12-Day Untamed Beauty of the Serengeti …

>> Arusha is the safari capital of the country and a bustling tourism-driven city. You will be met by your driver-guide guide in Arusha and together, you will begin the transfer to Africa Safari Rift Valley. Without stops, the drive will take approximately 2 hours. On arrival, you will have time to refresh and explore the expansive surroundings of the accommodation before finishing the day with dinner under the stars and a good night’s sleep in one of our comfy accommodations.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Rift Valley (Safari Comfort Accommodation) > Mid-range tented camp located on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP

>> You only need to open your eyes and walk to the restaurant to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Manyara. After breakfast, your driver-guide will take you to the entry gates of Lake Manyara National Park which offers a big ecological variety in a more condensed area. From the entrance of the park, the road winds through a groundwater forest area where baboons can be seen lounging in the trees. The mahogany and acacia trees are inhabited by the famous tree-climbing lions, if you’re lucky you might spot them lazing on a tree branch. As you make your way to the open grassy banks of the lake you will be able to see wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, and large buffaloes in abundance, grazing away. The lake itself is home to more than 400 species of birds thriving at the water’s edge, including the thousands of strolling flamingos. Between all this beauty you have a lunch break and at the end of the afternoon, you'll drive back to Africa Safari Rift Valley for dinner and and sleep.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Rift Valley (Safari Luxury Accommodation) > Mid-range tented camp located on the escarpment above Lake Manyara NP

>> After a good night's sleep, today is the ‘day of the elephants’. Tarangire is an hour's drive from the lodge and presents quite a different landscape to Lake Manyara. The hilly savannah together with the Tarangire River makes this the favourite park for large herds of elephants. During the dry season (June – October), the Tarangire River is the only source of water available, making it a popular spot not just for the elephants but a variety of small hoofed animals and an abundance of birdlife. Lions, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, and monkeys all roam the park, waiting for the ‘perfect picture’ opportunity! The night is spent at Africa Safari Lake Manyara.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Lake Manyara (Safari Comfort) > Mid-range tented camp located 1-2hr drive from Tarangire NP

>> Time to take it easy—African style! One of the favorite Swahili expressions is polepole (slow slow) and that’s exactly how today will go! You may wish to sleep in following several busy days filled with activities and travel or perhaps enjoy a second easy coffee while watching the animals graze near the restaurant. After breakfast, you will visit the traditional home of the Maasai, the Maasai Boma—which consists of a variety of small huts made of mud, sticks, and cow dung. The boma is surrounded by a circular “fence” of thorny bushes to protect the community and their cattle from predators. During your visit, you can practice a traditional dance, engage in a conversation about daily life, traditions and customs, and admire the beautiful beadworks of the Maasai women. The remainder of the day can be spent in relaxation mode; take a refreshing swim in the pool, read a book and before you know it, it is time for a meal with fresh vegetables from our garden.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Lake Manyara (Safari Comfort) > Mid-range tented camp located in Mto wa Mbu (Town)

>> A day of rest and relaxation or an extra excursion (not included). You can take a stroll through the camp, enjoy the view, read a book, or have an afternoon snooze while taking time to process recent impressions. Meals will be served in the restaurant while enjoying the view of the birds and animals as they pass by. After lunch, make yourself ready for your transfer to Karatu. Your overnight stay will be at Africa Safari Karatu.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Karatu (Safari Comfort Bungalow) > Mid-range lodge located in Karatu (Town)

>> Be sure to wake up early today, so there is no delay on your descent into the famous Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will be amazed by the beauty around you. Even more so when you arrive at the edge of the crater and take in the amazing view over one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The crater of this inactive volcano is approximately 3 million years old, 20 sq km in size and the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world. Due to its natural borders, the wildlife in the crater is amazing. The crater is home to the Big Five and offers a good chance to spot the rare black rhinos. Throw hyenas, zebras, buffaloes, and elephants into the mix, and you have the perfect canvas for a pretty awesome safari experience. At the end of the afternoon, you will head back to the lodge, Africa Safari Lake Manyara, for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari South Serengeti (Safari Comfort) > Mid-range tented camp located inside Ndutu (Southern Serengeti NP)

