Compare Tanzania’s Wild Side: Walking Discoveries & Game Drives by Road Scholar vs Tanzania Cultural and Wildlife Experience by Lights on Africa Safaris

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrive to Kilimanjaro Airport, Transfer to Hotel
West Kilimanjaro House of West Kili
Activity note: The drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to the hotel in western Kilimanjaro is approximately 19 miles; about 1/2 hour.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: Upon arriving at the lodge, we will check in and get our room assignments. Our Group Leader will be on hand to provide assistance as needed. The rest of the evening will be at leisure so we can get a good night's rest in preparation for the day ahead.

Day 3
Orientation, Women's Cooperative, Cultural Interaction
West Kilimanjaro B,L,D House of West Kili
Breakfast: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water.

Morning: Orientation: 8:00 a.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions at the hotel. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Meals on our program feature local and international cuisine. In many cases, they will be plated and served set meals; in others, we will have buffets with multiple options. Beverages include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase. The transportation used throughout our program for transfers and game drives will be provided by four-wheel drive safari vans with pop-tops. Driving distances and times noted in your program itinerary are estimates. Actual driving times might vary depending on local traffic, road conditions and weather. Periods in the schedule labeled “Free Time” and “At Leisure” offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Following our orientation, we will learn about Tanzania's history, economy and people during a presentation given by a local expert. Next, we'll board our safari vehicles and depart for a rural cooperative situated on the western foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This cooperative, founded in 1993, is run and maintained by local women. We'll have the opportunity to meet members of this group and learn about their stingless bee project and other self-help projects conducted by the cooperative.

Lunch: At the village, picnic-style lunch featuring traditional cuisine.

Afternoon: We'll transfer back to the lodge in the the mid afternoon where our Group Leader will brief us on next day's activities before giving us some time to rest or enjoy the lodge facilities.

Dinner: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Walking in Kilimanjaro National Park
West Kilimanjaro B,L,D House of West Kili
Activity note: Hiking about 4-5 hours for ascent; trail steepens gradually as it reaches a zone of heather moorlands, several stream crossings (step on stones to avoid water); 2-3 hours downhill return; elevation ranges from 8,700 feet at trail head to about 11,500 ft at Shira Camp. Bring backpack to carry water, box lunch, sunscreen and other essentials; trekking pole suggested.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will transfer to Kilimanjaro National Park, traveling on unpaved roads through pine forests and scenic rural areas until we make a stop at the park's Londorossi Gate to present our documentation and then drive uphill on dirt roads for approximately 1/2 an hour to reach the trail head. From the trail head, we will hike up, crossing moorlands and streams, until sloping gently downward to Shira Camp where we will stop for lunch.

Lunch: Box lunch in Kilimanjaro National Park.

Afternoon: Backtracking, we will walk back downhill the way we came to the trail head where we began our trek. After boarding our vehicles we will drive back to our lodge. Once at the lodge, we will take part in a briefing of the next day's activities before enjoying some time to relax.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 5
Arusha National Park, Lake Duluti
Arusha B,L,D Lake Duluti Lodge
Activity note: Walking about 2 hours at a leisurely pace in Arusha National Park; unpaved trails over mostly flat terrain; some uneven, rocky stretches and potentially muddy areas (near to the waterfall) should be expected.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Setting out from the lodge, we'll transfer to Arusha National Park for a morning game drive. Arusha National Park can never compete with the sheer size of the extensive wildlife areas at Serengeti and Selous, but it shouldn't be ignored. Within its borders it is possible to experience a variety of habitats and areas of geological interest such as lakes, swamps, montane forest, marshes, volcanic craters and wooded savanna in a relatively short amount of time. Mt. Meru (14,980 ft)--the country's second highest peak--stands majestically within the northwestern sector of the park.

Lunch: At the park, we'll have a picnic style lunch.

