Welcome! I’m so very glad you landed on this page and are considering this special trip. In general, every trip we lead is focused on two main experiences: the best sightseeing in the country and connecting with women.
Our love of sightseeing means an itinerary that is as full of local culture as we can fit into an intimate, fun, and experiential trip. We want to see everything that is well-known in that country, when we can, and we also want to make sure there are some small and special experiences that leave us touched and connected with that country in surprising ways! We want to see the “must-sees,” but it’s also crucial to us to get off the beaten track and really connect with locals and their lives. To support that, we want all of our travel to live up to the highest standards of sustainability and ethical travel, so we place special emphasis on meeting the locals, supporting their causes, and making sure we frequent their businesses/hotels/restaurants to ensure our money is reinvested back into those who live wherever we visit. Plus, we've got our eye on adding the "little things" that really make a trip feel special: making your own perfume scent at a perfumeria, visiting a local spa, arranging for beautiful walks and hikes, attending rooftop concerts, sampling artisan chocolate, etc.
And when it comes to connecting with women, every trip is first and foremost about us supporting and connecting with the other women in our group, but is also about us connecting with women in our destination country. We will have a female guide and put special emphasis on meeting local women—learning about the causes that most affect them, being inspired by the contributions they’re making in their communities, and hearing about what life is like for women in their country. To that end, we will inevitably visit a couple of nonprofits that serve women, shop at co-ops to buy handiwork made by women, and have opportunities to interview local women. Our hope is that you feel more connected to women around the world and also feel like you made new friends!
So if you love travel and want an incredibly special curated trip with a group of amazing women you're invited to join us! xoxo
This is a BIG trip! I figure if we’re going to do a bucket list trip to Africa for amazing safaris, then we have to do it all the way and see everything we can on this one epic trip! Tanzania is not only one of the jewels of Africa, but it’s known as one of the best places in the world to experience animals and stunning biodiversity.
This 11-day/10-night trip officially begins with some culture and history as we spend 1 night in Arusha (after flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport) and 2 nights out in “earth houses” in the bush in Masailand, experiencing the rituals, stories, and traditions of the beautiful Maasai people (plus yoga and massages!). Then we are all about the animals—we fly to the Serengeti for 3 nights, where we’ll stay in luxury tents and go on as many safaris as possible every morning and evening! Then we’ll drive through the stunning scenery of the Rift Valley of East Africa as we make our way to the Ngorongoro Crater, where we’ll spend another 2 nights viewing wildlife, taking in the scenery, and connecting with a traditional spiritual healer. The next day we head to Lake Manyara for our last day of animals—this time looking for the famous pink flamingos and tree-climbing lions! Our final two nights are in Arusha where we’ll shop, go to some jazz, and enjoy our farewell dinner together! ❤️
🥳 Optional add-on: If you want to make the most of your big trip that far away, consider adding the optional excursion to Zanzibar Archipelago after the trip for 4 more nights! Zanzibar has a long and complex history which makes it an incredible place for history, stories, and culture. It was once the biggest slave market in East Africa and, over the years, became a popular base for voyaging traders—primarily made famous for their spices that were transported all around the world! Nowadays, it’s popular because of its gorgeous beaches, balmy weather, and warm water! Plus, the Old Town, which has been shaped by strong Arabic, Indian, African, Persian, and European influences, is UNESCO-protected and full of photo-ready moments. We’ll also take full advantage of the amazing spice agriculture and markets, and enjoy the amazing Persian-influenced cuisine!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
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Masailand! We’re staying two nights at this incredible “lodge” where we’ll eat traditional Swahili dishes; take part in activities from bead jewelry classes, to campfire conversations, to cultural dances; get massages; partake in yoga; relax in the sauna; and watch the sunset behind Kilimanjaro!
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Stunning scenery! Think Mt. Kilimanjaro! Mt. Meru! The Maasai Steppe! The rugged highlands!
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Serengeti Safaris! The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site where it’s possible to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, and rhinos. This is a busy time of year to visit for a reason: it’s dry season and when the "great migration” is most likely to happen.
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Optional Hot-Air Balloon Splurge! For those who want to “do it all”—we’ll have an optional early-morning Serengeti Balloon Safari!
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Picnic Lunch in the Ngorongo Crater! Almost 3 million years old, this is the biggest intact (unbroken) volcanic caldera on earth and is also a natural sanctuary for some of the densest populations of large mammals in Africa. Let’s take in the beauty and learn about the conservation efforts.
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Drive through the Rift Valley of East Africa! Stunning scenery—from the plains of the savannah to the rugged highlands—this is where the remains of some of our oldest ancestors were found.
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Lake Manyara! This is one of the few safari destinations in the world to inhabit the rare tree-climbing lions! Plus, the lake attracts large flocks of flamingos and over 400 other species of birds.
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Enjoy meaningful conversations with Maasai women about cosmology; visit a girls' school and support an orphanage; meet with a traditional spiritual healer; and visit a local women’s network group that’s been developing some inspiring community projects.
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Fun and self-care! Massages and yoga! Campfires and stories! Jazz concert! Cooking Class!
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Unique Accommodations! We’ll be staying in traditional “earth house” bungalows (equipped with modern-day essentials) in Masailand, luxury tents in the Serengeti, and boutique hotels!
We are a proud partner of Altruvistas, the socially responsible and philanthropic travel company that is organizing all our details. We are thrilled to have Malia and her team overseeing our trips to ensure that our itinerary is as authentic of an experience as possible while making sure that our money is spent in an eco and socially-conscious way. Malia and her team will work with you one-on-one to make sure you are all ready for our amazing adventures.
If you have questions about this trip, please email malia@altruvistas.com