Tanzania Explorer

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Arusha - Lake Manyara

From Arusha drive to Lake Manyara in the great Rift Valley. While the crew set up camp you'll take a game drive around Lake Manyara National Park. Famed for its unusual tree-climbing lions it also has a large elephant population, rich bird life in the forests and thousands of flamingos on the soda lake. Return late afternoon to well appointed site (with swimming pool) in the nearby village of Mto Wa Mbu. Camp overnight.

Overnight: Twiga Campsite (Dinner included)

Day 2 - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro

Short drive to Karatu and a leisurely walking safari through farms and villages on the rift valley escarpment. You'll discover the farming, irrigation and cattle husbandry techniques, visit houses and, if you want, sample local cuisine of the Iraqw tribe. There is also traditional wood-fired brick making, local musicians and you generally gain a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of the people who live here. Visit the nearby village market or relax in afternoon at Endoro Lodge on the border of the Ngorongoro Conservation area, your overnight accommodation (en-suite rooms).

Overnight: Endoro Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Day 3 - Ngorongoro - Serengeti

Drive to the Serengeti! Lunch en-route at Olduvai Gorge and a view of the archaeological sites (and visit the museum) where early human tools and fossils have been found. Afternoon game drive in the rolling grasslands. Criss-crossed with forested riverine valleys, the Serengeti plays home to millions of Africa"s large mammals, making this one of the world"s most famous wildlife destinations. Overnight at Nasikia Central private camp in the heart of the Serenegeti (beds, en-suite toilets and showers).

Overnight: Nasikia Central Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Day 4 - Serengeti

All day game drives in Serengeti. Best time for the wildebeest migration is Dec to June but there are spectacular wildlife sights at anytime of year. Dinner and camp-fire with the stars and sounds of the African night. Overnight again at Nasikia private camp (beds, en-suite toilets and showers).

Overnight: Nasikia Central Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Day 5 - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

Further game drive in Serengeti and then back to the Ngorongoro Crater. Camp overnight on the Ngorongoro Crater rim - toilets and showers on site.

Overnight: Simba Campsite (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Day 6 - Ngorongoro - Ilkurot

Ngorongoro is a collapsed volcano - an incredible natural amphitheatre, 25 km across and teeming with all of the African big game. Early morning descent into the crater for spectacular scenery and game viewing in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. After lunch, on to a small village to the north of Arusha for Maasai lands and life experience. Our Tanzania partners have built and maintain a small school here, which you can visit in term time if you wish.

Overnight: Ilkurot (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Day 7 - Ilkurot Departure

Morning activities around the village. You can visit traditional huts, take part in activities like milking goats, jewellery beadwork, spot animals & birds on a short walking safari, find out about the medicinal uses of the savannah plants, and learn from an elder the history and culture of these fascinating people. Leave by 12.00 for 50 minute return drive to Arusha. If necessary, onward travel arrangements on the 14:00 shuttle service can be made to get you back to Nairobi (or Nairobi airport) by around 19.00 in evening.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

Accommodation Information

Twiga Campsite

An excellent campsite located near Mto wa Mbu village, just a short way from the entrance to Lake Manyara Park. This is the best campsite to stop at on the way to this to Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro or the Serengeti.

Facilities available include, well kept lawns, toilets, showers, small bar, restaurant, evening entertainment, clean bandas (huts) with double bedded rooms, en suite shower, mosquito netting. Covered cooking and dining areas. Excellent security.

Endoro Lodge

Endoro Lodge one of the very few places in the world where you can immerse your self unreservedly into natures beauty. The lodge is located on the lower slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater rim close to Gibbs Farm and adjacent to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area forest line and the thick pristine mountain forest. The lodge straddles the Conservation areas perimeter and is just a short ride away to the Loduare Park Gate. Wildlife from the unfenced forest including Elephants roam freely into our area giving visitors a very rare opportunity to really mix and mingle with the wild.

Nasikia Central Camp

The camp has ten exclusive tents throughout the year, to accommodate the guests, the environment and the location of wildlife. This keeps the camp intimate and guests able to enjoy the peace and serenity of the environment around them. Each tent has been designed with minimalist ideas - with neutral base colors and simple but effective furniture. We hope this reflects our thoughts that each guest is special and each guest is unique; therefore each tent can offer each guest their own individual havens with simple comforts. There is a magical path of lanterns between the tents and also to our Dining Tent. While we use these kerosene lanterns, you will also observe a mix of solar guide lights and scented beeswax candles to create an enchanting setting to unwind after the day"s adventures. Feel free to take pleasure in our library in the Dining Tent, and why not enjoy a sundowner while flicking through the pages of the photographic and historical volumes. Our chefs are the creators of fine bush cuisine, using fresh produce from all over Tanzania, to offer a menu that will tantalize.

Simba Campsite

Simba Campsite lies on the very rim of Ngorongoro Crater and has an excellent view across the caldera. A fantastic sunrise over the crater rim opposite makes a fine breakfast scene. Often there are elephants wandering around the camp!

Facilities at Simba Campsite are basic but this is more than made up for by the atmosphere of this camp in the clouds. Guests are reminded not to keep any food in their tents whilst staying at Simba Campsite - unwelcome visitors such a bush pigs and hyena may be attracted.

Ilkurot Camp

Overnight at our own private campsite behind the school with Mt Meru looming above and hyenas calling in the dark - there will be Maasai round the fire guarding the camp all night