Tanzania Adventure Safari

Itinerary

• Tanzania

  Tanzania has a wealth of natural attractions. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, is situated in the northeast, near the tourist hub of Arusha. The nearby game parks of Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire receive most of the visitor volume. Other notable game parks are Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park in the south, and Gombe National Park in the west. Further to the west are the Great Lakes, Lake Victoria (Africa's largest lake) and Lake Tanganyika (the world's deepest lake). The capital city of Dar Es Salaam is located on the eastern shore, but the main attraction is the exotic island of Zanzibar lying just offshore, with its Swahili architecture, spice plantations and white sand beaches.

• Arusha

  Arusha is a city of northern Tanzania surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Beautifully situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a pleasant climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru. International flights arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, and regional flights use Arusha airport.

• Lake Natron

  Lake Natron is a salt lake located in northern Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border, in the eastern branch of Africa's Great Rift Valley. The lake is fed by the Ewaso Ng'iro River but also by mineral-rich hot springs and is quite shallow, less than 10 feet deep. While temperatures in the lake can reach 50° C, it has become an important breeding ground for large flocks of Lesser Flamingos.

• Manyara

  Lake Manyara National Park is a national park two hours west of Arusha. The majority of the land area of the park is a narrow strip running between the Gregory Rift wall to the west and Lake Manyara, an alkaline or soda-lake, to the east. It is famous for its population of flamingos. Manyara is used as an alternate or extension to Ngorongoro, located just outside the conservation area gate. Guests can sightsee in two completely different temperate zones only 90 minutes apart. Park fees are less expensive than Ngorongoro.

• Ngorongoro

  "The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World’. A massive extinct volcano, the sheet walls drop thousands of feet to a "Noah's Ark" of animals on the verdant floor below. Large herds of zebra, buffalo, antelope and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist.

• Serengeti

  Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is massive in size, 14,763 sq km (5,700 sq miles). Famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers the most diverse game-viewing in Africa.

• • Arusha
  • Rivertrees Country Inn

  Day 1: Arusha

  Airport transfer between your Arusha hotel and Kilimanjaro International airport with private vehicle and english speaking driver.

  In the event of serious illness, all travellers are covered by Flying Doctors Insurance. This covers the cost of emergency air evacuation service needed to fly back to Nairobi for treatment. This insurance does not cover the cost of medical treatment.

  Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn

  Located only 20 minutes away from Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport, Rivertrees Country Inn is the perfect place to stay before and after a safari.  It is nestled in between Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, in natural gardens along the Usa River. Combining old world ambiance, African country elegance, excellent farm cuisine, personal service and genuine warmth from your hosts - Rivertrees is simply a magical place to stay.

• • Giraffe

  Day 2: Arusha

  Includes a guided walk amongst the wildlife in the Arusha National Park. Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours. The small national park includes the slopes, summit, and ash cone of Mt. Meru, the Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the lush highland forests that blanket its lower slopes. Game viewing around the Momela Lakes is at a laid-back and quiet pace, and while passing through the forest many visitors stop to search for troupes of rare colubus monkeys playing in the canopy. Warthorg and black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik love dart into scrubby bush.

  Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn
• • Manyara
  • Main Lodge

  Day 3: Arusha - Manyara

  Your guide will drive you from Arusha to Lake Manyara Park. The trip takes an esimated 2 hours.

  To keep active and enjoy game viewing a diffrent way, try our mountain bike ride trail through Lake Manyara’s backyard and watch the vervet monkeys scurry through the forest or ride through the local villages and meet the masai's from the community .

  Accommodation: Migunga Forest Camp

  Nestled in a quiet corner on the northwest of the lake, Migunga Tented Camp is only 5 minutes from the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, which spreads out across the Great East African Rift Valley, dominating a vast landscape. Often called Tanzania's water wonderland due to the large number of birds and animals the lake supports, Lake Manyara is also famous for its' tree-climbing lions. Nestled away in a quiet corner of 35 acres of acacia forest, Migunga consists of 19 semi-luxury permanent tents on raised platforms with attached bathrooms and private veranda with a main house offering a restaurant, bar, and reading area. Relax in this quiet, rustic sanctuary minutes from the Ngorongoro Crater.

• • 

  Day 4: Lake Eyasi - Manyara

  Depart early morning around 6:30 am to be at the village by 9:00 am before the sun is too strong. Meet the local Hadza or Dorobo tribespeople, and depart on foot to track small game. Your guide will accompany to translate into English. Bow and arrow are used in the hunt, and you can try your hand at archery practice. After a short hunt try some bush meat and see a traditional dance. A picnic lunch is provided, or eat a local lunch prepared by the women (extra $10 paid to local villagers). After lunch, visit another tribe called the Datoga or Barbaig. See the work of a local blacksmith where spears, rings, earrings and local silver is forged and worked. Tour will return to camp in late afternoon.

  On todays game drive you will have to keep your eyes peeled in order to spot some of this area's beautiful and elusive big cats. It will take a keen eye to take notice of the tree climbing lions, or the camouflaged spotted leopards. You should try to look around shaded area during the hotter hours of the day, as the wildlife will be looking for a cool area to relax.

