Travel to Tanzania, 10 days

Expedition Details

Set out on a wildlife safari amid the incredible diversity of landscapes in Tanzania's most famous game parks. Take in extraordinary vistas of the Great Rift Valley and the rolling savanna, encounter wildlife in its natural habitat, venture into a Maasai village, and meet renowned anthropologist Meave or Louise Leakey* on a visit to Olduvai Gorge.

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Trip Highlights

• Spot spectacular wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, a unique habitat sheltering almost 30,000 animals.
• Witness the great annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park.**
• Meet Meave or Louise Leakey — both National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence — at Olduvai Gorge, where their family discovered fossils that have shaped our understanding of human origins.*
• Join a Maasai elder on a visit to his native village to witness a traditional ceremony and learn firsthand about Maasai culture.

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Itinerary - 10 Days

Days 1 & 2 — U.S./Arusha, Tanzania

Depart on an overnight flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport via Amsterdam, and arrive late the next day. Serena Mountain Village

Day 3 — Arusha/Lake Manyara

Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its elephants, hippos, giraffes, flamingos, and tree-climbing lions. This afternoon, set out on our first wildlife safari. Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, enjoy a morning safari around Lake Manyara. Then continue to the Ngorongoro Crater and settle into our tented camp. This afternoon, a nearby Maasai community welcomes us into their village on a very special visit. Far from the tourist circuit, we have the opportunity to get acquainted with craftswomen and elders, stop in at the school, witness a Maasai initiation ritual, and learn about this fascinating culture from the village chief. Msigiyo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Ngorongoro Crater

Descend 2,000 feet to the base of the crater, where volcanic slopes shelter almost 30,000 animals. We may see elephants, rhinos, buffalo, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, hippos, wildebeests, and much more of East Africa’s spectacular wildlife. Then explore the area near the camp on a guided walk. Tonight, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Meave Leakey or her daughter Louise joins us for dinner and a discussion of the Leakey family’s research.* Msigiyo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Olduvai Gorge/Serengeti

Drive to Olduvai Gorge where, on a National Geographic–sponsored expedition in 1960, Louis and Mary Leakey discovered Homo habilis, one of the earliest members of the human genus. Meave or Louise Leakey joins us on our visit here.* In 1999, Meave and Louise unearthed a 3.5-million-year-old skull and partial jaw believed to belong to a new branch of early hominid. Continue to the Serengeti, and on an afternoon safari, catch a glimpse of the wildebeest migration.** Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Serengeti

This morning, head out on safari, or soar over the plains on an optional hot-air balloon ride, followed by a champagne breakfast under the shade of an acacia tree. After lunch, enjoy a talk by a local wildlife researcher. Then watch for wildlife as we travel through beautiful scenery on the way to our tented camp in the western Serengeti. Kirawira Camp Western Serengeti (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Serengeti

Embark on a sunrise game drive and return to the lodge for breakfast and some time at leisure. Then observe the fascinating interplay of the Serengeti's legendary wildlife on an afternoon game drive. Look for herds of zebra or wildebeest eyeing a predator warily, and spot crocodiles as their snouts surface in the Grumeti River. Kirawira Camp Western Serengeti (B,L,D)

Days 9 & 10 — Serengeti/Arusha/U.S.

After an early morning safari, fly back to Kliimanjaro airport and connect with your evening flight home, arriving the next day. (B,L)