Maasai Culture & the Serengeti 🐘🦁
Dates: 13th – 22nd September 2026
Cost: €3,075
Country: Tanzania
We’re heading to beautiful Tanzania and we’re bringing YOU with us!
This trip is the highlight reel of Africa. PREPARE YOURSELF!
Tanzania is one of those destinations that’s worth being on your bucket list even if you’ve already been to other destinations in Africa.
You’ve seen the Serengeti in documentaries – three million animals, endlress grasslands, spectacular game drives… This trip will make you feel small in the best way.
We start the trip with the hospitality and full immersion of the Maasai Tribe, followed by a 3-night stay in the Serengeti for incredible wildlife experiences and end the trip on the paradise spice island of ZANZIBAR!
You won’t want to miss this one.
What’s Included
All domestic transport
Flight to Zanzibar
All accommodation
Airport pick-up on the day trip starts
Airport drop-off on the day the trip ends
All activities, as listed
Meals, as listed
International JJ leader
Local tour guide
Excluded
Optional hot air balloon ride
Personal expenses
International Flights
Travel Insurance
Tips for guides
Visa costs
Accommodation
Throughout our stay in Tanzania, we will stay in a mix of cultural lodges, game lodges and a tented camp right in the heart of the Serengeti.
All rooms on all trips are shared, with 2 people in each room. We will partner you with an adventure buddy – an amazing way to make new friends! You’ll be moved around to pair up with a new friend every couple of nights.
There is *sometimes* the option for a single room at an extra charge, email us janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com to enquire!
All rooms will be twin-sharing, private rooms.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Maasai Cultural Experience
As most flights arrive in the early morning (we’ll give fight advice!), our trip will be kicking off with an afternoon visit with the Maasai tribe.
You’ll be welcomed by one of the most recognisable communities in Africa, people who have lived on these lands for centuries and whose culture remains very much alive today.
The day includes traditional dances, storytelling, and a proper look at what daily Maasai life actually looks like.
Meals Include: Welcome dinner
Accomodation: Masaii Lodge
Day 2 - Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we head to Tarangire National Park for a full-day game drive.
Tarangire is famous for two things: its enormous elephant herds and its ancient baobab trees, and it delivers on both in style.
The park is less visited than the Serengeti, which means you often have the landscape almost to yourself. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeest and hundreds of bird species. It’s a proper safari day from start to finish.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accomodation Type: Safari lodge
Day 3: Travel to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, we’ll begin a scenic (but lomg!) drive to the world-renowned Serengeti National Park.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy wildlife viewing as the landscape opens into the endless plains of Serengeti.
Upon arrival and after check in at our beautiful safari lodge, we’ll set off on an afternoon game drive in search of lions, elephants, giraffes, and many other animals.
Depending on our timing, you may catch river crossings, vast herds on the move, or predators waiting their moment.
We’ll be based at Mbuni Tented Camp in the Central Serengeti, putting us right in the middle of the action.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accomodation Type: Safari lodge
Day 4: Walking Safari & Game Drive
Early in the morning, guests will the *option* to sign up for a Hot Air Balloon Safari over the Serengeti. This breathtaking activity offers a unique perspective of wildlife and landscapes from above as the sun rises over the plains.
After landing, guests will enjoy a champagne-style bush breakfast. This optional extra can be booked direct with our guide on arrival day, so you can think it over!
If you opt out, you simply can hace a sleep in and relax at the lodge for the morning!
After everyone has returned to camp, we will set off for a unique guided walking safari, allowing us to experience the African wilderness up close with an experienced ranger.
After the walking safari, enjoy lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we’ll do an afternoon game drives in the Serengeti.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accomodation Type: Safari lodge
Day 5: Full Day in Serengeti
Today we spend a full day on safari in the vast plains of the Serengeti National Park.
In between you’ll have some downtime back at the lodge and we’ll set off again for a sunset game drive because who doesn’t love a spectacular African sunset?!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accomodation Type: Safari lodge
Day 6 - Ngorongoro Crater Safari
After breakfast, we will depart from the Serengeti and travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Here, we will descend into the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day game drive.
The crater is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five, and with the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro closeby, it’s sure to be an unforgettable day!
We’ll finish off back in our hotel in Arusha for our final night of mainland Tanzania!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accomodation Type: Hotel
Day 7: Fly to Zanzibar & sunset cruise
We’ll be taking a 9am flight to Zanzibar which means we should get to our beautiful hotel on the beach by 11am!
Today is a bit of a rest day with free time to relax on the beach, get a massage or go snorkelling!
However, we will be doing a sunset boat trip in the evening – what better way to kick off the trip in style!
Meals included: breakfast
Day 8: Mnemba Island Hopping
It would be a crime to travel all the way to Zanzibar and not go island hopping! So today we’re off on a 8am snorkelling trip to Mnema island with stops at colourful coral reefs and magical sand bars.
While we can’t guarantee it, there’s a HIGH chance (80%) that we’ll see dolphins!
We’ll get back to the hotel around 1pm where you’ll have free time to get your own lunch and have a relaxing afternoon.
