Drive & fly back safari Serengeti

Day 1

Pick up in Arusha area – Transfer to Africa Safari Rift Valley 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 Rift Valley. 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 Rift Valley
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

Day 2

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

Lakes and lookouts, hippos and happy adventuring

You only need to open your eyes and take a walk to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Manyara region and the Rift Valley. 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

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Rift Valley
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

Excursion: Maasai Boma – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Easy days keeping it cultural

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! You may wish to sleep in following several busy days filled with activities and travel or perhaps enjoy a second easy coffee while watching the animals graze nearby the restaurant. After breakfast, you will visit the traditional home of the Maasai, the Maasai Boma – which consists of a variety of small huts made of mud, sticks and cow dung. The boma is surrounded by a circular “fence” of thorny bushes to protect the tribe and their cattle from predators. During your visit, you can practise a traditional dance, engage in a conversation about daily life, traditions and customs and admire the beautiful beadworks of the Maasai women. The remainder of the day can be spent in relaxation mode; take a refreshing swim in the pool, read a book and before you know it, it is time for a meal with fresh vegetables from our garden.

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

Day 5

Relaxing day – Optional activity

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 6

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. After the game drive you will head to the lodge, Africa Safari South Serengeti, for a well deserved nights’ sleep.

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

Day 7

Full-day safari game drive Serengeti Nationa lPark –Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

Countryside landscapes and road-tripping en route to Serengeti

Today you have a long and rewarding drive ahead of you, as you make your way from Lake Ndutu region, into Serengeti National Park. The road will take you through lots of different landscapes and sceneries. Prepare to be amazed when you catch your first glimpse of the endless plains of the Serengeti. Keep your eyes open and camera ready, as you will pass the biggest variety of wildlife. When you arrive in our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma lodge, you will have already had your first glimpse of the 14,000+ square kilometres that make up the wonder that is Serengeti National Park.

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

Day 8

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 9

Safari game drive northern Serengeti – Overnight Africa Safari Maasai Boma.

Stunning Serengeti and the miracle of the great migration

After breakfast at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma, you will begin your 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 a while, 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’ 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 10

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 11

Full day Safari Game Drive Serengeti National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma

More Serengeti

Today you will re-enter the Serengeti via Klein’s Gate. If the migration is underway, be prepared for spectacular views of thousands of wildebeest. You will drive towards the central Serengeti, the area with the greatest diversity of wildlife and various big cats roam around. You will drive back to Fort Ikoma Gate and stay overnight at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.of wildebeest. You will drive towards the central Serengeti, the area with the greatest diversity of wildlife and various big cats roam around. You will drive back to Fort Ikoma Gate and stay overnight at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

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

Day 12

Early morning transfer safari game drive 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!