6 Days Northern Tanzania Safaris.

Day 1 Arusha - Tarangire National Park

In the morning, we will pick you up  from your hotel and drive you to the Tarangire National Park. The park, which is roughly the size of Luxemburg, covers an area of approximately 2600 km². Bush savannah, seasonal marshes and formidable baobab trees make up the landscape of this nature reserve. The Tarangire National Park is probably one of the best places in East Africa to watch elephants and to get very close to these animals. This is not only because of an estimated 4000 animals but also the vehicles at a relatively near distance do not bother the elephants. Next to elephants, the park is also the habitat for Masai giraffes, various gazelles and antelopes, buffalos, lions, leopards, baboons and more than a hundred different types of birds. There is definitely plenty of wildlife to watch. Late in the afternoon, you will leave the park and you will stay for the night at a nearby campsite. All meals at the camp.

 

Day 2 Tarangire National Park - Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to the lush crater uplands, where the fertile soil allows crops such as wheat, corn and coffee to grow. You will have lunch at a picnic spot before you slowly drive towards the Ngorongoro Crater. On the way, you will pass the Oldupai Gorge where the English couple, Louis and Mary Leak, pioneered archaeological excavation work. In the sixties, some of the earliest archaeological deposits of human evolution were found here and a small museum (visit optional) reports these discoveries. The name "Serengeti" origins from the Masai word "Siringitu" and means "endless plains". You can see why the Masai gave this region this name as the grassland savannah stretches to the horizon in the South and is only interrupted by the so-called Kopjes (inselbergs). These Kopjes are bizarre rock formations formed by the weathering of granite outcrops. The plains are the perfect hunting grounds for leopards and other big cats and you have a good chance to view these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat through the open roof of the vehicle. In the afternoon, you will reach the destination for the day - the Seronera Valley in the central Serengeti area. You will camp for the night and stay in "safari styled" tents enjoying a good meal in the middle of the African bush.

 

Day 3 Serengeti National Park

This day is only dedicated to wildlife watching in the Serengeti National Park. Depending on the migration of the herds, you will visit these specific areas to sight the animals. Usually, the wildebeests and the zebras move from the hills in the North to the plains in the South during the short rainy season in October and November. They return slowly North during the longer rain season in April, May and June. The fluctuation in annual rainfall can affect the animal's location from year to year; however, your guide will know the exact location of the animals and the best vantage spots. You will stay for the night at a campsite in the Seronera area.

Day 4 Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, you will continue the game drive through the Serengeti National Park. You will sight hundreds of wildebeests and zebras and often lions and other big cats such as leopards and cheetahs in the Seronera Valley. After lunch at a picnic site, you will drive in the direction of the Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you have reached the edge of the crater, the caldera opens up before you and you will have a remarkable sight over this impressive natural wonder. You will camp for the night on the crater's edge and you will enjoy the fantastic view as the sun goes down. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

 

Day 5 Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Lake Manyara National Park

After an early breakfast at daybreak, you will drive down into the caldera of the crater. Inside the world's biggest caldera, you cannot fail to be captivated by the rich and diverse wildlife. On the grass steppe and in the acacia tree woods, you will find almost all species that are found in the East African savannah; with the exception of topis, Masai giraffes and impalas. Quite often you can observe the "Big Five" (lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinoceros and leopards) within a couple of hours. After an extensive wildlife tour and a picnic for lunch, you will leave the caldera in the afternoon and travel to the small village Mto wa Mbu that is situated directly at the border to the Lake Manyara National Park. You will camp for the night at a campsite nearby.

 

Day 6 Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha

This day, you will visit the last national park on the 'Northern Circuit'. The Lake Manyara National Park is known for its 'tree climbing lions' in which it is actually untypical for lions to climb trees. A large area of the park covers the alkaline Manyara Lake, which seasonally is populated by large colonies of flamingos and many types of water birds. On the lakeshore, you can see elephants, hippopotami, guenons, buffalos, banded mongoose and various antelopes and gazelles. After plenty of wildlife watching, you will return to Arusha. Breakfast; Lunch

End of safari.
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J.Mucheru.