There is nothing more exciting that nature can offer, seeing thousands and thousands of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara or Grumeti rivers together. Excitedly and in a riot of sounds, putting their lives at risk. All this makes us feel truly small in front of this incredible spectacle, which takes place punctually every year from August to October.
Day1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will find one of our collaborators waiting for you. After completing the airport formalities, he will take you to the hotel chosen for your stay in the city of Arusha. You will stay at the Lodge, about 60km from the airport. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast departure for Tarangire National Park for safari. You will first stop at the last minute supermarket in `Arusha for any last minute shopping before heading to Tarangire. The drive is along the Great Northern Highway through the Maasai steppe and many villages to Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire is famous for its huge baobab trees and large elephant population, you could expect to spot wildebeest heads, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hippo, baboons, many antelope and the giant African elephant. For bird watchers this is paradise where over 400 species of birds have been recorded, of which the rare Ash Staling, Great Kudu and Fringe-eared Oryx are among the rare species found in Tarangire.
Predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and the ever elusive leopard also inhabit this park. Tarangire Park forms the central annual migratory cycle within the Tarangire and Lake Manyara ecosystem which includes up to 3000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest and approximately 30,000 zebras. Overnight at the Lodge near Lake Manyara .
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater – Central Serengeti (Seronera)
After breakfast you will meet your guide and depart with a packed lunch towards Ngorongor. We will descend to the crater floor for a day of wildlife viewing in one of the most incredible places on Earth, where animals roam freely through unfenced reserves giving us an uninterrupted wildlife viewing experience. The Caldera was formed about three million years ago with the massive explosion of a volcano that rivaled Kilimanjiaro in height.
On this day of the itinerary in Tanzania, one of the most popular and appreciated places in all of Africa, which every year sees the arrival of thousands of tourists interested in its beauty and biodiversity. The visit will focus mainly on the Ngorongoro crater, one of the largest calderas in the world, where you can find a large amount of animals that will take your breath away. Predators, herbivores and birds await you in the crater. Any keen traveler would like to tick off as many world heritage sites as possible, especially if the site promises an experience beyond your wildest dreams. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is that kind of site. Its main feature is the incredible Ngorongoro Crater , famous for being the largest inactive and intact volcanic caldera in the entire world. The result of a major explosion and collapse approximately 2-3 million years ago, the crater was officially hailed as one of the seven natural wonders of Africa in 2015. Some also call it “the cradle of humanity”. An expanse that is Indeed more than meets the eye, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to a vast array of globally threatened species and incredibly dense wildlife. It is also one of the centers of extensive archaeological research for over 80 years as it shows crucial evidence of human evolution and human-environment dynamics. When people say “Ngorongoro Conservation Area”, what most of the human brain automatically imagines is the famous Ngorongoro crater. And we can’t really blame you for that. Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s Garden of Eden, has a glorious landscape teeming with around 25,000 animals including ungulates, four of the Big Five and other large mammals. It is also one of the best places to spot endangered animals such as black rhinos, golden cats and wild hunting dogs. Home to one of the densest known populations of Maasai lions, Ngorongoro Crater guarantees action-packed, heart-pounding gameplay. In fact, it also supports the largest animal migration on earth, the Great Migration. You see, the Ngorongoro Crater area and Ndutu area are scenes of the wildebeest calving season. During this time, you will be able to witness the birth of thousands of wildebeest calves and a plethora of opportunistic predators in stealth and kill mode. The splendor of this wonder of the world has people saying it’s like “mini Africa in a bowl.” As one traveler would say, “Imagine a bowl of incredible landscape filled with almost every African animal you can think of.” Think of another place in the world where you can see such a unique environment with diverse landscapes, prolific wildlife and birdlife, and an ecosystem like no other.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers mountain forests, woodlands, grasslands, lakes, swamps and two large lakes. Not to mention the Ngorongoro Crater, Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli.
After the game drive in the Ngorongoro crater, almost 5 hours, departure towards the Serengeti. You will have lunch in the picnic area near the entrance of Serengeti National Park .
