Round trip northern Tanzania

Day 1

Pick up in Arusha area – Transfer to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for overnight.

Let’s go!

Arusha is the safari capital of the country and a bustling ‘tourism driven’ city. You will be met by your driver-guide guide in Arusha and together you will begin the transfer to Africa Safari Lake Manyara. Without stops, the drive will take approximately 2 hours. On arrival you will have time to refresh and explore the expansive surroundings of the accommodation before finishing the day with dinner under the stars and a good night’s sleep in one of our comfy canvas accommodations.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 2

Full-day safari game drive Lake Manyara National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Lakes and lookouts, hippos and happy adventuring

You only need to open your eyes and walk to the restaurant to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Manyara; the National park you will be exploring for the day. After breakfast your driver-guide will take you to the entry gates of Lake Manyara, an underestimated gem as far as game parks are concerned. The park offers a big ecological variety in a more condense area. From the entrance of the park, the road winds through a groundwater forest area where baboons can be seen lounging in the trees and hanging out roadside. The mahogany and acacia trees are inhabited by the famous tree-climbing lions, if you’re lucky you might spot them lazing on a tree branch. As you make your way out of the dense bushland into the open the grassy banks of the lake you will be able to see wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and large buffalo in abundance, grazing away. The lake itself is home to a large number of birds thriving by the waters edge. More than 400 species have been identified and one of the highlights are the thousands of strolling flamingos. Between all this beauty you have a lunch break at midday and at the end of the afternoon you drive back to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for dinner and a peaceful sleep with sweet dreams.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 3

Full-day safari game drive Tarangire National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Epic elephant adventures

After a good night sleep, today is the ‘day of the elephants’. Tarangire is an hours drive from the lodge and presents quite a different landscape to Lake Manyara. The hilly savannah together with the Tarangire river makes this the favourite park for large herds of elephants. During the dry season (June – October) the Tarangire river is the only source of water available, making it a popular spot not just for the elephants but a variety of small hoofed animals and an abundance of birdlife. Lions, warthogs, giraffe, zebra and monkeys all roam the park, waiting for the ‘perfect picture’ opportunity! The night is spent at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 4

Relax day with time for optional activities – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Tune out and take a break

Time to take it easy – African style! One of the favourite Swahili expressions is pole pole (slowly slowly) and that’s exactly how today will go! Take the opportunity to sleep in, read a book, enjoy the amazing views and simply switch off from the world for the day, indulging in the rare pleasure of having no responsibilities. This is a well-deserved break after days of being on the road, and a good way to prepare you for the next few days of safari adventuring.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 5

Safari transfer drive to Africa Safari Lake Natron for overnight.

Salt lakes and over 2.5 million Flamingos

This day brings you a road trip through northern Tanzania with destination Lake Natron. You depart from Africa Safari Lake Manyara after breakfast. The drive can take up to 4 hours and it’s the perfect way to see different sides of Tanzania’s ever-changing landscapes. As you pass the Rift Valley and drive further towards Lake Natron, you will notice the lush green vegetation slowly exchanging for dry, arid and dusty landscapes. The occasional Maasai villages passed en route become dots in the distant scenery. The further north you reach, the more remains of old volcanoes rise around you. Among them is Ol Doinyo Lengai, meaning ‘Mountain of God’ in Maasai dialect. This volcano is one of the few that are still active. When you eventually reach Lake Natron, you might perhaps catch its smoke disappearing in the sky. The night is spent in a comfortable bed at Africa Safari Lake Natron.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Natron
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 6

Visit the Hominid Footprint site – Ngare Sero waterfall walk – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Natron.

Hominid Footprint and Waterfall walk

Waking up at the foot of Ol Doinyo Lengai is a magical feeling. Today you will visit the Engare Sero Footprint Site, situated on the south of Lake Natron, 11 km away from Africa Safari Lake Natron. It has been reported to host one of the best-preserved sets of fossilized hominid footprints in the world. However, until now there has been no detailed characterization and age determination of the footprint-bearing strata (the Footprint Tuff). The over 400 footprints are between 5.000 to 19.000 years old and came to scientist’s attention in 2008. They cover a cordoned off area slightly larger than a tennis court. To complete your day of exploring lake Natron venture out on a moderate two-hour hike along the western edge of Lake Natron leading to a series of narrow gorges and waterfalls, where you can swim in slot canyons and walk behind the falling water. Quite a refreshing activity after a hot day at Lake Natron as the area is both arid and wet at the same time, and lush with wild palms growing above the gorge.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Natron
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 7

Flamingo lake walk – Road trip to Africa Safari Maasai Boma for overnight.