Afternoon: Next, we will accompany an armed park ranger on a nature walk in the foothills of Mt. Meru. Our explorations will take us through open grasslands where we hope to observe warthogs, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and a variety of birds. In wooded areas of the park, we will be on the lookout for blue monkeys and black and white colobus monkeys. After our walk, we'll transfer back to the lodge and have a briefing of the next day's activities before accompanying our Group Leader on a leisurely walk from the lodge's main house to Lake Duluti via the property's coffee plantation. When we return to the lodge, we'll learn about the Rift Valley and Tanzania's geology during a presentation given by our Study Leader.

Dinner: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 6
Morning Walk, Local Market, Shanga Beads Project
Tarangire National Park B,L,D Tarangire Osupuko Lodge
Activity note: Before breakfast, we'll work up an appetite with a leisurely walk on lodge grounds accompanied by our Group Leader. The drive from Arusha to Tarangire is approximately 91 miles; about 2.5 hours.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: After checking out we'll board our vehicles and begin our transfer to Tarangire. Before we get well on our way, we'll make a stop at the Arusha-Kilombero local market and experience the local lifestyle. Next, we will visit Shanga Beads--an inspirational artisan group--for a presentation led by members of the project. Shanga Beads produces beautiful and unique jewelry out of recycled materials. The talented artisans who create the one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces are physically handicapped and would generally be unable to find work in Tanzania. Proceeds from the business go toward teaching and employing more physically challenged artisans.

Lunch: At a local restaurant, plus coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: We'll then complete our transfer to our lodge in Tarangire where we'll check in, get settled into our rooms, and enjoy a couple of hours to relax before joining our Group Leader for an informative presentation about elephants in preparation for our up and coming explorations in Tarangire National Park.

Dinner: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7
Walk at Tarangire National Park, Game Drive
Tarangire National Park B,L,D Tarangire Osupuko Lodge
Activity note: Walking about 6 miles in Tarangire; can take between 2-4 hours; game trails on mostly flat ground. We will be accompanied by an armed park ranger.

Breakfast: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water.

Morning: An armed park ranger will meet us at our lodge and escort us on a nature walk through Tarangire National Park. The Tarangire River snakes through the national park that bears its name. Wildlife travel long distances; drawn to the area's only permanent river. The 1,096 square miles of protected lands are home to a large variety of game such as wildebeests, elephants, zebras, gazelles, elands, gerenuks, lions and leopards. Extensive grasslands, dusted with the occasional acacia or baobab tree, provide the optimum conditions for viewing wild animals. Bird lovers will not be disappointed either--there are more than 500 avian species found at this park including Yellow-collared Lovebirds, Rufous-tailed Weavers, Ashy Starlings, Stocking-thighed Ostriches, and Kori Bustards. We will return to our lodge in time for lunch.

Lunch: At the camp, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: After some time to rest and enjoy lodge amenities we will board our safari vehicles in the mid-afternoon for a game drive in Tarangire National Park. As the sun makes its way towards the horizon and temperatures begin to cool off, we hope to get good views of local wildlife as the animals become more active. We'll then transfer back to the lodge.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

Day 8
Drive to Lake Eyasi, Mto wa Mbu Village, Meet Bushmen
Lake Eyasi B,L,D Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge
Activity note: Before breakfast, we'll have early morning coffee, tea, hot chocolate in preparation for out transfer to a local Maasai village to observe as members of the community go about their morning rituals. We'll then transfer back to the lodge for breakfast.

Breakfast: After returning to the lodge from your first activity, enjoy breakfast plus coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We'll then check out and transfer to Lake Eyasi with an en route stop at Mto wa Mbu Village. As our Group Leader escorts us through the village, we'll be able to observe the way of life in this rural community.

Lunch: In the village, we'll enjoy lunch prepared by a local family accompanied by an explanation of the different culinary delights and how they are made.

Afternoon: Continuing our transfer to Lake Eyasi, we expect to arrive at our accommodations in the mid-afternoon when we will check in and get settled into our tents. As the day comes to a close, we'll transfer to a bushman community to learn how they relax at the end of the day before returning to the camp.

