7 Days best of northern Tanzania safari Tarangire Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )

7 Days best of northern Tanzania safari Tarangire Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu: Africa Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) the best tour company in Tanzania

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7 Days best of northern Tanzania safari Tarangire Lake Manyara Serengeti Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu

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On the “Best of Tanzania Lodge Safari”, you will experience the Tarangire National Park, the Lake Manyara National Park, the Serengeti and the world famous Ngorongoro Crater in which all these highlights are situated in the North of Tanzania. Spectacular wildlife watching is mixed with impressive landscapes; bushy picturesque forests, steep hanging craters and the seemingly endless grass savannah of the Serengeti.

Day 1 Arusha/Moshi– Tarangire National Park

After a short briefing your luggage is loaded onto the vehicle and you head in direction of the Tarangire National Park. Giant Baobab trees, the bush savannah and the seasonal marshes add to the wonder of this nature reserve. The park covers approximately 2600 sq. km and is roughly the size of Luxemburg. The Tarangire National Park is considered as one of the best places in East Africa to see elephants up close. One reason is that there are approx. 4000 animals in the region and another is that the elephants are not too bothered by the presence of motor vehicles. In addition to observing elephants, you will also have a chance to see the beautiful Maasai giraffe, various gazelles and antelopes, buffalos, lions, leopards, baboons and over a hundred different species of birds. After a day of wildlife watching, you will leave the park in the afternoon and drive to the Maramboi Tented Camp, where you will overnight. Lunch; Dinner

Day 2 Tarangire Region – Mto WA Mbu cultural program – Lake

Manyara

After breakfast the journey continues to the village of Mto WA Mbu near Lake Manyara. Over the years the village has attracted people from various ethnic groups and the wide variety of backgrounds and ethnicities has created a multicultural atmosphere in Mto WA Mbu. After a short briefing your guide will take you on a walk through the village and its surroundings. From banana plantations to rice fields, from the local medicine man to the local brewery, from the paint and woodcraft workshop to the local school – the village walk gives you an insight into the daily village life. Lunch is prepared by a communal women’s group and served at a local compound. It consists of a wide variety of African dishes, giving you the opportunity to taste the traditional food. After this wonderful experience you will visit the Lake Manyara National Park. The protected area encloses a large part of the alkaline lake of the same name. This amazing lake is the seasonal home of a giant flamingo colony and many more waterfowls. On the lakeshore, you can also observe elephants, hippopotami, buffalos, guenons, banded mongooses and numerous types of gazelles and antelopes. Furthermore the park is well known for its “tree climbing lions”. Visitors can regularly observe lions taking a nap in the tree canopies or escaping from the heat on the ground. After watching the animals and exploring the national park, you leave the park in the afternoon and travel to the Kirurumu Manyara Lodge. Soon, the higher lands are reached and a wonderful view of the Masai Plains and the Lake Manyara opens up before you. Photo stops will be taken and you will be able to enjoy the spectacular views. You spend the night at Kirurumu Manyara Lodge. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 3 Lake Manyara Region – Serengeti National Park

Today you make your way to the vegetation rich crater highlands. You continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Karatu. After passing the crater highlands, you will soon see the plains of the southern Serengeti. On the way to your camp, you will start to understand the meaning of the word “Serengeti” which comes from the Maasai word “Siringitu” and stands for endless plain. The southern Serengeti plains literally seem to go on forever, stretching until the horizon and only interrupted by the so-called “Kopjes” or “Inselbergs” (strange looking rock formations). These plains are the ideal hunting grounds for cheetahs and other big cats. In the afternoon, you will reach your destination for the day. Depending on the season, you will either stay at the Kati Kati Tented Camp or at the Mapito Tented Camp on the outskirts of the park. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 4 Serengeti National Park

Today is set aside for game viewing and the Serengeti is at your disposal. The best vantage points and worthwhile areas are chosen to give you the best possible chance to observe animals and to capture the perfect photo. Depending upon the time of year, you have the chance to witness the great migration with hundred thousands of wildebeests and zebras. During the small rainy season in October and November, you will typically see these herds moving from the Kenyan Maasai Mara through the northwest of the Serengeti to the plains in the south. After the great rainy season in April, May and June, the herds slowly travel back through the western and north-western part of the Serengeti. With fluctuations in rainfall, this timetable can change resulting that the animals migrate during different times and routes. Your guide will know where and when to find the animals and will make sure that you can see the animals from the best spot in the national park. You will spend another night at your camp. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5 Serengeti National Park – Karatu – Coffee Walk

On your outward journey to the Serengeti National Park Gate, you will have another chance to observe the beautiful animals of Africa. Leaving behind the wonderful Seronera Valley with its wildebeests and zebras as well as occasional visitors like lions and other large cats such as cheetahs and leopards, you will exit the Serengeti and drive towards the Ngorongoro Crater. After a picnic lunch at a designated picnic spot, you will travel in direction of the Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you reach the crater’s edge, you will see the giant Ngorongoro Crater and the caldera opens before you in all its glory. You will cross the conservation area and make your way to your lodge near Karatu. The Ngorongoro Farm House lies in the middle of a coffee plantation and has wonderful views of the fertile crater highlands. In the afternoon you will join a coffee walk where you get to learn more about the cultivation and processing of coffee as well as about coffee itself. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Farm House . Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 6 Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu

After breakfast at daybreak, you will travel back to the adventurous trail that takes you into the crater. Grass steppes and acacia forests are home to almost all the species of animals found in the East African savannah. In only a few hours, you have the chance of spotting the big five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard. After extensive game viewing and a picnic in the crater, you will leave the highlands of Ngorongoro in the afternoon and travel back to Karatu to spend another night at the Ngorongoro Farm House. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 7 Karatu – Arusha/Moshi

After a relaxing breakfast, you will travel back to Arusha/Moshi, where you will arrive around noon. Breakfast; Lunch. The choice of accommodation during this safari is chosen dependent upon the season as well as the location of the animals. The choice of accommodation helps to increase and optimize your chances to see the “Big Five” and the great migration. This lodge safari is certainly the most comfortable and convenient way to visit this area as the lodges lie on the most strategic positions to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

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Items included:

•         Transport in 4×4 Safari vehicle

•         Professional, English speaking guide

•         Meals according to travel plan

•         Mineral water (3 liter per day/person)

•         Overnight stays in safari lodges / tented camps

•         All national park fees

•         Mto Wa Mbu cultural program

•         Coffee walk in Karatu

•         Wine

Items not included:

•         Flights

•         Visa fees

•         Tips

•         Personal spending monies for souvenirs etc.

•         Optional activities

•         Travel insurance

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