Northern Tanzania and Highland Trekking
Game drives with a handpicked selection of the finest National Parks and conservation areas that Tanzania has to offer, rich grass roots culture; firstly by being enveloped into the daily living of the Maasai people of Esilalei community. Get the real story and beliefs of these brightly colored nomadic tribes in an unrushed manner, you simple become one with surroundings the people and the land. This adventure laced wildlife safari of Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit is so well balanced we believe that with each new breaking dawn there is an amazing discovery built into this combined 4 x 4 vehicle and hiking safari. The hike is stunning and with a name born to it of “Ngorongoro Crater Highlands trail” one can only begin to imagine the jaw dropping scenery that unfolds before you as you trek with Maasai warriors, and a donkey train throughout the Crater Highlands, passing many Maasai settlements that are laced through this stunning piece of back country. The biggest and most impressive picture postcard scene is the dramatic landscape of Lake Natron with the mighty Oldonyo Lengai volcano sitting ideally waiting for the next time she spills her ashes and molten lava down the sheer sides of this impressive conical backdrop.
If you have the time and enjoy variety with a little hard work and action then this combo walking/wildlife safari is definitely one you should consider to put in your shopping basket! From day 1 to 13 there is so much to take in including Tarangire, Lake Manyara National Parks the famous Serengeti eco system and to put the cherry on the cake, Ngorongoro Crater as the finale of one of the most rewarding hikes in Tanzania.
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Below, we go through the adventure day-by-day, giving you a better feel of the adventure.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport where you will be collected and transfer to Ahadi Lodge located just outside Arusha town.
O/n Ahadi Lodge (D)
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Depart from Arusha in the morning and begin the drive through a changing landscape to Tarangire
National Park for game drives of the ‘Elephant Playground’. Game drives en route to Tarangire Safari Lodge for hot lunch and relaxation – head out again late afternoon for sunset game drives and return to the lodge in time for sundowner drinks.
O/n Tarangire Safari Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 3: Esilalei Maasai Community
Dawn game drives of Tarangire National Park - then leave the park with a game drive en-route and head the short distance to the Maasai community of Esilalei. Meet with your local Maasai guide who will introduce you to his village. Get a better understanding of the natural medicines still used on a daily basis with a Maasai medicine walk of the surrounding area. Then continue down to a Boma (mud dwelling) for an introduction into the Maasai way of life, beliefs and rituals. Freshen up and enjoy a real cultural experience around the fire place with traditional song and dance.
O/n Isoitok Camp Manyara (B, L, D)
Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast depart towards Lake Manyara National Park for game drives of this very diverse park. If you are lucky you may see the famous tree climbing lions. Picnic lunch in the bush followed by game drives until mid-afternoon – then slowly make your way out of the park and return to the camp.
O/n Isoitok Camp Manyara (B, L, D)
Day 5: Highland Trekking to Empakai
Early morning departure to Nainokanoka village. Meet your ranger who will accompany you throughout the highlands trek – head up to Olmoti Crater – pass by several Masai bomas, enjoy the views from the crater rim over the bul bul depression and Nainokanoka village below. Then board your safari vehicle and cut across the bul bul depression towards Bulati masai village. Continue by foot through to the rim of Empakai crater. Relax on the crater rim soaking in the views around you.
O/n Empakai Campsite – Eco Lightweight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 6: Highland Trekking through Naiyobi Village
After breakfast drop down into the Empakai crater to view the lesser East African flamingoes that congregate along the forshore – return to the camp for breakfast. Then cross the crater highlands to Naiyobi Village and down into the yellow acacia forest.
O/n Acacia forest campsite – Eco lightweight Camping (B, L, D)
Day 7: Highland Trekking to Lake Natron
Descend down the Rift Valley escarpment to Oldoinyo Lengai, an active volcano and the home of the Masai God – here you will leave the donkey train and Maasai escort as you board the safari vehicle and transfer through to the lush natural gardens at the Lake Natron camp.
O/n Lake Natron Tented Camp (B, L, D)
Day 8: Lake Natron
Breakfast, then head down to the lake shores by 4×4 vehicle – enjoy walks out on the mud flats around the shores of Lake Natron, viewing the Lesser East African flamingo. Together with a local guide make your way to the waterfalls – relaxation and swimming before returning to the camp.
O/n Lake Natron Tented Camp (B, L, D)
Day 9: Serengeti National Park
Morning departure from lake Natron – head via Wasso village towards Klein’s Gate where you enter Serengeti NP. Game drive en route to Kiota Camp located in the Seronera Area (central Serengeti).
O/n Kiota Camp (B, L, D)
Day 10: Serengeti National Park
Dawn game drive of the Serengeti and return to the camp for breakfast. Plan your game drives with your driver – relax at camp or head out on full day game drives to your own design.
O/n Kiota Camp (B, L, D)
Day 11: Olduvai Gorge
After breakfast leave the Serengeti plains behind you – drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as you head towards Ngorongoro Crater. Stop at Olduvai gorge to visit the cradle of mankind where the Leakey’s discovered findings of early Hominids along with many fossils and stone artifacts. Continue towards your Ngorongoro Angata Camp.
O/n Ngorongoro Angata Camp (B, L, D)
Day 12: Ngorongoro Crater
Early morning descend in the crater for game drives. There are 25,000 large mammals residing in the park, elephants are mainly bulls, females stay out of the park due to the largest predator population in Africa. Black Rhino also make their home on the grassy plains, there numbers make up for almost half which can be found in East Africa about 20 in total. Mid afternoon begin the climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha.
O/n Ahadi Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 13: Departure
After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, slowly transfer to Kilimanjaro airport where you connect with your flight. (B)
Note: O/N = Overnight, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
| Amount of persons: | Price p.p. (usd): |
| 2 people sharing | 6405.- |
| 4 people sharing | 5220.- |
| 6 people sharing | 4975.- |
| Note: prices are based on two adults and indicative. Single supplement is $ 790 | |
- Included:
- Meals as stipulated |B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner
- Complimentary mineral water x1.5 liters per person in the safari vehicle
- 4x4 game viewing vehicles plus driver guide (window seat guaranteed)
- Unlimited game drives
- Emergency Evacuation Cover
- All transfers and activities as mentioned above
- Park fee, Conservation fees and Community Development Fees
- Accommodation as stipulated
- Excluded:
- Tips suggested: Driver guide $8-$10 per person sharing the vehicle per day
- Drinks apart from 1,5 liter mineral water during the safari
- Visa and airport departure tax
- Items of personal nature and not mentioned in the above itinerary
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Through our Community Development foundation, the African Roots Foundation, Bush2Beach Safaris actively supports rural communities in Tanzania's Bush and Beach.