Day 1 – ARRIVAL – MOSHI
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be met by a Afritrends Safaris representative, who will transfer you to Moshi for bed and breakfast overnight stay at the hotel
Day 2 – MOSHI – KAHAWA SHAMBANI COFFEE EXPERIENCE & MARKET VISIT
After breakfast, drive to Uru, a small village 1,700m/5577ft asl on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, 18 km/11 mi and 45 minute drive away from Moshi. From here you will have a fantastic view of the mountain, weather permitting. You will be hosted by the local coffee co-operative and undertake a 3 hour guided coffee tour, which aims to put consumers in touch with the producers and gives insight into Chagga village life on the slopes of the mountain. Find out about how coffee is sown, grown, harvested and roasted.
Meet local farmers who produce some of the world’s finest coffee on the upper inhabited slopes of Kilimanjaro. You will be guided by local small scale farmers to a nearby small holding coffee farm to take part in the whole process of picking, drying and roasting your own cup of coffee. Finish the tour off with a delicious traditional Chagga lunch in the lush scenery, prepared by local women.
Late afternoon drive back to Moshi. Optional visit to the local Moshi central market where you can learn about the local and indigenous foods and products sold there. At the back of this, walk around this small and friendly town at the base of Kilimanjaro and absorb the atmosphere and activity of a busy Tanzanian town. Overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis at the Hotel.
Day 3 – OLD MOSHI CULTURAL IMMERSION
A fascinating full day of cultural immersion and adventure through the Old Moshi Cultural Tourism Enterprise. 08hr30 depart Moshi and drive to Old Moshi through the fertile and lush countryside surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro, filled with banana and coffee farms. Your local guide will guide you through this typical rural Tanzanian mountain village. Learn about farming practices, and the life of the Chagga people and their chiefdom system. You will see coffee plantations, hear the story of Chief Meli and hike the forest of Kilimanjaro. Visit historical sites and find out about the rich history of Old Moshi as you hear stories dating back prior to German and British colonization in the area. Take a break and enjoy local banana beer.
Visit Kidia village where you can learn to cook traditional foods with a local women’s group. Enjoy the local lunch, followed by a visit to Kidia Lutheran Church, an original stone church built by German missionaries, as well as Kidia dispensary where you will learn about Doctor Bruno Gutman.
Finish the day with a breathtaking hike through the valley to Kwa Mambori waterfalls, which is rooted in local mythology. Take in the beautiful landscape and sounds of Old Moshi as you hike down winding footpaths, carved centuries ago, to the tallest waterfalls around Mt. Kilimanjaro. The waterfalls fall more than 120m/394 ft from imposing cliff faces to form natural pools in which you can swim. Your local guide will share the history of the waterfalls and how it was named ‘Kwa Mambori’, and explain the medicinal uses for a variety of wild plants growing along the way. Return to Moshi for bed and breakfast overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 4 – LAKE NATRON
After breakfast, drive to the remote and raw area of Lake Natron. Depart Moshi heading to Lake Natron, via the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area. This area houses the migration corridor for elephants, among many other animals, between Kenya’s Amboseli National Park and Enduimet area in Tanzania. With the reduction of poaching and better management of human habitation and animal habitats in this area, more and more wildlife is being spotted here. Pass by Mt Longido and continue on to the Natron Area. This a 4 -5-hour long and bumpy ride on ancient volcanic earth and takes you to an isolated corner of Tanzania. The route is scattered with ancient mountains and volcanoes, giving occasional sitings of wildlife and scatterings of Maasai homesteads (bomas).
Complete this interesting drive by entering Ngare Sero village, home to the Maasai. It is set against the backdrop of the Rift Valley Escarpment and the picturesque Ol Doinyo Lengai, the only active carbonite volcano in the world. (it has the world’s lowest lava temperatures), last erupting in February 2006. Lengai is of great spiritual significance for the Maasai.
Mid afternoon, walk to see the scenic Lake Natron; an almost surreal soda lake, set at an altitude of 610m/201f, below the Rift Valley Escarpment, which offers incredible bird and game viewing. Natron is the only breeding ground for East Africa’s millions of flamingos, which usually congregate to breed here between August and October. Witness the age-old practice of extracting dried alkaline crust (magadi) from the lake bed and how it is used medicinally and as a nutritional supplement for cattle and local cooking.
