See all Northern Circuit Parks

10 day The Best of Tanzania Safari

$2800-6000 USD

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Safari summary

to see & do:
• Big 5
• Dense population of predators
• Black rhinos –endangered species
• Local Maasai community
• Visit Olduvai Gorge-Cradle of Mankind
• Wildebeest migration in Serengeti
• Lake Manyara
• Lake Manyara with thousands of flamingos
• Over 400 species of birds
• Tree climbing lions
• Large herds of elephants
• Antelopes, giraffes, buffalos, tree climbing pitons....
• Tarangire River
• Baobab trees
• Oldonio Lengai
• Lake Natron
Options:
• We can make our way back to Arusha via the colourful villages of Ngaresero and Mto wa Mbu
• Balloon safari Serengeti NP
• Testing traditional African kitchen-dinner in Arusha

You can combine this program with a relaxing holiday on Zanzibar or choose from one of our trekking programs with climb to Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Game drives
	Activity level	Easy activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks	Arusha Lake Manyara Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti Tarangire

Fine details

Safari highlights

Night game drives

Itinerary

Day 1

Arusha | Kilimanjaro | Nairobi

DAY 1 TRANSPORT FROM AIRPORT Transfers to and from Arusha/Kilimanjaro/Nairobi Airport(Note that for transfer from Nairobi Airport we use Impala Shuttle Service with departures daily at 0800 and 1400)-for groups private transport ! Dinner and overnight: Hotel/Lodge according to the type of accommodation options requested. We will meet and have briefing about your safari!

Day 2

Arusha

DAY 2 ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK Depart Arusha at 9.00 am for a 30 minutes drive through to Arusha National Park with picnic lunches, an area of Natural beauty of the hills, mountain and river beds begging to be explored, guests can enjoy a guided walking Safari through up the forest for a half a day. Endless acres of forest, - her welcoming black and white colobus monkeys, zebras, Buffalos, and other antelopes and birds beckoning. Thereafter Game drives through the National park where indeed a pleasure, the flora and fauna found in their total Natural state and the terrains un eroded. Drive on to the Seven Momela lakes full of Pink flamingos and other water birds. On the way back Giraffes unaware of your presence pose undisturbed for the family album will be encountered. We will drive through to Ngurdoto crater. It won't be the best idea to leave without visiting the Ngurdoto museum. Dinner and overnight at Campsite/lodge : as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 3

Tarangire

DAY 3 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK After breakfast drive to Tarangire National Park for game viewing with picnic lunches, at the richest vista of an endless golden savanna. The Park is an endless pageant of wildlife with undoubtedly the richest Elephant population in Africa with surprisingly large herds. It has an extensive collection of exotic birds, antelopes, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalos and the supposedly tree climbing pythons which can be seen around the swamps. But the most important feature of this Park, the game in the necklace is the Tarangire River. Here there is a well established view point where Game can be viewed ambling to and from the River throughout the day. Thousands of animals migrate from Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River looking for water. Baobab trees one of the World's biggest trees 'upside down tree' can be seen thriving all along the river banks and all over the park too. This African National Park is also home to three rare species of animals, the Greater Kudu, the Fingered –Eared Oryx as well as a few Ashy Starlings. Perfect end to a perfect day is a picnic lunch and later drive back for dinner and overnight at Campsite / Lodge

Day 4

Lake Manyara | Tarangire

DAY 4 LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK Depart from Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park photographers' haven for game viewing and picnic lunch. We will drive for about two hours coming through the agricultural and fresh produce market town of Mto Wa Mbu, which is situated next to the entrance of the Lake Manyara National Park. The town is a souvenir hunters paradise, harbouring thousands souvenir salesmen - ready to pounce at your slightest invitation. Expect to see unspoilt paradise, with sprawling tract of forest, laced with underground springs and teeming with wildlife such as elephants, hippo, giraffes, buffaloes, the largest baboon troops in Africa and some of the antelopes. It is full of outstanding birding places with over 400 species on display and butterfly. Famous for the tree climbing lions luckily seen resting on acacia trees. From your vehicles, you have a marvellous view of the Rift Valley escarpment and sparkling in the sun; the Lake Manyara itself with thousands of flamingos. It is also the famous jungle where early Tanzanian movies were filmed. Dinner and overnight at Campsite/lodge : as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 5

DAY 5 LAKE EYASI After breakfast we will drive to the shores of Lake Eyasi. Lake Eyasi is a very scenic soda lake found on the southern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This less visited lake lies at the base of the Eyasi escarpment on the western rift valley wall. This afternoon you will be introduced to the extraordinary people who belong to an indigenous tribe known as the 'Hadzabe'. The Hadzabe tribe (hunter-gatherer Bushmen) live close to the shores of Lake Eyasi as do the Nilotic-speaking Datoga tribe. The visit to these tribes will include a visit to their homesteads, animal tracking; learn about their way of life, medicinal plants, and much more. There are quite a lot of wildlife and a wide range of bird species to be seen here and walks around the lake are easily arranged. Dinner and overnight at Campsite/lodge : as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested. .

