English
DeutschA three-day walking adventure in a remote, rural area of Maasailand to the east of Tarangire National Park. Walk with the Maasai and learning about their culture and traditions, and spend time visiting their homes.
Located half a day’s drive south of Arusha, the Simanjiro wilderness area is the base for this adventure – a community conservation project aiming to protect wildlife on the eastern border of Tarangire National Park while providing income and training opportunities for the Maasai villages in this remote area. Visitors have the chance to walk across the rugged
steppe landscape in the company of the Maasai and visit their traditional homes. These homesteads are visited by only one or two tourist groups per year, and offer a unique and truly authentic cultural experience – a far cry from the tourist cultural bomas found elsewhere in the region.
Tourism contributes valuable income to these rural communities through bed night fees and annual fees, employment, and training of village guides, and in return, the project protects 250km2 of the wider Tarangire ecosystem from agricultural encroachment, helping protect valuable wildlife migration corridors. Wildlife densities in the area are generally low, but you may come across greater and lesser kudu, impala,hartebeest, wildebeest, and zebra. The focus, therefore, is not on wildlife but learning more about the Maasai, getting out on foot to explore, and seeing a side of rural Maasai life that very few travellers get the chance to encounter.
Price: US$2,402.- per persons with 2 people participating.
US$1,559.- per person, with 4 people participating.
US$1,845.- per person, with 3 people participating
Available: Nov 1, 2021 to May 31, 2023 except over Xmas, New Years.
Journey starts in Arusha and ends at a lodge in Tarangire National Park as typically guests like to extend safari staying at a lodge.
Fly Camp Facilities:
Simple dome tents with camp beds (sleeps 2 per tent), bedding and towels provided. Toilet and solar shower tent (shared).
Included:
Private fly camp, guided walks with the Maasai and a fully qualified walking safari guide (armed with rifle for safety), all relevant concession and bed night fees, all meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3, house drinks (soft drinks, beers, house wine, local spirits), private 4×4 transfers starting at Arusha and ending at Oliver’s Camp within Tarangire National Park,Conservation charge, and Medevac cover to nearest medical facility.
Fitness Level: medium
Day 1:
Depart Arusha and drive south on dirt roads with your guide in a 4×4 vehicle onto the Maasai steppe and into the Simanjiro community wilderness area. The journey takes around half a day, and you’ll pass through rural farmland becoming pastoralist rangelands the further south you drive. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch in a shady spot on the Simanjrio plains, which, in February and March, is filled with calving wildebeest and zebra. This afternoon, you can visit a Maasai boma with your guide, getting your fi rst insights into Maasai life and traditions. These visits are structured but not staged and happen only once or twice per year so are truly authentic. Arrive in the late afternoon at your fly camp, with time to
relaxand shower before sundowners and dinner served under the African stars.
Overnight: Simanjiro Fly Camp
Day 2:
After breakfast, there is the option for active types to hike up the Oldonyo Sambu Mountain, with a bit of rock scrambling to reach the summit and spectacular 360º views of the Simanjiro plains and wider Tarangire ecosystem as your reward.
Alternatively, set off on a walk from camp with the local Maasai and your expert walking guide to get acquainted. You’ll get to learn about the Maasai culture and the medicinal uses of various plants while enjoying the freedom of walking in the savannah. In the evening, you’ll have a traditional olpul style roasted goat (“nyama choma”), with guests encouraged tojoin and help in the preparation. Depending on the mood, the Maasai often encourage dancing around the fire with guestsafter dinner.
Overnight: Simanjiro fly camp
Day 3:
Depart your fly camp and the Maasai communities this morning, travelling by 4×4 vehicle with your guide to theeastern entrance of Tarangire National Park. Once you enter the park, you’ll enjoy a game drive, particularly in the wildlife-rich Silale Swamp region.
Arrive at Oliver’s Camp in the heart of Tarangire in time for lunch.
Overnight not included in costs tonight – the itinerary finishes here and would typically be extended with a couple of nights on safari from Oliver’s Camp or other camps in Tarangire National Park.
Note: Please inquire about our other programs:
3 days meet the Hadzabe Tribe
Walk the Northern Serengeti
Ngorongoro Highlands to Lake Natron Trek
