TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and...

8
Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 1 Safari 5-day Northern Tanzania TRIP ITINERARY Taking a safari (literally translated as “journey” or “to travel” in Kiswahili) is like nothing most people have ever experienced. You will explore some of the most ancient lands of our world, glimpse the daily lives of some of the world’s most intriguing animals and sleep in luxury in the middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns weren’t enough, Tanzania also harbors the great Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s first and most famous park, and a major portion of the Serengeti region, which makes up 14 percent of Tanzania’s land are and comprised not only the park, but also the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Lobiondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. More than six million hooves pound the legendary plains of the Serengeti, which is renowned for its wealth of leopard and lion. The vast reaches of the park also help the black rhino fight extinction and provide a protected breeding ground for the vulnerable cheetah. Every year, triggered by the rains, nearly two million wildebeest, 200,00 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle undertake the long trek to new grazing lands.

Transcript of TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and...

Page 1: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 1 

 

 

Safari 5-day Northern Tanzania 

TRIP ITINERARY Taking a safari (literally translated as “journey” or “to travel” in Kiswahili) is like nothing most people have ever experienced. You will explore some of the most ancient lands of our world, glimpse the daily lives of some of the world’s most intriguing animals and sleep in luxury in the middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime.  As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns weren’t enough, Tanzania also harbors the great Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is Tanzania’s first and most famous park, and a major portion of the Serengeti region, which makes up 14 percent of Tanzania’s land are and comprised not only the park, but also the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Maswa Game Reserve, the Lobiondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo Controlled Areas and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.  More than six million hooves pound the legendary plains of the Serengeti, which is renowned for its wealth of leopard and lion. The vast reaches of the park also help the black rhino fight extinction and provide a protected breeding ground for the vulnerable cheetah. Every year, triggered by the rains, nearly two million wildebeest, 200,00 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle undertake the long trek to new grazing lands. 

 

Page 2: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 2 

 

Schedule DAY 1 Tarangire National Park Elevation (ft) 3,325ft 

Activities Game Drive 

Included Breakfast, lunch, dinner and specified activities, No drinks, no laundry 

After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and, not surprisingly, the predators follow. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope, such as oryx and gerenuk, are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for it spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains to the south. Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris traveling through the Northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and 

the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout.  Day Notes  After morning breakfast we will head to Tarangire National park, a few hours out into the bush in Maasai country- just three hours from our hotel. Located 75 miles from Arusha, Tarangire is the sixth largest park in Tanzania. With Baobab and Acacia trees, much like the Serengeti, Tarangire is home to legions of elephants, which inhabit this park in large herds. In the park you also find other game such as rhino, buffalo, elands, warthog, the Fringe-Eared Oryx, Lesser and Greater Kuku, Gerenuk and a large number of Impala. The rains scatter the seasonal visitors over a 20,000 square kilometer (12,500 sq miles) range until they exhaust the green plains and the river calls once more. However, Tarangire’s mobs of elephant are easily encountered, wet or dry. The swamps, tinged green year round, are the focus focus of 50 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere 

 

Page 3: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 3 

in the world. On drier ground you find Koori bustard, the heaviest flying bird, the Stocking Sighed Ostrich, the world’s largest bird; and the Ground Hornbills that bluster like turkeys. Tarangire pythons climb trees, as do lions and leopards, lounging in the branches where the fruit of the sausage tree disguises the twitch of a tail.  

Overnight: Maramboi Tented Camp or Similar 

This is a unique opportunity to experience and explore the Tarangire and Manyara ecosystem.  Maramboi Tented Camp offers permanent camp facilities and endless vistas of rolling golden grasslands and palm-lined desert between Tarangire and Manyara Lake. A visit to the area is essential for anyone interested in evolution and the origins of Mankind and an explanation of the Rift Valley and Africa’s big picture. It is a complete semi-desert experience focusing on safari walks and game drives. 40 spacious tents built on ample wooden decks, among them there are 26 standard rooms, 10 suites and 2 unites with 2 rooms interconnected, ideal for families with children. They all have en suite facilities and private verandas with 24-hour electric lighting.  DAYS 2 & 3 Central Serengeti Activities Game drive via Olduvai Gorge and afternoon game drive in the Serengeti  

Included Breakfast, lunch, dinner and specified activities, No drinks, no laundry 

The Serengeti together with Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Park form Africa’s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a 

Maasai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet- with more than a million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air-ballooning over the Serengeti plains horseback safaris are available as well.   

 

Page 4: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 4 

Day Notes 

From Tarangire National Park, we will travel to the legendary Serengeti National Park. We will drive along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. More than 6 million hooves pound the legendary plains of the Serengeti. Every year, triggered by the rains, more than a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle gather to undertake the long trek to new grazing lands. Tanzania’s first and most famous park, the Serengeti, is renowned for its wealth of leopard and lion. The vast reaches of the park help the black rhino to fight extinction and provide a protected breeding ground for the vulnerable cheetah. Today you will witness predator vs. prey and the fundamental independence of the Serengeti’s abundant species, from more than 500 varieties of bird to 100 types of dung beetle. 

