See the Earth’s Last Great Herds Up Close
Breathe in the essence of Africa by walking the great plains of the legendary Serengeti. (Just recently allowed, we’re the first company offering walking trips here!) Find a lion’s paw print in the ground, watch a dung beetle laboriously roll a dung ball uphill, or smell a herd of elephants before you spot them in the valley below. This is true exploration in the remotest corner of the Serengeti, where barely a soul has visited in the last 50 years. See fantastic concentrations of game, and learn how the Maasai live off the land.
Activities
Game viewing by 4-wheel-drive vehicle, 4 days moderate walking
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore on foot the wilderness of the Serengeti, just recently allowed!
- See all the major wildlife on a first-class safari in four celebrated parks— Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and the legendary Serengeti!
- Enjoy genuine encounters with the Maasai in the Crater Highlands
2010 Prices
$4,995 (4-10 members)
$1,000 single supplement
$1,250 park fees
Bring the Kids!
$800 discount for children ages 10-15
Minimum age is 10
Duration: 12 days Start Location: Arusha End Location: Arusha Best time to go: January - March, June - December
Itinerary
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Day 1 : Arrive in Tanzania
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania.
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Days 2 - 3 : Tarangire National Park / Tarangire National Park
Explore Tarangire National Park, whose small permanent river attracts a multitude of thirsty animals all day long. Here you'll ease into the rhythm of the bush: you'll wake early to the chorus of the birds, spend the day exploring and observing wildlife, and thrill to the roars of lions in the night.
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Day 4 : Lake Manyara & the Crater Highlands
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, situated at the foot of a spectacular escarpment in the Rift Valley. The lakeshore teems with colorful water birds of every variety, and here you’ll find one of the most fantastic hippo pools in Africa as well as the park’s famous tree-climbing lions.
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Day 5 : Ngorongoro Crater
Fabulous game viewing on the floor of Ngorongoro Crater, a veritable "Garden of Eden." If you had only one day in your life to see African wildlife, Ngorongoro would be "the place." Enjoy an Ol Pul (meat eating) festival with our new Maasai friends!
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Day 6 : Into the Serengeti
Descend from the Ngorongoro highlands onto the vast plains of the Serengeti, game viewing along the way.
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Days 7 - 9 : Walking Safari
Walking safari through the Serengeti, moving slowly with the guide who interprets what you see and hear and stopping for lunch under a shady tree or cool overhang. Many of the places we hike have not been visited by man for more than half a century!
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Day 10 : Serengeti
A day of traditional game viewing by vehicle, to round out your adventure in the Serengeti.
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Day 11 : Arusha – Depart
Drive to Arusha and depart, or join one of our East African extensions.
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Dik-Dik Hotel
Arusha, TanzaniaAt the base of Mt. Meru, surrounded by 20 acres of tropical gardens and forested grounds, the Dik-Dik serves as an excellent 'base camp' for expeditions up Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Bungalows are equipped with modern comforts, and the restaurant features produce grown in the hotel's own garden, and a fine collection of South African wines.
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Tarangire Safari Lodge
Tarangire National Park, TanzaniaBuilt high on a bluff overlooking the game-rich Tarangire River, the lodge offers you an uninterrupted view of the landscape and wildlife below. Luxury tents combine modern comforts with the authentic safari atmosphere.
Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
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James Kivuyo James Adiel Kivuyo was born in Arusha, Tanzania. He is interested in the conservation of biodiversity in African wildlife, and has had previous experience as an interpreter. James speaks a number of languages from English and Masaai to the local dialect of Chagga and Kiswahili—the national language of Tanzania. He enjoys using his knowledge of other languages to communicate with people from a broad cultural spectrum, and loves sharing his experience with travelers from around the globe. He has also been helping travelers climb Kilimanjaro for more than a decade, with qualification to respond to emergencies on the mountain.
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Onesmo Gabriel Mollel Onesmo was born into the rich Maasai culture, and lived in Maasai land until the age of 13. Because of his natural love of nature, the courses Onesmo chose in his education dealt largely with environment. He has a keen interest in conservation issues and feels that seeing Africa on foot is unparalleled in understanding the African ecosystem. Onesmo is a graduate of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and has completed courses in Wilderness First Responder and adventure guiding. He has worked with American students as a project manger in Maasai lands as well as a camp counselor in Vermont.
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