About the Experience
It’s impossible to prepare for the thrill of seeing the honeyed plains and grasslands of the Serengeti for the first time. The goosebump-inducing tingle of spotting a sleek cheetah as it silently navigates the brush is unmatched. Wildlife abounds–from snoozing lions to the unexpected stampede of wildebeest, time seems to come to an abrupt stop under the molten Tanzanian sun.
On the Tanzania Safari, the experience is an authentic and all-encompassing one from bucket-style safari showers to visiting a traditional Maasai boma (home) to game drives in search of the elusive big cats.
For two nights, we’ll be totally starry-eyed at Dunia Camp, the only all female-run camp in the Serengeti! The accommodations on this trip are a balanced blend of traditional safari and luxury in tented suites, panoramic lodges on the crater’s rim and dome tents at the fly camp in the wild savannah. Everywhere, the sounds of the African night will swallow you up into a deep sleep.
When was the last time you poked around a collapsed volcano? You’ll experience this in the Empaki crater. At Mama Anna’s AGAPE co-op, she’ll share her cheesemaking and honey harvesting secrets. You’ll also have the best cup of coffee in town–after having a turn at sifting, pounding and roasting the beans over a fire!
Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater and Serengeti National Park will load up your memory cards in no time. The Tanzania Big 5 list traditionally includes the lion, leopard, elephant, Cape Buffalo and rhino. However, there are other fives like the giraffes, zebra, dik diks, flamingo and water bucks that will leave your head on a perma-swivel. This will be the best scavenger hunt ever–Serengeti National Park has over 500 species of birds alone!
From late July and August, the great wildebeest migration shifts to the Kogatende and Masai Mara side which is the ideal time to be in the Northern Serengeti. The plains will be reduced to the stubble of short grasses making all the big cats more visible. Ruminant animals like antelopes will be peppered everywhere as the short grass allows them to see their predators from afar. Because the ruminants feed on the short grasslands they have to be behind the large animals on the food chain. Despite the surprises on safari, everything is quite orderly!
Grab your binoculars and Buff and get ready to fall under the hypnotic spell of Tanzania from the kick of Zanzibari-spiced curries to the flame-orange sunsets to the expansive landscapes that no longer belong to just your TV screen. They will be part of you.
About the Experience
It’s impossible to prepare for the thrill of seeing the honeyed plains and grasslands of the Serengeti for the first time. The goosebump-inducing tingle of spotting a sleek cheetah as it silently navigates the brush is unmatched. Wildlife abounds–from snoozing lions to the unexpected stampede of wildebeest, time seems to come to an abrupt stop under the molten Tanzanian sun.
On the Tanzania Safari, the experience is an authentic and all-encompassing one from bucket-style safari showers to visiting a traditional Maasai boma (home) to game drives in search of the elusive big cats.
For two nights, we’ll be totally starry-eyed at Dunia Camp, the only all female-run camp in the Serengeti! The accommodations on this trip are a balanced blend of traditional safari and luxury in tented suites, panoramic lodges on the crater’s rim and dome tents at the fly camp in the wild savannah. Everywhere, the sounds of the African night will swallow you up into a deep sleep.
When was the last time you poked around a collapsed volcano? You’ll experience this in the Empaki crater. At Mama Anna’s AGAPE co-op, she’ll share her cheesemaking and honey harvesting secrets. You’ll also have the best cup of coffee in town–after having a turn at sifting, pounding and roasting the beans over a fire!
Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro Crater and Serengeti National Park will load up your memory cards in no time. The Tanzania Big 5 list traditionally includes the lion, leopard, elephant, Cape Buffalo and rhino. However, there are other fives like the giraffes, zebra, dik diks, flamingo and water bucks that will leave your head on a perma-swivel. This will be the best scavenger hunt ever–Serengeti National Park has over 500 species of birds alone!
From late July and August, the great wildebeest migration shifts to the Kogatende and Masai Mara side which is the ideal time to be in the Northern Serengeti. The plains will be reduced to the stubble of short grasses making all the big cats more visible. Ruminant animals like antelopes will be peppered everywhere as the short grass allows them to see their predators from afar. Because the ruminants feed on the short grasslands they have to be behind the large animals on the food chain. Despite the surprises on safari, everything is quite orderly!