From here drive to see some of the oldest footprints of Homo Sapiens, dating about 120,000 years. There are more than 400 footprints crisscrossing the dark grey mudflat near the lake.
Early evening sundowner on the hill behind the camp. From here you will get spectacular panoramic views of the lake, Ol Doinyo L’Engai and Mt Gilai, as the sun sets. Treat yourself to and participate in the particular singing and dancing of Morani Maasai (warrior clan) whilst you enjoy your sundowner. Dinner and overnight stay at the Camp.
Day 5 – LAKE NATRON
In the morning, head to Ngare Sero village and take a guided walk around the village, including visiting a clinic and other local infrastucture. This is a great opportunity to take in the Maasai village life of Ngare Sero, understand its history and developments, and find out how a traditional Maasai lifestyle co-exists with modern Maasai life. Stop at a local bar for a cold soda or beer and watch the daily life of this remote village, as well as pick up some friendly conversations. Return to the camp for lunch.
In the afternoon, hike over a 3 hour round trip hike through the rocky Ngaresero River Gorge to the waterfalls bringing water all the way from the Ngorongoro Highlands (Saitoti River Trail). Take a natural shower, plunge in the natural pool and relax at the waterfalls. The walk to the waterfalls via the Ngare Sero Gorge is very rocky in parts. Bring sturdy non-slip walking shoes that you do not mind getting wet. The waterfall pool is very tempting to plunge in, especially in the hot climate of Lake Natron, so bring your swimsuit!
Finish off your evening with a celebratory traditional Maasai goat BBQ. Enjoy an indulgent evening of roasting and eating goat around the campfire whilst trying your hand at spear throwing and traditional fire making the Maasai way. Taste the various soups/teas Maasai drink to complement their health and wellbeing. Return to the Camp for a second night overnight stay.
Day 6 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, SERONERA
06h00 Maasai boma (homestead) visit with a cultural immersion opportunity to understand the life of a Maasai community. You can try milking cows, gather the herds and use this time to learn about the structure and set up of a boma. Learn about the Maasai clan and homestead structure, and immerse yourself in in some of the daily morning activities taking place in the boma.
Return to camp for breakfast and then drive north eastward to Serengeti National Park via Klein’s Gate. This is another long and bumpy ride where you will see Maasai herders along the way, with their cattle, and pass the thriving town of town of Loliondo.
Make your way towards Central Serengeti. This is not a transfer, it’s a game drive in its own right and seeing the plains of the Serengeti the first time is an unforgettable moment. Serengeti, or Seringit in Maa, meaning ‘endless plains’, is one of the oldest ecosystems on earth. The essential features have changed little in a million years; Serengeti’s famous plains are interspersed with wooded hills, towering termite mounds, rocky kopjes and rivers lined with acacia trees. With a game drive on route, head to your camp for an overnight stay.
Day 7 & Day 8 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, SERONERA
06hr00 Early morning game drive. An opportunity to see animals, including lions, active before the sun sets in and becomes harsh. Return to the camp for breakfast. Continue to explore Serengeti National Park for the rest of the day.
The Serengeti National Park was established in 1952, however the Serengeti ecosystem is far older and greater than the park. The ecosystem reaches over 30,000 km2/11,500 sq mi and was previously inhabited by the Maasai. This is home to the famous annual migration of more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of zebras and all kinds of antelopes following the rains undertaking their long journey to new grazing grounds. Also be on the lookout for lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.
Day 9 – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
After an early check out from the camp, proceed with a short game drive in Serengeti National Park and then drive approximately 3 hours towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with game viewing on route. Picnic lunch at Naabi Hill Gate. Continue onto the Conservation area.
Not only is Ngorongoro Conservation Area a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. It is unique in that it allows over 40,000 Maasai pastoralists with their cattle goats and sheep to live alongside the abundant wildlife in a natural setting. The conservation area gives you a rare insight into how people lived in harmony with nature and wildlife in ancient times all over the world. Dinner and overnight stay at the Camp.
OPTION: On route visit to the Olduvai Gorge site, one of the most important fossil sites in the world, holding the earliest evidence of the existence of human ancestors. Over thirty miles long and about three-hundred feet deep, the gorge is famous for the evolutionary discoveries of some of the earliest signs of human development. Hundreds of fossilized bones and stone tools have been found in the area dating back millions of years, concluding that humans evolved in Africa.
