Great Migration & Tanzania northern circuit

DAY 1

Pick up in Arusha area – Transfer to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for overnight.

Let’s go!

Arusha is the safari capital of the country and a bustling ‘tourism driven’ city. You will be met by your driver-guide guide in Arusha and together you will begin the transfer to Africa Safari Lake Manyara. Without stops, the drive will take approximately 2 hours. On arrival, you will have time to refresh and explore the expansive surroundings of the accommodation before finishing the day with dinner under the stars and a good night’s sleep in one of our comfy canvas accommodations.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 2

Full-day safari game drive Lake Manyara National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Lakes and lookouts, hippos and happy adventuring

You only need to open your eyes and walk to the restaurant to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Manyara; the National park you will be exploring for the day. After breakfast, your driver-guide will take you to the entry gates of Lake Manyara, an underestimated gem as far as game parks are concerned. The park offers a big ecological variety in a more condensed area. From the entrance of the park, the road winds through a groundwater forest area where baboons can be seen lounging in the trees and hanging out roadside. The mahogany and acacia trees are inhabited by the famous tree-climbing lions, if you’re lucky you might spot them lazing on a tree branch. As you make your way out of the dense bushland into the open grassy banks of the lake you will be able to see wildebeest, giraffe, zebra and large buffalo in abundance, grazing away. The lake itself is home to a large number of birds thriving by the water’s edge. More than 400 species have been identified and one of the highlights is the thousands of strolling flamingos. Between all this beauty you have a lunch break at midday and at the end of the afternoon you drive back to Africa Safari Lake Manyara for dinner and a night of peaceful sleep with sweet dreams.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 3

Full-day safari game drive Tarangire National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Epic elephant Adventures

After a good night sleep, today is the ‘day of the elephants’. Tarangire is an hours drive from the lodge and presents quite a different landscape to Lake Manyara. The hilly savannah together with the Tarangire river makes this the favourite park for large herds of elephants. During the dry season (June – October) the Tarangire river is the only source of water available, making it a popular spot not just for the elephants but a variety of small hoofed animals and an abundance of birdlife. Lions, warthogs, giraffe, zebra and monkeys all roam the park, waiting for the ‘perfect picture’ opportunity! The night is spent at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 4

Relax day with time for optional activities – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Rest & relaxation

A day of rest and relaxation or an (optional) game drive. Take a stroll through the camp, enjoy the view, read a book or have an afternoon snooze while taking time to process recent impressions. Meals will be served in the restaurant while enjoying the view of the animals as they pass by. Overnight at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 5

Safari transfer through Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Half-day safari game drive Serengeti National Park – Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

Countryside landscapes and road-tripping en route to Serengeti

Today you have a long and rewarding drive ahead of you, as you make your way from the Lake Manyara region, through Ngorongoro Conservation area and into Serengeti National Park. The road will take you through the Maasai homeland, the only tribespeople permitted to live in the Conservation area. Traditionally nomadic, the Maasai people are rich in culture and can often be seen herding their cattle in brightly coloured traditional Maasai robes. They live in complete harmony with the earth, using their long ingrained family knowledge of plant life as a means for survival. Along the drive you will be able to spot giraffes, zebras and other animals. Prepare to be amazed when you catch your first glimpse of the endless plains of the Serengeti. When you arrive in our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma lodge, you will have already had your first taste of game driving and the 14,000+ square kilometres that make up the wonder that is Serengeti National Park.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 6

Morning game drive Ikona Wildlife Management Area – Night game drive – Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

Path of the Wildebeest

Today you’ll only need to cross the road from Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma to start discovering this well-kept secret. Ikona Wildlife Management Area was established in 2003 to spread economic benefit derived from tourism to the 5 villages that form part of this community, and to create a buffer zone for the protection of the national park. This area supports a variety of wildlife across 242 square kilometres of pristine wilderness including herds of elephants, waterbuck, Black and White colobus monkeys, shy leopard and both the Greater and the Lesser Kudu. A little-known, but very impressive fact is that this is the assembly point of the wildebeest during their annual migration when the vast herds move in the direction of the northern Serengeti for the famous river crossings. Upon return to the accommodation, get ready for an early dinner as you will join in on a thrilling adventure; a night game drive. A spotlight is fitted to the vehicle and before you know it you catch the first reflections of the animals’ eyes. The night is another world altogether out there; interesting action of the nocturnal animals, different shades and shadows and unknown sounds. Typical animals of the night are Bushbabies, civets and genet cats, a rare Aardvark or Porcupine and others. Upon return perhaps a nightcap to warm up before retiring to your room for a good rest.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 7

Safari game drive northern Serengeti – Overnight Africa Safari Maasai Boma.

