During Camp Indie I met a lot of you and chatted about what I did for a living. Namely, my safari company in Tanzania that I’ve been running since 2010.
Unsurprisingly, many of you said doing a safari was on your bucket list, and that you’d love to go some time.
So, I chatted with Trav and we decided to combine forces to create an epic adventure JUST FOR our Location Indie & Camp Indie people!
If you want to do a safari in Tanzania anytime soon—with an awesome group of people to boot—this will be your best bet.
Interested? This trip is scheduled in two parts:
- SAFARI: November 2-9, 2024
- must arrive in Tanzania by November 2nd, but can arrive earlier
- extra pre/post-trip nights with meals can be arranged at cost ($200/night/person with all meals included)
- spots open: 12
- ZANZIBAR: November 9-14, 2024
- have some fun in the sun on Zanzibar Island after the safari
- white sand beaches with crystal clear blue water, snorkeling/SCUBA, fishing, cultural tours, sea turtles, etc.
- only an hour-long flight to get there — stay as long as you’d like!
- we can assist with flights, transport, accommodation, recommendations, etc. but it will be a self-guided trip
It’s gonna be some FUN times. But hey — don’t just take my word for it!
Kim H.
WOW! What an incredible experience with Pamoja Safaris! I had always wanted to go on an African safari “some day”, but had no idea where to even begin planning such a trip. Pamoja Safaris took care of everything, from seamless airport transportation, to perfect accommodation, to the delicious meals, and everything in between—including some unexpected surprises that really made the trip extra special!
Julie K.
The entire experience was way more than I expected. The lodging, the food, the guides—even the vehicles were great! I really appreciated the friendly and knowledgeable guides, they made the trip that much more special. Several times we found ourselves in remote areas with no other people around, seeing animals within a meter of our vehicle (or on our vehicle in one instance). It really was the trip of a lifetime!!
Ryan S.
Having gone on safaris in southern Africa, I’ve always dreamt of going on one in Tanzania. Pamoja Safaris was not only able to fulfill that dream but exceeded my expectations for what a safari should be like. Their professionalism, knowledge of the parks, and what they taught us about the Maasai people and culture made the trip one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Danielle T.
Our safari was the trip of a lifetime! My dad and I both fell in love with Tanzania and our experience would never have been the same without our guide, Josh. He was so knowledgeable, kind and easy going, and we feel lucky to have gotten such a unique perspective of Tanzania, it’s people, the animals and life, in general!
Domino I.
Going Pamoja is first-rate–you’ll feel like family. A well-planned, well-executed, well-experienced adventure trip. THANK YOU for making it happen.
Heather O.
Imagine thousands and thousands of zebras and wildebeests as far as you can see in just about every direction! Words cannot describe just how truly incredible this whole experience was! The 800+ photos do a better job, but there’s nothing like being there and living the dream for yourself. Thank you Pamoja Safaris, you’ve made this a trip I will never forget!!!
Louise C.
I was completely blown away by my incredible trip with Pamoja Safaris. As a world traveler, I knew I wanted to do a safari someday, so when I had the chance to go with a small group led by Scott, Josh, and Jonas, I jumped at the chance. But I didn’t realize just how amazing it would be. I’m already thinking about my next visit!
Joe P.
Pamoja Safaris enabled me to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing the African wildlife up close in its natural habitat. Our guide did everything possible to ensure our experience would stand out as one of the greatest of our lifetimes. Mission Accomplished!
Rochelle N.
Seeing animals is a given, but what I wasn’t expecting were the incredible guides that Pamoja Safaris has working for them. They were so knowledgeable and friendly, and went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time. We were also able to experience the local culture; I have wonderful memories of meeting the Maasai tribe members. I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience what I did.
Maneesh S.
My trip with Pamoja Safaris was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I never imagined I would get to be up close and personal with animals I’d only dreamed of—lions, leopards, cheetahs, and more! Scott and his team were incredible guides, and made the trip better than I ever imagined. If you have the opportunity to travel with Pamoja, do it!