Day 10 – NGORONGORO CRATER
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive, with a picnic lunch on route. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera measuring 600m/1968ft in depth and covering 250kms2/97mi2. It is a spectacular setting and contains an abundance of wildlife with over 20,000 large animals, including Tanzania’s remaining critically endangered black rhino. There are good chances of seeing the Big Five in this natural enclosure. Ascend back onto the crater rim and on to the camp for a second night stay.
OPTION ACTIVITY: Late afternoon, drive to the trailhead where you walk along the Ngorongoro Crater rim over 2 hours, accompanied by an armed ranger. You will get to see and enjoy the unique flora and fauna of the Ngorongoro Highlands, notably the variety of birdlife in this ecosystem as well as larger animals such as giraffes, zebras and elephants. This is a great opportunity to learn about the traditional medicinal uses of various plants, as well as spot animal tracks and dung. This walk offers spectacular panoramic views down into the Crater that you can enjoy on your own in peace and calmness.
Day 11 – KARATU AND MTO WA MBU
After a lazy morning, check out and make your way out of the Conservation Area. Head to the highlands town of Karatu to check out the Fame medical clinic. transfer to the FAME medical clinic Fame Hospital for a tutorial and talk on their inspirational story.
Drive to the historic and now luxurious Gibbs Farm, for their famous scrumptious organic farm lunch. Enjoy the surroundings of this working organic farm over lunch time, after which you will drive on to the town of Mto Wa Mbu.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Mto Wa Mbu culture. Mto wa Mbu is home to many different people of Tanzania, notably the Mbugwe, Iraqw, Gorowa, Irangi, Chagga and Maasai. You will see a mix of Tanzanian people and cultures living alongside to each other. A local guide will walk you through the village. Each day is different and you will get an understanding of the daily lives of people living around this area as you walk around. You may visit a Chagga family who brews banana beer or a farmer from Kigoma who makes palm oil press. Alternatively walk towards the Papyrus Lake where you can meet the Rangi people who collect materials from the lake to make baskets and mats. On the way you may meet rice farming and visit Sandawe families who still make traditional bows and arrows for hunting. The Makonde family of artists will expose you to the skills in carving wood which are passed for generations through a family. Late afternoon drive to the Lodge for overnight stay.
Day 12 – LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Early morning breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive, with a picnic lunch in the park. Lake Manyara is tucked beneath the Rift Valley wall, a thin green lush band of forest flanked by the 600m/1968ft sheer high red and brown cliffs of the escarpment and the shores of the soda lake which gives name to the park. Famous for its tree climbing lions, Manyara features nearly 400 different species of bird, red-billed quelea, pelicans, cormorants and thousands of flamingos.
After an early dinner, return to Lake Manyara National Park at 19h30 for a night game drive. This is an adventurous experience in an open safari vehicle, accompanied by an armed ranger. Experience a whole new world of nocturnal animal species and get a different perspective on game driving, tuning into the sounds of the park in the pitch dark whilst star gazing. Head into the thick groundwater forest of Lake Manyara where porcupines, jackals, genets and civet cats are frequent visitors. It is likely you will see many hippos grazing on the side of the road as well as elephants. Heading toward the lake you may be lucky enough to enjoy lions prowling, as at night lions are almost always active. You may even see the elusive leopard. Return to the park gate around 22h30 and back to your lodge for overnight stay.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Instead of the morning game drive, take a 3-hour early morning walk inside Lake Manyara National Park, accompanied by an armed ranger and a walking guide, is a great opportunity to experience game viewing outside of a safari vehicle whilst being active. You will watch animals from a distance, including birds, monkeys, a variety of animals, hippos in the lake, possibly elephants, and occasionally predators. The walk offers more than game viewing; you will learn about animal tracking through understanding different footprints, animal dung and other such signs.
Day 13 – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Drive to Tarangire National Park. Under its unique backdrop of large baobab trees, enjoy the park’s huge herds of elephants. Picnic lunch on route. Enjoy the aerial views of animals gathering at the Tarangire River. Overnight at the lodge
Day 14 – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Early morning breakfast, head out for a full day game drive with picnic lunch on-route. In Tarangire National Park, throughout the dry season, thirsty antelope and elephants trek hundreds of kilometers to drink at the Tarangire River. Late afternoon, drive to your lodge for a second night stay.
Day 15 – ARUSHA
Enjoy your morning exploring Tarangire National Park before driving to Arusha for an overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 – DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Arusha Airport for your onward flights