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 and not surprisingly the predators follow. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south. Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout.
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport – Welcome to Tanzania
Today you arrive in East Africa – at the foot of the majestic mountain: Mount Kilimanjaro!
Perhaps you have already caught a glimpse of the highest mountain in Africa from the plane, if not, with a little luck you can still make out the summit on the drive from the airport to Arusha.
Your personal driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport with a sign and will give you a warm welcome on Tanzanian soil with a cheerful “Jambo” and “Karibu”.
The drive to Arusha takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic and time of day. Your route will lead you through the first small, typical villages, past Mount Meru – the second highest mountain in Tanzania – to lively Arusha.
From here we proceed to the border of Tarangire National Park for another approx. 2,5 hours.
Check into your accommodation and recover from the journey.
Do you have any questions about the tour? Then discuss this with your guide before he says goodbye to you for the rest of the day.
Please make sure to arrive latest at lunchtime – in order to manage the way to Tarangire before darkness!
Info for the ONLINE visa:
You can apply for the online visa under the following link:
https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa
Plastic bags are prohibited to bring to Tanzania – there will be controls at the airports fines apply, if you have plastic bags in your luggage!
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Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport |
Sangaiwe Tented Lodge is situated close to the Sangaiwe gate of the Tarangire National Park, offering stunning views over Lake Burunge. Accommodation consists of spacious tented rooms set on wooden platforms with decks where guests can enjoy the sunsets and the breeze. All units are equipped with baths, toilets, dressing areas, and indoor and outdoor seating. Two-bedroom family cottages are also available. The lodge serves simple meals prepared from fresh ingredients by the in-house chef. Guests have access to common areas such as the bar, dining room, lounge, large outdoor viewing area, and swimming pool. The wildlife that wander in and out of the lodge grounds are a popular attraction, and guided nature walks are available.
Lunchbox/Dinner
Airport transfer
Off to the elephants and baobab trees in Tarangire National Park
Your guide will pick you up from the hotel after breakfast around 8:30 a.m.
The safari adventure can begin!
The safari car enters Tarangire National Park after about 10 minutes drive. First animals cross your path.
The park is known for its large herds of elephants, zebras and wildebeest, but also for the baobab trees that shape the landscape. In between there are also a few lions and a variety of bird species. Especially on the Tarangire River – the main source of water in the park – you can watch the animals looking for water.
After the first impressions we take a break at the Tarangire Safari Lodge for hot lunch. A good mix of Tanzanian and continental food is offered here and the view from the terrace with a cup of coffee or tea is unforgettable. Often the elephants pass under the hill and all you have to do is keep your eyes open and watch.
After your meal, continue your game drives with your guide. There is so much to discover and your guide will take you to beautiful spots in the park so that you can fully enjoy the tour – rest assured – the guide has eyes like an eagle and also spots small animals out of the corner of his eye!
The day is drawing to a close and you return to your accommodation. Here you check into your room and review the impressions of the first day of safari.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Game drives
Travellers heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will inevitably pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of 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 in search of waterfalls and elephants caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and biking opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or simply a break between safari game drives, this underrated town has plenty to offer.
With the Lake on its east and the Manyara Escarpment to its west the Lake Manyara National Park offers breathtaking views and a large variety of habitats. Acacia woodlands, water forests, baobab strewn cliffs, algae-streaked hot springs, swamps and the lake itself. And thanks to this the small Park is able to support a large number of animal species and incredible bird life. Manyara has the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world and the lions here are also renowned for their tree climbing.
A great variety of birds and lions climbing the trees – Lake Manyara National Park
After the huge herds of elephants, you continue to Lake Manyara National Park.
A special highlight for bird lovers. In the winter months, the migratory birds come from the north and populate the lake – huddling close together. In addition to the storks, there are also vultures, pelicans and of course the pink flamingos!
In addition to these many species of birds, you can also watch the hippos snorting in the lake and, with a little luck, lions climbing the trees to protect themselves from annoying flies and the heat on the ground. They just hang around here and have a good time in the shade.
If time permits, drive to the hot springs – which occur here due to the activities underground – and walk a little way into the lake via a jetty.
Today we packed a lunchbox for you – you can eat it at one of the picnic areas in the park and use the sanitary facilities on site before you go on the next game drive.
On the further way dik diks, giraffes, zebras and buffaloes cross your path.
In the late afternoon you leave this impressive park and drive up to the crater highlands.
Here you check into the accommodation and can enjoy the cool air of the highlands.
The journey takes about 45 minutes – 1 hour. Pack a sweater!
Marera Valley Lodge is located between Karatu Town and Rohia Village and to the main road to Ngorongoro and Serengeti. There are 18 lodges with private decks that provide guests with beautiful views of the surrounding areas. The lodge provides free Wi-Fi access to all guests. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, lounge area, bar and dining room.
Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner
Game drives
The Ngorongoro Crater is game viewing gone crazy and it is not surprising that with is one of Tanzania’s major tourist drawcards. Within the crater rim a daily wildlife drama is played out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby lions, leopards, elephants and black rhinos. Outside of the crater a similar drama continues in a more spread out manner with Masai herdsmen thrown into the mix.
Ngorongoro Crater Tour – UNESCO World Heritage Site and a special highlight
One of THE highlights in Tanzania awaits you on this day! The Ngorongoro Crater!
Today you have to get up early, strengthen yourself with breakfast and get ready for an unforgettable day.
You start from the accommodation with the safari car and your guide and first drive to the Ngorongoro Gate. Take advantage of the opportunity to find out more about this unique landscape in the visitor center.
The Ngorongoro Crater was formed from a volcano that has collapsed – forming a so-called caldera. In the whole world there are only a few formations like this that can also be accessed by car. First you drive along the edge of the crater. Get a first glimpse of the interior of the crater and Lake Magadi.
Once you get to the road for the descent into the crater, it’s 600 m down to the crater floor. The safari car slowly meanders along the crater wall until it hits the ground and then as if by itself it plunges into this landscape. If you get there early, you will see Maasai who cross the road with their herds of cattle and lead them to the watering holes on the edge of the crater and lick special salt stones. The Maasai are the only people who are allowed to settle in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and thus shape the landscape with its typical bomas (villages).
No settlement is allowed within the crater itself, so you can observe animals such as zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, warthogs and lions in their natural habitat. Due to the limitation of the slopes of the crater, you will find an incomparable biodiversity in a small space.
A special inhabitant of the crater is the rhinoceros, which with a little luck you will see in the plain.
For lunch you stop at the picnic area – a little tip: take your meal in the car and then stretch your legs – the giant birds in the trees are just waiting to steal the bread from your fingers.
After the break you explore the rest of the crater and then make the steep ascent with the safari car back up to the crater rim – this takes a while and is mostly “pole pole” – “slowly slowly”.
The driveway is done and you return to your accommodation for your overnight stay.
What a day – with lots of great experiences!
Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner
Game drives inside the crater
The Seronera region, in the central Serengeti, is set directly on the Great Migration route, and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual phenomenon, when countless wildebeest flood across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. A number of small campsites provide accommodation and visitors can enjoy hot air balloon trips and walking safaris as well as guided game drives.
From the crater highlands to the world-famous Serengeti
The next highlight of Tanzania is on your itinerary today.
The Serengeti National Park!
The name “Serengeti” alone evokes images of wide plains with individual acacia trees, lions prowling the savannah and breathtaking sunsets!
And this is exactly where today’s tour will take you. You leave the crater highlands, drive along the crater rim one last time, before going down into the plain of this unique national park.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area merges seamlessly with the Serengeti Park. If you wihs, you can stop at a Maasai Boma and get a glimpse into the life of these famous people.
Just before the entrance to the Serengeti is the “Olduvai Gorge” – the “Cradle of Humanity”! In a small museum and some information boards you can find information about the discovery of the first person to walk upright (plaster casts of the footprints are on display in the museum).
You will stop at Naabi Hill Gate, which you will reach after a 4-hour drive. There is some seating here to enjoy the lunch box you brought with you.
Right next to it, a path leads to a rock, which gives you an unobstructed view of the vastness of the Serengeti from above. The climb up there is definitely worth it – use the opportunity to stretch your legs and take a first look at the Serengeti adventure!
After refreshment, your guide will take the path to the center of the national park. On the way he will stop for the first animal observations. Be it giraffes standing in the wide plain, or a hyena that laughs when you get closer or vultures circling over a prey in the distance.
Let your gaze wander and not miss a single detail.
Further animal observations will follow on the way to the accommodation.
Here it’s time to check in and enjoy the voices of the wilderness around you and switch off!
Please note:
a visit to the Maasai and the Olduvai Gorge are not included in the price – please let us know when booking whether we should include them for an extra charge!
The camp is permanently based in central Serengeti, in the Seronera Valley, home to year-round wildlife due to the constant presence of water. This area is famous for spotting lion, leopard and large herds of elephant. Views from the campsite look across onto Banagi Hill and classic vistas of the Serengeti Plains. The entire camp is powered by solar including hot water and electricity.
Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner
Game drives
Wide plains in the Serengeti National Park
On this day you have ample opportunity to explore the flora and fauna of the Serengeti.
Talk to your guide the evening before about how you would like to organize the day.
We have the following options for you:
1) Go on game drives very early and experience the awakening of the wilderness. Take advantage of the hot lunch at the property to rest before going on another game drive in the afternoon. The animals are particularly active in the morning and late afternoon.
