Between Meru and Kilimanjaro – big game safari from Arusha National Park via the wildlife corridor to Kilimanjaro, a horseback safari through various wildlife areas and national parks in northern Tanzania. On your route from the lush vegetation of Meru through the savannah to the mountain rainforest of Kilimanjaro, you will encounter a wide variety of wildlife – join us to track them down.
Our bush camp offers 24 hours of nature and our bush menus by lantern light are famous. In the evenings, you will gather in a cosy circle around the obligatory campfire, where you can sometimes even observe wild animals.
Arusha National Park in northern Tanzania is heavily forested and home to a large number of buffalo, numerous giraffes, zebras, warthogs, many different species of antelope, hippos, various monkey species – especially the large silky monkeys – flamingos and countless other bird species in the water and in the air. Elephants also live in the Meru Forest – you will follow their trails during the horseback safari.
Arusha National Park surrounds Mt. Meru, the second largest mountain in Tanzania and the third largest free-standing mountain in Africa. Magnificent landscapes alternate between open savannah, dense forests and bushland, impressive craters and numerous lakes. Arusha National Park also encompasses five different vegetation zones, making it particularly rich in flora and fauna.
The famous German big game hunter Margarete Trappe founded the Momella Farm in what is now Arusha National Park at the beginning of the 20th century. She became very well known in Tanzania due to her unusual life story, especially as a white woman in Africa, and her fair treatment of the local Maasai people and animals. In later years, she was particularly committed to nature conservation.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and welcome
Arrival and transfer to the farm (approx. 45 minutes). Check into your room at Dolly River Camp, beautifully situated on the riverbank and offering a peaceful introduction to the natural beauty of Tanzania. If you arrive early enough, you can take a walk along the river or even go for an evening ride in the area (optional). Overnight stay at Dolly River Camp.

Day 2: Ride through Arusha National Park
After breakfast, a short drive will take you to the 552 square kilometre Arusha National Park. Despite its relatively small size, Arusha National Park is home to a variety of wildlife and the famous Mount Meru, Tanzania's second highest mountain. Breathtaking views and lush mountain forests await you. Embark on an unforgettable horseback adventure through Arusha National Park, travelling through some of the park's most picturesque landscapes. You can expect to see giraffes, zebras, buffalos, bushbucks and, with a little luck, elephants, as well as a wide variety of birds. Keep an eye out for the playful colobus monkeys and enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Meru and its surrounding landscapes. Overnight stay in comfortable accommodation on a hillside, surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Day 3: Wildlife, culture and delightful horse rides
The morning begins with a ride to an enchanting waterfall, where cool mist and cascading water will leave you feeling refreshed. You will cross a grassy area where you may encounter herds of buffalo in their natural habitat. Now, under the protection of the dense mountain forest, the steep ascent to Mount Meru begins. Sometimes you will have to dismount to negotiate difficult passages. You will reach a special place in the park: the fig tree arch! This is a strangler fig tree, shaped like a natural arch and large enough for riders and horses to pass through between the spreading s and the unique structure. It is a striking landmark and provides food and shelter for birds, monkeys and insects. On the way down, you will stop at a viewpoint to refresh yourself and enjoy the view over the national park. On a clear day, you can even admire Kilimanjaro.
A picnic lunch awaits you under an iconic African Amiini tree. Cultural visit: Visit a women's group and a tourism school (optional) to learn more about local initiatives to strengthen the community. In the afternoon, there is a game drive to the Momella Lakes, a perfect place for wildlife and especially bird watching and photography. Optionally, a canoe tour (extra bookable) is available. As you glide across the water, you will get very close to water birds and may even see hippos. For the night, you will drive to Masai Lodge, which offers a blend of cultural immersion and modern comfort. (The horses will be transported to a camp 15 minutes away).

Day 4: Ride across the plains Wildlife Reserve
Start the day with a bush breakfast, followed by a ride through the Narco Plains, where you may encounter zebras and antelopes. Soon you will reach the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area (WMA), a community-managed nature reserve in northern Tanzania. Covering an area of 1,282 square kilometres, it serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting Amboseli National Park in Kenya with Kilimanjaro and Anusha National Park in Tanzania, as well as Lake Natron with the Serengeti in the west. Thanks to its protection, the WMA is home to a diverse wildlife, including elephants, zebras, giraffes and various antelope species, predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and wild dogs. You will also enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. At the same time, you will have the unique opportunity to learn about the life of the local Maasai communities who graze their cattle in the same habitat, often in close proximity to the wild animals. Lunch will be served near the WMA headquarters. During your visit with the rangers, you will learn more about their activities, including rescue operations, especially of elephants. In the evening, you will reach the camp in the Ngasurai Plains on horseback. Experience your first night in the bush, with tents surrounding the paddock and guarded by Maasai warriors. Listen to the calls of nearby wildlife under the bright starry sky.

