Tropical Trails... Adventure Camping Safaris!

There is truly no better way to experience the magic of the bush than when you are nestled right there in it! Classic camping allows you to get close to nature at your own pace in a very personal, very classic way. You will camp in wilderness campsites with shared facilities. Our tents are comfortable and clean, our guides are friendly and accommodating and our bush cooks superb! Wildlife is free to roam in and out of these camps, and often does- up close and personal! Don't forget a flashlight!
The Main Features of These Itineraries include:

• All park/camping fees and taxes
• High roof dome tents, mattresses & sleeping bags (upon request)
• Mess tent, dining table & chairs, full catering;
• Overnight in public camp sites, mainly within the parks with shower/toilet facilities
• 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser safari-equipped vehicles with English speaking driver/guide and game-viewing roofs
• Optional Arusha lodge/hotel accommodation pre/post safari and airport transfers.

Day 1

Drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park for an afternoon of game viewing. The parks' varied landscape is dotted with huge barrel-shaped baobab trees and its home to huge herds of elephants. Settle in to the sounds of the African bush and stay overnight at out Tarangire National Park Campsite.

Day 2

After breakfast, drive from Tarangire to the Kodoa District. Research indicates that some of the rock paintings are at least 29,000 years old and possibly older. Significantly, they represent some of the oldest examples of spiritual imagery in the world harkening back to the very origins of art and religion. You'll visit these secluded sites and discover the meaning behind the bizarre images in the company of a scientist who actually studies them. Stay overnight at A Special campsite arranged by Tropical Trails.

Day 3

After breakfast, visit more of these secluded sites set in picturesque, rocky woodlands and discover more about their spiritual meanings from your guide. Stay overnight at A Special campsite - arranged by Tropical Trails.

Day 4

Drive from Kondoa back to Arusha - stay overnight at Karama Lodge.

Background on the Kolo/Kondoa Rock Paintings

According to early historical accounts of southern San shamans ("medicine men") in South Africa collected in the 1870's, similar kinds of rock paintings were created by shamans after experiencing visions during trance. These "medicine people" attained self-induced altered states of consciousness through vigorous all-night dancing, hyperventilation and dehydration. This enabled them to physically transform into part-human/part-animal beings that entered the spirit realms above and below the earth. In those domains they sought out powerful "rain animals" to harness their potency. Upon returning to the material world, they used their newly acquired powers to cure illnesses, bring rainstorms during droughts and control the movements of animals for the benefit of their communities. Importantly, these out-of-body excursions compelled them to paint their experiences and what they looked like in the spirit realm so their kin could participate vicariously in those supernatural sojourns. Even the paintings themselves were believed to contain spiritual potency and curative powers.

Although Tanzanian rock art differs significantly in style from San rock art, a recent study of them concluded that their supernatural content and origins are nearly identical. Unfortunately, these unique cultural treasures are under serious threat of destruction within the next few decades from exposure to natural weathering brought about by human encroachment and land clearing and escalating acts of vandalism. Your participation in these tours will contribute to increasing international awareness of these magnificent works of spiritual art and generate necessary funds to insure their long-term preservation and study and avert this global tragedy in the making.