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Tanzania: Heart of African Adventures

Tanzania is the ultimate dream safari destination and was recently voted the Number 1 Safari Country in Africa. An unparalleled one-quarter of its surface area has been dedicated to wildlife parks and conservation area.

Tanzania is Africa’s safari diversity hotspot, and connoisseurs keep coming back year after year, each time discovering more delights. You could spend the rest of your safaris in Tanzania and never run out of options!

The bucket list Great Wildebeest Migration spends more time in Tanzania’s Serengeti than in Kenya’s Maasai Mara (indeed Serengeti is many times the size of the Maasai Mara), and if you’re looking for something more off the beaten track, how about the best chimp viewing on the planet at Mahale, the vast Selous, extremely remote Katavi or the less visited Ruaha, Tarangire and Manyara reserves? Kilimanjaro is an iconic snowy peak, famously viewed from many parts of both Kenya and Tanzania and Ngorogoro Crater offers a unique slant on game viewing – inside a volcano crater. And of course, after your safari what could be better than a spot of tropical island bliss on the Spice Islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia? Never forget of course that for humans it all began in the fascinating Oldupai area. So, whether you after bush, beach or culture, Tanzania has it all in spades.

Or even be a bit more adventurous and speak to us about adding to your Tanzanian safari a gorilla trek in nearby Uganda and Rwanda or a hop across the border to Kenya for more safari options.

Accommodation in Tanzania ranges from luxury lodges to city hotels, historic guesthouses, mobile safari camping and just about everything in-between.

Where to go in Tanzania?

The Northern Circuit

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro
Best accessed via the town of Arusha. The Serengeti is the mother of all safari parks.

Safari is a way of life in Tanzania!

Experience Northern Circuit Safaris in the best game parks on the planet. Stalk the stalker, watch it pounce upon its prey, see millions of animals crossing a river, live in the wild and discover unusual species while you’re at it.! This is an Urth Expedition Northern Circuit Safari which is one of the biggest charms of any wildlife adventure.

Northern Circuit Safaris are designed to suit all kinds of interests, preferences and comfort levels. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, planning a family holiday (Children are welcome), want to experience an exceptional wildlife safari or are planning the perfect honeymoon, like your perfect wedding, Northern Circuit Safaris build upon this initial wonder with an eternal ability to surprise and amaze!

Northern Circuit Safaris are witness to the Great Migration passing through the Serengeti National Park – a massive spectacle with wildebeest herds so large they can be seen from space!

The neighboring parks like Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro Conservation Area are also home to an extraordinary selection of predators.

The eastern Circuit

The Spice Islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia
For tropical island vibes

The eastern circuit is the smallest of all the circuits of Tanzania, yet it has its own charm in offerings. The eastern part of Tanzania forms miles-long shoreline with the Indian Ocean. The Eastern Circuit Safari Route is a secluded and remote route visited by only a few intrepid travellers each year. But even after being situated in a remote location, there are plenty of options to take advantage of from this circuit of Tanzania.

 The Eastern Circuit Of Tanzania has Sadaani National Park as its one of the only national parks. Often referred to as the destination where bush meets the beach, it is the only national park in Tanzania bordering the sea. It is also among the newest national parks established only in 2005. Some of the wildlife you’d be able to spot in Sadaani includes waterbucks, wildebeests, hartebeests, buffalos, and reedbucks.

 The other national park is Mkomazi National Park which covers an area of 3,234 sq km, but it is sometimes excluded from the  Eastern Circuit Safari route and included in the Northern Circuit Safaris  instead because of its straddling northern-eastern location.

 Coastal touristified towns like Dar Es Salaam, Bagayomo, Pangani are all located in the eastern circuit. Dar Es Salaam, the former capital of the country, is currently the largest city and economic capital of Tanzania. It has all the modern facilities almost on part of a western beach town. From this location, the Zanzibar Archipelago  is easily reachable.

The Western Circuit

Katavi and Mahale
Extremely remote - for the intrepid traveller.

Western Circuit presents a unique opportunity to escape the tourist crowds and enter the hear of the bush. You can see chimpanzees in their natural habitat at Gombe Stream or Mahale Mountains and trek through breathtaking forests. Kitavi is exceptional for hippo and lion.
You can also visit the great lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Nyasa (Malawi) and Lake Rukwa.

GOMBE STREAM NATIONAL PARK 
Gombe Stream National Park is famous for its social chimpanzee living harmony to this rain forest set amidst mountains and steep valley.
The National Park has very rare carnivores in the forest making it the ideal place for a walking safari or a swim in one of the streams.

MAHALE NATIONAL PARK 
Is famous for its elephants, leopards, zebras, roan antelopes, hyena, wild dogs, giraffes, and buffaloes.
The vegetation of the Mahale is populated with the Miombo woodland, the narrow forest along the rivers.

