7 DAYS: SERENGETI TOUR – SAFARI ADVENTURES

Arusha To serengeti National Park Overview

This is a very special Serengeti tour that allows you to concentrate most of your time in the Serengeti, to follow the unique spectacle that is the Great Migration. You will be able to spend at least 4 nights in the park, usually two in the Central Area (with the largest concentration of big cats) and the other two where the Migration is according to the time of the year (South, North or West).

This special tour was designed to end your safari in the most remote parts of the Serengeti and head on to your next destination such as Arusha or Zanzibar. However if you don’t want to fly you can cancel the flight and travel by land with only the cost of the flight.

Day 1: Lake Manyara National Park.

The day begins with an 8 am pickup from your hotel for a scenic journey through the Great Rift Valley, heading towards Lake Manyara National Park for a full-day wildlife adventure. Although the park is relatively small (205 sq. miles), it boasts awe-inspiring landscapes and is renowned for its verdant acacia forest, massive figs, and mahogany trees, along with an increasing population of baboons and blue monkeys.

Resident wildlife here includes giraffes, elephants, impalas, and a considerable number of buffaloes. The lake itself hosts a significant hippo population. Noteworthy features of this park encompass the rare sight of tree-climbing lions, flamingos gracing the lake shore, as well as the presence of the Ground Hornbill and the Crested Eagle.

The scenery around Lake Manyara is indescribable, and the game drives along the lake offer incredible photographic opportunities with giraffes and buffaloes in the foreground and the picturesque lake with its flamingos in the background.

Throughout the day, additional excursions are available, such as a bike tour or a boat excursion. In the afternoon, transfer to the camp for dinner.

“NOTABLE FEATURES OF THIS PARK INCLUDE LIONS CLIMBING TREES, FLAMINGOS ALONG THE LAKE SHORE, AS WELL AS THE GROUND HORNBILL AND THE CRESTED EAGLE.”

There are various accommodation options available serving this park. With the exception of And Beyond Manyara Tree Lodge, all our recommendations are situated outside the park in the Manyara and Mto Wa Mbu Region.

If preferred, this day can be substituted with a visit to Tarangire National Park instead (or an additional day can be added to visit both parks).

Our recommendations are:

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater.

Ngorongoro Crater is acknowledged as one of the marvels of the Natural World. Spanning across 102 square miles, it boasts walls rising 2,000 feet high, resembling a modern-day Noah’s ark by housing nearly every indigenous species of East African wildlife.

This location stands out as one of the few in the entire continent where sighting a black rhinoceros is possible. It boasts the highest concentration of African wildlife on the continent, featuring a river, multiple swamps, a soda lake teeming with flamingos, a forest, and vast open plains.

Notably, it’s renowned for its elephants, the largest globally, characterized by their massive tusks—a result of the volcanic soil’s richness in minerals and grasses. Undoubtedly, Ngorongoro Crater stands as an authentic Wonder of the Natural World.

Commencing early from the Manyara region, our day will begin with a transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Upon arrival, you will descend to the crater floor for an extraordinary morning experiencing the diverse wildlife in one of the planet’s most stunning locales.

Following the game drive, a delightful picnic lunch awaits by the scenic hippo Lake. Later, an exceptional afternoon game drive will be offered before ascending the crater and transferring you to your accommodation.

For those opting not to fly from the Serengeti, you have the choice to conclude your tour by land, leaving Ngorongoro as the final stop.

Accommodation options for Ngorongoro are primarily situated outside the conservation area. Nevertheless, there are remarkable lodging choices within the park, which are typically our recommended options.

Our recommendations are:

Day 3: Serengeti Tour National Park (Central)

Following an early breakfast, commence your journey towards the globally renowned Serengeti National Park. While the drive itself may be lengthy, it offers awe-inspiring scenery. Traveling through the crater highlands, there will be a brief stop at the rim, presenting an extraordinary and unforgettable view of the Ngorongoro Crater, especially for first-time viewers.

