The big five animals are: lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, puma

From Kenya to South Africa animal herds migrate from region to region depending on the time of year and the call of the nature in search of food, survival, mating and hunting! All this huge migration is a unique setting for every traveler and it is definitely worth experiencing at least once in your life!

From our personal experience of the safari game drive in four tanzanian national parks, we recommend to each one of you to try it! What we loved the most was the respectful way of the tour towards nature and animals! The truth is that we had no idea what to expect and while there was hesitation before going there, fortunately the experience is only positively valued and we share it with you below!

Safari tour in Tanzania – Game Drive Safari in Tanzania

The safari tour operator we chose is Mwewe Expeditions and the main reason is the excellent comments we had read online about the company and about the owner of Mwewe called Sariko. The initial impression was completely confirmed as professionalism was not lacking not for a minute, there was a very youthful lay out that made our safari game drive more adventurous and the whole 5 day itinerary was perfectly organized always according to the itinerary we had discussed!

Mwewe Expeditions is a locally family owned Company that operates professionally with an experienced team for over 13 years in tourism Industry in Tanzania. Whether you are honeymooners, family, solo or groups we can make your dreams turn into reality.

Their moto is “We guarantee the best experience ever, nature guaranteed”

To contact Sariko and set up your own itinerary you can contact via company’s site, Facebook or Instagram! Although he is always busy traveling on a safari game drive at north Tanzanian national parks, he responds rapidly.

Before we move on to the national parks we visited (you can of course choose more, less or different than those we chose depending on the time of year you are travelling ), the time we chose is the era of predators as we wanted to see a little action thing. Don’t forget, of course, that it is the natural environment of animals and not a show for the humans, so there is no guarantee of how much action you will see, how many animals or what time you will see them! This is, of course, the point of having a safari game drive, the game drive in the national park lasts all day and puts you in the process of constant vigilance in case you see any of the rare big five animals in action while seeing dozens and hundreds other animals migrate, guard their little ones, etc.

Serengeti National Park of Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is a Tanzanian national park in the Serengeti ecosystem in the Mara and Simiyu regions. It is famous for its annual migration of over 1.5 million white-bearded (or brindled) wildebeest and 250,000 zebra and for its numerous Nile crocodile and honey badger

A vast intensity of greenery! Greener than we’ve ever seen before! This park has as much land as a small country and hosts millions of animals every year. In addition to elephant, zebra, gnous, sourcata, giraffe, hippopotamus, buffaloes, all kinds of antelope and lions you will meet (if you are lucky) cheetahs, pumas and many more species! An unforgettable image for us is that of the cheetahs sitting aristocraticly on tall trees carefree and relaxed by all danger!

Don’t worry about the food at the campsite where you re gonna overnight, as Sariko will make sure you have the best cook with you and you will all eat together at the restaurant areas with the rest of the campers or co travelers if you share the safari tour!

Ngorongoro National Park of Tanzania and Ngorongoro crater

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area  is a protected area and a World Heritage Site located 180 km (110 mi) west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area. The conservation area is administered by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, an arm of the Tanzanian government, and its boundaries follow the boundary of the Ngorongoro Division of the Arusha Region.

The 2009 Ngorogoro Wildlife Conservation Act placed new restrictions on human settlement and subsistence farming in the Crater, displacing Maasai pastoralists, most of whom had been relocated to Ngorongoro from their ancestral lands to the north when the British colonial government established Serengeti National Park in 1959.

Personally this was our favorite national park, because of the countless of animals we encountered and the unparalleled beauty! You are in the largest crater in the world in an indescribable setting that you have certainly never encountered before and you are in awe of nature unfolding before your eyes! Mothers, newborns, herds, predators all together in the same landscape!

The main feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority is the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact and unfilled volcanic caldera. The crater, which formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself two to three million years ago, is 610 metres (2,000 feet) deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres (100 square miles).

If you stay at the campsite be sure you have isothermal clothes (see our list here) to withstand the cold and enjoy the stars in the evening up in the crystal clear night sky!

Extra hint: when you find yourself there, ask to find out where the name of the national park came from! The answer will surprise you!

Tarangire National Park of Tanzania

Tarangire National Park is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania after Ruaha, Serengeti, Mikumi, Katavi and Mkomazi. The national park is located in Manyara Region. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River that crosses through the park, being the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. During the dry season thousands of animals migrate to the Tarangire National Park from Manyara National Park.