Grab your binoculars and Buff and get ready to fall under the hypnotic spell of Tanzania from the kick of Zanzibari-spiced curries to the flame-orange sunsets to the expansive landscapes that no longer belong to just your TV screen. They will be part of you.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL
Your African odyssey begins upon touchdown on the tarmac at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)! You will be met by a driver (look for the Wild Women Expeditions sign) who will safely shuttle you to the hotel (50 minutes).
The official Wild Women rendezvous is not until Day 2 so you’ll have time to relax and rebound after your flight. Most women arrive two nights in advance to get a head start on bouncing back from jetlag!
Meals Included: None
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep:
July 31, 2023 itinerary: Wild Women will be staying at the Planet Lodge Arusha.
September 9, 2023 itinerary: Wild Women will be staying at the Rivertrees Hotel.
Note: Planet Lodge Arusha and Rivertrees Hotel both have in-house restaurants and tempting Swahili and Zanzabari-influenced menus to choose from. Other dining options will require a public bus or taxi to access due to the location of both the lodge and hotel.
*If you are flying via KLM, the inbound flight doesn’t arrive until 8PM and it’s a one-hour shuttle to the hotels. Airport transfers are included in your trip fee for Day 1 or if you arrive pre-trip and are staying at one of WWE’s recommended pre-trip hotels. This information will be provided upon booking.
DAY TWO: MEETING MOUNT MERU
Rested and restored, we will rendezvous at 10am in the main lobby of the hotel and make a beeline to the slopes of Mount Meru and Mama Anna’s clever women’s cooperative, Agape (which means love or super love if you ask Mama). In one decadent, edible lesson, Mama Anna will share her trade secrets and the story of how she learned how to make cheese after receiving a cow from a German charity foundation. Since, she has been churning out butter, ghee, yogurt and six kinds of cheeses. You’ll want to buy some gouda to share a few days down the road on a game drive! Her collective supports the local Meru community and has funded the construction of a new school.
Mama will greet us in song and dance–beware, you’ll be pulled onto the dance floor of her front yard! While she prepares lunch with other members of the collective, we’ll walk up the slopes past the endless plots of carrots. The plot owners help each other by harvesting together and then proceed to the next plot in this caring carrot community! The uninterrupted views of Mt. Meru provide the perfect backdrop for group pics and selfies.
Our local guide will share samples of sticky coffee berries and introduce us to banana and passion flowers as we wind along the stands of feathery pines, palms and fields of cabbage and sunflowers. We’ll also hear about the peace plant’s origins and how the tall corn-like plant keeps natural peace between neighbours on our 90-minute walk.
Back at Mama’s we’ll be welcomed with hot coffee, warm beignets (donuts) and salty, fried bananas. A savoury, traditional lunch will follow (yep, it’s dessert first!)–the menu is always changing but there will always be collards, rice, polenta and fried chicken or stewed beef.
We’ll have an informative and hands-on lesson in the coffee roasting process from wet beans to sundried, skinned, dehusked, roasted, pummeled, sieved, boiled and ready to sip. Wired from the potent coffee the next lesson is in honey harvesting in the area and the worry-free local no-sting bees.
After a day of such savoury and satisfying experiences, we’ll return to our hotel to chill out. There will be free time before dinner to truly absorb the surroundings and our immersion into all things African!
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner AND several cups of coffee
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Planet Lodge Arusha(July group) or RiverTrees Country Inn (September group)
DAY THREE: ARUSHA TO MANYARA
We’ll be up with the birds–and what an awesome alarm clock they are! Grab your kit for the day as we will depart our hotel for Arusha by 8am. Keep in mind it takes a few minutes to Jenga-stack everyone’s luggage into the Land Cruisers so please be prompt.
Our group will stop at a vibrant art gallery that supports Tanzanian artists. Here, we’ll have a chance to marvel at and purchase Maasai-produced jewelry, Tanzanite, and other intricate handmade products. Artists will be at work in the open-air studio spaces, carving and painting enormous works of art. The life-size ebony giraffe and cutesy metal warthogs demonstrate the talent and ingenuity of the artisans. Try and hammer a nail into a sample piece of ebony–then you will truly appreciate the commitment and dedication of the carvers!
With coloured beads and woven bracelets knotted around our wrists we’ll head to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is 330-square kilometers (205-square miles) of which 220-square kilometers (137-square miles) form the lake (with water levels surging in the rainy season).
