Essence of Tanzania: Serengeti, Tarangire & Ngorongoro - 8 Day 7 Night
Imagine finding yourself under the vast African sky in the middle of one of the last expanses of true wilderness left on our planet, possibly listening to the haunting and mysterious sounds of night predators and their prey as the drama of their interactions unfold.
This safari will allow you ample time to visit the famous wildlife areas of Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire. These parks are world famous icons, and offer probably the best game viewing in Africa.
Price includes:
- Accommodation at quality lodges and tented camp as set out
- Airport transfers from JRO/Arusha
- Pre-safari accommodation in Arusha, BB
- All meals on safari
- Park fees and entries
- Game viewing activities as indicated
- Services of a driver/guide, support crew and cook as appropriate
- Bottled water for game drives/in vehicle (not at hotels/lodges)
- Maximum seven guests in a vehicle - all WITH WINDOW SEATS - no "˜middle' seats.
Excludes
- Flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Health requirements
- Gratuities
- Drinks (There are cash bars at the Serengeti Wilderness camps)
- All items of a personal nature and any service not specified
- One-way flight from Serengeti-Arusha/Kilimanjaro
Day 1
Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport, and we will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Arusha (African Tulip or similar), overnight BB.
Day 2
This morning after an early morning briefing, we set off for the day to TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.
Close to Arusha, 118 kilometres away, Tarangire National Park gets its name from the river that threads its way through the length of the reserve. It is famous for its dense wildlife population which is most spectacular between June and September, the dry period. During this time, thousands of animals - elephant, buffalo, giraffe, eland, wildebeest, kudu, hartebeest and the rarely seen oryx - migrate from the dry Masai steppe to the Tarangire River looking for water. Lion, leopard and other predators follow the herds. Tarangire has the largest population of elephant of any park in the northern circuit and is also home to 550 varieties of bird.
From Tarangire, we drive up through the beautiful highlands to the rich farming area of Karatu. Karatu is located on the 'outer' slopes of Ngorongoro - fertile land, from when the massive volcano erupted.
We overnight at Bougainvillea Lodge. All meals included.
Day 3
Today we head into Ngorongoro Conservation area, and after driving steadily down the steep 610 metre sides of the crater, we enjoy spectacular game viewing in the crater - which is almost guaranteed to turn up four of the Big Five, as well as a rich variety of birds, all viewed against the backdrop of the thickly forested crater walls. Picnic lunch in the crater.
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the natural wonders of the world. A large volcanic caldera, with an area of 259 square kilometres, it contains a huge variety of game and birds and is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa with its dramatic weather changes and varied terrains consisting of forest, grasslands and both freshwater and soda lakes.
All meals included.
Overnight Bougainvilliea, or similar.
Day 4
Depart the Ngorongoro region, en route to the Serengeti, with picnic lunch, we stop off at Olduvai Gorge for a short visit and an insight into history of the region.
It is at Olduvai Gorge where, in 1959, Mary Leakey made her ground-breaking discovery of a hominid (human-like) skull dating back 1.8 million years. Since then other hominid species, possibly our early ancestors, have been found in the area dating as far back as 3.7 million years.
The whole area is often referred to as the 'cradle of mankind.'
There is also time to visit a Masai village before continuing to the Serengeti Wilderness Camp, or Ndutu/North Wilderness Camp, to settle in for the evening.
All meals included. Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp (or should you travel outside April/May, you may stay at Ndutu or North Camp. When you confirm your preferred dates of travel, we will advise which camp you will be staying at).
Day 5 & 6
Depart the Ngorongoro region, en route to the Serengeti, with picnic lunch, we stop off at Olduvai Gorge for a short visit and an insight into history of the region.
It is at Olduvai Gorge where, in 1959, Mary Leakey made her ground-breaking discovery of a hominid (human-like) skull dating back 1.8 million years. Since then other hominid species, possibly our early ancestors, have been found in the area dating as far back as 3.7 million years.
The whole area is often referred to as the 'cradle of mankind.'
There is also time to visit a Masai village before continuing to the Serengeti Wilderness Camp, or Ndutu/North Wilderness Camp, to settle in for the evening.
All meals included. Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp (or should you travel outside April/May, you may stay at Ndutu or North Camp. When you confirm your preferred dates of travel, we will advise which camp you will be staying at).
Day 7
Transfer to the Seronera/Ndutu or Kogatende airstrip for your (optional) flight to Arusha - mid morning. Or return by road to Arusha. It is an exceptionally scenic flight (weather dependent) over the highlands of Ngorongoro, across the vast expanse of the Rift Valley escarpments, and over the green coffee plantations surrounding Arusha airport. (Enquire for airfare)