Stunning Serengeti and the miracle of the great migration

After breakfast at Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma, you will begin your safari for the day, heading north. The drive takes you through a natural wonderland of ever-changing landscapes. The journey begins cruising along dirt tracks lined by shrubby savannah, the habitat of impala and giraffe. After a while, you will reach the Lobo area where the landscape opens up to a mix of grasslands, rivers, hills and forests. Depending on the movement of the migration you might even make your way further north while the plains disappear behind you to give way to forests of acacia trees and dense bush. The area is permanently inhabited by many animals, both herbivores and carnivores, including; buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, eland, cheetah, hyena, oribis, topi, impala, Thomson’s gazelle, giraffe, hippos and the Nile crocodile. This northern section of the Serengeti is less frequented than the southern and central parts of the Serengeti, allowing for fewer cars on the road and a more ‘exclusive’ safari experience. At the end of the day, you will leave the park through Klein’s gate and after a few kilometres find another surprise; Maasai culture in its full glory. You will spend the night at Africa Safari Maasai Boma in a modern-style version of a traditional Maasai earth house with an en-suite bathroom and a kingsize bed.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Maaasai Boma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 8

Safari game drive via northern area to Central Serengeti – overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

Following the movement of resident wildlife

After a good breakfast at Africa Safari Maasai Boma, you will depart on your adventure back towards Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma. Your driver-guide will take you exploring, following the movement of resident wildlife, while heading towards your accommodation in Ikoma. There will be a stop for a nice picnic lunch along the way. In the afternoon you will reach the border of the park and just 2 km further you will find the staff of Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma welcoming you. This is your place to relax, and a beautiful ‘canvas home’ for a good night of sleep is awaiting you.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 9

Afternoon walking safari and sundowner – Overnight Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma.

These boots were made for walking…

Enjoy a bit of a sleep-in and an easy morning around the campgrounds, read a book on the patio or simply make the most of having some downtime. This afternoon you will be making a walking safari. A truly unique experience, where you will have the opportunity to explore new territory and follow the animals on foot, accompanied by your very own armed ranger. The walking safari takes approximately 2 hours and ends with a sundowner while overlooking the Serengeti.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 10

Half-day safari game drive Serengeti National Park – Safari transfer through Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Leaving dust in your wake

Today you will traverse from Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma across the national park and exiting via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before arriving at the Lake Manyara region. The journey of roughly 6 hours is an impressive car drive, allowing extensive coverage of the Serengeti National Park and the opportunity for game viewing en route. Covering an array of terrain along the way this is a road trip that displays the true colours of Tanzania. Cruising dirt tracks while passing open plains, bushlands, mountains, an abundance of wildlife, the Maasai tribespeople herding their cattle and children playing in the distance, this is a journey that brings the sights, sounds, beauty and culture of Africa together. Tanzania boasts stunning countryside and today you will experience it in its entirety while also having the opportunity to reflect on your experiences in the wilderness. As you look out over the ever-changing landscapes, wind in the air, leaving dust in your wake from the safari jeep, it’s impossible not to be present with nature and all the beauty that is on offer in this wonderful world we live in.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 11

Relax day with time for optional activities – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Tune out and take a break

Time to take it easy – African style! One of the favourite Swahili expressions is ”pole pole” (slowly slowly) and that’s exactly how today will go! Take the opportunity to sleep in, read a book, enjoy the amazing views and simply switch off from the world for the day, indulging in the rare pleasure of having no responsibilities. This is a well-deserved break after travelling. Overnight and all meals at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 12

Safari game drive Ngorongoro Crater – Overnight Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

Nothing but nature – Ngorongoro Crater Magic!

Be sure to wake up early today, so there is no delay on your descent into the famous Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you arrive at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area you will be amazed by the beauty around you. Even more so when you arrive at the edge of the crater and take in the amazing view over one of the natural wonders of this world. The crater of this inactive volcano is approximately 3 million years old, 20 square km in size and is the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world. Due to its natural borders, the wildlife in the crater is amazing. The crater is home to the Big Five and offers a good chance to spot the rare black rhino. Throw hyena, zebra, buffalo and elephants into the mix, and you have the perfect canvas for a pretty awesome safari experience. At the end of the afternoon, you head back to the lodge, Africa Safari Lake Manyara, for a well deserved night’s sleep.

Accommodation:
Africa Safari Lake Manyara
Safari Comfort Accommodation
Full board meal plan

DAY 13

Transfer to Arusha area (JRO, ARK, Town hotel or City centre).

Don’t do it! Departure day…

All good things end! Enjoy your last meal at Africa Safari Lake Manyara prior to checking out, ready for your journey to Arusha. After meeting your driver-guide at the reception, you will head off on an easy two-hour drive back to where it all started; heart and camera filled with memories of your African safari adventure.