12 Day Wildlife Photography & Cultural Experience

In the morning, we will explore the vibrant city of Arusha, visiting local markets, museums, and cultural heritage sites. This day will provide ample opportunities to capture the local lifestyle and architecture.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Sianga's home village, Kiserian. This special visit will give us a unique opportunity to experience the authentic lifestyle of the Maasai people as we experience their daily activities, traditional attire, and rituals.

Accommodation: Esidai Savannah View Camp

Esidai Savannah View Camp is an off-the-beaten-track Maasai cultural experience camp, offering you an authentic Maasai experience unlike any other. Built with the aim of creating employment for the local Maasai people, it represents Encircle East Africa Travel’s commitment to giving back to the community.

In Kiserian, we will stay on a small hill where we can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Meru, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Ketumbaine, and Mt. Longido. Unlike our other accommodations, our village stay will be in basic tented accommodations, ensuring a genuine connection with the Maasai way of life. We prioritize cleanliness and simplicity, complemented by delicious meals prepared by our cook.

Today, we embark on a hike to local water pools with a Maasai guide. The full walk is 9 km round trip. For those who prefer, you may opt for a shorter Maasai walk including birds and medicinal plant - 5 km round trip. Capture the landscape and learn about the flora and fauna.

Some of the highlights during your walks include birdwatching experience, where you’ll encounter a rich array of bird species like hornbills, doves, starlings, drongos, and francolins. You may also spot weavers, sunbirds, barbets, superb, and striking rollers. You may also spot weavers, sunbirds, barbets, pigeons, Ashy starlings, and the striking lilac-breast rollers. Additionally, keep an eye out for ground hornbills, herons, geese, and kingfishers. With such diversity, Kiserian offers an ideal setting to experience East Africa’s vibrant birdlife up close.

Enjoy a traditional performance and BBQ buffet in the evening.

Accommodation: Esidai Savannah View Camp

We’ll begin the day with a morning visit to a local Maasai school, later, we’ll enjoy lunch before heading back to Arusha. As we journey back, keep an eye out for wildlife along the way—you may spot elegant gerenuk gazelle, giraffes, Grant’s gazelles, impalas, and a variety of other antelopes in the scenic landscapes

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Arusha (Breakfast included)

Following breakfast, we will drive to Tarangire National Park. Situated in Northern Tanzania, Tarangire is distinguished by its hilly terrain and the Tarangire River, which provides a critical water source, especially during the dry season. The park’s vegetation is primarily savanna with iconic baobab trees, mixed acacia woodlands, and seasonal swamps. The baobabs and dense bush create excellent cover for various animals. Tarangire is famous for its large elephant herds. Other wildlife includes lions, leopards, giraffes, and buffalo. The park is a bird-watching hotspot, with over 500 species recorded, including yellow-collared lovebirds and rufous-tailed weavers.

Continue on to Karatu for the evening, en route to the iconic Serengeti. Karatu is a vibrant, bustling town and the gateway to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Though dusty, it’s utterly charming, with a lively main street that’s wide and bustling. Locals in brightly colored attire fill the street, chatting, laughing, and going about their daily routines, adding a delightful energy to the town’s atmosphere.

Accommodation: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

The adventure continues with the next four days dedicated to exploring the vast and iconic Serengeti Plain, spanning an impressive 14,763 km² of land. We will immerse ourselves in the endless beauty of the landscape, with more morning and afternoon game drives.

The Serengeti is known for its flat, open grasslands interspersed with rocky outcroppings, or “kopjes” which you may recognise from scenes in The Lion King.Acacia trees are common in woodland sections, providing shelter and hunting grounds for predators. The park is renowned for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move seasonally across the plains. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are frequently spotted here. Other notable animals include

hyenas, elephants, and giraffes, along with bird species like the Secretary bird, ostriches, and vultures. We might even catch a glimpse of the more elusive cats, such as caracal, serval, or African wildcat.

We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the Serengeti. The afternoon is dedicated to further wildlife exploration and discovering the Serengeti's rich landscapes. As the day concludes, drive back to our lodge for a well-deserved dinner and a peaceful

overnight stay, surrounded by the enchanting sounds of the wilderness.

Accommodation: Heritage Camps and Lodges (Central Serengeti)

Early in the morning, embark on an exhilarating journey to track the renowned wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti.

We will do game drives in the savanna both in the morning and late afternoon, spotting diverse wildlife like wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala, eland, and topi. Witness majestic local resident elephants and giraffes. There will be an option to take an exhilarating hot air balloon ride to gain a unique perspective of the Serengeti’s iconic annual migration from above.

On Day 8, continue exploring the northern Serengeti near the Mara River, seeking out the thrilling river crossing action. We will enjoy a relaxing picnic with breathtaking views or return to our camp for a leisurely lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation: Heritage Camps and Lodges (Northern Serengeti) 2 nights

After breakfast, we will drive back to central Serengeti, continuing our exploration and immersing ourselves in the rich landscapes. We’ll seek out wildlife and appreciate the unique ecosystems along the way. As the day concludes, arrive at our lodge for a dinner and a restful overnight stay.

Accommodation: Heritage Camps and Lodges (Central Serengeti)

Today we will farewell the plains of the Serengeti and head to the equally enthralling Ngorongoro Crater. First we will make a stop at Olduvai Gorge, often called the "Cradle of Mankind”, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. Located within the Great Rift Valley between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, this site provides a unique glimpse into early human history.

From there we will enter the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

and the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, formed around 2 to 3 million years ago. The crater floor covers 260 square kilometers, surrounded by steep, lush walls that create a contained habitat. Within the crater, the landscape includes open grasslands, swamps, and woodlands.

This ecosystem is rich in biodiversity, home to black rhinos, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and lions. Notably, this is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhino. Flamingos gather at Lake Magadi, located within the crater, along with other bird species like crowned cranes and Kori bustards.

Delight in our picnic lunches at Nkoitoktok picnic site beside hippos rolling in mud pools, before embarking on a drive to Karatu.

Accommodation: Bougainvillea Safari Lodge

Following breakfast, we will drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara National Park lies at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, offering a diverse landscape that includes lake shores, groundwater forests, and open grasslands. The park’s environment varies from evergreen forests near the lake, acacia woodlands, and grassy floodplains. The alkaline Lake Manyara itself attracts large numbers of birds. Known for its tree-climbing lions and large populations of baboons, the park also hosts hippos, elephants, and buffalo. Birdlife is abundant, especially flamingos, pelicans, and storks, which flock to the lake.

After a picnic lunch we will embark on a scenic drive to Arusha, where you can reflect on the incredible experiences of your safari journey and join us for a farewell party.

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Arusha

In the morning, delve into the charm of Arusha town by exploring its vibrant offerings. We will have the opportunity to browse the Maasai Market, where you can find unique gifts to bring the spirit of Tanzania to your home.

Later transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, marking the end of your African safari adventure. Safe travel!