Serengeti National Park is among the largest and most feminine parks in Africa with diverse landscapes and habitats, such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannah, and mountains.
The name “Serengeti” derives etymologically from the Masai language from the word “syringiti” which means a vast plain or boundless plain. As you stand on the southern grassy plain you will experience this vastness. This plain was formed 4 million years ago when volcanic ash blew and covered the rolling landscape. The ashes came from the majestic Ngorongoro volcano. At approximately 4500 4800 MASL, thanks to its height, the ash had traveled several kilometers and covered most of the Serengeti and had produced Harpans (very bumpy rocks) that do not allow root penetration. You will have a wonderful day in Seronera with additional opportunities to experience the incredible wildlife and natural beauty of the Serengeti. In addition to the migrating herds, you may have the opportunity to see the resident predators, leopards, cheetahs and lions, fulfilling their role in the circle of life. After a long safari we head to our accommodation for a hearty dinner and another night by the fire of relaxation and conversation under the overwhelming majesty of the bright stars, an African night on the “endless plain”. After the full day Game drive you will return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Northern Serengeti. (Migration visiting)
During the morning, you will embark on your safari route in the northern Serengeti region. Extending from Seronera for around 130km, the northern Serengeti is gentle rolling countryside broken up by small rivers, occasional hills and kopjes. A permanent multitude of wildlife resides here, with also very suggestive geological phenomena such as the beautiful Lobo Kopje.
The Northern Serengeti is an interesting and diverse country that is away from the main park entry point to the south, thus receiving many visitors during the river migration season.
In the months of August-October is the best time to see this spectacle as the herds cross the border between Tanzania (Serengeti) and Kenya (masaimara). At this time of year the most impressive point of the Great Migration is when they cross the Mara River. Standing on the edge of the bank, entire herds suddenly plummet towards the river, raising plumes of dust. In an instant, they jumped into the water in a flurry of activity driven by the instinct to survive.
After a full day, you will head to your accommodation where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stay under the magnificent African sky in the “endless plain”
Day 5: Northern Serengeti. (River crossing visit)
After an early breakfast, you’ll head out to make the most of your day. There is a possibility that you may see animals crossing the Mara River. Hundreds of thousands of desperate wildebeest gather on the banks of the river, looking wistfully across the turbulent water at the green grass on the other side, but not a single animal will move. All it takes is one brave wildebeest to make the actual splash, and then everyone follows! Animals that successfully avoid the waiting crocodile’s jaws and make it across the river are rewarded with the lush green grass of the Masai Mara. Amidst the clattering of hooves and desperate paddling, some animals are abruptly dragged under the water. Crocodiles lie in wait beneath the surface, ready to clamp their jaws around the vulnerable bodies of traveling wildebeest. Some animals may struggle to free themselves and reach the other side of the river, others will succumb to the power of these powerful predators.
Day 6: Serengeti – Ngorongoro
After breakfast, you will embark on another incredible game-drive in the Serengeti before traveling to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. . Along the way, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site made famous by Louis and Mary Leakey when they discovered the remains of Zinjathropus, an early hominin species that populated the planet about 2.7 million years ago . After lunch, you will visit the Maasai tribe in Ngorongoro area.
Visiting Maasai:
Tanzania has over 120 tribes each with their own culture. The Masai in northern Tanzania are among the most popular ethnic groups in the area, a proud people and fervently attached to their cultural values. Ngorongoro is the home of the Maasai pastoralists, who have been allowed to live in the protected area, a pioneering experiment in multi-use land use where people, their livestock and wildlife co-exist and share the same protected habitat. The Maasai move widely with their herds of cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys in search of pasture and water. In recent years the Maasai have been encouraged to work the land to supplement their traditional staple food of milk and meat
While in Ngorongoro, most safari guests like to include a visit to a Masai Boma (farm). The Masai Boma Senate, on the western slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands, about two hundred meters from the main road to the Serengeti, is one of the most popular cultural visiting points for guests. Another popular Maasai village is Irkeepus which is located in the Ngorongoro highlands and a visit can be combined with a trek to Olmoti or Empakaai Crater.
