The walks are guided and normally accompanied by an armed ranger. A walking safari is an excellent break from game drives, where visitors will learn some fascinating facts about nature, birds, reptiles, insects, and the medicinal uses of local plants.
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arusha - Arusha National Park
It takes 50 kilometers or one hour drive to Arusha. You will be met on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to Arusha town for dinner and overnight at Mrimba Palm Hotel with breakfast included. The next morning, Jolo Royal Trek & Safaris will collect you from the hotel and take you to the Arusha National Park. The park has an incredible variety of fauna and flora, which cannot fail to impress. Hollywood also chose this region to film the movie “Hatari” in which Hardy Kruger starred alongside the legendary John Wayne.
Your day trip will include a visit to the Ngurdo Crater. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras, and baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. At the Momella Gate, an armed ranger will be waiting for you to accompany you on the walking safari which will give you the chance to experience the wildlife up close.
Only a few other national parks in Tanzania give you such an opportunity and it is something that should not be missed. Lunch will be taken at a picnic place and in the afternoon, you will continue your tour in the safari vehicle through the Arusha National Park. After plenty of time allocated for you to observe the wildlife, they will take you back to Arusha.
Day 2: Arusha National Park - Monduli
Drive to the Monduli Mountains, home to the Maasai Tribe. Stay at your base camp overlooking the Rift Valley with fantastic views of Gelai, Ol Donyo Lengai, Kilimanjaro, and Meru. Take an afternoon walk or relax and enjoy the view. The Monduli Mountains are known for their natural beauty and breathtaking cultural appeal, situated approximately two hours drive from Arusha.
The peaks of these mountains are forested with cedar trees and other lush vegetation, and on the lower slopes are the dry thorn bushes that spread down to the Rift Valley floor. The camp overlooks the Rift Valley with spectacular views of Kilimanjaro, Meru, Longido, Gelai, Kitumbaine, and Ol Donyo Lengai (which is known as the “mountain of God” in the Maasai language). It is from here that you can explore the area, going down to the Rift Valley Floor for game trekking on foot or walking high into the Monduli range.
Experience the rich culture of the Maasai with your very own Maasai trekking guides (whose home it is). They will ensure that you not only get a warm welcome, but you get a true taste of adventure and a genuine cultural experience. See their traditional way of life; be invited into a Maasai home, and even trade goods if you feel so inclined. After an afternoon of trekking and cross-cultural exploration, spend the night at the base camp under the stars.
Day 3: Monduli - Lake Eyasi
In the morning, enjoy more trekking in Monduli and after lunch, drive to Lake Eyasi for dinner and overnight at Hadzabe camp (Bushman's camp). Their language is similar to the click languages of other bushmen further south in the Kalahari. You are often invited to come and see your simple bush homes where the tree canopy alone or a cave shelters them. They live entirely off the land as they have been for centuries.
A few hours spent amongst the Bushmen makes the inhospitable bush country come to life. To watch them hunt is truly a unique experience - from the age of four and up - they stealthily spot and then creep up on their prey skillfully killing it. You make camp at the Lake Eyasi Campsite and spend the night under the canvas falling asleep to the unfamiliar sounds of the bush. You will enjoy dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 4: Lake Eyasi - Lake Natron
After breakfast, drive to Lake Natron for lunch. After lunch, experience a walking tour of the waterfalls dinner and overnight at Kamakia camp.
Day 5: Lake Natron - Mto wa Mbu
Walking to the lakes. After lunch, drive to Mto wa Mbu for dinner and overnight at Panorama camp (situated on the Great Rift Valley).
Day 6: Mto wa Mbu - Arusha
Cultural tour in Mto wa Mbu and canoeing and late afternoon, drive back to Arusha.