Photomania Africa Safaris – The best in African Safaris

WILDLIFE

Kenya has set aside some of the best game viewing areas in the world. About two dozen National Parks, Game Reserves add Private Game Sanctuaries fall within Kenya's borders, making it the most popular safari destination in Africa, for the richest in natural beauty and wildlife. Even the long and short rains in April to June and November to December respectively, do not hamper game viewing to any great extent (indeed, one would still require summer wear for the hot and sunny days)

Nairobi National Park (9117 sq km), located only 7 kilometres from the Nairobi’s Central Business District is the only protected area, in the world, with a variety of animals and birds close to a capital city. The park has a diversity of environments of open grass plains with scattered acacia bush, highland dry forest and a riverine forest. The park has a rich birdlife with 400 species recorded, some migrants and other endemic. The Park is also rhino sanctuary. All the Big Five animals, with the exception of elephant, can be found here. Wildlife species in the park include buffalo, baboon, black rhino, zebra, cheetah, coke's hartebeest, gazelle, hippo, leopard, lion, eland, impala, giraffe, ostrich, vulture, waterbuck and wildebeest.

Maasai Mara Game Reserve, one of the ‘7 Wonders of the New World’, is the Kenyan portion of Serengeti Plains where the migration of enormous herds of over a million wildebeest and half a million zebra occurs annually. In search of grass and water, the herds move from the Serengeti in Tanzania, arriving in Maasai Mara around mid-July. The return to the South begins in the middle of October. Predators follow, including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, vultures and the deadly Nile crocodile laying in wait during river crossings.

Amboseli National Park has the dramatic setting of Mt. Kilamanjaro, Africa's highest mountain 5,895 meters, just across the Tanzanian border, as its backdrop. Most of the game can be found clinging to the swamps and grasslands in the centre of the park, an oasis for buffalo, lions, cheetah, and over 420 species of birds.

Lake Nakuru National Park, located in the Rift Valley, started as a bird sanctuary around the shallow strongly alkaline lake (62 km sq), set in a picturesque landscape of surrounding woodland and grassland. Later upgraded to National Park status, the lake was designated as a RAMSAR site in 1990. The landscape includes areas of marsh and grasslands, rocky cliffs and outcrops, stretches of acacia woodland and hillsides covered with a Euphorbia forest. Three rivers and the outflow from several springs along the shore drain into the lake. The foundation of the parks food chains is the blue-green algae supporting huge numbers of flamingo. The Park is an outstanding place for watching a variety of birds including other brackish water species such as heron, storks, pelicans and birds of prey. Herds of waterbuck, gazelle, impala and reedbuck graze in the pretty surrounding acacia woods and grasslands of the Park. Lake Nakuru is now the home of a number of leopards and lions - and as a designated rhino sanctuary, is arguably the easiest location in East Africa to view this endangered animal.

Lake Naivasha is a beautiful, peaceful fresh water lake, with its cool climate, is a retreat for Nairobi residents and tourists looking for peace. Because the lake is freshwater and the surrounding soil fertile, this is a major production area for fruit and vegetables and, more recently flower farms and vineyards. Over 400 birds have been recorded on the lake and it supports a large number of hippos. Fish in the lake including Nile perch, the North American red swamp crayfish as well as various aquatic plants.

Lake Baringo (168 sq kms ) situated at an altitude of 1100 meters and surrounded by mountains rising to almost 300 meters above the ambient ground level. At the lake’s northern end lies a dormant volcano, Karosi (1449 meters). The water of Lake Baringo is fresh unlike most other Great Rift Valley lakes (Bogoria, Elementeita, Nakuru and Magadi) which are "soda lakes." Although it is not known where the water flows out of Lake Baringo, it is reasoned that it must do so as otherwise the water would be subject to a continual evaporation and become a soda lake. It is home to hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of fish and birds (but it does not have flamingoes, as these feed on the algae specific to soda lakes). Despite this, it is most famous as an ornithologist's paradise, with 500 bird species, many of which are extremely rare or otherwise only seen in this area.

Aberdares are a volcanic range forming the eastern wall of the rift valley. Soils are red and of volcanic origin and rich in organic matter. There are two main peaks separated by a long saddle of alpine moorland. The topography is diverse with deep ravines that cut through the forested slopes and there are many clear streams and waterfalls. The Aberdares are an important water catchment area. The unusual vegetation, rugged terrain, streams and waterfalls combine to create an area of great scenic beauty in the National Park. Forest animals including elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, small wild cats and antelopes are found here. The bird life is prolific.

Mount Kenya National Park, Africa's snow-capped second highest mountain is one of the continent's most popular destinations for mountaineers and trekkers. Its two highest peaks, Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m.) require considerable technical climbing skills. However, the third highest peak, Point Lenana (4,985 m.), can be reached by hikers who are in reasonably good condition. The climb can be made in three days, the descent in one or two, and the views from the top are as spectacular as you would expect.

Samburu Game Reserve is the hot and arid home to the Samburu tribe, pastoral relatives of the Masai. The landscape is rugged and dramatic while the game is unique. Crocodile and hippo share the river with large herds of elephant. Buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah and plains game may also be seen but a special feature of this Reserve are the various species of game unique to these northern parks - Beisa oryx, the long necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and the blue shanked Somali ostrich. The Samburu ecosystem includes the adjacent Buffalo Springs and Shaba Game Reserves

Laikipia is the gateway to Kenya’s wild Northern frontier country. Wild and sparsely populated, much of it is covered by large privately owned ranches and local communities with high plains and low forested valleys and featuring guest houses, home-stays and private camps. On most ranches cattle share the land with free ranging wildlife. The result is an area of beautiful wilderness, where protected game roams freely and safely. This area has become a sanctuary for elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog and a wealth of plains game, including many endemic Northern species.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy – a 90,000-acre private wildlife conservancy – is situated on the equator, between the foot hills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kenya. Ol Pejeta runs an integrated wildlife/livestock operation that aims to maximize the productivity of the land. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is synonymous with Sweetwaters Game Sanctuary, which is an inner area of 24, 000 acres. The Conservancy boasts an astounding variety of animals, including the “Big Five” (the endangered black and white rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion), Grevy’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, cheetah and chimpanzee. The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains of Ol Pejeta guarantees an unforgettable safari experience. A game drive in the Conservancy includes a visit to the 200-acre Chimpanzee sanctuary/orphanage, one of Jane Goodall Institute Sanctuaries maintained in East Africa.

Meru National Park is wild and beautiful. Straddling the equator and bisected by 13 rivers and numerous mountain-fed streams, it has diverse scenery from woodlands at 3,000 feet to wide open plains with wandering riverbanks dotted with doum palms. Game to view includes lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, leopard and some of the rarer antelopes; Lesser Kudu, duiker and Dik Dik. The rivers abound with hippo and crocodile. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded including the Peter's Finfoot, the Pel's Fishing Owl, kingfishers, rollers, bee-eaters, starlings and numerous weavers.

Tsavo National Park is renowned for the man-eating lions of the 1800’s Kenya-Uganda ‘lunatic express’ railway line fame. It is a vast expanse of savanna bush and semi desert scrub, acacia woodlands; rocky ridges and outcrops, belts of riverine vegetation; palm thickets. There are volcanic lava flows and ash cones. At Mzima Springs, water that has filtered underground gushes from below a lava ridge into a series of clear pools where you find fish, hippos and crocodiles. Apart from the massive elephant population there are giraffe, buffalo, lion, serval, hyena, leopard cheetah and caracal. Lesser common animals found are fringed-eared oryx, the gerenuk and lesser kudu. The landscape is dominated, especially off the hills by the giant baobab, a tree which is reputed to live a 1000 years. Tsavo is divided by the Nairobi-Mombasa highway into Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks.