The world’s greatest (and most rewarding) scavenger hunt begins here! This park is known for its population of tree-climbing lions and a soda ash lake that attracts thousands of bubblegum pink flamingos. Lake Manyara is also home to one of Tanzania’s largest elephant populations. We’ll see countless hippos, antelopes, giraffes, wildebeests, zebra, impalas, waterbucks and comical warthogs on-the-run. Spotting the more elusive (and tiny) Kirk’s dik dik and klipspringer (small antelope species) will be our challenge of the day! The baboons are everywhere–they are the unofficial welcoming committee. Look for the dashing superb starling, trogons and lilac-breasted rollers too.
June to October is considered the dry season and is the optimal time for game viewing in this area. Vegetation is sparse, grass is stubble-short and animals gather at remaining water sources making them easier to observe.
Upon arriving at the Manyara Gate (a two-hour drive), we’ll have cameras and binoculars at the ready as we scan for wildlife for the rest of the day.
We’ll sleep well after a day in the company of trumpeting elephants and elegant giraffes in the comfort of the serene Lake Manyara Serena Lodge!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s sweet sleep: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
DAY FOUR: WILDLIFE OF THE CRATER
Life begins rumbling early in the savannah, before the sun climbs high and hot in the sky. This is not a country for sleeping in! After an early breakfast, we will drive to a Masaii village and peek inside a local boma (a traditional circular Masaii home) and learn about the marvelous construction of these homes. The Masaii women make up 100% of the construction crew and use a genius cement mixture of vacated termite hill soil, cow dung and water. The designs are simplistic, practical and a testament to skills learned from the generations before–some even have solar panels!
The women will welcome us in song and dance–we are welcome to join in! If we arrive early enough, we may observe the cows being milked and and then released from their overnight kraals.
Inspired by the resilience and dedication of these Masaii women we will continue on, enlightened. By 11am we’ll set course for Ngorongoro Crater to continue our Big Five search once we pass through the extensive rice and lentil fields. If time permits, we will stop at the African Galleria to admire the intricate Tree of Life totems, ebony carvings (try pounding a nail into the ebony wood stump!), chat with the painters in the open studio and watch a carving demo. If you’re looking for a Masaii blanket or tanzanite pendant, this is the place!
We’ll be on the lookout for “dirt devils”, sleepy lions in the grasslands, elephants, wildebeest and stalking cheetahs. Countless antelope that call this dramatic landscape and UNESCO World Heritage Site home. The large volcanic caldera is the remains of an explosion and subsequent collapse over three million years ago.
Ngorongoro Crater is synonymous with the Great Wildebeest Migration, an annual event which sees more than 1.5 million wildebeest (and hundreds of thousands zebra and antelope) move northwards towards the greener pastures of Kenya’s border. Yes, things are greener on the other side of the fence! The animals follow a predictable clockwise movement through the Serengeti following the rains and greenest grass. We’ll follow the path of fever trees, umbrella thorns, Cape mahogany, tamarind, sycamore and agave trees. Our local WWE guides will point all of these species out and you’ll be a near-expert by the end of the trip.
Our game drive will continue until 6pm, ending the day with the sun. Tonight we’ll have a pampered dinner and stay at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
DAY FIVE: HIKE THROUGH MAASAILAND
After a nourishing breakfast of local and continental options at the hotel we will drive to Nainokanoka Maasai Village. Nainokanoka means “foggy” in Masaii and indeed, this region is often shrouded in clotted clouds and mist. We’ll have the opportunity to stretch our safari legs on a three to four hour walk with the traditional villages of the Ngorongoro Highlands in full view. Here, zebras mingle with cattle (safety in numbers) and there is a constant tinkle of bells from the jolly local sheep on the move.
This walk is a classic introduction to local scat–after learning about local trees you’ll be able to identify goat, zebra and sheep scat like a champ. This walk will be over uneven terrain with unexpected dips from the scrubby grasses and goat paths. Be mindful! For those who would like to simply walk along the road versus cutting across the pasture, this is also an option.
After our walk through the fields peppered with Maasai herds (and scat), bustards, buzzards and tawny eagles, we’ll return to our “Fly Camp” for lunch. Fly camps are mobile pop-up camps–the crew will have the 2-person dome tents set up complete with a dining tent, fire pit area and private composting toilet. Note: There are no shower facilities!
