Private Tour – Kirafu: 12 Days

Itinerary At A Glance:
Local Tour / Tarangire / Lake Manyara / Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater / Maasai Cultural Tour

Day 1 | Arrival – Moshi
On Day One of the Kifaru Private Tour, having arrived at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will meet with the representatives from Massawe Adventures and transfer to Chanya Lodge, situated just outside of Moshi. Here, you will enjoy a comfortable stay ahead of what promises to be a memorable safari tour.

Day 2 | Local Tour
Day Two will immerse you in Tanzanian culture. The Local Tour makes for a perfect day trip to acclimatise to the warmer weather ahead of your safari adventure!

After breakfast, you will be met by the Massawe Adventures Tour Guides and driven in a private vehicle to the Materuni Waterfalls. The Waterfall has a reputation for wowing visitors with spectacular views and a memorable atmosphere. The Local Tour begins in the village by observing the entire process of coffee making as it goes from seed to mug (a treat to tantalise the senses).

After a lunch prepared for you with local produce, you will head off to explore Materuni Waterfalls. The Local Tour involves around 8km of walking throughout the day (including 300m of incline). This waterfall adventure is a great warm-up as the Kifaru tour begins.

Following this wonderful welcome to Tanzania, you will spend your second night at The Green Side luxury cottages.

Day 3 | Tarangire
After breakfast, Day Three begins with a morning departure for Tarangire National Park – the sixth largest national park in Tanzania.

You will have the opportunity to spend the afternoon spotting wildlife in this quieter wildlife haven featuring a wide variety of habitats. Witness majestic herds of elephants playing and bathing in the Tarangire River – in addition to sightings of Giraffes, Buffalos, Gazelles, and Zebras.

Over 545 species of wild animals have been spotted at Tarangire National Park; this is a fantastic chance to spot some of Africa’s most loved wild animals. The lower visitor numbers add to the authentic safari experience, something our guests have been known to love. Following a jam-packed day of safari, you’ll recuperate overnight at the luxurious Maramboi Tented Lodges just outside the National Park.

Day 4 | Lake Manyara
The Fourth Day kicks off with an early morning departure for Lake Manyara National Park, with lunch provided on arrival. Described as a hidden gem of Tanzania, Lake Manyara is an extraordinary place to see much-loved wild animals in principal view.

Famous for tree-climbing lions and with stories of large herds of elephants greeting tourists spectacularly, Day Four of the tour will satisfy many of your safari desires! From swamps and the tranquil lake to the mountainous escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, there are a wealth of habitats to explore.

Lake Manyara National Park is located at the base of the East African Rift Valley, parallel to the Gregory Rift. Subsequently, the national park offers spectacular viewing of the escarpment; a magnificent sight to behold.

After a jam-packed day, you’ll spend the night at Endoro Lodge for a tranquil stay.

Day 5 | Serengeti National Park
Beginning with an early morning, Day Five has you driving to one of the most famous National Parks in Africa, the Serengeti. Home to millions of wildebeest during the migration, and large cats across legendary grasslands, Serengeti is a wonderful destination to view these fantastic animals in their prime habitats. You will enjoy a magnificent afternoon safari before having dinner and settling for the night at the Mara Under Canvas Tented Camp for a unique experience of sleeping right in the heart of Serengeti.

Day 6 & 7 | Serengeti
Days Six and Seven of the Kifaru Tour will allow you to fully experience Serengeti however you’d like. Break your day into morning and afternoon safaris or take a picnic along with you for a day of independent adventuring. Both nights will be spent at the Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (Central Serengeti) – one of the most intimate wildlife accommodation sites Tanzania has to offer.

Day 8 | Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater
With so much to experience in Serengeti, we will spend another morning on safari! The Serengeti is renowned for its big cat sightings. On this particular safari, you will have the chance to see the cheetahs prowling the savannah and elusive leopards escaping the heat of the day in the acacia trees.

Serengeti is one of the most beautiful locations that we are privileged to tour, and we can’t wait to share the experience with you before driving to the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Here you will spend an unforgettable night at The Rhino Lodge situated on the top of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 9 | Ngorongoro Crater
On the Ninth Day of our Kifaru Tour, your day with begin with breakfast, closely followed by departure to the Ngorongoro Crater; one of the seven natural wonders of the world (sometimes known as “Africa’s Garden Of Eden”).

This wondrous site happens to be home to a concentrated population of wildlife – containing an estimated 30,000 animals including The Big Five. You will enjoy a full day of safari adventure in this phenomenal natural wonder, in addition to lunch by the hippopotamus lake, before commencing your drive back to Arusha to spend a relaxing night at The Green Side Luxury Cottages.

Day 10 | Mto Wa Mbu
After breakfast, we will head for Mto Wa Mbu; a small town with a cultural diversity of over 120 ethnic groups. In the town, you can experience a whole host of traditional activities from different cultures.

You could join the Chagga people and experience banana beer, the growing of rice seedlings, and banana farming. Alternatively, there is an opportunity to join the Makonde tribe for a morning of carving and exploring the local food market. The experiences and activities available to you in Mto Wa Mbu are endlessly exciting!

Following a day rich with culture, we will take you back to Moshi for a further overnight stay at The Green Side luxury cottages.

Day 11 | Kikuletwa Hot Springs
On the penultimate day of the Kiraru Tour, we will take you to the magnificent Kikuletwa Hot Springs. Kikuletwa Hot Springs (alternatively known as ‘Maji Moto Hot Springs’ or ‘Chemka Hot Springs’) is a hidden gem along Arusha and Moshi. This scenic oasis is surrounded by miniature jungle – the perfect destination for you to enjoy a relaxing bathe or swim following your Safari adventure; little fish may even give you a gentle pedicure if you hold still and would welcome that!

There are also waterfalls close by that you can wander to and experience before spending a final night at The Green Side luxury cottages.

Day 12 | Departure
On the final day of the tour, we like to offer a degree of flexibility to ensure that you get the most from your Tanzanian Stay. From an optional exploration of the town and souvenir shopping to alternative local experiences depending on your areas of interest, we hope to ensure the final moments leave a lasting impression.

Massawe Adventures will then ensure that you have a comfortable drive back to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your flight departure.