Tanzania - Culture & Wildlife Serengeti Ngorongoro

  Tanzania

• Other Cities in Tanzania: 
Arusha

Dates: Customised for you

Description: Very few people visit real Massai villages. There are many examples of villages where it is quite plainly a show. We can take you to real villages, where our guides come from. George for example is a Massai who has studied at university and he is able to dazzle you with his vast knowledge of birds (quoting Latin and common names), plus all you need to know about the wildlife in general. George was raised near Ngorongoro and he could take you to his parents village, which is off the beaten trail. The other option is a stay at Longido, which is more practical as far as logistics are concerned (it is on the way from Nairobi to the Serengeti). Although Longido is a large village, nearby there are numerous small villages and life goes on as it has done for centuries. As you walk along the trail to these small villages your local guide will point out things, such as snake tracks in the dust, or maybe a bush, whose branches are refreshing when held against hot skin. As far as displays for tourists are concerned, this does not happen at Longido or the small villages nearby. Although part of the Tanzanian Cultural Programme, the emphasis is on provision of facilities, such as guest houses, rather than staged shows. Like most traditional cultures, ceremonies are frequent, but it is luck you need to ensure you get to see one.

Lying in a shallow basin at the foot of the western wall of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara spreads out at the bottom of the sheer, reddy brown cliffs of the rift escarpment. This park is a study in contrasts, with a dry, dusty brown heat haze filling the air, a vivid, green vegetation fringe surrounding the lake, and the shimmering blue water of the lake itself spreading out to the horizon.

Ngorongoro Crater is a World Heritage Site and probably one of the most beautiful areas in the world. However, the crater itself is only 3% of the total area of the conservation area, which covers 8,280 square km. This vast area is littered with recently active volcanoes, towering mountains, undulating plains, rolling sand dunes, forests, rivers, lakes and of course, the world famous Olduvai Gorge archeological site. The actual spelling locally is Oldupai, but the foreigner who made the area known to the world got it wrong.

The Serengeti - not only the largest game park in Africa, it is also home to the greatest concentration of large animals on Earth. However, with only eight permanent lodges/ camps within its 5700 square mile area, one is afforded some of the most exclusive game viewing to be found anywhere.

Highlights: Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Nairobi, Kenya.

Day 2: Arrive at Nairobi Airport and transfer to Longido to discover the Massai Culture. Meet some of the local elders and the warriors on a brief tour of the village. Settle into your room at the guest house. Accommodation is in a basic guest house in the village. 2-3 hours of driving.

Days 3 - 5: Longido ' learn about the Massai Culture. Walk on the slopes of Longido Mountain with a Massai warrior to guide and protect you, whilst you learn about the area's wildlife and the ways of these people. Guest House. No Driving. B, L, D. (camping here is an option at a higher cost than the guest house).

Day 6: From Longido drive to Lake Manyara NP. Overnight near Lake Manyara NP. Overnight - camping. 6 - 7 hours drive. B, L, D.

Day 7: Lake Manyara NP. Relax and enjoy the lakeside and forest. Wildlife watching in the cooler parts of the day. Overnight - camping. B, L, D.

Day 8: From Lake Manyara drive to Ngorongoro Crater and spend the afternoon on safari inside the crater. Overnight - camping. B, L, D.

Days 9 ' 12 Serengeti National Park Travel to the southern Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge and observe the wildlife. At this time of year (July) the wildebeest and other large animals such as the zebra are still migrating to ensure they get enough food, it is a marvelous spectacle. Animal viewing drives during the early morning and late afternoon on all 3 days. On the third day you drive southwards through the Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Overnight - camping. B, L, D.

Days 13 - 15: Ngorongoro Crater. 3 days on safari or if you wish, some gentle trekking along the rim of this ancient volcano. Overnight - camping. B, L, D.

Day 16: After breakfast return to Arusha for the afternoon private coach to Nairobi. Mid price hotel.

Day 17: Fly home, subject to flight schedule.The price is based on budget camping with all facilities and full service (no chores to be done by you).

Cost in US$: From USD 1975

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Tanzania Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Nepal Kingdom Foundation & Muirs Tours's Mission Statement: The Nepal Kingdom Foundation was established in 1982 to develop community spirit and preserve the culture and traditions of the Nepalese people in the UK. In 1999 the objectives were extended to include development projects in Nepal to help the needy of one of the world's poorest countries. The not-for-profit tour operation - Muirs Tours was set up in July 1999 by the Nepal Kingdom Foundation as a means of raising funds for use in projects in Nepal and the Nepalese Community in the UK. From the outset Muirs Tours planned to provide trips to other places outside of Nepal and support to other charities. It currently supports the WWF, the John Muir Trust, Tourism Concern, Survival International, the Tibetan Government in exile, the American Indian Heritage Foundation as well as the Nepal Kingdom Foundation.

Year Founded: 1982 & 1999