Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO):
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met and assisted at the airport. After going through immigration, baggage claim, and customs, transfer to the Arusha Planet Lodge to stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 – Arusha – Tarangire National Park:
After breakfast, you will drive to Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds. From the open roof of the vehicle, you will scan the seasonal swamps, savannah, and Tarangire River in search of zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, hartebeest, elephants, giraffes, waterbuck, and reedbucks. With a bit of luck, you may catch a glimpse of a lion stalking its prey or leopards lying lazily in the trees above. After an extensive game drive, having experienced the various sights and sounds of the wilderness, you will leave the park and then drive to Tarangire Osupuko Lodge to stay overnight on a full board basis.
Day 3 – Serengeti National Park:
After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park with an optional visit to Olduvai Gorge. Millions of years ago, the site was that of a large lake, the shores of which were covered with successive deposits of volcanic ash. Excavation work there was pioneered by Louis and Mary Leakey beginning in 1931. The Serengeti National Park covers 14,763 km² (5,700 square miles) of grassland plains and savannah as well as riverine forest and woodlands. The park lies in the north of the country, bordered to the north by the national Tanzania and Kenyan border, where it is continuous with the Masai Mara National Park Reserve. Stay overnight at Serengeti Osupuko Luxury Tented Camp on a full board basis.
Day 4 – Full Day Serengeti National Park:
After breakfast, you will start your full-day game drives in Central Serengeti National Park. This gives us further time to wonder at the migratory herds and the dangers and challenges they face each year in their battle for survival. As well as the herd animals, you may perhaps see the hippopotamus – or up in the skies, a majestic martial eagle. This area also has a good population of resident wildlife, so you won’t be disappointed. A picnic lunch box will be provided by your driver guide at the picnic site. Stay overnight at Serengeti Osupuko Luxury Tented Camp on a full board basis.
Day 5 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority:
Wake-up call at 06:00 AM, to have just a cup of hot coffee, then proceed for the early morning game drive. This morning game drive is very important as you may be able to witness the early morning kills from the big five if you are lucky enough. After the game drive, return to the lodge at 9:30 AM to have your main breakfast. Thereafter, you will check out of the lodge and proceed with game drives en route to Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. Stay overnight at Embalakai Ngorongoro Luxury Tented Camp on a full board basis.
Day 6 – Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Drive to Karatu Area:
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a crater tour. This world heritage site, the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater, is the world’s largest “caldera.” Dominated by cliffs standing some 600 meters high and presenting a sheer drop down to a wide-open space of some 246 square km, you may see everything from elephants to lions, and if you’re lucky, the near-extinct black rhino, all amongst large herds of zebra and wildebeest. In the afternoon, exit the Ngorongoro Crater and then proceed to Hhando Coffee Lodge to stay overnight on a full board basis.
Day 7 – Lake Manyara National Park – Drive Back to Arusha:
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park to spend a half day exploring the park. Said to be the “loveliest lake in Africa,” Lake Manyara covers 127 square miles (329 km²) of Lake Manyara National Park. The lake’s alkaline waters cover approximately 89 square miles (231 km²). It is famous for a large number of baboons and birdlife and is also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffaloes, warthogs, and giraffes. The park is known for its giant fig trees and mahogany seen in the groundwater forest immediately around the park gates. Afterward, drive back to Arusha and stay overnight at Arusha Planet Lodge on a bed and breakfast-basis.
Day 8
Departure day.