Dinner: At the camp, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 9
Hadzabe Bushmen Community, Transfer to Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro BR,D Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Morning: We'll have early morning coffee, tea, and hot chocolate before our transfer from the camp early this morning to visit with local Hadzabe bushmen. A local expert will serve as an interpreter while we interact with members of the community to learn about their culture and witness their daily rituals including building a fire and preparing arrows for hunting game. The Hadzabe bushmen live in the area around Lake Eyasi in Tanzania’s eastern Rift Valley. Their unique language is composed of clicks, similar to the languages of the Khoisan peoples of South Africa. Despite constant pressures from the outside world, they have managed to keep to the simple, yet challenging, way of life of their ancestors. They are one of the few remaining hunter-gatherer societies left in Africa living off what berries, roots, honey, and tubers they can forage and any game they are able to kill. Men hunt with bows and poisoned arrows and the meat is shared with the whole community. With so little material possessions to worry about, the Hadzabe easily pick up and move their homes depending on the seasons and where the food is more plentiful. During the dry season they dwell in simple huts, but once the heavy rains arrive they move into the shelter of local caves. After our field trip we'll return to the camp.

Brunch: At the camp, we'll have a nice meal, plus coffee, tea, water.

Afternoon: After check-out, we'll transfer to the Ngorongoro area and, once we arrive at the lodge, we'll check in and settle into our rooms, followed by some time to rest and relax.

Dinner: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 10
Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater, Crater Rim Walk
Ngorongoro B,L,D Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
Activity note: We'll board our vehicles early this morning in order to begin our first game drive of the day in the Serengeti. Walking along the Ngorongoro Crater rim for approximately 2 hours; undulating terrain through forest and grasslands while accompanied by our Group Leader and an armed park ranger.

Breakfast: Early morning coffee, tea, hot chocolate in preparation for our first activities of the day. Later during our game drive, we'll have a picnic-style breakfast at the crater.

Morning: Ngorongoro Crater is the star attraction in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area (5,152 sq miles); a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The massive volcanic crater occupies an area of approximately 186.41 sq miles and is 1,968 feet deep. Vast grasslands cover most of the crater floor and provide ample grazing for resident zebras, gazelles, wildebeest, elephants, warthogs and rhinos. With such a large number of prey species contained within the crater, it is not surprising that Ngorongoro is also home to a dense population of lions. Return to the hotel.

Lunch: At the lodge, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: We'll have a couple of hours to rest and enjoy the lodge amenities before setting out for our walk along the Ngorongoro Crater rim beginning in the mid-afternoon with a transfer to the designated starting point. From there, we will walk for approximately two hours in forest and grassland habitats around the edge of the caldera. The views are quite spectacular and worth the walk! We'll then transfer back to the lodge.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 11
Walks at Olduvai Gorge, Transfer to Serengeti, Game Drive
Serengeti B,L,D Semipermanent Tented Camp - Central Serengeti
Activity note: Drive from Ngorongoro to Olduvai Gorge is approximately 28 miles; about 1 hour. Drive from Olduvai Gorge to Seregenti is approximately 95 miles; about 2.5 hours. Walk to the Leaky Camp will take approximately 3 hours; uphill on dry, rocky terrain.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: After check-out we'll transfer to Olduvai Gorge and museum. After escorting us through the museum, the museum curator will accompany us on a walk to the Leaky camp. In the early 1930's, archaeologists Louis & Mary Leakey began excavating at Olduvai Gorge in the hopes of finding clues to the origin of mankind. Their discovery of primitive tools and, later, fossilized hominid remains (Australopithecus boisei; Homo habilis) helped lay the foundation for present day theories on human evolution.

Lunch: At Olduvai Gorge, we'll have a picnic-style lunch.

Afternoon: We'll then board our vehicles and begin our transfer to the Serengeti. An en route stop at the nearby dunes of Shifting Sands will introduce us to a place of spiritual significance to the Maasai. The black, crescent shaped dunes at Shifting Sands are composed of volcanic ash that is rich in iron. As its name implies, the dunes are frequently in motion—slithering in a snake-like fashion, eastwards across the barren plain. This movement is caused by the persistent force of wind coming mostly from one direction. Continuing on the way to our Serengeti camp, we will take the opportunity to do some game viewing. Upon our late-afternoon arrival at the camp, we'll check in and have a briefing of the next day's activities.

