• Tanzania Family Safari

O ur new safari is an active family’s dream come true! Begin your adventure free from park regulations in Thomson’s exclusive Enashiva Nature Refuge. Here you have the special opportunity to explore the wilderness on night wildlife drives and by foot, and discover the African wilderness at its most untouched. Continue on to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where each day wildlife viewing drives open up remarkable landscapes, and the diversity of wildlife will astound you. Enjoy three nights at Gibb's Farm, a beautiful old coffee farm, as you explore the Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area. Finish your exploration at Arusha National Park, with a trek up Mount Meru and one night of camping in a mountain hut. Throughout your trip there will be opportunities to meet native Tanzanians – including Maasai – as well as the chance to volunteer in a local town. With only two departures a year, space is sure to disappear fast!

2009 Dates

Days 1 – 2 Depart U.S. / Arrive Arusha

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge.

Days 3 – 4 Enashiva Nature Refuge

Depart after breakfast this morning for a charter flight to the Enashiva Nature Refuge. Adjacent to Serengeti National Park and part of that ecosystem, Enashiva is an exclusive area for Thomson guests, located in the heart of Tanzania.

Maasai boma visit After settling in to our exclusive campsite, visit a nearby Maasai boma in the late afternoon, arriving just in time to see the cows coming in for the evening milking. Afternoon bush walk Enjoy a brief walk that culminates with a stunning African sunset over this remarkable and remote landscape. Hike in the reserve Go for a relaxing walk across the savanna or a more challenging hike along a nearby rocky ridge. Visit by Maasai teens Your Maasai friends and fellow teenagers from the village visit the previous day visit you in your camp. Take this unique opportunity to exchange questions and share stories over a campfire.

Days 5 – 6 Serengeti National Park

In the Maasai language, Serengeti means "endless plain," a fitting name for this 6,000 square mile expanse of grasslands and forests. Serengeti National Park is the largest in Tanzania and one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The landscape of the park is ideal for wildlife viewing and it is famed for its annual migrations of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. The expansive plains and woodlands are also inhabited by buffalo, elephant, giraffe, hippo, antelope, ostrich, jackal, baboon, and dik-dik.

Wildlife safari in the Serengeti While on wildlife viewing drives, see new landscapes and seek out leopard, lion, cheetah, zebra, gazelle, impala, antelope, giraffe, warthog, ostrich, and more than 500 species of bird. Relax at Nyumba campsite Swahili for “home,” Thomson Nyumbas are eco-friendly canvas structures set on private campsites ideally located for the best wildlife viewing in northern Tanzania. The Nyumba tents offer comfortable accommodations combined with direct access to the remotest wilds, all without noisy generators or light pollution. Our green and responsible luxury is comfortable but not extravagant. It is simple, but it offers a wilderness experience like no other. It is responsible not only to the environment but to wildlife and local communities. You won’t find chandeliers or air conditioning or even fixed plumbing at our Nyumbas. You will find soft, cozy bedding, privacy, handcrafted Tanzanian-made décor, excellent service from an attentive staff, exclusive locations and delicious meals.

Days 7 – 9 Ngorongoro Higlands, Crater and Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Crater is widely considered to be one of the natural wonders of the world. Twelve miles wide, 2,000 feet deep, and covering an area of 102 square miles, it is the largest intact volcanic crater on earth and home to a spectacular concentration of wildlife. The crater hosts an estimated 30,000 animals on its floor, including large herds of buffalo and wildebeest, eland, hartebeest, elephant, hippo, lions, and the endangered black rhino.

Community service project In the town of Karatu your family can participate in a volunteer project. The work may include painting or plastering a classroom, teaching English, building a classroom, or planting trees; there is a wide array of possibilities. The actual project will be determined based on the community’s needs close to the time of your departure. Wildlife safari in Ngorongoro Crater Explore Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano that has been home to hundreds of species of non-migratory animals for thousands of years. Here you may see buffalo, lion, rhino, cheetah, flamingo, jackal, hippo, ostrich, wildebeest and many more. Bike ride Take in your remarkable surroundings as you bike through villages, past farmlands and acacia forests, all the way to the border of Manyara National Park.