>> Today you have a long and rewarding drive ahead of you to central Serengeti. Along the drive, you will be able to spot giraffes, zebras, and other animals. Prepare to be amazed when you catch your first glimpse of the endless plains of the Serengeti. When you arrive at our Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma Lodge, you will have already had your first glimpse of the 14,000+ sq km that make up the wonder that is Serengeti National Park.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort) > Mid-range tented camp located inside Western Serengeti NP

>> You will enjoy a bit of a sleep-in and an easy morning around the campgrounds, read a book on the patio, or simply make the most of having some downtime. This afternoon, you will be making a walking safari. A truly unique experience, where you will have the opportunity to explore new territory and follow the animals on foot, accompanied by your very own armed ranger. The walking safari takes approximately 2 hours and ends with a sundowner while overlooking the Serengeti. Then back to the accommodation for a quick dinner and join in on a thrilling adventure; a night game drive. A spotlight is fitted to the vehicle and before you know it you catch the first reflections of the animal’s eyes. The night is another world altogether out there; interesting action of the nocturnal animals, different shades and shadows, and unknown sounds. Typical animals of the night are bushbabies, civets and genet cats, a rare aardvark or porcupine, and others.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort) > Mid-range tented camp located inside Western Serengeti NP

>> After breakfast, you will begin your safari for the day, heading north. The journey begins cruising along dirt tracks lined by shrubby savannah, the habitat of impala and giraffe. After a while, you will reach the Lobo area where the landscape opens up to a mix of grasslands, rivers, hills, and forests. Depending on the movement of the migration, you might even make your way further north to forests of acacia trees and dense bush. The area is permanently inhabited by many animals, both herbivores and carnivores. This northern section is less frequented than the southern and central parts of the Serengeti, allowing for fewer cars on the road and a more ‘exclusive’ safari experience. At the end of the day, you will leave the park through Klein’s gate. After a few kilometres, find another surprise; Maasai culture in its full glory. You'll spend the night at Africa Safari Maasai Boma in a modern-style version of a traditional Maasai earth house with an en-suite bathroom and kingsized bed.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Maasai Boma (Safari Comfort Bungalow) > Mid-range bungalow located just outside Northern Serengeti NP

>> After a good breakfast at Africa Safari Maasai Boma, you will depart on your game drive in Pololeti Game Reserve. Your driver-guide will take you exploring, following the movement of resident wildlife. There will be a stop for a nice picnic lunch along the way.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Maasai Boma (Safari Comfort Bungalow) > Mid-range bungalow located just outside Northern Serengeti NP

>> Today, you will enjoy another full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park. Throughout the day, you will explore the surroundings of a well-known phenomenon; the yearly crossing of the migration. Depending on the rainfall and your travel dates, you may have the opportunity to witness this spectacle of nature. In this expansive landscape, watered by several rivers, the game is there for viewing in large numbers. You are highly likely to cross paths with giraffes, hippos, elands, and elephants.

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:Africa Safari Serengeti Ikoma (Safari Comfort) > Mid-range tented camp located inside Western Serengeti NP

>> After a good night’s sleep, this morning it is departure time. After the last game drive, your vehicle will be taking you to the Seronera Airstrip for your flight back to Arusha Airport. After boarding the aircraft, your trip nears the end, but you can still peer out over the wings of the plane and enjoy the magnificent views while flying over Serengeti National Park. Admire the changing scenery of the Great Rift Valley. You will land at Arusha Airport with a camera full of pictures to share with friends and family and look back on the amazing memories created by your African endeavour!

• Time: 8-10 hours
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

•  Accommodation:No accommodation (End of tour)