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Go where eternal plains stretch as far as the eye can see.
Time seems to stand still in the wilds of Tanzania, yet every day on this small group Safari Tour is thrilling and new. Experience the best of this beguiling country, from untamed Tarangire to glimmering Lake Manyara, and the legendary Serengeti to the “Garden of Eden” at Ngorongoro Crater.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
8 lunches
10 dinners with beer or wine
4 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights
Shanga River House
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Maasai boma visit
Anti-poaching talk
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day 2: Arrival in Kilimanjaro & transfer to Arusha
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Tanzania! Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport and make your way to Arusha, where you’ll enjoy an included dinner.
Tarangire National Park 2 nights
Day 3: Tarangire National Park via the Shanga Foundation
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, stop at the Shanga Foundation. This organization provides local people with disabilities the opportunity to work and develop new skills, such as using recycled materials to produce crafts that can be sold.
Then, discover Tarangire National Park, one of the best-kept secrets in Tanzania.
Enjoy included lunch
Set out on a game drive
Roam along landscapes that vary from dry scrub to lush swamp
Search for leopards and lions on the hunt for prey like kudu, eland, and gerenuk
Tonight, sit down with your fellow travelers to enjoy a welcome dinner with drinks.
Day 4: Tarangire National Park game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin and end your day on thrilling game drives through Tarangire National Park.
On a morning game drive, marvel at one of Africa’s largest herds of elephants, and keep watch for over 500 bird species
Enjoy an included picnic lunch
Spot predators on the prowl on an afternoon game drive
Visit a community school to meet local teachers and students
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Manyara Region1 night
Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park via Maasai boma & anti-poaching talk
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Immerse yourself in the Maasai way of life with the help of a local guide and journey through Lake Manyara National Park.
Tour an authentic boma and discover the history and heritage behind the Maasai tribe
Travel through the Manyara region’s acacia woodland and the Great Rift Valley
Enjoy an included lunch at your lodge
Spy a stunning variety of wildlife, such as giraffes, zebras, hippos, and perhaps even tree-climbing lions on a game drive
Glimpse Lake Manyara and its incredible swath of flamingos
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
This evening, meet a local anti-poaching expert from the African Wildlife Foundation.
Hear how locals and park rangers work together to protect the wildlife
Learn about the anti-poaching efforts in East Africa, with a special focus on capacity-building in boma communities where poaching is most prevalent
Ask the expert questions while chatting
Hear about how communities and organizations collaborate to train new rangers, avoid human-wildlife conflict, and identify poaching threats
Serengeti National Park3 nights
Day 6: Transfer to Serengeti National Park & game drive
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive through the scenic savanna to Serengeti National Park.
Enjoy an included lunch at your lodge
Head out on a game drive to watch the dramatic dance of predator and prey
Keep watch for all of the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffalo, and rhino
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 7: Moru Kopjes game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your exploration of the Serengeti’s endless plains on two game drives.
Look for the exceedingly rare black rhino on your morning game drive
Feast on an included lunch in the open air of the Serengeti
Embark on an afternoon game drive to see the Moru Kopjes, stunning granite formations rising out of the plains
View ancient Maasai cave art
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 8: Simba Kopjes & Seronera Valley game drives
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set off into the Simba Kopjes area of Serengeti National Park for a morning game drive.
Try to spot bohor reedbucks, flamingos, Grant's gazelles, and bat-eared foxes
Soak in views of the vast African plains
Enjoy an included lunch at your lodge before heading out on an afternoon game drive.
Explore one of the Serengeti’s richest ecosystems, the Seronera Valley
Stay on the lookout for lions, cheetahs, and leopards
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Ngorongoro Region2 nights
Day 9: Ngorongoro Region via Olduvai Gorge & Iraqw village
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Make several stops as you travel to the Ngorongoro region today.
Visit the famed Olduvai Gorge, known as the “Cradle of Mankind”
Learn about the 1.25-million-year-old fossils that were found here
Discover how the fossils provided insight into human evolution
Savor a scenic picnic lunch at your lodge in the Ngorongoro region
Stop at an Iraqw village to learn about local communities and culture
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater game drive
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pay a visit to one of the most spellbinding sights in all of Africa: Ngorongoro Crater.
Descend 1,000 feet into Ngorongoro Crater, an intact caldera covering over 100 square miles
Survey the local wildlife on a game drive, catching sight of one of the world’s densest populations of lions
Enjoy a picnic lunch near the region’s gorgeous flora and fauna
Back at the lodge, sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 11: Departure
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Drive from Ngorongoro to the Kilimanjaro region, where you’ll relax in a dayroom.
Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner before transferring to Kilimanjaro Airport for your overnight flight home or continue your adventure in Zanzibar.
Arrive Home
Day 12: Travel day
Arrive home today.
Extension to Zanzibar
Off the eastern coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar sit as one of Africa's most beautiful island destinations. Extend your adventure with a local expert to step inside the Sultan's Palace and visit a natural coral lagoon that's home to endangered sea turtles—those are just two ways you'll tap into the local culture, but you get the idea.
Stone Town3 nights
Day 11: Transfer to Kilimanjaro & flight to Stone Town
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive from Ngorongoro to the Kilimanjaro region via Arusha.
Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during a dinner before transferring to Kilimanjaro Airport for your evening flight to Stone Town, located on the island of Zanzibar.
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Stone Town
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend a free morning in Stone Town or add an excursion.
Join a local guide this afternoon for a sightseeing tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO-recognized area of Zanzibar City.
Walk through a local fruit and vegetable market
Learn about the enslaved East African people who were forced into the Middle Eastern slave trade during a visit to Christ Church, which was built on the site of a former slave market
Enter the Sultan’s Palace to learn more about the island’s interesting history
Step inside the House of Wonders, which was designed by Second Sultan of Zanzibar Barghash bin Said
See the colonial mansions, stroll along the narrow alleyways, and visit the Livingstone House
Enter the Old Fort of Zanzibar, a military fortification that’s also the oldest building in Stone Town
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Swahili Cooking Class & Lunch
From $79 per person
Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Nungwi Village
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Head to the northern tip of the island to visit Ngunwi village, which is known for the pristine white-sand beaches.
See how local fisherman make their boats from scratch
Visit the Mnarani Natural Aquarium, a coral lagoon that’s home to a variety of endangered sea turtles and fish
Enjoy a Swahili-style lunch in the village before heading back to Stone Town
Spend free time in Stone Town or add an excursion.
Dhow Sunset Cruise & Dinner
From $105 per person
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 14: Departure
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy an included lunch in Stone Town this afternoon. Then, head to the airport and fly to Dar es Salaam where you’ll board your flight home.
Please note: Depending on the flight schedule, lunch may take place in Dar es Salaam.
We truly enjoyed the three nights we spent at Embalakai Camp and hope it is part of the tour the next time we come to Tanzania. George was a great guide; soft spoken, knowledgeable, and fun to be around. We have always experienced both the Big 5 and the Ugly 5. Sometimes the vehicles are forced to s...
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5.0 star rating
2/8/23 by 1st-time traveler John
5.0 star rating
9/7/22 by 1st-time traveler Sibylla
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Four Points by Sheraton Arusha
This stylish hotel is located in the heart of Arusha just outside of the Arusha National Park. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and beau...
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Tarangire Sopa Lodge
This lodge-style hotel is located in Tarangire. Guests enjoy a gymnasium, swimming pool, and outdoor dining. Nearby, you'll find Tarangire National Pa...
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Manyara Kilima Moja Lodge
This luxury hotel is nested on the rim of the African Rift Valley. Guests enjoy a pool, a fine dining restaurant, and lounges. Nearby, you’ll find Ngo...
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Embalakai Authentic Camps
This luxury tent campsite is located in the Serengeti. Guests enjoy the on-site restaurant, bar, and sun terrace for admiring the scenery and keeping ...
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Karatu Country Lodge
This rustic hotel is located in Tanzania’s green belt district in the highlands. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and sprawling gardens of tropical flo...
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Tembo House Hotel
This beachfront hotel is located in Zanzibar City. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, private beach area, and uniquely designed rooms. Nearby you'll find ...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Tanzania, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Tanzania. While it is possible to obtain a visa at the border, we strongly recommend purchasing your visa in advance as wait times upon arrival can exceed 2 hours. You can purchase an electronic visa on the Tanzanian Electronic Visa Portal website. You may also submit a request for a paper visa by visiting your local embassy or purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral. You will need to have your visa receipt with you upon arrival in Tanzania.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TWS.