Kate H.
I woke up to giraffes outside my tent at sunrise, was eyeballed by an elephant from two metres away, had a zero-metre experience with a cheetah on our truck, learned the sheer fun of truck surfing, watched six-week-old lion cubs play, and saw a lioness scare off a male lion right in front of us (she roared at him and we all nearly wet our pants). Massive thanks to Scott for making all this awesomeness happen!
Mallory B.
I absolutely loved my Pamoja safari. The Serengeti is beautiful. The Pamoja team was incredible! Josh went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed our time–even driving extra hours to show us the great wildebeest migration. Scott made the entire process smooth and easy-peasy. I’d recommend this trip a million times over!
Kevin C.
Scott put on a really incredible safari. The entire trip blew my mind—it was more than I expected. Take what you’re expecting, forget all of that—it’s going to be WAY better than you ever expected. The attention to details, the way they cater to your every need, the most knowledgeable guides you could imagine—we’re definitely going to come back again with Scott and his team.
Derek P.
My favorite moment was when a cheetah literally jumped on our car. I never thought I’d see such a majestic creature, just three feet away from me. Pamoja Safaris took us to all kinds of different places — it was definitely one of the best vacations of my life.
Table of Contents
The Mission
Your mission is to spend an all-inclusive week in Tanzania with a curated group of awesome people, exploring the wildlife, nature, and inhabitants of this amazing country. We'll hit up all of the must-see spots that you've heard about before — the never-ending plains of the Serengeti, the caldera of Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, the great wildebeest migration — and a few that are totally off the radar.
And, the best part? We'll do it all in style.
That means premium accommodations from start to finish. We're talking super-buffet breakfasts, comfy beds, and elephants grazing just outside of your bedroom (please do not pet them).
EVERYTHING will be taken care of — from airport pick-up to drop-off. Three meals per day, guides, transportation via Land Cruisers, park fees, accommodation, tips, etc., etc.
You don't even need to bring any money with you at all if you don't mind skipping souvenirs and alcohol, because those are the only things not included in the package.
Make no mistake — this is some real epic Lion King-type adventure you're getting into. In fact, I challenge you to not have the theme song to the movie playing in your head as you see the sunrise over the Serengeti.
In a word? EPIC.
The Group
There will be up to 12 spots open for the November trip on a first-come, first-served basis (an initial $1,000 deposit payment per trip secures your spot — see Money Stuff below).
You'll be accompanied by yours truly, along with my friend and business partner Josh. Josh has over 20 years of experience guiding visitors through his country and is an absolute master of animal behavior and identification. We will also be joined by Kidasi, our head guide who also has over a decade in the field.
We'll be traveling in two Land Cruisers, and will be with each other every day on a pretty fixed schedule. There won't be a ton of opportunity to go off and do your own thing, as we will be together most of the time — whether it be on safari in the parks, or at the lodges, relaxing or enjoying meals.
Accommodation will be in twin rooms, and you'll be paired with another participant of the same sex if you aren't traveling with a partner (single-room supplements available — see Money Stuff for more information). This person may change throughout the trip, as we will be staying in three different lodges throughout our time together.
We are only reaching out to Location Indie & Camp Indie participants for this trip, and you know you're all cool humans, so half the fun will be hanging out with friends and the time we spend together. (Note: friends and partners of the LI/CI family are welcome!)
My Story
In the summer of 2010, I traveled to Africa for the very first time, alongside my father. It had always been his dream to go on a safari, and luckily for me, I was invited to come along. We were in a group of sixteen Americans and spent the next twelve days exploring everything there was to see and do in northern Tanzania.
Our group was assigned three guides, and I quickly became friends with one of them — Josh. Josh was by far the most outgoing, friendly, and humorous one of the three. Everyone wanted to ride in his Land Cruiser every day, as his knowledge of the animals was unmatched. He would see a predator looking in a specific direction and know what was going to happen, circling slowly to get us a better view of the action once the chase was on. It was an amazing time.
