For most who think of Tanzania, they think of the famous northern Tanzania safari parks, the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and other small parks. One of the most important factors in deciding to head to this region is timing and more important still, the location of the Migration herds in the Serengeti. For sheer numbers of animals and jaw-dropping vistas, the north can’t be beaten for a safari.
Day 1: Arusha to Tarangire national park
Early morning after breakfast, beginning our safari schedule, where by our guide will take you from Arusha town and drive heading to Tarangire national park. The park gate is about 120kms from Arusha town barely 2hours to reach. Particularly large numbers of elephant herds congregate here, as do many wildebeest and zebra. There are also substantial populations of impala, giraffe, eland and buffalo. Thompson’s gazelle, Coke’s hartebeest, bohor reedbuck and both greater and lesser kudu are found here. Over 500 species have been recorded here, including ashy starlings and large flocks of beautiful yellow-collared lovebirds, both of which are endemic to Tanzania.
Day 2: Tarangire to Lake Manyara game drive
In the morning after breakfast at your respective lodge/camp, depart for the full day game drive at lake manyara national park. The park is about 75kms throught tarmac road almost 1 hour and mins to reach the park gate. The broken forests and escarpment make it good country for leopard, whilst Manyara’s healthy lion population are famous for their tree-climbing antics. (Whilst unusual, this isn’t as unique to the park as is often claimed). Also the park includes good numbers of elephant, buffalo and wildebeest along with plenty of giraffe. Also prolific in number are zebra, waterbuck, warthog and impala. You may need to search a little harder for the small and relatively shy Kirk’s dik-dik, and klipspringer on the slopes of the escarpment.
Day 3: Lake Manyara to Serengeti national park
Proceed with safari schedule, early in morning left Lake Manyara drive to famous Serengeti national park, the world heritage site. Prepare your camera for lifetime memorable pictures, at Serengeti plains, because the park provides panoramic view that suit photographing. The spectacle of predator versus prey dominates Tanzania’s greatest park. Golden-maned lion prides feast on the abundance of plain grazers. Solitary leopards haunt the acacia trees lining the Seronera River, while a high density of cheetahs prowls the southeastern plains. Almost uniquely, all three African jackal species occur here, alongside the spotted hyena and a host of more elusive small predators, ranging from the insectivorous aardwolf to the beautiful serval cat.
Day 4: Full day Game drive at Seronera
In this day early morning within the park, our guide will drive you to explore the morning wildlife activities, and experience the ecosystem as common in the morning; predators use to chase grazers looking for food. You will luck to witness the isolated leopard drag its prey up the acacia tree, or the fastest creature on land, cheetah chasing Thompson’s gazelle. After game drive in the evening you will depart to your respective lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Game drive Western corridor Serengeti
Early morning after breakfast, left Seronera drive forward to the western plains of Serengeti, also known as grumeti reserve for the full day game drive. This will take you to cover about 90kms rough road almost 3-4 hours. This area sustains a very good permanent game population, including plenty of zebra and wildebeest, all the predators and forest ‘specialists’ like colobus monkeys. The birdife is particularly varied. The migration passes through between about May and July – pausing to gather momentum before crossing the crocodile-rich waters of the Grumeti River, into the Grumeti Reserve.
Day 6: Serengeti to Ngorongoro crater
In the morning after breakfast, heading to Ngorongoro crater, the famous largest world crater that provide habitat to hundreds of species. The crater gate is about 145kms from Serengeti barely 2 hours and 40 mins. There are 7,000 wildebeests, 4,000 zebras, 3,000 eland and 3,000 Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles. The crater also has the densest known population of lions, numbering 62. Higher up, in the rainforests of the crater rim, are leopards, about 30 large elephants, mountain reedbuck and more than 4,000 buffalos, spotted hyenas, jackals, rare wild dogs, cheetahs, and other felines. In the evening you will depart to your respective lodge/camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Ngorongoro crater to Arusha
Finalizing our schedule, this last day in the morning after breakfast you will proceed with game drive at the crater. Descending to the crater around 08:00am, enjoy exploring wildlife for the half day. Then get the way to Arusha about 190kms from Ngorongoro conservation area, for the flight preparation.