12 Nights | Have Your Cake and Eat It
Serengeti
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0% of guests recommend
Tour Type
Ecotourism
Group Size
20 persons
Location
Tanzania
Overview
The African Environments Signature Safari
This is safari travel at its finest — the Rolls-Royce of experiential safaris.
Designed for travellers who want it all, this journey combines exceptional wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural connections, and true wilderness immersion. From time spent with the Maasai and the Hadzabe — one of the last remaining click-speaking hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa — to walking deep into the untouched wilderness of the Serengeti, this is an adventure rooted in authenticity, respect, and exclusivity.
At African Environments, we believe that the best safaris are:
- Personal and private
- Low impact and ethical
- Led by people who truly belong to the landscapes you explore
- Unrushed, flexible, and deeply immersive
This safari reflects everything we stand for.
About African Environments
All African Environments safaris are entirely private, using specially converted 4x4 vehicles and led by exceptional guides who are not only deeply knowledgeable but wonderful company.
Our camps are always exclusive-use — no shared dining, no crowds, no compromises.
From airport arrival to final farewell, we handle every detail with care. We believe in transparency, so we include as much as possible upfront — no hidden costs, just honest, thoughtful safari design.
Above all, our aim is to create safaris that are:
- Authentic, not staged
- Ethical, not extractive
- Personal, not mass-produced
- Rooted in real relationships with people and place
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or special milestone, let us know — we love creating moments that matter.
Included/Excluded
Tents and group camping equipment when in our Camps.
Airport transfers
Meals daily per itinerary (in Lodges, camps and while trekking)
Wine, beer and sodas with the evening meal when in our camps
Head Guide with years of experience on safari and a qualified Wilderness First Responder.
Rugged and reliable 4x4 safari vehicles with seat belts and roof hatches.
Assistant guides and other staff as needed, like cooks and assistant cooks
Safe drinking water
Group medical kit
Park fee & camping fees for Tanzanian National Parks & other protected areas
Transportation to all locations visited, per itinerary
Experienced head guide to travel with group during entire trip.
International flights
Accommodation before or after the itinerary
Tanzania visa ($50/ $100 depending on Nationality, purchased upon arrival or online ahead of time)
Immunizations for travel to Africa -see list on our website
Travel insurance
Medical & Evacuation insurance
Drinks with other hotels/properties
All personal items for trip – see packing list on our website
Tipping camp & support staff (approx. $14-20 per person per night)
Tipping of safari driver & guide (approx. $80-120 per person for the whole trip)
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Tanzania
Day 1
Arrival in Tanzania
Arusha | Hotel (Half Board)
Arrive into Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you’ll be met by the African Environments team and transferred to your hotel in Arusha (approximately one hour).
This first evening is intentionally gentle — time to rest after your flight, enjoy a relaxed dinner, and meet your guide for a safari briefing. From tomorrow, the adventure truly begins.
Day 2
Into the Highlands
Day 2
Into the Highlands
Mysigio Camp, Ngorongoro | Exclusive-Use Private Camp
After breakfast, depart Arusha and travel south before crossing the dramatic Great Rift Valley en route to Ngorongoro.
En route, enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, a strikingly diverse ecosystem wedged between the Rift escarpment and the lake itself. Expect lush groundwater forests, open lakeshore plains, elephant, giraffe, hippo pods, prolific birdlife, and — if you’re lucky — the park’s famous tree-climbing lions.
By mid-afternoon, continue into the Ngorongoro Highlands, stopping for breathtaking views over the crater before arriving at Mysigio Camp. Set amongst acacia forest away from the busy crater rim, this exclusive camp lies in a region where the Maasai still live traditionally.
Here, you are welcomed not as visitors but as guests. Led by Ole Dorop, local Maasai chief and long-time African Environments partner, you’ll explore his homeland — walking to viewpoints overlooking the Serengeti, visiting a boma, and sharing stories that bring real depth and meaning to the landscape.
Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater
Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater
Mysigio Camp | Exclusive-Use Private Camp
Today is dedicated to exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Formed around 2.5 million years ago, this immense caldera plunges nearly 2,000 feet and shelters an extraordinary concentration of wildlife — over 25,000 large mammals and more than 300 bird species. All of the Big Five can be found here, including the rare and elusive black rhino.
The animals are well habituated, offering superb opportunities for close-up wildlife viewing and photography.
