This wet season ending in the south of the
Serengeti, it is time for the herd to begin moving north. At this stage it numbers approximately 1.7 million wildebeest, 470,000 species of antelope, and 250,000 zebras, and has attracted a motley collection of predators that will dog its steps for the entirety of its journey.
The great movement usually passes through the Seronera region of the Serengeti at this stage, and with so many young and inexperienced members of the herd, the predators have a field day.
In five unforgettable days, you’ll visit three of Tanzania’s most famous parks.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area will leave you breathless. During the game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, you will have the opportunity to observe the entire Big Five as well as zebras, antelopes, hyenas, monkeys, hippos and giraffes.
You will also stop at the famous panoramic viewpoint on the rim to enjoy the breathtaking views of the crater. As a conservation area rather than a national park, Ngorongoro is also home to the famous Masai people.
Within the crater, you’ll be able to see Masai herding their cattle against the same backdrop as you see lions, elephants, and more. It’s a distinctly Tanzanian biological and cultural safari.
An exciting day trip to Lake Manyara National Park will give you a feel for the real Africa. An unspoiled paradise of groundwater forests and teeming wildlife, Lake Manyara was used as the setting for the early Tarzan films due to its stunning natural environment. Home to tree climbing lions and all of Africa’s most famous game, the park is also perfect for a bird-watching safari, with more than 400 species of bird calling the park home.
Tarangire National Park is one of Africa’s little-known gems and should be on the itinerary of all wilderness lovers. The wildlife of Tarangire National Park is as diverse as its landscape; the park contains almost every animal species you can see on a safari. The park is known for its large elephant herds, which are among the largest in Tanzania or perhaps in the whole of Africa. The park is also home to primates and the iconic Baobab tree, sometimes known as the Tree of Life.
What needs to be said about Serengeti National Park? Arguably the most well-known national park in the entire world, the Serengeti is a seemingly unending sprawl of open savannah home to Africa’s most iconic animals. The site of the bulk of the legendary Wildebeest Migration, the Serengeti offers a different experience each and every day.
Home to large prides of lions, vast herds of wildebeest and zebra, elephants, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, antelopes, warthogs, serval cats, and everything in between – the Serengeti is the premier safari destination in the world.
DAY 1 – TRANSPORT FROM AIRPORT.
Chacha Tours Africa driver will meet you at the airport (or your shuttle) and take you and your belongings to your accommodation for the evening. Our staff will meet you at hotel and together we will have short briefing to finalize details and answer any additional questions regarding your upcoming safari.
DAY 2 – ARUSHA – TARANGIRE OR LAKE MANYARA.
On this day, you can choose to go to Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. Depending on the time of year, each of these parks offers a different safari experience. Your guide can advise you as to which is best to visit during your safari.
IF TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.
You’ll depart from Arusha at 8am for the approximately two hour drive to Tarangire National Park. Along the way you’ll pass bustling Masai villages and the vast, open plains that have become synonymous with images of Africa.
Once you’ve entered Tarangire, you’ll begin your game drive across a rich vista of endless golden savannah that surrounds the Tarangire River. The river itself runs throughout the year and is a vital source of water for the animals of the region during the dry season. Lined with acacia and Baobab trees, the river is regularly visited by the park’s large elephant population as well as other herbivores such as zebras and antelopes.
A picnic lunch with a view of the river is a great way to take it all in, but you’ll have to keep on your toes as the local monkey population does its best to separate you from your lunch!
Driving through the park you’ll also have the opportunity to see lions, leopards, cape buffalo, and a huge variety of antelopes. If you’re particularly lucky, you might even see endangered animals such as the Greater Kudu or the Fringe-Eared Oryx.
After your day’s drive is done, you’ll retire to your accommodation for the evening.
IF LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK.
After breakfast, you’ll depart from your hotel for Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer’s playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see all of Africa’s most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.
Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly colored lilac breasted roller.
You’ll then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night’s rest.
DAY 3 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK.
