Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arusha - Arusha National Park
Arusha - Arusha National Park
Today you’ll visit Arusha National Park. The entrance gate leads into a shadowy montane forest inhabited by blue monkeys and vibrant turacos and trogons. This area is unique on the northern safari circuit as it offers easy sightings of the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey. Amidst the forest stands the impressive Ngurdoto Crater, characterized by steep rocky cliffs surrounding a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog. Moving northward, rolling grassy hills embrace the serene Momela Lake, sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos. The lake supports a diverse array of resident and migratory waterfowl, as well as shaggy waterbucks displaying their large lyre-shaped horns along the water's edge. Giraffes gracefully traverse the grassy hills, mingling with grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bushes like oversized hares on slender legs. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, and zebras can all be seen year-round.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha National Park
- Accommodation:
-
Arusha Tourist Inn Hotel
Wildlife in Arusha NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Arusha National Park - Tarangire National Park
Arusha National Park - Tarangire National Park
You will be picked up from your Arusha hotel at 8:00am and embark on a three-hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll go on a full-day game drive in the park. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Tarangire is located 115 kilometers from Arusha and covers an area of 2,800 square kilometers. The park derives its name from the river that flows through its borders—attracting a variety of wildlife on its shores. The park's main attractions include a large population of elephants, famous for their tree-climbing antics, as well as sightings of pythons and majestic baobab trees. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to spot lions, leopards, and a variety of other animals during your visit.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park
- Accommodation:
- Jambo Lodge & Campsite (Lodge)
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Tarangire National Park - Serengeti National Park
Tarangire National Park - Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you'll pack your luggage into the safari Jeep and embark on an en-route game drive to the Serengeti, with a hot lunch provided inside the vehicle. Along the journey, you'll have the opportunity to admire the beauty of the Rift Valley and catch glimpses of the Ngorongoro Crater before arriving at Serengeti around 3:00pm. Upon arrival, you'll embark on an evening game drive in the central area of the park, where you can witness the stunning sunset. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the camp.
Major attractions of the Serengeti include its endless plains and the Great Migration, which involves approximately 1.5 million herbivores. Predators also utilize this migration, moving from one area to another as drought conditions shift. You'll have the chance to see vast numbers of wildebeest and zebras, as well as smaller numbers of Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, eland, and impala.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast you’ll embark on a game drive inside the Serengeti. Your driver will guide you to the northern region of the park, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the Great Migration. We highly recommend visiting key areas such as the Mara River and the Ndutu Plains to observe this phenomenon.
The river crossings at Kogatende typically begin in July as the mega herd settles into the area. From July to October, game viewing is at its peak, with river crossings occurring nearly every day. The herds do not follow a distinct movement pattern, often crossing back and forth over the river in response to rainfall and the availability of fresh grass.
In late June and July, the migration progresses into the northwestern region of Serengeti, making these months ideal for witnessing the migration in the western area. From August to September, you'll have the opportunity to witness the Great Migration in the northern Serengeti.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast your safari continues with a full day of game driving within Serengeti National Park. Our experienced driver will take you to key areas within the park, ensuring that you have the best chance of encountering the wildebeest migration during your tour with us.
The timing of the Great Migration can vary from year to year, but the optimal period for witnessing this incredible spectacle is generally from June to September. Wildebeest calving typically occurs from January to March. From July to September, our driver will guide you to northern Serengeti, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the wildebeest as they cross the Mara River. Throughout the year, approximately a million and a half of these majestic animals traverse the Serengeti, in search of fresh grazing pastures and following the rainfall for better water sources.
Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the camp.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Highlands
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Highlands
You will wake up at 5:45am for an early breakfast and to see the sun rise within the park on a game drive. Upon returning to the campsite around 11:30am, you'll eat a hot lunch and then pack your belongings into the Jeep. After lunch, you'll continue your game drive through the Serengeti as you make your way towards the Ngorongoro Crater. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the campsite.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Highlands
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater
You will wake up around 5:30am and eat breakfast before descending to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater. Here, you'll have the opportunity to witness the famed “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros – as well as a variety of bird species. Keep an eye out for the elusive black rhino, which is known to roam within the crater.
During your visit, you'll have lunch on the crater floor amidst the flamingos on the crater lake. After 6-7 hours of game driving, you'll begin your ascent, passing through the campsite to collect your luggage and prepare for the journey back to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
After the crater tour, you'll have the opportunity to participate in a walking tour of Mto wa Mbu village, where you'll gain insight into the local way of life, see banana plantations, and sample traditional cuisine.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Accommodation:
- Jambo Lodge & Campsite (Lodge)
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater - Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater - Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha
After breakfast, you'll depart for Lake Manyara National Park for a full day of game driving. Inside the park, you'll have the chance to spot the famous tree-climbing lions. You’ll also visit a hot spring and take in the flamingos drawn to the algae-rich lake water.
Later in the day, you'll have the opportunity to visit a Maasai boma, where you'll observe firsthand how the Maasai people live and learn about their rich culture and traditions.
Later in the day you’ll drive back to Arusha.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP
- Meals & Drinks:
