SERENGETI/NGORONGORO SAFARI
Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti National Park – Lake Magadi
8 Days / 7 Nights
Introduction
| Start | Accommodation | Destination | Basis | Duration |
| Day 1 | Arusha Serena Hotel Resort & Spa | Arusha | FB | 1 Night |
| Day 2 | Tarangire Sopa Lodge | Tarangire National Park | FB | 1 Night |
| Day 3 | Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge | Ngorongoro Crater | FB | 1 Night |
| Day 4 | Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge | Serengeti National Park | FB | 2 Nights |
| Day 6 | Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Lake Magadi | FB | 2 Nights |
Arusha
Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania located at the foot of Mt. Meru, close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. From there it’s only a short trip to the Serengeti. Just to the north, on the slopes of Mt. Meru is the Arusha National Park. Built by the Germans as a centre of colonial administration because of the temperate climate, Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from your safari.
Tarangire National Park
After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south. Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is an exceptional wildlife viewing spot, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of Tanzania’s main attractions for attracting tourists. Inside the crater, a daily wildlife drama plays out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze alongside lions, leopards, elephants and black rhinos. Outside the crater, a similar drama continues with Masai herders adding to the mix.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti together with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park form Africa’s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a Masai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become almost essential and you can even do a horseback safari.
Lake Magadi
Not to be confused with the Kenyan lake of the same name set only a hundred kilomtres away, the Tanzanian Lake Magadi is an exquisite soda lake in the Ngororongo crater, named the Swahili word for salt. This is a wonderful destination for nature photographers, a scene that changes exquisitely through the seasons, moving through lush greens into striking oranges and bright pinks. Along with the changes come captivating, changing groups of animals including rhino, eland and lion, as well as golden jackals who come to hunt the flamingos. Spread over 11.2 square kilometres, the lake cultivates a unique ecosystem with its blue-green algae, which nourishes the plants and small creatures here. The surrounding crater is filled with incredible other natural attractions and a much wider variety of wildlife.
Day 1
Day Itinerary
Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport, where guests are met and transferred to their hotel located a short distance from Arusha City Centre.
Overnight: Arusha Serena Hotel Resort & Spa
Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa is unlike any other hotel in Tanzania with authentic, bespoke experiences that stir the traveller’s soul while showcasing the breathtaking tranquillity of the surroundings. Set among the woodland slopes of Mount Meru at the edge of Lake Duluti, there’s no better destination for soaking in the beauty and magnificence of the Tanzanian “Northern Safari Circuit.” The ambience of this Arusha hotel is warmly reminiscent of their origins as a colonial era coffee farm, beginning with the welcoming stone-built reception area and extending to cottage-style rooms neatly arranged among landscaped lawns and the colourful banks of Bougainvillea. Traces of thei hotels heritage present themselves in elegant, country-manor interiors featuring unique artefacts, leaded windows and French doors opening to extensive lake view gardens. Social areas within the Arusha hotel include a library, a lounge and a restaurant offering an enchanting wood fireplace and lake and garden views.
Day 2
Day Itinerary
Morning at leisure with safari briefing followed by lunch. Afternoon depart Arusha passing through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni continue to Lake Burunge on the Western edge of Tarangire National Park Gate, arriving at your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Hidden among the kopjes, lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge, surrounded by ancient baobab trees. It is the home of the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive leopard.
Day 3
Day Itinerary
After breakfast there is a game drive in Tarangire Park, search for large prides of lion and elephant herds, driving through the baobab tree lined park to explore the silale swamp, returning to your camp for lunch. In the afternoon drive North through the park to Makuyuni where you continue the journey through a scenic escarpment, bringing you to your next accommodation where you will take dinner and spend your next night
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Standing high on the bluff of a dramatic ochre and terracotta streaked cliff above the flamingo-frosted expanse of Lake Manyara’s gleaming alkaline waters, the Lodge commands panoramic views across the volcano-studded floor of the Great Rift Valley. Designed to reflect the brilliance of Lake Manyara’s unique birdlife, the Lodge draws on an inspirational architectural motif that melds swooping avian curves with the gentle concentric patterns of traditional Maasai ‘Bomas’ (encampments) whilst the vibrantly coloured frescoes lining the walls are designed to depict the colourful intricacy of bird migratory patterns. The ambiance of the Lodge is a fusion of lakeside tranquility, towering volcanic splendour and adventure-packed sporting activity. As to wildlife, the park offers abundant sightings of; monkey, jackal, mongoose, hyena, hyrax, zebra, hippo, warthog, buffalo, Masai giraffe, duiker, waterbuck and impala. Significant numbers of elephant are also resident in the Park whilst sightings of black rhino and leopard are not uncommon. Manyara is also especially noted for its wealth of bird life, being visited by many thousands of sugar-pink Lesser Flamingos, significant numbers of Greater Flamingos and a host of other woodland, plains and water birds
Day 4
Day Itinerary
Following breakfast there will be a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Return to the lodge for lunch. Leaving Manyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hill countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, then into the Ngorongoro Conservation area. From here lies the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you begin spotting wildlife as you approach the entrance gate. Complete the formalities and enter the park with game viewing en route to your camp or lodge where you will take dinner and spend the night.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is situated high a tree clad ridge, commanding panoramic views across the Serengeti. The lodge is a fusion of traditional African architecture and modern style. Centrally located adjacent to the Western Corridor and Grumeti River, the lodge has been designed to blend completely into the living landscape.
Day 5
Day Itinerary
Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park. Overnight camp/lodge on full board basis The Serengeti National Park offers not only all the members of ‘The Big Five’ (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo), but also the annual ‘migration’ of over one million wildebeest and their attendant cast of predators.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Day 6
Day Itinerary
After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, stopping en route for a picnic lunch. Continue to your camp/lodge where you will take dinner and spend the night
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Perched on the jagged rim of the crater, wreathed in morning mist, camouflaged in river-stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion.
Day 7
Day Itinerary
A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife arena. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. A truly unique wildlife experience. Return to the camp/lodge in the late afternoon for your dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Day 8
End of Itinerary
Depart Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east past Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu village. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment turning south on the main road to Arusha. The journey will pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. On arrival in Arusha lunch is provided followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport to connect international departure flight: Option transfer to Arusha airport for flight to Zanzibar, Mafia or Pemba or beach extension – at supplement
Included
- Meet and greet services.
- Seat in a 4×4 vehicle with photo roof (maximum 7 clients per vehicle), services of a bilingual English speaking driver-guide.
- Guaranteed window seat.
- Game drives and crater tour.
- All accommodation and meals as specified.
- All park fees and government taxes.
- Water during Safari.
Excluded
- International flights
- Airport tax (pay direct).
- Driver guide or local escort gratuities.
- Drinks and dining rooms tips.
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