Astronomy safari in the Serengeti: Tanzania

July 2027 - 9 days 

Register for 2027 and we will contact when confirmed details including dates and prices are available.

Embark on a journey where the wonders of the cosmos meet the marvels of African wildlife in Tanzania. This unique nine-day expedition through Tanzania combines world-class safari experiences with immersive astronomy activities in one of the most awe-inspiring natural environments on Earth. 

Your journey begins in the intellectual heart of the country at the University of Dar es Salaam, then ventures deep into the wilderness from the cutting-edge Astral Observatory nestled in the Serengeti to the dramatic heights of the Ngorongoro Crater, and onward to the educational outreach programs at the Mt. Meru Astronomical Observatory. Along the way, you'll explore the cosmos under some of the darkest, clearest skies on the planet, far from the glow of urban light. 

With expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, guided stargazing, and rich cultural encounters, this tour offers a rare chance to connect deeply with both the Earth and the heavens. Whether you're a passionate amateur astronomer or simply captivated by the stars, this is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that illuminates Tanzania from both ground and sky. 

July is the dry season in Tanzania which offers clear skies, minimal rain, and exceptional game viewing as wildlife congregates around dwindling water sources. In the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, expect vivid encounters with the Great Wildebeest Migration. The sparse vegetation and short grasses make it easier to spot lions, leopards, elephants, and other iconic species. Meanwhile, the darker, crisp nights of early July provide a perfect canvas for stargazing. With virtually no light pollution in remote wildlife areas, astronomers and enthusiasts alike can admire the Milky Way, constellations, and even seasonal meteor activity during chilly, moonlit evenings 

From the wide savannas of the Serengeti to the secluded highlands of Ngorongoro, each destination becomes a stage for both celestial and terrestrial spectacles all guided by expert astronomers. 

In partnership with Intrepid Travel. 

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DAR ES SALAAM 

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you will be met by a local representative who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. You will have the afternoon at leisure. 

As Tanzania’s largest city and commercial hub, Dar es Salaam is located along the eastern Indian Ocean coast. Though not the capital, Dar es Salaam remains the cultural and economic heart of Tanzania. It sits close to the equator, providing year-round views of both the Northern and Southern celestial hemispheres, ideal for stargazing. 

In the evening, meet your tour leader, New Scientist expert and fellow travelers and receive an orientation about the highlights of the days ahead followed by a group welcome dinner. 

DAY 2: MORNING VISIT TO MEET ASTRONOMY EXPERTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM 

Today you will travel to the University of Dar es Salaam for a guided tour from the Astronomy Group at the university, pioneering initiative within the Department of Physics, dedicated to advancing space science education and research in Tanzania. Founded with the goal of fostering local expertise in astronomy and astrophysics, the group plays a key role in curriculum development, public outreach, and scientific collaboration. Working closely with the Association of Space Science and Astronomy in Tanzania (ASSAT) and international partners. Their work reflects a growing movement to position Tanzania as a contributor to the global astronomy community. 

Enjoy a guest lecture from an academic or member of the Association of Space Science and Astronomy of Tanzania (ASSAT) who will explore East Africa’s role in the global astronomical landscape, focusing on celestial events like solar eclipses, meteor showers, and planetary transits.  

In the evening, you will take part in a telescope-aided stargazing session where you will learn how Tanzania's unique geographical location and clear skies offer incredible observational conditions for both amateur and professional astronomers. 

DAY 3: FLY TO THE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK 

Fly to Serengeti National Park and enjoy your first game drive.  

Serengeti National Park is one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves, renowned for its vast open plains, incredible biodiversity, and the spectacular Great Migration. Home to the ‘Big Five’ and countless other species, the park offers world-class game viewing year-round. Its remote location and minimal light pollution also make it an exceptional destination for stargazing, with crystal-clear night skies that reveal the full brilliance of the Milky Way. 

The evening features an introduction to the Astral Observatory; a facility designed specifically for astronomy tourism. After dinner, peer through professional-grade telescopes to observe the planets and moon from one of the most pristine dark-sky environments on the continent. 

Serengeti’s high elevation and remote location create ideal conditions for deep-sky observation and astrophotography. 

DAY 4: SERGENGETI NATIONAL PARK, ASTRAL OBSERVATORY AND EVENING STARGAZING 

A morning game drive in the Serengeti offers a magical start to the day, as golden light bathes the savanna and wildlife stir—lions on the move, elephants grazing, and herds of antelope emerging from the morning mist. 

Later in the day, delve into a deeper astronomical journey at the Astral Observatory, located in the heart of the Serengeti, is a pioneering facility dedicated to public astronomy and scientific outreach in East Africa. Designed with minimal light interference, it offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the night sky through powerful telescopes and guided sessions with resident astronomers. 

Explore how light years and magnitudes define our understanding of deep-sky objects and learn to identify constellations visible only in the Southern Hemisphere. 

DAY 5: CULTURE MEETS COSMOS 

Enjoy another game drive in the morning followed by a cultural visit to a nearby Maasai village, where you’ll discover traditional interpretations of celestial events and how the stars influence agriculture and migration. The Maasai’s traditions include stories about the stars and planets that have guided their nomadic lifestyle for generations. 

Finish the evening with another celestial viewing session focused on the Southern Hemisphere’s unique constellations. 

DAY 6: NGORONGORO CRATER 

Travel to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most ecologically rich areas on the planet, where you’ll embark on a game drive inside the ancient volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife. 

After settling in at your accommodation, enjoy a stargazing session from this high-altitude perch where the atmosphere is thin and the skies are dark. Observe the Southern Cross and Magellanic Clouds, two satellite galaxies of the Milky Way visible only from the southern hemisphere. 

DAY 7: ARUSHA & MT. MERU ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY 

Journey to Arusha and visit the Mt. Meru Astronomical Observatory. Nestled at the foothills of Mount Meru a dormant stratovolcano rising to 4,562 metres near Arusha and within Arusha National Park the Mt. Meru Astronomical Observatory (MMAO) is Tanzania’s first permanent astronomical facility. Founded through the collaborative efforts of Telescopes to Tanzania and Astronomers Without Borders, MMAO features a fully refurbished 12″ Cave–Cassegrain telescope mounted in a roll‑off observatory and several portable instruments for public and school outreach 

Whilst here, you will get hands-on experience with astronomical instruments and engage with local educators. Participate in interactive science education activities designed to promote STEM learning in Tanzanian schools. In the evening, use a 12" Cave-Cassegrain telescope to observe planetary detail and lunar features. 

DAY 8: TELESCOPES TO TANZANIA PROJECT AND FAREWELL DINNER 

Today you will visit a school participating in the "Telescopes to Tanzania" project. Interact with students and faculty as you learn how astronomy is used as a gateway to science education. Engage in a telescope workshop, where you’ll get to align, calibrate, and use telescopes for solar or daytime viewing (weather permitting). You will have a unique opportunity to understand how grassroots initiatives are bridging the gap in STEM education and empowering the next generation of Tanzanian scientists. 

Return to the hotel for a celebratory farewell dinner. 

DAY 9: DEPARTURE 

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onwards flight.