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Discover the best of Tanzania in just seven days on this incredible family adventure. Visit Maasai villages and set out across the vast plains of the Serengeti in search of lions and elephants. Travel through some of East Africa’s most iconic landscapes in custom-built 4WD safari vehicles, tracking iconic wildlife on thrilling game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Along the way, share stories with local communities and learn traditional cooking techniques alongside local women as you uncover a side of Tanzania that goes beyond the traditional safari experience.
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Sarah
Petra
CharlotteKaribu! Welcome to Tanzania. Your adventure begins in Arusha – your gateway to the incredible national parks of Tanzania. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Natural History Museum or head to the Ngaramtoni Market to shop for handicrafts. Join your fellow families for a 5 pm welcome meeting at your hotel, then if you like, head out to dinner to kick off the exciting adventure ahead.
Today, you and your family will start the day with some local Mamas (the name for female artisans in Tanzania). Learn to prepare traditional Tanzanian dishes, learn a few simple words in Swahili, and enjoy the fruits of your labour for breakfast. After, head to Rhotia and enjoy a free afternoon. If you’re up for more adventure, you can visit a Hadzabe community near Lake Eyasi – this area has been their home for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Learn how this community still lives the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and how they use locally made poisons and camouflage. Maybe even join in on daily activities, like gathering food and dancing. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use.
Today, you’ll explore the iconic Ngorongoro – a gigantic volcanic crater home to some 30,000 animals including endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing all year round and is a perfect photo opportunity. This morning, you’ll set off in your open-top 4WD safari vehicles and head into the crater itself for a couple hours where the kids (and adults!) can enjoy spotting the animals. After lots of excitement and a break for lunch, it’s off to the Serengeti.
Start the day with an early-morning safari drive, when the wildlife is at its most active. As you explore the vast plains, keep an eye out for lions, elephants, cheetahs and other favourites straight out of The Lion King. After your safari, return to camp for a leisurely brunch and spend the hottest part of the day relaxing, just as the animals do. In the late afternoon, head back into the park for another drive as the sun begins to set, offering another chance to spot wildlife before returning to camp for dinner. For an unforgettable family experience, you may choose to take the family on a sunrise hot air balloon safari. If pre-booked, you'll be collected before dawn and driven to the launch site, where you'll receive a safety briefing before taking to the skies. As the sun rises, drift silently above the savannah, sometimes floating at treetop level and other times soaring high above the plains for breathtaking views of the landscape and the wildlife below. After landing, enjoy a five-star bush breakfast before returning to camp.
Set out on another safari drive this morning through Serengeti National Park before returning to Karatu in the afternoon. It’s the final chance to be on the lookout for any wildlife you haven’t seen yet and capture some potentially treasured family photos. Back at camp in the afternoon, maybe kick back and relax at the lodge swimming pool. Later, join your group a dinner of local African cuisine in the family-friendly restaurant.
After breakfast, take a short drive to Mto Wa Mbu. When you arrive, join the local community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming areas, milling machine and local homes. Learn about their culture and way of life, then sit down to a traditional meal. Continue to Arusha in the afternoon, where you’ll have some free time when you arrive.
Your trip finishes today after breakfast and there are no further activities planned. If you’re able to spend longer in Arusha, you can arrange another activity or two ahead of time with your leader. Maybe visit a local coffee farm to learn about Tanzania’s coffee production process and taste some freshly prepared coffee with the local community. Or paddle on Lake Duluti with an experienced guide, watching out for aquatic birds and lizards. If you’re hoping to spot more freely roaming wildlife, maybe head out on an Arusha National Park walking safari in the shadow of Mt Meru.
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
1. FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you. 2. MINIMUM AGE: The minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old unless otherwise approved by Intrepid. 3. CHILD PRICE: Children aged 17 years and under at time of travel on this trip, are eligible to receive 20% off the full price. 4. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A single supplement is available for adults wishing to have a private room/tent to themselves. The single supplement applies to all nights and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. Below are some ideas and helpful tips on what you specifically need for this trip. ESSENTIALS: - Closed in shoes. As most of our trips include some bush walking we highly recommend that you take a pair of comfortable, closed-in walking shoes. Closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grass-lands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings from dangerous animals in this environment. - Lightweight clothing. You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing, some warm items for the evenings, and long shirts and pants for protection against the sun and mosquitoes in the malaria areas. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry. Avoid materials that are heavy, tough to dry, non-breathable, and retain heat or moisture, such as nylon, polyester, and denim. Instead, opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking synthetics designed for hot weather. Ex-military or military-style clothing and equipment are NOT recommended. - Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses RECOMMENDED: - A good quality, high-beam headlamp or torch for around the lodges and permanent tented sites at night. Some of these properties have limited lighting and are powered by generators that switch off at a certain time. - Waterproof/windproof jacket is a good idea for wet days, and early morning or evening activities when it can be cool. - Warm fleece and beanie for morning and evening activities including game drives where applicable. - Personal medical kit. Large kits will be on hand at the lodges and from your group leader or local representative (on trips that have a dedicated group leader or local representative ) but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes and bandaids. - Insect repellent. - Water bottle. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments. - Camera with spare battery or power bank. - Binoculars OPTIONAL: - Ear plugs to guard against a snoring room-mate. - A good book, journal, music, podcasts, etc. for the long drives. LUGGAGE LIMIT: Please keep your luggage to a minimum. One small soft-sided bag plus a day pack (no more than 15-20kgs in total per person) is essential.We recommend against bringing hard/externally framed suitcases as they are difficult to store and can damage equipment and other travellers' belongings. If your trip is beginning and ending at the same location, excess luggage can usually be stored at your arrival/departure hotel and can be collected after your trip. VALUABLES: Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, and use your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary. BATTERIES/POWER: Our trips have access to power to recharge batteries for phones and cameras every couple of days. We always recommend that you carry an extra battery or powerbank just in case. CONSERVATIVE DRESS FOR WOMEN: In many parts of Africa women travelers should dress modestly as there is a wide range of cultural differences. Wear skirts or shorts that reach just above the knee and tops that cover shoulders at a minimum. If visiting coastal areas wear a cover-up when you step off the beaches.
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