Featured image: On this trip, we’ll learn about efforts in lion conservation / Photo by Intent on Safari 

Join our off-season December 2026 adventure to the Serengeti

There is perhaps no better place to experience the “Out of Africa” style of safari than Tanzania. With Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, Tanzania has some of the largest national parks on the African continent, while offering some of the most remote and unique off the beaten track experiences.

In December 2026, when there are less crowds and tourists, JourneyWoman is partnering with Laura Simpson, co-owner of Intent on Safari, on a December 7-15 safari in Tanzania, designed for a small group of no more than 12 people. Laura and her husband Colin have operated Intent on Safari since 2020 and this is their third trip with JourneyWoman, with luxury tented accommodation, elegant lodges and local guides. And yes, a balloon ride over the Serengeti, making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience no woman should miss! 

As part of this trip, we’ve arranged to spend time with KopeLion, a lion conservation non-profit, in Ngorongoro, which is often referred to as the cradle of mankind. With about one-third of the world’s lions, Tanzania is one of the most important countries for the lion’s long-term survival.   

Trip details

Date: December 7-15, 2026

Size: The group is limited to 12 people; 8 are required to make this trip happen, including JourneyWoman CEO Carolyn Ray and Intent on Safari’s Laura Simpson, who will be joining the trip

Cost: All-inclusive trip cost for 10 days/9 nights: Private room: US$6370 (Pricing may vary slightly with currency fluctuations)

Starts and Ends in:  Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania

Arrival/ Departure: Fly into Arusha Airport. We recommend KLM or Qatar Airlines. Check Skyscanner for rates and options.

A zoom call will be held in March to review trip details and answer questions. This trip is operated and booked by Intent on Safari, which has previously operated two successful JourneyWoman trips in 2024 and 2025. JourneyWoman does not operate or organize trips but we do partner with vetted companies in our Women’s Travel Directory to offer our readers unique experiences that support women-owned businesses. 

As a specially curated trip for JourneyWoman readers, there will also be at least two pre-trip Zoom calls prior to the trip, as well as a private Facebook group and WhatsApp group, so that you’ll meet other JourneyWomen travellers.

Trip Highlights

• Tarangire National Park: Tarangire is the 4th largest National Park in Tanzania covering an area of 2,850sq km (1,100Sqm). Established as a National Park in 1970, it takes its name from the Tarangire river which flows through the park from South to North and is most famous for its large herds of Elephant. It has the highest elephant density of any of the Tanzanian National Parks (over 3500 Elephants).
• The Eastern Rift Valley: Also known as the Gregory Rift, runs South from the Gulf of Aden through Ethiopia, Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Caused by the separation of the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate. The sinking of the floor of the rift was the cause of the volcanic activity that now gives us the Serengeti Plains and the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Day trip into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the natural wonders of the world, and your best chance to see the big 5 in one day. The views from the crater rim will stay with you in your memories for life. If you get to the top and its cloudy and overcast, don’t be discouraged as often it doesn’t take long for the clouds to part ways allowing you a glimpse of the crater floor. Game driving the floor of an extinct volcanic caldera doesn’t happen every day so enjoy it, and keep your eyes peeled for the Black Rhino, and newly introduced White Rhino. Even if it’s just spotted as a little dot in the distance, it’s a privilege all the same!
  
