10 Day Classic Safari Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti

10 Day Classic Safari: Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti

Day 1 - ARUSHA Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport and after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by a Tupo Africa Safaris representative and transferred to Arumeru River Lodge. This beautiful small lodge is located about 25 km from Arusha. This magnificent lodge, surrounded by a coffee farm and set upon a hilltop with lush gardens, offers breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. Overnight – Arumeru River Lodge

Day 2 - ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK After breakfast you will be met by your private safari guide and depart for Arusha National Park for your first game drive. Set between the slopes of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro this small park is one of Tanzania’s hidden gems and one of the few places where you will have a good chance to see the rare Black & White Colobus monkeys, which inhabit the Ngurdoto Forest. The parks contains a series of shimmering alkaline lakes, which attract large flocks of flamingos and a variety of birds, along with elephant, buffalo, zebra, gazelle, warthog, hippo and giraffes. Overnight – Arumeru River Lodge.

Days 3 and 4 - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK This morning after breakfast you will depart for Tarangire National Park. Here you’ll find a geologic landscape as diverse as the wildlife. The park is known as home of the largest land mammal (elephan) and largest tree (Baobab trees). The Tarangire River that meanders through the park attracts an abundance of wildlife; from elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and numerous antelope to a variety of colorful birds. Your accommodations for the next two nights will be at Maramboi Camp. This is a small luxury camp set on a 2,000 acre private wildlife concession in the migratory corridor between Lake Manyara and Tarangire – just 30 minutes drive from the entry gate. Three separate and intimate camps contain a total of 40 comfortable bungalows. The huge main building, covered with an elegant thatched roof, contains the reception, bar, dining area, library and lounge with a fireplace where guests can enjoy a rest during the cool evenings in the highlands. Guest areas are completed by a swimming pool with superb views of Oldeani Volcano and a craft shop. On request you can visit a Maasai village in the morning which is nearby and after lunch you will enjoy an afternoon game drive or walk followed by drinks around the fire before dinner. Overnight- Maramboi Camp

Day 5 - LAKE MANYARA / NGORONGORO HIGHLANDS After breakfast you will depart across the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park. Although only 330 km2 in size, this enchanting park is one of the most popular and attractive wildlife sanctuaries in East Africa. The park is also known as home of baboons, a large number of buffalo, giraffe, elephant, hippo, impala and it’s famous tree climbing lions. Other highlights include the Hippo Pool, where large numbers usually gather. Well known for its birds (over 370 species), Lake Manyara is one of the few places you will see the comical Ground Hornbill and the Crested Eagle. After several hours of wildlife viewing in the park you’ll continue to the Ngorongoro Farm House. The Ngorongoro Farm house is a luxury lodge facing the Oldeani Volcano, set on a 500 acre coffee farm located only 2 miles from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area gate. There is also an organic vegetable and flower garden. After lunch at the farm, you can relax on your private verandah, take a swim in the salt water pool or if you wish, visit a local school. Overnight - Ngorongoro Farm House.

Day 6 - NGORONGORO CRATER This morning after breakfast we will drive the short distance to the Ngorongoro Crater, driving up the slopes of the lush green mountain and arriving at the rim of the crater, The floor of this collapsed volcano spreads for 180 km2 and the walls are 1800 feet high, a truly awesome sight. The crater is inhabited by almost every species of wildlife indigenous to East Africa. It contains a river, several swamps, a soda lake - complete with flamingoes, the Lerai forest and open plains. Descend to the crater floor for a day of wildlife viewing with a box lunch. In the afternoon return to the rim and check in at your lodge. Overnight - Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.

