5 Days Tanzania Big Five Safari

After an action-packed day at the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoy a delicious fresh breakfast as the sun rises and depart to your next Tanzania destination: the Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive. One of the lesser-visited national parks of atmosphere, expect to see few other travellers on your journey and plenty of private moments to admire majestic herds of elephants roaming amidst the iconic Baobab trees.

Home to the highest concentration of wild elephants in the world, the Tarangire offers up unbeatable elephant sightings. Sometimes herds of up to 300 elephants can be seen around the Tarangire River, drinking from the shallows or enjoying a cooling mud bath. Apart from elephants, Tarangire is a paradise for bird lovers. In the area around these swamps you can also see lions, leopards, cheetahs and even tree-climbing pythons.

Accommodation: Manyara Secrete Tented Lodge.

DaY 5: Walking Mto wa mtu cultural tour – Arusha Town

You’ll likely start in the village banana plantation, where they grow more than 30 different varieties of bananas. As well as finding out how this staple fruit is grown, you’ll hear about the different uses of the plant as a whole, from food to materials for building and art.

Next you might visit a youth art project, and learn about the different painting styles and techniques. The artists are happy for you to ask questions and take photos, and while there are opportunities to purchase their artwork, which makes wonderful souvenirs, we were impressed that there was no hard sell or pressure to buy.

We then visited a wood workshop, where you can watch skilled members of the Makonde tribe carefully carving intricate figurines, masks and household objects. They’ll show you the different types of wood and finishings, and explain some of the historical and cultural meanings behind the carvings. You can even have a go at doing some carving yourself! Again, there are opportunities to purchase carvings should you wish, but with no hard sell or aggressive haggling, which we found very refreshing.

Moving on, you’ll come to a local ‘bar’ to try mbege, the traditional banana and millet beer that is brewed and drunk mainly by the Chagga tribe. The process of making this brew is quite labour intensive, and the beer is usually served in one large cup, which is passed around the group, and refilled as needed.

Your tour will finish in the bustling local market, where you can wander around stalls selling fruit and vegetables stalls, spices and meat. Your guide will stop and explain points of interest, and give you the opportunity to try and smell a variety of foods. A real treat for the senses!

Afternoon, we return back to the lodge for hot luch then we drive to Arusha Town for overnight or to catch your flight.