Later on in the evening, we will visit another Maasai family boma and spend some time with them learning about the unique Maasai culture and their dependence on milk. Maasai have just breakfast and dinner and 2L of milk at each sitting!
Tonight, we’ll zip up our sleeping bags and enjoy some serious REM in the small dome tents.
The skinny on today’s hike: This hike is rated moderate and doable for all. Hiking poles will be provided as there is one challenging downhill. Please note: an armed Maasai and armed park ranger will accompany us. The peak altitude will be 2,000 meters (6,562ft).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Kwato Fly Camp
DAY SIX: EMBULBUL TO EMPAKAI
Rise and shine is made easier with coffee and tea (or hot cocoa) service at your tent doorstep! The fly camp crew will also provide hot water to wash your face and hands–it’s the perfect safari start to the day!
After a hearty camp breakfast our walking safari will continue through Maasai Land. The landscape here is completely captivating. Our driver and local guide will meet us at Bulati Village and drive us to Empakai Camp for lunch. We’ll keep cool in the shade until the late afternoon, (around 3pm) when we’ll strike off on a two hour (roundtrip) walk to Empakai Crater lake. The peak altitude will be 2,000 meters (6,562ft). Empakai Crater is 300m (984ft) in height and 6km (3.7 miles) wide!
Empakai Crater’s big surprise is a 85m (279ft) deep alkaline pool that covers three quarters of the crater’s floor. Standing on the rim, we’ll (hopefully) see all the notables: the snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro on the eastern side of the Valley, the Great Rift Valley and Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania’s most recently active volcano). On the hike we’ll see a blur of birds and maybe blue monkeys in the enormous strangler figs. Flamingos are often seen at the super saline lakeshore too in streaks of pink. The walk has a sharp decline and is mostly switchbacks. The descent is naturally quicker than the climb back to the top. There will be several breaks to catch your breath, admire the tall mauve levanta blossoms and strangler fig roots.
Tingling with sightings and unexpected encounters, we’ll return to our campsite for a nourishing dinner, a crackling campfire and unlimited stargazing. The African sky is a dazzler! Hopefully the bushbabies will drop by–their call is unforgettable and goosebump material!
The skinny on today’s hike: This hike is rated moderate and doable for all. Hiking poles will be provided as there is one challenging downhill. Please note: an armed Maasai and armed park ranger will accompany us.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Kwato Fly Camp
DAY SEVEN: INTO THE SERENGETI
We’ll say a grateful goodbye to our camp staff at Empakai, jump in our Land Cruiser and head to the enormous 15,000-square kilometer (9,321-square mile) expanse that is Serengeti National Park! This is the central Serengeti and we’ll be immersed in the Out of Africa-style scenery you probably imagined with swirling dust devils, kopjes (small hills) and riverine forests. This national park is a World Heritage Site of abundant numbers–over 2 million ungulates, 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and over 500 bird species (*for comparison: Canada has 426 recognized bird species according to Bird Canada).
Our Big Five list will soon be renumbered to the BIG 500! We’ll see dozens of everything–crested cranes, eland, guinea fowl, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles, Kori bustards…
Lunch will be enroute (boxed), possibly with elephants in sight!
We’ll make our super scenic way to Dunia Camp, for an authentic and unmatched safari experience. Dunia is the only all female-run camp in the Serengeti! Women change the busted shocks on the safari vehicles and run every department from the kitchen to security.
The otherworldly luxury tented camp’s location is in the beating heart of the Serengeti with access to exceptional game-viewing. Elephants casually pass through as do zebra and antelope.
There are eight spacious luxury tented suites on raised wooden decks, each with expansive views of the savannah and acacia woodland which can be absorbed from the large private verandas.
It’s time for a little Karen Blixen and gin and tonic! At Dunia, you can order a sundowner to your tent via walkie-talkie. These two nights are all -inclusive and include complimentary laundry service too! In your tented suite you’ll find robes and rubber boots. And, the hottest solar shower going. Listen for the roar of the lions as you fall to sleep–they’re out there! The best surprise will be under the covers of your bed. You’ll see.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, A REALLY Divine Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Dunia Camp
DAY EIGHT: CATS OF THE SERENGETI
Today will be an early departure–but a rewarding one! The Dunia women will deliver French press coffee and sugar cookies to our tents at whatever time we choose. How civilized!
