10 DAYS/09 NIGHTS TANZANIA SAFARI AND MIGRATION PROGRAM
This program is so much suitable to take in Tanzania from August to October every year to easily experience the great wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti.
Tour Duration:
10 Days, 09 nights (01 nights in Arusha, 1 night in Lake Manyara, 2 nights Central Serengeti, 2 nights Northern Serengeti, 1 night in Ngorongoro, 1 night in Tarangire.
Tour Itinerary:
Day1 – Arrival Day and Welcome to Tanzania
Whatever your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver-guide will be waiting for you with a warm welcoming smile. Kick back and relax in your comfortable vehicle as he takes you to your hotel in Arusha, Tanzania’s self-styled ‘safari capital.’ On your journey to the hotel, you will get a brief impression of this large, bustling, commercial city. Dinner at Kibo Palace Hotel
Day2 – Arusha – Arusha National Park – Arusha
Tour Briefing
Unless your arrival time yesterday allowed time for your safari briefing, then this will take place after breakfast. We will provide you with all the essential information, before we set off to our first safari destination, the nearby Arusha National Park, where we will enjoy a walking safari before lunch, then first taking to the water for our canoeing safari and then an afternoon game drive. In the evening, we will return to your Arusha accommodation (see above) for your dinner, and to spend the night.
Journey: Arusha to Arusha National Park
From your Arusha accommodation, the journey to Arusha National Park will take around 1 ½ hours.
Walking Safari in Arusha National Park
Accompanied by a park ranger, we will choose from a number of routes, depending on what this small but beautiful park has to offer today and how far you might want to walk. Your park ranger might show you the deep holes dug by aardvarks or explain how an acacia tree emits a warning scent to other acacias! Be on the lookout for zebra, duiker, giraffe and hippo. The black-and-white colobus monkey is a favorite in this park, while in the skies, egrets and sacred ibis can often be observed. Even the trees have a story to tell. You might meet the aptly named strangler fig, which sucks the life out of other trees. pends years sucking the life out of its victim – perhaps an unsuspecting juniper. You might encounter warthog and buffalo, often seen together, with the former possessing a good sense of sight and hearing, while the buffalo relies on smell to alert to impending danger. A perfect symbiosis.
You might also have the chance to visit one of the park’s picturesque waterfalls, such as Talulusia, as it plummets 30 meters down to a rocky base.
After our walking safari, we will enjoy our well-earned lunch, before our afternoon activities.
Afternoon Game Drive in Arusha National Park
It may be small, but Arusha National Park can boast a number of highlights, which your morning activities will have demonstrated! But this afternoon, we will relax in our vehicle as your driver-guide shows you the rest of what this little gem has to offer.
And its areas are impressively different, with Mount Meru towering above the Momella Lakes, the montane forest area and the perfectly formed crater of Ngurdoto. In some ways, this is a Tanzania in miniature!
Meal plan
Breakfast is provided at your Arusha hotel. Lunch will be prepared by the Arusha hotel and enjoyed on arrival at Arusha National Park. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal created by the team at Kibo Palace Hotel.
Day3 – Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park
Journey: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Our two-hour journey takes us westwards from Arusha. Along the route, your eyes will be opened to all the colours and character of Tanzania: perhaps some Maasai herdsmen driving their flocks of goats to new pastures. You’ll get to know your driver-guide, amazed at his depth of knowledge as he effortlessly answers all your questions.
Day’s Highlight
Your game drive in wonderful Lake Manyara, with the Rift Valley escarpment and the lake itself as the wonderful, natural backdrops.
Safari (Game Drive) in Lake Manyara National Park
After our lunch, we jump in our vehicle to cover the highlights of this park. Set against the rugged Rift Valley escarpment, and characterized by its shimmering lake, Manyara is rich in vegetation and the wildlife that thrives here. Enjoy the tranquillity as majestic pink flamingos wade elegantly, picking out a meal of algae from the shallow, alkaline waters. On land, Manyara’s terrain is compact, yet boasts differing environments such as diverse forests fed by waters seeping from the nearby escarpment. Monkeys are abundant, but look out too for the lions, giraffe, warthog and grumpy Cape buffalo who all call this park ‘home’. Hold your nose when we reach the hippo pool, because these big lumps smell!
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at the Arusha Hotel. Lunch will be a cooked hot lunch prepared by the camp team. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal created by the team at Lake Manyara Tortilis Camp
Day4 – Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
Journey: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
With Serengeti as our destination, and with your head full of magical memories of Manyara, we set off to the north and west, a 4.5-hour journey of around 200km, following the famous Rift Valley. On the journey, you will be enchanted by the colors of everyday Tanzanian life, the different faces of the tribesmen, their herds, the bustle of the transport, the vibrant roadside stalls and markets. Soon, however, the human habitation gives way to the Serengeti plains.