• The Kope Lion Project:  As part of this trip, we’ll visit KopeLion, which is focused on ensuring Lions can live alongside people within the Ngorongoro conservation Area.  To find out visit www.kopelion.org. Part of your safari cost includes a donation to KopeLion.
• The Ndutu area: Situated in the southern tip of the Serengeti Eco-system, is an island of acacia tortilis woodland that surrounds two large shallow soda lakes. These lakes form part of the feeding ground of the flamingoes both lesser and greater. There are marshes that provide year-round drinking water for the animals, and as the season begins to dry, these areas become prime spots for elephants, and larger herbivores that need to drink on a daily basis. Lions use this opportunity to lie in wait and ambush.
• Serengeti National Park: Serengeti was Tanzania’s first national park and the only national park at the time of independence in 1961. Following Tanzania’s first president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere call to protect its wildlife and wildlife areas in his famous “Arusha manifesto” Tanzania now has 22 National parks and along with Game reserves and wildlife management areas about 25% of the countries almost 1 million sq kilometers is dedicated to wildlife conservation.
• Balloon flight over Serengeti National Park: An early start this morning when we will be picked up from the Wilderness Camp, and transferred to the balloon launch site. This is effectively a night game drive and we may spot some nocturnal creatures. At the launch site we will meet our pilot, receive a safety briefing and watch the inflation of our balloon. At dawn we take off (approx. 06.00am), rising as the sun rises and floating in whichever direction the winds take us. The flight is about one hour long, depending on conditions. We celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne (well, an excellent sparkling wine) before sitting down to a full English breakfast (other dietary options are available) prepared and served to order in the bush in an elegant “Out of Africa” style.

Trip details

Date: December 7-15, 2026

Starts and Ends in:  Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania

Arrival/ Departure: Fly into Kilimanjaro Airport. We recommend KLM or Qatar Airlines. Check Skyscanner for rates and options.

Cost:

• Trip cost for 10 days/9 nights: Private room: US$6370

• This includes your money raised to support these conservation projects. Pricing may vary slightly depending on currency rates.

• Payment: 30% deposit due upon confirmation via credit card; Final payment due October 1, 2026

• The trip size is limited to 12; 8 are required to make this trip happen; do not book any travel until the trip is confirmed  
• Clients who book their trip before March 31, 2026 will receive a complimentary balloon flight over the Serengeti

What’s included in this safari

• All accommodation and meals as mentioned above
• All Park fees, Concession fees, Camping fees, Crater entrance fees as applicable
• Cars and guides with unlimited game drives 
• AMREF flying doctors’ evacuation (For evacuation from remote safari parks to either Arusha/Nairobi depending on the situation)
• Domestic flight from Seronera Arusha
• Balloon flight
• Airport transfers on the first and last day
• Donation to the Kope Lion Project

Safari Cost does not include:

• Drinks & laundry
• Dinner & Lunch when staying at Mount Meru Game Lodge
• Extra activities not mentioned above (spa services, night game drives These can be booked and paid for directly at the lodge.
• Items of personal nature
• Travel and medical insurance
• International flights and visas
• Gratuities (optional)

Optional Extras:

• Additional accommodation/ day rooms in Arusha prior/after the safari
• Zanzibar extension
• Gorilla trekking extension in Rwanda/Uganda

 For a Zanzibar/Gorilla trekking extension please get in touch for more information

Cost and how to book

• Complete our interest form to connect with Intent on Safari owner Laura Simpson 

• The trip size is limited to 12 people; 8 are required to make this trip happen; do not book any travel until the trip is confirmed  

Step 1: Hold your spot 

• We would ask for a refundable deposit of $500 to secure your space.

• As soon as we have the minimum of 8 pax to run the safari the safari will be given the green light. We will then issue you an invoice for a 30% nonrefundable deposit to go towards confirming rooms at all the properties. Your $500 will go towards this deposit.

• In the event that we do not get enough clients the safari will not go ahead, and we will refund you your $500.

• IMPORTANT: Booking your flights should not happen unless we confirm that the safari has been given the green light.

Step 2: Once the safari is confirmed (8 pax have registered to go on the safari)

• As soon as the safari is confirmed, we will issue you an invoice. A 30% deposit will be due.
• Your deposit of $500 will go towards the 30% deposit payment. This 30% deposit payment is now non-refundable.
• You can start looking into booking your flights as soon as the safari has been given a green light

 Step 3: Balance of payment

The balance of the invoice will be due 60 days prior to the start of the safari (First week of October 2026).

Alternatively, if you would like to chat about the safari over the phone, not a problem! Please send us your what’s-app number or skype address and a convenient time, and we will be in touch!

Remember to purchase travel insurance. Check insurance rates here.

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