THE COAST

Kenya has a 1,420km coastline, including some islands, off the Indian Ocean western shore. The northern coast is characterized by mangroves and tidal flats. Tracts of mangroves are again found at the southern end. Between, there is a 390kms continental coastline of white sand beach and coralline - ideal for beach resorts and three marine parks (Kisite, Watamu and Malindi) - for which Kenya is acclaimed. Tidal fluctuation is semi-diurnal (two highs and two lows during each 24-hour period), with average high tide at 2.96 m and the average low tide 0.71 m.

The monsoon south-east wind (Kusi) blows from mid March to sometime in November and is cooler than the north-east wind (Kaskazi) which blows the rest of the time. The seas are warmer and calmer during the Kaskazi months.

For diving, the reefs along the Kenya coast are extremely diverse and all standards of diving can be found. Large schools of Baracuda, shoals of yellow and blue lined Snappers, red snappers, trigger fish and the greatest possibility of seeing Pelagic fish. Moray eels and Lobsters also frequent.

For deep-sea fishing, is from July to mid April. The main billfish (sailfish and marlin) season runs from November to mid/late March but sailfish and black Marlin often come inshore in numbers in August. There are no fewer than six varieties of billfish and the possibilities of a grand slam are very real. Apart from billfish there are huge sharks (mako, tiger, hammerhead to name but a few), exciting tuna, large wahoo, narrow-barred mackerel, barracuda, world-record size giant trevally plus many others including broadbill swordfish. The Kenya coast is a popular nesting area and migration route for turtles while dolphins are regular sightings. Offshore, whales and sharks (including giant whale sharks) have their migration routes. Other activities available at the coast include swimming, wind and kite surfing, kayaking, floating restaurants, scuba diving and cruise trip, sailing on traditional dhows.

Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city is not like Nairobi at all. The hustle-bustle, cell phones, and expensive suits of Nairobi are replaced by a laid-back attitude, where locals dressed in traditional Islamic garb move as slowly as possible in the blistering heat. The Arabic influence is quite evident in the dress, architecture, and food of Mombasa. When you’re not in the water or soaking up the sun, take a stroll into Old Town to get a taste of Swahili culture and street food, then visit the historic Fort Jesus.

Malindi conjures up visions of a great historic town that has journeyed through ages. The culture, economy and general setup of any given place changes with time, and Malindi has journeyed through these eras with much pomp and flair from the time of the early Chinese and Arab traders to the Portuguese sailors and later on to European settlers who alongside other investors have transformed Malindi into a reputable destination of tourism importance. Yet there is still much warmth and hospitality of the people of Kenya experience here in Malindi.

Lamu Island is a place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at its own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of its medieval stone town. The island itself is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu’s real attraction is its Old town. Lamu’s narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport. The people of Lamu are great believers in tradition and custom, and this is a strong society built on a respect for the past. For the traveller, Lamu is a hypnotically exotic experience, made even more enjoyable by the relaxed and welcoming attitudes of the locals. To visit Lamu is to enter another world, and the visitor finds themselves becoming a part of this world. Life slows down, and long days are spent strolling along the waterfront, exploring the town or relaxing on the beaches.

PEOPLE

With a population of close to 45 million, Kenya is made up of 42 tribes, with the 'Big Five' being Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin and Kamba – divided into three linguistic and cultural groups - Bantus, Nilotes and Cushites. Generally, the traditional way of life has Bantus as farmers while different Nilotic tribes are fishermen, farmers and pastoralists. Cushites are on most part nomadic pastoralists. Kenya has a sizeable number of citizens of European and Asian descent, many of whom trace their families to the building of ‘the lunatic express’, Kenya-Uganda railway line in 1890’s and who today are mostly found in business, manufacturing and large scale farming. The Swahili language and culture on the East Africa coast is a fusion of the then resident coastal Bantus with merchant marine Arabs and Persians traders, whose monsoon driven traditional boats (dhows) reached the coast in 6th century. Amongst well known Kenyan personalities include Nobel Peace Prize winner the late Wangari Maathai (environmentalist), the only human to run the marathon in sub-two hours Eliud Kipchoge, world athletic champions Paul Tergat, Catherine Ndereba, Kipchoge Keino, CNN presenter Zain Verjee, former Reuters former Africa Bureau Chief Jeff Koinange and anthropologist the late Dr Richard Leakey and the late photo-journalist Mohammed Amin.

CULTURE

With its unique diverse mix of cultures from the world's 5 continents, both modern and ancient, Kenya is a melting-pot of cultures, peoples and religion; the three main religions of the world (Christianity @ 75%, Islam (about 15%), Hindu (anout3%) and others coexist in peace and harmony here. Kenya is essentially multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious. The people are warm and unforgettably hospitable.

LIFESTYLES

Kenya is timeless – with the modern and the traditional way of life merging into a kaleidoscope of lifestyles unique to the land. The fast-paced urban areas have all the modern facilities – skyscrapers, latest cars, golf clubs, IT technology and traffic jams. The rural areas are more laid back – predominantly agricultural in the highlands and nomadic pastrolism in the dry areas. Kenyan people have maintained many of their traditional cultures, yet absorbed a great deal of positive western and Asiatic lifestyles. In a day you could watch an orchestra playing Mozart in a Nairobi theatre, enjoy a display of vintage vehicles or a youngsters ‘souped-up’ flashy car parade and then join a group of urban Kikuyu joining in a traditional wedding ritual in which a bride is sung out of her house by the grooms family. The next day, you would be escorted for a nature walk by a Maasai warrior clad in the customary red ‘shuka’ or espy a Hindu or Moslem ceremonial procession. You can go lake fishing with a Luo fisherman or join a Borana camel caravanserai for an unforgettable safari. In Kenya it is possible to leave Nairobi, a city with a thriving business heart powered by the latest information technology, and drive in just a few hours to a place where life is lived in accordance to tradition and custom, where warriors armed with spears drive cattle into thorn brush enclosures to protect them from lions at night. Whilst out shopping for souvenirs, visitors to Kenya get the opportunity to acquire and perfect bargaining skills. Kenyan culture is built on the acceptance and absorption of new and varied cultures. The end result is a culture of endless influence and yet one completely uniquely Kenyan in character.

SAFARI SEASONS

Kenya is a wonderful country to visit any time of the year. Below is a general guideline for budgeting of a safari in the country. Safari pricing seasons include (a) peak: February, July – October (b) High: January, March, June, November – December 22^nd (c) Low: April & May (d) Christmas/New Year: December 23^rd to January 02^nd. Accommodation rates/pricing go by seasons, which are based on anticipated volumes, with High being the average, peak and Chrismas/New Year being premium while in low, some discounts are offered. Some of the up-market Camps and Lodges close in the Low season months (April and May, which is the long rains season) – and a few in November (short rains season) as well. Most of the other services – transport, park fees etc remain the same all year round.

SAFARI QUOTATIONS

Generally, we quote for a safari based on your preferred itinerary and incorporating any practical changes that we may propose, to make it feasible and exciting. The quote will include various safari elements - accommodation, meals, transport, excursions and sightseeing. In the quotation, we may also include entrance fees to the various National Parks and Reserves that you may visit (on average US$ 70-US$90 per person/day) or show these separately for you to pay direct in cash. Transport on safari may be by road, in our customized 4x4 8-seater safari minibus with an experienced driver/guide (or a 4x4 Landcruiser/Landrover at a supplement). Transport may also be by schedule flights which link all the various Parks/Reserves and the cities. If transport is by schedule flights, then game drives in the Parks/Reserves would be in Lodge/Camp based vehicles, with window-seats guaranteed.

