Tanzania
Overview:
Home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Maasai culture, and the spice island of Zanzibar, Northern Tanzania is full of world-renowned landmarks. The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem houses more volume of megafauna than anywhere else on the planet, making this an iconic safari destination with the chance to see the Great Migration during various phases of its cycle and the vast numbers of species that rely on this annual movement. The allure is undeniable, but evading the mainstream crowds and crafting a deeper experience requires an understanding of the seasonal cycles, high quality guiding, and customization as there is far more to do than most have time for.
Itinerary Summary:
Days 1 - 2 – Arusha
Days 2 – 4 – Tarangire National Park
Days 4 - 6 – Ngorongoro
Days 6 – 10 – Serengeti
Day 11 – Depart
The Essentials:
Local Culture
Baobab trees and wildlife of Tarangire
Private Guiding throughout
Ngorongoro Crater
Two distinct Serengeti National Park regions selected for seasonal advantage
Seasonality – A Serengeti safari can be a year-round adventure, however the main rainy season of April-May and shorter, milder rainy season in November influence wildlife movement and camp availability. Your interests will dictate the best time of year for you
Extension ideas can include chimpanzee trekking in southern Tanzania, beach time on the Swahili Coast, gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, and more
Itinerary:
Arusha – 1 Night
Arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport where you’re met and transferred to your hotel in Arusha for the evening. This is a growing city with lots to do, mainly serving as a gateway to a Northern Tanzania safari circuit.
Tarangire National Park – 2 Nights
On the move with your private guide, set out for Tarangire National Park, a lesser-visited park than Lake Manyara with fewer crowds to congest the wildlife viewing and impressive herds of elephant and sightings of big cats. This is a beautiful park and the only location in Northern Tanzania where you’ll find the massive baobab trees, also known as the “trees of life” and can live to be over a thousand years old.
Ngorongoro Crater – 2 Nights
Between Tarangire and Ngorongoro you’ll find rural communities where you can experience Tanzanian daily life, perhaps stopping for a banana from a roadside vendor, riding in a tuktuk and learning about the community programs tourism is supporting. You’ll have the chance to learn about the different tribal communities from Maasai to Datoga and more. For those looking for an even more off the beaten path cultural experience, we can add in time at Lake Eyasi to visit with the Hadzabe hunter gatherers. From Ngorongoro, you’ll stay along the rim of the crater, offering an important vantage to accessing early morning safari before the crowds arrive from outside the park boundary. Spend the day in the crater where resident wildlife includes everything from wallowing cape buffalo to flocks of flamingos, and from prides of lion to solidary black rhino.
Serengeti National Park – 5 Nights
The Serengeti National Park is so large it would take twelve hours to drive from the north to the south. This cannot be overemphasized! Each region of the park has its own appeal, depending on your personal interests and the time of year. The Central Serengeti offers the highest numbers of resident species, but the Great Migration events take place from the far south during the calving season to the northern border with Kenya along the Mara River during the crossing season. Five nights between two regions of the park is a must, at minimum, for anyone seriously focused on wildlife viewing.
Extension Option – Gorilla Trekking
Tanzania is connected conveniently with various flights to both Entebbe, Uganda and Kigali Rwanda. Options to extend for the unbeatable combination of safari and gorilla trekking can be tailored to your interests and budget.
Extension Option – Zanzibar Beach Holiday
The Spice Island of Zanzibar is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Stone Town surrounded by spice plantations and a history of trade that blended cultural traditions from Africa to the Middle East. Relax on white sand beaches, journey through the narrow corridors of Stone Town with a local guide, and experience the character of the island.
Please call us on +1 720 494 1530 or email us at the link below to discuss this trip further with a travel expert. We would be happy to discuss ways to tailor this itinerary to your personal preferences.
