7 Days Northern Circuit Cultural Safari

Northern Circuit Cultural Safari begins at Karama Lodge & Spa, a quiet and tastefully decorated lodge situated conveniently on the outskirts of Arusha. From here, we’re just an hour away from Arusha National Park. This small wildlife reserve offers a welcome retreat from the hubbub of the city, and it’s a popular day trip for locals from Arusha. You won’t find major predators here, but with plenty of buffalo, giraffe, and zebra, it’s a perfect introduction to the game-rich parks which have earned Tanzania its sterling international reputation. The park is also one of the best places in the country to find the black-and-white colobus monkey. After our first day on safari, we’ll return to the Karama Lodge & Spa to spend the night.

Today we’ll venture further into the wilderness of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit: our next destination will be Lake Manyara National Park. The park is known far and wide for the tree-climbing lions found within its borders, and they remain some of the most alluring subjects for budding photographers. But there are plenty of other draws to Lake Manyara, from the flamingos standing on the gentle shores of its alkaline waters to the many species of plains game which can be spotted from the park’s short vehicle loop. After our safari, tonight’s accommodations will be in the beautiful cottage-style suites at the Marera Valley Lodge. The resort’s convenient location in Karatu will serve as a great base for our explorations of the Northern Circuit over the next few days.

We’ll get an early start today as daylight breaks over the Ngorongoro highlands, arriving at the extinct volcanic caldera which shares its name in the midmorning. Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s best safari destinations, encompassing more than 260 square kilometers of pristine wildlife habitat. All of the Big Five can be found here: lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. The crater is also known for the many clans of hyena which roam the natural boundaries of its volcanic walls. We’ll spend the day roving across the savanna here in search of animals large and small. Later this afternoon, we’ll return to the Marera Valley Lodge for a sumptuous meal, basking in the memories of another exciting day on safari.

So far, we’ve seen plenty of wildlife in Tanzania’s best national parks and reserves—but today we’ll concentrate on the cultural elements of our itinerary. Our destination is Lake Eyasi, which is even bigger than Lake Manyara and is home to one of Tanzania’s oldest cultures: the Hadzabe, or Hadza. We’ll join these hunter-gatherers on an expedition into the bush to discover how they forage for food and hunt using traditionally designed bows. We’ll also take this opportunity to connect with members of a very different culture: the Datoga. These are pastoralists who depend upon their livestock and farms, leading a life based around their homesteads. The two tribes share an intriguing relationship based on trade. In exchange for meat and honey from the Hadza, the Datoga provide expertly-forged arrowheads and other goods, including maize and millet. After getting acquainted with these two distinct examples of traditional Tanzanian culture, we’ll return to the Marera Valley Lodge for a second night.

This morning we’ll be visiting the lively town of Mto wa Mbu, where you’ll get to experience many unique facets of Tanzanian culture. The village is a genuine melting pot of many different ethnicities—in fact, all of Tanzania’s 120 tribes are represented here in one place! From hard-working farmers cultivating three dozen varieties of bananas to gifted artisans crafting one-of-a-kind products in colorful workshops, Mto wa Mbu is a feast for the senses. We’ll explore the markets, churches, and schools in town before enjoying a fascinating tour of a local rice plantation. Here we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch before departing for West Kilimanjaro. This region encompasses the plains stretching between Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, and we’ll be staying at the Original Maasai Lodge. It’s here that we’ll get a closer look at the mesmerizing culture of the Maasai people.

The red-robed Maasai represent Tanzania’s most recognizable culture. Known for a semi-nomadic pastoral lifestyle, the Maasai way of life revolves around caring for their critically important cattle herds. The Original Maasai Lodge is run in cooperation with the local Maasai community, and we’ll reap the rewards of this partnership by partaking in a number of hands-on experiences. First up is an intriguing nature walk, where you’ll learn to identify and gather wild-growing medicinal herbs. You can also learn to throw spears with the Maasai, visit an authentic boma, or settlement, and attend a traditional festival. Later, we’ll return to camp at sunset to enjoy the timeless singing and dancing of this ancient culture. Accommodation at Original Maasai Lodge.

After one last breakfast, it’s time to pack our bags and make the hour-long drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your outgoing flight. Travel is about more than the sights you see and the photographs you take—it’s about the people you meet and the experiences you bring home with you. Wherever your travels take you from here, we hope that your Northern Circuit Cultural Safari with Chalema Tanzania Safaris will live on in your memories.