Witness the magnificent landscapes of Northern Tanzania and some of its most iconic wildlife-viewing destinations on this 7- day itinerary. Learn about our human ancestors at Olduvai Gorge, experience a breathtaking sunrise game drive in the Serengeti and explore one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite destinations on the continent, Lake Manyara National Park.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be met by your driver/guide for the short drive to Mount Meru Game Lodge which nestles between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have the afternoon to relax at your leisure or explore this game sanctuary which provides a refuge for African plains wildlife.
Day 2
Wake to spectacular views of Mount Meru before having breakfast, then head out for a full day in Tarangire National Park. This arid landscape is home to large herds of elephant, together with buffalo, wildebeest, impala, gazelle and eland. During the dry season the animals congregate around Tarangire's watering holes before the rains descend and migratory birds flock to its swamps.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in between game drives at Tarangire before heading towards Kirurumu Tented Lodge which is situated on the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. It’s then time to relax with a drink in your luxurious safari tent before dinner is served.
Day 3
Wake for an early breakfast before venturing towards the iconic Serengeti National Park, one of Tanzania’s oldest and most popular. It’s here that thousands of wildebeest and zebras begin the annual Great Migration into the Masai Mara to the north, followed by opportunistic lions and leopards which can often be seen resting in the trees at dusk.
After arriving at the Kati Kati Camp in the center of Serengeti, you will be given a short safari briefing and activity options for your stay. Then head out for a late afternoon game drive to witness the incredible wildlife for which this national park is renowned, before returning to the camp for dinner.
Day 4
Wake early for sunrise and make the most of the Serengeti's game viewing, with the option to take to the skies for a hot air balloon safari. You may order a picnic breakfast or lunch if you want to spend a full day in the bush, with the wildlife viewing best in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
End your time in the Serengeti with drinks around the campfire and discussing the day’s events with fellow travelers over dinner.
Day 5
After breakfast at Kati Kati Camp, we will slowly make our way out of the Serengeti (with a final game drive safari en route) towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Learn about the Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important prehistoric sites, and the role it played in establishing the African origin of humankind.
We will continue on to the crater rim of Ngorongoro where (weather permitting) you can take in this glorious scene, before continuing to the Acacia Farm Lodge which is set within the lush grounds of the Karatu Area.
Day 6
Wake early for a full day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken and un-flooded caldera in the world whose high walls act as a natural wildlife closure. It offers fantastic “Big Five” game viewing, together with excellent birdwatching, including sightings of Lammergeyer, Vereaux's Eagle and Egyptian Vulture. Greater flamingoes are known to feed in the shallows of its crater lakes, alongside a healthy population of hippos.
You will return to your lodge before dusk, with time to freshen up before dinner is served.
Day 7
After breakfast at Acacia Farm, you will head to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive. Backed by jagged volcanic peaks, Lake Manyara was described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest place I have ever seen” and is often overlooked by safari companies. The shallow alkaline lake is a popular feeding ground for flamingoes, while lions, buffalos and zebras inhabit the surrounding plains and baboons can be heard calling through its jungle.
When you’ve had enough wildlife spotting, make your way to Arusha for lunch and your return flight home or onward travel in Africa.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Weekly departures every Saturday. Please note, all departures require a minimum of 2 guests
Included:
- Full board accommodation while on safari
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in Arusha
- Transfers to and from the airport
- A safari briefing at the start
- All game drives viewing in a custom built 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser safari vehicle driven by a professional English Speaking driver guide.
- Excursions and scheduled activities as per the itinerary
- Park Entrance fees throughout
- Flying doctors medical evacuation cover
- I litre of water per person per day while in an Albatros safari vehicle
- Current Government taxes and levies
Not Included:
- International Airfares
- International and domestic departure tax
- Laundry services
- Meals and excursions not described in the itinerary above
- All alcoholic & Non-alcoholic drinks
- Entry Visas to the countryTravel and health insurance
- Balloon flight in the Serengeti (additional charge USD500 per person)
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary above
- Gratuities (tips) to your guide, hotel staff and porters
- Any other items of a personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, telephone and postage.
FAQ & More
Do I need a Visa?
Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Some nationalities will have to obtain these prior to arrival and others will be able to obtain these on arrival at the port of entry. It is imperative that passports are valid for at least six months and have at least two blank pages, or four, if travelling to both Kenya and Tanzania.