  Accommodation: Migunga Forest Camp
• • Lake Natron
  • Natron Tented Camp

  Day 5: Manyara - Lake Natron

  Your guide will drive you from Manyara to the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. The trip to the base of Africa's only active volcano Oldonyo L'Engai in Lake Natron will take approximately 3 hour to reach.

  Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world. Here it is the landscape rather than the animals that is the attraction - the area around the lake is dry, desolate and hauntingly beautiful. Enjoy a Lake Natron excursions to  see the flamingos, learn about the environment. enjoy some of the local hot Springs and Waterfalls – swim, cool off and relax!  Explore and climb the Oldonyo Lengai (this is dependant on activity of the volcano).

  Accommodation: Natron Tented Camp

  Unique in its setting, Lake Natron Tented Camp is set back in a grove of trees slightly removed from the dusty terrain of the lake. Clean safari tents offer showers, comfortable beds and a private veranda. A fully stocked bar and candle lit restaurant ensure you have a cold drink and delicious food at the end of an arduous climb or long day of walking.

• • Crater Floor
  • Crater Forest Tented Camp

  Day 6: Lake Natron - Ngorongoro

  Your guide will drive you from Lake Natron to the mighty Ngorongoro Crater. The trip to this massive Tanzanzian landmark will take approximately 3 hour to reach.

  Just inside the Ngorongoro conservation area, a majestic waterfall beckons travelers to enjoy a light hike through the forest highlands. Along the way, experience the ‘elephant caves’: cave-like structures created by elephants digging up the earth to ingest the vitamin-rich soil. This soil also attracts other large animals like Buffalo, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, and Baboons.

  Accommodation: Crater Forest Camp

  At Crater Forest Tented Camp, guests can enjoy romantic sundowners or twilight dinners on your veranda with the astonishing landscape views of the dense forest. Watch as elephant and other wildlife roam through the forest, hear the lions roar, and listen to the magical sounds of the tropical night... It will be an experience you will never forget.

• • Cheetah

  Day 7: Ngorongoro

  You'll be up early this morning as you drive approximately 20 minutes from your camp or lodge to the main gates of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. There are only three roads that connect the crater rim with the crater floor, one for driving down, one for driving up and another that goes both ways. The crater is roughly 20 km/12 mi wide and 600 m/2,000 ft deep, once you've reached the top of the caldera it takes about 45 minutes to descend to the crater floor. The floor is home to a rich and highly concentrated wildlife. Some 20,000 mammals of size live there, including about 20 black rhinoceros, making the crater the best place in Tanzania to see the rhino. The crater floor also has one of the highest carnivore densities in the world. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals are commonly seen, while leopards, servals and bat-eared foxes may be seen with some good luck. You'll spend most of the day in the crater.

  Private transportation and guide in the Ngorongoro national park.

  Enjoy a box lunch while you travel (included in tour price).

  Accommodation: Crater Forest Camp
• • Serengeti
  • Olduvai Gorge
  • Bar & Pool

  Day 8: Ngorongoro - Serengeti

  Your guide will pick you up from the Ngorongoro Conservation area and drive you to the famous plains of the Serengeti. On this drive you have the option of stopping at Olduvlai gorge, the Serengeti welcome centre and lookout point, or stop for lunch at a picnic spot. After entering Serengeti park you will have the chance to enjoy game viewing as you drive through the park to your next accommodation. This drive takes 5 to 6 hours depending on the number of stops you make and how much game viewing you enjoy along the way. Expect longer trip times during the rainy seasons.

  The Olduvai Gorge or Oldupai Gorge is commonly referred to as "The Cradle of Mankind." It is a steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley, which stretches along eastern Africa. Olduvai is in the eastern Serengeti Plains in northern Tanzania and is about 30 miles (48 km) long. The gorge is named after the Maasai word for the wild sisal plant Sansevieria ehrenbergii, commonly called Oldupai.

  Today head out with your guide to explore the wide expanse of the Serengeti. The park is well known for its healthy stock of resident wildlife, particularly the "Big Five", named for the five most prized trophies taken by hunters: lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros, and African buffalo. Though there are now few black rhino in the park, you may still spot them. The Serengeti has the largest population of lion and giraffe in all of Africa and the largest concentration of topi and Coke's hartebeest (kongoni). Enjoy the challenge of spotting other game such as cheetah, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, eland, waterbuck, hyena, baboon, impala, African wild dog and giraffe. The park also boasts about 500 bird species, including ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, crowned crane and marabou stork.

  Accommodation: Mbalageti Camp

  Mbalageti Serengeti features 24 luxury tented chalets on the slopes of the rising Mwamweni hill and 14 lodge style standard rooms. Each tent is equipped with all the utilities of home, such as an en suite bathroom and a verandah with a stunning view that some people don’t even see in a lifetime. Dining takes place both in the bush, privately or with small groups, or in the dining tent, where local and continental cuisine forge new roots. English tea is served in the gardens with pastries and the like. Activities range from alone time in the loft reading books or a relaxing float in the tranquility pool, with the Serengeti plains as the backdrop.