As you progress deeper into the Serengeti, the meaning behind its name, “endless plains” in the local language, becomes apparent. The park covers an expansive 6,900 square miles (18,000 square kilometers), and for the most part, the plains extend endlessly, challenging your senses and altering your perception of distances. It serves as the habitat for the Great Migration, hosting around 2 million wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of zebras, and various antelope species like impalas and Thomson’s gazelles.

This park is an ideal place to encounter large predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, with numerous iconic scenes for television programs filmed here, including the famous river crossings. Additionally, smaller wildlife like foxes, mongoose, honey badgers, jackals, monkeys, baboons, rock hyrax, African hares, and over 500 species of birds also inhabit the area.

Following a long yet remarkable journey, you will reach the park in time for an incredible afternoon game drive.

The Serengeti offers accommodation options suitable for various budgets and preferences.

Our recommendations are:

Day 4: Serengeti National Park (Central)

Entire day dedicated to exploring the Serengeti National Park. Our scheduling is entirely adaptable to suit your preferences, ensuring that this day is tailored to meet your desires.

Throughout your safari, your guide will collaborate with you to determine the best schedule, including game drives and wake-up times. For instance, you have the option to embark on a morning game drive, head back to camp or lodge and relaxation, and conclude the day with an afternoon game drive. Alternatively, you may opt for a full day game drive, complete with a picnic lunch.

An additional recommended activity is the magnificent balloon flight over the expansive Serengeti plains.

We suggest staying overnight at the same camp or lodge as the previous night for your convenience.

Our recommendations are:

Day 5 And 6: Serengeti Tour National Park (Following The Great Migration)

During these two remarkable days, you’ll traverse remote stretches within the expansive Serengeti plains, seeking out the Great Migration. The specific regions you explore are contingent upon the seasonal variations and could encompass distant areas like the far North bordering Kenya, the South (Ndutu Area), or even the Western expanse of the park.

The choice of location during these 2 days hinges on the time of the year (South, North, or West).

Should you prefer, we can arrange a balloon flight between these Serengeti areas, offering you the opportunity to soar above the park and minimize travel time.

We suggest staying overnight at the same camp or lodge as the previous night for convenience and continuity.

Our recommendations are:

Day 7: Flying Out Of The Serengeti

On this particular day, we recommend an early start to partake in an early morning game drive, a time when the wildlife is notably more active, offering the chance to witness an awe-inspiring sunrise, one of the most captivating experiences.

After the game drive, a delightful brunch awaits back at the camp or lodge, followed by preparations for your departure, either for your flight back to Arusha or your next captivating destination, such as Zanzibar.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed morning, you’re welcome to stay at the camp or lodge and unwind.

Should you desire, we can modify the tour itinerary so that there’s no flight involved from Serengeti. In this case, the journey will be completely conducted via 4WD, with Ngorongoro as the final stop.

Serengeti Packages: Optional Day

Extend your itinerary by one additional day to immerse yourself in an enriching cultural encounter either at Lake Eyasi with the intriguing Hadzabe tribe or at Oldonyo Sambu Maasai Village.

For an authentic experience away from the usual tourist path, we highly recommend dedicating a day to visit Lake Eyasi, where you can engage with the captivating Hadzabe tribe during their morning activities. This nomadic tribe represents one of the few remaining nomadic groups in Africa, offering a unique and captivating experience as you participate in their local customs.

Alternatively, if you prefer to conclude your safari in Arusha, you have the option to visit a traditional Maasai Village the following day. Here, under the guidance of a Maasai Chief, you’ll gain insights into their way of life, including their daily routines, livestock care, culinary practices, and traditional songs and dances. Witnessing the village women perform their local traditional dance will be among the memorable experiences.

By incorporating cultural visits to local villages into our program, we aim to enrich your safari experience while also contributing positively to the local communities through tourism. This aspect of our work holds significant importance to us.

Key Information

Highlights

Skill Level

Physical Distancing

Safety Features

Include

Transportation in tourist 4 x 4-wheel drive Tanzania safari vehicles with VHF Radio communication and pop-up roof for easy viewing and photographing,

Excluded

Arrival By Airplane