Day 6

DAY 6 LAKE EYASI –NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA Early morning depart to the village for local Hunting with Hadzabe . This is no mere performance. The bushmen rely on these techniques to survive and you'll need to be very attentive and at times quiet while they demonstrate their use of locally made poisons in incapacitating the poor creatures that keep our friends alive We return to the camp/ Lodge for a late breakfast and we then travel to the Ngorongoro conservation area Late afternoon drive to the nearest Maasai Village. Visitors meet the village elders, get an insight into the Maasai way of life, visit the bomas, learn about their prized cattle and visit the local school. Dinner and overnight at Campsite/lodge : as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 7

DAY 7 NGORONGORO CRATER After enjoying a family atmosphere and hospitality, with a free range breakfast at the lodge/campsite drive to Ngorongoro crater for a morning tour and there after with our picnic lunches. The crater offers amazing panoramic views, leaving no wish unanswered as the Big Five criss-cross before your naked eyes. The caldera exhibiting more than 120 species of mammals, rather the most spectacular indigenous species to East Africa, Saline lakes such as Magadi, pools full of hippos, the endangered Rhino species not forgetting birds such as flamingos, secretary birds and even the Ostriches. It is for sure a landscape of sheer beauty. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is it's dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot Dinner and overnight at Campsite/lodge : as per the standard and type of accommodation option requested.

Day 8

Serengeti

DAY 8 SERENGETI NP via OLDUVAI GORGE After breakfast, we will start our drive past the unique and gorgeous Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the Serengeti National Park via the famous Oldupai Gorge also known as “The Cradle of Mankind”. The gorge lies on the same spot as once lay an ancient lake, which was covered by thick layers of volcanic ash, which carefully preserved the world's earliest records of mankind. This extremely important prehistoric site was discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey and the exhibitions from different periods in its history are on display in the Oldupai Gorge Museum, located on the gorge’s rim. Our visit will also include the famous Maasai bomas, where you will be able to meet the Maasai people, get to know their culture and their habits and see the most respected group of the Maasai tribe – the warriors. The Maasai warriors have many privileges because of their position and are thus the only Maasai individuals that are allowed to wear long hair. The warm and inviting colours of the very core of African wildlife are a symbol of the Serengeti National Park. The most intriguing, yet amazing natural legend of the timeless African landscape rolls before your eyes when the wildebeest embark on the most important journey of their lives: the amazing migration, which is often referred to as the “Eighth wonder of the world.” The height of their expedition is a blast for all the spectators, since there is practically no need for a game drive. As far as the eye can see, thousands upon thousands of animals herd when the migration reaches its pinnacle; from tall and graceful giraffes, which feed on the tops of trees and pay no attention to the visitors, to bulky, yet sweet hippos, which trim the grasses in the serene nights, jumping antelopes and gazelles and the most respected group of animals: predators. You will be able to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, which laugh their way through the plains, powerful crocodiles in the Grumeti river, which pray discreetly for the sick and weak animals at the crossing and last but not least, the king himself; the lazy lion, slowly marching through the savannah and letting the “mistress” hunt for fresh meals. We will then head to the central park area, known as the Seronera area. This area provides a variety of habitats for wild animals, the most important of them being the Seronera river, which is the main attraction for herds of game and families of predators, because it is a rich source of water to quench their thirst. For this reason, the great majority of animal species in the Serengeti National Park can be found here and thus it would be a sin not to stop and watch the animals in their natural habitat. We will drive south of the Seronera river, along the Sogore river circuit to look for Thompson’s gazelles, topis, ostriches and possibly also predators, such as lions or cheetahs. We recommend a visit to the Visitors Center, located near the Serengeti Seronera Lodge and the public campsites. It is a great spot to see some wildlife or buy information leaflets or maps of the area. You can buy snack or drinks at the center too and take a walk around a kopje in the vicinity or cool in the picnic area, where we will eat our picnic lunches and the giant acacia trees will protect you from the hot sunrays. Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