On average, during the Low and High Season:

a) A safari by road to a standard/superior Lodge/Camp would cost from US$ 200 per person/night, with all meals included as well as transport (road safari and game drives) based on 4 persons travelling. Park entrance fees would be extra...

b) A safari by flight for recommended minimum 2 nights to a deluxe Lodge/Camp would cost from US$ 350 per person/night (for a party for 2 persons), with all meals included, schedule flight airfare and game drives in Camp/Lodge vehicle.

c) A safari by flight, for 2 nights, to a boutique luxury lodge/camp would cost from US$ 600 per person/night (for a party for 2 persons), with all meals and selected alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks included, schedule flight airfare and game drives and some other game activities in Camp/Lodge vehicle.

These rates are just a general guideline and are exclusive of Park/Reserve/Conservation Areas Entrance fees. The final tour cost would depend on a number of other factors, including number of persons, number of days, safari routing, market rates or any special offers for specific accommodation units at the time of booking etc. Tour rates are preminum during the peak season (February, July – October & Christmas/New Year festive period).

Children (2 – 12 years) usually get from 50% discount on accommodation (when sharing room with 2 adults) as well as on some of the other services. Some Lodges/Camps do not allow children under certain ages (particularly small intimate camps in the parks that are unfenced), yet others accommodate children but restrict them on some game activities.

Residents and citizens of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) qualify for special ‘Resident Rates’ for accommodation.

NORTHERN TANZANIA CIRCUIT

Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park (542 sq km) located in north eastern Tanzania has spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas.

Game drives, nature walks and boat rides are offered in and around the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east; the lakes have varying algal colours and are known for their wading birds.

In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru (4,566 m) lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland.

For all-year round game drives, Arusha National Park has a rich variety of wildlife including giraffe, Cape buffalo, zebra, warthog, the black-and-white colobus monkey, the blue monkey, elephant and bushbuck. Birdlife in the forest is prolific, with many forest species more easily seen; flamingoes, Narina trogon and bar-tailed trogon are possible highlights.

Arusha National Park is a perfect trip for day safaris, as it is close to both Arusha and Moshi. The park's highlights can easily be seen in a single day, with a morning or afternoon game drive accompanied by either a walking safari or canoeing in Small Momella Lake where the hippos are at play. With terrain that ranges from open savannah to tropical rainforest, the park is dominated by the shadow of Mt. Meru – whose summit offers an unparalleled view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

For climbing Mount Meru, the best time is June-February. For views of Kilimanjaro, the best time is December-February.

Kilimanjaro National Park

Size: Over 1500 square kilometres.

Location: Northern Tanzania near Moshi.

Best Time: December to February or July to September.

To Do: Six trekking routes to the summit, nature trails, and cultural experiences.

Known For: Home to the highest mountain in Africa.

Home to Africa's highest mountain and the tallest free standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro is dominated by the stunning vista that 'Kili' provides.

Standing at 5,985 metres tall, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the world's most accessible summits. That isn't to say that reaching Uhuru Point isn't a massive achievement, but its lower reaches can be explored without any formal climbing training or professional equipment.

Beyond the climbing experience, Kilimanjaro offers the opportunity to explore a number of distinct climate zones as it ascends from the tropical savannah all the way up to the icy Arctic of its peak.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park offers a fantastic game driving experience all year round.

In the wet season the parks swamps and waterholes are home to cape buffalo and elephants, but really comes into its own when the dry season forces its animal population to move closer and closer to the Tarangire River.

Home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants, Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. It is also an ideal place to snap photos of the boabab tree (the Tree of Life), as it grows in great numbers throughout the park. Tarangire is also the best place to see the fringed-eared oryx, greater kudu, and ashy starling in the wild.

Tarangire is a particularly enchanting prospect for bird-watchers, with a massive 550 species of bird calling the park home. These range from the sizable ostrich and Kori bustard all the way down to tiny weavers and warblers.

Predators such as the lion and leopard also call the park home, and lucky visitors might get to see these ferocious hunters in action as the dry season forces herbivores to move closer and closer to the Tarangire River.

Like nearby Lake Manyara, Tarangire is a perfect starting or finishing point for a trip through the Northern Circuit.

Short Overview

A short drive from Arusha, the Tarangire National Park offers a fantastic game driving experience all year round. Home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants, Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. It is also an ideal place to snap photos of the boabab tree (the Tree of Life), as it grows in great numbers throughout the park.

Info

Size: 2,850 square kilometres.

Location: 118km southwest of Arusha.

Best Time: Year round, but dry season (June to September) is the best.

To Do: Guided walking safaris, game drives, and cultural visits to nearby villages.

Known For: Elephants.

Lake Manyara National Park

With a variety of landscapes, Lake Manyara National Park offers a compact safari experience that gives visitors the chance to see everything from the vibrant flamingoes to the fearsome lion.

Named for the seasonal alkaline lake at its heart, Lake Manyara National Park is a great place for canoeing in the wet season and traditional game drives year round. Described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I have seen in Africa”, Lake Manyara is an ideal starting or finishing point for the northern circuit.

In addition to its flamingo population, Lake Manyara is perhaps most famous for the tree climbing lions who call it home. Found nowhere else in Tanzania, these agile predators cut a striking figure as they lounge lazily in acacia trees.

Also calling the park home are Africa's most iconic animals such as elephants, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, and cape buffalo, as well as less well known but no less intriguing Kirk's dik-dik and klipspringer.

Short Overview

With a variety of landscapes, Lake Manyara National Park offers a compact safari experience that gives visitors the chance to see everything from the vibrant flamingoes to the fearsome lion.

Info

Size: 330 square kilometres.

Location: Northern Tanzania. Roughly ninety minutes drive from Arusha.

Best Time: July to October for game or November to June for bird-watching.

To Do: Game drives, canoeing, cultural tours, mountain biking, abseiling, and forest walks.

Known For: Elephants and flamingoes.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Size: 8,300 square kilometres.

Location: Between Lake Manyara National Park and Serengeti National Park.

Best Time: Year round.

To Do: Game drives, Olduvai Gorge, visits to nearby Empakaai Crater or Olmoti Crater, and cultural visits.

Known For: Rhinoceros, the starting point of the Great Migration, and stunning views.

Your first glimpse of stunning Ngorongoro will likely come from the heavily forested viewpoint that looks down upon its sun-drenched, cloud dappled magnificence. Ringed on all sides by the tropical forest draped walls of the caldera, Ngorongoro looks like something out of myth. One of the best places in the country to see the endangered black rhinoceros, the park is home to the entirety of the big five and is a particularly good place to see lions and cape buffalo year round.

The verdancy of the park means that animals can be seen here year round, although a large number of them participate in the Great Wildebeest Migration as it emigrates north to the distant Masai Mara in Kenya. As you wind your way down into the vast bowl of the collapsed caldera, you're immediately able to see vast herds of buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles, and zebra moving about apparently unphased by the stalking hyenas, the prowling lions, and the opportunistic jackals.

In the great alkaline Makat Lake, a vast flock of colourful flamingo can be seen, while the Ngorongonro Picnic Area is highlighted by a hippo pool where you can observe these deceptively peaceful looking creatures while eating your lunch. On the fringes of the crater, where the forest hugs the steep walls, leopards and the black rhino can occasionally be seen moving through the undergrowth. Playful baboons can also be seen going about their foraging all day long.

Another fascinating aspect of the Crater is that it is also home to the Maasai people, and they live in harmony with the wildlife as they raise their cattle and go about their daily lives. Nearby landmarks such as Olmoti Crater, Empakaai Crater, Lake Ndutu, and the Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano also offer exciting day trips for those who wish to remain in the area for more than a single day.

