Tanzania Family Journey: A Serengeti Safari

8 days
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Small Group Tour
Adventure is calling from the wild African savanna! Head out on safari in Tanzania’s world-renowned national parks and conservation areas to see huge herds of wildebeests and zebras; playful elephants; and cunning hunters such as lions, cheetahs and Nile crocodiles. From Arusha to Mto wa Mbu, taste bananas fresh from the farm, learn about traditional crafts a...
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$5,226
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Meet a local artist in the tanzanian village of mto wa mbu where you’ll get a hands-on lesson in traditional art techniques and materials before creating your own artwork made of banana leaves
    • Head out on the serengeti plain for a safari adventure in search of the “big 5"
    • Take in the spectacular views as you walk along the rim of the massive ngorongoro crater and meet a local artist who will guide you in painting a canvas inspired by your adventure
    • Visit a maasai village and join forces with clean cookstove project- an initiative to reduce household air pollution and help install a new stove in a village boma

What's this trip about?

    Adventure is calling from the wild African savanna! Head out on safari in Tanzania’s world-renowned national parks and conservation areas to see huge herds of wildebeests and zebras; playful elephants; and cunning hunters such as lions, cheetahs and Nile crocodiles. From Arusha to Mto wa Mbu, taste bananas fresh from the farm, learn about traditional crafts and hear how locals are working to protect the cultures and creatures of their remarkable homeland.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityArusha
End CityArusha

Destinations

  • Africa

Attractions

  • Arusha
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Olduvai Gorge
  • Serengeti National Park

Trip includes

    • Your G for Good Moment: Mto wa Mbu Village Visit and Lunch
    • Mto wa MbuYour G for Good Moment: Clean Cookstove Project Visit
    • Mto wa MbuYour Family Journeys Moment: Mto wa Mbu Painting and Crafts
    • Mto wa MbuYour Family Journeys Moment: Ngorongoro Rim Walk & Painting
    • Ngorongoro Crater
    • Arrival transfer
    • Wildlife safari drives in Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park
    • Entrance to Olduvai Gorge Museum and Visitors Centre
    • Coffee plantation tour
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arusha

Arrive in time to meet your fellow travelers for a welcome gathering this evening. Your arrival transfer is included.

Our National Geographic Family Journeys tour in Tanzania has a maximum group size of eighteen travellers in addition to our highly trained CEOs ...

Day 2 Arusha/Mto wa Mbu

Duck under the giant leaves of banana trees as you explore the lush farmlands surrounding the vibrant village of Mto wa Mbu, which has attracted some 18,000 residents from 120 different tribes. Take a guided walk through the village, learning about local history, indu...

Day 3 Mto wa Mbu/Serengeti National Park

It’s officially time for safari, but first an introduction to the remarkable anthropological history of the Serengeti area. Delve into the story of human origins at the Olduvai Gorge Museum and Visitor's Center, located near the site where National Geographic archaeol...

Day 4 Serengeti National Park

Today, get to know the incredible creatures of the Serengeti as you set out on morning and afternoon wildlife-viewing adventures. Ride in a 4x4 over golden plains, gazing out from the pop-up roof to glimpse wildlife through binoculars or watch as animals walk right by...

Day 5 Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro Crater

On a morning safari, look out for cackling jackals, brave honey badgers or long-necked ostriches strutting through the grass. Enjoy a picnic breakfast surrounded by the vast savanna before heading out of the Serengeti en route to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Once...

Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater

Set out into the Ngorongoro Crater, an enormous volcanic caldera where animals of all kinds gather to graze or hunt. Descend into the caldera for a full-day safari drive, ready to be mesmerized by zebra stripes and the eland’s spiral horns. Spot buffalo, wildebeests, zebras and gazelles as they bound across the grass. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way within the crater.

Day 7 Ngorongoro Crater/Arusha

Your day begins with a visit to a local coffee farm, where you’ll learn about the “seed to cup” coffee making process. After watching the beans roast, you’ll get to sample some of the freshly made coffee. After you enjoy lunch at the farm, take a walk through the pict...

