DAY 1 ARUSHA • LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
This afternoon, you’ll depart Arusha and pass through the Maasai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. Continue the journey up through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara. The vegetation around the lake’s shores comprises mostly forest, acacia woodland, and open grassland. You can always find hippo in the Simba River, elephants in the forests, and a resident herd of Cape buffalo on the open plains. In addition, there are about 400 species of birds, and with some luck, you might see the famous tree-climbing lions. Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (D)
It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting for Lake Manyara Serena Lodge - on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment, overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the stunning Manyara soda lake. Tree-climbing lions are but one lure. The extraordinary birdlife has made this place world-renowned among ornithologists, who come to observe the masses of pink flamingos and great birds of prey. The abundant birdlife inspired the design of Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge - swooping curves are complemented by soft, geometric patterns; stylish murals depict bird migration patterns. The circular shape of the buildings is a tribute to indigenous architectural traditions. Beyond the superb standards of hospitality offered, there is a spirit of tranquility that prevails.
DAY 2 LAKE MANYARA • SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast take one last game drive in Lake Manyara National Park and then journey to Olduvai Gorge, the famous archaeological site where the Leakeys uncovered 1.75 million year old humanoid fossils of Australopithecus, Homo Habilis and Homo Erectus. The Gorge is about 50km long and in some places 90m deep. You will have time to walk through the simple small museum at the gorge, where you can view copy displays of some of the finds as well as pictures of what life was like for the gorge’s earliest inhabitants. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park. Serengeti Sopa Lodge (BLD)
The Serengeti Sopa Lodge is located in the Nyarboro Hills in the southwest of the Serengeti National park, and is the only tourism development in this section of the park. Year-round water and the acacia woodland in this area created an ideal environment for the wide variety of wildlife seen in the immediate vicinity of the lodge. Looking out over the seemingly endless Serengeti plains, this hillside lodge is a tranquil oasis set in thousands of square kilometers of Serengeti National Park. The lodge can accommodate around 170 guests in 79 suites, each enjoying wall-to-wall carpeting, a private lounge with minibar, a bedroom with two queen-size beds, and ample room for a third guest. Each has a private veranda, which offers stunning views over the plains. As the sun sets, you may enjoy sundowner cocktails by the pool, and in the evening after a 4-course dinner, traditional dancers entertain guests. Slide presentations are also held daily by resident naturalists.
DAY 3 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
The Maasai translation of Serengeti is endless plains. This expansive park, covering over 23,000 square miles, is home to thousands of animals and the spectacular migration. On early morning and afternoon game drives, go in search of the herds and their predators. Serengeti Sopa Lodge (BLD)
DAY 4 NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Depart after breakfast and drive directly across the Serengeti plains to Ngorongoro, where you will descend 2,000 feet into the crater for a day of game viewing with a picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is also one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. Late afternoon you leave the crater and drive back to the lodge for a spectacular sunset. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (BLD)
The Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is located on Lemala Hill on the uppermost eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, making this the only tourist development on the eastern rim of the crater. The views into the crater floor from here are spectacular and sunsets magnificent. Another major advantage here is that guests can enjoy a safari beginning only five minutes of leaving the lodge, as the park gate is very close. The lodge is tastefully decorated and spacious, and all the bedrooms are modern, comfortable, and equipped with everything one would expect from a hotel of this class. With an altitude of 2,375 meters, the lodge experiences cool and even cold weather, especially during the winter months of June and July when temperatures can get as low as 10 C (50 F). However, guests enjoy sunshine during most of the year and must take care when sunbathing by the pool due to the altitude. The food and service is stylish, with meals being a massif collection of delicious international and Tanzanian dishes.
DAY 5 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Make new friends today as you travel to a Maasai Village for a cultural visit and to interact with the local Maasai. Afternoon game drive through Tarangire National Park. Tarangire Sopa Lodge (BLD)
Tarangire is recognized as one of the best parks on the northern circuit for elephant viewing during the dry season and Tarangire Sopa Lodge is ideally placed to experience this. The lodge welcomes guests to its vast marble-floored reception area with cold flannels and iced juice. In the pretty gardens, a large circular pool with a central island, a pool bar and elegant wooden loungers demonstrate the lodge’s commitment to comfort. Delicious barbecue lunches are often served here. A broad veranda wraps itself around the lodge and gives prime viewing for the waterhole below, which is filled during the dry season and becomes a magnet for wildlife. The rooms at the lodge are simple, comfortable and spacious, and are arranged in groups of four in African-style buildings. Large sliding doors open to a private balcony.
DAY 6 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon game drives inside Tarangire National Park. Tarangire National Park measures 1,600 squares miles and is Tanzania’s fifth largest park. The park is named after the Tarangire River that provides the only permanent water for wildlife in the area. The river runs up the center of the park through diverse habitats and varied topography. Gentle rolling hills interspersed with giant baobab trees, open acacia woodlands, and seasonal swamps provide a spectacular and picturesque setting. Tarangire National Park is particularly well known for its large population of elephants. Tarangire Sopa Lodge (BLD)
DAY 7 TARANGIRE • ARUSHA
Depart after breakfast and head back to Arusha. We can arrange a dayroom and dinner in Arusha before your evening departure (additional cost), or consider a Zanzibar extension. (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Departs: Every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday 2008
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Tanzania
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Archeology/History
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