Short Overview

Your first glimpse of stunning Ngorongoro will likely come from the heavily forested viewpoint that looks down upon its sun-drenched, cloud dappled magnificence. Ringed on all sides by the tropical forest draped walls of the caldera, Ngorongoro looks like something out of myth. One of the best places in the country to see the endangered black rhinoceros, the park is home to the entirety of the big five and is a particularly good place to see lions and cape buffalo year round

Info

Size: 8,300 square kilometres.

Location: Between Lake Manyara National Park and Serengeti National Park.

Best Time: Year round.

To Do: Game drives, Olduvai Gorge, visits to nearby Empakaai Crater or Olmoti Crater, and cultural visits.

Known For: Rhinoceros, the starting point of the Great Migration, and stunning views.

Serengeti National Park

The home of the legendary Great Wildebeest Migration, the name Serengeti has become synonymous with the African safari experience. The seemingly unending savannah plains of the park are home to Africa's most famous animals as well as a cast of lesser known but no less interesting animals.

Most famous for the Great Migration that sees more than 2 million animals migrating north into the Masai Mara before returning to the Ngorongoro region, the park is no less fascinating at any other time of the year. It is the best place in East Africa to spot lions and leopards in the wild, and is home to the entirety of the 'Big Five'.

Home to more than 9000 hyena, almost 3000 lions, and more than a thousand leopards, the park is a great place to see predators going about their grisly but essential business.

Perhaps most startling about the park is just how ever present the animals are. Your entire drive will be accompanied by game-viewing, meaning there's never a dull moment.

It is important to appreciate the sheer size of the Serengeti when planning to visit the park, as it is often divided into North, South, East, West, and Central. Each region offers a different game drive experience as well as different accommodation options, and the Great Migration passes through some regions more than others.

Serviced by everything from humble camp sites to the luxurious Four Seasons Serengeti, the sheer scope of the park means it can be explored in a single day or over the course of weeks.

Short Overview

The home of the legendary Great Wildebeest Migration, the name Serengeti has become synonymous with the African safari experience. The seemingly unending savannah plains of the park are home to Africa's most famous animals as well as a cast of lesser known but no less interesting animals.

Info

Size: 14,763 square kilometres kl.

Location: 335 north-west of Arusha.

Best Time: December to July for the Great Wildebeest Migration. June to October for predators.

To Do: Great Migration, hot air balloon safaris, game drives, Olduvai Gorge, Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, and flying safaris.

Known For: The Great Wildebeest Migration. The world's most famous game viewing park.

WESTERN TANZANIA CIRCUIT

Mahale Mountains National Park

Size: 1613 square kilometres.

Location: Western Tanzania near Lake Tanganyika.

Best Time: May to November.

To Do: Chimpanzee trekking, hiking, camping, and fishing.

Known For: Chimpanzees.

Like its northern neighbour Gombe, Mahale National Park is best known for having a wild chimpanzee population of around 800 individuals.

Only accessible by boat or plane, Mahale National Park is a wild frontier that offers brilliant hiking and the opportunity to climb the imposing Mount Nkungwe. The park's dense undergrowth and mountainous setting make it a park for the physically fit, but it rewards intrepid explorers with a wealth of animal and bird life.

Nearby Lake Tanganyika is a great place for snorkelling, swimming, and fishing as well.

Short Overview

This remote park offers some of the greatest visitor attractions, from walking safaris, chimpanzee viewing in their natural habitat, a climb to Mount Nkungwe and snorkeling in Lake Tanganyika. Accessible is only by boat or by air, so it makes it the least accessible and least visited.

Gombe Stream National Park

The smallest of Tanzania's national parks is one of its most unique, offering the opportunity to see the chimpanzees that Dr. Jane Goodall observed as part of her landmark study into primate behaviour.

Gombe is a park without roads, making it a perfect place to get out and stretch your legs as you seek to spot some of the park's native inhabitants in their natural habitats. In addition to chimpanzees, the park is also home to a number of other primate species including the beachcomber olive baboons, bush babies, and the red colobus monkeys that the chimpanzees hunt. The park is also home to hippos, crocodiles, and leopards

Birdwatchers will be particularly fascinated by the park, whose forest offers a cross-section of East African grassland birds and West African forest species. Over 200 species of bird call the park home.

Short Overview

It's a great place to see chimps up close and personal as many of the family groups are habituated to humans. With the possible exception of Mahale Mountains National Park , no other park in Africa can offer such a magnificent experience with chimpanzees.

It is a park without roads, where you can walk and experience nature with all your senses. Although the chimpanzees are the park's star attraction there are many other primates, and mammals. The birdlife is extraordinary, as there is a great crossover of East African grassland birds and West African forest species.

Info

Size: 52 square kilometres.

Location: 16km north of Kigoma on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

Best Time: July-October or December.

To Do: Chimpanzee trekking, hiking, swimming, Dr. Livingstone's camp site, and dhow building.

Known For: Chimpanzees!

Rubondo Island National Park

A series of eleven islands at the heart of Lake Victoria, the world's second largest lake, Rubondo National Park is a picturesque paradise populated with a mix of native animals and introduced species such as the chimpanzee, elephant, and giraffe.

The park's beaches and virgin forest are a sight to behold, and in the wooded interior can be found a dizzying array of bird life as well as the semi aquatic sitatunga antelope that is hard to spot elsewhere in the country.

More a place for relaxation and fishing than game viewing, Rubondo makes for a great add on to a longer safari along the Northern Circuit or between Tanzania and Kenya.

Short Overview

Officially Tanzania's smallest national park, tiny Rubondo Island on the heart of Africa's largest lake packs a lot into its 240 square kilometres. Known as the Jewel of Victoria, Rubondo Island National Park bvoasts a unique diversity of flora and fauna including the endemic Sitatunga.

Other animals you're likely to spot in the park include hippos, otters, bushbucks, mongoose, elephants, suni antelope, and a variety of primates that has even been known to include the park's resident chimpanzee population.

In addition to all of this animal life, the park is also a recognised destination for bird lovers, with a huge variety of bird-life calling the forested island home.

Info

Size: 258 square kilometres.

Location: Northwestern Tanzania.

Best Time: June to August.

To Do: Walking safaris, boating, fishing, and chimpanzee trekking.

Known For: Birding.

SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL TANZANIA CIRCUIT

Mikumi National Park

Frequently compared to the Serengeti in the north, Mikumi is a sprawling national park that borders the massive Selous Game Reserve.

The broad Mkata floodplain is an ideal place to spot lions as they lazily survey the vast herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and impala that roam the grasslands. Elephants seek the shade of acacia stands while hippopotamus wallow in pools close to the entrance gate.

Perhaps most unique to Mikumi are its African Wild Dog population and its large eland population. The largest member of the antelope family cuts a striking figure as it grazes on the open fields, and the park's huge array of bird life (over 400 species) make it a birder's paradise as well.

Short Overview

Info

Size: 3,230 square kilometres.

Location: 283 km west of Dar Es Salaam.

Best Time: Year round.

To Do: Game drives and guided walks.

Known For: Hippopotamus and eland.

Selous Game Reserve

Weighing in at over four times the size of the Serengeti, the wild frontiers of the Selous Game Reserve are home to a dizzying number of animals including over 200,000 cape buffalo, 80,000 wildebeest, 30,000 elephants, and the country's most stable African wild dog population. The park is also home to Tanzania's largest hippopotamus and crocodile populations.

Selous is a difficult park to get to, but it rewards its visitors with its sheer size and the opportunity to explore its varied landscapes without ever having to bump into another human being. It is a wild and isolated place, and Tanzania's largest river (the Rufiji) flows through it accompanied by a network of channels, lagoons, and swamps that are home to a huge variety of birds.