Day 8 Arusha

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,249
Price per day$531
Last Updated: 5/6/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
23 Jun 2024
30 Jun 2024
$4,249
3 spots left
14 Jul 2024
21 Jul 2024
$5,349
Sold Out
28 Jul 2024
04 Aug 2024
$5,349
Sold Out
11 Aug 2024
18 Aug 2024
$5,349
10 spots left
18 Aug 2024
25 Aug 2024
$5,349
Sold Out
13 Oct 2024
20 Oct 2024
$4,999
18 spots left
15 Dec 2024
22 Dec 2024
$5,349
18 spots left
22 Dec 2024
29 Dec 2024
$5,349
9 spots left
29 Dec 2024
05 Jan 2025
$5,349
18 spots left
16 Mar 2025
23 Mar 2025
$4,999
18 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with G Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering the planet's most awe-inspiring selection of affordable small-group tours, safaris and expeditions. Our award-winning trips embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport to put travellers on a first-name basis with the planet’s people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Safari lodge (5 nts), comfortable tented camp (2 nts),Start and end hotels on this tour offer comfortable accommodations with en-suite bathrooms, standard facilities, and wifi. Additional amenities vary from location to location. Please see the hotel listings on the full Itinerary if you would like to learn more about the offerings of your accommodations. The tented camp accommodations on this tour are situated centrally, with easy access to the park for wildlife safari drives. Tents are typically spacious with mosquito-proof netting, comfortable bedding, and en-suite bathroom with flushing toilets and camping showers. Please remember that hotel/lodge/camp standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel. Rooming is based on double occupancy (2 passengers / 2 beds per room); all other room configurations are on request and cannot be guaranteed. We will try to accommodate triples/quad requests whenever possible and it's important to note that rooming configuration can change from city to city and 2 single beds are the standard configuration in a room. Note: 1) Under certain circumstances we reserve the right to change accommodation and provide something slightly different to what is described, though it will always be of similar or better standard/level. 2) Most lodges and camps do not have 24hr electricity - they usually run on generators which are routinely shut off overnight from approximately 10pm to 5am. 3) Lodges and camps are NOT equipped with fans or air conditioning due to the electricity constraints listed above. 4) Winter nights (June to September) can be cold, and most lodges and hotels do not have insulation or central heating. If you require additional blankets or a hot water bottle, these can be requested through your CEO or at the reception.

Transportation & Flights

7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, walking,This trip is run in private 7-seat 4x4 safari vehicles, with sliding windows and a large pop-up roofs, designed for wildlife viewing. There is a maximum of six passengers per vehicle, and we will use up to 3 vehicles for our larger group sizes. Road conditions can run the full range of conditions from new to very poor, and during dry seasons, the roads can become very dusty. This style of travel is the best under the local circumstances, as the seats are comfortable and having our own private vehicle allow us the flexibility of making stops when needed, and to stay and watch that crouching lion prepare for an attack. Speed governors set to 80kph are used on all vehicles to ensure a safe driving speed. Please note for your own safety it is mandatory to wear your seat belt at all times when in a vehicle. All G Adventure vehicles are regularly serviced and follow a strict maintenance schedule. However given the long travel days and rough conditions of many of the roads in Africa, vehicles can and do breakdown on occasion. If such situations occur all drivers are trained mechanics and any vehicle issues are rectified as quickly as possible so as to not disrupt your trip. Your patience is requested if the vehicle you are traveling in happens to encounter a mechanical fault.

Transportation & flights

7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, walking This trip is run in private 7-seat 4x4 safari vehicles, with sliding windows and a large pop-up roofs, designed for wildlife viewing. There is a maximum of six passengers per vehicle, and we will use up to 3 vehicles for our larger group sizes. Road conditions can run the full range of conditions from new to very poor, and during dry seasons, the roads can become very dusty. This style of travel is the best under the local circumstances, as the seats are comfortable and having our own private vehicle allow us the flexibility of making stops when needed, and to stay and watch that crouching lion prepare for an attack. Speed governors set to 80kph are used on all vehicles to ensure a safe driving speed. Please note for your own safety it is mandatory to wear your seat belt at all times when in a vehicle. All G Adventure vehicles are regularly serviced and follow a strict maintenance schedule. However given the long travel days and rough conditions of many of the roads in Africa, vehicles can and do breakdown on occasion. If such situations occur all drivers are trained mechanics and any vehicle issues are rectified as quickly as possible so as to not disrupt your trip. Your patience is requested if the vehicle you are traveling in happens to encounter a mechanical fault.
Guides
2 CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) throughout, certified driver/guides
Requirements
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.,We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Odd number adult travellers in your family will be paired in twin accommodation with another adult traveller of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Visa requirements
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements. Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here Tanzania: Border crossing from Malawi into Tanzania is via the Songwe Border Post and from Tanzania into Kenya through Namanga Border Post. Tanzania Host information for the online Visa application for travellers: 1) Host – G Adventures 2) Full Name - G Adventures 3) Email – experience@gadventures.com 4) Relationship – Tour Operator 5) Mobile No - +255 754 400 141 6) Company Name / Organisation registration No - G Adventures 7) Physical Address: P.O.Box 1912, Boma Road, Arusha IMPORTANT NOTE: It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country. Please check in with your local consulate and health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area. Information is accurate as of March 1st, 2024.
Health & Safety
We recommend you contact your family physician, or your local travel clinic for the most up-to-date health information at least one month before departure. Travellers should also carry a basic first-aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes on their travels. Medical facilities are basic throughout these countries. For your own safety, we strongly recommend that you advise your tour leader of any medical condition that may affect you while travelling with the group. Your tour leader will be able to inform you of local health advisories (e.g. drinking water quality). Please ensure you have all the inoculations recommended by your doctor. Yellow Fever Certificate Note: (Updated: May 2023) It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever Certificate if you are travelling to the following G Adventures-visited countries from a Yellow Fever endemic country: - Botswana - Ethiopia - Kenya - Madagascar - Malawi - Mozambique - Rwanda - South Africa - Swaziland - Uganda - Zambia - Zimbabwe For some of these countries, proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is also required for passengers who have travelled more than 12 hours through the airport of an endemic country. If other countries not endemic to Yellow Fever have been visited after visiting an endemic country, then a Yellow Fever certificate may still be required on entry. Please check country-specific regulations before your departure. Malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is present in some regions in Africa. Risk of malaria can increase during periods of heavy rain, during the rainy seasons, and in densely populated areas of Southern & East Africa. To prevent malaria, we recommend speaking to your doctor about taking preventative medication (prophylaxis), combined with regular use of insect repellent spray/cream. Please check updated travel health advisories specific to malaria before your departure. Arusha -People are generally friendly in Arusha, but don’t let people take advantage of you -Always leave your passport (It’s better to carry a photocopy of it instead), traveller’s cheques, flight tickets and money that you won’t be using in the safe deposit in your hotel room/reception. This is free of charge to G Adventures clients. -Remember that like in any other city, you should never leave your bags unattended, nor flaunt jewellery, cameras etc -Please don’t wander through the city at night. Stick to the main streets only during the day, and after sundown, please take a taxi. Taxis can be organised from reception of your hotel. Also, take the address of the hotel with you. -Beware of people approaching you on the street with an apparent interest of where you are from, and want to sit down and have a chat with you. These people are con men and will ask you for money. -People on the street who ask you if you want a safari and have a brochure are often con men, best to avoid these folk. Besides, you’re already on safari! Photography Please refrain from taking photos of police stations, airports, bus stations, immigration are border crossings, army barracks and personnel, or any government building. It is against the law and will result in the minimum of your film and camera being confiscated.
Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information

