TARANGIRE /L.MANYARA / NGORONGORO & SERENGETI

DAY 1.

LAKE NATRON.

Early morning, pick up will be at 08:00 am from Arusha for a drive through to Lake Natron. The Lake is a salt or soda lake not far from Lake Manyara in northern Tanzania. It is located in the Gregory Rift, the eastern branch of the East African Rift. The lake lays at the foot of the Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. Lake Natron is quite shallow, less than three meters deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The lake is 57 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide. The area receives irregular seasonal rainfall, mainly between December and May. The temperatures at the lake are often over 40 ° C. As the fresh water evaporates in the lake, water with high concentrations of salt minerals such as sodium and trona remains. The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH level of more than 12. Special bacteria and blue algae thrive in this environment and form an ideal breeding ground for the life of birds. Such halophilic organisms include some cyano bacteria that, like plants, produce their own food through photosynthesis. The red pigment in those cyano bacteria produces the deep red colors of the lake’s waters and the orange colors in the shallow areas. Salt-loving microorganisms living there are coloring the alkali salt crust on the surface of the lake is red or pink.
NB: Sleep over will be at Lake Natron lodges

DAY 2 & 3

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK.

Early morning, pick will be at 08:00 am from Lake Natron lodges for a drive through to the Serengeti national park to experience one of the country’s biggest draws: the Serengeti National Park. The endless plains and abundance of wildlife that call the Serengeti home are unsurpassed. The Wildebeest Migration with more than a million wildebeest is probably the highlight of the Serengeti. It is a true spectacle and impressive to watch millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles thunder across the endless plains of the Serengeti.
Our professional guide will help you to spot animals in different areas of the park. Apart from the migratory animals, you will also get to see lots of other animals, like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and many more. Expect to be impressed by the natural beauty of Africa’s most famous park.
If you prefer to watch wildlife from another perspective, we recommend you to go on a balloon safari. It is an amazing experience to drift silently above the plains with herds of wildlife.
NB: Sleep over will be at (Heritage lodge).

DAY 4.

NGORONGORO NCAA.

Early morning, pick will be at 08:00 am from heritage lodges at Serengeti for a drive through to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road leads you over the Great Rift Valley, through the crater forest, to the striking Ngorongoro Crater. This collapsed volcano is the main feature of the area and creates a unique ecosystem with a wide variety of vegetation. Enjoy the beautiful colors of the landscapes and the diversity of animals. The crater is home to the highest concentration wildlife in Africa and is choked with elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos and even the rare black rhino. This is one of the best places to spot all of the Big Five. The views from the crater rim over the crater floor are incredible. Because of its natural beauty the Ngorongoro Crater is chosen as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders.
NB: Sleep over will be at Fanaka Lodge Mto wa Mbu.

DAY 5.

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.

Early morning, pickup will be around 08:00 am, then drive from Fanaka lodge at Mto wa Mbu to Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive. Since this is one of the less known parks in Tanzania, it still has an authentic safari atmosphere. The hilly landscape, with Baobab trees scattered against the blue sky, is breathtaking. Witness the world’s largest concentration of elephants. Herds of up to 300 elephants can be seen around the Tarangire River, drinking or enjoying a mud bath. Apart from elephants, Tarangire is a paradise for bird lovers. In the area around the swamps you can also see lions, leopards, cheetahs and even tree-climbing pythons.

DAY 6.

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK.

Early morning, pickup will be around 08:00 am, then drive from Fanaka lodge at Mto wa Mbu to one of the smaller but most scenic ones which is Lake Manyara. In the park you can spot elephants and huge troops of baboons in the forest and if you are lucky even tree-climbing lions. A variety of wildlife can be found around the huge soda lake, like buffalos, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and flamingos. The shallow Hippo Pool offers excellent opportunities for hippo sightings and you will have a spectacular view of the Rift Valley Escarpment.
Lake Manyara is an ideal location to combine game drives with enjoyable activities, like a canopy walk.
NB: The night will be spent at Fanaka Lodge at Mto wa Mbu.

DAY 7.

LAKE EYASI.

Early morning, pickup will be around 08:00 am, then drive from Fanaka lodge at Mto wa Mbu to Lake Eyasi. The lake is a seasonal shallow endorheic salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. It is in northern Tanzania, south of the Ngorongoro highlands. You will have plenty of time to enjoy this tranquil environment and to absorb its natural setting. This large lake lays high above sea level. In contrast to the savannah and arid plains of northern national parks, Lake Eyasi offers tall palm trees along its shores.
Lake Eyasi doesn’t attract big-game wildlife populations as seen in the neighboring parks and conservation areas, you won’t see the big five here. The lake is a birdwatchers dream due to the many resident species of birds found here. The shallow waters support a huge diversity of breeding water birds from June to November. The main attraction are the large populations of flamingos and great white pelicans. Africa spoonbill, Fischer’s lovebird, gray headed gulls, pied avocet, spur fowl, stork, barbet, weaver and many more birds can be found around the shores of Lake Eyasi.
Another great sighting are the many hippos at Lake Eyasi. The lake is providing them a place to avoid the hot sun during daytime. They are known to come and cool off in its brackish waters when the lake is full. A number of other wildlife species frequent the springs in the surrounding region.
The Hadzabe Bushmen live in the region around the lake. They are one of the few remaining tribes that still live the same way like they did hundreds of years ago. A visit with the Bushmen is worthwhile! They subsist entirely of the bush and by bow hunting. The Hadzabe Bushmen are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherers in Africa and live solely on the land. Just as in the Stone Age, like our ancestors did for thousands of years.
Most common animals at Lake Eyasi are, Hippos, Flamingos, Great white pelicans, Africa spoonbill, Fischer’s lovebird, Gray headed gulls, pied avocet, Spur fowl, Stork, Barbet, Weaver. After the experience we will transfer you to Arusha town or Kilimanjaro airport for departure