This park includes all the animals mentioned above but the scenery and the route is very different and in addition here you will find the trees with the huge trunks calles Bao bab trees!

We ll never forget seeing an elephant into a hollow trunk of bao bab tree!

Arusha National Park of Tanzania

Arusha National Park covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania. The park is small but varied with spectacular landscapes in three distinct areas. In the west, the Meru Crater funnels the Jekukumia River; the peak of Mount Meru lies on its rim. Ngurdoto Crater in the south-east is grassland. The shallow alkaline Momella Lakes in the north-east have varying algal colours and are known for their wading birds.

The scenery complements a park with several unique pictures as here you will live more of the tropical part of Tanzania! You’ll be touring into the jungle, meeting monkeys, baboons, thousands of flamingos and the unique Columbus monkeys with the lovely and impressive hair (interesting fact the greek origin of the word Columbus – learn more at the museum you ll meet during the safari).

Watch our safari video on Youtube

Where to stay at the National Parks in Tanzania

For lodging inside the national parks there are two options. The first choice is to stay in a lodge, but keep in mind that due to the small number of lodges the price start from 150€ per person per night and not unfairly we would say comparing to the unique view of course and in general to the national park itself! The second choice is the one we chose and it is not other that our beloved camping under the stars! Campsites is the most common choice amongst travelers not only because of the price but mainly for the general experience it offers! The campsites are located inside the area of the national parks as well as the lodges, they are right next to the original villages of Maasai tribes and you will hear at night all nature sound including animals’ roaring or eating.  Unique unforgettable feeling!

If you decide to go on a safari tour in Tanzania and explore the extraordinary national parks in Tanzania you just go ahead and choose the best tour operator in the region, choose Mwewe Expeditions. Safari in Tanzania is an experience worth getting directly into your travel bucket list! You ll get the chance to connect with nature something that will fascinate you more than anything,  to witness the greatness of nature and admire closely the natural evolution, hunting and the coexistence of thousands of animals!

Hakuna Matata!

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Monument Valley Safari tour

We joined s Scenic and Cultural Safari Guided off road adventure tour for 2,5 hours and 28 miles! The Safari was rather than rewarding since we got the chance to explore almost the whole region of picturesque Monument Valley even the restricted area of Old country where normally no tourists are allowed on their own!

The scenery is made of untouched desert landscapes of Lower Monument Valley, gorgeous arches and spires accompanied with breathtaking red and orange colors and sights, avid hikers and you ll definitely love it from the very first moment of the tour!

Our tour guide Bobby helped us gain insight into the region from the perspective of someone whose ancestors have inhabited it for generations!

The Safaris highlights

Journey through the restricted region of Lower Monument Valley discovering for yourself the untouched splendor of Navajo Land. Traverse the desert landscape visiting the world’s largest Elephant Butte, and the Three Sisters spires at John Ford’s Point. Later, divert into the back country and see up close the valley’s famous Big Chief Monument, and Sleeping Dragon Rock. Further into the restricted area venture underneath Sun’s Eye arch, the valley’s second largest arch and find some of the valley’s oldest Anasazi ruins, petroglyphs, and pictographs. Hike the sand dunes at Ear of the Wind arch and walk inside the Big Hogan; Monument Valley’s largest amphitheatre.

Book your tour with Monument Valley Safari

Whether you want to explore the ruins or capture stunning photographs of the desert landscape, the tours of Monument Valley Safari will take you into the heart of what makes this region unique. Book your tour and experience the beautiful outdoors at Monument Valley!

More tours

We had the chance to join the 2,5 hours Safari but those of you who can stay for a bit longer at Monument Valley Safari can also look through other tour options and choose between:

Monument Valley

Taking place in the gorgeous, untouched region of the Lower Monument Valley, this tour offers our guests unparalleled views of the area’s striking arches, towering spires, and richly-colored landscape. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, this is a great way to experience the desert by exploring its beauty in our open-air vehicles.

Mystery Valley

This aptly-named region of Arizona is the home to winding canyons, giant arches, and ancient ruins. The Mystery Valley tour is perfect for those with an interest in Arizona history and Native American culture, as it provides the rare opportunity to learn about and admire first-hand the relics ancient civilizations left behind.

Hunts Mesa

Those seeking a true adventure in the desert need look no further than the Hunts Mesa tour. Go off-roading in one of theis modified Suburbans to experience the breathtaking views and storied history of some of the state’s most memorable terrain. Photographers and campers will especially appreciate the access to rarely seen natural sites and landscapes unique to the Arizona desert.

