Ngorongoro CA

Boating and canoeing through the rivers, ocean bays and waterways of Tanzania can be an exhilarating experience. River boating can take you past sleeping crocodiles and hippos sunning themselves with their mouths wide open, gathered in halfsubmerged herds.

Taking to the water is also a welcome break from the all-day enclosure of a traditional vehicle safari, allowing visitors to experience the sights and sounds of Africa’s waterways up-close and unhindered. On Tanzania’s large freshwater lakes, boats are a popular means of transport and offer visitors the chance to see life in and around the waters — the fishermen bringing in their catch, the bustling colours of the lake shore
towns and the sharp movements of small fish in shallow waters. On the Indian Ocean coast, boating takes visitors deep into the fish-filled waters of the Pemba Channel, and through the hundreds of islets strewn across the Zanzibar Archipelago and Mafia Island. Along the coast, boating offers visitors a chance to travel the way the Swahili people do — by wooden dhow sailboats, the wind slowly filling the boat’s sails, the smell of the surf and the swell of ocean waves drifting over the horizon.

Boating safaris are fast becoming a popular alternative for safari-goers adventurous enough to venture off the beaten track. Water-safaris are on offer as a break from longer game-viewing and give visitors the opportunity to get out in the open and see tremendous amounts of bird-life and water species up close. At present, boating safaris for game-viewing are only permitted in the Selous Game Reserve, where the Rufiji River, the Great Ruaha River, and numerous lakes give visitors a choice of many expeditions to choose from. Despite the proximity of crocodiles and hippos during water safaris, the expeditions are extremely safe and the animals react with puzzled curiosity to the sight of boats on water!

Canoeing excursions in Tanzania are an active option for visitors with a few days to spend exploring the northern lakes. Adventure excursions on the soda-coloured shores of Lake Manyara involve canoeing past thousands of pink flamingos in the shallow waters. In Arusha National Park, the freshwater crater lakes of the Momela Lakes make a spectacular canoeing trip, with the forests, highland games, and the imposing crater of Mt. Meru looming nearby. Canoeing excursions allow visitors to get out and explore their surroundings, getting exercised in some of the most beautiful locations in the country.

Boating on the Tanzanian coast, whether on the mainland’s quiet bays or the palmspotted islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, is a fun-filled adventure for visitors who want to experience the vibrant underwater life of the Swahili Coast. Day trips to small deserted islands, swimming off sandbars at low-tide, sailing to nearby reefs, or even just tacking back and forth across the bay are all pleasurable options for visitors who want to experience life on the Indian Ocean, and get another view of life on the Swahili Coast.

Arusha, situated in the northern region of Tanzania, holds the title of the country’s safari capital. this city rests on a plateau within the Great Rift Valley. Nestled amidst iconic natural wonders such as the Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is a prime destination for nature enthusiasts.

While Dar es Salaam may be larger, Arusha attracts more tourists as it serves as the gateway to the northern safari circuit, leading to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Arusha National Park. Arusha, a charming town shadowed by Mount Meru and offering captivating views of Mount Kilimanjaro, is a starting point for adventures into the renowned parks of northern Tanzania.

Tour Duration: 3-7 hours

Tour Type: Walking Only

Arusha City Tour (5-6 hours):
Explore the beauty of Arusha city, beginning at the Clock Tower (the midpoint between Cairo, Egypt, and Johannesburg, South Africa). Take a leisurely walk to the Maasai Market, continuing to the Arusha Declaration monument and museum. Visit the central market to discover various African spices, vegetables, and fruits. Explore the Arusha City bus terminal
before driving to the Cultural Heritage Centre for shopping. Optionally, visit the Snake Park and Maasai boma at the same location, enjoying diverse exhibits of snakes, birds, crocodiles, and tortoises. Conclude the tour by returning to your hotel.

Tour Inclusions:

• Car, guide fee, entrance fee
• Walking and driving
• Shopping time
• Customization options available
• Mineral water during the tour

Tour Exclusions:

• Lunch or dinner in town (optional with additional charges, payable directly)

Embark on a captivating half-day walking tour guided by a local expert, exploring the enchanting realms of waterfalls and coffee. Commencing from your Moshi hotel, the journey unfolds with a visit to a coffee plantation, providing insights into the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of coffee. Engage in the art of roasting, crafting, and savoring coffee while immersing yourself in the rich culture of the indigenous Chagga tribe.

