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HST043: 12 days Serengeti-Oldupai Gorge-Ngorongo-Gibb’s-Lake Manyara-Sinya
Day 1: Tanzania – ARUSHA
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and after clearing with customs and immigration formalities, you’ll be met by our safari representative and transferred to your guest cottage for overnight. The charming cottages are set among lush gardens with views of the surrounding hills. Overnight at Mountain Village Lodge/Moivaro Lodge or equivalent.
Days 2/3/4:SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast depart by light aircraft for Serengeti National park. Upon arrival meet your Kilimanjaro guides and experience your first game drive on the way to camp. After lunch take sometime to relax and later depart on an afternoon game drive, returning in time for sundowners around the fire before dinner.
The vast Serengeti plains cover an area of over 14,763sq km and during the months of the migration, is inhabited by more than 3 million mammals including; lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, mongoose, honey badger, dik-dik, jackals, monkeys, baboon and African hare. There are also nearly 5 species of birds. From January through march up to 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle concentrate at the Ndutu and salei plains, where the calving seasons take place, attracting the attention of the predators. The Serengeti “kopje”, massive boulder island of granite standing in a ……of grass, provide shelter to a greater variety of plants and animals, from the elusive leopard to the tiny dik-dik.
You’ll spend three nights under canvas in a luxury private camp, set in a wilderness area, depending the season and movement of the animals. In the mornings awaken at dawn and after coffee or tea, depart on an early morning game drive. After returning to camp for a healthy breakfast you’llbe off a mid-morning game drive, perhaps with a picnic lunch so that you can spend the whole day game viewing. Return each late afternoon to camp for sundowners with a picnic lunch so that you can spend the whole day game viewing. Return each afternoon to camp for sundowners around the fire and dinner while listening to the sounds of an African night.Dinner and Overnight spent at a luxury tented camp or similar.
Day5: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast depart for a different part of Serengeti to the unique Serengeti serena lodge. The design of the lodge was inspired by a traditional African village, with luxury rondoval ( huts)set high on a hill overlooking the rooling Serengeti plains. You’ll arrive in time for lunch with time to relax and take a swim in the pool before an afternoon game drive. Dinner and Overnight at –serengeti serena lodge or similar(All meals & activities).
Day6: OLDUPAIGORGE-NGORONGORO CRATER
This morning you’ll have the opportunity to depart at dawn on a balloon safari, floating high over the Serengeti plains and ending with a champagne breakfast in the bush. After returning to the lodge, you’ll depart for the famous (oldupai gorge), where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery of early man. After visiting the small museum and attending a short lecture describing the archeological digs and geology of the gorge, continue to the “eighth wonder of the world”, the Ngorongoro Crater.The crater walls are 200ft high and the floor spreads for 102sq.miles,a truly awesome sight. It contains a river,several swamps,a soda lake- complete with flamingoes,a forest and open plains. A virtual “Noah’s Ark”, the crater is home to almost every species of wildlife indigenious of East Africa including;gazelle,elephant,lion,leopard,cheetah,rhino,buffalo,wildebeest,zebra and numerous hippo.Eagles,Cranes,storks and hundreds of other birds also inhabit this spectacular area.
After checking in to your lodge,perched high on the crater rim and enjoying lunch,you will descend the crater walls and spend the afternoon and early evening exploring this magnificent wonder.Overnight at Serena Crater Lodge or similar (all activities and meals).
Day7: NGORONGOROCRATER/GIBB’S FARM
This morning,after an early breakfast,depart with a picnic lunch and spend the day game viewing on the crater floor.In the afternoon,ascend the crater walls and continue to the Ngorongoro Highlands,passing small farms on your way to the beautiful Gibb’s farm.Formarly a working coffee plantation,the farm is the set on the hillside with views of the surrounding hills and accommodation are charming garden cottages.Gibb’s is known for its hospitality and wonderful food.Overnight – Gibb’s Farm or similar (All meals and activities).
Day8: GIBB’S FARM
Today you have the whole day at Gibb’s farm to do some walking,take a guided hike to the elephant caves and waterfall,tour the 10 acre organic vegetable gardens,enjoy some quality birdwatching in flower gardens or just relaxing and enjoying the peacefulness and ambiance at Gibb’s.Overnight – Gibb’s farm or similar (All meals & activities).
Day9: LAKEMANYARA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast at the farm you depart for a scenic drive to the escarpment above Lake Manyara National Park.Your accommodaton tonight will be at Kirurumu Tented Camp,a wonderful permanent tented camp perched atop the escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara.The tents have shaded verandas,comfortable beds with full linens and ensuite bathrooms with shower,vanity sink and flush toilets.
After lunch at kirurumu you’ll depart for an afternoon game drive in lake Manyara National Park.This beautiful small park is known for its lush vegetation and tropical forests of giant fog and mahogany trees,elaphant,giraffe,buffalo,zebra and a variety of antelope inhabit the park as well as a variety of monkeys and a large population of hippos.The park is also home to many species of birds and is one of the few places you will be able to see the comical ground hornbill.Overnight – Kirurumu Tented Lodge or similar (All meals & activities).
Day10/11:SINYA
This morning descend the escarpment and drive across the Great Rift valley to a remote area in the shadow of mt. Kilimanjaro flood plains,hills,acacia woodland and a memorable landscape of mt. Meru and Longido peaks give life to one of the most beautiful,pristine,wild areas of Northern Tanzania. This is the arid land of Sinya,one of the few areas in Africa where huge Elephant bulls, more than 50 years old ,carrying tusks of considerable size are regularly seen. These bulls, some of them living permanently in the zone, together with herds of mothers and calves, migrate between the swamp of Amboseli National Park and the acacia woodlands of Sinya in search of water and food. Due to their familiarity with safari vehicle sin Amboseli, they allow vehicles to approach them at very short distances, allowing for excellent photographic opportunities.
Activities while at Sinya include game drives in open safari vehicles, bird watching and walking safaris escorted by Maasai warriors. The maasai in Sinya still live in the traditional ceremonies. They are very friendly and not used to the commercial relationship with tourists that is common in more visited areas. You will have opportunities to visit their villages and if the occasion arises, participate in their ceremonies.
Your accommodation for the next two nights will be under canvas at Sinya Tented Camp. In the early morning, when the cloud cover lifts from the snow capped Mt.Kilimanjaro,the light is perfect for photographing the majestic mountain. After your game drives return to camp for breakfast. Afternoon enjoy nature walk with the Maasai, visit a Maasai village or enjoy other game viewing activities. Spend the evening with drinks around the campfire, under the enormous African sky. Overnight - Sinya Tented Camp or similar (All meals & activities)
Day12: ARUSHA
This morning enjoy a final morning game drive in this pristine area returning to camp for breakfast before departing for Arusha and the use of a day room until your evening transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
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