This luxury road and air safari showcase 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, Olduvai Gorge Palaeolithic 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
Things to know:
Serengeti Park
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 also renowned for its lion, many of which have been fitted with radio-transmitter collars so that their movements may be tracked, and additionally for its wealth of cheetah, zebra, giraffe, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, eland, impala, klipspringer, hippo and warthog.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your driver/guide and escorted to the charming Lake Duluti Lodge in the outskirts of Arusha Town.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park in time for lunch at Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp. Acacia Tarangire Luxury Camp is a luxury thatched camp in the heart of Maasai nation and an inaccessible corner of the Tarangire, in total privacy amongst giant acacia trees and looking out yonder the plat savannah. Not only we offer guests unique safari accommodation but spectacular views of the Tarangire National Park, just located near Kuro Airstrip. Each room has super wide windows that offer panoramic views of the Tarangire National park. Enjoy your afternoons spotting wildlife from the sun deck before enjoying dinner under the African Sky. You can also look forward to Night game drive, game walks, and picnics in the bush.
The camp is one of the few luxuries, vintage safari camps in the park. With twelve fully furnished, deluxe tents, each tent has its en-suite facilities with a shower, hand basin, and washing facilities. Soaps, shampoos and insect repellents are supplied, as well as a hairdryer. There are plug points at your disposal to charge equipment. Bathrobes are supplied in each tent, as well as ponchos with hoods and warm lining – to protect from both rain and cold weather. There are large chests on each property with lock and key for safekeeping of valuables
The Camp runs almost entirely on solar energy, thus dramatically allow having access to electricity 24 Hours. Expert guiding and superb cuisine all come together to create an experience that is completely different from any other.
Afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park, all meals and overnight at camp. 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, the park’s wildlife tends to follow clearly defined seasonal patterns. First to move north-east, often as far as Lake Natron, are the zebras and wildebeests, which begin their trek in October. After them, trek the gazelles, buffaloes, elands, oryxes and hartebeests. Finally, the elephants move out. The Defassa waterbucks, impalas, giraffes, lesser kudus, Kirk’s dik-dik and warthogs, meanwhile, remain resident. The return of the park’s migratory species begins in June and July; firstly, with the oryxes and elands, then the elephants; and finally, the zebras and wildebeest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and overnight at camp
Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park arriving at Escarpment Luxury Lodge in time for lunch. Perched high on the rim of the Great Rift Valley, Escarpment Luxury Lodge is a serene haven overlooking the wonder of Lake Manyara below. Offering 16 private, tastefully decorated chalets. Inviting the incredible beauty of the African bush in expanses of windows and doors mean that you have nature right around you as you sit in the comfort and luxury of the superbly appointed bar lounge. A spreading deck surrounding the main lodge affords you breathtaking views of the lake and the gorge upon which the lodge perches watch pelican sweep the skies as you take sundowners, see the sun slip like a segment of orange into the hills and listen to the sounds of Africa nestle up to you as night slides in.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park. Distance/drive time: 150km / 2 hours
Day 5: 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 freshwater 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 descends into the crater for a half-day tour returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon either take an optional(extra) guided nature walk or enjoy views of the crater from your private stone-built veranda. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 7: To the Serengeti
After breakfast, drive to Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important Palaeolithic sites. Arrive in the Serengeti National Park in time for lunch at the Mbuzi Mawe Camp, and then enjoy an afternoon’s game drive. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Serengeti Park
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 also renowned for its lion, many of which have been fitted with radio-transmitter collars so that their movements may be tracked, and additionally 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 camp
Day 9: Depart via Arusha
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your internal flight to Arusha airport (Included in the safari price). Transfer either to a city hotel or to the Kilimanjaro International Airport.
IMPORTANT: Please note that, because this is a flying safari, you are allowed a maximum baggage allowance of 15kgs per person (inclusive of hand-luggage). Additional luggage can be left in safe-keeping at African Horizon’s Offices. Please bring SOFT (Duffel type) bags only.