Activity: Olduvai Gorge Visit
Day’s Highlight
Here’s a National Park which will offer you a whole variety of wildlife surprises over the next few days, but perhaps today’s highlight – certainly for first-time visitors – will simply be the Serengeti terrain itself. The sheer vastness, as the plains roll away in front of you into eternity, will leave you with a sense of awe.
Safari in Serengeti National Park
At last! Serengeti, the incomparable wonder of Tanzania, will be the stage for the natural animal theatrics which will be performed over the next few days. Your game drive here combines the known with the unknown, the certainty that you will be amazed with the uncertainty of exactly what you will see and when. Changing light, a changing cast of animal actors, ensuring that at every turn there is a new experience. Snap off some memorable photos, but don’t forget to simply take a deep breath and enjoy nature in its real-time, raw beauty.
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at Manyara Accommodations. Lunch will be a cooked hot lunch prepared by the Manyara Accommodations. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal created by the team at Serengeti Tortilis Camp.
Day5 – Central Serengeti – Northern Serengeti
Today on our trip-of-a-lifetime we turn north, driving to the very northern edge of the Serengeti, our world-famous national park and – of course – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Journey: Central to Northern Serengeti
After breakfast, our journey from Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti will take around 5 hours, with plenty of changing landscapes and wildlife highlights to see along the route.
Day’s Highlight
The changing landscapes of Northern Serengeti and the wildlife surprises it will almost certainly provide. There are no guarantees, but a rhino sighting cannot be ruled out!
Afternoon game-Drive in Northern Serengeti National Park
The Northern Serengeti is a land of open woodland, extending from the Seronera in the south to the Mara River in the north, marking the frontier with neighboring Kenya. During your time here, you can get to grips with a whole new set of exotic names: Bolongonja, Kogatende, Lamai and of course, the legendary Mara River.
We are now following in the footsteps of the Great Migration, great herds of thousands of zebras and wildebeest getting ready to cross the Mara into Kenya, and back again. On a daily basis, crossings cannot be guaranteed, but our driver-guides know the most likely places to witness them, one of Nature’s most awe-inspiring sights. Patience is required! And if you’re not lucky enough to witness a crossing, there’s always tomorrow; and in Northern Serengeti, plenty more to see today.
Meal plan
Breakfast is enjoyed at the Serengeti Tortilis Camp. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by the camp for you to take out on safari. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal provided by the Serengeti River Camp.
Day6 – Northern Serengeti
Day’s Highlight
If you’re lucky today, perhaps a rare, black rhino might cross your path…
Morning Safari (Game Drive) in Northern Serengeti
As you awake for a second day in Northern Serengeti, you can contemplate those parts of this northern area can easily match the Southern Serengeti for the abundance of wildlife viewing, especially between July and October. After your breakfast, you will embark with your driver-guide on a full-day game drive, looking out for elephant and buffalo, eland and gazelle. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot something really special: perhaps a cheetah, or even a rare black rhino, of which a small population are resident here.
Afternoon Safari (Game Drive) in Northern Serengeti
Depending on what your driver-guide found for you yesterday and this morning, this afternoon we’ll set out to see something new. If a Mara River crossing has escaped you, perhaps the conditions this afternoon will suggest that a crossing could take place. Our driver-guides have intimate knowledge of where and when they might occur. As well as the migrating herds, the Northern Serengeti is an area where you might easily see giraffe, elephant and dik – dik: with many resident species, there’s never a dull moment.
Meal plan
Breakfast will be provided by your Northern Serengeti accommodation. Lunch will be provided by the accommodation, to be enjoyed while out on safari. Your evening meal will be a full, cooked dinner, to be enjoyed at Serengeti River Camp.
Day7 – Northern Serengeti – Central Serengeti
Journey: Northern to Central Serengeti
After breakfast, and a morning game-drive in the north, we set off back to our next destination, the Central Serengeti, a journey of around 115km with an expected time of around 5 hours. There will be plenty to see on the way. On arrival, we take lunch and have an afternoon game drive.
Day’s Highlight
As we reach the Central Serengeti, you will soon realize why this is often known as the ‘wildlife hub’ of the Serengeti. There are animals everywhere, graceful, quirky, dangerous. Safe inside your vehicle, you will see them all here. Your driver-guide will find you a highlight.
Morning Safari in Northern Serengeti/ Afternoon Safari (Game-drive) in Central Serengeti
Before leaving the Northern Serengeti, we take the opportunity this morning to enjoy another game drive in this incredible location. This allows us further time to wonder at the migratory herds and the dangers and challenges they face each year in their battle for survival. As well as the herd animals, you can look to the skies, perhaps finding a majestic martial eagle or one of the other birds that populate this area. As well as the thousands of migrating animals, this area also has a good population of resident wildlife, so you will never be disappointed. In the afternoon, we take the short drive to the central part of Serengeti, where after lunch a game-drive will help us explore further this busy area. Finally, you will go to your chosen accommodation for relaxation and your evening meal.
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at your Northern Serengeti accommodation, which will also prepare your lunch to be enjoyed by you out on safari. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal created by the team at the Serengeti Tortilis Camp.
Day8 – Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro
Journey: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After a morning game drive and lunch, this afternoon we will head south-east towards Ngorongoro, a distance of 145km which will take us around 3 ½ hours.
Day’s Highlight
Today, we will get our first sight of the spectacular, incomparable Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and the heart of the Conservation Area of the same name. But before that, we have another morning game drive in amazing Serengeti, marveling at its animal inhabitants. Another day of adventure, another day to enjoy the wildlife.
Safari in Serengeti National Park
With its informative visitor centre, the Seronera area of Central Serengeti is the national park’s most popular area. And it is very popular with the wildlife, too. The Seronera river enjoys year-round water flow, so there is always something of interest to observe. Several game drives can be undertaken here and might reveal lions in sizeable prides, hippo or herds of elephants – whose populations in the park have risen in recent times. Depending on other attractions, we may choose to call in at the Serengeti Visitor Centre, where there is an excellent explanation of the park’s eco – system and a chance to understand the history of conservation in this area. In particular, you will find out about the work of Bernhard Grzimek and the Frankfurt Zoological Society who had the foresighted vision of preserving the Serengeti’s eco – system. Even at the center, you may well find wildlife: populations of hyrax and mongoose, as well as many small bird species.
After lunch, we head south-east towards Ngorongoro. If it has not already struck you with its vastness, Serengeti’s ‘endless plains’ will make a deep impression on you as we take the long, straight road which passes Simba Kopjes (famous from ‘The Lion King’) to reach Naabi Hill Gate, close to the divide between Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Here you can gather information at the gate’s visitor center, clamber up the hill for superb views back over the plains, or look out for a colorful agama lizard among the rocks.
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at the camp. Lunch will be a cooked hot lunch prepared by the camp team. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal created by the team at Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp.
Day9 – Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Tarangire
Journey: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Tarangire National Park
After our morning game drive in the crater and our lunch, we will set off in the afternoon through Lodware Gate for Tarangire National Park. Our journey will be around 175km with an estimated travel time of 4 ½ hours.
Day’s Highlight
Even if you didn’t see a single animal, the Ngorongoro Crater would live in your memory forever. But, in fact, the enormous crater floor is simply bursting with life, over 250km2 of diverse environments – forest, lake, swamp – which are home to herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo as well as elephants, lions and many more. And a true highlight today would be the black rhino!
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater Floor
From our safari camp, we set off after breakfast, a 6am departure to reach the rim and then descend into the vast crater itself. At one side there’s the Lerai Forest, classic mountain forest landscape with almost tropical characteristics. This is good elephant country, so keep your eyes peeled. By the side of the nearby swampland is what is sometimes called the ‘elephant graveyard’ as the mighty male tuskers at the end of their lives come to chew on the soft, swampland grasses once their teeth have failed them.
The crater has a population of around 120 lions, with well-defined territories; 15,000 wildebeest, 9,000 zebra, 400 hyenas, and around 50 black Rhino. Many wildebeest and other herd animals are resident, benefiting from the many sources of year-round waters and are boosted by some migrators in season. Buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle and eland are also present in numbers. Hippos can be found in pools and swampland and highland birdlife is colourful and plentiful around the waters. Flamingos can often be seen in Lake Magadi, which occupies part of the crater floor.
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at the camp. Lunch will be a cooked hot lunch prepared by the camp team. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal created by the team at Tarangire Tortilis Camp.
Day10 – Tarangire National Park – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Journey: Tarangire National Park – Kilimanjaro International Airport – 175KM/3 HOURS DRIVE
After our morning game drive in Tarangire National Park and then lunch, we will have a 4-hour journey, covering the 175km back to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Day’s Highlight
The diverse landscapes of Tarangire, spread across nearly 3,000 km2, and the density and variety of wildlife they contain. And it is the wildlife – not us – which will decide what your highlight will be!
Safari in Tarangire National Park
Tarangire is huge. As you stand at the park gate and look south, it stretches as far as the eye can see. Known as the ‘Elephant Playground,’ this phenomenal park contains huge herds of these mighty mammals. But Tarangire is also home to buffalo, lion, wildebeest, zebra and gazelle and the park can rival Serengeti for sheer animal densities. What might you see today? Perhaps a solitary male lion stretched out beneath a tree, perhaps a trio of male cheetah enjoying some lazy bonding-time in the sun. Maybe some graceful Grant’s gazelle or zebra bounding away from the road or a couple of giraffes munching happily from the choicest acacia branches. For Tarangire specialties, look out for kudu and oryx.
