SERENGETI SAFARI in 11 days
Our tour begins in Arusha, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, where you’ll have a restful evening at a resort to acclimate to Tanzania. Then, we are off for a 9-day adventure beginning with the Ngorongoro Crater and the nomadic Maasai people. Enjoy a peek into their culture and homeland, and experience your first opportunity to see the wildlife. Leaving the lofty crater, we will ride down to the Serengeti Plain and set up for five nights at the Dancing Duma Luxury Safari Camp. Each day, we’ll venture out with local guides on a game drive safari in Land Rovers/Cruisers. Unlike other safari companies, who pack eight or more people in these vehicles, we insist on four people per vehicle, providing a roomy and pleasurable safari experience. In the evening, unwind in luxurious, eco-friendly safari camps in the middle of the wild. Then, settle into comfy-soft beds to drift to sleep to the sounds of the Serengeti. Later, we will drive to the Northern Serengeti to experience the “great migration,” where wild animals race across the Mara River while crocodiles lay in wait. After a quick flight, we will return to Arusha and our resort for an afternoon of sightseeing, shopping, and relaxation.
| PRICE FROM | DATES | |
|---|---|---|
| $11,220 + air | Aug 26-Sep 4, 2025 | SOLD OUT |
| $11,220 + air | Aug 25-Sep 5, 2026 | Coming Soon |
The Wildlife
Tanzania, Africa, is undoubtedly one of the premier wildlife safari destinations in the world. This tour is set during the prime “Great Migration” period of the Maasai Mara river crossing when thousands of wildebeest and zebra risk everything to cross the crocodile-infested waters between Kenya and Tanzania.
Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, Leopards, Hippopotamuses, Cape Buffaloes, Rhinos, and much more are all possibilities to not only see and photograph but also watch in action. We guarantee wild animals in action every day of the tour. Our local guides are experts at knowing where to go for the action.
Based in the heart of the Serengeti, you’ll see the best wildlife in the world. You WILL see wildlife, and you WILL have many opportunities to get up close to the action, all the while remaining safely inside your safari vehicle.
We know our safari guides; they have become our friends. You will have the best of the best in scouting and knowledge to get us right into the thick of the wildlife action. Each day, we will leave early in the morning and come back to camp near sunset. This is not a run-of-the-mill safari tour where you travel in big groups and sleep out of the wildlife areas. You are guaranteed a genuinely premier experience dedicated to getting you to the wildlife and in the best positions to see and photograph it.
The Culture
Arriving in Arusha for the first time, I was definitely in culture shock. But it did not take me long to realize and appreciate the people, their customs, and way of life. Out in the bush, you’ll have opportunities to talk with and learn from the local guides, camp workers, and their families. In the Ngorongoro Crater, you can experience cultural exchanges with members of the nomadic and pastoral Maasai tribe.
The Accommodations
The Dancing Duma, our luxury camp in the central Serengeti, is brand new and top-notch. That is why Charlotte and I traveled to Africa last year. Situated in the heart of the Serengeti, The Dancing Duma has spacious and beautiful guest tents to welcome couples or two guests in separate beds. There are also large “family” style tents with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a lounge area in the middle. It’s the perfect solution for a family or even a group traveling together.
Each tent in the Dancing Duma camp has running hot and cold water, a shower, flush toilets, electric lights, outlets, and netted windows with curtains that provide 360-degree views of the Serengeti. Of course, each tent also has comfortable beds ready for you to rest and revive for the next day. Each tent includes a desk and chair as well as a lounge area to sit and relax, read, or hang out. In addition to these amenities, guests can enjoy a private outdoor teak wood deck to unwind, breathe fresh air, and appreciate the stunning surroundings.
Additionally, you will stay at the Rivertrees Resort, in Arusha, and the Marera View Lodge, in the Ngorongoro Crater. These are purpose-built and permernent properties with resort ammenities. All offer five-star service and accommodations.
The Dining
You’ll meet amazing personal chefs at our camps who create 4-star dining experiences. Meals are served in the luxury dining tent overlooking the Serengeti. Not only is the food exceptional, but the environment and views are, as well. You’ll enjoy relaxing in the “Rafiki lounge/bar tent” at the Dancing Duma. After a full day out in the wild, enjoy some leisure time with a bar set up, beautiful sofas, and chairs, making a comfortable place to sit and gaze out at the Serengeti from a private deck. Then, after dinner, sit by the campfire and watch the sun sink below the horizon as we all talk of the day’s adventures!