You will be shown around the Maasai Boma, and we are invited to explore the huts where Maasai families live and learn many things about their way of life. The huts, normally built by women, are made of wood, mud and cow dung. The visit lasts about 1 hour and at the end the villagers will show off and try to sell their colorful beadwork and other handicrafts . If time permits, Maasai warriors challenge the men to engage in a spear-throwing contest or perform a tribal dance, and the women may choose to participate in beading. This is intended to briefly expose visitors to the Maasai culture and enrich them with some authentic African experiences. After the cultural tour in the Ngorongoro area, departure towards the Camp near the edge of the Crater for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Ngorongoro – Arusha
After breakfast, transfer to Arusha. You’ll have lunch in a quiet retreat at the Shanga Art Center Shangaa, where handicapped artisans make extraordinary jewelry and glassware. They also serve a delicious meal! After picking up some souvenirs and gifts, you will have the opportunity to visit the Cultural Heritage Center, with gift shop, art gallery and display of tanzanite, a stone more precious than diamonds! In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight.
END OF SERVICES
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR THE SAFARI AND THE BEACH STAY
2 Pax = 3475
4 Pax = 2831
6 Pax = 2617
Sleep Over at Omega View/The Peak, in Serengeti sleep over is in Tanzania Bush Camps
INCLUDED:
- Medical insurance during the safari
- Accommodation (during the safari 2 triple rooms and 2 jungle villas in Zanzibar)
- Italian and English speaking guide
- Local flight from Arusha – Zanzibar
- Entrance fees to the parks
- Full board meals during the Safari and Zanzibar include breakfast, lunch, dinner, mineral water, African coffee, soft drinks, fruit juices, local beer, wine etc.
- Jeep 4×4 for exclusive use Toyota Land Cruiser during the Safari
- All transfers in Zanzibar to and from the airport in Zanzibar.
EXCLUDING:
- International flight
- Entry visa (visa)
- Additional services
- Tips and personal expenses
- Everything not expressly included in the price
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Hot air balloon safari:{safari from the sky}
This is an extraordinary type of safari within the Serengeti National Park, one of the extraordinary experiences sighting the fascinating landscape of this paradise, better than many animals in Africa, you can see many groups of animals, birds of various species, indeed yes You may be able to witness the crossing of the wildebeest accompanied by zebras during the migration between two parts, namely the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The quote does not include hot air balloon safaris.
ACCOMMODATION PROGRAM
There are different types of accommodation in Tanzania, below we try to explain the differences and clarify any doubts.
HOTELS: they are like our hotels. We find them in the cities and possibly in Zanzibar.
LODGE: it is a hotel in or near the parks. It is a structure completely or mostly made of masonry. The rooms can be all in one main building or separate units. Equipped with en-suite bathroom and hot water. Electricity available (sometimes only in the evening hours) with generator or solar energy.
THE TENTED CAMPS: these are permanent tents the size of hotel rooms, equipped with bathroom and shower with hot water for showering in mobile tented camps. There are permanent and mobile tented camps. Permanent tented camps place tents on raised platforms, mobile camps place tents on the ground. There is electricity (at least in the evening hours) via solar energy or generator. There is a restaurant tent where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. The tented camp is the best option to experience the safari in close contact with nature.
The tented camps are safe, not dangerous due to the presence of animals.
CAMPING: These are mobile tents without electricity (bring a flashlight) and shared bathrooms/showers. Sometimes there is no electricity and hot water. It is a spartan but economical and adventurous option. The tents are tall enough to stand inside the tent itself.
MEALS PLAN
MP ………….Half board {dinner-bed-breakfast}
FB ……………Full board {breakfast-lunch-dinner-overnight stay}
HB …………..Half board {breakfast-dinner-overnight stay}
All the accommodations offered in the program are of an excellent standard, carefully chosen and periodically visited by our managers to offer you the best service .