You will walk less than 1 hour daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
This tour also includes long bumpy rides in safari vehicles. You should feel comfortable stepping up and down to get in and out of the vehicles, standing for long periods of time, and maintaining your balance while the vehicle is parked and in motion.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Kilimanjaro Airport (or from Dar es Salaam on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
During your game drives, you’ll travel in a specially equipped 4x4 safari land cruiser. The vehicle is open, allowing for panoramic views. Window seats are guaranteed for all travelers. Transfers between parks are long and cross bumpy terrain, so we recommend bringing a small pillow to ease the ride.
A flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to Stone Town, Zanzibar and a flight from Stone Town, Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania are included in the price of the tour extension.
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on safari vehicles.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Safari luggage restrictions are strict and strongly enforced. It’s essential that your luggage meet the following requirements:* A soft, flexible duffel bag (absolutely no hard suitcases or bags with hard sides are permitted)
Your bags can be no larger than 34” W x 17” H x 15” L
The total weight cannot exceed 44 pounds (including your camera equipment and carry-on bag)
Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and a warmer layer may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings.
Wear muted colors for game drives, as bright clothing may scare animals away and blue or black clothing attracts tsetse flies.
Comfortable closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for walking during the day.
We recommended bringing a cushion or pillow to be comfortable in the safari vehicles during long transfers.
Pack a swimsuit as many of the hotels have pools that you are free to use at your leisure.
Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
Occasional rain showers are common during certain seasons, so lightweight rainwear may be necessary depending on the timing of your trip.
Mosquito repellent, binoculars, and a flashlight are highly recommended.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
The Tanzanian government has a strict ban on plastic bags. As of June 1, 2019, it is illegal to use, sell, or carry plastic bags anywhere in the country under the new law, and violators will face charges including high fines or imprisonment. Please bring reusable cloth bags if you plan to go shopping on tour, and do not pack any plastic bags, including small resealable bags.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Local governments may require proof of a yellow fever vaccination (often referred to as a yellow card) or a statement of medical exemption from the vaccine. This is only required of travelers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission (Please note: This does not include the U.S. or Canada). Visit cdc.gov/yellowfever for more information.
Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
Travelers should be prepared for exposure to the elements including intense heat, sun, and rain.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TWS.
Spicy foods are common in Tanzania, and many dishes are infused with coconut milk. Meals consist of maize, tender grilled meats, maize porridge, and local vegetables. Most restaurants offer curries and other South Asian cuisine brought over by the many Indian immigrants.
Tanzania operates on 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Not all of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Power outages are common. In some of the camps, power is turned off in the late afternoon as well as in the early morning.
Please note, travelers cannot export more than $5,000 in Tanzanian shillings from Tanzania.
We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible as well as small amounts of U.S. dollars (only crisp bills printed in 2004 or later).
Major North American credit cards are accepted but can be difficult to use in remote locations (Visa is the most widely accepted).
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your driver/guide a gratuity in USD. We recommend tipping $8USD to $10USD per person per day.
If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.
Gratuities for baggage handling are included in the price of your tour.
You can also expect to be solicited for tips from the hospitality and restaurant staff that you encounter. Leaving as little as $1USD is greatly appreciated, although tipping is entirely at your discretion.
Your guide for this tour will be different than a typical Tour Director. You will be met by a representative from Go AheadTours upon arrival and will then meet your guide the morning of your first full day on tour. He or she will act as both your tour guide and driver for the duration of your tour.
You will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, such as wood carvings and textiles, at outdoor markets and roadside stalls. Some lodges will have boutiques on the premises as well.
Prices at most markets are negotiable, so don't be afraid to bargain—it's a great way to strike up a conversation with a local.
Many Africans are fond of North American goods, and travelers often bring token items (such as T-shirts, baseball caps, pens, English-language books, small toys, and crayons for children) to offer as gifts or when bartering for souvenirs.
When visiting the local school, it is customary to bring small gifts, school supplies, or donations.
Offering local children candy or gum is somewhat controversial because of the potential lack of access to dental care.
Go Ahead Tours strongly recommends that you don’t bring any goods that will require batteries or chargers.
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