Tanzania is among countries that start with T listed on Countryaah.com. The population of Tanzania is estimated at 40 million. The number of languages and dialects spoken in the country is remarkable: there are 128! The Bantu language Swahili (also Kiswaheli) has established itself as the lingua franca.
Tanzania also includes the Zanzibar archipelago, which is 40 km off the east coast of Africa.
- Day 1: Welcome, Tanzania!
- Day 2: The best Arabica coffee
- Day 3: Hike through the Arusha National Park
- Day 4: By canoe on Lake Duluti
- Day 5: We hike at the Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 6: Off to the Serengeti
- Day 7: To Noah’s Ark of Tanzania – Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 8: Hike to the Olmoti crater
- Day 9: UNESCO World Heritage rock paintings
- Day 10: Giants – Baobabs & Elephants
- Day 11: On foot on the prowl
- Day 12: Goodbye, Tanzania!
Lake Duluti, an idyllic volcanic lake, is located between former colonial coffee plantations. Here we get in canoes to explore the waterfront from the water – a paradise for around 130 species of birds and for reptiles such as monitor lizards. Perhaps we will see colorful kingfishers or fish eagles, and groups of cormorants can often be spotted as the lake is rich in fish. In the afternoon we hike in the savannah with a Maasai guide, he explains to us how his ethnic group uses different plants for daily life as well as for medicinal purposes. Then he leads us to the nearby village of Esilalei, at a respectful distance we get an impression of the living conditions and customs of these semi-nomadic people.
The game drives in the Serengeti, the famous “Big Five” and then crocodiles sunbathing on the sandbanks: We don’t leave out anything that is part of a typical Tanzania trip – except for climbing Kilimanjaro. The descent into the Olmoti crater (3,099 m), the interior of which functions as a huge water reservoir and pastureland for the Maasai herds, gives us a lot to tell about on the journey home. And you don’t stand in front of up to 3,800 year old rock paintings every day and wonder what the oversized headdresses mean or the geometric patterns with which our great great great ancestors filled the human figures.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Welcome Tanzania!
Landing approach to Kilimanjaro Airport. Soon we will be stepping onto African soil. At the airport we are picked up by our driver and brought to the lodge.
The flight is not included in this trip. We will gladly make you an offer!
Driving time: 40 min.
Overnight in Lodge
(B / L / D)
2nd day:
The best arabica coffee
On the slopes of the mighty Mount Meru (4,566 m), the best Arabica coffee, probably Tanzania’s best-known export product, grows. About 95% of the coffee beans planted here grow on private farmland. During our tour we get an insight into the art of coffee growing. From the planting of the trees to the harvesting process and the roasting of the beans, we learn everything worth knowing that makes the heart of the coffee lover beat faster.
Driving time: 15 minutes.
Hike: approx. 4 hours.
Overnight stay in Lodge
(B / L / D)
3rd day:
Hike through the Arusha National Park
Our drive to Arusha National Park at the foot of Mt. Meru takes only a short time. Accompanied by a gamekeeper, we hike or stalk on foot in the national park. The path leads through a fascinating landscape of savannah and mountain forest, with numerous animal observations possible. Often you can see buffalo and giraffes grazing. In the woods, black and white colobus monkeys jump from tree to tree. On the way, a detour to a waterfall worth seeing is possible. The afternoon game drive leads to the Momella Lakes, where flocks of flamingos gather. From the edge of the Ngurdoto crater you can see giraffes, zebras, warthogs, antelopes and, with a little luck, elephants in the crater.
Driving time: 5 hours (+ game drive)
Hike: approx. 2 hours
overnight in lodge
(B / L / D)
4th day:
With the canoe on Lake Duluti
Lake Duluti, an idyllic volcanic lake, is located between former colonial coffee plantations, and the shoreline has been declared a forest reserve. Well over 100 bird species are said to nest here. We explore the shores of the lake by canoe and can spot numerous birds, such as the colorful kingfishers or fish eagles. In the afternoon we hike in the savannah with a Maasai guide and learn how the Maasai use various plants in everyday life and for medicinal purposes. Then we will visit the nearby village of Esilalei. We experience everyday life at a respectful distance. Your guide explains the manners, customs and living conditions of the Maasai. In the evening we continue to the highlands, to Karatu.