The Itinerary
Dates and Itinerary (subject to change by a day or two once 2025 flight schedules are published)
Tuesday, August 26, 2025—We’ll begin our adventure in Arusha this afternoon/evening. Plan to arrive at Kilimanjaro (JRO) by 19:00 local time. We will set up for the night at Rivertrees Resort near Arusha.
https://rivertrees.com/. Dinner will be on your own at Rivertrees Restaurant.
Wednesday, August 27—Sleep in a bit; we will have a leisurely morning before our departure from Rivertrees Resort en route to Karatu. Enjoy a restful evening and overnight at Marera View Lodge or equivalent.
https://mareraviewlodge.com Driving: 3.5 hours. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Thursday, August 28 – Safari and Game Drive at the Ngorongoro Crater. This intact volcanic crater is the largest on Earth and is the natural habitat for some of the largest mammals in Africa. Safari Game Drive: 6 hours. Overnight: Marera View Lodge. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.
Friday, August 28 – Enjoy sightseeing at several important Tanzania locations today. First, we will visit the Olduvai Gorge, a paleoanthropological site known for some of the oldest human evidence on Earth. Then, we will visit a Maasai village to learn about their nomadic and pastoral culture. Later, we will enter the Shifting Sand Conservation Area, one of the world’s most spectacular moving ash dunes. Arriving at the Dancing Duma Premium Tented Safari Camp, you’ll settle in for the next five nights and enjoy! Driving: 4 hours. Overnight: Dancing Duma https://www.dancingduma.com/. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Saturday, August 29 – Relax this morning and take in the Dancing Duma Camp. This afternoon, experience the wildlife of the Serengeti on a guided Safari Game Drive. You’ll ride in private safari vehicles with a maximum of four passengers. Return to camp at sunset for free time, relaxation, and dinner. Safari Game Drive: 2-3 hours. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Overnight: Dancing Duma.
Sunday, August 30 – The next two days will be filled with adventure on the Serengeti in search of the “Big Five,” Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant, and African Buffalo. In addition, we will encounter countless varieties of small game, antelope, zebra, and wildebeest. Safari Game Drive: 6 Hours. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Overnight: Dancing Duma.
Monday, August 31 – Repeat the previous day in another area of the National Park. Safari Game Drive: 6 Hours. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Overnight: Dancing Duma.
Tuesday, September 1 – Repeat the previous day in another area of the National Park. Safari Game Drive: 6 Hours. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Overnight: Dancing Duma.
Wednesday, September 2 – We will leave the Serengeti and head north to the Masia Mara River crossing area. Enjoy a safari game drive along the way. Driving: 6 hours. Breakfast and Dinner. Overnight in the Masia Mara River Region.
Thursday, September 3—Today is the big day! Experience close-up encounters of the “Great Migration” as zebra and wildebeest race across the Mara River while crocodiles lay in wait. Indeed, it is a sight to behold and, for most, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Safari Game Drive: 6 hours. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Overnight in the Masia Mara River Region.
Friday, September 4—This morning, we will say goodbye to the bush with a flight back to Arusha, where we will enjoy some final shopping and sightseeing. You will have a room for the day at Rivertrees Resort before boarding your flight home. Flight: 1.5 hours. Day room accommodations at Rivertrees Resort.
Itinerary specifics are subject to change.
The Inclusions
David and Charlotte McGuffin will be your personal tour escorts.
Top-notch professional Drivers & Guides to enhance your Safari experiences.
Land transportation in customized 4-wheeled Drive Safari vehicles.
Unlimited mileage in safari vehicles.
Guaranteed window seating in safari vehicles.
Maximum of four passengers per safari vehicle.
Flight from Mara River to Arusha.
Accommodations, as mentioned in the itinerary, are in double/twin occupancy.
Limited single rooms are available for an additional cost.
Meals as noted in the itinerary.
Tips are included for all Safari Camp restaurant staff.
Complimentary bottled drinking water throughout your Safari.
National Park admission and safari fees.
David’s extensive preparation materials include tips, packing lists, trip expectations, and tipping guidelines.
Daily Safari briefings and information.
And much more!
The Exclusions
Flights to and from Tanzania.
Comprehensive Trip insurance. We strongly recommend comprehensive insurance for tour.
Medical Evacuation insurance is require for all visitors to Tanziania. ~$50.
Airline-imposed fuel surcharges.
Airline-imposed seat assignment and checked baggage fees
Fee for passports or immunizations (immunizations not required for entry).
Tanzania Visa Fees = $100 USD
Meals and expenses en route to Tanzania.
Emergency evacuation or hospitalization.
