Tanzania Deluxe
This luxury road and air safari showcases the undiscovered wilderness of Tarangire National Park, the possibility of seeing the famous tree‐climbing lions of Lake Manyara, the glory of the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, Ol Duvai Gorge Paleolithic site and the magnificent Serengeti. Covering optimum distances in minimum time, this unique safari also offers both traditional safari lodge and luxury tented camp accommodation.
Wildlife Highlights: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, zebra, antelope, gazelle, impala, waterbuck, topi, eland, plains game, giraffe and rhino.
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your driver/guide and escorted to the charming Arusha Mountain Village ‐ Serena, which stands on the shores of Lake Duluti with views of Mount Meru. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 2: To Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park in time for lunch at your luxury tented camp.
Proximity to Tarangire National Park also allows a wide choice of exploratory game‐drives through the classic African savannah and acacia parkland of this undiscovered wilderness. Moreover, its position in the migratory corridor just outside the park provides a range of activities that are forbidden elsewhere inthe game lands of Northern Tanzania. These include; nature walks, foot safaris and extended bush trekking with rangers.. Located on a community conservation area, a portion of all accommodation rates goes to the local community, who use it for community‐chosen development projects such as schools, water boreholes, roads and dispensaries. After lunch enjoy a game drive in Tarangire before arriving back in camp in time for sundowner’s and dinner.
Distance/drive time: 165km / 2 hours
Day 3: On Safari in Tarangire
Spend a full day on safari in Tarangire National Park with morning and afternoon game drives. Second only to the Ngorongoro Crater as a dry‐season (June/July) sanctuary for vast herds of migratory creatures. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp.
Day 4: To Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park arriving at your lodge in time for lunch.
Lying in a shallow depression at the base of the western wall of the eastern arm of the Rift Valley, Lake
Manyara typically shimmers in a lilac and gold heat haze, sometimes streaked pink with thousands of flamingos. Backed by a narrow band of forest, it rises to the dramatically sheer red and brown cliffs of the Mto wa Mbu Escarpment.
Behind Kirurumu, the Ngorongoro Highlands rise in green and fertile splendour and form the gateway to Ngorongoro Crater and, finally, Olduvai Gorge and the Serengeti. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park.
Distance/drive time: 150km / 2 hours
Day 5: To the Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area and ascend the edge of the crater. On the rim of the crater is the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, where you will have the afternoon at leisure and dinner. Should you wish, you can take a nature walk in the grounds or on the crater rim. One of Africa’s best‐known wildlife arenas and a World Heritage Site, the crater is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometres wide, 610‐760 metres deep and covering a total area of 264 square kilometres). An utterly unique biosphere, it harbours grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. Due to its high concentration of wildlife, close‐range viewing opportunities and striking scenery it is also Tanzania’s most visited destination.
Distance/drive time: 66kms / 1 hour
Day 6: Explore the crater
After breakfast descend into the crater for a half day tour returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon either take a guided nature walk or enjoy views of the crater from your private stone‐built verandah. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 7: To the Serengeti
After breakfast, drive to Ol Duvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important Paleolithic sites. Arrive in the Serengeti National Park in time for lunch at your lodge. Enjoy an afternoon’s game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Covering 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah plains, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s first‐established, largest and most famous park wherein tens of thousands of hoofed animals roam in a constant and unremitting search for the fresh grasslands upon which their survival depends. The million‐plus wildebeest are the predominant herbivore and also the main prey of a huge cast of large carnivores, principally lion and hyena. Whilst the annual migration is the Serengeti’s most famous attraction, the Park is alsorenowned for its lion, andadditionally for its wealth of cheetah, zebra, giraffe, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, eland, impala, klipspringer, hippo and warthog.
Distance/drive time: 200km / 2 ½ hours
Day 8: On safari in the Serengeti
A full day on safari in the vast and sensational Serengeti. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Day 9: Depart via Arusha
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your internal flight to Arusha airport. Transfer either to a city hotel or to the Kilimanjaro International Airport.