Return to camp mid-afternoon, where the Maasai community welcomes you to share in ceremonies, stories, and daily life — a cultural exchange built on long-standing trust and mutual respect.
Days 4–5
Among the Hadzabe
Days 4–5
Among the Hadzabe
Lightweight Wilderness Camp, Lake Eyasi | Exclusive-Use Private Camp
Descending into an offshoot of the Rift Valley, you enter the homeland of the Hadzabe, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes in Africa.
Living entirely off the land, the Hadzabe maintain a way of life that has changed little for thousands of years. Temporary shelters, few possessions, and extraordinary knowledge of their environment define their low-impact existence.
African Environments sets up a lightweight private camp close to the community, allowing you to spend meaningful time together. You may join a morning hunt, follow the honey-guide bird to wild hives, learn to make bows and arrows, forage for tubers, or simply sit beneath a baobab sharing laughter and stories.
This is not a performance — it is real, respectful interaction, guided by relationships built over decades.
Day 6
The Serengeti Awaits
Day 6
The Serengeti Awaits
Pembezoni Camp, Serengeti National Park | Exclusive-Use Private Camp
Climb out of the Rift Valley and journey across the vast, rolling plains of the Serengeti, game viewing en route. Whenever possible, we take quieter routes away from the crowds — one of the many advantages of our deep local knowledge.
The Serengeti ecosystem knows no fences, encompassing both the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It supports the largest wildlife migration on Earth, although incredible game viewing is guaranteed year-round.
Pembezoni Camp, one of African Environments’ Ecolux seasonal camps, is carefully positioned to ensure exceptional wildlife viewing while maintaining minimal environmental impact. Set within a designated special campsite, the camp is for your group alone.
Days here revolve entirely around you. Dawn drives with coffee and biscuits, long exploratory game drives with gourmet picnics, or relaxed mornings followed by brunch back at camp — everything is flexible.
Evenings are unforgettable: firelight, a sky ablaze with stars, lions roaring in the distance, and stories shared over a beautifully prepared three-course dinner.
Days 7–8
Freedom on the Plains
Days 7–8
Freedom on the Plains
Pembezoni Camp | Exclusive-Use Private Camp
Two full days to explore the Serengeti at your own pace.
Early mornings reveal the changing of the guard as nocturnal predators retreat and daytime species emerge. You may encounter a fresh kill and watch nature’s efficiency as predators and scavengers leave nothing behind.
Between game drives, there is time to simply be — to absorb the vastness, the silence, and the timeless rhythm of life on the plains. This freedom — to move with wildlife rather than a timetable — is at the heart of an African Environments safari.
Days 9–12
Walking the Wild Serengeti
Days 9–12
Walking the Wild Serengeti
Lightweight Wilderness Camp, Serengeti Wilderness Area | Exclusive-Use Private Camp
Leaving vehicle tracks behind, you enter remote wilderness walking zones rarely visited for decades. These areas offer a glimpse of the Serengeti as it once was — untouched, untracked, and profoundly alive.
Your lightweight wilderness camp moves with you as you walk, embodying the true meaning of safari: a journey. Though simpler than our Ecolux camps, comfort remains high — dome tents with proper beds, shared hot showers, excellent food, and a welcoming campfire each night.
Walking is slow and deliberate. You learn to read tracks, follow animals to water, discover medicinal plants, and observe wildlife on their terms. You may stalk buffalo or elephant, glimpse klipspringer on the kopjes, find a spring that never dries, or arrive at a lion kill as the ecosystem comes alive around it.
Throughout, your guides ensure safety, respect for wildlife, and a deep understanding of the landscape — skills honed over years of walking these very places.
Your final evening is spent around the fire beneath a vast, star-filled sky, lions roaring across the plains as the wilderness settles for the night.
Day 13
Farewell to the Wild
Day 13
Farewell to the Wild
Arusha | Day Rooms & Departure
Walk out of the wilderness to the airstrip and fly back to Arusha, gaining a final aerial perspective on the landscapes you’ve come to know so intimately.
Enjoy a private farewell lunch in town, with time for last-minute shopping before transferring to the airport — or continuing onward to Zanzibar or the coast for some well-earned beach time.
Travel Styles
Cultural
Nature & Adventure
Activities
FAQs
Is this safari suitable for everyone?