Dinner: At the camp, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages generally available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12
Game Drives at Serengeti National Park
Serengeti B,L,D Semipermanent Tented Camp - Central Serengeti
Activity note: We'll board our vehicles early this morning in order to begin our first game drive of the day in the Serengeti.

Breakfast: During our game drive in the Serengeti, we'll have a picnic-style breakfast.

Morning: After finishing up our game drive out in the field we'll return to the camp.

Lunch: At the camp, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages generally available for purchase.

Afternoon: We'll enjoy some rest and relax at the camp before heading out for our mid-afternoon game drive to explore more of the Serengeti before returning to camp.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13
Walk & Game Drive at Serengeti National Park
Serengeti B,L,D Semipermanent Tented Camp - Central Serengeti
Activity note: Bush walk at a slow pace expected to take about 3-4 hours; irregular terrain through grasslands, potentially dusty or muddy conditions.

Breakfast: Early at the camp.

Morning: From our camp, we'll embark on a walking safari in the Serengeti accompanied by our Group Leader and an armed ranger. Bush walks offer a completely new safari experience to that of standard game drives. Being outside on foot makes it possible to be at eye level with wildlife and more in tune with our surroundings. Our heightened senses will make us more sensitive to the smells, sounds, textures and colors of our environment. Small details such as hoof prints, animal dung, vegetation, insects and more-easily overlooked during a game drive—will reveal tantalizing bits of information that will help us to better understand this complex habitat. We'll then return to the camp.

Lunch: At the camp.

Afternoon: We'll have some time to rest and relax at the camp before boarding our safari vehicles in the mid-afternoon for a game drive in the plains. Afterwards, we'll return to the camp.

Dinner: At the camp, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Day 14
Game Drive, Fly to Arusha, Program Concludes
Arusha B,L Lake Duluti Lodge
Activity note: Serengeti to Arusha flight takes approximately 1.5 hours. Hotel dayroom only check-out is by 6:00 p.m.; no overnight accommodations are included on this day. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation from Last Location.

Breakfast: At the camp.

Morning: After checking out of our camp, we will enjoy one final game drive in the Serengeti as we make our way to the local airstrip. We'll then board a short flight to Arusha. Upon arrival, we'll board our safari vehicles and transfer to a local family's home in time for lunch.

Lunch: At a local family's home, we'll be treated to a delicious home cooked meal.

Afternoon: Continuing, we'll transfer to a lodge and check in for the day. Enjoy some time to rest, finish packing luggage, or freshen up before transferring to the airport. We will have a light snack at the hotel before checking out and departing.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: We'll then transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport and check-in for flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 15
In Transit from Program
In Flight

Day 1: Arrive to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport

Arrive in Arusha. Meet and greet then Transfer from arrival point to your Hotel for overnight.

Accommodation: Kibo Palace Hotel/Similar- https://kibopalacehotel.com/

Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire

Overnight at your lodge (BLD)

Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge/Similar- https://sangaiwe.com/

You depart Arusha with lunch box on the tarmac road across Monduli plains toward Tarangire for lunch at at the camp.

After a leisurely lunch, you depart the camp at 03:30 P for a walk accompanied by Maasai men and your guide to explain the native birds, animal tracks, and plant-life of the area that you will encounter during your walk.

Day 3: Tarangire National Park

Overnight at Tarangire N. Park

Accommodation: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge/Similar- https://sangaiwe.com/

After an early breakfast, you depart the camp with picnic lunch and proceed to the park for a full day game drive.

Tarangire N. Park covers 2,600 sq. kms in area. The park is famous for its majestic Baobab trees and Acacia Tortillas trees dotting a wide expanse of the rolling hills of the park.