I had elected to stay in Tanzania an entire month, solo, visiting Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro after the safari tour had ended and my father had gone back to the U.S. Throughout the rest of my time in the country Josh stayed in touch and assisted me multiple times when it came to anything I was looking to do (bus bookings, etc.).
After I summited Kilimanjaro, on my last day in the country, Josh invited me over to his house to meet his wife and kids. He picked me up at my hotel and we drove a while to his house, situated just a ways from Arusha city (the starting point for most safari trips in the country). It was during that car ride that the idea hit me: I was an entrepreneur who was used to starting up businesses, I loved animals and nature in general, and I was looking for a new venture after doing web development for much of the past decade. He was a proficient, personable guide with many years of experience. I wonder...
"Josh, have you ever thought about starting your own safari company?", I asked.
"I was thinking of maybe opening up a shop near my home..." he replied.
"Hmm...what if we opened our own safari company together? If we combine your strengths and mine, I think we could make something great...", I asked.
And with that short car ride conversation, Pamoja Safaris was born.
Since late 2010, Josh and I have been sending our guests on the trip of a lifetime, and have had an amazing experience doing so.
Accommodation
Just because you're on safari doesn't mean that you have to rough it! We'll be staying in some of the best lodges and luxury tented camps Tanzania has to offer, complete with comfy beds, buffet breakfasts, warm-water showers, and gorgeous views. You might even be able to see some of the animals from your lodge, as they feed on the grasses and trees outside of your balcony.
We will be securing several twin rooms (or doubles, for couples) for everybody to share at each of the locations we'll be visiting (Arusha City/Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area/Karatu, and Serengeti National Park). If you're traveling solo you'll be matched up with somebody of the same sex, or, you can pay a bit of additional money to grab a room all to yourself for the duration of the trip (see Money Stuff, below).
Days can stretch long at times when you're out on the Serengeti chasing animals all day — it's nice to have somewhere cozy to lay your head at night.
Our Rides
We use only the most comfortable, feature-equipped, custom Toyota Land Cruisers available. Some days we'll be spending upwards of eight hours inside of these steel beasts, so it's of utmost importance that you're comfortable the entire way.
Another way that we make sure that you're enjoying the safari to the max is not over-packing each vehicle! Many safari providers will put a person in every seat, but that doesn't allow much room for backpacks, camera equipment, etc. For our 7+1 seat configuration vehicles (seven passenger seats plus one driver seat), we never put more than five or six passengers inside, leaving enough room for your belongings and to easily move around when you want to grab that perfect shot.
While on game drives, much of the time you'll be standing on the seats with your head poking out the top of the vehicle (which allows a 360-degree view of what's around you). To allow this, the roof pops up if you push on it, and the covering stays above your head, shielding you from the sun.
Finally, there are multiple charging points in each vehicle to keep your batteries filled, and there's even a fridge to store your drinks and food in if you'd like.
Itinerary
We'll be together for eight days total, including an arrival day, a departure day, and six full days of safari. The safari itself will encompass three separate parks (Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Serengeti National Park), and one conservation area (Ngorongoro Conservation Area).
Most days we will wake around 7:00 am-8:00 am, have breakfast, and then do a morning safari while the animals are still active. Around noon we will either head back to the lodge or have a picnic lunch, then rest for a couple of hours afterward, as the animals are their least active during the midday sun. At around 3:30 pm we will head out again on a late afternoon-till-dusk game drive, returning back to the lodge at sunset (it is not permitted to drive at night in the parks). You'll have a bit of time to wash up and change clothes, then it's time for dinner. After dinner, you may hang around the bar for some drinks and conversation, or head to bed to relax, as you see fit.
For more information, a detailed day-by-day itinerary can be found below.
