Northern Tanzania Safari

Kilimanjaro - Tarangire

You'll be welcomed on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by your guide who will be your host, companion and eyes and ears in the bush for the next ten days. Look forward to long chats about wildlife and everything ‘Tanzanian’ during your travels, from schooling to the social political landscape of the country your guide is there to share his insight and passion. Set off past the bustling town of Arusha arriving into Tarangire National Park for a picnic lunch and to seek out the elephant and eland that make this area their home. Late afternoon you arrive at your first camp, located in the wildlife management area surrounding the park.

Overnight: Maramboi Tented Camp (L, D)

Tarangire

Spend a full day exploring Tarangire National Park, best known for its density of baobab trees and year-round proliferation of elephants. Drier and more densely vegetated than the Serengeti, the parks dominant geographic feature is the near-perennial Tarangire River, which comes into its own in the dry season, July to November, when elephant numbers can be phenomenal boosted by large herds of zebra, wildebeest, antelope and other game attracted to the water source. While herd numbers may be lower in December to March the park is also greener, more scenic and supports astounding birdlife.

Overnight: Maramboi Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Tarangire - Lake Manyara

Set off westwards from Tarangire to Lake Manyara National Park. This wonderfully scenic park, located on the road from Arusha to Ngorongoro, is set between the steep wall of the Great Rift Valley and the soda lake. Known for its famous tree-climbing lions, habituated baboons and elephant populations; Manyara’s lake shores are also inhabited by thousands of pink flamingos (seasonal). Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park and then late afternoon you will drive up the impressive rise of the western stretches of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment before heading to your lodge for the night.

Overnight: Plantation Lodge (B, L, D)

Ngorongoro Crater

While the vast majority of visitors rise pre-dawn and jostle for position at the park gates, we suggest a leisurely breakfast, visit a coffee plantation and explore Karatu’s galleries and shops selling vibrant textiles. Then around midday head by road through the densely forested outer slopes to Heroes Point on crater rim. Enjoy by midday and enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the expansive views and crater floor 600m below. Photographing the crater is a real challenge. Descend onto the crater floor (pretty much as everyone else is leaving) and enjoy a game drive seeking out the resident wildlife. Exit the crater by sunset and return to your lodge for the night.

Overnight: Plantation Lodge (B, L, D)

Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti

Skirt the forested rim of the crater and then travel down the outer western slopes onto the short-grass plains of the Serengeti. From your base in this game rich central Serengeti area you can explore the Seronera Valley and nearby wildlife hotspots.

Central Serengeti

Set out early with your guide taking both a picnic breakfast and picnic lunch with you to maximise your game viewing time. The rocky outcrops of the Moru Kopjies area is particularly rewarding for both lion and cheetah sightings and the Seronera River valley ranks among the best places in Africa to search for leopards as there are simply too few tall trees for these normally elusive creatures to be well hidden.

Central - Northern or Southern Serengeti

Today you move location to your final base at Chaka Camp which is the sister camp to Kiota. Chaka Camp, designed to be lightweight enough to move seasonally, is located in the Ndutu area from December through to March, and then relocates to Kogatende in Northern Serengeti from May to November.

Northern or Southern Serengeti

Two full days from your Serengeti base to seek out either the migrating herds and attendant predators or the year-round resident wildlife. From December to March Chaka Camp's prime location around Lakes Ndutu and Masek is ideally positioned to encounter the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. During the peak of the February calving season nearly 8,000 wildebeest babies are born per day. From May through November, Chaka Camp’s northern location offers outstanding year-round game viewing as well as access to the famed river crossings.

Serengeti - Kilmanjaro

Farewell to your guide as you transfer to the airstrip for the mid-morning flight to Kilimanjaro. As you fly over the vast plains of the Serengeti you can get a real sense of the scale of the journey you have just completed. Arrive at Kilimanjaro airport where your safari journey ends.