Important Notes

1. All parents/guardians are required to supervise their children at all times throughout the tour and may not leave their child under the supervision of the CEO, local guides, drivers, etc. Children are not to be left unattended.  2. MIGRATION Tanzania and Kenya The Seronera Plains, which lie in the southeast of the Serengeti National Park and extend into the western Ngorongoro Conservation Area, form the main ungulate calving grounds of the Serengeti. The wildebeest typically disperse into the Seronera plains during the short rains, which fall in late November or early December, before calving in January, and staying put until the end of the long rains from January to early May. Towards the end of April the wildebeest start to congregate on the southern plains in the preparation for the 800km northward migration. The major obstacle faced by the wildebeest on this migration is the crossing for the Grumeti River through the western corridor, which typically occurs from June into early July. From July to October, the ungulates disperse again, with about half of them cross the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve and the remainder spreading out through the northern and western Serengeti. By late October the animals have generally started to plod back southward to the Seronera Plains, to arrive there in late November when the cycle starts all over again. 3. DRIVES This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, as long drives and poor road conditions are the rule as opposed to the exception in Tanzania. A safari is about travelling to see animals, so we cover long distances crossing the country to visit different national parks. Once there, we spend the majority of the time viewing wildlife from the safari vehicles while driving in the parks. This translates to a lot of driving and sitting. Despite this, the diversity and scenery of the African landscape, the local culture and abundant wildlife are all well worth the experience. 4. ELECTRICITY All lodges and camps will have electricity although many work off solar, or generators with limited times. The power supply in Tanzania is nominally 240VAC, 50hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected. 5. YELLOW FEVER It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country visited. Please check in with your local health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area. 6. ACCOMMODATION Please note all accommodation listed below is not guaranteed, but is indicative of the types of accommodation used. 7. FAMILY INSURANCE Options for family travel insurance are available. Please enquire with your Family Trip Specialist for more information. 8. Please note that on all Family Adventures one adult can only accompany up to two minors. If you have over two minors planning on travelling then a second adult will be required to attend.

Meals

Eating is a big part of traveling and we encourage you to experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Its important to remember, that food may be different from what you are used to at home and that some things may not be available in other countries. Some meals are included in the trip price, while others are not, to allow flexibility and choice to you and your family. For non-included meals our CEOs will still make arrangements for the group to eat together, which allows you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and approximate budget (per person) for meals not included. Throughout this trip, breakfast is included daily (ranging from continental to buffet depending on the trip). Drinking water is available throughout (don't forget your refillable water bottle as you will have access to either filtered water from hotels or as made available by the CEO). Healthy, local snacks will also be available. Note that any special meal requirements or dietary restrictions need to be specified at time of booking.

Dossier Disclaimer

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Trip ID
gadventure-25166

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