We’ll leave camp at 6am for a game drive in search of the big cats along the Seronera River before returning mid-morning to Dunia for an enormous brunch and to take five. The lounge area is expansive–or you may wish to enjoy the view and silence of the Serengeti from the deck of your tent.
At 3pm, we’ll go for another game drive in the Serengeti. On safari, every day is unique and can’t be repeated! There will be white-headed barbets, Eastern plantain-eaters, hippos, lilac-breasted rollers–it’s a non-stop drive-thru flora and fauna show.
We’ll take in a classic, unforgettable African sunset in the company of Dunia’s bold and brave women. The bush fire will be stoked and we’ll have the opportunity to reflect over fireside drinks and snacks about all that we’ve seen and experienced so far. A memorable dinner will follow.
It’s a pinch-me stay that you’ll never forget.
Meals included: Coffee + cookies, Brunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Dunia Camp
DAY NINE: MARA RIVER SAFARI
After punchy early bird coffee and sweet cookies in our tents (and then a full, proper breakfast together), we’ll leave Dunia with heavy hearts at 8am. It’s going to be a long, chiropractic full day’s drive that will shift from the distinct landscape of central to northern Serengeti–we’ll see kopjes, erratic rocks, candelabra trees (like cacti), sausage trees–and the familiar, chronic dust of the Serengeti.
There’s no time for a catnap–we’ll be on high alert for the elusive leopard and cheetah. As we head north, driving through Lobo and Bologonja, we’ll stop for a picnic lunch in the park. Crowned lapwings, marabous, roller, ellies, giraffes, repeat!
In the Mara River area, we’ll have front row seats to take in a reliably gorgeous tomato-red sky sunset and follow the sinking sun on a wildlife drive before proceeding to our tented camp for a solar shower, dinner and a relaxed, starry-eyed night.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch with the Wildebeest, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Nyikani Camp (July group), Karibu River Camp (September group)
DAY TEN: WILDEBEEST MIGRATION
In June, the Great Wildebeest Migration crosses the Northern Serengeti as a thundering force en route to Kenya’s Masai Mara. June is when the migration traditionally crosses the crocodile-infested Grumeti River but Mother Nature doesn’t always update her Facebook status if plans change! The herds are typically spread out, so we can expect longer, rewarding game drives. The crossings are numbered along the length of the river and drivers communicate with each other about where the herds have gathered in the greatest, twitchy numbers.
It’s a day of patience, anticipation and maybe some Mama Anna gouda if there’s any left! We’re likely to see jackals, hyenas, a few vulture picnics, marabou storks, ibis and strategic crocs along the river. The actual dramatic wildebeest river crossing isn’t guaranteed (herds can wait for weeks before taking the plunge)–but we will definitely see countless wildebeest in wait.
In the post-migration months of September and October, the Grumeti Reserves are full of large herds of zebra and wildebeest. Elephants, topi and Thomson’s gazelle will also be hanging out and with the short grass, it’s easier to spot predators. Even mambas!
We’ll spend our last night in Tanzania’s embrace, positively buzzing with the energy of the day.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch, Dinner
Tonight’s Sweet Sleep: Nyikani Camp (July group), Karibu River Camp (September group)
DAY ELEVEN: ARUSHA AND AWAY
For those who are eager, there may be an opportunity to do one last game drive in hopes of catching the great migration across the river. This will be an extremely early start but it will be the last opportunity to feel all the feels of the Serengeti before driving to the Kogatende airstrip.
After a scenic one-hour flight back to Arusha, with safari dust still in our seams and laces, we’ll relax and enjoy our last lunch together at a local restaurant.
There will be time to squish in some last minute souvenir shopping too though your greatest souvenir will be the Big 5, the warmth of the Maasai, camaraderie around the campfire with your fellow Wild Women, the sunsets, safari bucket showers and the sound of the hyrax piercing the night!
How will you top this itinerary? Where will you travel next with Wild Women?
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Tonight’s sweet sleep: Amsterdam? The window seat of Row 25?
A group transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport will be arranged for a 6pm drop-off. Please book your flights accordingly to allow for a minimum of 3 hours before departure on an international flight. It takes about 2 hours to get through security and to your gate. Note: Most KLM flights depart around 9pm daily.
ABOUT YOUR SAFARI VEHICLE…
You’ll be on safari in style, bumping around the dusty tracks in a Toyota Land Cruiser. These vehicles have been extended from the original design to accommodate 7 passengers and a driver. There are 6 individual bucket seats in the back and a front passenger seat–all with a window view. The roof is a pop-top and will be open when conditions permit (if it’s too dusty or the road conditions are too rough, it will be closed). You will be able to stand when the vehicle is stopped for optimal 360 views but it’s best to be seated when the Land Cruiser is cruising!
Each vehicle has a charging station for batteries and phones. However, on bumpy roads the plugs tend to pop out so it’s not a full and smooth charge (and a full time job for whoever is seated at the front!)
Your guides will have reference books and maps that you can refer to for identifying birds, wildlife and trees in the area.
Jugs of water will be carried in the vehicle to refill your bottles at rest stops. On safari, you are to remain in the vehicle at all times–unless an urgent stop is needed. There are planned breaks throughout the day with proper washroom facilities.
Most lunches will be boxed unless indicated otherwise. Depending on the day, they may be eaten on the move (in the vehicle) or we will stop at a designated picnic area.
Click here to see upcoming trip dates to book your spot!
- Airport transfer and accommodation is included (no meals included on Day 1)
- Group transfers from Kilimanjaro International Airport to the first night hotel will be provided during the afternoon or evening of Day 1. Time is TBC and will be noted in the 30-day pre-trip bulletin.
- If you arrive before Day 1 and are staying at the trip’s first nightl hotel an additional night, please contact the WWE office directly to request an airport transfer.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport is between Arusha and Moshi, and is the best option for itineraries in Arusha and the Northern Safari Circuit. It is not to be confused with the smaller Arusha Airport, 8 km (4.97 mi) west of Arusha, which handles domestic flights only.
- If you fly with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines there are daily flights connecting JRO with Amsterdam (Netherlands) that arrive in JRO around 8 PM on daily.
Group Rendezvous Point on Day 2
- Date: Aug 1 or Sept 10, 2023
- Time: 9:00 AM
- Location: Lobby of Planet Lodge (July 31 – August 10, 2023 trip) or Lobby of Rivertrees Inn (September 9-19, 2023 trip)
Effective June 1, 2019: All passengers arriving at any Tanzania airport can face heavy fines for using plastic bags in any way, shape or form. Using, manufacture or importation of plastic bags, including garbage bags and shopping bags is illegal. Visitors/Citizens and Residents are advised to avoid packing plastic bags in their suitcases or in carry-on hand luggage. Items purchased at the airport before boarding the aircraft should be removed from plastic bags. Please check hand luggage before disembarking at entry points and any plastic bags should be left on the plane.
*This includes the transparent plastic bags that many airlines require passengers to use for separating liquids. These are not permitted either and should be removed and left on the plane before disembarking. Consider using a cloth bag alternative for these items.
**Ziplock bags are acceptable to transport your liquids/toiletries during transit (flights). NO plastic shopping bags are permitted.
- Date: Aug 10th or September 19th, 2023
- Time: 6 PM
- Location: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel
Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.
Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. For these reasons, we encourage you to consider arriving a day early, which will also help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!
- Passport
Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
- Visa
Visa application fees for both US and Canadian citizens are $100 USD for a single entry tourist visa. Once you arrive, a control number is provided and payment can be made immediately. Expect to wait in line upon arrival at the airport for the visa. Women can apply online via https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ but timing may be an issue at this point. Also, ensure that your passport is not expiring within six months of arrival in Tanzania.
To fill out the Visa Application in the airport, you will need:
- To provide a photocopy of your flight details to give to immigration
- The exact address of your hotel in Tanzania OR this information below:
Address: Serengeti Pride Company Ltd, PO Box 764, Usa River.
Phone Number**: +225 767 482 748 0r +255 783 482 27483
$50 USD in cash for the Visa
When out and about in Tanzania, always carry at least a photocopy of your passport and visa or resident permit, and have the originals readily accessible.
Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.
- Rooming Arrangements
Our trip price is based on shared accommodations. You will be paired up with another awesome woman on the trip if you’re coming solo or, of course, you can share with your traveling companion.
