Karibu! Welcome to Tanzania. Your adventure begins in Arusha – your gateway to the incredible national parks of Tanzania. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Natural History Museum or head to the Ngaramtoni Market to shop for handicrafts. Join your fellow families for a 5 pm welcome meeting at your hotel, then if you like, head out to dinner to kick off the exciting adventure ahead.

Today, you and your family will start the day with some local Mamas (the name for female artisans in Tanzania). Learn to prepare traditional Tanzanian dishes, learn a few simple words in Swahili, and enjoy the fruits of your labour for breakfast. After, head to Rhotia and enjoy a free afternoon. If you’re up for more adventure, you can visit a Hadzabe community near Lake Eyasi – this area has been their home for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Learn how this community still lives the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and how they use locally made poisons and camouflage. Maybe even join in on daily activities, like gathering food and dancing. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use.

Today, you’ll explore the iconic Ngorongoro – a gigantic volcanic crater home to some 30,000 animals including endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing all year round and is a perfect photo opportunity. This morning, you’ll set off in your open-top 4WD safari vehicles and head into the crater itself for a couple hours where the kids (and adults!) can enjoy spotting the animals. After lots of excitement and a break for lunch, it’s off to the Serengeti.

Start the day with an early-morning safari drive, when the wildlife is at its most active. As you explore the vast plains, keep an eye out for lions, elephants, cheetahs and other favourites straight out of The Lion King. After your safari, return to camp for a leisurely brunch and spend the hottest part of the day relaxing, just as the animals do. In the late afternoon, head back into the park for another drive as the sun begins to set, offering another chance to spot wildlife before returning to camp for dinner. For an unforgettable family experience, you may choose to take the family on a sunrise hot air balloon safari. If pre-booked, you'll be collected before dawn and driven to the launch site, where you'll receive a safety briefing before taking to the skies. As the sun rises, drift silently above the savannah, sometimes floating at treetop level and other times soaring high above the plains for breathtaking views of the landscape and the wildlife below. After landing, enjoy a five-star bush breakfast before returning to camp.

Set out on another safari drive this morning through Serengeti National Park before returning to Karatu in the afternoon. It’s the final chance to be on the lookout for any wildlife you haven’t seen yet and capture some potentially treasured family photos. Back at camp in the afternoon, maybe kick back and relax at the lodge swimming pool. Later, join your group a dinner of local African cuisine in the family-friendly restaurant.

After breakfast, take a short drive to Mto Wa Mbu. When you arrive, join the local community for a guided afternoon stroll around the farming areas, milling machine and local homes. Learn about their culture and way of life, then sit down to a traditional meal. Continue to Arusha in the afternoon, where you’ll have some free time when you arrive.

Your trip finishes today after breakfast and there are no further activities planned. If you’re able to spend longer in Arusha, you can arrange another activity or two ahead of time with your leader. Maybe visit a local coffee farm to learn about Tanzania’s coffee production process and taste some freshly prepared coffee with the local community. Or paddle on Lake Duluti with an experienced guide, watching out for aquatic birds and lizards. If you’re hoping to spot more freely roaming wildlife, maybe head out on an Arusha National Park walking safari in the shadow of Mt Meru.