“Walk the rhythm of the earth”
14 Day Men's Personal Leadership Retreat and Walking Safari in Tanzania
L'Oasis Meserani, Arusha, Tanzania
Walking Safari in Tanzania
An old Masaï is saying what inspired Mindful Adventure to this unique 14-day hiking and camping safari in Tanzania for men from all over the world: "Only a wise man can dance the melody of the Earth".
Key information
- Group safari
- Starting point and ending point: Arusha
- English-speaking guide
- All park and walking fees included
Meet the instructors
Bart & Ralph
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Highlights
- 1 day of game drive in Tarangire
- Meeting the traditions and culture of the Masai traditional villages
- Walking through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Meeting the homeland tribes of Hadzabe, Datoga, and Black Smith in Lake Eyasi
- Enjoying beautiful Lake Natron
- 13 nights accommodation
- All meals and drinks
- Transfers to and from the airport
12 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Dutch
Group size: Maximum of 9 participants
Airport transfer included:
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Accommodation
On your arrival day, you will be staying at L’Oasis Meserani. On the second and third nights, you will camp in Lake Eyasi. The bushcamp at Mti Moja will be your accommodation for the fourth night while you will stay at Olmoti Campsite on the fifth and sixth nights. For the seventh and eighth nights, you will camp in the wild nature. A campsite at Lake Natron will be your accommodation on the nights nine to ten while a pleasant campsite with a swimming pool at Mto Wa Mbu will be your accommodation on the eleventh to the thirteenth nights.
Program
Only a man with integrity who respects himself and others, a man who is loving, trustworthy, and tolerant, will be able to enjoy his life on Earth to the max. Trainers Bart Wiegers and Ralph Nelissen from the Netherlands are taking you along an adventurous ‘inner’ journey to that source that is bubbling up the beautiful potential to mankind and manhood: wisdom, love, integrity, passion, trust, and companionship, originating from a deeper relaxation. Both men walk almost the same path, share the same mission but bring in their own unique approach.
Vision quest or male archetypes
Bart Wiegers offers besides a six-day hike, a mini vision quest (one day). A vision quest is an intensive stay in nature: alone, without food, shelter, and distraction. Ralph Nelissen will walk for seven days. Every day will represent one male archetype to connect with: wild man; lover; warrior; jester; magician; wise man and king.
Really coming home
And where else than in Africa can you be challenged more? To look into your fears, to be tickled to give space to your desires and to relax into them, to experience and deepen the primal desire of hunting, and to connect with your unique dance on earth. During your trekking on an ancient Masaï trail through the magic, wild nature of Tanzania, you will be invited to say yes to the call of the wildman and to set an irreversible step on the way back to inner kingship.
You will become free from limiting convictions that have fixed your free mind in the small space that was given to you by your surroundings and environment. The nature in Ngorongoro is breathtaking. In those surroundings, with the use of rituals, meditations, nature exercises, and sharing, you will be brought in touch with the unique man that you essentially are. By connecting your refound power of life with your vulnerability, you will experience a strong feeling of brotherhood and really coming home.
The rhythm of the earth
During the “medicine walks” (when you compare your inner world to the nature around you) through the overwhelming nature, you get a sight of the Mountain of God or Ol Doinyo Lengai. You start to walk the rhythm of the earth and while the old is decreasing, space grows for the new you. At the foot of the mountain, you leave behind what you do not want to carry anymore and you meet the wise man who admits you to the source of inner wisdom.
When you have released all limitations of your old identity, you accept who you have been in the past, you stand for your newly found truth and you speak your Gift to the world! Join this adventurous “inner” journey to your unique primal source where your beautiful potential as a human and man is rising: wisdom, love, vulnerability, integrity, passion, confidence, and companionship originate from a deeper relaxation.
The best version of yourself
During this safari, you are together with other men. Most men are used to sharing a lot with women. It is very valuable to stop seeing other men as competitors and to be seen and heard by men. During sharing, you will take a step to embrace your vulnerable and soft side. Many fathers have been absent in that. This will strengthen you and make sure you will be the best version of yourself. By going to Africa, you literally step out of your patterns.
The nature, the people, the culture, the smells, the space, really everything is different. This will give you focus and in combination with slowing down, it will help you to connect consciously with yourself and everything around you. That what you get back is incomparable to anything. Your insights and answers are unique. This adventure has the potential of changing your life and I grant it every man to do this research for his own truth and to crown it at the end of your walk.
