Explore Tanzania's wilderness on this cultural walking Safari off the beaten track. Highlights are Tarangire National Park, the Empakaai and Olmoti Craters, the sole active volcano of Tanzania Oldonyo Lengai and the Lake Natron with its huge populations of flamingos and a beautiful waterfall. While exploring the wilderness on game drives by car and by foot, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet different ethnical groups, and you will be fascinated by their knowledge of the nature and traditional way of life. See map.
We overnight on Safari in tents on campgrounds, on Zanzibar in middle class hotels.

This itinerary starts at Kilimanjaro Airport, JRO, and ends on Zanzibar airport.

Day 1: After meet and greet at Kilimanjaro Airport at Arusha, transfer to the Oasis Lodge, where you have the day for leisure. We'll meet for an introductory briefing to clear last details of your Safari starting tomorrow. Dinner.
Day 2: After breakfast we head to Tarangire National Park, where we reach around noon. We pitch our tents at a campsite in a remote area of the park. First impressions of an african landscape we get on an afternoon walk close to the park border.
Day 3 & 4: Half day and full day Walking Safaris guided by an armed ranger, or game drives in the park. The park owns a rich bird life, depending on season you can see elephants, zebras, wildebeest and even lions. A visit to Tarangire, whatever the season, is full of experience.
Day 5: today we leave for Ngorongoro Crater, where we reach for lunch time. After a picknick lunch we descend to the crater floor by car, for an afternoon game drive. A game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater is one the most impressing Safari tours you can do in Africa. At evening we camp at a campsite at the crater rim.
Day 6
Early morning departure to Olmoti Crater for a half day walk. Often we meet Maasai herders on our trek to the water falls of the crater.
At afternoon we proceed to our base camp at Empakaai Crater (special campsite).
Day 7: The views along the trail downwards to the crater soda lake of Empakaai are spectacular at every point. You are guided by an armed ranger.
You might see buffaloes or bushbucks, blue monkeys and many birds. It is a joy to walk around the lake shore,
experiencing the serenity and quiet beauty of this wild spot. Surrounding the lake you will reach springs, where you often see lots of wildlife. In the lake there are many flamingoes. Overnight at the special campsite, Empakaai. 4-5 hrs, depending on how far you want to go.
Day 8: From Empakaai we are starting the Walking Safari to Lake Natron. We descend the outer hills of the Great Rift Valley, walk through the open plains of the Embulbul depression, passing the village Naiobi, where you have the great opportunity to meet the local Maasais. Then we head to our campsite at
Acacia. Ol Doinyo Lengai and Mount Meru are seen along the way. Donkeys carry our luggage. Overnight at the campsite Acacia (simple campsite without facilities). 6-7-hours walking, 15kms.
Day 9: We proceed to Oldonyo Lengai the sole active volcano of Tanzania, the "holy mountain" of the Maasai. The trail leads down the Rift Valley escarpment, and it quite steep. After 5-6 hours of walking we reach the foot of the impressive mountain. Here you can decide if you want to camp at the Chini Ya Mlima campsite, or want to proceed to the Engaresero campsite, which is much more comfortable (showers!) and less hot. We can also pick you up by our car at the mountain, and drive you to the Engaresero campsite. (10-12 hrs walking, 20 kms for the whole walk)
Day 10: Around midnight we start to climb the mountain (to avoid the heat of the sun). After the steep climb we reach the top at sunrise at 2450 m height. From here we have great views of the surrounding landscape, Lake Natron, Mount Meru and even Mount Kilimanjaro. The crater itself offers an unique spectacle. You can descend in the crater floor, everywhere it is bubbling and steaming, small volcanos inside the crater produce streams of molten lava. It takes 5-6hrs to reach the top, for the sunrise. Another 3-4hrs to descend. It is very steep, so it is quite a tough climb! After the climb we will pick you up and bring you to the Engaresero campsite.
Day 11: Trek to the Ngare Sero River, who flows in the Lake Natron. In contrast to the surrounding dry landscape, here you can find a small paradise. After a strenuous walk up the stream, we reach the source of the river, in cascading waterfalls the river gushes out of the mountain. Overnight at the Overnight at the Engaresero campsite. .
Day 12: This day you'll experience the culture and traditions of the local Masaai at Lake Natron. Your local guide will show you a Masai Boma and explain you the way the Masaai live, later on a traditional meal will be prepared. A goat will be slaughtered and roasted!

In the evening we will bring you to Lake Natron, to see nestling flamingoes. Overnight at the Engaresero campsite.

Day 13: Drive back to Arusha, where we arrive in the afternoon. Overnight and relaxation at the Oasis Lodge. Dinner.
Day 14: In the morning departure to your flight to Zanzibar. On Zanzibar you can choose among the following beach hotels: Hakuna Majiwe Lodge. Transfer and overnight at the hotel. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15 - 18:Relax and enjoy the endless beaches of Zanzibar while staying at your beach hotel. There is a wide range of water sport activities you can do, like snorkeling, scuba diving, boat trips and more. Breakfast and Dinner
Day 19: After breakfast transfer to the Dhow Palace in Stonetown. On the way we will do the famous Spice Tour: We have developed a special Spice Tour with in depth information not only about spices, but also organically grown herbs and a detailed description about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking. After the tour we invite for an opulent lunch at our guides' home, where you can taste the spices and fruits. Dinner in the Dhow Palace.
Day 20: Today we will show you Stone Town on our Historical Stone Town Tour. This tour takes you through fabled Stone Town, where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People's Palace), Dr Livingston's House and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar's bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques! Overnight Dhow Palace, breakfast and dinner.
Day 21: departure to airport for your flight back home or extension of your holidays.

the program can be shortened to a two weeks cultural walking adventure. Just ask us!

Please note that we only organise private Safaris, only you and your travel partner(s) will be on the transfers, tours and the Safari vehicle! And we can organise that tour for you for any date!