KATAVI NATIONAL PARK 
The park is the third largest in Tanzania with an area approximately 4,500 square kilometers and was gazetted as a national park in 1974.It is famous for its unspoiled wilderness areas. vegetation of the park is scattered acacia trees near Lake Chada, the grassy Katavi flood plain and Miombo woodland. The park’s Lakes (Katavi and Chada) and river Katuma are rich in birdlife more than 400 species are recorded to date, and has the largest population of crocodiles and hippos in Tanzania.

RUBONDO ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Is tucked in the southwest corner of Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest lake, an inland sea sprawling between Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. With nine smaller islands under its wing, Rubondo protects precious fish breeding grounds.
Tasty tilapia form the staple diet of the yellow-spotted otters that frolic in the island’s rocky coves, while rapacious Nile perch, some weighing more than 100kg, tempt recreational game fishermen seeking world record catches.
Rubondo is more than a water wonderland. Deserted sandy beaches nestle against a cloak of virgin forest, where dappled bushbuck move fleet yet silent through a maze of tamarinds, wild palms, and sycamore figs strung with a cage of trailing taproots.
The shaggy-coated aquatic sitatunga, elsewhere the most elusive of antelopes, is remarkably easily observed, not only in the papyrus swamps it normally inhabits, but also in the forest interior.

The SOUTHERN Circuit

Selous and Ruaha
Best accessed via Dar es Salaam

The southern parks present a wide range of experiences, from savannah to wetlands, walking safaris to river experiences

The south of Tanzania is mostly a destination for the second-time visitor. The south can also be combined with the Serengeti in the north or linked with the west if time and budget allow. The southern circuit includes parks and reserves that can be visited using Dar es Salaam as a starting point. There's Saadani National Park north of Dar, then two hours to the west the little park of Mikumi on both sides of the highway that meanders down to Iringa and Mbeya and eventually to Zambia or northern Malawi. The Selous Game Reserve to the south of Mikumi is great for river experiences on the Rufiji River and also for walking safaris. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is all about forests, waterfalls and weird endemics, while Ruaha National Park just west of Iringa is the gem of the southern circuit.

When to go to Tanzania?

Tanzania lies close to the equator and so temperatures are fairly constant, and rainfall is the main seasonal variant. The diversity of altitude and habitats means that climate does vary across the country. Temperatures and rainfall peak during the short rainy season of March to May.

The coastal areas are hot and humid throughout the year, with coastal breezes cooling temperatures somewhat.

Largely though, Tanzania is a year-round safari and beach destination.

Sample Safari Itineraries

Book your trip today!

 Kenya

Bring out your inner Nat Geo explorer for this adventure! This Kenya yoga retreat adventure is the journey of a lifetime: intimate safari trips, guided walks with a naturalist, wild animal encounters, glamping, bush yoga, extraordinary cultural immersion, and baby elephants. We’ve planned every small detail to ensure that this is the bucket list natural adventure you’ve always imagined. Experience unparalleled safaris without the “safari crowds”—while rooting yourself daily with quiet, outdoor yoga sessions. This trip combines Meditation Mutha greatest passions (and we bet they’re yours, too): authentic yoga, natural retreats, wildlife photography, local laughs, and global travel.  Savor ten full days on your Kenya yoga retreat with top guides who ensure epic animal encounters, sundowners, sun-uppers, and memories that will stay with you forever. We’ll tread lightly on this adventure as we experience the bounty that can only be found in Kenya.

How You’ll Experience Kenya

You’ll stay in lux private glamping camps, boutique lodges, and amazing treehouses before heading to secluded nature reserves and conservancies  for awe-inspiring nature sightings and interactions. You won’t waste time on long drives between camps (we charter flights), and everyone gets prime views. Time and visibility are critical safari assets, and we prioritize them  on your once-in-a-lifetime  Kenya yoga retreat adventure. You’ll also enjoy a life-changing celebration with Samburu locals and bush glamping on a private Maasai Mara conservancy. You’ll be hands-on with the baby elephants at the Sheldrick Orphanage and, lucky travelers, get to feed baby giraffes at Reteti. Bask in your animal sanctuary encounters knowing that your dollars are helping them while their giddy, childlike nature lightens your heart. 

