6 Day Northern Tanzania Classic
Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park
In the morning, we will collect you from your hotel and drive you to Tarangire National Park. Bush savanna, seasonal marshes, and formidable baobab trees make up the landscape of this nature reserve. The Tarangire Park is probably one of the best places in East Africa to watch and to get up close to elephants. This is not only because of an estimated 4000 animals, but also because the elephants are not bothered by the vehicles at a relatively near distance. As well as the elephants, the park is the habitat for Maasai giraffes, various gazelle, antelopes, buffalo, lions, leopards, baboons, and more than a hundred different types of birds. There is definitely plenty of wildlife to watch late in the afternoon, you will arrive at Fanaka Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, the tour takes you to the lush crater uplands. Here the fertile soil allow crops such as wheat, corn, and coffee to be grown. A short while later, you will see the plains of the Serengeti. A lunch break will be taken at Oldupai Gorge. This area is very dry and it is well known for the work of the famous archaeological couple Leakey. In the sixties, the couple discovered the oldest prehistoric human remains and a small museum was built to document their work. This visit is optional. The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word Siringeti meaning “endless plains”. This name is well deserved as the grassland savanna in the south stretches to the horizon and is only interrupted by the so called Kopjes. The plains are the perfect hunting grounds for leopards and other big cats. Here you will have a chance to view these significant creatures in their natural habitat. You will also enjoy an evening meal and stay overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp.
Day 3: Serengeti National Park
The whole day is dedicated to wildlife watching in the Serengeti. The areas that you will visit will depend upon where the migrating herds are to be found. Usually the wildebeest and the zebras during the short rainy season in October and November are to be found moving from the hills in the north, to the plains in the south. During the longer rainy season of April, May, and June, they return north. With fluctuations of annual rainfall, the exact location of the animals varies from year to year. Your guide however will know the location of the herds and where to get the best views. You will be spent another night at Kati Kati Tented Camp.
Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will start a new game drive in the Serengeti National Park. In the Seronera Valley you will find wildebeest, zebras, and often lions and other big cats such as leopards and cheetahs. After lunch at a picnic site, you will drive in the direction of the Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you have reached the edge of the crater, the caldera opens up before you and is a sight to behold. Overnight will be at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge on the crater's edge from where you can enjoy this fantastic view as the sun goes down.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara National Park
Breakfast is at day break before you drive into the crater. Inside the world’s biggest caldera, you cannot fail to be captivated by the rich and diverse wildlife. In the grass steppes and Acacia forest you will find almost every type of animal from the East African Savanna with the exception of topi, massai giraffe and impala. It is also possible in a few hours to see the big five – lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopards. After extensive wildlife watching and a picnic in the crater you will travel to Fanaka Lodge for your evening meal and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha
Today you will visit the last national park on the ‘Northern Circuit’. The Lake Manyara National Park is known for its ‘tree climbing lions’ which is uncharacteristic of lions. A large area of the park covers the alkaline Manyara Lake which seasonally is visited by large colonies of flamingo and other water birds. On the lake shore you can see elephants, hippopotami, buffalo, banded mongoose, various antelopes, and gazelles. After plenty of wildlife watching you will be driven back to Arusha.