Detailed Itinerary
Dates are set for November 2 - November 9, 2024.
Day 00: Leave the U.S. (or wherever you may be) (Friday, November 1)
If coming from the U.S. you'll be taking a flight the day before, as it's a bit of a long flight with at least one, but most likely two layovers.
Day 01: Arrival in Arusha (A) (Saturday, November 2)
Arrive in Arusha via air, where we will pick you up at the airport. After that, you'll be dropped off at your hotel in/around the city. Enjoy some downtime after the long flight, and then we'll reconvene for dinner in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, meet with your driver and guide Josh. We will go over the schedule for the next few days in general, focusing primarily on the itinerary for the next day. After dinner, retire to your room and get a good rest, as we'll start early the next day.
Day 02: Arusha to Tarangire National Park to Karatu (B) (Sunday, November 3)
Wake up around 7:00 am and head to the restaurant for breakfast. We will be trying to leave the city around 8:00 am on our way to Tarangire National Park (approx. 2.5 hours driving). We will spend the late morning doing a game drive in the park, coming together for lunch at a lodge in the afternoon. After lunch, we will head back out for more animal spotting. At around 3:30 pm we will head out towards Karatu, where our next lodge awaits. After dinner, you're free to go back to your room and rest or hang out with the other guests at the lodge bar.
Day 03: Tarangire National Park to Serengeti National Park (via Ngorongoro) (D) (Monday, November 4)
After breakfast at the lodge, we will make our way out of the park (with a game drive on the way), and head towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area around lunchtime. After receiving our entry permits and passing through the gates, we will stop at the top of the now-extinct volcano to grab some photos from the top. We'll make our way out of the conservation area onward to Serengeti National Park, where we will need to grab additional entry passes. After receiving clearance, we will make our way to your lodge (game drive on the way), arriving just before nightfall. Dinner at the lodge, followed by the day's briefing. (Total driving time this day is about five to six hours, so we'll be sure to make as many stops as needed for restrooms and to stretch our legs on the way.)
Day 04: Serengeti National Park (D) (Tuesday, November 5)
Sleep in a bit, eat breakfast, then we head out for a game drive until lunchtime, which will be back at the lodge. We'll then spend a few more hours out on the plains, looking out for leopards, cheetahs, and lions that are all over the area. Dinner is back at the lodge, after which we will talk about the schedule for the next few days in the Serengeti.
Day 05: Serengeti National Park (D) (Wednesday, November 6)
This is the day when we will try to catch up with the wildebeest herds. This time of year they are (usually) in the western part of the park, so not the easiest to get to. We'll make things easier by camping in the general area, allowing for shorter drive times. Depending on how the herds are moving, we may opt for a picnic lunch to be able to spend more time out on the plains in search of the wildebeest. Long day with plenty of driving, so we'll make sure to advance at a comfortable pace with as many breaks as needed. Dinner back at the lodge after returning around dusk.
Day 06: Serengeti National Park (West) to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (C) (Thursday, November 7)
After breakfast we will make a slow departure towards the east, heading towards Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (while looking for animals on the way, of course). Arrive at our beautiful destination, overlooking the 12-mile-wide crater at around 10:00 am. We will spend the entire morning driving through the crater, after which we will have a picnic lunch at a designated area within the park around 1:00 pm. After lunch, we will continue our game drive for a few more hours before heading back to our lodge for the evening.
Day 07: Lake Manyara National Park & Maasai Village (C) (Friday, November 81)
After breakfast at the lodge, we will head towards Arusha, stopping for lunch and souvenirs on the way. After lunch, we will stop by a local Maasai village, to see their traditional dances, handicrafts, and how they live their lives. Special farewell dinner that evening to cap things off.
Day 08: Arusha to Home / Rest Day (Departure) (Saturday, November 9)
Although the exact timing depends on your departure schedule, generally we will wake up, have a leisurely breakfast, and then relax at the lodge until it's time to drive you to the airport for your flight back home, or to Zanzibar for the post-trip.