Alkaline lake and flocks of flamingos

This morning, put on your walking shoes as a Maasai tribesman guides you on a walk around the shores of Lake Natron in search of the Lesser flamingo. Lake Natron is the most important and regular breeding site for Lesser Flamingos in East Africa and during the breeding season, Lake Natron hosts up to 2.5 million flamingos. The majority of egg-laying and hatching takes place from September to April although the peak occurs between October & (early) December. The long-legged waterfowl may flourish here, but to most other living creatures including small birds, these conditions make survival extremely challenging; however, the Lake Flats do provide a variety of habitats for birds that flourish in the alkali oasis. Around midday, you will depart on a road trip west for an overnight stop in Africa Safari Maasai Boma, where you will have an insight into traditional Maasai life.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Maasai Boma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 8

Full-day game drive Serengeti National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

Following the movement of resident wildlife

After a good breakfast at Africa Safari Maasai Boma, you will depart on your adventure towards Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma. This game drive leads you through Serengeti. Your driver-guide will take you exploring, following the movement of resident wildlife, while heading towards your accommodation in Ikoma. There will be a stop for a nice picnic lunch along the way. In the afternoon you will reach the border of the park and just 2 km further you will find the staff of Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma welcoming you. This is your place to relax, and a beautiful ‘canvas home’ for a good night of sleep is awaiting you.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 9

Afternoon walking safari and sundowner – Night game drive – Overnight Africa Safari
Serengeti Ikoma

These boots were made for walking…

Enjoy a bit of a sleep-in and an easy morning around the campgrounds, read a book on the patio or simply make the most of having some downtime. This afternoon you will be making a walking safari. A truly unique experience, where you will have the opportunity to explore new territory and follow the animals on foot, accompanied by your very own armed ranger. The walking safari takes approximately 2 hours and ends with a sundowner while overlooking the Serengeti. Then back to the accommodation for a quick dinner as you will join in on a thrilling adventure; a night game drive. A spotlight is fitted to the vehicle and before you know it you catch the first reflections of the animals’ eyes. The night is another world altogether out there; interesting action of the nocturnal animals, different shades and shadows and unknown sounds. Typical animals of the night are Bushbabies, civets and genet cats, a rare Aardvark or Porcupine and others. Upon return perhaps a nightcap to warm up before retiring to your room for a good rest.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 10

Full-day game drive Serengeti National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

Endless Plains

Nothing beats waking up from a restful sleep to the sounds of the Serengeti. Once you have enjoyed your breakfast, the acacia-studded savannah welcomes you to start exploring its wildlife. Another day filled with safari adventuring on African soil and by the end of this day you probably understand the meaning of the name ‘Serengeti’ to be ‘Endless plains’.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 11

Half-day safari game drive Serengeti National Park – Safari transfer through Ngorongoro. Conservation Area with an optional stop at a Maasai boma – overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara

Ngorongoro Maasai

New day, new possibilities and endless new animals to be spotted across Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park. Serengeti is always filled with adventure and new discoveries; no two days are the same in this massive park. Today you will cross these famous plains and pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Here you are invited to visit a very special Maasai Boma – a ‘village’ of the Maasai tribe in the middle of nowhere (optional activity). The Nomadic Maasai are the only humans permitted to reside inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and a visit is like stepping back in time. With your heart and camera filled with spectacular images you make your way onwards to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 12

Relax day with time for optional activities – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Tune out and take a break

Time to take it easy – African style! One of the favourite Swahili expressions is pole pole (slow slow) and that’s exactly how today will go! Take the opportunity to sleep in, read a book, enjoy the amazing views and simply switch off from the world for the day, indulging in the rare pleasure of having no responsibilities. This is a well deserved break after days of being on the road, and a good way to prepare you for the next few days of safari adventuring.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 13

Safari game drive Ngorongoro Crater – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Nothing but nature – Ngorongoro Crater Magic!

Be sure to wake up early today, so there is no delay on your descent into the famous Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area you will be amazed by the beauty around you. Even more so when you arrive at the edge of the crater and take in the amazing view over one of the natural wonders of this world. The crater of this inactive volcano is approximately 3 million years old, 20 square km in size and the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world. Due to its natural borders, the wildlife in the crater is amazing. The crater is home to the Big Five and offers a good chance to spot the rare black rhino. Throw hyena, zebra, buffalo and elephants into the mix, and you have the perfect canvas for a pretty awesome safari experience. At the end of the afternoon you head back to the lodge, Africa Safari Lake Manyara, for a well deserved nights’ sleep.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 14

Transfer to Arusha area (JRO, ARK, Town hotel or City centre).

Don’t do it! Departure day…

All good things end! Enjoy your last meal at Africa Safari Lake Manyara prior to checking out, ready for your journey to Arsuha. After meeting your driver-guide at the reception, you will head off on an easy two-hour drive back to where it all started; heart and camera filled with memories of your African safari adventure.