- Private Room Upgrade
A private room upgrade is available which includes all 9 nights in a single room or tent. If you already indicated your interest on your registration form, we will be in touch. If you are now interested, please email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com to request. Subject to availability.
- Bathrooms
All of the lodges or hotels will have ensuite bathrooms with western-style three piece baths.
At the safari camps, all tents will have flush toilets along with solar showers.
While camping, portable toilets with a tent shelter will be used but no shower facilities are available. Staff will provide a bowl of hot water for washing your hands and face in the morning.
For all bathrooms, it is normal to dispose of used toilet paper and feminine hygiene products in the waste bin provided.
- Internet / WiFi / Cell Coverage
With limited or no wifi access, being off the grid in Tanzania helps you truly immerse yourself in the awesome experience! You will have wi-fi at some hotels, so you will still be able to check in with family/friends.
- Potable Water
Filtered drinking water will be provided throughout the trip.
If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!
- Planet Lodge Arusha (July 31 Departure Only)
Ideally located in the outskirts of the city, Arusha Planet Lodge is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and home to various trees, plants and flowers that make an excellent habitat for various birds species. Being a quick 10 minutes from downtown, the Lodge boasts spectacular views of Mount Meru.
- Rivertrees Country Inn (September 9th Departure Only)
Set in Northern Tanzania just outside the bustling safari town of Arusha, Rivertrees looks out toward Mt Kilimanjaro, and is perfectly situated for exploring the abundant nature reserves that this region is home to. The inn is a charming country estate that was once an old coffee farm, and still retains the nostalgic air of a well-loved homestead. Sprawling ten acres of fertile greenery, the grounds are a natural extension of Mt Meru’s sloping foothills, and offer a sanctuary for the birds and wildlife indigenous to the area.
Tanzania’s towering Mto wa Mbu escarpment provides a remarkable backdrop for a one-of-a-kind visit. Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge welcomes you with a peaceful location amidst the rich wildlife and unsurpassed tranquility of Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is home to over 300 migratory birds including flamingoes, long-crested eagles and grey-headed kingfisher; our lodge is designed to mimic this extraordinary birdlife, with an architectural motif featuring swooping avian curves and vibrantly coloured wall frescoes depicting the intricacy of bird migratory patterns. Housed in circular two-storey “rondavels”, our accommodation pays homage to tradition, while also offering contemporary perks. Flamingo Restaurant, the central dining room, serves delicious cuisine and includes a veranda with picturesque views; we would be pleased to arrange a meal in the bush for you as well.
Tanzania’s prehistoric Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, has yawned heavenward for millennia. Deep within its immense walls is a breath-taking blue-green landscape dotted with plains, lakes and forests; an eerie, otherworldly “land that time forgot” thick with massive bull elephants, rhinos, wildebeests and the highest concentration of lions in Africa.
Nestled high above the plains into the Crater’s jagged rim, cloaked in river stone and indigenous vines, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is barely visible to the naked eye. Framed by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its torch-lit walls are adorned with stylized cave paintings. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Rooms are looped around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock-enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below.
- Embulbul Campsite and Embakai Campsite
We’ll camp in small dome tents with cots and sleeping bags (included). Bring a travel towel and warm clothes for tonight as it gets surprisingly cold in the evening. There will be a fire each night but pre-dawn is chilly too.
Dunia is a tented safari camp which has perfected the fine balance between a traditional safari and the comforts of a permanent camp. Eight spacious, luxurious safari tents are constructed on raised wooden decks, with spectacular views across the savannah and acacia woodland. Available with either a large double bed or twin beds, all have fully operational en-suite bathrooms with hot bucket showers and private verandas. Electricity is limited in tents, power for lights is fine, charging of any other appliances can be done in the main tent. This 2-night stay is all-inclusive. Laundry services are complimentary and all alcoholic beverages are included in your stay.
- Nyikani Camp (July 31st departure only)
Nyikani Camp Central is located in Central Serengeti, taking advantage of the year-round wildlife, Serengeti is Tanzania’s most renowned national park and a home to the greatest concentrations of large mammals on the planet. The migratory herds of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles roam widely in search of green grass and water. The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai name ‘Siringet’ meaning ‘endless plains’, and these rolling distances of short grass plains provide an exceptional landscape for wildlife viewing; your ultimate safari country.