Money Stuff
THIS IS NOT A BUDGET TRIP. If you're looking to do the cheapest safari possible, you can find that in other countries with less expensive park fees (e.g. South Africa, Kenya, etc.), or by joining a scheduled group tour, or a rough camping tour. There are also many managed game reserves in places such as Kenya where they fence in a large area and carefully manage wildlife numbers—like an open-air zoo.
This, however, is not a game reserve—this is 100% natural, as nature intended it. Animals come and go as they please, there are no fences, and the land area is HUGE — nearly 5,800 sq. mi (15,000 sq. km) for Serengeti National Park by itself.
That being said, the trip is not prohibitively expensive (especially with the built-in $1,500 discount we are providing per person), and is a great deal if compared to other all-inclusive, private Tanzanian safari packages. (Not even factoring in the huge bonus that you'll be with an amazing group of humans.)
Please be aware that I am putting this together at discounted pricing, in part because we are looking to take photos and videos during the trip to use for promotional purposes. (If you don't want to be photographed and/or videotaped, this may not be the best tour for you to join.)
There will be 12 spots open for this trip. To secure your spot, there will be a $1,000 deposit required. First come, first served. (The deposit will be applied to the trip balance.)
The balance for the entire trip — one more payment of $3,190 — will be due by September 24, 2024. If your payment is not received by that day you may lose your initial deposit/place on the trip (I will inform you when the date is approaching if I haven't heard from you yet).
Total pricing will be raised $300 to $4,490 at 12:00 am ET on September 24th, 2024 (for those that have not paid their balance yet).
Included
- 8 days/7 nights of accommodation in luxury lodges and tented camps from November 2nd-November 9th (see Accommodation above)
- Double occupancy in twin bed rooms (or double bed if you are traveling as a couple). If you are not traveling with a companion you will be matched up according to gender. If you want your own room this can be arranged for an extra $900.
- Guide services the entire time
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- 3 meals per full day
- Unlimited bottled water, during the game drives and at your accommodation
- Guide & staff gratuity
- All taxes and surcharges
- All park and vehicle fees
- Transport via Land Cruiser to/within parks, incl. gasoline, driver meals, and accommodation
Not included:
- Flights to/from Tanzania (closest international airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO])
- Alcohol & beverages other than water
- $50-$100 Tanzanian online visa fee (see Visa, below)
Payment Methods include cash, check, money order, PayPal (applicable fees to be payable by you), Venmo, or Chase QuickPay/Zelle. If you need my address to send a check/money order please contact me.
Cancellation Policy and Terms of Service may be found here.
Weather & Packing
Tanzania in November is quite temperate, partially because the spots we are going to visit are well above sea level. Daytime is generally in the high 70s/low 80s Fahrenheit (25C-30C-ish), and the evenings are cool enough that you'd want a hoodie or windbreaker with you just in case you get cold. Rain is usually infrequent and brief, and the grasses that cover the plains are at the lowest growth point of the season, allowing for easy spotting of game.
We also have the added bonus of early November being one of the least busy parts of the year when it comes to tourism, so we won't have much competition when it comes to jockeying for position with other groups to see that lion eat its dinner.
In short, this is the perfect time of year to go on a safari.
What to wear? Well, you'll want to bring muted colors, as animals can sometimes react aggressively toward bright colors (think of bulls and the color red). You'll also want to stay away from dark colors, such as dark blue or black, as flies can be attracted to you that way. So, the best thing to wear? Unsurprisingly, khaki.
As mentioned, a windbreaker jacket and hoodie or fleece are recommended for nighttime, but during the day jeans, khaki shorts/pants, T-shirts, etc. are all fair game. Dress comfortably, because there won't be any formal occasions during this trip.
A full packing list for the safari portion of the trip can be found here.