Days 10 – 11 Arusha National Park

Covering an area of 137 square kilometers, Arusha National Park lies between the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Known for its remarkable range of altitude, topography, and vegetation, the park hosts a variety of species particular to forest, mountain, and aquatic habitats. On your visit to the park, head off on a half day trek up Mount Meru, passing Itikoni clearing, crossing a large stream above the Maio waterfalls, and heading up a path along the crater rim wall to Miriakamba, where you camp for the night.

Village visit at Mto Wa Mbu Stop at the village of Mto Wa Mbu on your way back to Arusha for a glimpse of traditional Tanzanian village life. Trek Mount Meru On your visit to the park, head off on a half day trek up Mount Meru, passing Itikoni clearing, crossing a large stream above the Maio waterfalls, and heading up a path along the crater rim wall to Miriakamba (8,400 feet). Camp one night in a hut Spend a night camping on the mountain at an altitude of 8,400 feet. Our accommodations are located in a wooden building with a tin roof. Each room has bunk beds and mattresses, and sleeping bags will be provided.

Days 12 – 13 Depart Arusha / Arrive U.S.

After descending Mount Meru and returning to your lodge, your family will have time to relax by the pool, shower, and enjoy a farewell meal before departing.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

Why Tanzania?

Unbelievable wildlife viewing There is no greater wildlife experience in the world than Tanzania — a nation that devotes 33% of its land to conservation and boasts the highest concentration of animals anywhere on the planet. From the vast Serengeti to the lust rain forests of the Mahale Mountains, Tanzania is home to wildebeest, chimpanzee, zebra, hippopotamus, giraffe, hyena and cheetah — just to name of few! Imagine seeing a hundred Thomson gazelle springing across a dirt road or majestic elephants leading their babies to a watering hole. Tanzania is the only place on earth where the “big five” — buffalo, elephant, leopard, the black-maned lion and the endangered, rare black rhinoceros — all live in one place. Peaceful, safe and stable Tanzania is a peaceful, safe country. A democracy since gaining independence 1961, Tanzania is led by a president and national assembly elected by popular vote. While not a wealthy country, Tanzania is quite stable, and its people are committed to preserving its natural and cultural resources. Tanzania is referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa,” peacefully sustaining more than 120 different ethnic groups and free of the political upheaval present in some other African countries. Serengeti National Park Protected since 1921, the Serengeti became Tanzania’s first National Park 30 years later. The Serengeti comprises some 14% of Tanzania’s total land, and features grassland plains and savanna as well as riverine forest and woodlands. Wooded knolls mark the official entrance, called Naabi Hill Gate, which then drops into the park’s signature wide-open expansive plains. Like no other, this stretch embodies the meaning of the word “Serengeti,” which derives from the Maasai word Siringet, and has been translated as “the land that flows on forever.” Covering over 6,000 square miles of pristine land, the Serengeti offers not only sprawling landscapes but the largest migration of mammals on earth, including 1.5 million wildebeest. Ngorongoro Conservation Area Designated a World Heritage Site in 1979, Ngorongoro Crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a wildlife and cultural preserve covering 3,200 square miles. Ten miles in diameter, the crater is the largest unbroken caldera, or ancient colapsed volcano, in the world. Some of the world’s most unusual animals – buffalo, elephant, leopard, the black-maned lion and the endangered, rare black rhinoceros; Africa’s renowned “big five” – live inside this fascinating self-contained environment. Members of the Maasai tribe, the only people permitted to live within the preserve’s boundaries, are quite visible in their bright red and royal blue cloths as they tend to their goat and cattle herds. Mahale Mountains National Park Rising from the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest and least-explored lake, the misty mountain forests of Mahale are home to the largest group of free-living chimpanzees in the world. A visit to this lush, remote rainforest is like traveling back in time. With a little luck, your family will have the opportunity to observe the chimpanzees as they feed, groom, play and wrestle across the forest floor. A trip to Mahale is a rare privilege few people get to experience. Mount Kilimanjaro To adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, few names are as evocative as that of Kilimanjaro. Africa's highest mountain stands alone at 19,340 feet, and as Hemingway wrote, "is as wide as the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun." You and your kids will traverse a road less traveled —your rugged, scenic nine-day Western Approach trek is inspired by the route followed by David Breashears and the IMAX crew while filming “Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa.” Maasai You’ll be warmly welcomed by the Maasai, a semi-nomadic people who live in northern Tanzania. The Maasai, who speak Maa, originated from the lower Nile valley and began migrating south around the fifteenth century, arriving in central Tanzania between the seventeenth and late eighteenth century. Your family will visit a Maasai boma (traditional village), where you will gain a glimpse into traditional Maasai culture and arts.

