Tanzania
Serengeti in northern Tanzania is a vast area home to many people and fantastic wildlife. The word Serengeti refers to the Maasai word (the Maasai are the original inhabitants of the area) for 'endless plain.' You will see it is much more than just a plain, with forests, lakes mountains and the one of a kind Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera which created a pot like depression, the largest such unbroken caldera in the world. With its huge size and abundant plant life, Ngorongoro is the perfect habitat for wildlife, and viewing animals in this setting is superb.
The Serengeti has some of the largest numbers of animals in Africa, making it a coveted safari destination. Here there are large numbers of many species that can be easily observed. The terrain is also beautiful and the lodges where we spend the nights exude old Africa safari charm. You will find the days full of adventure and the nights full of comfort.
The Maasai people who inhabit the Serengeti are stewards of this land since time immemorial, and we will have the opportunity to meet these people as we visit villages and have an introduction to their way of life.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1: SATURDAY, JAN 25
Arrival in Arusha
It's time to begin your safari. Welcome to Tanzania! After we greet you and provide you with the trip briefing, we'll take you out to help you discover why so many people think Tanzania is the best place in Africa to go on safari. Spend some time in Arusha, both the gateway city for most safaris in northern Tanzania and a fascinating place to explore. Enjoy good restaurants, streets filled with energy and so many snapshots of vibrant Tanzanian city life. It’s everything you look for in an urban pit stop.
KAHAWA HOUSE
Stay close to Arusha at Kahawa House, but in a lovely setting with trees all around and views of Mt Meru. Accommodation is in nicely decorated and bright rooms with good bathrooms in a handsome country house. The swimming pool offers welcome relief from the heat of northern Tanzania, while you can also dine well in the onsite restaurant.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 2: SUNDAY, JAN 26
Tarangire National Park
Explore one of Tanzania’s most rewarding national parks, a land of big baobab trees, big elephants and big cats. No wonder this ends up being the favorite park in Tanzania for many visitors. Sightings of wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, baboons, vervet monkeys and zebras are also almost guaranteed. Lions are plentiful here – Tarangire is home to one of Tanzania’s healthiest lion populations. While you’ll have to work a little harder to see a cheetah or leopard, it will only enhance your excitement when you do. You can also look forward to classic safari scenery – savannah plains, river woodlands and rocky hills. This afternoon it's time for a guided game drive through Tarangire, where your guide will help you look for elephants, lions, and more.
TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE
Deep inside Tarangire National Park, Tarangire Sopa Lodge has all the charm of an old-style safari lodge. The large rooms are awash in colorful local motifs, and don’t be surprised if an elephant or two, or a troop of baboons, spend time feeding right outside your window. There’s also a swimming pool, restaurant, shop and bar. There aren’t many other lodges nearby meaning that you have a head start over everyone else when it comes to exploring the wild southern reaches of the park.
(B,L,D)
DAY 3: MONDAY, JAN 27
Tarangire National Park
More time in Tarangire is always a bonus – this is the sort of park where the longer you stay, the better. Come and see the best of Tarangire National Park as we take you out on a guided game drive. It really is a terrific way to feel a part of Africa with the wind in your hair as we drive you around to look for animals.
ESCARPMENT LUXURY LODGE
You'll find it almost impossible not to relax at Escarpment Luxury Lodge, high on the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley and with views out over northern Tanzania. The rooms are wonderful places to stay with plenty of space, luxury decor, large private terraces and hardwood floors. Enjoy also the swimming pool, bar, restaurant, and being close to Lake Manyara National Park.
(B,L,D)
DAY 4: TUESDAY, JAN 28
Mto Wa Mbu
It may be small but Mto Wa Mbu is home to members of all Tanzania’s 120 tribal groups. The town is close to the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, and offers services to passing tourists with its petrol stations, roadside restaurants and makeshift shops. Above all, you’ll experience small-town Tanzanian life.
ESCARPMENT LUXURY LODGE
(B,L,D)
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY, JAN 29
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro is a special place and the first time that you descend onto the crater floor is like no other safari experience in Africa. This is a world unto itself, on where you’ll encounter the crater’s 600-strong population of hyenas, as well as critically endangered black rhinos. You’ll also find elephants with larger- than-average tusks, and more than 50 lions living in the crater. But it’s the sheer beauty of Ngorongoro that will most likely live longest in your memory. From early morning, mist rises from the crater, revealing steep, forested walls, secret waterways where hippos wallow, and a world of abundant wildlife hidden away from the rest of the world.
On this morning's guided game drive, we'll take you down into Ngorongoro Crater; the drive down is one of the most thrilling possible approaches for a day of wildlife viewing. You'll be down in the crater for most of the day looking for lions,
hyenas, black rhinos and more.
NGORONGORO SERENA SAFARI LODGE
There's so much for you to love about staying at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. The location overlooking Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best anywhere along the crater rim. The combination of old-school safari hospitality with bright, modern rooms is a real pleasure; from afar, the stone-built lodge seems to blend into the forest. The views from the restaurant are similarly superb.
(B,L,D)
DAY 6: THURSDAY, JAN 30
Central Serengeti National Park
Welcome to the Serengeti's most popular wildlife area. It's here in the heart of the park, in the Central Serengeti, that you find the densest concentrations of wildlife. Big cats and elephants are frequently seen in this area, and this section of the park is rich in acacia trees and big Serengeti horizons. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and all the incredible wildlife possibilities on a guided game drive through the Central Serengeti.
KUBU KUBU TENTED LODGE
The best views are reserved for the safari tents at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge. The canvas tents (with wood floors) sit high on a hill and each has stunning views out over the famous plains of the central Serengeti where seeing wildlife is always possible. A swimming pool, restaurant and lovely tent interiors round out a memorable package.
(B,L,D)
DAY 7: FRIDAY, JAN 31
Central Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park with its vast size and astonishing numbers and species of animals certainly warrants another day to explore and experience. Today you will likely see some of the same species you saw yesterday as well as new varieties. Get ready for another day of fantastic scenery and adventure.
KUBU KUBU TENTED LODGE
(B,L,D)
DAY 8: SATURDAY, FEB 1
Return to Arusha
This morning we take a short flight to Arusha and then onward connecting flights. We can arrange additional days in Tanzanai for those wishing to stay longer.
(B,L,D)
PRICES & REGISTRATION INFORMATION
(Inclusive of food, non-alcoholic beverages, accommodations, airport transfers, ground transportation,flight from Serengeti to Arusha, entrance fees, services of licensed Tanzanian guide and driver, services of USA based trip leader, and airport taxes.)
$6500. (Based on double occupancy)
$7400. (Based on single occupancy)
NOTE: International airfare, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, items of a personal nature, travel insurance and Tanzanian visa are NOT included.
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
This journey begins and ends in Arusha (airport code, JRO), Tanzania. Participants make their own way to Arusha where they will be met by driver who will being them to hotel. Those participating in Ethiopia trip will fly together on the morning flight from Addis Ababa to Arusha. There are many airlines serving Arusha with one stop connections from most cities in the USA.
Tanzanian visa is easily obtainable on arrival for most nationalities for $100.
For participants arriving before start of trip, or staying after final day we can arrange rooms in Kahawa House Hotel. Cost is $220 for double occupancy, tax and breakfast included, and $150 for single occupancy, tax and breakfast included.