8 Days/7 Nights
There is no where else in the world like the Serengeti! This amazing safari experience begins with views of Kilimanjaro, before heading to the quintessential safari experience - stunning landscape, iconic flat-topped acacia trees, and the incredible powerful mammals in their natural habitat.
We will also have the opportunity to interact with the local cultures, plus view one of the most influential anthropological sites in the world.
This will be an adventure like no other!
SUMMARY
DAY 1 ::: Arrival in Arusha
DAY 2 ::: Arusha - Trangire National Park
DAY 3 ::: Tarangire National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
DAY 4 ::: Ngorongoro Crater
DAY 5 ::: Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park
Day 6 ::: Serengeti National Park
Day 7 ::: Serengeti National Park
Day 8 ::: Serengeti National Park - Arusha
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will clear immigration and proceed to baggage claim. After collecting your checked bags, clear customs and pass through the arrivals hall where you will meet our representative, who will assist you with your transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Arusha.
Day 2
Arusha - Trangire National Park
Depart from Arusha for Tarangire National Park for game viewing with picnic lunch. The name Tarangire is derived from the Tarangire River which provides year round water for wildlife. In addition to a wide variety of large mammals, over 300 species of birds have been recorded in this park.
Overnight at Maramboi Tented Camp.
Day 3
Tarangire National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
Depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area for an adventurous guided hike to the Empakaai Crater with picnic lunch. The drive to the crater takes roughly 2 hours through the beautiful Bulbul Depression and offers the chance to see a variety of animals. On arrival at Empakaai, guests will be treated to splendid views of the Empakaai Crater as well as a glimpse of the Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania's most active volcano. Here guests will join a park ranger and begin the 45 minute descent into the crater through thick, mountainous forest. Once on the crater floor, the lake offers
superb birding and the chance to see the famous flamingos. The multitude of flamingos form a salmon-pink band around the lake shore are an extraordinary sight. Guests will have the opportunity to watch them parade en mass, feed and most remarkably, fly.
The caldera (collapsed volcano) itself is a remarkable sight for guests to enjoy. Dramatic cliffs encircle the salt lake 1,000 ft below, and with colors ranging from sparkling turquoise to pewter depending on the time of day and the mood of the cloudscape, it truly is a unmissable sight and highlight of any trip. The walk back to the vehicle on the crater rim will take around 1.5 hours, with the chance to see big game (buffalo and elephant).
Overnight in Karatu town.
Day 4
Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, descend into the crater for full day game viewing with picnic lunch. Here you can see a spectacular concentration of wildlife, including the classic "big five" mammals of Africa. Drive across the dense forest and near the soda lake and enjoy viewing a variety of bird life. Ascend to the lodge from the 2,000 ft. deep crater. Driving time is 1 hour each way.
Overnight in Karatu town.
Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park
Depart for the Serengeti National Park, famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest's trek for fresh grazing areas. Yet, even when the migration is quiet the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and gazelle. Golden-maned lion prides feast on the abundance of plain grazers. Solitary leopards haunt the acacia trees lining the Seronera River, while a high density of cheetahs prowl the southeastern plains.
There is more to the Serengeti than large mammals. There are over 500 species of birds, and your guide will also introduce you to the "small five."
En route to Serengeti, you will drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ndutu Plains. We will stop at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important anthropological sites in the
world and an instrumental site in furthering the understanding of early human evolution. Archaeological findings include traces of pre-historic man dating back 3.5 million years ago. Visit the on-site museum and witness a panoramic view of the historical excavation site.
Overnight in the Serengeti with our Private Mobile Camp.
DAY 6
Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full day safari with a picnic lunch in the Serengeti exploring the local ecosystem.
The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word Siringet referring to an endless plain. It was first inhabited by ancient hunter gatherers and pastoralists. The central Serengeti was declared a Game Reserve in 1929. In 1951, the Reserve became Tanganyika's first National Park which included the Ngorongoro Crater. Further alterations took place in 1959 in the Park, part of the Serengeti plains and the highlands were removed and added to the Ngorongoro Conservation area, while extensions to the north and south were included to provide more protection to the wildebeest migration. Covering 14,763 square kilometres, the Park is roughly the size of Northern Ireland making it Tanzania's largest national park.
Overnight in the Serengeti with our Private Mobile Camp.
DAY 7
Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full day safari with a picnic lunch in the Serengeti exploring the local ecosystem.
The Western Corridor: In a typical year, the migration arrives between June and July having left the dry plains in the south. It is the giant Nile crocodiles in the river that has made this area famous. Growing up to 20 ft in length, they are inextricably linked with the great migration.
The Northern woodlands: Wildebeest move through the northern woodlands in most years from June - October to feed on the longer grasses that persist in this area. Although an interesting place to visit all year round, it is best from June through October.
The plains (shortgrass): were formed 3-4 million years ago when ash blown from volcanoes in the
Ngorongoro highlands covered the rolling landscape. The southern grass plains are some of the most
productive and nutritious natural grasslands in the world. When the short rains start in November, the wildebeest move south from the northern woodlands. Wildlife's most amazing spectacles occur during February / March, for 3-4 weeks, 90% of the female wildebeest give birth, flooding the plains with thousands of newborn calves each day. The wildebeest may remain on the plains for several months. When the rains stop, the plains dry out rapidly forcing the herds to migrate west and north. Their departure in May / June marks another great spectacle. The southern plains are best visited from December to May when the migrants are there.