Optional:
The itinerary also features a trek to Materuni Waterfalls, standing at approximately 90 meters, making it the tallest and most spectacular waterfall nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Don’t forget to pack your swimwear for a refreshing swim and an opportunity to explore the lush surroundings. The tour package covers lunch and entry fees, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience.

Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing comprising a large number of interconnected baffled cells. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.

Despite not using an engine, paraglider flights can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometers, though flights of one to two hours and covering some tens of kilometers are more the norm. By skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand meters.

Tanzania, boasting a rich tapestry of over 120 distinct tribes, offers a wealth of local history and vibrancy throughout its diverse regions.

The people of Tanzania are renowned for their warmth and openness, making them among the most welcoming on the planet. With a myriad of unique cultures eager to be shared, leaving behind the confines of a 4X4 vehicle to wander through picturesque local villages becomes a rewarding experience. This journey through some of Africa’s greatest cultural landscapes, such as the lush tropical slopes of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro, introduces visitors to the Waarusha, Wameru, or Wachagga guides proudly narrating tales of their meticulously tended ‘shambas’—boasting coffee, bananas, fruits, vegetables, and dairy cow farming. Meanwhile, the iconic Maasai graciously share their age-old pastoralist heritage. Take the time to encounter the friendly faces of Africa and delve into their ways of life.

“Cultural Tourism is beneficial to everyone… tourists gain unforgettable and unique experiences, while local communities generate income, elevating their standard of living.”

Various local communities independently manage cultural programs, welcoming visitors into their homes and directly contributing to the local economy. This not only allows tourists from around the world to embrace Tanzania’s cultural diversity but also provides local residents in rural areas the chance to forge sustainable livelihoods. Guided by locals who were born and raised in the area, discover the intricate steps involved in growing, picking, drying, roasting, pounding, and brewing fresh aromatic coffee. Engage personally in the process before savoring the taste and carrying home a truly personalized pocket of Tanzanian coffee. In the pastoral landscapes of the North and Lake Zone, trace the footsteps of the Sukuma, Iraqw, Barbaiq, and Maasai to explore nearly forgotten traditions deeply intertwined with nature and wildlife. Follow the rhythmic drumbeats as Ndali and Matengo dancers in Southern Tanzania interpret inherited music and performances. Indulge in local cuisine with its culinary variations, including Ugali, Mlenda, Machalari, Makande, Matoke, tasty Pilau, Nyamachoma, and sample some of the finest local wines and beers. Spend time with local Mamas, learning to cook a wide range of African cuisines and creating authentic handcrafts.

Cultural tours can be brief half-day excursions or extended stays for a couple of days immersed in local villages and towns. Depending on your time and interests, opt for a boat ride down a river, row on one of the many lakes, or listen to hair-raising legendary tales. Paddle between mangroves, sail with fishermen to the pristine sandy islands of the Indian Ocean, Lake Nyasa, and Lake Victoria. Encounter the “Hadza” hunter-gatherer communities in Lake Eyasi and Yaeda valleys, or spend part of your holiday with the amicable inhabitants of Tanzania’s “Switzerland” while hiking through the Usambara Mountains. Marvel at ancient irrigation systems and today’s craftsmanship, listen to a traditional healer’s diagnostic methods, and acquire the correct remedial prescriptions.

One of the most thrilling experiences you can have here is a game drive safari. Picture yourself cruising through the vast and breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti or the majestic plains of the Ngorongoro Crater in a specially designed safari vehicle, guided by a knowledgeable and experienced local guide.

During your game drive, you'll have the chance to encounter the iconic Big Five – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceroses – along with a plethora of other fascinating wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, and wildebeests. Your guide will use their expertise to track down these incredible creatures, sharing insights into their behavior, habitats, and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Whether it's the early morning light casting a golden glow over the savannah or the magical hues of sunset painting the sky, each moment of your game drive is filled with anticipation and wonder. Be prepared for close encounters with nature's most awe-inspiring creations, all while immersed in the sights, sounds, and scents of the African wilderness.

These are other trips.