Why Tanzania with Thomson?

School visits and pen pal meetings School visits and pen pal meetings are two of this trip’s greatest highlights. You and your kids will meet teachers and students at a school near the town of Karatu and learn more about education in Tanzania. Children who have signed up for our Friends without Borders Pen Pal program will enjoy meeting their pen pal and sharing with one another. Tanzania-based for over 27 years Thomson is first US tour company licensed to operate safaris in Tanzania. We know and love this country, and through our 27 years of experience, have created a one-of-kind experience for families. We employ nearly 70 staff in our Arusha operation, own and maintain our own safari vehicles, and employ our Tanzanian-born guides year-round. Our personal attention to detail and first-hand knowledge of Tanzania’s culture and natural resources ensure your family will have an unforgettable adventure. Your family will encounter new surprises ever y day traveling the back roads in custom four-wheel drive Land Rover safari vehicles. You’ll discover vast, ruggedly beautiful landscapes, stretching from the volcanic cone of Mount Meru to the Great Rift Valley, from the dramatic, tree-strewn landscape of Tarangire to the endless plains of the Serengeti. You'll meet our long-time friends — villagers, school children, artisans, the Maasai and your Tanzanian guides – who share their thoughts, traditions, language and everyday lives with you. Private, custom-designed accommodations Swahili for “home,” our Nyumbas are the culmination of 27 years of safari expertise and are Thomson Family Adventures’ signature style of accommodation. Nyumbas are canvas structures luxuriously appointed with handcrafted furnishings, sisal rugs, Maasai beading, fine linens and antique textiles. The spacious layout offers plenty of room and each Thomson Nyumba includes a spacious private verandah with comfortable seating and a writing table. Oversized, fine-mesh windows look out over beautiful African vistas while allowing the fresh breeze in off the savannah. Private and comfortable en-suite bathrooms feature flush toilets and safari showers with plenty of hot water day or night. While at our Thomson Nyumbas, your family will enjoy unparalleled yet unobtrusive access to the wildlife. Unlike conventional lodges, our Nyumbas put you in the wild, up close to the animals. Imagine unhindered views of the star-filled night sky, gourmet meals prepared from fresh local ingredients in coal-fired ovens, and a sincere welcome from friendly, reliable staff at each camp. In short, it is the perfect balance of luxury, sustainability and immersion, a world away from civilization. Tanzanian-born Guides The guide is the key to a great safari! A guide's knowledge, sensitivity, and good humor are some of the most essential elements of a great safari. And quite simply, Thomson guides are the best. We don't say so. Our guests do! They rave about every one of them, from Abraham to Charles to Willie to Nasibu. Our guides were born and raised in Tanzania, and love to introduce visitors to the natural beauty and wildlife of their country. Most of them have been with us for years, often starting as drivers or mechanics, and working their way up to senior safari guide. Our guides all take naturalist courses or have degrees in natural history and wildlife. They maintain mental maps of Tanzania's back roads and hiding places and keep up-to-date on animal migrations — and they have super-sharp wildlife spotting abilities! The bottom line is, our guides are happy with their jobs, love to interact with people from different cultures, and work hard to make sure each guest is satisfied. You’ll appreciate their passion and enthusiasm as you experience Tanzania through their insightful eyes. Small groups and personal attention Our small group size gives us the ability to respond to each of our guests as individuals, with unique needs, wants and desires. When you call, any member of our staff will answer your questions with authority and patience. After you book a trip, we'll stay in contact, providing you with thorough information about your trip. This level of personal interaction continues in Tanzania, where our staff is as curious about you as you are about them. To thank our Tanzanian staff, we bring each employee who has been with us five years or more (mechanics, cooks, drivers, guides) to the US to enjoy a cultural adventure of their own. Unlimited exploration Most safari operators restrict the number of miles their drivers can drive per day. We want you to have the most rewarding wildlife experience so we do not have a mileage restriction for our guides and drivers.