5 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire Safari

Early morning pick up from your hotel in Arusha at 8:00am for a drive todrive across the floor of the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park. Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and a variety of antelope inhabit the park as well as a variety of monkeys and a large population of hippo’s. If you are lucky you may see the Manyara lions, well known for their tree climbing habits, lazily resting on the branches of an “Acacia tortilis” tree. The birdlife is also abundant with flamingos, pelicans, hornbills and plenty of forest species. Overnight at TWIGA Campsite or Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge or a similar lodge.

After breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro crater for a full afternoon of tracking game with your guide on the crater floor. You will break for your picnic lunch at the Ngoitoktok springs picnic site. All the big five may be seen. Other species encountered are cheetah, grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, common zebra, wildbeest and the spotted hyena. Flamingos may also be seen at the Crater Lake. Dinner and overnight at the SIMBA Campsite or Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge or a similar lodge.

Morning hike in the Southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the elephant cave and waterfall. In the afternoon visiting the Iraqw tribe cultural centre in Karatu to learn how the tribe protected their cattle from Masai incursions using underground settlements. After full day activities overnight at SIMBA Campsite or Campsite near Karatu or a similar lodge.

After breakfast depart for Tarangire National park, Tanzania’s third largest national park and sanctuary for an unusually large elephant population. Majestic baobab trees are an interesting feature of the park, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. Animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in the area. There is a great diversity of wildlife including lion, leopard, cheetah and up to six thousand elephant. Arrive in time for lunch after lunch, afternoon spent game viewing in the park, dinner and overnight at the Tarangire safari lodge or Nimali tarangire camp.

After early morning breakfast, proceed for your last game drive in the park as you leave for Kilimanjaro or Arusha arriving in the afternoon in time for your onward flight. Alternatively continue to your booked hotel for overnight.