Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Today you'll set out early, from your Arusha hotel and head south to Tarangire National Park. You'll arrive at the picnic site by noon, in time to enjoy lunch. Your afternoon game drive will reveal all the wonders of Tarangire, a national park often referred to as the ‘Elephant Playground’. Herds of up to 300 of these mighty mammals are sometimes seen in the park.
Tarangire in the dry season easily rivals it for animal densities as well as herds of elephants. Tarangire is home to buffalos, lions, wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles are ‘local specialties’. Lake Burungi’s marshy shores are the lure for these mammals and the waters attract many beautiful bird species, too. Look out for giant kingfishers, hoopoes, and the delightfully named white-bellied go-away bird. Tarangire is noted for its splendid baobab trees, rolling savannah, and acacia woodland. At the end of an inspiring afternoon amongst the wildlife, you'll retire to the campsite for an evening meal and rest.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Mto wa Mbu to Lake Natron
Mto wa Mbu to Lake Natron
Lake Natron is located at the border between Tanzania and Kenya, right at the foot of Ol’ Doinyo Lengai, the sacred mountain of the Maasai. It is a maximum of 60 kilometers long and 20 kilometers wide. Thousands of flamingos have settled in the lake itself. As the water level falls, the salinity of the water increases which creates toxic bacteria. These pigmented bacteria are responsible for the lake’s rich red color.
You will arrive at the lake in the afternoon. You will go for a walk near the lake viewing flamingoes and wildlife with your fantastic local Maasai guide.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Natron
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Lake Natron
Lake Natron
The lake is mainly fed by the Ewaso Nyiro River, which has its source in Kenya, and mineral-rich hot springs. The water heats up to 40°C during the day in the blazing sun. Water flows in but it can only escape through evaporation. As the water evaporates over time, it leaves behind high concentrations of salt and other minerals, like the Dead Sea. In contrast, however, Lake Natron is extremely alkaline. The pH of the water was measured at 10.5, almost as high as ammonia. As the water level falls, the salinity of the water increases which creates toxic bacteria. These pigmented bacteria are responsible for the lake’s rich red color. Lake Natron is fairly shallow, measuring only 3m at its deepest point, but has a vast area, with its width varying depending on the water level. It is a maximum of 60km long and 20km wide. Thousands of flamingos have settled in the lake itself.
Activities:
Hike to the Ngare Sero Waterfalls
Hike to the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai extra $100 pp.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Natron
- Accommodation:
- Africa Safari Lake Natron (Campsite)
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Lake Natron to Kleins Gate
Lake Natron to Kleins Gate
Today you will set out in the lake in the morning after the long night on the mountain/relaxing at the camp. Your journey will take you to/near Kleins' gate which will be your get-through the next day to Serengeti.
You will drive for almost 7 hours to the next spot which will be Africa Safari Maasai Boma Lodge for camping. The swimming pool and WiFi are free.
- Main Destination:
- Maasai Village (Cultural Village)
- Accommodation:
- Africa Safari Maasai Boma (Campsite)
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Kleins' Gate to Central Serengeti National Park
Kleins' Gate to Central Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you'll collect your lunch boxes. Your journey takes you west and north. Your exciting destination is a name familiar to everyone— the Serengeti! Along the way, the sheer scale of the territory and the raw beauty of the landscapes reveal themselves and your driver-guide will help you to spot animals and birds. This is just a preview of things to come, for the Serengeti is home to what is possibly the world’s greatest gathering of wildlife.
After enjoying a picnic lunch, you’ll be eager to pursue some more great wildlife-spotting opportunities in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set in the grasslands, savannahs, woods, and mountain scenery, these ‘endless plains’ are home to elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hippos, and crocodiles. At the end of the afternoon, exhausted and exhilarated, you'll go back to your basic campsite for dinner and to talk about the many fantastic experiences you’ve had today.
- Main Destination:
- Central Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
Waking up in the Serengeti is something really special. The sights, sounds, and smells of Africa are all around you, and ahead is a full day of adventure in the world’s most famous national park. After breakfast, you'll start today with the morning section of your game drive in Serengeti National Park, marveling at the stunning scenery, ever-changing light and always entertaining wildlife, all explained to you by your expert driver-guide.
For those who have booked the balloon safari for today, you will be picked up from the camp at 5:00 am for a 6:00 am departure. If you wish to book a balloon safari, please let us know in advance. The price is $595 per person. After your 60 – 90 minute (depending on wind condition) aerial adventure, you'll experience bush breakfast and champagne. Thereafter, your driver-guide will pick you up for your full-day game drive.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
The exciting sounds of Africa will rouse you from your sleep. You'll make the most of the day with an 8:00 start, heading off on your morning game drive. Later, the adventure will continue when you travel up to Ngorongoro, another African icon.
It’s almost impossible to spend too much time in Serengeti with more than 1.6 million herbivores — plus thousands of predators. There’s always something new and interesting to see. The changing seasons and natural light simply add to the diversity. This morning your driver-guide will help you spot some more of the many species at Serengeti, teaching you about their fascinating habits and habitats.
After a pleasant picnic lunch, it’s time to drive eastwards to visit another spectacular setting for Tanzania’s wildlife, the famous Ngorongoro Crater. On arrival, you'll settle in at the basic campsite while a tasty, hot dinner is prepared for you. Tomorrow, the wonders of the crater await you.
Accommodation: Simba Campsite.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a wonder of the world and your early morning game drive shows you why.
First, there’s the volcanic caldera (the world’s largest), full of grassland, forest, and swamp, a setting of jaw-dropping beauty. Secondly, the permanent water of the crater floor supports a resident population of more than 25,000 large mammals. Here, you’ll find many of the reasons you chose to come on safari: elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, wallowing hippos, waterbucks, baboons even the rare black rhinos find shelter here.
Sharing this awesome space with the animals are the Maasai, grazing their cattle in an area that has been a separate conservation area since 1956 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. This harmonious co-habitation of man and beast makes Ngorongoro unique in Tanzania and your driver-guide will be pleased to explain this incredible co-existence to you.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Mto wa Mbu to Arusha/Airport
Mto wa Mbu to Arusha/Airport
This tour ends at Arusha. You can only depart on this day if you have booked a domestic flight that departs from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 7:40 pm and onwards or an international flight that departs at 9:00 pm and onwards. Otherwise, you will need to book a post-night accommodation if you are departing on an earlier flight.
Before your flight to Zanzibar/home, we can offer you a free town tour and give you a positive vibe before your transfer time.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
