Tarangire N.P. Holidays

Sample Itinerary - REF AFRICA 402

If you like the itinerary below please quote REF AFRICA 402 when enquiring for further details.

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Day 1: Arusha - Lake Manyara N.P.

Arusha - Lake Manyara. Welcome to Tanzania! You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred to Arusha. After lunch and our briefing the safari commences with a short drive to Lake Manyara (120kms, 2 hours). The park is tucked below the majesty of the Rift Valley wall and the white-hot shores of an ancient soda lake on the other. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, lying languidly among the branches in the heat of the day, and the dazzling variety of birds, you will have the afternoon to explore this beautiful park. You will continue up the escarpment to your lodge located on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the lake below.

Buffalo herd

Day 2: Lake Manyara N.P. - Serengeti N.P.

Lake Manyara - Serengeti National Park. After breakfast drive to Serengeti National Park (250km, 5 hour). You will pass through the forested slopes of Ngorongoro, before the predator rich plains of the Serengeti un-furl before you. Continue your journey to your camp with some excellent game viewing opportunities en-route. You will stop for a picnic lunch, before arriving at the Mbuzi Mawe Tented Camp, set in among a kopje, providing lovely views over the plains. The tents are large permanent tents with en-suite facilities and the always attentive staff are there to ensure you are well looked after. Overnight

Day 3: Serengeti N.P.

Serengeti National Park. Today you will set off on a full day game drive taking a picnic lunch with you. You will have more time to explore a larger area of the Serengeti, with its various landscapes, from savannahs, forests, dry river beds and rocky kopjes, all of which offering a better environment for a whole range of animals. Your picnic lunch will be enjoyed in a secluded spot in the park among the wildlife. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon, in time to enjoy a relaxing sun downer on your veranda.

Lunch time at Limpopo Transfrontier Park

Day 4: Serengeti N.P. - Ngorongoro Crater

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Highlands. After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro Crater, with a final Serengeti game drive en-route. There will be a stop at the Olduvai Gorge to visit the site where Mary and Louis Leakey first discoved the remains of Zinjanthropus Bosei, a distant ancestor of man believed to be 1.8 million years old, Australopithecus Bosei, the ‘Nutcracker Man’, a species that became extinct about 1 million years ago and fossilised footprints that date back 3.6 million years. Through this discovery Tanzania has become known as the ‘cradle of mankind’. Continue to the Ngorongoro Highlands, arriving at the Plantation Lodge, located just outside Karatu. Set in beautiful grounds.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Highlands - Ngorongoro Crater. Today you will depart for the Ngorongoro Crater, descending into the crater floor itself, for a game drive. Spend the morning exploring this fascinating wildlife amphitheater. Home to nearly 25,000 animals, which remain in the crater due to the constant supply of water from the springs. There is a very good chance of spotting the big five: lion, elephant, endangered black rhino, buffalo and leopard plus countless other African mammal species. This caldera, formed by a volcano sinking, hosts a unique cross-section of eco-systems, from Soda Lake to savannah and is home to almost every major species of African mammal. After a picnic lunch you return to your lodge.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater - Tarangire N.P.

Ngorongoro - Tarangire National Park. After breakfast we leave for Tarangire National Park (140km, 3 hours). This is the classic Africa of lore with shimmering acacia stands, old baobab trees, Masai tribes and herds of elephant. In the dry-season of July-October, Tarangire National Park surpasses the Serengeti in terms of animal concentration as big herds begin to congregate around the permanent water of Tarangire River. We then drive to Maramboi, with its spectacular views across the Rift Valley to the escarpment

Lone baboon at Tarangire National Park

Day 7: Tarangire N.P. - Zanzibar

Transfer from Tarangire National Park to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel is located. Zanzibar has a rich history but it truly became a centre of trade once it was settled by the Portugese, the first Europeans to settle here, during the age of exploration. Zanzibar once held the title of being Africa's major hub of trade before the mainland became more settled and tamed. Zanzibar is also known as the 'Spice Island' due to this period when spice was its major trade followed closely by the slave trade and ivory. Zanzibar still today flourishes with the trade of spices, its most common exports being cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper.

Days 8-9: Zanzibar

This morning you will be met by your guide and taken on a guided tour of Stone Town and a Spice Tour en-route to the Eastern beach resort of Kiwengwa where you will get the opportunity to see a spice plantation and the process involved in harvesting these perfumed ingredients that we today take for granted but were once as precious as gems or gold with pirates often cruising the coast pilfering ships for their precious spice cargo. Lunch will be your own arrangement. The rest of the day will be at leisure to enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Day 10: Zanzibar

Spend the next two days at leisure, relaxing on the beautiful white sands and soaking up the sunshine. For those feeling active, there's a wide range of excursions available. Perhaps opt for a spot of snorkelling or scuba diving to see the incredible coral reefs teeming with exotic fish and perhaps the odd dolphin in the azure waters. Other activities in or above the water include fishing, windsurfing or various boat trips. Traditional dhow cruises are offered by the locals and are a great way to see the local lifestyle or island hop to some of the smaller uninhabited islands. Also consider a day trip to Jozani Chwaka Bay national Park - home to the rare Kirk's Red Colobus Monkey, Syke's Monkey and Ader's Duiker.

Day 11: Zanzibar

This morning you will be met by your driver and driven to Zanzibar Airport for your flight home. Sadly our arrangements come to an end. We hope you have enjoyed the magic that is Zanzibar.

Africa Spotlight
Lone lion relaxing in Kruger National Park

Kruger N.P.

Stretching virtually all the way along the border with Mozambique, it’s said that Kruger has the greatest variety of wildlife ...