Day 7 - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK This morning after breakfast and a final glimpse of the crater, you’re off to the famous Serengeti National Park, The park is inhabited by more than 2 large million animals including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles. Large predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, are drawn to the area by this abundance of prey which migrates throughout the park. Many smaller animals – rock hyrax, bat eared foxes, mongoose, honey badger, jackals, monkeys, baboon and African hare, inhabit the area along with nearly 500 species of birds. Off road you’ll find the "kopjes", massive boulder islands of granite standing in a sea of grass. These islands provide shelter to a great variety of plants and animals; from the elusive leopard to the tiny dik dik deer. Along the way to the Serengeti you will stop at the famous “Olduvai Gorge”, where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery of early man. Afterwards you will continue into the Serengeti, spotting wildlife on the way to your lodge. Depending on the season and the movement of the migration you will stay at one of four safari lodges: Ndutu Safari Lodge or Lake Masek tented camp (late November – March): During this time the migration is settled in the southern Serengeti in an area that includes the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the wooded Ndutu Lakes, and the vast plains and kopje’s where you can venture off-track. It is also calving season. Ndutu Safari Lodge or Lake Masek tented camp is near the shore of Lake Ndutu and is surrounded by Acacia forest. Mbalageti Serengeti Lodge (April – mid June): Once the heavy rains of April arrive the migration moves westward slowly, feeding on the fresh grasses before heading north in June. The 24 chalets are made of local rock, wood and canvas. Each has a private veranda and full en-suite facilities. There is also a restaurant, bar, lounge and gift shop in the main building and the swimming is set on the edge of the hill - with a 360 degree view of Serengeti. Ikoma Bush Camp (mid June – August): The Ikoma Bush Camp is a permanent tented camp set in the migratory corridor of the “great migration” during June and July. It is also in close proximity to the Grumeti river - home to the infamous wildebeest-eating giant crocodiles. There is no better place to take in one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles. Ikoma Bush Camp has recently been refurbished and consists of 31 traditional meru safari tents each under thatch. Each has its own en-suite bathroom, modern furnishings and a private veranda. The central restaurant and bar area boast a large camp fire - an ideal spot to unwind with a drink after a long days exciting game viewing. Lobo Wildlife Lodge (October – late November): This lodge is located in the Northeastern part of the park, just 15 miles from the bordering Maasai Mara Reserve in Kenya. Here you will see the migration as it heads back into the Serengeti after spending several months in the Mara. The lodge is set inside an enormous volcanic rocky outcrop. A waterhole below the lodge attracts a variety of wild visitors during the day and is lit each evening revealing an interesting array of nocturnal animals. Each of the 75 guestrooms has views of the Serengeti. The swimming pool is situated on the very edge of the rock, offering uninterrupted views of the horizon. Relax this afternoon or go on a game drive if time allows, returning to the lodge before dark. Overnight – One of the above mentioned Serengeti Lodges

Days 8 and 9 - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK During your stay in the Serengeti, you can decide with your guide how you would like to spend your days. On most mornings you’ll be awakened early and after coffee or tea depart on an early morning game drive in the amazing Serengeti. The early mornings are magical in the Serengeti, when the wildlife is just waking up to greet the days. After returning to camp for a hearty breakfast you can depart on a late morning game drive returning to camp for lunch or you may want to depart with a picnic lunch so that you can spend the whole day wildlife viewing. Off road, across the Serengeti plains, you’ll find "kopjes" - massive boulder islands standing in a sea of grass. The kopjes were formed by volcanic activity and provide shelter to a great variety of plants and animals, from the elusive leopard to the tiny dik dik deer. After each day’s activities you’ll return to camp for sundowners around the fire and dinner. Overnight – One of the above mentioned Serengeti Lodges

Day 10 - SERENGETI / ARUSHA - DEPART After breakfast you will leave the Serengeti, enjoying a game drive in route You will arrive back in Arusha in the afternoon and be taken to the Arumeru River Lodge, where you will have the use of a dayroom until your evening transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. Dayroom – Arumeru River Lodge.

NOTE: Optional flight available out of Serengeti to Arusha or Kilimanjaro (to avoid long drive out of Serengeti). – approximately $200 per person. Back to Safaris