on February 18 to lunch the final day and unlimited drinking water
- all National Park fees
- Transportation within Tanzania including transfer to/from Kilimanjaro airport if you arrive and leave with the group
- Group camping and cooking equipment (including tents and sleeping pads) Gratuities for local guides, porters, lodges, and safari drivers
Not included: Airfare to Tanzania, AGC guide gratuities, beverages other than water, and travel insurance
Trip Info
This trip is perfect for women who are comfortable in developing countries and who want to combine a traditional safari with a trek off the beaten path. While the safari is sedentary, the hikes will be between 4-6 hours ranging from flat terrain, valleys, and some uphill. Most of these trails are also used by local Maasai tribes in the area for herding cattle and may be undeveloped as hiking trails. The trip is rated 3. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 3 - 4 times a week.
Rating: 1 2
The focus of this trip is wildlife viewing and walking. Our trip will be divided between an active walking safari and a more traditional jeep safari. The traditional safari by its very nature is sedentary, as roaming outside of the lodge or camp grounds, unless accompanied by an armed Park Ranger, is not safe. The walking safari provides the perfect balance of activity.
Other than during our trek we will be staying in hotels or luxury tented camps. Luxury camps have large wall tents with beds and attached bathrooms, offering comfort combined with nature. During our trek (day 3 - 7) we will be camping and our camping gear and support equipment will be carried by Masai Donkeys. Please note, this is traditional camping – sleeping in sleeping bags on sleeping pads on the ground. There will be 4 person tents for each 2 people, with 3 inch thick mattresses. There will also be a separate dining, shower, and toilet tents. Vegetarian options for this trip will be very limited. Women with other types of dietary needs please call before registering for the trip to make sure your needs can be accommodated.
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Itinerary
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
We meet our guides at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to our hotel. Our hotel, Ilboru Safari Lodge (http://annelie3.wixsite.com/isl2015) is located at the foot of Mt. Meru. Overnight: Ilboru Safari Lodge
DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast, we load our safari trucks, stopping at the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre to get a sense of the past and present 120-plus tribes of Tanzania. We continue southwest through Masai Steppe to Tarangire National Park. Known for its diverse scenery, including dramatic baobab trees, one of Tanzania's largest populations of elephants, more than 500 species of birds, and impressive numbers and variety of animals. Our overnight tented camp is located inside the park on the edge of Tarangire River, a favorite watering place, so it is common to see animals drinking water and grazing along the river from the lodge. Overnight: Tarangire Tented Safari Lodge. (B, L, D)
DAY 3
This morning we explore more of Tarangire National Park on a game drive. Our special safari trucks have open air roofs, allowing us to stand-up and have great views of the wide range of wildlife. After a picnic lunch, we may continue game viewing or travel to our destination for the night, the Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge, situated on a coffee plantation and organic farm which supplies our restaurant. We will get there just in time to take a dip in the sparkling swimming pool and or have happy hour on the deck overlooking the Oldeani Volcano, or tour the gardens. Overnight: Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge
DAY 4
Today we drive to the rim of the Ngorongoro main crater and through the Ngorongoro highlands to the small Maasai village of Nainokanoka for a visit to learn about the culture, traditions, and survival strategies of the Maasai people, including a trip to the local Maasai market. We start our trek from here, with a hike through the nearby Olmoti Crater, a critical watershed with an underground reservoir which slowly releases water throughout the year for the livestock and wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater. We'll explore the crater and visit the Munge River waterfalls. In the afternoon we hike across the wide expanse of the "Embulbul Depression," a retreat for wildlife from the Ngorongoro Crater. Our wilderness camp is situated on a ridge of the Empakaai Crater, a hidden gem of the area. This extinct caldera is one of the best-kept secrets of the area with spectacular Rift Valley views from its rim. Its thickly forested sides, and a sparkling lake covering half of the floor, its full of flamingos and lurking predators. For safety, we will have an armed park ranger with our group today and for the rest of our trek. 3 - 4 hours hiking plus some driving. Overnight: Camping at the rim of Empakaai Crater. (B, L, D)
DAY 5
We'll take today for a full exploration of Empakaai Crater, hiking down the steep forested slopes of the caldera; hopefully catching glimpses of rarely seen forest animals such as bushbuck, buffalo, and even leopards. Around the lakeshore we will watch many species of water birds, including flamingos: millions of flamingos roam the Rift Valley lakes in great flocks throughout the year searching for the best feeding and bathing conditions. After we've had our fill of watching, it's time to hike back up to camp for a hearty safari dinner. 5 - 6 hours of hiking. Overnight: Camping at the rim of Empakaai Crater. (B, L, D)