Day 5: Euphorbia forests
You will be woken up again with a cup of steaming tea and, after a delicious breakfast, you will hop on your horse and set off in search of elephants and other animals in the euphorbia forests. Euphorbias are bizarre-looking, cactus-like trees and the sparse forests are home to an amazing variety of animals and are not only popular with elephants. You will return for brunch.
Afterwards, you will set off on a short hike with a Masai guide to learn more about life in the bush. Learn about traditional medicine, customs and the life of the Masai. Have you always wanted to light a fire without a lighter? Here you will learn how it works...
After a short siesta and a crispy cake from the bush kitchen – baked over an open fire – it's back on horseback.

Day 6: Out of Africa
After breakfast, you continue over seven hills (the ‘Seven Sisters’). There will certainly be opportunities for some beautiful gallops and, with a little luck, you may be invited to join a few giraffes for a gallop. You will pass the village of Sinya and rest in the shade of the trees.
This is THE African wilderness with fascinating wildlife: in addition to giraffes, eland and impala antelopes appear here in large herds, and waterbucks, kudus, bushbucks, Thompson's and Grant's gazelles, dik-dik, zebras, white-bearded wildebeest, warthogs and bush pigs, and sometimes you will see elephants or shy big cats such as cheetahs and leopards. Primates (green and diademed monkeys, yellow-olive and hybrid baboons) and a large number of interesting birds are always present.
Later, you will continue on to the last stage, arriving at the mobile camp at dusk, where you will probably feel transported back to the time of Karen Blixen.
If you wish, you can visit a small Masai village in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Mountain Rainforest
Start the day with a hearty breakfast. If the opportunity arises, you can climb the hills on horseback to spot wildlife. You will often be accompanied by wild animals to the watering hole, where you can watch them bathe in the river or at the waterhole. You can explore this area again extensively on horseback, by off-road vehicle or on foot accompanied by an armed ranger.
The journey continues at a brisk pace to the mountain forest of Mt. Kilimanjaro, interrupted by a picnic lunch lovingly prepared by the crew. For the next two hours, you will ride along the edge of the Kilimanjaro mountain forest, where tracks on numerous trails reveal the presence of a diverse wildlife. The scenery is beautiful – to your left is the Kilimanjaro mountain rainforest and to your right, below you, is the savannah with Mt. Meru in the distance.
You reach a viewpoint in the Kilimanjaro mountain forest. Here you hand over the horses to the waiting crew and enjoy a sunset drink with this great panorama. At dusk, you will drive back to the farm and enjoy dinner, where you can all look back on the day's events.

Day 8: Departure
To round off a successful week, you will be accompanied to Moshi, the nearest town, which will delight you with its typical local markets, African hustle and bustle, colours and smells. Alternatively, you can enjoy the beauty of Tanzania one last time on a farm ride through the plantation. In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport.

Subject to change!

 

Accomodation
On the farm you will spend the night in a guest house/room or luxurious cottages, and on the road in your own camp, which is set up early by the team. This consists of large, spacious canvas dome tents (standing height) in safari style, equipped with comfortable mattresses and proper bedding (blankets & pillows). The tents have enough space for luggage and you can still move around the mattresses without any problems. Even in the African bush, the evening hot shower - under the stars or in the shower tent - is available! The classic safari shower consists of a canvas bag with shower head and 10 liters of warm water per person, soap and towels are provided.

Saddle & Tack: The bridles are bitless, Hackamore and sidepulls. Comfortable trail riding saddles.

Experience: For the Riding safari you should be in good physical condition, absolutely saddle fit and confident outside of the area, as the terrain is very varied and sometimes difficult (including small jumps over rivers and ditches). You must be fit enough to trot or canter for at least 10 minutes at a stretch. Riding time: 4-6 hours a day.
Rider weight up to approx. 90 kg.

Horses: Horses of different breeds, from Boer horses, riding ponies to warmbloods, stock from 142 cm to 168 cm.
They are kept in an open stable with constant access to pasture. They are very balanced, persistent and willing. From very calm and level-headed to demanding, there is something for every rider's taste.
Your hosts, a German veterinary couple, attach the utmost importance to the welfare of the horses. They are lovingly trained and are sensitive to to ride and handling.