Beer, wine, spirits, and soda during the tour.
Laundry, phone, internet, and personal items
Tips for guides, drivers, and camp staff (~$30/day for driver/guides).
Extras and optional activities (such as hot-air balloon flight).
NOTE– United States Dollars are the only currency accepted in Tanzania. CASH is king, so come with plenty of it – in your moneybelt, of course.
The Deposit & Payments
PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND PROCESSES
To reserve a seat on this tour you must agree to these Tour Conditions and provide us with a deposit of $2500 per person. We accept credit cards, personal checks, bank drafts, and money orders made payable to David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe (in US dollars). If you sign up for a tour less than 120 days before its departure, the entire tour price must be paid, and is non-refundable after 7 days.
DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS:
A $2500 deposit is required at sign-up.
This deposit is non-refundable seven (7) days after we confirm your tour enrollment via email.
Final payment is due 120-days before departure date (April 28, 2025).
CANCELLATIONS:
Your $2500 deposit is non-refundable.
119-0 days before departure – Your entire tour cost is non-refundable.
Cancellations will be effective when the written notification is received at David McGuffin›s Exploring Europe by mail, e-mail, or fax.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We cannot require you to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, but we highly encourage you to do so. Comprehensive travel insurance covers tour cancellations, emergency medical, and other unexpected events. Either Cancel For A Covered Reason or Cancel For Any Reason is acceptable. More insurance information available here: https://davidmcguffin.com/travel-insurance/
Sign Up by Email or Post
You may download a Safari Tour Application and send/mail it to us with payment information or a check.
-OR-
You may return it by:
- FAX 1-800-570-1351
- Email – info@davidmcguffin.com
- Email – take a photo of the form with your smartphone and attach it to an email
- TXT – take a photo with your smartphone and TXT to 904-612-8149
Testimonials & Reviews of our Tours
This was our first trip to Europe and it was everything we hoped for! John and Audra were the tour guides. They went above and beyond to answer all questions and tailor the experience to our requests. The group dinners were very good and let us see things we could have never found on our own. John and Audra both took the time to make sure we understood the public transportation in both countries so we could fully enjoy our free days. They even researched places for us to go based on our wish list. I could not recommend David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe and more highly. Thanks to everyone for a great experience!
We traveled to Scottland & Ireland on a McGuffin tour. The tour group was small making it easy to navigate the two countries as compared to larger tour groups. He included tours to many “off the beaten path” towns which differentiated this tour from others we have done. Having a half-day to explore stops on your own every day also made this tour a wonderful experience.
The Best of Ireland - September 2023
My wife and I just completed the Best of Ireland Tour and it changed our whole attitude about doing a tour. We loved being in a small tour group where everyone gets to know one another. We had a fantastic group and it was by far, one of the best and most informative trips we've ever been on.
From day one, each trip was carefully planned with an abundance of daily tours as well as needed downtime and though I have a hearing loss, David spoke louder to accommodate. We NEVER waited in lines for ANYTHING. Anytime we showed up for a reserved tour, we were immediately escorted thru.
Our dinner locations were chosen by David because of the charm, the history and the personality and DID NOT disappoint. The food was always outstanding with great selections available because of varying tastes, and we never expected wine and spirits to be included as part of the dining experience.
David also picked some out of-the-way locations to stop where the town was not overrun with tourists and where the larger buses were too big to travel. We had to endure some rainy days that required walking in the rain but that's just part of it. Unless we stopped to check into a hotel, the bags always stayed on the bus and if we couldn't check into the rooms early, the hotel had no problem storing our bags for us...at no charge.
We can't say enough about the quality of our tour guide and the entire tour itself. It has totally changed our opinion about tour groups and well never visit another city in Europe unless it's a small group tour!!!!!!!
The Best of Ireland - September 2023
My husband and I just traveled to Ireland with David for 12 days along with our friends and we had the best time. Every detail is streamlined in advance so you have no surprises. You receive an email or WhatsApp update every evening with your detailed schedule for the next day, so easy. Breakfast is included every morning, lunch on your own with plenty of options and fun group dinners half the time. David always listened to our opinions about what we wanted and didn't. We loved how he didn't bog us down with nonstop activity and gave us free time to explore on our own. We were so impressed with his company we immediately booked another tour with him. This is a no brainer for us because all you have to do is pack your bags, book a flight and he does everything else simple as that. If you can't have fun with EE,Inc you're not trying.
David provided a private tour for my family and myself. Our tour included Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. My favorite location was Mykonos. The Villa we stayed in Mykonos was gorgeous.