Safari blog Shadows Of Africa

Aug 21, 2014

Your Guide to Additional Things to Do on Tanzanian Safari

Safari Add Ons In Tanzania
Safari add ons are activities that you can add to all our itineraries. There is much more than just safari from the vehicle. There are interesting and exciting activities for curious, active guests that want to upgrade safari with additional exciting activities from ballooning to hiking and more.
When you are booking a safari in Tanzania, you probably know there is much more to do besides game drives. Since we have lots of questions from our clients, we have created a simple  review of things you can do in each Tanzanian main National park.


Night Game Drive
A night game drive is a special safari on which you will encounter nocturnal animals such as hippos, lions, leopards, genets, porcupines, civet cats, white-tailed mongoose, aardvarks and cape hares. Night game drive is one of the most popular and exciting activity on safari.Night game drives possible in Tarangire and Lake Manyara area.


Walking Safari
Walking Safaris are specially designed, where you will not only rush past beautiful landscapes but also to learn something of its flora and fauna. And you will surely experience the true wilderness of Africa!
Walking Safari Nature walks are always accompanied by game rangers and armed, experienced and trained guides to ensure safety. Guides will also show you special flowers, plants, trees, birds, reptiles and animals.  Walking safaris are available in area of Lake Manyara, Arusha NP and Tarangire area.

Horse Riding Safari
A horse riding safari will probably be the most thrilling experience of your life, since you will come much closer to wildlife than you would do on a driving or walking safari. You could maybe also stop for a watering rest at the same places as hippos, elephants, zebras, gazelles and giraffes. This activity is available in Lake Manyara area.  Special conditions apply. Contact us for more info.


Hot Air Balloon Safari
Viewing African landscape from above is unforgettable experience. The balloon safari in Tanzania offers panoramic views of the awe inspiring landscape sights and possibility of taking very nice pictures of animals like cheetah, lions, leopard, elephants buffalo, hippo, cheetah, vultures, eagles, wildebeest, zebra, baboon, warthog, monkey, giraffe and many other animals species below. Balloon safaris are available in Serengeti and Tarangire National park.

Canoeing
Canoeing Safari is the ultimate in relaxing excitement to enjoy the astonishingly beautiful scenery.  It is appropriate for guests who like to experience a different but easy Activity option and it is also good for guests who do not have plenty of time in the National park.
Accompanied by qualified guides, guests meet at the canoe launching site. After receiving all safety information they set off on the water in the company of the canoeing guide. Canoeists glide over the smooth lake water (20m offshore) drifting past giraffe, buffalo and elephant. The trip ends with a refreshing drink stop.  Canoeing is possible in Arusha NP, Lake Duluti, Lake Manyara and Lake Victoria.


Birdwatching

Tanzania has the highest bird count in Africa with over 1100 bird species! With the safari guides who are professionally qualified ornithologists you get the opportunity to spot many different bird species, even some rare, indigenous or endangered ones.  Bird-watching is best during the warm season when you get the opportunity to spot endemic species as well as migratory birds from Europe and Asia.  Birdwatching activity is possible in Arusha NP, Lake Manyara,  Serengeti, Ngorongoro  Conversation Area, Tarangire NP, Lake Eyasi, Lake Victoria and Lake Natron.
Mountain Biking Tours
In Tanzania mountain biking is mostly done in the northern part, especially around Lake Manyara National Park and the Kilimanjaro National Park. You can bike only for a few hours to explore the surrounding of your lodge or camp, or you can even undertake a mountain biking tour (from Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro or even as far down as Lake Manyara).
Cultural Tours
You can enhance safari in Tanzania by adding cultural tours of your preference to safari itinerary. Meet different tribes and spend some quality time in order to experience just for a while how they live their daily life in Tanzania.
-       Cultural tour to Maasai Village with possible overnight in the village
-       Cultural visit to Hadzabe tribe in Lake Eyasi and hunting experience
-       Cultural Visit  to Datoga tribe in Lake Eyasi, known for making amazing spears
-       Local Lunch in Arusha after safari: home cooked meal and good conversation with locals. On local lunch you will have an opportunity to try local specialties! Beans, ugali, cooked bananas, nyama choma (grilled meat), rice and plenty of local fresh fruits and vegetables. You might wish to give a toast with banana vine or baobab juice!
-       Snake Park visit and Maasai Museum
-       Visit true Maasai Market
-       Mto wa Mbu village tours: Mto wa Mbu is situated on the way from Arusha to the National Parks in Northern Tanzania, just at the foot of the Rift Valley. You can choose farming tour where you visit Chagga family producing banana beer, and you walk northwards passing many different farms.
Hiking and Forest Walks to Waterfalls
Shorter half-day hikes can be easily added to your safari itinerary as well as longer treks. Nature in Africa is stunning and it would be a sin not to see the lush green forests where you can see stunning birds and even monkeys during the walk. Northern safari circuit area hides many hidden places, lush forests and waterfalls, volcanoes. Treks and hikes can last from a couple hours to several days.  For more details contact us and we will advise you the best option.
One of our more popular programs is a 3 nights & 4 days Olmoti Crater & Empakaai Crater trek (walking, driving & camping).
Hiking in Ngorongoro Conversation area

  • Trek to Empakai Crater: The beautiful drive toward Empakai crater and the hiking in site could perhaps make of this day one of the most rewarding one of your trip The hike can take 3 up to 4 hours depending on whether you decide to descent from the southern wall [1 km. 700 meters of altitude. 1,5 hr] or from the eastern one [2 km. 300 meters of altitude. 2 hr].Both ways the crater's sides are steepy.
  • Trek to Ol Donyo Lengai (2878m): Ol Donyo Lengai an active carbonate volcano with spiritual significance to the Maasai. This is a very demanding trek, which starts around 3 am in the morning so as to avoid the fierce midday heat. Walk to the summit takes approx.5 hours. If weather allows it is also possible descend into the active crater then walk down.
  • Mount Lemagarut Trek (3155m): On the western part of Ngorongoro Crater lies Mt Lemagrut.It takes under an hour to drive to the lower slopes and about 4 hours trek to the top and down. On a clear day, there is amazing view over the Serengeti plains, Lake Eyasi and the Ngorongoro Crater.This trek can be part of your safari to the Ngorongoro Crater area.
  • Trek to Olmoti Crater (3700m): this trek takes you through the rainforested slopes of Olmoti Crater to the rim viewpoint. The trek winds down to the grassy plains of the crater floor and to Mungwe Falls, named after the distinctive white flourish of the Colobus Monkey tail.The Crater's rim can be explored with an armed ranger on a walking safari in two to seven hours.

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