Overview
Tanzania is known for its wild animals – elephants, big cats, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and so many more. Join Wilderness Inquiry to experience some of the last remaining true wilderness in the world. Our local safari guides are a fount of knowledge about local wildlife, culture and conservation issues. By the end of your trip, you’ll know many of the elephants by name. Travel by four-wheel drive in Toyota Land Cruisers to places like Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Serengeti National Park. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the eighth wonder of the world. Experience a day of traditional hunting and gathering with the Hadzabe Bushmen, a nomadic tribe. You will enjoy trying to learn the names of plants and animals in their click language. Meet extraordinary people and see ‘the Big Five’ on this exciting African adventure.
Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Welcome to Tanzania! Meet your group and settle into your accommodations.
Our guides will meet you at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and bring you to your hotel in Arusha for a night of rest before the safaris begin.
Day 2: Search for lions, leopards, elephants and more in Serengeti National Park.
After a short flight to the Serengeti, spend two days on the Serengeti Plains, searching out big prides of lions, leopards, migrating wildebeest herds, giant elephants, and zebras. Relax on your deck outside luxurious tented accommodations to view the beauty of the African plains.
Day 3: Enjoy another day of game drives as you search for some of the world's most fascinating creatures.
Enjoy your second day of game drives in the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Take in spectacular views as you travel through the park in comfortable open-air safari jeeps. If you are into photography, you will take hundreds of photos on this day alone.
Day 4: Spot the rare black rhino and explore the wonder of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
After your last morning in the Serengeti, pass through the scenic Maasai village of Endulen on your way to the eighth wonder of the world, Ngorongoro Crater. This unique 'fish bowl' of nature is home to four resident prides of lions and your best chance of seeing rare black rhino in the wild.
Day 5: Travel to the village of Karatu and learn about Tanzania's culture and unique tribal system.
Travel to Karatu, gateway to Ngorongoro Crater. You’ll also visit Kilimatembo school where you’ll have a chance to learn about Tanzania's education system and interact with the students. Karatu also provides the opportunity to visit a traditional Iraqw underground home and learn about the tribe's unique culture from one of their elders.
Day 6: Hike to a spectacular waterfall and see elephant caves
Hike to the Endoro waterfall in the Ngorongoro Northern Highland Forest Reserve. Along the way, check out cave-like structures created by elephants digging up the earth to ingest the mineral-rich soil. Elephants migrate to this place from up to 500 miles away.
Day 7: Explore Lake Eyasi at the floor of the Great Rift Valley.
Meet Blacksmith and Datoga tribes on the way to Lake Eyasi on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Learn about the culture and hunting practices of the Datoga village, then return to camp for brunch. In the afternoon, take an easy walk to the shores of Lake Eyasi. Stay at the beautiful and spacious Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge, and watch the sun set during happy hour from a deck overlooking Lake Eyasi. You are in Africa!
Day 8: Hunt with the Hadzabe near Lake Eyasi
Follow the Hadzabe on their morning hunt and experience a way of life that has barely changed in 10,000 years. This nomadic tribe still lives through hunting and gathering and resides without permanent shelter. You’ll get a chance to learn their ways of life and practice shooting a bow and arrow. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the lodge.
Day 9: Watch for tree climbing lions in Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, you will travel to Lake Manyara National Park for game viewing of elephants, lions, birds, and hippos. Look closely, and you may spot the unique tree climbing lions which are only found at Lake Manyara and in Ishasha, Uganda.
Day 10: Search for elephants, birds, and more in Tarangire National Park
Make the morning drive to Tarangire National Park. View the incredible landscapes, animals, especially elephants, as well as spectacular birds, and giant baobab trees. Enjoy a picnic lunch and start your safari adventure. You will see hundreds of elephants here—up close!
Day 11: Travel to Arusha and visit a local market
Following a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Arusha for an afternoon of visiting African markets including Shanga, a community project which features artists who have disabilities.
Day 12: Visit Arusha National Park and say your final farewells.
Spend your final day in Tanzania watching for baboons, giraffes, and zebras in Arusha National Park. The park is small but rich in biodiversity and is home to the country’s second highest mountain, Mount Meru. After your final game drive, say goodbye to your new friends and make your way to the airport for your flight home.
Dates & Fees
| 2023 Dates | Fee | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Dates | Fee | Registration |
What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE: Tanzania has an incredible variety of ecosystems, ranging from desert plain to fertile rain forest to snow capped mountains. Land outside major cities is largely undeveloped and thus we’ll travel on some bumpy roads, and hike on some uneven terrain that will involve moderate elevation changes.
Read more »Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do we meet?
Standard Meeting Places and Times
Start: Kilimanjaro International Airport at 8:00 PM (local time)
End: Kilimanjaro International Airport at 7:00 PM (local time)
Transportation
This trip begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where Wilderness Inquiry will meet you around 8 PM, or whenever your flight arrives. You will be driven around in a WI van/jeep throughout the trip and then returned to the Kilimanjaro International Airport in the early evening on the last day. At the Kilimanjaro International Airport, there are daily flights from various European cities, South Africa, and sometimes New York. The most popular flights arrive in the evening. We plan to meet outside baggage claim and leave once everyone has made it through. This is usually around 8 PM but rest assured we won't leave without you even if you have a later arrival. Custom pickups outside this meeting time can also be arranged for a small fee. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Are your safari trips accessible for a person who uses a manual wheelchair?
We have had participants who use manual wheelchairs successfully join us on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. The basic activity of riding in a vehicle for game drives is very accessible, but persons using wheelchairs will most likely need assistance transferring in and out of the vehicles. Also, most of East Africa was not designed for people who use wheelchairs. We have a variety of ways to make each trip more accessible, like using our "Rick-shaw" device to help on hiking trails, but the reality is it will be more difficult than getting around in the States. For this reason, we may ask you to bring a "Trip Assistant" to help with transfers and some physical issues, and we will ask for your patience as there may be situations that are just not practical for persons who use wheelchairs to participate in -- like a steep climb to a waterfall. Flexibility is key! Please call us to discuss.
Which immunizations do you recommend when traveling to an international destination?
Prior to departure, we recommend that you check with your doctor as early as possible to ensure you are up to date on your standard immunizations. Your doctor is in the best position to recommend specific vaccinations to specific destinations.
Will I have access to electricity in Tanzania?
Yes! All lodges on our Tanzania safari have access to electricity.
Do you have a single supplement for Tanzania Safari Adventure?
You can elect to guarantee a single room for the duration of the trip for $795 during the registration process.