This safari is designed for travellers who enjoy being active, curious, and immersed in nature. While no extreme fitness is required, guests should be comfortable walking for several hours at a gentle pace and spending time in remote wilderness areas. Walking distances are flexible and adapted to each group.
How safe are the walking safaris?
Safety is paramount at African Environments. All walking safaris are led by highly experienced, professionally trained guides and armed national park rangers where required. Routes are carefully chosen, and walks are conducted with a deep understanding of animal behaviour, wind direction, and terrain. Walking is done calmly, slowly, and respectfully — always putting safety first.
How close do we get to wildlife while walking?
Walking safaris are about awareness rather than proximity. At times you may observe wildlife from surprisingly close distances, but only when conditions are safe. Your guides read animal behaviour continuously and will always keep a respectful distance. The goal is to observe without disturbing — to feel part of the landscape rather than passing through it.
What makes African Environments walking safaris different from others?
Our walking safaris take place in remote wilderness areas rarely visited by anyone else. You will not see other walkers or vehicles. Camps move with you, creating a true journey through the landscape. Combined with our long-standing relationships, low-impact ethos, and flexible pace, this offers an experience that is far deeper, quieter, and more authentic than standard walking safaris.
What is the accommodation like in the wilderness camps?
Accommodation is intentionally simple yet comfortable. You’ll sleep in high-quality dome tents with proper aluminium beds, duvets, and pillows. Toilets and hot showers are shared. Large mess tents provide space to relax, dine, and shelter from the sun, and evenings are spent around a campfire under the stars.
Will we really have the camps to ourselves?
Yes. All African Environments camps on this safari are exclusive-use. There are no shared dining tents, no other guests, and no fixed schedules. This privacy allows the entire experience to be tailored entirely around your interests and pace.
How physically demanding are the walking days?
Walking is unhurried and focused on observation rather than distance. Walks typically take place in the cooler hours of the morning, with long breaks during the heat of the day. Distances vary, but the emphasis is on quality of experience, not endurance.
What level of comfort can we expect overall?
This safari combines wilderness immersion with thoughtful comfort. While camps are unfenced and located in remote areas, you’ll enjoy excellent food, attentive service, comfortable beds, and carefully planned logistics. It’s about being close to nature — without unnecessary hardship.
How ethical are the cultural experiences with the Maasai and Hadzabe?
Ethical engagement is central to African Environments. We work only with communities we have known and partnered with for many years. Visits are respectful, unforced, and guided by the community themselves. These are not staged performances — they are genuine exchanges built on trust, fair compensation, and mutual respect.
Will our visit negatively impact the communities we meet?
On the contrary. Our presence supports local livelihoods while allowing communities to maintain their traditional ways of life. Group sizes are kept small, visits are not intrusive, and guests are guided on appropriate behaviour. African Environments believes tourism should benefit, not disrupt.
What wildlife can we expect to see?
You can expect exceptional wildlife viewing throughout — including elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and a wide range of plains game. In Ngorongoro, all of the Big Five are present, including black rhino. While the wildebeest migration is seasonal, the Serengeti offers outstanding wildlife year-round.
What happens if the migration isn’t in the area?
The Serengeti is never empty. Our seasonal camps are positioned based on decades of experience, ensuring excellent wildlife viewing regardless of migration timing. Predator activity, resident herbivores, and dramatic landscapes make every visit rewarding.
What should we pack for a walking safari?
We provide a detailed packing list before departure. In general, lightweight neutral-coloured clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and binoculars are recommended. Luggage requirements are kept practical due to internal flights and mobile camps.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. We pride ourselves on transparency. Your safari includes accommodation, meals, guiding, park fees, camping equipment, and logistics as outlined in your quotation. A clear list of inclusions and exclusions is provided upfront.
Can the itinerary be tailored?
Absolutely. All African Environments safaris are private and fully customisable. Whether you want more walking, more photography time, special celebrations, or a slower pace, we design the safari around you.
What kind of traveller is this safari best suited to?
This safari is ideal for travellers who value authenticity over luxury gloss, who want to understand the land and its people, and who appreciate privacy, flexibility, and depth. It’s perfect for seasoned safari-goers or first-timers looking for something truly meaningful.
Why choose African Environments?
Because we don’t just operate in these landscapes — we belong to them. Our safaris are shaped by long-term relationships, deep knowledge, and a commitment to leaving places and people better than we found them. We believe the most memorable journeys are those that feel real.
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African Environments
Member Since Dec 2025
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