Here as in other parks, it pays not to ignore the small animals. It’s so easy to be mesmerized by the power and majesty of an elephant or the elegance of the giraffe. Ask your guide to find you an agama lizard, especially a male one who changes colour in front of you according to the temperature! Or a hyrax, known as pimpi, an insignificant-looking creature of around 30cm in length…who astonishingly is related to elephant!
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at your Tarangire accommodation. Lunch will also be prepared by your Tarangire accommodation and enjoyed after your morning game-drive, before we return you to the airport for your return flight back home or to your Tanzania Southern Circuit or Zanzibar islands holiday or nearby region.
Package Includes Northern Circuit:
Trip Safety: AMREF Flying Doctor Insurance
A Flying doctor Insurance to Air transfer you before dark from nearest airstrip to hospital during Emergency
Transport: 4X4 Custom built – Toyota Land cruiser
- Pop-up Roof, Opening Sliding windows, Seat Belts, Heavy duty wheels, and Extra Fuel tanks
- Refrigerator for cooling drinks, one pair of binoculars per couple, Eco friendly Trash Bag,
- Wi-Fi on board during safari, Charging Outlets type Plug G for charging Cameras and smart phones
Trip Crew: Professional English-Speaking Driver guide
A Friendly, Experienced and Passionate Driver Guide expert at a wide variety of skills: Flora and Fauna, Tanzania’s cultural and natural history
Treat – A Special Safari Hamper
- Soft drinks, Coffee/tea, and Water during game drives
Transfers:
- One pick up transfers from Kilimanjaro International airport upon arrival
- One drop off transfer to Kilimanjaro International airport during departure
Accommodation: 2 nights at Arusha and 7 nights on Safari
1st & 2nd night – Kibo Palace Hotel – Half Board (Dinner and Breakfast)
3rd night – Manyara Tortilis camp – Full board (Dinner, Breakfast, and picnic lunch box)
4th night – Serengeti Tortilis camp – Full board (Dinner, Breakfast, and picnic lunch box)
5th and 6th night – River Camp II Mobile Camp – Full board (Dinner, Breakfast, and picnic lunch box)
7th night – Serengeti Tortilis camp – Full board (Dinner, Breakfast, and picnic lunch box)
8th night – Ngorongoro Tortilis camp – Full board (Dinner, Breakfast, and picnic lunch box)
9th night – Tarangire Tortilis camp – Full board (Dinner, Breakfast, and picnic lunch box)
Photographic Safari: Experience Wildlife with 4X4 Safari Vehicle
Game drive in Serengeti National Park
Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
Game drive in Arusha National Park
Game drive in Tarangire National Park
Game drive in Ngorongoro crater
Park Entrance Fee:
Park fee for Serengeti National Park
Park fee for Arusha National Park
Park fee for Manyara National Park
Park fee for Tarangire National Park
Park fee for Ngorongoro crater
Guarded walk in Arusha National Park
Olduvai Gorge
Extra Picnic lunch box on 02nd day
Taxes: 18 % VAT (Value Added Tax)
Northern Circuit Package Excludes:
Tipping is of course discretionary but is an expected part of the way in which business is done in Tanzania. It counts as an expression of gratitude to those who – hopefully – have made your experience an unforgettable one and enables you to directly reward those people. Our passengers come from all around the world, with different cultural attitudes to tipping, but a tip is of great significance here in Tanzania and will be hugely appreciated by the recipient. We know that the act of giving of a tip can be a bit awkward and we would suggest that the best way to remove this ‘awkwardness’ is for each couple to put their tip anonymously into an envelope and for the envelopes to be presented by the couple to the staff member. As a guideline, you can consider tipping at the following levels:
Driver guide: $25 US per day, per couple.
For hotels/lodges/tented camps, please do not tip individual staff members, but instead use the ‘Tip Box’, which you should find at the reception of your accommodation. For guidance, you should consider tipping between $5-7 US per day, per guest, at each accommodation.
Balloon Safari: Experience 60 – 90-minute (depending on wind condition) aerial adventure, followed by bush breakfast and champagne.
Any Changes done by you: The trip excludes changes done by you during safari or before safari which deviates from the original program
International & domestic flights: The trip costs Excludes flights from your hometown to Tanzania and from Tanzania back to your hometown. Also, flights within Tanzania
Visa: The trip costs Excludes all visa costs including arrival visas and transit visas
Medical Insurance: The trip cost Excludes Medical Insurance which is mandatory from your home country.
Travel Insurance: The trip cost Excludes Travel Insurance which is mandatory from your home country.
Laundry Service: If you require to launder your clothes while on your safari, then you will need to pay an amount that the accommodation charges as per their rate sheet.
Drinks at the lodges/campsites:
All kinds of soft drinks at the lodges/campsites are not included.
Drones
Extra Activities