Overnight: Kati Kati Mobile Camp or Similar 

Serengeti Kati Kati is a mobile tented camp located in Central Serengeti, strategically located to cover 

the vast Serengeti Plains. The camp offers comfortable accommodation and a unique opportunity to enjoy a real safari camp experience, just a two-hour scenic drive from Olduvai Gorge Museum and Grumeti River. Accommodation comprises 20 tents with en-suite facilities, with a cosy mess tent located in the centre of the camp where meals are served. The campfire is ready every evening for appetizers and snacks before dinner. Serengeti National Park is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries on the planet and the largest National Park in Tanzania, covering an extension of 15,000 square kilometers. Its landscapes depict the mythical image of an Africa of large spaces, profound blue skies dotted with clouds, cool sunrises and fire-red sunsets.   

 DAY 4 Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater 

Activities Game drive in the Serengeti and then drive to Crater area 

Included Breakfast, lunch, dinner and specified activities, No drinks, no laundry 

The Ngorongoro Crater is game viewing gone crazy and it is not surprising that it is Tanzania’s major tourist attractions. Within the crater rim a daily wildlife drama is played out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby lions, leopards, elephants and black rhinos. Outside the crater a similar drama continues in a more spread out manner, with Maasai herdsmen thrown into the mix. 

Day Notes 

Begin with an early morning departure through the Serengeti and head to Ngorongoro Crater. Leaving the Serengeti behind, we drive past Olduvai Gorge, which was made famous by the Leakey’s in their quest for the origin of mankind. Fragments of a skull were unearthed in 1959 dated at 1.8 million years old and later in 1979 the Laetoli footprints were discovered dating back 3.5 million years.   The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which lies between the Serengeti and the Lake Manyara National Parks boasts the largest unbroken, inactive and unflooded caldera in the world. Perhaps Having once been about the same size as Mount Kilimanjaro, when the volcanic activity subsided, it collapsed inward resulting in a crater 18 kilometers (11miles) across. Surrounded by very steep walls 610 meters (2000 ft) deep, this natural amphitheater covers an area of about 260 square 

 

Page 5: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 5 

kilometers (100 square miles) and is home for up to 25,000 larger mammals. Nearly half of those being zebra and wildebeest while other species found are buffalo, gazelle, eland, hartebeest, warthog and the elusive black rhino. Lion, hyena, cheetah and leopard are among the predators within the crater. 

Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge or Similar 

Perched on the rim of the collapsed volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, a world heritage site, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It has the most magnificent views over the crater floor, which is home to vast herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra and the rare and endangered black rhino, elephant, cheetah, leopard, lion and herds of gazelle and wildebeest. Its position on the Eastern rim allows the most spectacular and uninterrupted views of the sunset. The lodge is located 170km (105mi) from Arusha, approximately a 4-hour drive and 40 minutes by air, with another 45 minutes transfer from the airstrip to the lodge. 

DAY 5 Ngorongoro Crater and Departure Elevation (ft) 5,000-7,000ft Activities Game Drive, long drive to the airport Included Breakfast, lunch, dinner and specified activities, No drinks, no laundry 

Day Notes 

After breakfast, we begin with a sunrise game drive, which is always rewarding to watch the animals eating early in the morning. We have a half day game drive in and around the Ngorongoro Crater from sunrise to afternoon, exploring hippo pools, looking for lions and discovering animals around every corner. The goal is to find the black rhino. After lunch, we begin a long journey back. It will take most of the day to get back to the airport. We will stop at some of the abundant craft markets if time permits as we return and then drop you off at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. NOTE: Flights should leave after 20:00) 

 

Page 6: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 6 

Pricing 5-DAY NORTHERN TANZANIA SAFARI  

2+ persons $3,360 per person double occupancy. 

Single Supplement $310 (if you do not wish to share a room) 

ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED COSTS TO PARTICIPANTS 

Airfare $1500-$2000 per person 

Supplemental medical insurance $200-$700 per person (varies widely based on what you want to insure, base cost of just medical insurance is less than insuring the cost of your trip) 

Tips for support staff $200 per person 

Gear $100 (will vary based on personal needs and what you already have)  

 

 

Page 7: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 7 

ABOVE COST INCLUDES 

● All lodging per itinerary ● All meals per itinerary ● All park fees, eco-tourism fees and any other 

government taxes, levies and transit fees at time of quote. Subject to change at anytime 

● English-speaking safari guide ● Private safari transport in 4WD Toyota Land 

Cruiser or like vehicle ● Flying doctors insurance ● Pickup at hotel in Moshi on Day 1 as a group ● Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport as group on last 

day of safari ● Transfers to/from hotel and to/from park 

entrance/exit gates per itinerary 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE  

● Any activities not specified in the itinerary. ● Any transfers not specified in the itinerary or 

outside of the group transfers specified ● International and domestic airfare ● Drinks and laundry ● International air or transport taxes ● Travel insurance ● Liability for expenses against sickness, flight 

cancellation, road blockage, accidents and other occurrence beyond our control 

● Tanzanian visa fee ● Gratuities to your guide, hotel staff and porters ● All statutory increases beyond our control ● Any items of a personal nature 

 

Page 8: TRIP ITINERARY · middle of nowhere. Expect stunning landscapes, unforgettable experiences and memories to last a lifetime. As if the continent’s highest peak and best beach towns

Northern Tanzania Safari Itinerary | 8 

 

 

 

Disclaimer The outline itinerary is a guide that the Embark Exploration Co. will adhere to. The final itinerary may differ in the order that you visit areas and the places where you stay overnight. We reserve the right to make changes based on weather, road and/or operating conditions imposed by owners of accommodation facilities, etc.