While Tanzanian visas are available upon arrival, immigration queues at airports and border crossing can be long so we recommend applying in advance for the visa to save time. The cost for a tourist visa for US Citizens is $100 (Multiple entry) valid for one year, 90 Days at a time; for Canadian citizens, the cost is $50 (Single entry) for 90 Days or $100 (Double entry) for 90 Days each.
It is imperative to check visa requirements with your resident country embassy/consulate as visa requirements may vary according to your nationality.
What health requirements are there?
Both Tanzania and Kenya are malarial areas and therefore it is recommended that travellers start a malaria prophylactic before and during your visit. Most lodges have mosquito nets or mosquito resistant tents/rooms along with providing insect spray and repellent. However, be sure to bring your own personal repellent as well as long sleeves and pants for the evenings, as these are most effective in protecting you from bites when outdoors.
At present, Tanzania and Kenya require no vaccinations before entering the country except Yellow Fever when flying directly from an YF endemic country. Here is a list of these countries: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#4728. As Kenya is on this list, you’ll need to present proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination if traveling from Kenya to Tanzania.
Regardless, you should consult your local health authorities prior to your holiday for any updates.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania
What is the luggage allowance for internal flights?
If travelling on a ‘flying safari’, the baggage allowance on small aircraft is 15kgs and all luggage is to be packed in soft duffel bags. This includes hand luggage and camera equipment. Only soft sided bags will be accepted, no wheels, no hard suitcases. This is essential to ensure that everything fits not only into the small aircraft but into the safari vehicles. Please note that any luggage you do not need while on safari will be stored at the office.
What clothing is required?
Rest assured, our team of Adventure Consultants will send you a full packing list prior to your adventure. However, as a general guide, comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. The key is lightweight clothing in breathable materials for the day and warmer materials at night. Bush colours (khaki, brown, dark green) are also highly recommended. These will enable you to blend in with the environment and not draw attention to yourself when on game drives or bush walks.
What is the weather like?
Being located on or near the equator, East Africa boasts a fabulous tropical climate which is hot and humid on the coast while being dry and arid in the north and northeast and temperate inland. Though days are quite hot it can get pretty cold during the night in areas at altitude such as Nairobi.
There are however two separate wet seasons in Kenya and Tanzania with the longest being from March to May, and the shorter from November to December. Heavy rains can mean that road access becomes more limited making 4x4 more advisable during these periods.
What is the power source and outlet type?
The electricity supply in Kenya and Tanzania is 220/240 v 50hz. Plugs are 3 point square, British Type G plugs. If you are planning to bring any electrical device from USA or Canada, you will need a voltage and plug converter. Additionally, many safari lodges run on generators which are generally switched off between 2300hrs and 0600hrs. If you need to charge any electronics, this can be done in the office.
Wifi and mobile access?
Both Kenya and Tanzania have a good telephone and internet connection in the main cities and are in the process of improving the network further. Most lodges and hotels offer a fax, international telephone and internet service but make sure to check the rates beforehand as some lodges can impose a surcharge, particularly on international calls. More remote camps and lodges rely on radio for communication and mobile phone coverage is not extensive in most game parks.
When calling Kenya and Tanzania, the international dialling code is +254 and +255 respectively.
Can I drink the water?
Tap water in Kenya and Tanzania is not drinkable and we therefore advise that you drink only sealed, bottled water. Lodges provide water in their safari vehicles. You will almost always find a flask of purified drinking water on your bedside table or in the bathroom.
What is the currency in Tanzania?
The unit of currency in Kenya and Tanzania is the shilling, though the countries’ currencies do not share the same value. Kenya Shilling notes are available in the denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 and 10,000, 5000, 1000 and 500 in Tanzania. Banks generally offer a better rate of exchange than Foreign Exchange Bureaux and Hotels.
Please note duty free goods purchased at the airport can only be purchased in foreign currency and not in Kenya or Tanzanian Shillings. While US Dollars are widely accepted, please note that bills printed before the year 2000 will not be accepted.
Can I use my credit card?
A wide range of credit cards are accepted in Kenya and Tanzania, including American Express, Visa and Master Card. Please check with us before heading off on safari and we will confirm what cards are accepted where you are staying.
What are the tipping recommendations?
Tips are not included in the cost of the safari. Tipping is purely discretionary, however if you would like to show your appreciation we recommend $10 - $20 per guest per day for lodge/camp staff, paid in the communal tip box at reception. For guides, we recommend $10-$15 per day, paid directly to the guide. All tipping is in US dollars.