Short Overview

Weighing in at over four times the size of the Serengeti, the wild frontiers of the Selous Game Reserve are home to a dizzying number of animals including over 200,000 cape buffalo, 80,000 wildebeest, 30,000 elephants, and the country's most stable African wild dog population. The park is also home to Tanzania's largest hippopotamus and crocodile populations.

Info

Size: 55,000 square kilometres.

Location: A day's drive from Dar Es Salaam.

Best Time: June to October or December to March.

To Do: Game drives, boat safaris, walking safaris, fishing, and hunting.

Known For: Tanzania's largest reserve.

Ruaha National Park

As wild as Katavi but considerably more accessible, the Ruaha National Park is a fantastic place for those with a thirst for for blood to see predators and prey interacting as they have for millennia.

When the Great Ruaha River dwindles during the dry season, the park's herds of impala and waterbuck must risk life and limb to get a sip of life-giving water. There to take advantage of this are large prides of lions as well as the solitary but no less lethal cheetah and leopards who call the park home.

The park is also a great place to see the diversity of Tanzania's antelope population, with the Africa's largest population of greater kudu calling the park home alongside other antelope of all shapes and sizes.

Over 10,000 elephants call the park home, and the park's trees and skies are also home to more than 430 species of birds as well.

Short Overview

The Ruaha National Park is a fantastic place for those with a thirst for for blood to see predators and prey interacting as they have for millennia.

Info

Size: 10,300 square kilometres.

Location: Central Tanzania.

Best Time: Mid May to December.

To Do: Game drives, stone age ruins, and hiking.

Known For: Predator-prey viewing, elephants, and kudu.

Kitulo National Park

The first national park in tropical Africa to be set aside specifically for its floral signifiance, Kitulo National Park comes alive with colour between December and April each year as its fertile volcanic soils foster the growth of a vibrant rainbow of stunning flowers.

Sometimes called the Garden of God, Kitulo is only sparsely populated with big game such as the mountain reedbuck.

Where Kitulo excels is as a hiking and bird watching destination, making it a rare treat for those who are interested in flora or ornithology.

Short Overview

One of the most important watersheds for the Great Ruaha River, Kitulo is well known for its floral significance – not only a multitude of orchids, but also the stunning yellow-orange red-hot poker and a variety of aloes, proteas, geraniums, giant lobelias, lilies and aster daisies, of which more than 30 species are endemic to southern Tanzania.

Info

Size: 412.9 square kilometres.

Location: Southern Tanzania.

Best Time: December to April.

To Do: Hiking, bird-watching, wild flowers, and swimming.

Known For: Stunning wild flowers.

EASTERN TANZANIA CIRCUIT

Mkomazi National Park

On the shores of the Umba River, Mkomazi translates into 'The source of water' in the Pare language.

Offering spectacular views of Kilimanjaro as well as a game viewing experience that includes the rare black rhinoceros and African wild dogs. Other rare inhabitants include the endangered gerenuk (which can be found nowhere else in Tanzania) and the African elephant.

The park is also home to crocodiles, leopards, lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, elephants, and zebra to name a few. Its semi-arid conditions make it a great place to spot the regal oryx, and the park is also home to a large variety of bird life and exotic plants.

Short Overview

Offering fantastic views of Kilimanjaro and a large population of African game, Mkomazi is an often overlooked Tanzanian gem with a number of species easier to see here than anywhere else in Tanzania.

Animals large and small call the park home, including big cats, silver-backed jackals, kudu, giraffes, Grant's gazelle, hyenas, hartebeest, warthogs, buffaloes, elephants, and zebras.

Info

Size: 3,245 square kilometres.

Location: Northern Tanzania between Kilimanjaro and Tanga.

Best Time: Late June to early September.

To Do: Game viewing, bird watching, camping, hiking, and walking safaris.

Known For: Black rhinoceros and African wild dogs.

Saadani National Park

One of the only places on earth where you can watch elephants and lions during the day and then relax on the beach in the evening, Saadani National Park offers a unique opportunity to observe both Africa's land-dwelling animals and its diverse marine life.

If the idea of seeing herds of elephants playing on the beach doesn't enchant you enough, the park also offers the chance to explore the ruins of Saadani, a former European port settlement that has since reverted to a much humbler settlement.

Short Overview

One of Tanzania's newest parks and its best kept secrets, Saadani National Park is where the Indian Ocean meats the East African bushlands.

East Africa's only beachfront national park, a visit to Saadani is something truly unique.

Info

Size: 1,062 square kilometres.

Location: North coast of Tanzania. Roughly 100km north of Dar Es Salaam.

Best Time: Year round, although may be impassable during the April-May wet season.

To Do: Game drives, guided walks, boat trips, swimming, and the Saadani fishing village.

Known For: The only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa to border the Indian ocean.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Not your conventional game viewing destination, mountainous Udzungwa is best known for its network of hiking trails through its tropical rainforest. Hikers may wish to pay a visit to the startling 170m high Sanje Waterfall or brave the more challenging two day trek to the top of the Mwanihana Peak for its spectacular views of the park.

Along the way, hikers can expect to see some of the park's endemic flora and fauna, the most famous of which is the beautiful African violet.

Large game cannot be found in the park, but birds exist in plenty – with more than 400 species calling the park home. Six species of primate can also be spotted cavorting in the trees as well.

Short Overview

A paradise for bird watchers, flower lovers and the primate seeking visitors.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park is perhaps Tanzania's most important sanctuary of terrestrial biodiversity. Udzungwe has many other mammals and maybe safari is not typical safari game you'd expect of Tanzanian National Parks. Is an esoteric safari destination for true nature lovers.

Its mountains are fascinating to bird watchers, with at least 400 recorded species, 25 endemic.

Info

Size: 1,990 square kilometres.

Location: Five hours from Dar es Salaam.

Best Time: June to October.

To Do: Game drives and waterfall hikes.

Known For: Hiking.

Katavi National Park

Less well travelled than Tanzania's more iconic parks, Katavi National Park is a truly wild experience for those wanting to get off the beaten track.

Katavi is home to the Katuma River and the floodplains that it spawns each wet season, but it is in the dry season that the best game viewing experiences can be had as thousands of elephants, buffalo, zebras, and giraffe gather around the rapidly drying streams in search of water.

The predators – from the park's huge number of crocodiles to leopards & lions – have a field day during the dry season, and it's a fantastic opportunity to see the predator prey dynamic in action.

The park's huge numbers of hippopotamus are also a spectacle to behold in the dry season, as territorial males engage in bloody fights to decide who dominates the rapidly dwindling pools.

Short Overview

The Katavi National Park offers the few visitors who make it there a taste of true wilderness with large wildlife herds such as buffaloes, elephants and hippos. Some of the attractions of Katavi National Park are Lake Katavi, the Katuma River and the Lake Chada floodplains.

Info

Size: 4,471 km²

Location: Southwestern Tanzania

Best Time: The dry season. May to October

To Do: Walking, driving, and camping safaris

Known For: Tanzania's densest hippopotamus and crocodile population

The Migration Pattern

The exact timing of the Great Wildebeest Migration is completely dependent upon rainfall patterns, making it a difficult thing to predict with any certainty. A particularly heavy or light rainfall might completely alter the movement of the massive herd, so it is best to get daily updates leading in to your trip.

That being said, there is a rough calendar that can usually be relied upon.

January to March - Life begins for a huge number of animals in the Ndutu region of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. In the space of a few short weeks, the calving season sees half a million young wildebeest brought into the world. This is due to the rainy season combining with the fertile volcanic soil of the region to create a lush carpet of short grass rich in essential vitamins.

It is here that the vast herd begins to take shape, and it is here that the predators begin their yearlong assault upon the herd. With so many young and weak calves stumbling around, it becomes easy for the lions, leopards, and cheetahs to pick off a tasty morsel.

