Drive & fly back Serengeti safari

Day 1

Pick up in Arusha area – Transfer to Tarangire National Park for safari game drive – Overnight Africa Safari Rift Valley

Let’s go on a safari!

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 Tarangire National Park to start your private safari game drive. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire River, which crosses the park and is the main source of fresh water for the abundant wildlife. This quiet park is famous for its elephant migration, birdlife and authentic safari atmosphere. You will enjoy a packed lunch at midday and at the end of the afternoon’s game drive, you will make your way to Africa Safari Rift Valley. On arrival, you will have time to refresh 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 Rift Valley
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 N.P., an underestimated gem as far as game parks are concerned. The park offers a big ecological variety in a more condensed 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 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 at the water’s edge. More than 400 species have been identified and one of the highlights is 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 night of peaceful sleep with sweet dreams.

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

Day 3

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 travelling, and a good way to prepare yourself for the upcoming days filled with safari adventure. Overnight and all meals at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

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

Day 4

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 5

Flamingo Lake walk – Ngare Sero waterfall walk – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Natron

Flamingo Lake walk and Waterfall visit

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.

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. Once back in Africa Safari Lake Natron, a cold drink is the best after such an active day.

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

Day 6

RoadtriptoAfricaSafariLakeManyaraforovernigh

Amazing sceneries and lake hopping

Driving from Lake Natron, direction Lake Manyara is always a special experience. Constant changing landscapes and vegetation. You can pass by the Hole of God, with the Mountain of God in the background At the end of the afternoon, you will arrive at Africa Safari Lake Manyara for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

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

Day 7

Relaxingday – Optionalactivity

A short drive to your next camp, will give you plenty of time to relax, or to go on an optional activity, like a visit to the Hadzabe and Datoga tribes at Lake Eyasi, Hadzabe are one of the last real hunting tribes, and Datogas are the best blacksmiths.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Karatu
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 8

Safari game drive Ngorongoro Crater – Overnight Africa Safari South Serengeti

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 to Lake Ndutu area, overnight Africa Safari South Serengeti

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

Day 9

Full day Game Drive Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Lake Ndutu area – Overnight Africa Safari South Serengeti

Calves and/or cats

The south-eastern part of the Serengeti, the Ndutu area, is rich in wildlife all year round, and home of 5 different big cats. Wildlife numbers reach a peak between December and April. Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra are attracted by the seasonal rains. In this period, the. best area for game viewing is the plains around Lake Ndutu, where the wildebeest herds are concentrated. Most calves are born in January and February, some 8,000 per day. The short grass plains offer them some safety, as predators can be spotted more easily. Nevertheless, as happens in nature, these young wildebeest attract many hungry predators, such as lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Other species such as gazelles and zebras also give birth and use the wildebeest calves as cover to divert attention from their own young.

The area also caters for birdwatchers; the Thorny Tree forests are the habitat of yet other birds and if you pay attention you may see the fantastically coloured Fischer’s Lovebird.

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

Day 10

Serengeti safari game drive – Overnight Africa Safari Maasai Boma

Stunning Serengeti and the miracle of the great migration

After breakfast at Africa Safari South Serengeti, you will begin your Serengeti safari for the day, heading north. The drive takes you through a natural wonderland of ever-changing landscapes. The journey begins cruising along dirt tracks lined by shrubby savannah, the habitat of impala and giraffe. After Central Serengeti, boosting with wildlife, you will reach the Lobo area where the landscape opens up to a mix of grasslands, rivers, hills and forests. Depending on the movement of the migration you might even make your way further north while the plains disappear behind you to give way to forests of acacia trees and dense bush.
The area is permanently inhabited by many animals, both herbivores and carnivores, including; buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, eland, cheetah, hyena, oribis, topi, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, giraffe, hippos and the Nile crocodile. This northern section of the Serengeti is less frequented than the southern and central parts of the Serengeti, allowing for fewer cars on the road and a more ‘exclusive’ Serengeti safari experience. At the end of the day, you will leave the park through Klein’s gate and after a few kilometres find another surprise; Maasai culture in its full glory. You will spend the night at Africa Safari Maasai Boma in a modern-style version of a traditional Maasai earth house with an en-suite bathroom and a kingsize bed.

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

Day 11

Full-day safari game drive in the Pololeti Game Reserve, just outside of Serengeti
National Park – Overnight in Africa Safari Maasai Boma

Hidden gem

Finish your breakfast at Africa Safari Maasai Boma and get back in the safari jeep for another day in nature in search of wildlife. You will go on another full day game drive. This time in Pololeti Game Reserve, just outside the Serengeti National Park. This area is truly a hidden gem and is on the route of the Great Migration. The landscape alternates between vast grass fields, forested hills and stone boulders which are regularly used as lookouts by lions and leopards. At the end of the day you will return to Africa Safari Maasai Boma for a delicious dinner and your well-earned night’s rest.

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

Day 12

Safari game drive via northern area to Central Serengeti – 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 back towards Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma. 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 13

 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 Serengeti 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 14

Early morning safari transfer to Seronera Airstrip – Domestic flight back to Arusha Airport.

Bush planes and aerial goodbyes

After a good night’s sleep, this morning it is departure time. After the last game drive, your vehicle will be taking you to the Seronera airstrip for your flight back to Arusha Airport. After boarding the aircraft, your trip nears the end, but you can still peer out over the wings of the plane and enjoy the magnificent views while flying over Serengeti National Park and admire the changing scenery of the Great Rift Valley. You will land at Arusha Airport with a camera full of pictures to share with friends and family and look back on the amazing memories created on your African endeavour!