The Long Way Around

What to Expect

18 days from Mkomazi to Mwanza, with community projects along the way

Most safaris take the fast road to the famous names. This one doesn’t.

The Long Way Around starts in the quiet, dry east at Mkomazi, loops past the slopes of Kilimanjaro, and winds through Arusha and the baobabs of Tarangire. It then drops down to the lakeshore, crosses Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, and finishes on the edge of Lake Victoria in Mwanza.

Along the way, you’ll spend time with people and projects that make these places what they are. It’s slower and a little more winding, and in my experience, a lot more rewarding. Come curious, bring good shoes and a sense of humour, and leave the rushing to everyone else.

Destinations

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Kilimanjaro

Soft landing. No heroics.

Welcome to Tanzania. You’ll be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and taken the short distance to Planet Airport, which is exactly as convenient as it sounds.

Tonight there is one rule: eat, drink water and sleep. We’ll go over the plan over dinner or breakfast, and I’ll answer every question you’ve saved up on the plane. The adventure starts properly tomorrow.

Where we stay: Planet Airport

Day 2: To Mkomazi

Heading east, where most visitors never go.

This is where The Long Way Around begins. Instead of turning west towards the famous parks, we head east to Mkomazi, a dry, wide-open park on the Kenyan border that hardly anyone has on their list.

We arrive at Mkomazi Retreat in time to settle in and head out for a first look at the park. Mkomazi is a conservation success story, with black rhinos and African wild dogs both being brought back here through long-term protection work. The people who live around the park are an important part of that story, and I’ll introduce you to it as we go.

Where we stay: Mkomazi Retreat

Day 3: Mkomazi

Wild dogs, big skies and no traffic jams.

A full day in Mkomazi. The landscape is dry bush and rocky hills, and the wildlife is different from what you’ll see later in the trip. Look out for species such as lesser kudu, gerenuk and fringe-eared oryx, as well as elephants and a wonderful range of birds.

Where arrangements allow, we’ll learn about the park’s rhino and wild dog work. Mostly, though, this is a day for slow driving, quiet watching and enjoying the feeling that you have the whole place to yourselves.

Where we stay: Mkomazi Retreat

Day 4: To Moshi

Down from the dry country and back toward the mountain.

We leave Mkomazi and drive towards Moshi, with Kilimanjaro rising ahead of us if the clouds are kind. It’s a relaxed day on the road with time for stops along the way.

At Pink Flamingo you’ll have time to rest, and in the late afternoon, we can take a stroll through Moshi to see the market and everyday life in this friendly mountain town.

Where we stay: Pink Flamingo

Day 5: NAFGEM and Materuni, then to Arusha

Coffee, waterfalls, and the people behind them.

This is one of my favourite days on the trip. We start with NAFGEM, a community initiative where your visit helps support the local people involved. You’ll meet the people behind the project, hear their story and see the work first-hand.

From there we head up the slopes of Kilimanjaro to Materuni, a Chagga village famous for its coffee and its waterfall. You’ll take part in the whole coffee process from picking to roasting, grinding and brewing, and, of course, drinking it. If the weather is kind, there is a walk to the falls too.

In the afternoon we drive on to Arusha and settle in at Haradali Home.

Where we stay: Haradali Home

Day 6: Visit Shanga

Beautiful things, made by remarkable people.

Today we visit Shanga, a social enterprise near Arusha where artisans, many of them living with disabilities, turn recycled glass and other materials into beautiful glassware, jewelleryand textiles.

Watch the glass-blowers at work, chat with the makers and take your time in the shop. Anything you buy goes straight back to the people who made it, so this is the one place where I encourage shopping without guilt. The rest of the day is yours to rest before we head back to the bush.

Where we stay: Haradali Home

Day 7: To Tarangire via Makuyuni Park

Take the road less taken, with a few stops on the way.

We leave Arusha and head for Tarangire by way of Makuyuni Park, a stop that most safari vehicles drive straight past. We’ll take our time here and see a little of what’s around the edges of the main route.

You’ll stay at Randilen Lodge in the Randilen Wildlife Management Area on the edge of Tarangire National Park. The land is run in partnership with local communities, which means your stay contributes directly to the people who share this landscape with the wildlife.

Where we stay: Randilen Lodge

Day 8: Tarangire

Elephants, baobabs, and a very good picnic.

A full day in Tarangire National Park, which is famous for its large elephant herds and its enormous baobab trees. The Tarangire River draws wildlife in from the surrounding countryside, especially in the dry season.