April to May - With the wet season ending in the south of the Serengeti, it is time for the herd to begin moving north. At this stage it numbers approximately 1.7 million wildebeest, 470,000 species of antelope, and 250,000 zebras, and has attracted a motley collection of predators who will dog its steps for the entirety of its journey.

The great movement usually passes through the Seronera region of the Serengeti at this stage, and with so many young and inexperienced members of the herd, the predators have a field day.

June to July

The herd encounters its first major obstacle at this point. As Lake Victoria experiences its own miniature wet season, the herd shifts direction and treks towards Africa’s largest freshwater lake in search of sustenance. The only thing standing between them? The Grumeti River.

Some of the most spectacular images of the predator-prey relationship are captured in and around the river, with both the big cats and the Nile crocodiles seizing upon this opportunity to strike at the increasingly desperate members of the herd. The Grumeti is home to the largest Nile crocodile population in the region, and these opportunistic predators make the most of things.

Once they’ve successfully navigated the river’s strong currents and predator population, the herd can spend some time recovering and replenishing on the Musabi and Masira grass plains until it becomes time to move on again.

August to November - During this period, the herd continues its movement north towards the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. There is no tight schedule that these animals follow, and so tracking the herd’s movements becomes a day to day prospect as the meander slowly but inexorably towards the next big obstacle in their path: the Mara River.

The Mara River poses another deadly barrier for the herd, who must again brave swollen waters and the opportunistic predators if they are to find relatively safety on the far side. Photographers and documentarians from around the world gather to witness the death-defying crossing, but the surrounding landscapes are every bit as memorable as the life and death struggle taking place at the Kogatende crossing.

December - After having spent some time in the greener lands of the Maasai Mara after their crossing, the great herd begins the process of returning to the calving area in the southern Serengeti. The rivers must be crossed again and the way is long, but the herd at this point is better prepared for the journey after nearly a year of growth for the calves strong enough to have survived the journey so far.

By either year’s end or early in the New Year, the herd has returned to Ndutu in time to begin the whole process again.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIP (GAME DRIVE, BOAT RIDE OR NATURE WALK) - Short Overview

Located just 45 minutes drive north-east of Arusha, the Arusha National Park is Tanzania's most accessible park in more ways than one. It's not only conveniently located, but it's also the best place to embark on walking and canoeing safaris - putting you closer to the action than anywhere else in the country!

Guided walking safaris take you through the park's forest and into its hill country, where you'll see a stunning waterfall and pass animals such as monkeys, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, and antelopes. Feeling more adventurous? Canoe safaris put you out on the water where hippopotamus and cape buffalo wallow in the cool waters. Also suitable for traditional game drives, Arusha National Park is an ideal day trip for the start or end of your trip.

Details of Safari to Arusha National Park - 1 day tour

With its close proximity to Arusha and a variety of different safaris available, Arusha National Park is the perfect park for day trips at the start or conclusion of a longer safari.

Arusha National Park is perhaps best known for being the best park for alternatives to the traditional game drive, with both walking safaris and canoeing safaris available to visitors. A small park with relatively few predators, it's the perfect place to get out of the car and see animals such as monkeys, antelopes, buffalo, and giraffes up close.

DAY 1: ARUSHA TOWN - ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, you'll depart from your Arusha or Moshi accommodations and drive to the park.

Once at the park, you will enjoy a half-day guided walking safari through the forest to the waterfall, experiencing the natural beauty of the hills, mountains and, river beds begging to be explored. You can expect to see endless acres of forest, home to black and white colobus monkeys, zebras, buffalos and a lot of different antelope varieties. You will also have a chance to observe more than 400 bird species including the Crowned Eagle, Lanner Falcon, and Levaillants Cuckoo.

After a picnic lunch in the bush, you will be taken on a game drive through the National Park. Your drive will take you past lakes full of pink flamingos, past wallowing hippos and cape buffalo, and by herds of zebras, antelopes, and giraffes.

Either your walking safari or your game drive can be replaced with a canoe safari if you're feeling adventurous. Take to the water for a guided canoe safari through the watery home of the park's hippopotamus, while also getting the chance to see herbivores such as buffalo, antelopes, and zebra as they come to the water to drink.

You will return to Arusha in the late afternoon with a head full of memories and a camera full of unforgettable photos.

LAKE MANYARA AND NGORONGORO CRATER SAFARI - (01 NIGHT / 02 DAYS)

Starts and ends in Arusha

With easy driving distance from Arusha City, this safari offers you a thrilling two days safari to Lake Manyara National Park and the world-famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I have seen in Africa”, Lake Manyara is an ideal starting or finishing point for the northern circuit. Lake Manyara's tree climbing lions, astonishing variety of birds, and wallowing hippos, and Ngorongoro's high population of predators as well as cape buffalo and black rhinoceros - this itinerary offers you the chance to see the entire Big Five in just 48 hours.

No visit to northern Tanzania is complete without a tour of Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five.

DAY 1 : ARUSHA - LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK - KARATU

You will depart Arusha after breakfast for the 2-hour drive westwards to Lake Manyara National Park, via the market town of Mto Wa Mbu whose agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise.

After a brief stop at the village market, you will enter Lake Manyara National Park and a picnic lunch.

Named for the seasonal alkaline lake at its heart, Lake Manyara National Park offers traditional game drives all year round and is a great place for canoeing in the wet season.

With a variety of landscapes, Lake Manyara National Park is truly a photographer's playground and offers exceptional game viewing. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. The agile predators cut a striking figure as they lounge lazily in acacia trees.

Also calling the park home are Africa's most iconic animals such as elephants, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, and cape buffalo, as well as less well known but no less intriguing Kirk's dik-dik and klipspringer.

Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park including flamingo, birds of prey and the brightly coloured Lilac breasted roller.

Optional: You might wish to spend your afternoon on a Lake Manyara cycling tour or an afternoon game drive through nearby Lake Manyara National Park.

You will then drive to the nearby Karatu town for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 : KARATU - NGORONGORO CRATER - ARUSHA

After an early breakfast, drive up into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the nearby rim of the Ngorongoro Crater then drive down into the caldera for a game drive on the crater floor that features a shallow crater lake (Lake Magadi).

Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, is 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 will soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Extending about 20km in diameter, the crater is 610 metres deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres.

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 by the park's famous hippo pool.

Thereafter, embark on your return drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon.

Dropped off at your Arusha hotel or at Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight.

TANZANIA MAASAI CULTURE AND GAME SAFARI (01 NIGHT / 02 DAYS) - starts and ends Arusha

Visit Maasai Tribe on the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro then Arusha National Park

Short Overview

Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge is located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and is surrounded by a 200-hectare nature reserve.

While visiting, you'll overnight in a luxury Masai boma and are invited to participate in cultural activities such as nature walks, spear throwing competitions, bead work classes, and traditional cooking.

The lodge offers an outdoor pool and a bio-sauna. The sustainable bungalows have solar-powered light and hot water. Each is equipped with a side table, wardrobe and Maasai-style seating. The modern bathroom includes a rain shower and flushing toilet. Breakfast is served every morning and for lunch and dinner, the lodge prepares home cooked international and traditional Swahili cuisine as well as Maasai specialities. Fresh and organic ingredients are grown in the kitchen's garden.

Free Activities offered to guests include the introduction to the philosophy and practice of permaculture, spear throwing competitions with the Maasai, herb walks focusing on medicinal plants native to the area and donkey rides for children. Other optional activities, airport transfers and daytrips to nearby attractions can be arranged for a fee. Meditation classes are offered in the health spa upon prior request and free WiFi is available at the lounge.