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
You will arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania. You will be collected by Mindful Adventure and taken to L’Oasis Meserani, just outside Arusha, where you will spend the night. L’Oasis Meserani is what is called a place with a soul. It has been built in the past 18 years by Margaret, a Tanzanian woman, and it is visible how much love she has put into it. It is special that she is taking care of her vegetable garden and animals in a natural way (no pesticides and no antibiotics). She is making use of solar energy. L’Oasis Meserani is very close to Masaï land. If you take a little walk, you will meet them. You can greet them by saying: Jambo!
Day 2: Lake Eyasi
Today, after the morning program, you leave for Lake Eyasi, the place of departure for your walk through Ngorongoro Crater Highland. You will be welcomed by Gitew, who will guide you for three days through his homeland. Lake Eyasi is what is called a desolate place in the middle of nowhere. It is the homeland of three “tribes”: Hadzabe, Datoga, and Black Smith people. Black Smith has a primitive smithy and they mainly make jewelry and arrowheads for the Hadzabe tribe. Hadzabe are one of the last tribes in the world, living as bushmen, and survives with the use of hunting on small and big game (no predators).
Day 3: Hunting
Today you will be picked up very early by Gitew. He will bring you to a large tree where the Hadzabe men are gathering for the hunt. One tip: bring good running shoes and make sure you are fit and enjoy that this still exists. In the afternoon, Bart Wiegers will prepare you for your mini Vision Quest that will take place the next day.
Day 4: First walking day
Bart Wiegers offers a mini Vision Quest today. You will enter the bush together with a Hadzabe Bushman to be with yourself today. Ralph Nelissen will start his first long hike today. You will walk with your Datoga guide to the entree of Ngorongoro Crater Highlands through the bush. You will spend the night close to the gate.
Day 5: Second walking day
Your first or second walking day means again a distance of around six to seven hours. After a beautiful trip through a special and lovely landscape, you will sleep at a bush camp. You are guided by Datoga men. Also, a cook is with you to provide you with his lovely meals.
Day 6: Third walking day: Olmoti / Ngorongoro
Your next walking day starts early in the morning. You will be picked up by Rama and Innocent on the road to Ngorongoro Crater. They will take you to Campsite Olmoti, in the middle of Ngorongoro. Olmoti is a bush camp, close to a Masaï town and named after the small crater, close to the village. Here you can unwind from the hike you have made and undisturbed enjoy the evening program led by Ralph or Bart.
Day 7: Endonyowas Masai Village - Olmoti - Bulati
In the morning you will visit the Masaï in the little village of Endonyowas which is part of a chain of bomas, known under the name Nainokanoka. Mindful Adventure made a connection to the welfare of this village five years ago. That has created a close bond and resulted in intimate and open contact. The Masaï will welcome you as their friends. It will be a unique and unforgettable part of your safari. This is also a place for special rituals. The Masaï will greet you and show you their dance of warriors. Also, they love to show their fire ceremony. Masaï is very familiar with rituals.
They will greet you in their own way but also love to be invited together with you in a ritual of Ralph or Bart. There, you will get acquainted with your second Masaï guide Muran or Yohane, who will join you for the coming days through Ngorongoro. After lunch, you will leave from Olmoti to Bulati, where you will spend the night in one of the most beautiful places on earth. It can be cold at night, but don’t forget to open your tent and have a look at the scenery! There is a great chance you will see something very beautiful.
Day 8: Fourth and fifth walking day from Bulati to Empakai Crater
The fourth or fifth day of walking will be from Bulati to Empakai Crater. You will walk over nine hills for three and a half hours. After arriving at the crater, there is time to rest. You are recommended to descend the trail to the crater lake through the rainforest area and use this environment for an inner journey. At night, you will camp on the crater rim in the wild nature.
Day 9: Walking to Akesha Campsite
You will walk for four to five hours to Akesha Campsite, close to the Masaï village Nayobi, where extra food and water will be bought. There, you can buy a soda and enjoy the view. At night, you will sleep under Akesha trees in the wild. A big fire will be made and your Masaï friends will prepare a feast to which you will be invited. And who knows, maybe you will end up around the fire with a full belly, and have an intimate conversation about what it means to be a man. For them, it will probably be the first time to be part of a sharing with Western men.