Keep an eye out for giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, lions and, with some luck, a leopard sleeping in a tree. We’ll have a picnic lunch in the park and return to the lodge in the afternoon light.

Where we stay: Randilen Lodge

 

Day 9: To Endalla

Leaving the parks behind for a while.

Today we leave the national parks and head towards Endalla and the lake. The scenery changes as we go, with open Rift Valley views and a very different pace of life.

At Over the Lake, we’ll settle in and take a quiet evening, because tomorrow is a day about people rather than wildlife.

Where we stay: Over the Lake

 

Day 10: Activities

A day for meeting people, and listening.

This area is home to communities with very old traditions, including the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers and the Datoga, who are known for their blacksmithing and pastoralism. Today’s activities are based around spending time with local people, learning about their way of life and seeing how they live in this landscape.

I take these visits seriously. We go with local guides, with respect and without treating anyone as a photo opportunity, and I’ll explain beforehand how we do it. Your visit supports the communities directly.

Where we stay: Over the Lake

 

Day 11: To Ngorongoro

Up to the highlands.

We climb to the Ngorongoro highlands, where the air gets cooler and the views get bigger. You’ll stay at Angata, with the afternoon free to rest and get ready for the crater.

Wrap up warm in the evening, because it gets surprisingly chilly up here.

Where we stay: Angata

Day 12: Crater to Serengeti

Early start. Worth every minute.

We head down into Ngorongoro Crater early in the morning, when the light is best and the animals are most active. The crater floor is a remarkable natural enclosure, with a chance of seeing lions, hippos, elephants, buffalo and, if we’re lucky, black rhino.

After a morning in the crater, we climb out and continue across the highlands and out onto the plains of the Serengeti. You’ll arrive at Moyo Tented Camp in the late afternoon.

Where we stay: Moyo Tented Camp

Day 13: Serengeti

Endless plains. Take a deep breath.

A full day in the Serengeti. The name comes from the Maasai word for “endless plains”, and when you see it you’ll understand why. This is a place to slow down, look closely and enjoy the vastness.

We’ll follow the wildlife wherever it takes us, including the big cats, elephants, giraffe and enormous herds of plains game.

Where we stay: Moyo Tented Camp

Day 14: Serengeti, then to Little Okavango

Moving on to a quieter corner.

After a morning game drive, we leave the central Serengeti and travel to Little Okavango, away from the busier areas where the park feels wilder and more remote.

You’ll arrive in time to settle in, enjoy the surroundings and soak up the quiet atmosphere.

Where we stay: Little Okavango

Day 15: Full day

No rush. Nowhere else to be.

A full day at Little Okavango to enjoy at your own pace. Depending on what the camp offers, we’ll fill it with game drives and time to just sit and watch the world go by.

If you want the full bush experience, this is the day for it. Long breakfasts and an unhurried afternoon are all part of the plan.

Where we stay: Little Okavango

Day 16: To Mwanza

From the plains to the lake.

We leave the Serengeti behind and drive towards Mwanza and the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. The scenery changes again, from open savannah to granite hills and busy lakeside towns.

You’ll stay at Waghill, with views over the water. It’s a lovely place to unwind after so many days on safari.

Where we stay: Waghill

Day 17: Mwanza

A different Tanzania.

Mwanza is a city of rocks and water, and a real change of pace. Today we can explore the lakeshore, visit local markets and learn about Sukuma culture and life on Lake Victoria.

We’ll plan the day together according to what you’re in the mood for, whether that is a boat trip, a walk around the rocks or a long, lazy lunch looking out over the lake.

Where we stay: Waghill

Day 18: Flight to Arusha or Kilimanjaro

After breakfast, you will be taken to Mwanza airport for your flight to Arusha or Kilimanjaro, where you’ll connect to your onward travel.

It has been a privilege to share the long way around with you. Safe travels, and come back soon. The road is always open.

Thank you for giving us a chance to be part of your safari experience in Tanzania

Plan Your Next Trip here

Includes & Excludes

Inclusions

  • Full board accommodation throughout the safari,
  • Exclusive use of safari vehicle with fridge and charging device
  • Service of professional English speaking Safari Guide
  • All park Entry fees
  • Crater fees
  • Drinking water in the car
  • Coffee and Tea in the car
  • All Airport Transfers

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Any item for personal use such us telephone bills
  • Tips to safari guides Hotel staff and porters
  • Health / travel insurance
  • Masai boma visit and Olduvai Visit ( costs $ 50 per person)

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