Tanzania Family Journey: A Serengeti Safari

G Adventures · 8 days

4.7

15 Reviews

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Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Adventure is calling from the wild African savanna! Head out on safari in Tanzania’s world-renowned national parks and conservation areas to see huge herds of wildebeests and zebras; playful elephants; and cunning hunters such as lions, cheetahs and Nile crocodiles.

Highlights

Meet a local artist in the Tanzanian village of Mto wa Mbu where you’ll get a hands-on lesson in traditional art techniques and materials before creating your own artwork made of banana leaves
Head out on the Serengeti Plain for a safari adventure in search of the “Big 5"
Take in the spectacular views as you walk along the rim of the massive Ngorongoro Crater and meet a local artist who will guide you in painting a canvas inspired by your adventure
Visit a Maasai village and join forces with Clean Cookstove Project- an initiative to reduce household air pollution and help install a new stove in a village boma.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, walking

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Arusha, Tanzania

Finishes

Arusha, Tanzania

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Family, National Geographic Journey

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha

Welcome to Arusha–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.
Our National Geographic Family Journeys tour in Tanzania has a maximum group size of eighteen travellers in addition to our highly trained CEOs and safari guides/drivers. We will make use of a maximum of three 7-seat 4x4 safari vehicles, with 6 guests per vehicle, meaning everyone gets a window seat.

Day 2: Arusha/Mto wa Mbu

Duck under the giant leaves of banana trees as you explore the lush farmlands surrounding the vibrant town of Mto wa Mbu, which has attracted some 18,000 residents from 120 different tribes. Take a guided walk through the community, learning about local history, industry and cuisine from members of several Tanzanian tribes. You'll also visit a local market and learn how the residents' huts are made. Then enjoy lunch with a local family, tasting different types of banana and rice dishes harvested from nearby farms. After lunch, visit the workshops of local artisans who will describe influences and materials they use to make the items they sell in local markets. They'll also show you techniques they use to create art from banana leaves—then it's your turn to create some banana art of your own! Continue to the Rift Valley escarpment and settle into the lodge.

Day 3: Mto wa Mbu/Serengeti National Park

It's officially time for safari, but first an introduction to the remarkable anthropological history of the Serengeti area. Delve into the story of human origins at the Olduvai Gorge Museum and Visitor's Center, located near the site where National Geographic archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered early hominid fossils and stone tools. After a filling picnic lunch, continue to the world-famous Serengeti National Park and go on a safari across the wild Serengeti Plain. Throughout your safari, keep an eye out for galloping giraffes and lounging lions. Then, head back to camp for a delicious dinner before settling in for a good night's sleep.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park

Today, get to know the incredible creatures of the Serengeti as you set out on morning and afternoon wildlife-viewing adventures. Ride in a 4x4 over golden plains, gazing out from the pop-up roof to glimpse wildlife through binoculars or watch as animals walk right by you! Watering holes also draw all kinds of visitors, from towering giraffes to the tiny dik-diks, a miniature species of antelope. With luck, spot all of Africa's “Big 5” safari stars—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo.

Day 5: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro Crater

On a morning safari, look out for cackling jackals, brave honey badgers or long-necked ostriches strutting through the grass. Enjoy a picnic breakfast surrounded by the vast savanna before heading out of the Serengeti en route to the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Once you settle into the lodge, enjoy a delicious lunch to fuel up for your next adventure. In the afternoon, join your Chief Experience Officer and a park ranger for a walk along the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, observing the small flora and fauna that make this biodiverse spot so spectacular. Keep your eyes peeled for inspiration, as after the walk concludes, you'll head back to the lodge to meet an artist from the local community who will guide you through a painting class. You'll get to use your own canvas to illustrate all the things that inspired you on your walk along the rim of the crater.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Set out into the Ngorongoro Crater, an enormous volcanic caldera where animals of all kinds gather to graze or hunt. Descend into the caldera for a full-day safari drive, ready to be mesmerized by zebra stripes and the eland's spiral horns. Spot buffalo, wildebeests, zebras and gazelles as they bound across the grass. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way within the crater.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater/Arusha

Your day begins with a visit to a local coffee farm, where you'll learn about the “seed to cup” coffee making process. After watching the beans roast, you'll get to sample some of the freshly made coffee. After you enjoy lunch at the farm, take a walk through the picturesque landscape. Your next stop is a visit to a Maasai village in the Monduli district, where you'll chat with locals and learn about the G Adventures-supported Clean Cookstoves project—an amazing initiative that seeks to reduce household air pollution. You'll meet one of the project's female engineers and lend a hand during the installation of a new stove in a village boma, or traditional home. Return to Arusha and gather for a farewell dinner while sharing stories about your exciting adventures.

Day 8: Arusha

Depart at any time.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $7499

AUD $5,624

(Tour only)

Offer ends 01 Oct, 2025 Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 12 Oct 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Yvonne

Traveled, December 2024

01/18/2025

I am a bit upset that there were people on the tour who booked at the last minute and paid $900 & $1200 each. Isn't there any protection for price drop after booking?

5.0

Nuri

Traveled, September 2024

10/12/2024

Ship crew and naturalists tried to their best to make our experiences for the best. We are satisfied with the whole trip.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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