Day 10: Lake walking day to Lake Natron
Your last walking day to Lake Natron has started. Early in the morning, you will leave because of the heat you will experience down in the valley. Wear a hat or a cap. You will walk along a beautiful part of the Great Rift Valley, the huge rip in the landscape of Africa. Count six to seven hours. Down at the river, you will be collected by the jeep and taken to a campsite. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a cold beer at the edge of the desert. There is a swimming pool where you can cool down. It is even more fun to make a playful climb to the romantic waterfall of Lake Natron. The little child in you will be very happy.
Day 11: Lake Natron
In the morning, hundreds of flamingos will be waiting for you in the alkalic Lake Natron, distracting you from the stunning landscape with their snoring sounds and characteristic movements. Oldonyio Lengai can be seen high above everything. As a bald but aesthetic mass of lava rocks, it soars in the dark. In the morning you will leave for Mto Wa Mbu, one of Mindful Adventure's favorite towns in Tanzania. Here you will arrive at a pleasant campsite with a swimming pool. Here you can share your experiences and integrate and relax.
Day 12: Mto Wa Mbu
In the morning, you will leave for Mto Wa Mbu, one of Mindful Adventure's favorite towns in Tanzania. There, you will arrive at a pleasant campsite with a swimming pool where you can share your experiences and integrate and relax. You can visit the town (bike, walk, the market, shops, and terraces) or take a walk on the empty Masai plains.
Days 13 and 14
During a safari to Tanzania, a game drive in a wild park is a must. Tarangire National Park has been chosen for this. You will look for zebras, wildebeests, hartebeest, giraffes, warthogs, buffalo but of course also elephants, hippos, leopards, and not to forget, the many birds that can be seen along the roads. Drivers Rama and Msafiri will make a big effort to bring you as close as possible to many beautiful and pure sceneries. At night you will sleep in Mto Wa Mbu.
For those who do not want to leave Tanzania without having visited the famous Serengeti, MIndful Adventure offers a three-day extension that comes in place of Tarangire. After finishing this safari together, you will be dropped off at Kilimanjaro Airport to fly home on day 14. It is best if you book an evening flight, then you will have the time you want. The Mindful Adventure team wishes you a good journey home with a load of new experiences to add to your life adventure.
Included excursions
- Seven days of trekking Ngorongoro Crater Highlands
- Waterfall excursion Lake Natron
- Visiting Masai boma
- Visiting Hadzabe village
- Excursion to Flamingo Colony Lake Natron
Instructors
Bart Wiegers
Since 2003, Bart has been guiding Vision Quest’s and sweat lodges. He also gives training sessions and individual consults to men and women.
Ralph Nelissen
Ik ben systemisch coach en werk lichaamsgericht. Verder maak ik gebruik van rituelen en ceremonies omdat ik deze zo krachtig vindt aansluiten bij het ontwikkelen van leiderschap”. En ik deel graag. Het is een uitdaging om jezelf in te brengen vanuit jouw waarheid.
Location
This safari will take you through the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands in Tanzania. The places you will visit include Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro Crater, Olmoti Crater, Empakai Crater, Lake Natron, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Mto Wa Mbu, and Tarangire National Park.
Food
All meals will be provided by the cooks. You will also be provided with all drinks, which can be tea, water, or juice.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Tarangire or Serengeti
After the completion of your quest, you will return to Lake Natron and finish the safari with a fantastic game drive in Tarangire National Park (included). For those who do not want to leave Tanzania without having visited the famous Serengeti, Mindful Adventure offers a three-day extension that comes in place of Tarangire.
What's included
- Daily coaching program personal leadership
- All activities and extra guides
- 1 day of game drive in Tarangire
- Meeting the traditions and culture of the Masai traditional villages
- Meeting the homeland tribes of Hadzabe, Datoga, and Black Smith in Lake Eyasi
- Enjoying beautiful Lake Natron
- Walking through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- 13 nights accommodation
- All meals, water, tea, coffee, and fruit juices
- All park and walking fees
- Full camping equipment
- All transport costs per Toyota Landcruiser and donkey
What's not included
- Flights
- Visa for Tanzania (50 USD)
- Tips
- A few meals on moments when you are “free”, like in Arusha and Mountain Wa Mbu
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
How to get there
Recommended Airports
JRO
Kilimanjaro International Airport
41 km
Transfer included
Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Airport transfer included: Kilimanjaro International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 16.94% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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