2) You opt for a full day game drive and don’t miss anything. After breakfast, pack your lunch box and explore the Serengeti.
With a little luck you will come across a pride of lions on the hunt, a herd of wildebeest in search of water, followed by zebras and hyenas.
Be amazed at what this day has in store for you – and don’t forget your camera to capture these moments!
End the evening comfortably in the accommodation.
Brearkfast/Lunch or Lunchbox/Dinner
Game drives
Lake Natron is fed by mineral-rich hot springs and is shallow, less than three meters deep. High levels of evaporation leave loads of salt and minerals behind and the temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius. All of which makes it a perfect breeding ground for the endangered Lesser Flamingo.
From the world famous Serengeti to the flamingos at Lake Natron
After breakfast you will leave the Serengeti and continue to the beautiful Lake Natron.
The path leads through a rather less visited area – off the usual tourist routes – through the Maasailand.
During the whole day, Maasai villages (bomas) appear again and again along the way and the red cloths glow in the steppe. Until you reach Lake Natron. This lake is known for its high flamingo population, which can feed itself particularly well with the necessary algae.
Let the steppes of Africa pass you by and let the first impression of the lake work on you upon arrival.
Please note this day is a pure transfer day!
Located in Engaresaro, a small Maasai village in the North Tanzania, the Maasai Giraffe Campsite and Lodge is one of East Africa’s newest and most unique places to stay. Strategically situated between Lake Natron, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, this campsite not only puts you in a perfect location to enjoy an array of recreational activities but also ensures that you will feel close to nature and animals that the area has to offer. Only a few kilometres away from Lake Natron, guests are able to enjoy the presence of giraffes and zebras each morning as they pass around the outside of
the Lodge as they head to the lake for water- hence the name Maasai Giraffe. The Maasai in this area continues to practice their age of pastoral ways keeping livestock and moving their herds in harmony with nature’s patterns. The time-tested ways of the Maasai are environmentally sustainable and beneficial to protect wildlife. Organization of the United Nations has therefore designated Engaresero as a globally important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) site.
Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner
Transfer
Lake Natron
After breakfast, visit Lake Natron to see the flamingos for which the lake is famous. Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world and home to millions of small crustaceans. As one of the most important flamingo breeding sites in the world, it is also a real refuge for thousands of smaller flamingos and makes the lake shimmer pink at times.
After these first impressions, you will hike up the creek and reach the source of the river, an excellent spot for swimming. The river gushes out of the mountains in cascading waterfalls. (Please pack suitable shoes!). The nature is really very impressive here – close your eyes and just listen to the noises around you.
After these adventures you will return to the camp and end the day with a delicious dinner.
Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner
Visit the lake and walk to the waterfall and
Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania located at the foot of Mt. Meru, close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. From there it’s only a short trip to the Serengeti. Just to the north, on the slopes of Mt. Meru is the Arusha National Park. Built by the Germans as a centre of colonial administration because of the temperate climate, Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from your safari.
From Lake Natron back to Arusha
Today you will leave Lake Natron after breakfast and return to Arusha.
On the way visit the Engaruka Ruins.
About 500 years ago, farmers lived in the area and tilled the fields with a special irrigation system. Even today you can still see remains, as well as the fields and houses and a cemetery.
The journey takes about 5-6 hours and goes over typical Tanzanian roads. Back in Mto wa Mbu you have tar road again and it goes to Arusha. You arrive here in the afternoon.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy the evening.
Nestled in the heart of Arusha, Planet Lodge will captivate you with the natural beauty of the Tanzanian landscape… Each chalet is tastefully decorated with native African decor creating a peaceful immersion in the colors and culture of Africa. Distinctive guest rooms feature oversized panoramic windows to allow the Tanzanian sunshine to greet you each morning. We are delighted to provide each guest room with electricity, keyed entry, beautiful artisan bedding, mosquito net, desk and chair, telephone, alarm clock, free Wi-Fi, private bath with shower, and hot and cold running water. Our friendly housekeepers and room service staff keep your room tidy and stocked with fresh linens daily.
Breakfast/Lunchbox/Dinner
Engaruka Ruins
Transfer
Departure
Today your journey comes to an end. 3 hours before your flight departure you will be picked from the hotel and transferred to the airport.
We hope you have packed a bag full of memories.
We are waving good bye and wishing you a safe flight back home!
Kwa heri na karibu tena!
Bye bye and welcome again!
Offer subject of availability at time of booking!
Flight prices can change any time and are always checked on the day of your inquiry!
General booking conditions apply!
Please note, this tour is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. If you have any special requests regarding the food in the accommodation (vegetarian, vegan, lactose, gluten free etc.) – please notify us at time of booking!
Breakfast
Airport transfer
+251 96 632 8750
info@aquilatourism.com
