Serengeti NP

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)

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.