09 Days Great Plains of Africa

09 Days Itinerary Expand Full Itinerary

• Day 1 - Arusha - Tarangire National Park

  Heading south from Arusha towards Tarangire during the early afternoon, you will pass through many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. Arriving late afternoon into Tarangire National Park, you continue the journey to Maramboi Tented Camp viewing game en route. Deriving its name from the Tarangire River which winds its way through the park, Tarangire is a complex mixture of grasslands, flood plains and a scenic river, as well as thousands of baobab trees.
  
  After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. This is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south.

  Maramboi Tented Camp

• Day 2 - Tarangire National Park

  Tarangire Balloon Camp is a small intimate property with Ten luxurious safari tents. The camp is located on a ridge top in a remote area in Eastern Tarangire, close to Boundary Hill gate with spectacular views of Tarangire National Park. All 10 spacious tents come with king sized four poster beds and large verandas from which to enjoy Tarangire's spectacular sunsets. The camp is ideally located to explore the rich woodlands for which the park is famous and the close by Silale Swamp, the hub of some of the best wildlife viewing in north Tanzania in the dry season.

  Tarangire Balloon Camp

• Day 3 - Tarangire National Park - Lake Manyara

  After a leisurely breakfast, you drive to Lake Manyara where you will stop for a picnic lunch. You will then have a game drive and then continue to the lodge reaching by late afternoon. Situated in the shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater the area around Karatu is perfect for exploring two of Tanzania’s gems, the Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. Oldenai Ngorongoro Mountain Lodge is a colonial lodge situated on a picturesque hill with spectacular views of Oldeani Mountain and the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. The lodge is elevated, featuring spectacular views that extend all the way to Lake Eyasi and Lake Manyara. The property is set on 40 acres of lush green gardens and local vegetation, with over 130 species of birds. The lodge is accessed over a pond and one's first impression is the grand central hallway with wooden trusses looking out over the fireplace, infinity pool and out to Mount Oldeani, which is part of the caldera of the Ngorongoro crater, only 12 km away.

  Oldenai Ngorongoro Mountain Lodge

• Day 4 - Karatu

  A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart by 4x4 with a picnic lunch to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you’ll descend through the early morning’s mist and 2,000 feet into the crater for a game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is also one of the World’s seven natural wonders. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct habitats, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. After picnic lunch continuing game viewing before returning to Grumeti Migration Camp in time for dinner and overnight.

  Grumeti Migration Camp

• Day 5 - Karatu – Serengeti National Park

  After breakfast you depart for Serengeti with a picnic lunch by travelling around the Crater rim. En-route you have an optional stop at Olduvai Gorge followed by a game drive in the Serengeti en-route to your camp arriving in time for dinner and overnight.
  
  The Serengeti together with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park form Africa’s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many, and then add a Masai warrior and some cattle to the picture and the conversation need go no further.
  
  The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. But that is not where the game viewing ends; large prides of lions, elephants and giraffes in grasslands, gazelles and eland to mention but a few.
  
  Located in Serengeti National Park, Serengeti Migration camp is strategically located to be in the best locations for game viewing and following the herds of the Migration. Each camp comprises of eight luxury tents so that the experience is very intimate yet has the benefits of shared facilities. The camps only operate in times where one can expect great game viewing and when there's a demand for the camp.

  Serengeti Migration Camp

• Day 6 and 7 - Serengeti National Park

  Morning and afternoon game drives with a picnic lunch. Overnight at Serengeti Migration Camp on a full board basis.

  Serengeti Migration Camp

• Day 9 - Departure

  After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha arriving at approx. 12.15 hrs. Upon arrival you’ll be met and drop off to Arusha Town Centre to connect with your onward arrangements.