The Ultimate Northern Circuit: Hadzabe Tribes, Safari & Lake Natron
11 daysNorthern Tanzania are home to an abundance of experiences and on this trip, we’ve included some the very best.
Your journey starts in Arusha, from where we’ll travel to Tarangire National Park, known for stunning scenery, huge Baobab Trees and Tanzania’s largest population of elephants.
Next stop is Lake Eyasi where you’ll travel back in time to get a rare glimpse of how life looked like when our main source of food came from hunting. The Hadzabe tribes are amongst the last true hunter-gatherers of East Africa and a visit here is truly extraordinary.
The road from Lake Eyasi to Serengeti goes through the incredibly beautiful landscape of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It’s possible to include a drive down the crater floor if you want an even more impressive transfer to Serengeti.
Arriving at Serengeti and exploring this natural wonder and its endless plains, which are home to the largest population of lions in the world, is every bit as impressive as people claim it be.
Most visitors drive back the way they came from, through Ngorongoro. We take the long road back to Arusha through Lake Natron. It might be a bumpy ride, but it is well worth it as this place simply is quite amazing.
Not many travelers make the effort of going here as it is remote and not on the “main road”. That is exactly why we love this place!
- Get up close to the mighty African Elephant in the beautiful Tarangire National Park
- Learn about a lifestyle long forgotten at Lake Eyasi and a visit to the Hadzabe Tribe
- Search for the big 5 at Serengeti National Park
- Explore the stunning surroundings of Lake Natron and visit the Maasai Tribes
your Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Arusha
Welcome to Arusha
Welcome to Arusha.
Upon arrival at the airport you will meet our representative at the arrival hall. From here we will drive you to your hotel in Arusha with the rest of the day at your leisure.
Accommodation: Overnight at Outpost Lodge or similar
Meals: Dinner
Transportation: Approximately 45 minutes from the airport
Day 2: From Arusha to Tarangire National Park
From Arusha to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast we head towards Tarangire National Park, also known as the land of giants, as it is home to the highest concentration of elephants and dotted with the impressive Baobab trees.
Upon arriving at the gate to the national park, we’ll raise the roof of the safari jeep, find the binoculars and drive inside the park in search of wildlife and not least lions, leopards and cheetahs.
Tarangire is often overlooked due to Ngorongoro and Serengeti, which really is a shame, as this park is extremely beautiful and teeming with wildlife. Luckily you’ll get all 3 during this trip.
Enjoy your packed lunch one of the picnic sites followed by afternoon game drives.
In the afternoon we’ll drive to the campsite, get settled in and relax the rest of the evening.
Accommodation: Overnight at public campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner
Transportation: Approximately 3 hours
Day 3: Full day game drive and transfer to Mto wa Mbu
Full day game drive and transfer to Mto wa Mbu
After an early breakfast we’ll head out in search of more wildlife and hopefully a lion or two.
The day is best planned between the safari guide, and you based on yesterday’s sightings and your preferences.
In the afternoon we will exit the park and head towards one of the finest campsites we have encountered in Tanzania, with beautiful views of Lake Manyara.
The evening is at your leisure. A dip in the pool is not a bad way to end an eventful day.
Accommodation: Overnight at Migombani Camp Site or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner
Transportation: Approximately 1 hour in private jeep.
Day 4: Mto Wa Mbu to Lake Eyasi
Mto Wa Mbu to Lake Eyasi
Today offers a different wildlife experience as you will bike the shores of Lake Manyara in the company of zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and more.
Enjoy a lunch at the lake shore before we head back and drive to Lake Eyasi where we will visit the Datoga People, a semi nomadic tribe known for their blacksmith craft and basic clay and mud huts.
Enjoy the sunset down by Lake Eyasi or at your campsite and relax the rest of the evening
Accommodation: Overnight at public campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner
Transportation: Approximately 2 hours in safari jeep.
Day 5: Hunting with the Hadzabe and transfer to Serengeti
Hunting with the Hadzabe and transfer to Serengeti
It will be an early morning as we’re meeting up with the Hadzabe bush people around sunrise for an introduction to their way of life and an early morning hunt.
The Hadzabe are considered to be one of the last true hunter-gatherers in Africa and their way of life haven’t changed much since the early days, some 10.000 years ago.
There are approximately 18-20 tribes living in the area, with only a few inviting tourists into their way of life. You might not be the only tourists here, but make no mistake – this is how they live and it is a wild experience.
When you go hunting there is no guarantee that they will catch anything but if they do be prepared for a rather savage experience. They mostly catch birds on these hunts.
Afterwards we should have time for a breakfast and to relax for a little while. Afterwards we drive towards Serengeti through the incredibly beautiful Ngorongoro Conservation Area where we will enjoy a packed lunch.
We will continue towards Serengeti and spend the rest of the afternoon doing game drive before reaching our campsite/lodge in the late afternoon.
Enjoy the evening at your campsite/lodge as you go to sleep in the heart of the national park to the sounds of nature and roaring lions.
Welcome to the mighty Serengeti.
Accommodation: Overnight at public campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner
Transportation: Approximately 4 hours in safari jeep.
Day 6: Full day Serengeti Game Drive
Full day Serengeti Game Drive
A full day of safari is best planned between the driver guide and you.