The Seronera Valley is a transition zone between the southern plains and the northern woodlands. The most prominent is the Seronera River from which the area takes its name. With year - round water, this is the most reliable area to view wildlife. It is possible to see many of the Serengeti's resident wildlife including giraffe, buffalo, topi, hartebeest, waterbuck, impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, dikdik, hippopotamus, crocodile, warthog and diverse birdlife. Large prides of lion reside here, as well as clans of spotted hyena.
The Serengeti would not be the same without the beautiful rock outcrops known as kopjes. Also known as inselbergs, the intriguing rounded shapes of these ancient granite rocks are the result of cracking and erosion from exposure to sun, wind and rain. They provide shelter and capture water for a wealth of wildlife and plants.
Overnight in the Serengeti with our Private Mobile Camp.
Day 8
Serengeti National Park - Arusha
Game drive en route to the Seronera Airstrip, where we will board a light aircraft for our flight to Arusha.* Travelling into and out of bush airstrips is an exciting adventure. It allows us to fly over some of the most scenic landscapes in Africa, and offers a unique perspective from what we have seen from our safari vehicle.
Arrive at the Arusha Coffee Lodge where you will enjoy a relaxing meal in the lush green gardens, a perfect haven following your safari adventures. After lunch you may have some time to visit Shanga, an uplifting local community social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique handmade gifts.
Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport for our onward flight.
*Note: Flights by light aircraft have a 33 lb (15 kg) checked luggage allowance per person. If you require additional luggage allowance please let us know in advance. Soft-sided bags are recommended due to limited luggage capacity.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Rivertrees Country Inn lies nestled in the foothills of Mt Meru and commands a majestic view of Kilimanjaro. This
picturesque country estate combines old-world ambiance, rustic African elegance, excellent farm cuisine, personal service and genuine warmth from your hosts. The inn's timeless tranquility is complemented by its contemporary comforts, rendering it the perfect spot for rest and rejuvenation.
Idyllically situated amongst ten acres of lush greenery and riverine vegetation, Rivertrees is perfect for
birdwatching, wandering in the gardens, and taking in the memories or the prospects of the trip of a lifetime.
Tarangire Maramboi Tented Camp is near the shores of Lake Manyara and located on the migratory corridor of Manyara and Tarangire, a 62,000 acres concession area set aside for conservation by the
local Maasai Community.
An impressive landscape from the Rift Valley gives the visitor an amazing natural welcome to an area extraordinarily rich in wildlife. The camp offers stunning views of the Manyara National Park, Rift Valley, Ngorongoro highlands and on clear days, even Oldonyo Lengai, a sacred mountain to the Maasai.
Private, luxury mobile camping in its purest form is widely recognised as providing the most authentic of
safari experiences. These accommodations enable you to blend in with and become part of the environment. Upon your departure there is little, if any evidence of your visit aside from your cherished memories and the pictures which you take with you to enjoy for years to come.
Your own private camp is staffed by private chefs, private butlers and private tent attendants, all of whom are on call to cater to your every need. Because the camps are for your own private use only, the services are tailored to your specific requirements. Hence, the menus served during the course of your stay, the drinks available from the well stocked bar, the types of beds made available in your tents and even the distances between one tent and another are all discussed and agreed with you prior to your visit so that your enjoyment of your camp is assured.
Each sleeping tent consists of a veranda, bedroom area, dressing area and a separate shower and toilet.
The dressing area, shower and toilet are all open air so as to heighten the experience of living as one with
your surroundings. Despite being able to enjoy some breathtaking views as you prepare yourself for the day
ahead, privacy is still assured due to the clever design of all guest tents. The majority of tents incorporate
unique stargazer windows in their roofs which allow you to gaze at the star filled African night sky from the comfort of your bed. There is also something magical about being bathed in silvery moonlight whilst you sleep.
As an added convenience, each tent is provided with enough power for lighting as well as for charging mobile telephones, cameras and laptop computers.
Set in 50 acres of Tanzanian bush in the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, the Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is located a few steps from the Game Reserve Gate and a short drive from the Ngorongoro Crater.
Indulge in moments of relaxation at the swimming pool or at the Mvua African
Rain Spa after a full-day game drive. Excellent hospitality fused with traditional wood log type lodge architecture and elegant European and African furniture and décor welcomes guests in splendid style. The lodge is surrounded by the
natural magnificence of the Tanzanian highlands and the Ngorongoro Crater world heritage site.
Included:
Hotel accommodation on a double/twin room occupancy
Meals as indicated
Ground transportation as detailed, including 4x4 vehicle on safari with pop-up roof
Drinking water throughout the tour
English speaking professional guide
All entrances fees and taxes
All tours as detailed
Light aircraft flight from Serengeti to Arusha*
*Note: Flights by light aircraft have a 33 lb (15 kg) checked luggage allowance per person. If you require additional luggage allowance please let us know in advance. Soft-sided bags are recommended due to limited luggage capacity.
Not Include:
International airfare
Meals not detailed in itinerary
Early check-in
Alcoholic drinks
Gratuities
Any other personnel expenses
Any other flights or transfers not mentioned
Visas ($100 for US Citizens, may be obtained prior to trip or at port of entry upon arrival)
Travel Insurance