We’ll take an early breakfast, as we’ve got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us! We’ll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way we’ll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth.
Our first stop of the day will be at the Oldupai Gorge (also known as the Cradle of Mankind). Here you can see some of the oldest fossil evidence in the world of human habitation, visit the Oldupai Gorge Museum to learn more about the human journey, and take in the stunning views of this stark gorge country.
We’ll then continue on to one of the famous Masai bomas, where you’ll have the opportunity to witness traditional Masai dance, visit an authentic Masai village, and even do a little souvenir shopping at the local market.
After lunch at the registration area of the Serengeti National Park, you’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive in this remarkable park. See herds of majestic elephants, prides of lions sunning themselves on the rocks, and even spy a shy cheetah or leopard.
After seeing a Serengeti sunset, you’ll retire to your accommodations for dinner.
DAY 4 – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK.
You’ll wake before the dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive. Accompanied by the melodic singing of the birds and the fierce colors of the sun as they paint the savannah, you’ll go in search of leopards and lions hunting their morning meal. You’ll also have the chance to see hippopotamuses returning to their watery homes after a night of foraging on dry land.
After returning to your lodge for a late breakfast, you’ll then have the day to explore the Serengeti. Tracking the movements of the Wildebeest Migration, you’ll have the chance to witness the majesty and sheer scale of this massive movement of animals across the incomparable beauty of the Serengeti. Enjoy a picnic lunch while on the road chasing the Big Five as well as some of Africa’s other iconic animals.
DAY 5 – SERENGETI – NGORONGORO.
After breakfast, we will start with a morning game drive and then head towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The highlight of the expedition will be a game drive in the Serengeti. As far as the eye can see, thousands upon thousands of animals in herds, wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.
You will be able to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.
While game viewing, we will proceed with picnic lunches. Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.
DAY 6 – NGORONGORO CRATER- ARUSHA.
After breakfast, we’ll proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a half day game drive through what many people consider to be the 8th Wonder of the World. Ngorongoro Crater, actually a collapsed caldera, is one of the most breathtaking safari destinations in the world – offering you the opportunity to see the enigmatic black rhinoceros as well as more than 120 species of mammal against the sweeping backdrop of sheer crater walls and vast soda lakes.
From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you’ll wind your way down into the crater through the dense rain forest. You’ll stop along the way at the viewpoint for a stunning panorama of the crater with its cloud dappled plains and the herds of wildebeest and zebras that look more like ants from your lofty vantage point.
Once on the crater floor, you’ll enjoy a game drive that will take you past pools of wallowing hippos, great salt lakes that are home to brightly colored flamingo’s and other water birds, past prides of lions, through dense stands of undergrowth that hide elephants and antelopes, and across the open plains with their herds of zebras, wildebeest, cape buffalo, and more.
Another highlight of your day will undoubtedly be a picnic lunch by the famous hippo pool, where you’ll dine just meters from the great wallowing herbivores in this serene picnic spot.
After the thrills and excitement of the day, we will drive back to your Arusha lodge.
DAY 7 – TRANSFER TO AIRPORT or SHUTTLE.
Chacha tours Africa driver will make sure you’re on time for your onward flight or shuttle.
Included In The Package:1. Transport with 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser.
2. Accommodation in Lodges on Full Board.
3. All Park Entrance fees.
4. Ngorongoro Crater Fees.
5. Game drives.
6. Drinking Water.
8. Qualified and well speaking English Driver Guide.
10. Drinking water in all days while on safari.
Not included in tour:1. Tips.
2. Tanzania Visa.
3. Personal Nature or effects.
4. Tips.
5. Soft Drinks like sodas and beer.
What to bring:1. Warm Clothes.
2. A warm sweater as the nights can be chilly at high altitudes and especially in Ngorongoro at the Rim.
3. Comfortable shoes.
4. Cameras.
5. Chargers.
6. Binocurals.
7. Chargers for the cameras and phones.
8. Note book for the sake of taking notes or a journo.