To many people the park represents the features of Africa in scenery and landscape. There is the Tarangire River, which dissects the park from the south to the Northwest where during the dry season, a large congregation of animals can be found giving it a resemblance of the famous Serengeti migration.

Among the animals found there are great herds of elephants of which 200 can be seen at a time. Zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, lions, leopard, cheetahs and hyena, The park is reputed to have more birds than the whole United States of America.

Day 4: Datoga tribe cultural Tour

Overnight at the lodge (BLD)

Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge/ Similar- https://lakeeyasi.com/

After breakfast, you proceed to south of lake Manyara to visit the Datoga tribe who are related to the Maasai. They are nomadic cattle herders who move from one place to another in search of green pastures for their cattle.

A great variety of bird species can be found in this area. Rare species like the Black Egret have on many occasions been spotted. They can be differentiated from the other birds by their peculiar fishing behavior pattern to feed whereby they shade themselves with their wings to attract more fish.

Day 5: Hadzabe Cultural Tour (Bushmen)

Overnight at your Lodge (BLD)

Accommodation: Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge/ Similar- https://lakeeyasi.com/

Wake up early for a pre-sunrise breakfast. Drive from the camp for approx. 20 minutes to locate the nomadic Bushmen (Hadzabe). In the company of the bushmen, you will hunt on foot using traditional weapons i.e. bows and arrows.

The Bushmen are related to the Kalahari Bushmen of South Africa. They speak the same click language but do not understand each other, as they have been apart for very long. The Bushmen live a medieval kind of life style. They do not build permanent homes but follow the animals in the area as they trap and kill them for food. They are hunters and gatherers. After a brief hunting stint with the Bushmen, we go back to our vehicles and drive to the camp for lunch.

After a short afternoon siesta, we depart the camp at 04:30P and drive to lake Eyasi to view flamingoes enjoy the sunset over the Rift Valley Escarpment.

Day 6: Elephant caves+ Coffee (Walking tour)

Overnight at your Lodge (BLD)

Accommodation: Farm of Dreams Lodge/ Similar- https://farmofdreamslodge.com/

After breakfast, depart your Lodge with your lunch box, and drive across the Rift Valley escarpment to Lake Eyasi via Gibb’s Farm. Gibb’s Farm was a once colonial farmhouse that has been converted into a lodge. It boasts one of the biggest coffee plantations in the area as well as a purely organic farm, which supplies the lodge with fresh vegetables throughout the year. Once there, we have a 45-minute walk to visit the elephant cave and the organic farm. We will also have a brief lecture about a coffee plantation.

Day 7:  Ngorongoro Crater

Dinner and Overnight in Ngorongoro (BLD)

Accommodation: Rhino Lodge/ Similar – https://rhino.co.tz/

After breakfast and drive to Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch. You descend to the crater floor for a full day game-drive.

Day 8: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

Dinner and Overnight Serengeti N. Park –. (BLD)

Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camps- https://www.tanzaniabushcamps.com/

We break camp with picnic lunches after breakfast to drive to Serengeti National Park via the famous Ol-duvai Gorge where the Leakey family discovered the remain of the early man “ Zinjanthropus Bosei” Game viewing enroute to the Serengeti National Park.

Day 9-10- Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park

Overnight in Tented Camp at Serengeti N. Park (BLD)

Accommodation: Tanzania Bush Camps- https://www.tanzaniabushcamps.com/

Full day game-drive in the Serengeti National Park with game viewing in areas where the animals are most concentrated. The Serengeti national park covers about 15,000 sq. kms. It derives its name from the Maasai language “Siringet” which means, the endless Plains.

It boasts the largest number of species of flora and fauna both in quantity and variety coupled with its world famous wildebeest migration. The worlds single remaining wildlife migration.

Day 11: Serengeti to Arusha- Kilimanjaro Airport back home

After breakfast, you depart Serengeti for Arusha with game-viewing enroute. An option instead of driving can be a scheduled flight that departs at 11:15am.

Lunch in Arusha upon arrival

Afternoon transfer to Kilimanjaro Int’l. Airport for the flight out.