Starlight

Relax under a thick blanket of stars with one of our Starlight tours. Our guests are swept away from the lights and bustle of town to experience the night sky in a way few modern people still can. Unwind as thousands of stars twinkle overhead while we help you take note of the constellations in a setting out of a stargazer’s dream.

Full Moon

Once a month, Monument Valley is lit up by the soft glow of the full moon. On this night, the always-beautiful landscape becomes a picturesque and otherworldly dreamland, and the team is proud to offer tourists the opportunity to experience the area in a unique and deeply memorable way.

Combination Safaris

The Combination Safaris give you the opportunity to travel through multiple parts of this breathtaking region without the need for multiple tours. You’ll have the chance to explore Monument Valley, Mystery Valley, and Tear Drop Arch while benefiting from the experience of one of their knowledgeable Navajo tour guides.

The whole Safari experience was truly amazing since its operated by a family whose roots run deep in Arizona’s Navajo Land! The owners of Monument Valley Safari have been exploring, learning about, and experiencing Northern Arizona’s natural landscape across multiple generations. Moreover, as members of the Native American Navajo tribe, their daily lives and cultures are greatly shaped by the environment of Monument Valley, so you can ask any questions and learn about native stories and history!

We d love to thank this amazing team of beautiful people and nature enthusiasts, who made our experience last forever! We sincerely emerged  into the pure nature of Monument Valley and totally recommend it to anyone who is visiting Monument Valley!

*The tour was complimentary by Monument Valley Safari to us but all opinions expressed above remain our own and are based on our personal experience!

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General Information

The area is part of the Colorado Plateau, the height of which ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 feet from sea level. The red color of the landscape is due to iron oxide and the dark color of the rocks from manganese oxide. The Monument Valley is a large area, part of which is a park, known as the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, like the national parks of the USA, with the difference that it belongs to the nation of Navajo.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

The entrance to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is $10 per person or $20 oer car and you are not relieved of payment if you have the annual ticket of national parks. The operation hours of the park are 6 a.m.-8 a.m. in the summer months (May-September) while the rest are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (October to April).

Your main activity in the park is to drive along the path (Valley Drive), a total length of 17 miles that crosses the valley and you can admire the amazing scenery. The road is earthen and in many places rocky for this reason is not suitable for cars that are low height. Many visitors choose to make the journey on their own, but there are also many organized tours that offer you a unique experience. We chose to take a guided tour and we did not regret it, you can read here our experience with Monument Valley Safari. If you choose to do the journey yourself, estimate 2-4 hours, depending on which points you stop. In summer you may find traffic, for this reason you could visit the park in the morning hours, where the photos are better, because of the colors.

During the journey you have to see many interesting points, with the goddess to the rocks vary depending on the angle you look at them. The valley was made known by the Westerns that were shot there. Some of the most interesting places along the route can be seen on the map that we prepared for you.

Where to stay in Monument Valley

The nearest big town in Monument Valley is Kayenta, 40 km away. There you can find various hotels at relatively good prices. At the nearest distances you can stay in hotels or motels that you will find in the Goulding ‘ s area near the airport of Monument Valley. Special experience, but relatively expensive is “the view hotel” at the entrance of the park, with amazing goddess in it. You can also find various campsites, with tents for rent, at relatively good prices, such as the one we found on Airbnb.

Other things to do near Monument Valley

If you want to go to Monument Valley you should not forget to go to some special attractions in the surrounding area. We distinguished the following:

• Goosenecks State Park

Also a park which does not belong to the National parks network of the USA, but is in the possession of the Navajo Nation. It is very small but worth a visit as it has an amazing view of the San Juan River and will remind you very much of Horshoe bend, but nut crowded. It is an amazing place for camping and to rest. The entrance to the park is $5 per car and is at a distance of 48 km and 35 minutes from the entrance of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

• Mexican hat

Mexican Hat is a special rock formation, which is worth admiring if you are in the area. You will find many places near the road where you can stop and enjoy the view.

• Forrest Gump Point

It is a spot with an amazing view of the Monument Valley and the endless road that crosses the plateau. Known point from the movie Forrest Gump, is an area where o lot of tourists stop to take pictures.

The Monument Valley is a unique experience that will remain indelible in our minds. We hope we help organising your trip!!!…enjoy!!!!.

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