Itinerary Details
Tanzania: The Serengeti & Beyond
Day 1 ARRIVE IN ARUSHA, TANZANIAYour Small Group Discovery tour begins!
Welcome to Arusha, gateway to your dream safari. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2 ARUSHA–TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARKAncient Baobabs Await
Drive to Tarangire National Park, where baobab and acacia trees dot the landscape. The Tarangire
River provides the park a permanent water source, which makes for year-round game viewing. This is highlighted by a large population of elephants. After lunch at your lodge embark on your first exciting game drive.
(B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT The Tarangire River is the life blood of its namesake national park, providing life-giving refuge for the largest elephant population in North Tanzania. During the dry season, a menagerie of animals in a myriad of shapes and sizes are drawn to this only permanent water supply where thirsty elephant, wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and gazelle file in great numbers to the riverbanks, followed by hungry hunters like lion and leopard as well.
Day 3 TARANGIRETantalizing Tarangire
Rise early for a morning game drive including an exclusive [LF] bush breakfast. Be sure to watch for giraffe, zebra, Cape buffalo, and much more. Free time at your lodge before an afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE As part of your morning game drive, you’ll be treated to a classic safari tradition of the bush breakfast in Africa’s unmatched landscapes. Reminisce about Africa’s early explorers as you sip mimosas in pampered style in the heart of the wild.
Day 4 TARANGIRE–LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARKForest Foray & Views on Views
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and the alkaline Lake Manyara. The park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of baboon. Watch for these mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your afternoon game drive. Sundowner drinks are served at a scenic viewpoint.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE This evening, as the sun sets, savor a memorable happy hour in the bush with your small group to enjoy spectacular views over Lake Manyara! The origin of the tradition dates to British colonialism in Africa in the 18th century and was born out of necessity rather than enjoyment. Containing quinine-infused tonic and gin, colonizers drank it to ward off malaria. As the British Empire expanded into Africa, the popularity of gin and tonic spread with it. Today, Sundowners mark the transition from day to night.
Day 5 LAKE MANYARA–KARATU–NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA Through Farmlands to the Craters Edge
Free time this morning before a short drive to Karatu, where coffee farms dot the outer slopes of Ngorongoron Crater. Here, visit a [LF] local primary school followed by BBQ lunch at beautiful Gibb’s Farm. Continue to your lodge located on the rim of the crater.
(B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Today, your small group is invited for a personal visit to a local primary school to meet the children and learn about the educational system in rural Tanzania.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXLCUSIVE Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch amid the graceful landscapes of Tanzania’s Gibbs Farm. Here, healthy farm cuisine is prepared fresh daily with organic farm-to-table recipes using the farm’s fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are freshly picked from organic gardens, with meats sourced from local, sustainably-raised farms. Sure to satisfy the big appetites of your small group!
Day 6 NGORONGOROInto Africa’s Eden
Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is technically a caldera—the world’s largest unflooded one, at more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year round, affording the opportunity to see lion, hyena, hippo, elephant, as well as the best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros. Enjoy an exclusive [LF] bush lunch served in the crater.
(B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Because of the time it takes to descend into and ascend out of the crater, it’s common to eat lunch in the crater. While standard safari fare is typically a cold box lunch, your small group is treated to an exclusive, freshly cooked bush BBQ lunch served under a grove of Acacia trees, while not missing a moment of wildlife viewing time.
Day 7 NGORONGORO–SERENGETI NATIONAL PARKOn the Endless Plains
Drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most famous park. The Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles, the name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning “endless plains.” Enjoy lunch at your tented camp followed by an afternoon game drive.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A WILD AFTERNOON Your afternoon game drive offers the chance to see the big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. With some luck you may even spot something much rarer, like a caracal, a beautiful cat with distinctive ears.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp provides a refined retreat within the spectacular natural landscapes of Serengeti National Park. With just 16 custom-made canvas tents, your small group enjoys all the comforts of home for a restful retreat after a day on safari. Each tent features two queen beds, free Wi-Fi to send your daily photos back home, and a private tented bathroom. Enjoy room service and sip your morning coffee or settle in at day's end on your outside private terrace to take in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding glades.
Day 8 SERENGETISerengeti Serendipity
Continue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, the Serengeti is great for game viewing year round. Tonight, join a [LF] farewell dinner in the bush featuring a traditional Maasai dance performance.
(B,L,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE The Maasai people bring a history of rich culture tied to this wilderness known as the Cradle of Life. Your special farewell dinner in the bush includes a traditional Maasai dance performance celebrating their ancient culture woven amid the majestic wildlife and nature. The perfect ending to a spectacular safari small group adventure!
Day 9 SERENGETI–ARUSHAA Serengeti Send Off
Embark on a final game drive before flying back to Arusha, where a day room is reserved at the Mount Meru Hotel for your convenience. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm.
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