DAY 6
Today we hike from Empakaai through the village of Nayobi to Lerai Forest. Our hike descends from the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Great Rift Valley, through lush grassland pastures scattered with Masai villages. The scenery alternates between the mountains of Gelai and Ketembeni (both extinct volcanoes) and Lake Natron stretching into the distance. The active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, "Mountain of God," dominates the view and local Maasai join us along the walk. Our campsite has spectacular views. Tonight we have dinner around the camp fire in traditional African style. 4 - 5 hours of hiking. Overnight: Tent camping in Nayobi or Lerai Forest (B, L, D)
DAY 7
After an early breakfast, we continue hiking down into the Rift Valley - by now Ol Doinyo Lengai will be towering above us. We cross the old lava flows and hike towards the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment for the best views and our waiting truck. After a break with cold drinks and a snack, we drive to the Engare Sero River and our established campsite under the acacia trees. In the evening we have an optional hike up the waterfalls above the camp for a relaxing swim or watch the Baboons leaping back and forth on the cliffs. 6 - 8 hours of hiking on challenging downhill trail. Overnight: Camping at Engare Sero Village (B, L, D)
DAY 8
Today is a travel day and our destination is Serengeti National Park. We pass Lake Natron, a favorite breeding place for 2.5 million Lesser Flamingoes. Lake Natron attracts so many flamingos because its caustic environment is a barrier against their predators, especially Hyenas. We will see Lesser Flamingoes floating nests on seasonally-forming evaporative islands and Great Flamingoes nests on the mud flats. We'll then drive across the Great Rift Valley to Serengeti National Park, with game viewing in the very remote northern East Serengeti. We will begin seeing large game and predators, and so are mostly restricted to viewing from our special safari trucks for the rest of the trip. Our overnight lodge is strategically built in an enormous volcanic rocky outcrop in the Lobo Hills. Overnight: Lobo Wildlife Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 9
Our early morning allows for a full day of game viewing and travel through the Serengeti. The Seronera River Valley is rich with wildlife and a common place to find leopards and other big cats like lions and cheetahs. At the Retima Hippo Pool, we will be able to get out of the vehicle to stretch legs and walk to see hippos and crocodiles lounging together in the same habitat. We'll have a picnic lunch under an acacia tree and then continue with game viewing during our drive to southern Serengeti and our tented camp in a wooded hill overlooking the surrounding savannas. Overnight: Ndutu Kati Tented Camp (B, L, D)
DAY 10
Our focus today will be tracking the great migration of wildebeests and zebras as the graze on the southern plains of Serengeti ecosystem. One of the highlights of any safari is a sunrise game drive when animals are very active grazing on the grasslands and the predators are busy hunting. We will spend the entire day game viewing and following the great migration of wildebeests and a big number of predators hunting them as they migrate. We will stop for a lunch break and enjoy our picnic. After lunch we continue game viewing, returning to the same camp in the evening to enjoy the evening by the campfire. Overnight: Ndutu Kati Tented Camp (B, L, D)
DAY 11
Today there will be an optional early morning guided walking safari, guided by an armed park range. This is an amazing way to see wildlife on foot and will take up to 2 hours. For those not interested in the walking safari, an equally excellent option is an early morning game viewing. In either case we return to the camp in midmorning for breakfast. After breakfast we continue with game viewing while driving to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It's a long drive and we'll arrive at our overnight lodge, located on the edge of the Ngorongoro forest, in the evening. 1 - 2 hours optional hiking plus game viewing in the truck. Overnight: Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (B, L, D)
DAY 12
We will leave early in the morning after breakfast and drive down the Ngorongoro crater to spend a full day exploring Ngorongoro crater. Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site and home to nearly 25,000 animals, is quite different from the Serengeti: a huge collapsed volcano crater, the steep walls both confine and protect many of the animals that live here. Most animals live on the crater floor some 1200 feet below the rim. Herds of wildebeest, zebras, warthogs, buffalos, and their babies are common and we may also see the black rhino, one of Tanzania's "Big Five" and difficult to see other places. In the afternoon, we will take time out to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch at Ngoitokitok Springs while watching hippos jostle for position in the water. After lunch we have time to investigate other areas of the crater before driving up and out to the Gnorongoro Farmhouse Lodge for our last night celebration dinner. Overnight: Gnorongoro Farmhouse Lodge. (B, L, D)
DAY 13
Sadly, after breakfast, we drive back through Arusha to the Kilimajaro International Airport and our flights home or to other travels.
