Tanzania - Serengeti Ngorongoro Safari Plus Massai Culture

As most tourists prefer to concentrate on the wildlife, very few people visit real Maasai villages. There are many examples of villages where it is quite plainly a show set up for the tourists. Muir's Tours will take you to real villages. George, our top guide was raised near Ngorongoro and he could take you to his parents village, which is off the beaten trail.

George - our top guide is a local Massai who has a degree and he will dazzle you with his vast knowledge of birds (quoting Latin and common names), plus all you need to know about the wildlife in general.

The guide makes the difference - see our Client Feedback

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.

The guest house at Longido is quite basic and it is only suitable for fairly hardy travellers. There are plenty of options for camping in the area with your safari guide, if you are unsure about how you will cope at the guest house.

If you are active spend some time walking around the plains beneath Longido Mountain or walk to the summit, learning from your Massai guide as you go.

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.

Outline Itinerary Ask for a personal quotation

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. D.

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. B.

Day 17: Fly home, subject to flight schedule.

The price is based on standard camping with all facilities and full service (no chores to be done by you).

Dates: to suit you on a private basis.

Price Indication per person: Ask for a personal quotation

If 2 people in your party – GBP1717 / USD2920

If 3 people in your group – GBP1323 / USD2250

If 4 people in your group – GBP1103 / USD1875

What is included
All transfers, except in Nairobi. Accommodation in mid standard hotels and camping with all meals as shown in the itinerary by the code B,L,D. Park entrance fees, vehicle, driver/guide and activities listed above. All services at the community village.

What is not included
Flights to / from Africa. Personal insurance, visa fees, vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all alcoholic / canned / bottled drinks. Tips (we will give you some guidance). Taxi fares in Nairobi. Meals unless specified above by the code B, L, D.

Visa
A visa is required for both Kenya and Tanzania ($60 + $70).

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. For UK clients we recommend the policies of the British Mountaineering Council, for their expertise in evacuation from remote areas worldwide. Details at www.thebmc.co.uk As Insurance is always provided by a company based in your home country, we are unable to suggest suitable insurance companies unless you reside in the UK.