Arusha National Park is a perfect day trip and overnight safaris, as it is close to both Arusha and Moshi. With terrain that ranges from open savannah to tropical rainforest, the park is dominated by the shadow of Mount Meru – whose summit offers an unparalleled view of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The park's highlights can easily be seen in a single day, with a morning or afternoon game drive accompanied by either a walking safari or canoeing in small Momella Lake where the hippos are at play and also home to migratory flamingoes.

Arusha National Park is also home to Africa's largest giraffe population, and its diverse landscapes are also home to antelopes, buffalo, monkeys (including the blue monkey and the black and white colobus monkey) and hyenas.

Details of Tanzania Maasai Culture and Game Safari (Maasai Tribe and Arusha Park)

DAY 1 – ARUSHA/MOSHI - AFRICA AMINI LIFE MASAI LODGE

You will be picked up from your Arusha or Moshi hotel (or from off your Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport flight). The 3 hours drive takes you northly, to the western foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Today offers a rare treat for visitors to Tanzania, as you will have the opportunity to experience life among the famous Maasai people who call Tanzania and Kenya home. You will visit the Amini Life Masai Lodge, where you will get a mix of both traditional Maasai life and luxury accommodations.

Time allowing, highlights of your day include:

- A visit to a Maasai museum

- Village tour

- Traditional lunch featuring plenty of meat and vegetables

- A nature walk through Maasai territory to learn about various herbal remedies

- Spear throwing demonstration

- Sunset singing and dancing ceremony

You will then overnight in your very own modern Maasai hut, designed to be authentic while still retaining the creature comforts to which you've become accustomed. Feel the cool night air on your skin as you take a hot shower and fall asleep to the sounds of insects and night birds singing you to sleep.

Overnight at Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge

DAY 2 – AFRICA AMINI LIFE LODGE – ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK - ARUSHA/MOSHI

You will wake early for a sunrise view of Mount Kilimanjaro (weather permitting), Africa's highest mountain and the 'Roof of Africa'.

You will depart after breakfast and make your way to nearby Arusha National Park, where you will get the chance to enjoy a traditional safari.

Your day will start with a traditional game drive through the park. Along the way you'll see black and white colobus monkeys, zebras, buffalos, and a variety of antelope species. You'll also have the chance to see the more than 400 species of bird that call the park home.

You will have game drive through the park and then hop onto a boat for a ride on Momela Lakes where you might see brightly-coloured migratory flamingoes looking for their lunch, and enjoy fantastic views of both Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.

After taking a delicious lunch, you will drive back to Arusha or Moshi.

If on an onward journey, you will be dropped off at Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport flight for your afternoon or evening flight out.

SERENGETI FLY-IN SAFARI (02 NIGHTS / 03 DAYS) - Daily departures, Starts and ends in Arusha

Short Overview

Serengeti is only an hour's flight from Arusha city. By contrast, when driving from Arusha to Serengeti or vice versa, you need an overnight stop en route. Therefore, if you only have limited time available and a Serengeti visit is your priority, take advantage of flying directly into the world-famous National Park for unforgettable moments.

Home to huge populations of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes - the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as well as herbivores including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Accommodation - the location of your Serengeti accommodation will be determined by the concentration of wild animals, particularly, by the great Wildlife Migration of wildebeests and zebras. In some months (June - October), northern Serengeti is the place to be, when the migration is moving from Serengeti to Maasai Mara (Kenya) or vice versa. In other months (December - March), the Ndutu plains at border Serengeti and Ngorongoro are the place to be for the wildbeest calving season. In the rainy April and May months, South Serengeti plays host to the mobile herds. Central Serengeti's Seronera area is an all-year round location due to its great concentration of most other animals - from here, you can do daily excursions to any of the areas mentioned above to view the migration. Seronera is also the largest base for hot-air balloon excursions in Serengeti.

Flight extensions to Nairobi (Kenya) and Zanzibar Island - on our Serengeti Fly-in Safari, it is possible to combine seamlessly the Arusha-Serengeti-Arusha flights with daily regional flights arriving or departing to Nairobi (Kenya) or Zanzibar Island.

DAY 1 : ARUSHA - FLY TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, you will be transferred from your Arusha hotel to Arusha Airport where you will board a scheduled departure to the Serengeti National Park.

On a clear day, you will see some Tanzania's stunning landscape you will be overflying, including Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater; an active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (the Mountain of God) that had a small eruption a decade ago may also be visible on your right side.

There are a number of airstrip dotted in Serengeti. On arrival at the airstrip closest to your lodge or camp, you will be met and immediately commence your day-long exploration of the Serengeti National Park.

Lunch may be a picnic in the park or a hot meal at the lodge/camp, depending on location and plan for the day. Enjoy a Serengeti game drive in the afternoon, ending at your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 : SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast, start your full day game drive in Serengeti, searching around the rocky kopjes

and acacias that provide an excellent opportunity to spot prides of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs out on the hunt, and leopards overseeing everything from their lofty perches.

Serengeti's hippo pools and wide open spaces provide ample opportunities for game viewing and bird watching.

Lunch may be a picnic in the park or a hot meal at the lodge/camp, depending on location and plan for the day. Enjoy a Serengeti game drive in the afternoon, ending at your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 : SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - FLY TO ARUSHA

Enjoy a final brief game drive at dawn, before breakfast or one after breakfast en route back to the local Serengeti airstrip. At the airstrip, board the morning schedule flight back to Arusha.

On arrival at Arusha Airport, met and transferred to your Arusha hotel or to Kilimanjaro Airport for your international departure flight.

SERENGETI FLY-IN AND NGORONGORO BY ROAD SAFARI (03 NIGHTS / 04 DAYS) - Daily departures, Starts and ends in Arusha

Short Overview

Serengeti is only an hour's flight from Arusha city. By contrast, when driving from Arusha to Serengeti, you need an overnight stop en route. Therefore, if you only have limited time available and a Serengeti visit is your priority, take advantage of flying directly into the world-famous National Park for unforgettable moments. From there, the rest of the safari will be by road, transversing Serengeti and then driving to Ngongoro Crater, before ending the safari in Arusha.

Serengeti - home to huge populations of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes - the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as well as herbivores including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Ngorongoro Crater - No visit to northern Tanzania is complete without a tour of Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five.

Serengeti accommodation - the location of your Serengeti accommodation will be determined by the concentration of wild animals, particularly, by the great Wildlife Migration of wildebeests and zebras. In some months (June - October), northern Serengeti is the place to be, when the migration is moving from Serengeti to Maasai Mara (Kenya) or vice versa. In other months (December - March), the Ndutu plains at border Serengeti and Ngorongoro are the place to be for the wildbeest calving season. In the rainy April and May months, South Serengeti plays host to the mobile herds. Central Serengeti's Seronera area is an all-year round location due to its great concentration of most other animals - from here, you can do daily excursions to any of the areas mentioned above to view the migration. Seronera is also the largest base for hot-air balloon excursions in Serengeti.

Flight extensions to Nairobi (Kenya) and Zanzibar Island - on our Serengeti Fly-in Safari, it is possible to combine seamlessly the Arusha-Serengeti-Arusha flights with daily regional flights arriving or departing to Nairobi (Kenya) or Zanzibar Island.

DAY 1 : ARUSHA - FLY TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, you will be transferred from your Arusha hotel to Arusha Airport where you will board a scheduled departure to the Serengeti National Park.

On a clear day, you will see some Tanzania's stunning landscape you will be overflying, including Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater; an active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (the Mountain of God) that had a small eruption a decade ago may also be visible on your right side.

There are a number of airstrip dotted in Serengeti. On arrival at the airstrip closest to your lodge or camp, you will be met and immediately commence your day-long exploration of the Serengeti National Park.