Day 9

Serengeti

DAY 9 SERENGETI NP At 06.00h we will start the sunrise game drive. You will be accompanied by the melodic singing of the birds while searching for leopards and other nocturnal animals, you will also spot hunters waiting for their prey in ambush and contrastingly calm hippos, returning to their watery homes with their family. We will return to the campsite or lodge, where we will enjoy a late breakfast at 9.00am. We will continue our game drive at 10.30am and stay in the wilderness for the rest of the day. Our safari drive will continue according to the date of your travel and we will follow the animals on their trail, where you will be able to witness the annual migration. For travellers between: APRIL-JUNE We will drive to the south-eastern side of the park, visiting the Barafu Kopjes and the Ngare Nanyuki River area in the morning. Apart from the lion prides you find in the area, the Barafu Kopje is the place to visit for possible cheetah sightings. The Ngare Nanyuki River area is also well known for being packed with large herds of game and prides of lions. In the afternoon we will proceed around the Maasai Kopjes, which usually attract a great number of lions and some formidably large cobras. Kopjes are weathered granite outcrops, scattered around the plains, most of which are miniature ecosystems, providing shade and drinking water in pools left in the rock after the rains. This makes the kopjes particularly good for spotting wildlife during dry seasons - including lions, which like to lie and wait for thirsty animals! OCTOBER -DECEMBER From October to December, the migration is around Lobo area in the western Serengeti, known for its high concentration of lions and prides of over 30 individual lions are not uncommon. It is an excellent area to spot and take pictures of klipspringers, elephants and giraffes. Ngare Naironya springs in the upper part of the Grumeti river and serves as a watering area for the animals. JULY-OCTOBER It will be our pleasure to take you through the Western corridor between July and October, when the wildebeest migration crosses the Grumeti river in the Kirawira area. This river ensures a large animal population in the western corridor. Here, thousands of wildebeest and zebras plunge fearlessly into the crocodile ridden waters. Plenty animals can be observed, including cheetahs, lions, hyenas and leopards. The Handajenga and Mbalageti River areas also attract a high population of Topi living in Africa. They are also a refuge for the rare African Hunting Dogs and the Patas monkey. We will also visit the Simba kopjes named after the lions frequently using the kopjes for sunbathing. You will also have an opportunity to see baboons, giraffes and several interesting bird species. DECEMBER-APRIL We will drive around the alkaline Lake Ndutu, used by a wide array of local wildlife, particularly between the months of December and April. The area is heavily populated with elephants and birds as well as resident plain game. This is also the area where the migration begins and where animals choose their spots for calving. After experiencing luxury with some breathtaking panoramic views of the open plains, we will enjoy our picnic lunch. Dinner and an overnight at the lodge/campsite according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

Day 10

Arusha

DAY 10 SERENGETI NP-LAKE NATRON After breakfast Drive with picnic lunches to Lake Natron. Expect to see vast shallow soda lake and a white carpet of soda and salt crystals cracked in to a polygonal patchwork. Evidently seen are the built flamingo nests resembling miniature volcanoes. It is a bizarrely beautiful breeding ground and home to thousands of Flamingos feeding on the blue algae. Much to see are wildlife like Zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, ostrich, fringed eared Oryx, lesser kudu, gerenuk and golden jackal. You may also be amazed too see volcanic implosion crater, ravines containing nesting sites for Ruppels griffon vultures and several waterfalls. Swimming is also possible and a visit to Maasai bomas a walk up the escarpment the best way to end a perfect day. Dinner and an overnight at the lodge/campsite according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options. 11 LAKE NATRON –OLDONYO LENGAI-trekking Early in the morning (between 3.00 a.m. and 4.00 a.m.) your will be transferred to the foot of »the Mountain of God«, Ol Doinyo Lengai mountain, to start the trek. It is the only active volcano in East Africa with the most current eruption in 2007. It is one of the few volcanoes in the world to omit Sodium carbonate and potassium, whose run off accounts for the extremely alkaline and corrosive swill of neighbouring Lake Natron. For photographers, the perfectly conical shape is delightful to see, especially if you can get Maasai cattle herders in the foreground. The weird perilous sight of magma flows bubbling at 510 degrees Celsius on top leave the tourists astonished. After Lunch time we would go for a game drive around lake Natron and its habitat. Dinner and overnight at Campsite / Lodge. Afternoon we drive back to Arusha .You will be taken to your hotel.

Day 12

Arusha | Serengeti

DAY 12 transport to Airport Included •Transfers to and from Arusha Airport 2 nights in Arusha Hotel/Lodge •10 days game safari to Tanzania's northern circuit as per sample itinerary •Hotel/lodge/camp accommodation for the duration of the safari •Animal tours according to your itinerary preferences •Private 4 wheel drive vehicle with a roof hatch •Professional English speaking safari and tour guide / driver •All Park entrance fees •All meals on the safari Water and hot drinks(coffee and tea) during safari •camping equipment if applicable (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, table and chairs), •All game viewing activities specified •Price quoted per person sharing in US dollar Flying Doctors rescue insurance for the time of tour Excluded •international flights •Airport taxes •Entry visas •Travel insurance •Tips and gratuities •Laundry •Gratuities and all items of a personal nature, medical and personal insurance, accommodation and meals before/after the tour, tips for the crew. •Sightseeing, excursions and optional activities other than those specified Please read our Terms and Conditions Please note all prices are subject to change if Tanzania National Park entry fees change! OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TOURS available at additional cost: Baloon safari in Serengeti Night game drive

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