- Summary
- Itinerary
- Pricing
- Options & Add-ons
Best of Tanzania
Trip Highlights
Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater | Serengeti | Tarangire
EXPLORE
- The vast savannahs of the Serengeti
- An ancient caldera and UNESCO heritage site
- Rivers and Lakes of Tanzania
DISCOVER
- Wildlife roaming free where it has been for thousands of years
- Local pastoral cultures
- Archeological wonders
- Glittering stars of the Southern skies
CHOICE
- Experience a Safari from the skies in a gliding balloon
- Take a nature walk to learn about the small enchantments of the bush
Day 1 - Kilimanjaro Airport - Arusha
A Lion World Travel representative will meet you on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to you to Arusha where you can relax after your long journey.
Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa offers a haven of calm and serenity just outside the hustle and bustle of Arusha. Situated in the depths of a tree-shaded coffee plantation, cooled by mountain streams and sitting on the shores of an idyllic wooded lake, Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa, offers panoramic views over Lake Duluti. The ethnically styled ‘Rondavel’ village-cluster rooms are furnished in traditional safari style.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Arusha.
Arusha Serena Hotel – Standard Room
Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa – Standard Room (D)
Day 2 - Arusha - Ngorongoro
After breakfast drive to the Ngorongoro Crater where you will arrive in time for Lunch at your Lodge. Often described as one of the great natural wonders of the world, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It features the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera with sides so steep that it has become a natural enclosure for a very wide variety of wildlife, including most of the species found in East Africa.
The afternoon is at leisure or you may choose an optional activity.
Perched on the jagged rim of the crater, camouflaged in river-stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge hugs the crater rim, linked by rope-lashed timber walkways that skirt the roots of ancient, liana-hung trees. Lit by flaming wall-lanterns, clad in gigantic volcanic boulders and decorated by the iron spears, bright-beaded robes and intricately carved artefacts of the Maasai, the Lodge is a unique blend of world-class luxury and ethnic style.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge – Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, descend through the early morning mists and 2000ft/600m into Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is a world heritage site that is a haven for a variety of wildlife. Ngorongoro is the remnant of a volcano that blew apart, leaving a flat plain area ringed with steep walls, which now has a large soda lake, fresh springs and sheltering forests. There is a large concentration of animals in the Crater and sightings of the "Big Five" - Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard - are almost guaranteed. The structure of the Crater and the wildlife it attracts makes for a great African wildlife experience.
You will enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before returning to the lodge in the late afternoon
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge – Standard Room (B, L, D
Day 4 - Ngorongoro - Serengeti
After breakfast drive to Serengeti via the Olduvai Gorge archaeological site where the Leakeys, a family of renowned archaeologists, discovered the remains of a 1.8 million year old skeleton; one of the distinct links of the human evolutionary chain.
Continue to your lodge in the Serengeti where you will arrive in time for lunch.
Serengeti Serena Lodge is located on a hill with awesome views across the sweeping plains of Serengeti National Park. Home to the great migration, the Serengeti offers you an abundance of wildlife including the “Big Five” - lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard. Inspired by a traditional African village, separate "rondavel huts" house the 66 luxury en-suite guest rooms, in a simple but stunning design. Each room has a balcony with a view of the vast Serengeti plains. The lodge is rich in local atmosphere created by indigenous African handicrafts and art. A delightful water feature runs through the main public areas, creating a natural source of waterborne plants.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge – Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Serengeti
Today enjoy morning and afternoon game drives on the vast Serengeti plains where close up encounters with its wildlife are a remarkable experience.
The grasslands and savannahs of the Serengeti National Park sustain a huge animal population and are world-famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration. Golden-manned lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephant, jackals, wild dogs, topi and impala are just a few of the hundreds of different species that live in the massive park.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge – Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Serengeti
Another day of exceptional wildlife experiences and scenic wonders! As enduring as the game-viewing is the liberating sense of space that characterizes the Serengeti Plains, stretching across the sunburnt savannah.
There are also wooded hills and towering termite mounds, rivers lined with fig trees and acacia woodland stained orange by dust. There are more than 500 bird species, ranging from the outsized ostrich and bizarre secretary bird of the open grassland, to the black eagles that soar effortlessly above the Lobo Hills.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge – Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Serengeti - Tarangire
After breakfast drive to Tarangire with picnic lunch en route. Upon entering the park take time to discover Tarangire with a game drive en-route to your lodge.
