Expedition Details
A unique family adventure awaits you in Tanzania's game parks. On safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Manyara, spot lions, rhinos, zebras, and elephants. Venture into a Maasai village, meet a local wildlife researcher, examine fossils of some of the earliest humans at Olduvai Gorge, and participate in hands-on activities specially designed for kids.Trip Highlights
- Set out on safari along the shores of Lake Manyara and the rolling Serengeti savanna.
- Visit a Maasai village to get to know tribespeople of all ages and learn about their fascinating way of life.
- Discover incredible wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, a deep caldera sheltering almost 30,000 animals.
- Take a canoe safari in Arusha National Park.
Itinerary - 11 Days
Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Arusha, Tanzania
Depart on an overnight flight to the Kilimanjaro airport via Amsterdam, and arrive in the late evening the next day.
Serena Mountain Village
Day 3 — Arusha/Lake Manyara
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, and set out on our first wildlife safari. Spot the elephants, hippos, giraffes, and tree-climbing lions that make their home on the edge of this Rift Valley lake.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Lake Manyara
On morning and afternoon game drives, watch wildlife interact on the shores of Lake Manyara. Go on an optional village walk or biking excursion after lunch, and and dine at the lodge before an optional night game drive to spot nocturnal animals such as leopards and bush babies.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
Days 5 & 6 — Serengeti
Journey into Serengeti National Park, keeping an eye out for zebra herds and lion prides. The next morning, embark on a game drive or view the plains from above on an optional hot-air balloon safari. Enjoy a talk by a wildlife researcher during lunch, and then head out on an afternoon safari. Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D daily)
Day 7 — Olduvai Gorge/Ngorongoro Crater
Travel to Olduvai Gorge where, on a National Geographic-sponsored expedition in 1960, Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis, one of the earliest humans. Explore the site through a fun, hands-on activity and learn about the fossils found here. This afternoon, a Maasai community welcomes us into their village on a special visit. Later, settle in for the night at our tented camp.
Msigiyo Camp (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Ngorongoro Crater
Descend 2,000 feet to the floor of the crater where volcanic slopes shelter almost 30,000 animals. We may see elephants, rhinos, buffalo, cheetahs, lions, hippos, wildebeests, and much more of East Africa's spectacular wildlife. Later, meet a village chief to learn about and discuss Maasai culture.
Msigiyo Camp (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Ngorongoro Crater/Arusha
Spend the morning on a game drive in the crater. After lunch at the lodge, depart for Arusha. Celebrate your Tanzanian safari adventure at a festive farewell dinner this evening.
Serena Mountain Village (B,L,D)
Days 10 & 11 — Arusha/U.S.
Set off on a canoe safari in Arusha National Park this morning, keeping an eye out for buffalo, giraffes, hippos, and waterbucks. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before taking an evening flight home, arriving the next day.(B)
Optional Extensions
- Selous Game Reserve - Post-Trip Extension, 5 Days
- Zanzibar - Post-Trip Extension, 5 Days
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View LargerNational Geographic Expert
Jeannette Hanby
Jeannette Hanby earned her PhD for behavioural research on Japanese monkeys. She is fascinated by the mechanisms that keep social groups of any species together. She first came to Tanzania in 1974 to study social carnivores, running the Serengeti Lion Project with husband David Bygott. Since then, she has been active in conservation education and interpretive design. She has established a conservation education program for Tanzanian schools, and helped create educational displays in several of the national parks. She has written books on subjects as diverse as lions, kanga fabrics and human origins. She has been guiding educational safaris in East Africa for 30 years.
Jeannette will join the following departure:
Dec 27, 2010 - Jan 06, 2011Expedition Dates 
2011
- Jul 03 - 13, 2011
- Jul 29 - Aug 08, 2011
- Dec 19 - 29, 2011
- Dec 29, 2011 - Jan 08, 2012
indicates a departure that has a slightly different itinerary than the one shown on this page. Click the icon to see the day-to-day itinerary.
Expedition Costs
On the December departures, there is an additional holiday surcharge of $500 per person.
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare between New York and Arusha is $2,200 (subject to change).
