21-Day Tanzanian Odyssey

Trip Overview

This 21-day odyssey kicks off from Dar es Salaam and will immediately put you in “vacation mode” with five full days on the glorious Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar! From there, you will shift gears and head to Lushoto, the gateway to the lovely Usambara Mountains, for two full days of beautiful hiking with a local guide, and cooler temperatures. You then head to Arusha, the starting point of your safari, during which you will visit all but one of Northern Tanzania’s national parks (Kilimanjaro) and also experience a bit of Tanzanian culture with a full day getting to know the Hadzabe Bushmen and Datoga tribe of Lake Eyasi.

DAY 1: Welcome to Tanzania!

Upon arrival at Julius K. Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, you will be met by a Tansafari-Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel, where you can rest from your travels.

DAYS 2 – 6: Dar-es-salaam – Zanzibar

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport for your short flight to Zanzibar. From the moment you step off the plane, you will feel the calm starting to sink in, and your senses will come alive with the perfume of spices in the air. The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the powdery white-sand beaches beckon…You have arrived in paradise!

You will be met by our local Tansafari-Tours representative, who will take you to your beach accommodation and review with you the program for the next several days, which will include a mixture of leisure time and some activities to help you discover the island and its history.

DAY 7: Zanzibar – Dar-es-Salaam – Lushoto

Well rested and sporting a healthy Zanzibari glow, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Dar-es-Salaam. Upon arrival, you will meet your Tansafari-Tours driver-guide and, together, with packed lunches, you will make the approximate 6-hour drive to the quaint old German colonial town of Lushoto.

Lushoto is the gateway to the lovely Usambara Mountains and you will welcome the cooler air here. The mountain range was formed millions of years ago and has remained relatively undisturbed. It is home to an unspoiled tropical forest that is rare in East Africa and of great ecological interest, given its unique flora and fauna that are found nowhere else in the world. You will spend the next two days hiking with a local guide along peaceful trails through the tropical forests and mountains.

DAY 8: Full-day HIKe IN THE Usambara

After a hearty breakfast, you will meet your local guide, who will accompany you on your full-day hike through the forests and mountains. During your hike, you will enjoy stunning views of sweeping hills, mountains, valleys, farmland, and villages, while learning about local culture. You have good chances of seeing black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, chameleons, butterflies, and other interesting insects, as well as endemic bird species, in the tropical forests. Packed lunches will be taken along. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9: FULL-DAY HIKE IN THE USAMBARA

Enjoy another full day of hiking, passing through the villages and historic sites in the area. Late afternoon, return to your lodge for some well-deserved relaxation while watching the gorgeous sunset.

DAY 10: Lushoto – Arusha

After an early breakfast, you will return to your vehicle, packed lunches in hand, and start your trip back to Arusha (a drive of about 5-6 hours). Upon arrival, you will be taken to your accommodation, where you can stretch your legs and relax from your travels.

DAY 11: Arusha National Park

This morning after breakfast, you will depart with your driver-guide to Arusha National Park with packed lunches. Though the park is the second-smallest national park in Tanzania, it is rich in wildlife and beautiful scenery. The park lies in a uniquely majestic setting between two mountains: Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, and Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania and the fifth-highest in Africa. After a great day surrounded by nature, you will return to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and your overnight.

DAY 12: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

This morning, you will head with your driver-guide to Tarangire National Park with packed lunches for a great day of wildlife viewing. There is no better place to enjoy a peaceful authentic safari atmosphere than in Tarangire, famous for its huge elephant herds and towering baobab trees. The park is teeming with wildlife, and you will have good chances of seeing zebras, lesser kudus, elands, generuks, and even lions. The Tarangire River is a magnet and source of water during the dry season, attracting many species during the day, including predators waiting for their prey.

Late afternoon, after a great day in the wild, you will head to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

DAY 13: Full day in Tarangire national park

Today you will enjoy another full day in Tarangire with packed lunches, extending your game viewing to areas not covered yesterday. Return to your accommodation before dark for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: karatu – serengeti national park

Rise and shine! It’s an early start today, with your destination being none other than the world-famous Serengeti! Your route will take you through the beautiful landscapes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, dotted with Maasai villages and cattle.

In the Maasai language, “seringit” means “endless plains,” and you will soon understand why! The Serengeti National Park stretches over 15,000 square kilometers (approximately 5,790 square miles) and is quite simply the most magnificent wildlife sanctuary in the world, unparalleled in natural beauty and wilderness. Arrive at your tented camp before dark for dinner and overnight.

DAY 15: FULL day in the Serengeti

Enjoy a full day of game viewing today in the Serengeti. Your guide will seek out the best game viewing opportunities for you. Return to your accommodation before dark for dinner and overnight.

DAY 16: Full Day in the Serengeti

Set out early this morning for your last full day in this magnificent wildlife habitat. Golden-maned lion prides, leopards, a high density of cheetahs, great herds of buffalos, smaller groups of elephants and giraffes, and thousands upon thousands of elands, topis, kongonis, impalas, and Grant’s gazelles are here for you to find! Return to your accommodation before dark for one more precious night surrounded by the sounds of the bush!

DAY 17: Serengeti – ngorongoro crater

Rise and shine! This morning we will depart early and head straight to Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the Big Five, for the last game viewing of this safari.

Descend the 600 meters (approximately 2,000 feet) to the crater floor for what promises to be an exciting day of wildlife encounters. Explore the forest areas; the lake, and the open savanna where the lions hunt for food. If you’re very lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive black rhino! Packed lunches will be enjoyed near the hippo pool.

Late afternoon, you will head to your accommodation in nearby Karatu for dinner and overnight.

DAY 18: karatu – lake eyasi – KARATU

Today you will enjoy a day of culture with the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes of Lake Eyasi.

One of the last true bushman tribes in Africa, the Hadzabe live very much as they always have, despite Tanzania’s rapid development. With only 2,000 members, the Hadzabe are a fascinating people who offer us a window into Tanzanian life in the past.

You will join the bushmen on a hunt, accompany the Hadzabe women on their search for wild tubers, baobab fruit, and berries, and have a go at using the bow and arrow.

The Datoga, in contrast, are pastoralists, moving from place to place to find good pasture for their animals. They are also blacksmiths and are known for their skill in making arrows, knives, and bracelets.

After a great day of tribal culture, you will visit some nearby onion fields before heading back to your accommodation in Karatu.

DAY 19: KARATU – LAKE MANYARA

After breakfast, you will depart to Lake Manyara National Park for the last game viewing of this safari. Described by the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa,” this small and very beautiful park has a tremendous diversity of habitats. It is also rich in wildlife, with an incredible number of baboons and more than 400 recorded bird species. Two-thirds of the park is taken up by the lake, whose waters are a hippo paradise! The lake’s grassy floodplains are dotted with large herds of buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe. If you are extremely lucky, you might even spot one of Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions!! Late afternoon, you will head to your overnight accommodation for your last night on the safari circuit.

DAY 20: Day at leisure

Today will be a day to relax at your lodge, take a dip in the pool, and enjoy the memories of your safari. You also have the possibility of looking at (and/or purchasing) some handcrafts before your departure tomorrow.