9D The Big Safari Adventure

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to Arusha National Park. Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding areas which include the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks.

Go on an afternoon game drive at Arusha National Park then head to the hotel for dinner.

After breakfast head to Tarangire National Park where you will arrive with an en-route game drive.

Located just a few hours’ drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular safari stop. The park extends into two game-controlled areas and wildlife are allowed to move freely. After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather. Dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted as well. Tarangire is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breath-taking views of the Masaai Steppe.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive following lunch.

After breakfast, check out with lunch boxes and depart for Lake Manyara National Park for where you will enjoy a half day game drive. Next, drive to Karatu. This town serves as a popular overnight stop for travellers exploring the region’s many game parks.

The town offers a variety of optional activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional Iraqw homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest.

After breakfast leave for Lake Eyasi where you will arrive before lunch. Lunch will be served at the lodge. Thereafter depart for the Hadzabe/Dagota tribe village for a cultural experience including a traditional dance performance and learning journey on tribal way of life.

Check-out and depart for Ngorongoro conservation area with packed lunch. You will descend down the crater for a full day game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife. Travellers can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. Optional activities include bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, visiting a local Maasai village, and an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.

In the evening proceed to Simba camping site where you will pitch a tent for the night.

After an early breakfast, check out and leave for Serengeti National Park where you will arrive at the camp in time for lunch. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and more. Popular optional activities include game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.

In the late afternoon head out for afternoon game drive. Then return to the camp for dinner.

After breakfast, depart for a full day game drive. Bring along a packed lunch box. Lunch is to be taken at a designated picnic site.

Check out with a packed lunch box and depart for Lake Natron. The drive will take ~7-8hr. You will arrive at Lake Natron in the later afternoon. Enjoy birdwatching before checking in at the camp site.

Lake Natron is fed by mineral-rich hot springs and is less than three meters deep. High levels of evaporation leave loads of salt and minerals behind; the volcanic carbonate colours the water a striking red and the temperature can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius. This makes it a perfect breeding ground for the endangered Lesser Flamingo. On the flip side, the high sodium carbonate level in the water is known to calcify and petrify wildlife which get too close.

Set off early after breakfast and depart for Arusha where you will have a quick lunch before heading to the airport for your onward flight.