Reviews
4.9
(17 reviews)
5
(15)
4
(2)
3
(0)
2
(0)
1
(0)
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
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Heidi F.
7 years ago
The hiking was the highlight for me or may be being with the animals in their environment.
Carol M.
7 years ago
Every day of our adventure featured highlights, some of which include: photo safari experiences that brought us into close proximity with elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions and cheetahs (to name a few!) and hiking with the Masai. Loved the camping experiences, too.
Kim C.
7 years ago
Seeing the wild animals. Getting to know the other women on the trip. The African people. Taking a multi-day hike for the first time. Camping for the first time since high school.
Cathy M.
7 years ago
Exceeded expectations Trip leaders in Africa and Brenda Hiking and camping away from civilization among the wild animals
Joan M.
7 years ago
Most beautiful place I've ever seen! Felt like I was in The Lion King! Guides were so wonderful; kind, funny and so knowledgeable.
Char R.
7 years ago
So many highlights. The excitement of riding through open plains of Serengeti into a sea of zebras, wildebeests and gazelles. After a day of Jeep safari, our drivers took us off road towards our new camp through the acacia trees full of giraffes at sunset. Once there, we could hear a symphony of sounds-lions, hyena, Gnu, zebras, warthogs and wildebeest as we lie in our tent. Getting up at sunrise and watching the sunrise over the panoramic view we had of the Serengeti. The fog was thick until the sun heated the air and revealed the lush grassland below. It was absolutely breathtaking. Riding for hours on dirt roads, seeing the beautiful countryside and waving to the villagers dressed in their native garb.
Johanna G.
7 years ago
It was wonderful, but I did not expect such steep, long hikes in the sun. I was worried about folks falling. The team was great - pulling together.
Frances G.
8 years ago
Every day was pure joy. Every day we saw wildlife that I have dreamed of seeing all my life. I thought that seeing these wonderful animals up close and personal would be the only great thing about this trip. (And the AGC guide and fellow travelers and local guides-of course-but that is usually a given.) But we met amazing people as well. The local people we encountered and spent time with were wonderful, especially young Michael our guide in training.
Eileen R.
8 years ago
As someone else from the group said, it was like watching a National Geographic documentary but we were there experiencing it! Loved meeting the Massai people, loved seeing the animals in their natural habitat and how they behaved. Having a male lion pee on our truck to mark it and then lay down in the shade the truck was making. I could have touched it out the window! Also loved that two female lions and two cubs lay in the shade of the truck ahead of us. Loved being away from it all on the hikes and seeing the natural beauty of the land.
Deborah C.
8 years ago
Highlights: hiking, meeting and interacting with local people, incredible landscapes, beautiful lodges and tent camps
Deborah C.
8 years ago
Highlights: hiking, meeting and interacting with local people, incredible landscapes, beautiful lodges and tent camps
Jennifer W.
8 years ago
The walking safari was the highlight.
Nancy S.
8 years ago
Seeing all of the animals that live there roaming freely
Jana O.
8 years ago
Actually the hiking portion no matter how difficult it was in the heat . I do believe that the walking portion of the safari provided truly unique point of view on Afrca and their oriole then just he safari part
Maria P.
8 years ago
Seeing all the wild life of course but also the diversity of the itinerary. The various terrains
Katie M.
8 years ago
Wide variety of birds and animals seen, breadth of knowledge of guides, variety of lodgings, quality of food, having three vehicles to travel in so special interests could cluster (birds, plants, painters, etc). Just simply, a great trip
Joellen P.
8 years ago
Exceeded! This was a well planned itinerary that allowed for visiting multiple ecosystems both walking and in safari trucks. The diversity of flora, fauna, mammals, birds, people, terrain, was both unexpected and the highlight of the trip. The guides were truly exceptional and handled all matters of concern and potential concern with assuredness and calm
Dates & Prices
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Common Questions
During the camping portion of the safari your meals will be prepared by cooks at the campsites. During the jeep part you will be eating meals at the lodges where you're staying; typically meals are served buffet style.
We can accommodate vegetarian diets, although options are limited. If you have other types of dietary limitations please call the office before you register.
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
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