Driving time: 2 hours
hike: 2 hours
overnight in lodge
(B / L / D)
5th day:
We hike at the Ngorongoro Crater
Today we go on a hike along the southern edge of the Ngorongoro crater. Breathtaking views of the crater open up again and again – with good binoculars you can see elephants, wildebeest and other game. We sometimes walk on Maasai shepherds’ paths, hike through pathless terrain or along deer crossings. The vegetation is diverse, it partly goes through mountain forest, or over open grass areas. On the way we will see tracks of buffalo and other game. We continue towards Serengeti. On the way there we can observe one or the other animals.
Driving time: 5 hours (+ game drive)
Hike: 2-3 hours
overnight in the tented camp
(B / L / D)
6th day:
Off to the Serengeti
Today we dedicate ourselves entirely to the Serengeti with game drives. The seemingly endless plains of the Serengeti are only interrupted here and there by individual “Kopjes” – from the weathering of smoothly polished granite hills. The vast savannahs are a paradise for grazing animals. On their annual large migration, thousands upon thousands of wildebeest, zebras and antelopes roam this unique ecosystem. Lions and hyenas follow the herds in search of prey. On the game drives in the park, we will very likely see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, ostriches and many other animals, with a lot of luck maybe even cheetahs on the hunt or a leopard who likes to spend the daytime in the branches of a tree. Crocodiles sunbathe on the sandbanks along the rivers,
Driving time: full day game drive overnight in tented camp
(B / L / D)
7th day:
To Noah’s Ark of Tanzania – Ngorongoro Crater
Today’s game drive on the way through the Serengeti leads towards Ngorongoro. In this “Garden of Eden”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, we have a good chance of observing all the famous “Big Five”. In addition to elephants, buffalo, leopards and numerous lions, more than twenty rhinos live in the crater. These share the relatively small area of only 260 km² with countless wildebeest, antelopes, zebras and almost all other known East African animal species.
Driving time: 5 hours (+ game drive)
Overnight in Lodge
(B / L / D)
8th day:
Hike to the Olmoti crater
Today we lace up our hiking boots again – we walk to the Olmoti crater (3,099 m), the interior of which acts as a huge water collector and pastureland for the Maasai herds. We descend into the crater via a steep path with our guide. After crossing it, we reach the spectacular Munge waterfall, which falls over 70 m through a crack in the crater wall.
Driving time: 2 hours.
Hike: 3-4 hours.
Overnight in lodge
(B / L / D)
Day 9:
UNESCO world heritage rock paintings
Today we roll south on the “Great North Road”, the old Cairo-Cape Town route. After a drive through picturesque mountains, we reach the village of Kolo – starting point for a hike to the rock art, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hidden under rock overhangs, a multitude of rock carvings that are up to 3,800 years old can be discovered in the surrounding, previously rarely visited region. Depictions of wild animals such as giraffes, antelopes, elephants and hyenas, human figures with idiosyncratic headdresses and geometric patterns take the viewer back to a bygone era. Then we continue to Tarangire National Park.
Driving time: 6 hours (+ game drive)
Hike: 2 hours
overnight in tented camp
(B / L / D)
10th day:
Giants – Baobabs & Elephants
Today we go to the Tarangire National Park. Huge baobab trees dominate the landscape here and form a spectacular backdrop. The Tarangire River and the swamps in the southern part of the park attract a wide variety of wildlife in the dry season. Especially large herds of elephants, for which the Tarangire is famous, come together here.
Driving time: full day game drive overnight in tented camp
(B / L / D)
11th day:
On foot on the prowl
Our last game drive is coming up. Accompanied by a ranger, we also go on a stalking walk – an impressive experience of nature. In the afternoon we drive back to the African View Lodge.
Driving time: 3 hours (+ game drive)
Hike: 2-3 hours
overnight in lodge
(B / L / D)
12th day:
Goodbye Tanzania!
We experienced sublime nature, observed an incredible animal world and got to know ancient cultures. With these many new impressions, we are starting our journey home to Europe today.
Travel time: 40 min.
(B / – / -)