ARUSHA - LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

You'll depart from Arusha after breakfast for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park.

The journey takes approximately two hours, but we'll pass through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu along the way. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise.

After a brief stop at the village market, you'll enter Lake Manyara National Park. The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.

Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac breasted roller.

You'll then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night's rest.

KARATU - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

We'll take an early breakfast, as we've got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of us!

We'll begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way, we'll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to glimpse cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth.

It's a nearly four-hour drive to the Serengeti park gates, but you can choose to break up the drive with one of the optional activities.

After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

SERONERA (CENTRAL SERENGETI)

Today you can choose when you will do game drive and when you want to relax in the lodge.

You can wake before dawn to take part in a sunrise game drive. As the sun sets fire to the savannah, you'll have the best opportunity to see predators in action as they take advantage of the low light and cooler temperatures to look for an early meal. It's an ideal time to see lions, leopards, and cheetahs in action as well as the early morning movements of the wildebeest, zebra, and other herbivores.

After your unforgettable morning, you'll return to your lodge for a late breakfast and to freshen up before hitting the road again with a picnic lunch / or to stay in the lodge in the afternoon to enjoy the view from the mess tent or the platform in front of your room.

Your driver will select the best possible route based upon the time of year and the kind of animals you'd like to see, catering your day so that your opportunities to see the Serengeti's diverse wildlife are maximized.

You can also have a normal morning game drive after breakfast, and return to the lodge for hot lunch.

From 1:00pm until 3:00pm, it is hotter than the rest of the day, so you may choose to stay in the lodge after lunch, and start another game drive in the late afternoon.

You have another option to take to the skies with a sunrise hot air balloon safari and champagne breakfast. Speak with your safari expert about adding this once-in-a-lifetime experience to your safari.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, we get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.

Once arrived in Ngorongoro Conservation Area you have the chance to visit an original Maasai Boma. The Maasai is the only tribe that is allowed to live inside this area.

Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

END OF THE ITINERARY

After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.

Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It's a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.

From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations.

After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park's famous hippo pool before returning to Arusha.

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch Stay

Osinon Camps and Lodges is located at the heart of Serengeti National Park, just a few minutes drive from Seronera airstrip.

Set under the shade of the acacia trees, the camp provides an easy view of wildlife passing from the south of the park to the northern corridor.

The camp offers 14 luxury en-suite canvas tents – including a family tent with private lounge, all with spectacular views. Each of the exclusive guest tents provides a king/queen size bed, study table and chair, traditional sofa and coffee table, 24-hour solar power, as well as free Wi-Fi. The ensuite bathroom provides a hot water shower, washbasin and toilet.

The camp offers a true bush experience with a very private atmosphere and personalized services.

Meals are served in the dining tent close to the communal lounge where guests can enjoy cold drinks after meals.

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch Stay

The Octagon Lodge is a small and private lodge located twenty minutes away from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Gate in Tanzania. Ideal for visitors on a private vacation or trip, it is situated amid exotic gardens and provides an ideal base for visitors to the northern parks of Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro.

The accommodations at the Octagon Lodge consist of twelve chalets and two stone cottages, as well as 1 large one bedroom unit. Most of the chalets are arranged as twin beds, while some are also arranged as double rooms with queen-sized four poster beds.

The cottages are oriented for families or groups of friends on a safari vacation or African holiday. All rooms contain en suite bathrooms with shower. The beds are extra large with four poster draping nets for protection against insects.

Each room also has a private veranda where guests can sit out and enjoy the sun, read a book or write a postcard.