• • Elephant
  • Buffalo

  Day 9: Serengeti

  Head out into the park early in the morning as animals are more active in the early morning and afternoon. Tanzania's oldest and most renowned national park, the Serengeti offers the most expansive game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Explore this amazing park with the help of your expert guide.

  Spend the day taking in the spectacle of the famous wildebeest migration. This annual migration through the Serengeti and Masai Mara is one of the safari highlights of Africa. The wildebeest migration moves in a basic clockwise direction throughout the year in Serengeti eco-system and move north into Masai Mara, Kenya from June/July through to Sep/October. Sightings cannot be guaranteed as the herds move according to availability of food source and migration movements can be erratic. The herds are accompanied by zebra and Thomson's gazelle and are stealthily hunted by local predators such as leopard, lion and hyena.

  Accommodation: Mbalageti Camp
• • Lioness

  Day 10: Serengeti - Arusha

  If time allows, your expert guide will squeeze in one more game drive before dropping you off at the airstrip. It will be your last chance to see the park's diverse range of animals.

  Take your flight from Serengeti to Arusha today. The flight will do more than one stop on the way. The flight duration is approximately 2hrs. (10h30 - 12h35)

  Stop for lunch at the Arusha Hotel in this tourism capital of Tanzania. Shop the local souvenir market.

  Includes opportunity to visit local handicrafts market to stock up on souvenirs.

  Airport transfer between your Arusha hotel and Kilimanjaro International airport with private vehicle and english speaking driver.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Kilimanjaro international airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Fun Facts

  Did you know? The Serengeti covers approximately 14,763 sq kilometres, making it Tanzania's largest national park. It is home to the world's largest concentrations of wildebeest and gazelle (which number over 1,000,000 each), as well as large numbers of zebras (200,000) and lions, elephants, and rhinoceros (3,000 each). Each year huge herds migrate across the virtually treeless Serengeti in search of grazing land.

• Culinary Moments

  Swahili Translations (a few basics!)
  
  Hello – Jambo / Habari
  Goodbye – Kwaheri
  Please - Tafadhali
  Thank you – Asante
  I’m pleased to meet you – Nimefurahi kukutana na wewe.
  I am traveling – Ninasafiri

• Wildlife Encounters

  Tree climbing lions are quite the attraction In Lake Manyara National Park – while most lions don’t climb trees, it is said that here lions are often spotted sprawled out on the stout branches of acacia trees – likely to avoid the biting flies and herds of buffalo and elephant. Keep your eyes peeled!

• • Rivertrees Country Inn

  Rivertrees Country Inn

  Located only 20 minutes away from Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport, Rivertrees Country Inn is the perfect place to stay before and after a safari.  It is nestled in between Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, in natural gardens along the Usa River. Combining old world ambiance, African country elegance, excellent farm cuisine, personal service and genuine warmth from your hosts - Rivertrees is simply a magical place to stay.

  • More information
• • Migunga Forest Camp - Main Lodge

  Migunga Forest Camp

  Nestled in a quiet corner on the northwest of the lake, Migunga Tented Camp is only 5 minutes from the entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, which spreads out across the Great East African Rift Valley, dominating a vast landscape. Often called Tanzania's water wonderland due to the large number of birds and animals the lake supports, Lake Manyara is also famous for its' tree-climbing lions. Nestled away in a quiet corner of 35 acres of acacia forest, Migunga consists of 19 semi-luxury permanent tents on raised platforms with attached bathrooms and private veranda with a main house offering a restaurant, bar, and reading area. Relax in this quiet, rustic sanctuary minutes from the Ngorongoro Crater.

  • More information
• • Natron Tented Camp

  Natron Tented Camp

  Unique in its setting, Lake Natron Tented Camp is set back in a grove of trees slightly removed from the dusty terrain of the lake. Clean safari tents offer showers, comfortable beds and a private veranda. A fully stocked bar and candle lit restaurant ensure you have a cold drink and delicious food at the end of an arduous climb or long day of walking.

  • More information
• • Crater Forest Tented Camp

  Crater Forest Camp

  At Crater Forest Tented Camp, guests can enjoy romantic sundowners or twilight dinners on your veranda with the astonishing landscape views of the dense forest. Watch as elephant and other wildlife roam through the forest, hear the lions roar, and listen to the magical sounds of the tropical night... It will be an experience you will never forget.

  • More information
• • Bar & Pool

  Mbalageti Camp

  Mbalageti Serengeti features 24 luxury tented chalets on the slopes of the rising Mwamweni hill and 14 lodge style standard rooms. Each tent is equipped with all the utilities of home, such as an en suite bathroom and a verandah with a stunning view that some people don’t even see in a lifetime. Dining takes place both in the bush, privately or with small groups, or in the dining tent, where local and continental cuisine forge new roots. English tea is served in the gardens with pastries and the like. Activities range from alone time in the loft reading books or a relaxing float in the tranquility pool, with the Serengeti plains as the backdrop.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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