The park was named after the river that flows the length of the park and provides a constant water source for the animals.
The main highlight is elephant, which mass here in enormous numbers during the dry season June to December. Herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. It's the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem - a smorgasbord for predators – and the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed.
During the green season January to May, the park is beautiful, still has reasonable levels of game and very low visitor numbers, making for a very accessible yet apparently remote safari experience.
Built to blend with its surroundings, Tarangire Sopa Lodge is hidden among the ancient baobabs of Tarangire National Park. The rooms are simple and comfortable, and are arranged in groups of four, in African-style buildings. Large sliding doors open to a private balcony. 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 to wildlife.
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge – Standard Room (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Tarangire - Arusha - Kilimanjaro
After an early morning game drive in Tarangire drive back to Arusha for Lunch at Cultural Heritage where you can shop to your heart’s delight and enjoy a delicious buffet of various dishes from local traditional African and Indian to Italian and European foods.
Later transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. (B, L)
Add-Ons
If you prefer sun and sand and relaxation after your safari we suggest a relaxing beach stay in Zanzibar enjoying its sun kissed beaches, coral reefs, shoals of starfish and anemones at low tide. Discover Zanzibar's history and vibrant culture on a visit to historic Stone Town. Your stay includes 3 nights in your choice of accommodations, airport transfers, meals as indicated and a half-day Stone Town excursion.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
SERENGETI BALLOON SAFARI
For an extraordinary adventure float in a hot air balloon over the famous Serengeti National Park with its enchanting scenery and amazing wildlife. This may be the highlight of your safari and an experience that you will remember always.
NGORONGORO MAASAI VILLAGE
About 200 years ago the Maasai arrived in the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Their traditional way of life allows them to live in harmony with the wildlife and the environment. Visit the Maasai Cultural bomas to learn more about their unique culture.
NGORONGORO CRATER NATURE WALK
Take a guided nature walk around the crater rim to discover some of the smaller enchantments of the bush and view magnificent scenes of the crater. To really appreciate the wonders of the African bush, you have to leave the safari vehicle behind and take a walk. Gain insight into the world of African trees, flowers, insects, reptiles, birds and animals.
Prices are per person in US Dollars, for land arrangements only, based on double occupancy accommodations.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr - May 25 | May 26 - Jun 30 | Jul 1 - Oct 31 | Nov - Dec 15 | |
Selling Price | $4799 | $4799 | $3999 | $3599 | $4599 | $4799 | $3999 |
Single Supplement | $490 | $490 | $390 | $0 | $399 | $490 | $390 |
Inclusions:
- All transfers as specified
- All arrival and departure transfers
- Accommodation & Meals as specified
- All game drives as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation in 4 X 4 vehicles with open/pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography
- Services of English-speaking driver/guides
- Parks entrance fees
- All Government taxes and levies
- Lion World Travel Representative Meet & Greet upon arrival
Exclusions:
- Round trip economy International Airfare
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- All other services not mentioned
- Gratuities/Tips for driver/guides
- Costs of obtaining Passports or Visas
- Trip Cancellation, Interruption and/or Medical Insurance – please note that insurance for this trip is a mandatory requirement from suppliers in Africa – proof of insurance must be provided before bookings are confirmed. It is your personal responsibility to ensure you have enough travel insurance coverage from the provider of your choice. Please let your Africa Specialist know if you would like information on this.
Baggage
Click here for airline baggage restrictions.
Soft-sided luggage or duffels are preferable to hard luggage for storage on safari vehicles within East Africa. Large suitcases of dimensions greater than 24"x 17"x 7" are impossible to store in vehicles and on aircraft and should not be used. (Baggage and personal effects are at owner's risk throughout the tour and baggage insurance is strongly advised).
Speak to an Expert
1-800-387-2706
TRAVELER TESTIMONIAL
From the moment of first contact with Samuel (could not have been more helpful guiding us through the process on arrival) in Kilimanjaro Airport through all the hotels, parks, and back to Kilimanjaro, we were treated warmly and professionally. Ally was great at walking us through the plans and introducing us to Amani Kipinga our driver guide for our entire journey.
Would recommend them without reservation to others. Anything else anyone might wonder or worry about such as vehicle condition, cleanliness, safety, or any personal needs will be happy to hear that EVERYTHING was thought of and treated superbly.
So, all in all, we loved our Tanzania safari very much and could not be happier with the service provided by Lion World Travel.
Brian M. & Megan P.