Safety
Tanzania is one of the most stable, crime-free countries in Africa. In the rare event crime does happen, it is almost solely crimes of opportunity by the poor to make some extra money — e.g. grabbing your bag or camera when you're not looking. Violent crime is exceedingly rare, especially against tourists (making the country much safer than the U.S., for instance).
Because we will be on safari for most of the trip, we really won't have to worry about theft at all. The employees at the lodges wouldn't risk their jobs stealing anything, and the other tourists usually aren't culprits. You sometimes have to watch out for baboons though... (Only half-joking.)
Regardless, I do recommend you purchase travel health and trip protection insurance, just to be on the safe side (see Disclaimer, below).
As far as the animals go, they don't bother anybody unless you bother them first, so just use common sense and everything will be fine (e.g. do not lean out the window and try to pet the animals).
Getting There
The airport you will be flying into is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
No matter where you are coming from, getting to Arusha, Tanzania is a bit of a slog. If coming from Europe (besides Amsterdam, which is direct) you can manage it with just one stopover (usually in Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or UAE/Qatar), but if you're coming from the U.S. be prepared for a long flight with two (sometimes three) stopovers (although sometimes you can find a single stopover journey, especially if you pay a bit more). Be sure to check Google Flights, or Skyscanner for the best available routes and prices.
If leaving from the U.S. it will take you the better part of an entire day to arrive in Arusha, so I would look for flights leaving on November 1st at the latest (just make sure to get in at the very latest the afternoon of November 2nd).
Once you arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport you'll be picked up by us, after which we'll drive you the hour or so it takes from there to your first lodge in Arusha.
Visa
Visas for U.S. citizens cost USD$100 (most other nationalities: $50), and can be purchased via the e-Visa service (a sample form to use when applying for your visa is available here). Be sure to have a pen handy to fill out the arrival card and health form you'll receive on the flight before landing.
Immunizations
Tanzania doesn't really have any more communicable diseases than many of the other developing spots you may travel to. There are no immunizations required to visit Tanzania.
There is a slight risk of malaria, however, it is more along the coast of the country than inland where we will be (4,500 ft/1,400 m above sea level for most of the journey). Please talk to your travel medical specialist if you would like to bring anti-malarial medication with you (there are a few different types, but they all have their side effects — I personally choose to go without and just use longer clothing at night along with some bug spray on exposed skin).
Zika prevalence is low (lower than in the U.S.). Ebola is non-existent (there have never been cases of Ebola in Tanzania, even during the 2014 outbreak).
If you're coming straight to Tanzania from a yellow fever-endemic country such as Kenya or Brazil (click here for a full list), you may be required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival at the airport.
As far as immunizations go, just make sure you are up-to-date on your usual foreign travel stuff — tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid, Hepatitis A/B, etc.
Please consult your medical professional regarding all of the above suggestions, as of course, I am not a qualified medical professional. 🙃
Disclaimer
This is travel, and unexpected things may happen. Although we will do everything in our power to assist if something goes wrong, you get sick, etc., I nor Pamoja Safaris is in any way legally responsible for your well-being during the duration of the trip. By signing up for this trip you are acknowledging this fact. Medical facilities for routine visits, prescriptions, etc. are few and far between in Tanzania, so you may want to buy travel medical insurance (and think about the emergency evacuation option possibly) just in case something more serious befalls you.
This also goes for the itinerary as listed above. Although we are pretty set as far as the schedule because hotels are pre-booked, there may be things we may not get to see because of weather, migration patterns, or bad luck — who knows?
Sign Up
This is a first-come, first-served opportunity. We only have 12 spots for the safari and once those are gone we are not planning on adding any additional spots.
Secure your spot by clicking the button below and then filling out the form, after which you need to send the initial payment of USD$1,000/per person (payment details to be provided upon submitting the form).
Once we reach the maximum number of people the trip will be closed to new sign-ups, although you can be added to a waitlist if you wish.
Questions?
If you have any questions please send me an email through my Contact Page.