- Karibu River Camp (September 9th departure only)
The River Camp is loved for its excellent location surrounded by Acacia trees and grasslands accommodating the residents around the area. It purposefully resides a few meters from the Mara River, where the picturesque River Crossing of the great migration occurs from June to October. Our 15 luxury tents all possess incredible viewpoints of this scenic attraction and how hospitality accommodates your experience with outstanding professionalism and detail. The dining and bar lounge areas are perfect for spending our time enjoying the savannah grassland whilst being pleasantly accommodated with our amenities.
- Full country name: United Republic of Tanzania
- Capital City: Dodoma
- Language: The official languages are Swahili and English. There are also numerous dialects spoken throughout.
- Area: 945,087 km sq
- People: 99% native African (over 100 tribes), 1% Asian, European and Arabic
- Religion: 40% Christian, 33% Muslim, 20% indigenous beliefs
- Government: Republic (multi-party state)
- Major industries: Tobacco, sugar, sisal, diamond and gold mining, oil refining, cement, tourism
- Currency: Tanzanian shilling ($1 US dollar = @2,333 shillings *subject to change). It’s helpful to carry a small calculator (or use the calculator feature on your phone) unless you are a math whiz!
- Electricity: The electric current in Tanzania operates on 230V, 50Hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected. You may want to consider bringing an extra battery for your camera to reduce the worry of not being able to recharge between safari days.
- Currency Exchange Offices & Banks
The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency of Tanzania, but US dollars are also widely accepted in tourist areas.
Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter
We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.
- Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Mastercard but these are limited to major cities. We also recommend the use of cash in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops but they usually charge a 2-4% transaction fee. Be aware that ATMs in Tanzania aren’t reliable for large withdrawals or limited withdrawal amounts.
- Credit Cards
Mastercard and Visa are the most accepted credit cards.
- Cash
This is the best way to pay for items in the communities we will be visiting.
That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:
- Take every opportunity you can to be active.
You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!
- Rev up your ticker!
Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.
- Join a local walking or running group.
This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.
- Hill training.
The most spectacular views aren’t from the bottom of a valley – so the places we go on our trips aren’t flat. A little time training on hills and stairs is an investment that’ll pay off big-time when you’re on your trip. When it comes to hills there’s no hurry – get into a slow steady rhythm and you’ll be at the top before you know it.
- Warm up, cool down and stretch.
If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.
- Practice ‘backpacking’.
Grab your backpack (or borrow one) and head for the hills! If you’re bringing your own backpack, practice adjusting the various straps so you know how it feels in different positions. We aren’t multi-day hiking everyday, but you’ll be carrying a day pack almost everyday, so it’s well worth a bit of practice. Backpacks sit differently and so change your centre of balance when it’s full of gear so make sure you put a few pounds of weight in it in training.
- Break in your hiking boots.
Blisters and sore feet are no fun at all! So make sure that while you’re getting yourself ready you’re doing the same for your boots. Start by just wearing them around the house, then down the road, and walking the dog. Then ideally do a couple of decent length weekend hikes to prepare them for what is to come.
- Hydration.
When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
- Nutrition.
Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!
- Have fun!
The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.
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BOOK NOW -
Starting At$8,995Deposit$995Duration11 DAYS
- 🇺🇸USD PRICEFOREIGN EXCHANGE FEES MAY APPLY
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What's Included
- All decadent meals (alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and bottled water are excluded). Water will be transported in the Land Cruiser to refill your water bottles and most lodges will provide a small bottle of water in the room. Note: Most lunches will be boxed as we will be on the move on game drives.
- Lodge, tented camps, and camping (shared accommodations for 10 nights including 2 unique nights at Dunia Camp, the only all-female run camp in the Serengeti)
- All park entrance fees
- Private 4WD Land Cruiser transportation with pop-top roof while on safari (you will have a window seat!)
- All activities as detailed on the itinerary
- Awesome qualified female drivers/ guides in each vehicle
- Tents, sleeping bags and cots for camping
- Hiking poles (these are not technical poles)
- Airport transfer (upon arrival), group transfer on Day 11 to JRO/Kilimanjaro
- Kogatende – Arusha flight on Day 11 (1 hour)
- Optional single private upgrade, subject to availability
- All applicable taxes are included in the trip price