How You’ll Feel When You Return Home

When you return from this Kenya yoga retreat adventure, you’ll feel wild and free! You will have stoked your inner explorer, witnessed the glorious presence of nature’s craziest animals, soaked up sunrises and sundowns you’ll never forget, and grown to appreciate the stillness of nature like never before. Caution: you may find yourself setting your alarm early for sunrise or practicing yoga outside to keep the dream of Kenya alive

What's Included:

Ten days with a naturalist-trained and approved safari guide

Yoga while out on safari (see the full itinerary for hotel, camp, and bush yoga schedule)

Three nights exclusive boutique safari hotel in the Laikipia region

Two nights luxury treehouse ‘glamping’ in Samburu

Three nights exclusive bush camp ‘glamping’ on the Maasai Mara Conservancy

Private game drives on conservancy land on the Mara

One night in Nairobi within the Nairobi National Park grounds

A cultural journey to the extraordinary Singing Wells

Private visit to Retiti Elephant (and orphaned wildlife) Sanctuary 

Unlimited guided day & night game drives on your Kenya yoga retreat – itinerary drives plus options during rest times

Multiple guided safari walks

Full meals each day including excursion picnics (excluding lunch on the final day)

All non-alcoholic drinks

Beer and house wines at camp and our two boutique accommodations

Horseback & camel safari option

Sun upper excursions

Sundowner excursions

Cultural excursion to a local Samburu village

Evening celebration with Samburu locals

Active support of The Long Run conservation initiative

Private entrance, donation & time with the baby elephants at the David

Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi

All conservancy, community & national park fees

Final night dinner and drinks at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden

All private charter flights in Kenya

Customs & Immigration and baggage assistance upon arrival in Nairobi (arrival/departure days only)

Complimentary wifi our first night in Nairobi (please note that internet service is not available on safari)

What's Not Included:

Flights to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO)

Lunch on the final day in Nairobi

Passport & visa fees ($50US visa-on-demand in Nairobi upon arrival)

Premium alcohol

Optional Activities

Gratuities

Items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, etc)

• Travel Insurance (required)

Kenya Yoga Retreat Accommodations

NAIROBI

Our Kenya yoga retreat adventure trip begins with a safari bang as we leave the airport and settle into the hum of nature.  Begin your safari on our drive to our hotel and from your room’s verandah.  The Nairobi National Park is only 7km south of Nairobi but hosts an incredible variety of animals and is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.

LAIKIPIA REGION

Our first night on safari eases us into bush life by melding the tame of comfort-lux with the wilds of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuary. With Mount Kenya as a stunning backdrop, we’ll practice overlooking a hillside and dam where wildlife frequently gathers.  Revel in the delicious food and begin to blow your camera’s memory as we head out on bush walks and game drives. Dig into Kenyan wildlife and conservation knowing that all proceeds from our stay go to the conservation efforts of the conservancy.  Having earned The Long Run’s coveted GER® status, you’ll know your adventure at Borana has a positive impact on you and those you meet (four- and two-legged) along the way.

All rooms are unique in their views, layout, and structure.  Each room offers its boutique charm, en suite bathrooms, and fireplace for cozy post-adventure evenings.

SAMBURU

Sarara is a flagship community-driven ecotourism and conservation initiative. These remote treehouses nestled at the base of Warges Peak meld the worlds of conscious tourism and classic safari. The conservancy is home to 23,000 nomadic Samburu pastoralists and “The Sarara Foundation sincerely engages the indigenous Samburu community to preserve their cultural independence and build economic strength…” This community-owned project allows us an unadulterated entrance to a unique cultural experience every moment of the day, as well as a chance to dwell among (or above, if they wander under your treehouse) the second-largest elephant population, and largest reticulated giraffe population, in Kenya.

Each of the spacious treehouses has en suite bathrooms, solar-heated outdoor showers, and stunning views of the Matthews Range or Warges Peak.

OLDERKESI CONSERVANCY & MAASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK

Our time on the Mara is another The Long Run property and the second of only nine GER® certified properties in the world. The Cottar’s tented camp grants travelers 7608 acres of private conservancy for secluded and unobstructed game viewing. With the majority of staff coming from local communities, you are guaranteed cultural experiences when out on the conservancy and the Mara as well as at ‘home’. Boasting the highest number of Gold (the highest professional level) Safari Guides at one camp, you can expect to experience and learn the unexpected. 

‘Glamping’ isn’t the right term for this lux camp on this Kenya yoga retreat. Having won numerous awards, including ‘Best Tented Camp in the World’, you can be assured of a luxurious home base and unprecedented service. Tents will have either one or two beds, and have en suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot and cold running water. Each room also opens out to the conservancy and a one-of-a-kind canvas bath at sunset is a Cottar’s must. 

Itinerary

Below is a sample of our Kenya yoga retreat adventure itinerary but we will augment based on wildlife movement to provide the best sundowners, game drive/walk times, and experiences on the Mara.

1- DAY ONE

Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi

Assistance upon departure, through Customs & Immigration and baggage claim

Transfer to the Emakoko Lodge through the Nairobi National Park (the safari begins!) Group dinner at Emakoko

Get some sleep and keep your eyes out for monkeys and the super adorable rock hyrax!