Meals included: breakfast & special dinner
Day 9: Giant Tortoises on Prison Island
In the afternoon, we’ll do a half day boat trip over to Prison Island, one of the only places in Africa home to GIANT Tortoises!
Pack your swimsuit as there’s also gorgeous beaches for swimming.
We’ll return to Stone Town at 5pm and have some time to stroll the ancienct alleyways, & stopping by the birth place of Freddy Mercury. We can check out the local street food markets for dinner!
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10: Departure
The trip can’t be over, can it?
We’ll arrange 2 airport transfers at times that suit the *majority* of the group.
Meals included: breakfast
FAQ & Itinerary Notes:
This itinerary, as always, is open to small changes depending on the weather, flights, etc. Fear not, if we have to make any adjustments, it will be to swap something out with an equally, if not better, experience!
NOTE: the trips starts in Arusha, so you can fly to Kilimanjaro Airport, and ends in Zanzibar. Both Turkish Airlines and Qatar have flights to/from both.
I'm ready! How do I book?
Ready for an epic adventure in Tanzania? Click the BOOK NOW button to head to our payment portal and secure your spot with a €750 deposit. The remaining balance will be divided into two equal payments, due 2 and 3 months before departure.
Need a custom payment plan? No problem! Reach out to us, and we’ll create a plan tailored to your needs. Remember, spots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!
How many people are on the trip?
This trip requires a minimum number of guests to proceed, and this minimum must be met at least 3 months before departure to be guaranteed.
If the minimum number of guests is not met by then, a full refund will be issued.
Expect to travel with 6-14 new friends!
Why are deposits non-refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable due to several important factors. Firstly, when you book a spot, we immediately begin the process of planning and preparing for your journey. This involves engaging staff who work diligently behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of your trip is meticulously organised. These preparations often involve upfront costs that are incurred from the moment your booking is confirmed. Additionally, by requiring a non-refundable deposit, we aim to ensure that all participants are committed to the trip.
We understand that plans can change, which is why we insist all travellers have trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances that might affect their ability to participate.
What about my other payments? Are they refundable?
All payments, except your deposit, are fully refundable three months prior to the departure date. After the three-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable. This is because we are usually unable to find a replacement at such short notice, and have contracts in place with our vendors that need to be fulfilled.
Again, we strongly recommend all travellers have travel insurance so that they can refund you should your plans change. At the end of the day, we are a small business, and we want nothing more than to continue showing our guests the world. We hope you understand the importance of adhering strictly to this policy.
How much money will I need for non-included meals, alcohol, and souvenirs?
Tanzania is genuinely good value once you’re on the ground. Most of your meals are covered by the trip, so your main expenses will be drinks, any meals not included, and souvenirs.
A proper sit-down meal at a local spot in Arusha will run you around €2-4, while a mid-range restaurant will come in around €10-15 per person, including drinks. Arusha has a great food scene, with everything from nyama choma (grilled meat) to Indian and Mediterranean, so there’s plenty to choose from.
Alcohol Beer is cheap (around €2-3) and widely available in Tanzania. Wine is available but pricier, especially at lodges and camps. Stock up in Arusha before heading into the bush if you want drinks at camp.
Souvenirs Tanzania is a brilliant place to shop. Look out for kanga and kitenge textiles, hand-carved wooden crafts, spices, and if you want to splash out, Tanzanite is a semi-precious blue gemstone found only in Tanzania. Prices vary, so bring cash in USD (widely accepted) and be ready to bargain at markets. Use Tanzanian Shillings for local markets and smaller shops.
Currency The Tanzanian Shilling is the official currency. ATMs are available in Arusha, but can be unreliable in remote areas. We recommend that you bring some Euros to exchange and keep Tanzanian Shilling on you, especially if you want to shop in the markets.
How does tipping work?
To make things smooth and stress-free, we will be collecting a kitty of €50-100 at the beginning of the trip. This ensures all of our incredible on-the-ground vendors are taken care of, including guides, drivers, meals, and activities that are listed in your itinerary.
For any additional meals or personal expenses not included in the itinerary, you should expect to pay a separate tip. We will guide you on what is appropriate throughout the trip so you feel confident and comfortable.
How physically demanding is the trip?
This trip is accessible to most people in good health. Safari game drives are done from a vehicle, so the physical demand is low. The optional walking safari requires a bit more fitness, but the core itinerary is suitable for most activity levels.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes! Please let us know your requirements in advance and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Lodge and camp meals typically have options for vegetarians and common dietary needs.
What if I want my own room?
We believe that rooming is one of the best parts of the experience. It feels a little like adult summer camp and has always been a highlight for our guests, with nothing but positive feedback in the past.
That being said, if you feel that sharing does not suit your travel style, we are happy to discuss the option of a single room supplement. Simply reach out to us at janetsgrouptrips@gmail.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What are the health and vaccination requirements?
Tanzania requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination if you’re arriving from a country where Yellow Fever is present.
We recommend being up to date with routine vaccinations and consulting your GP or a travel clinic at least 4-6 weeks before departure. Malaria prophylaxis is also strongly recommended for Tanzania.
Who’s leading the trip?
An experienced international JJ leader and the local tour guide will be with you every step of the way.
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