Lunch may be a picnic in the park or a hot meal at the lodge/camp, depending on location and plan for the day. Enjoy a Serengeti game drive in the afternoon, ending at your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 : SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast, start your full day game drive in Serengeti, searching around the rocky kopjes

and acacias that provide an excellent opportunity to spot prides of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs out on the hunt, and leopards overseeing everything from their lofty perches.

Serengeti's hippo pools and wide open spaces provide ample opportunities for game viewing and bird watching.

Lunch may be a picnic in the park or a hot meal at the lodge/camp, depending on location and plan for the day. Enjoy a Serengeti game drive in the afternoon, ending at your lodge/camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 : SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, we hit the road driving towards he Ngorongoro Crater.

Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti, and into Ndutu area of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on the day previous.

Dinner and overnight will be at a lodge or camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

DAY 4 : NGORONGORO CRATER - ARUSHA

After an early breakfast, from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, drive down into the caldera for a game drive on the crater floor that features a shallow crater lake (Lake Magadi).

Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, is 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 will soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Extending about 20km in diameter, the crater is 610 metres deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres.

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 by the park's famous hippo pool.

Thereafter, embark on your 3-hour drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon.

Dropped off at your Arusha hotel or at Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight.

TANZANIA TRIBES, CULTURE AND GAME SAFARI (04 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS) - starts and ends in Arusha

Short Overview

Your safari will accord you ample time with the Maasai, Iraqw, Hadzabe, Datoga peoples of northern Tanzania to learn their different cultures and traditions. A melting pot of cultures bound to fascinate, you will get to meet and interact with traditional pastoralists, farmers, hunters and blacksmiths. Interspaced with the culture experiences are fascinating game viewing opportunities at two of Tanzania's iconic National Parks - Tarangire for massive elephants and baobabs and Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five.

You will start your safari at Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, where you will overnight in a luxury Masai boma and are invited to participate in cultural activities such as nature walks, spear throwing competitions, bead work classes, and traditional cooking.

Your next stop will be Tarangire, home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants. Tarangire The boabab tree (the Tree of Life) grows in great numbers throughout this Park that is also the best place to see the fringed-eared oryx, greater kudu, and Ashy starling in the wild.

From Tarangire is on to the bustling market town of Mto Wa Mbu, to enjoy an afternoon guided walking or tuk-tuk tour of the village. Your tour will take you through local farms, homes, schools, and more as you get a glimpse at local life for working Tanzanians.

No visit to northern Tanzania is complete without a tour of Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five.

Finally, your tour will end as it started, on a cultural note - exploring the traditional life of Hadzabe bushmen and Datoga tribes. You will get a chance for a dawn hunt with the Hadzabe and later, a visit to the Datoga who are blacksmiths and farmers who keep animals such as cows, sheep, and goats.

DAY 1 – ARUSHA/MOSHI - AFRICA AMINI LIFE MASAI LODGE

You will be picked up from your Arusha or Moshi hotel (or from off your Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro Airport flight). The 3 hours drive takes you northly, to the western foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Today offers a rare treat for visitors to Tanzania, as you will have the opportunity to experience life among the famous Maasai people who call Tanzania and Kenya home. You will visit the Amini Life Masai Lodge, where you will get a mix of both traditional Maasai life and luxury accommodations.

Time allowing, highlights of your day include:

- A visit to a Maasai museum

- Village tour

- Traditional lunch featuring plenty of meat and vegetables

- A nature walk through Maasai territory to learn about various herbal remedies

- Spear throwing demonstration

- Sunset singing and dancing ceremony

You will then overnight in your very own modern Maasai hut, designed to be authentic while still retaining the creature comforts to which you've become accustomed. Feel the cool night air on your skin as you take a hot shower and fall asleep to the sounds of insects and night birds singing you to sleep.

Overnight at Africa Amini Life Maasai Lodge

DAY 2 : AFRICA AMINI - TARANGIRE

After breakfast, enjoy any of the activities that you may have missed on Day 1 at Africa Amini Life

In the late afternoon, drive back to Arusha for lunch.

In the afternoon, proceed drive south to Tarangire National Park (120km, 02 hours) for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 : TARANGIRE - MTO WA MBU - KARATU

After an early breakfast, head into Tarangire National Park for a game drive.

Home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants, Tarangire is the best place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat – from the adorable calves all the way up to the intimidating bulls. It is also an ideal place to snap photos of the boabab tree (the Tree of Life), as it grows in great numbers throughout the park. Tarangire is also the best place to see the fringed-eared oryx, greater kudu, and Ashy starling in the wild.

Tarangire is a particularly enchanting prospect for bird-watchers, with a massive 550 species of bird calling the park home. These range from the sizable ostrich and Kori bustard all the way down to tiny weavers and warblers.

Predators such as the lion and leopard also call the park home, and lucky visitors might get to see these ferocious hunters in action as the dry season forces herbivores to move closer and closer to the Tarangire River.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the park's picnic areas and take in an unparalleled view of the Tarangire river.

Thereafter, proceed westwards to make the roughly two-hour drive to the bustling market town of Mto Wa Mbu.

Here, you will enjoy an afternoon guided walking or tuk-tuk tour of the village. Your tour will take you through local farms, homes, schools, and more as you get a glimpse at local life for working Tanzanians.

Optional: En route from Tarangire to Karatu, you might wish to spend your afternoon on a Lake Manyara cycling tour or an afternoon game drive through nearby Lake Manyara National Park.

After a day well spent, drive to the nearby Karatu area of the Ngorongoro highlands, for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 : KARATU - NGORONGORO CRATER - LAKE EYASI

After an early breakfast, drive up into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to the nearby rim of the Ngorongoro Crater then drive down into the caldera for a game drive on the crater floor that features a shallow crater lake (Lake Magadi).

Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, is 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 will soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Extending about 20km in diameter, the crater is 610 metres deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres.

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 by the park's famous hippo pool.

Thereafter, drive back past Karatu and proceed to Lake Eyasi to overnight .

DAY 5 : LAKE EYASI (DAY WITH HADZABE AND DATOGA) TO ARUSHA

This day you you will go back in time and explore the traditional life of Hadzabe bushmen and Datoga tribes.

On your Lake Eyasi Tour, you will be joining the Hadzabe bushmen at dawn 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 you. 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.

You will also pay a visit to the people of the Datoga tribe while you're in the area. The Datoga are blacksmiths and farmers who keep animals such as cows, sheep, and goats. Their culture is another fascinating example of Tanzania's cultural diversity.

With picnic lunch en route, embark on your return drive back to Arusha, arriving in the late afternoon.

Dropped off at your Arusha hotel or at Arusha Airport, or Kilimanjaro Airport for your departure flight.

BEST OF NORTH TANZANIA GAME SAFARI (05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS) - Starts and ends in Arusha

Short Overview

Our six days Best of North Tanzania Game Safari features the highlights of the country's northern Parks and cultures.

You will visit all four of Tanzania's prominent Northern Circuit parks for unparalleled game drive experiences. Majestic elephants in vast numbers in Tarangire, tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara, the Wildebeest Migration on the Serengeti, and the Big Five in Ngorongoro.

Lake Manyara - Described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I have seen in Africa”, Lake Manyara's tree climbing lions, astonishing variety of birds, and wallowing hippos is an ideal starting or finishing point for the northern circuit - or a day trip for those who only have a day to spare.

Serengeti - home to huge populations of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes - the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as well as herbivores including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Ngorongoro Crater - No visit to northern Tanzania is complete without a tour of Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five.

Tarangire is home to Tanzania's largest population of elephants and is also the best place to see the fringed-eared oryx, greater kudu, and Ashy starling in the wild. The boabab tree (the Tree of Life) grows in great numbers throughout this Park.