Depending on weather conditions we can recommend getting up early morning and start the game drive when the park opens at 6 am.
You will leave with a packed lunch to enjoy at a picnic area around 12 pm or whenever you choose to.
The park closes at 6 pm at which time you must be back at your lodge.
Accommodation: Overnight in public campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner
Day 7: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast it’s another full day of game drives, however we will check out from our current lodge and slowly move towards the northern and lesser crowded part of the Serengeti.
Enjoy your packed lunch either at a picnic site or during your game drive before reaching your new camp in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Overnight in public campsite or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunchbox and dinner
Day 8: Serengeti to Lake Natron
Serengeti to Lake Natron
Today after breakfast we’ll do some early morning game drives as we slowly head towards the northern gate and exit the Serengeti. We’re now slowly heading into what feels like no-man’s-land as we drive towards the secluded and beautiful Lake Natron.
It’s a bumpy ride on some very questionable roads but it’s well-worth the effort though. As you approach the lake you will be rewarded with some amazing views of the lake and the impressive volcano.
Upon arrival you may get settled in and relax. The water in the pool comes directly from the nearby waterfall, which is a great 3-hour activity if you are up for it in the afternoon.
Otherwise, it is only a short drive to the lakeshore where you’ll likely find giraffes, zebras and 100s if not 100s flamingos.
Accommodation: Overnight at Maasai Giraffe Eco-Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Transportation: Approximately 5 hours in safari jeep
Day 9: Full day at Lake Natron
Full day at Lake Natron
The day is free for activities so that you might arrange with your driver/guide how to get the most out of the day.
The ultimate experience is climbing the volcano, which would be done around midnight during the cool evening and reach the top around sunset. The whole trip is roughly 10-11 hours.
Other activities include a cultural visit to the Maasai village, explore the lake and come up close to the flamingos or hike to the waterfall if you didn’t do so the day before.
Accommodation: Overnight at Maasai Giraffe Eco-Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10: Lake Natron to Arusha
Lake Natron to Arusha
If you didn’t go the day before make sure to get up early and head down to the lake for a sunrise tea or coffee. Our driver/guide will take you down to a small hill at the lakeshore with foldable chairs and a table to enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the surrounding mountains and the lake.
After breakfast we will head towards Arusha. After a couple of hours driving the dirt roads, we’ll reach the tarmac for a smooth and beautiful ride back to Arusha.
Once in Arusha we will drop you off at your hotel and rest of the day/evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Overnight at Outpost Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunchbox
Day 11: Departure and Transfer to the Airport
Departure and Transfer to the Airport
After breakfast it’s time to check out of your accommodation in Arusha. We will pick you up and drive you to the airport according to your flight schedule.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Approximately 45 minutes to the Airport
tour details
Duration: 11 days 10 nights
Duration: 11 days 10 nights
This tour is 11 days and 10 nights long
Starting Destination: Arusha
Starting Destination: Arusha
This tour starts in Arusha upon arrival at the airport
End Destination: Arusha
End Destination: Arusha
This tour ends in Arusha from where we will drop you off at the airport
Included
Included
- Accommodation:5x nights at public campsite, 3x nights at comfort campsites, 2x nights at Outpost Lodge or similar
- Rental sleeping bags
- Meals: 9x breakfast, 9x lunch, 8x dinner
- Transport: Private 4x4 Land Cruiser safari jeep, airport pickup and drop off
- Guide: English speaking driver/guide
- All national park fees and government taxes
- Mandatory tip for the Hadzabe tribe
Not Included
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Tips for guide and drivers
- Visa
- Any other expenses not specified
Participants
Participants
Maximum number of participants is 6 in one safari jeep. More than that will require an additional jeep.
Physical rate: 1/5
Physical rate: 1/5
This tour does not include any physical activities. Voluntary activities at Lake Natron varies from 2/5 to 3/5.
Child Policy
Child Policy
This tour does not have any specific child policy
Travel Season
Travel Season
All year, however we do not recommend going during the rainy season from March - May due to bad road conditions.
Tour Departure Days
Tour Departure Days
Every day.
Important remarks
Important remarks
Please inform us of your flights details upon booking.
A visit to the Hadzabe Tribes is a unique experience but do remember you are a guest in their home. Also, as you will go on a hunt with them, there are no guarantees that you will see or catch anything as they hunt in the wild.
Tour Disclaimer
Tour Disclaimer
While we love to travel to remote places and operate many tours in these areas, infrastructure can be limited, and conditions can be unpredictable. This might influence the course of a given tour, and while It is our intention to follow the program described in the itinerary, it might not always be possible to do so. We have also on occasion taken the liberty to deviate from the program if for the better of the experience due to local experiences taking place.
The itinerary and tour description are general guidelines to what you can expect of a given tour, but should not be considered as guarantees, nor should the mentioning of possible sightings of animals, specific destinations. Heights, driving time, trekking time and any other travel times listed are approximations.
The Ultimate Northern Circuit: Hadzabe Tribes, Safari & Lake Natron
11 days | Tanzania & Zanzibar
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what our travellers say
I went on a great first-time hike in the beautiful nature of Himalaya, Nepal. The trip was very well planned and the guides were very friendly and professional. I would definitely recommend traveling with Bikudo!