2 - DAY TWO

Early morning game drive through the Nairobi National Park

Breakfast at Emakoko

Transfer to the airport for our charter flight to Laikipia and a short drive to the hotel (keep your eyes open for rhinos, impalas, zebras, etc…)

Arrival lunch & unpack

Mid-afternoon yoga session in the open-air tea room

Early evening game drive and sundowners

Evening libations at the lodge and group dinner

3 - DAY THREE

Teas, coffee, and fruit to start the morning

Early morning yoga in the tea room

Head out to the conservancy for a morning game drive

Staying on private conservation ensures exclusivity on drives and maximum immersion with wildlife and in nature

Group lunch and siesta back at the lodge

Afternoon game drive

Following the lead of our guide, you’ll head out to a new area of the conservancy or head back to a familiar spot based on game sightings

Early evening yoga practice

Drinks and dinner at the lodge

4 - DAY FOUR

Teas, coffee, and fruit to start the morning

Head out for an early morning game drive and breakfast in the bush

Wildlife is most active at dawn and dusk so heading out just after sunrise will maximize sightings and provide the unique opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the wild

Post-drive head to the largest Permaculture project in East Africa

Nestled along the banks of the Ngare Ndare River is the Waitabit farm, a passion project of sustainability and ecology that supports not only lodge guests but the anti-poaching team at Borana as well

Lunch on the veranda overlooking the neighboring hillside and river (i.e. you’re likely to have a game sighting from your lunch table!)

Set out on foot for a bush walk to catch a glimpse of the smaller aspects of the local ecosystem

Yoga practice in the open-air tea room

Sundowners and farewell-to-Laikipia dinner

5 - DAY FIVE

Dawn's arrival of teas, coffees, and fruit

Morning yoga practice and garden breakfast

Pack up and drive to the airstrip for your private flight to Samburu

Late morning arrival and drive to Sarara

Welcome to a whole new way to see Kenya… and lunch, of course

Afternoon siesta and mid-afternoon yoga practice

Early evening bush walks and sundowners under the stars

Dinner at the lodge and jungle treehouse soundtrack as you sleep

6 - DAY SIX

Morning tea, coffee, and fruit in your treehouse

Morning yoga session by the pool

Full lodge breakfast

Morning game drive to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

A not-to-be-missed experience, Reteti is home to orphaned elephants and other savannah animals who are nursed, cared for, and released back into the wild

Run by the local Samburu, our private entrance to Reteti gives you full access to the keepers, their amazing songs as they feed the babies, and the possibility to feed a baby giraffe if they have an orphan there when you visit

Game drive by Elephant Rock and back ‘home’ for lunch

• Short siesta before heading out for a drive to the unbelievable Singing Wells

Leave your cameras and phones behind and be ready to be present

The Singing Wells is an ancient Samburu tradition that is alive and well and amazing to be fortunate enough to witness

Evening dinner out in the open at the Sand River and under the stars

7 - DAY SEVEN

Early teas, coffees, and yums in your treehouse to wake up

Morning yoga poolside and a delicious final northern Kenya breakfast

Pack up and head to the airstrip for your private flight to the gorgeous Maasai Mara

Short drive to the private Olderkesi Conservancy 

Lunch and settle into your glamping ‘home’

Head out for a Mara game drive and yoga on the Savannah

Campfire sundowners

Dinner at camp

8 - DAY EIGHT

Morning tea, coffee, and biscuit tent-side wake up

Morning yoga and breakfast

Visit and hang out with the kids at the Olpalagilagi Primary School

Every safari goes to support the teachers and local kids who attend Olpalagilagi

Sit for a lesson and partake in an informal Q&A with the kids… kids ask the best questions and they’re as interested in you as you are in them!

Enjoy a game drive back for lunch on the conservancy

Game-to-walk-drive

Have your swimsuit on as you walk to the waterfalls and swimming pools

 Afternoon tea in the wild and return to camp

Late afternoon yoga session

Sundowners and a delicious camp dinner

9 - DAY NINE

Morning tea, coffee, and wake-me-up

Early ‘sun upper’ drive to watch the early morning wildlife and yoga on the Mara

Brunch back at camp

Foraging & medicinal plant walk with Letilet

Free afternoon at camp to book a canvas bath, massage, or simply relax and watch the stunning views

Early evening yoga session 

Sundowners and bush dinner under the stars

10 - DAY TEN

Traditional morning wake-up

Morning yoga practice at camp & Breakfast

Final bush walk & goodbye to new friends

Depart for our charter flight back to Nairobi

Transfer to the Karen Blixen Cottages as a day home base in Nairobi

Private entrance and viewing at the Elephant Orphanage & giraffe feeding at Giraffe Manor

Chance to clean up (the ellies can get muddy) and enjoy lunch at the Cottages

A few hours to relax or have a swim, swap photos and contact information before departure

Early final group dinner at a wonderful local restaurant – hugs, loves, and goodbyes

Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for flights home

Possible add-ons

Mombasa or Dani Beach in Kenya for a beach excursion.