Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness

Overview

Reference Number #2026-0038.2

Tanzania

9 Days / 8 Nights Tour

NYKA

2 Adults

Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness

Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness

Created by Franziska & Nickson - NYKA Africa

Tour Preview

Map

Tanzania

Start Point: Kilimanjaro Airport

Day 1

Arusha Samora River Lodge

Day 2 - 3

Lake Natron Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow)

Day 4 - 5

Northern Serengeti NP Kontiki Kogatende Camp

Day 6

Serengeti NP Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp

Day 7 - 8

Ngorongoro Highlands Mamadunia Safari Lodge

Day 9

Arusha (No accommodation)

End Point: Kilimanjaro Airport

Day 1

Day 1 Arusha

Your driver meets you at Kilimanjaro Airport and takes you to Arusha, about an hour away. Nothing is planned for today. Unpack, sit by the pool and have your first dinner in Tanzania.

Activity Day 1

You will be transferred from the airport in Kilimanjaro Airport.

Accommodation – Day 1

Mid-Range Samora River Lodge Double Room

You'll be based at Samora River Lodge for your visit to Arusha. It's a good place to return to at the end of the day.

Alternative Accommodations

View 1 Alternative Accommodation

Meal Plan Dinner

Day 2 & 3

Day 2 & 3 Lake Natron

Your days

On day 2 you drive north into the Rift Valley. The land gets drier and emptier, and the volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai rises ahead of you. In the evening, when it cools down, you walk along the shore.

On day 3 you will hike to a sacred waterfall where you can swim and enjoy the tranquility. In the afternoon you will go flamingo spotting at the lakeshore. In the evening our local guide may take you to his family's boma. You see how they live, and there's time to ask questions.

Lake Natron

Lake Natron is one of the most remote places in northern Tanzania. The water is so salty and alkaline that almost nothing can live in it. Lesser flamingos can, though, and they breed on salt islands in the middle of the lake. About three quarters of all lesser flamingos in the world hatch here.

Around the lake, zebras, giraffes and gazelles walk through the same land where the Maasai graze their cattle. For the Maasai, Ol Doinyo Lengai is the "Mountain of God". It is still active, and its lava turns white within days, so the summit sometimes looks as if it's covered in snow.

Activities Day 2

Morning

Transfer by Road, Arusha to Lake Natron

Around Lunchtime

Join us for a picnic in Lake Natron, where you get to eat great food while surrounded by nature.

Evening

Lakeshore Walk and Wildlife, Lake Natron

Activities Day 3

Morning

Ngare Sero waterfall hike & swim in sacred pools / caves, Lake Natron

Afternoon

Flamingo Viewing at the Lake, Lake Natron

Evening

Maasai Boma Visit, Lake Natron

Accommodation – Day 2 & 3

Mid-Range Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow) Double Room

The camp lies on the plain south of the lake, facing the water and the volcano. You stay in a solid bungalow with a large bed, your own bathroom and a veranda. The restaurant stands on stilts, and there's a big pool for the hot afternoons.

Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow)

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 & 5

Day 4 & 5 Northern Serengeti National Park

Your days

Day 4 is a long drive, but a beautiful one. You climb out of the Rift Valley, cross the Maasai highlands and enter the Serengeti from the north. In the evening you go on your first game drive.

Day 5 belongs to the wildebeest. If you're lucky, you'll witness the Great Migration. Your guide will do his best to spot the herds along the Mara River. Nobody can promise it, because the animals decide. But even watching the river is exciting, with crocodiles in the water and thousands of wildebeest gathering on the bank.

Northern Serengeti

June until October the great migration is happening here in the north. Over a million wildebeest and many thousands of zebras move back and forth across the Mara River, following the rain and the fresh grass. The landscape is different from the rest of the Serengeti, with green hills, woodland and big rocks. There are also far fewer cars up here.

Activities Day 4

Morning

Transfer by Road, Lake Natron to Northern Serengeti National Park

Evening

Look for wildlife and get to know the quietly beautiful landscapes of the Northern Serengeti this evening when you join us for a guided game drive.

Activity Day 5

Go looking for wildlife on a guided game drive in the beautiful Northern Serengeti. You never know what you might see, but that's all part of the excitement.

Accommodation – Day 4 & 5

Mid-Range Kontiki Kogatende Camp Double Room

A seasonal camp near the Mara River, set up for the months when the herds are here. The tents are raised off the ground and have proper beds, their own bathrooms and hot showers. Power comes from the sun. There are binoculars in every tent, and in the evening everyone meets at the campfire.

Alternative Accommodations

View 1 Alternative Accommodation

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6

Day 6 Serengeti National Park

Your days

On day 6 you drive south through the park. The whole day is a game drive. The hills flatten out and the trees disappear, until there is only grass to the horizon.

The first hours are the best, because the air is cool and the cats are still moving.

Central Serengeti

The Serengeti covers almost 15,000 km² and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. The name is usually translated as "endless plains". The centre is one of the best places in Africa to see lions, leopards and cheetahs. Look out for the kopjes, old granite rocks rising out of the grass. Lions like to rest on them.

Activity Day 6

All Day

You'll enjoy the safari experience of a lifetime on your guided game drive through Serengeti National Park. A guide will help you look for big cats, elephants and more as you drive through so many classic safari landscapes.

Accommodation – Day 6

Mid-Range Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp Double Room

There aren't many better locations for a tented camp than where you'll sleep at Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp. You're not far north of Seronera, in the Central Serengeti, which means that all of the park's incredible wildlife is never far away. But you're also in a quiet corner of the savannah, away from the other camps which ensures a tranquil stay. The camp has large and simply furnished safari tents where you can lie in bed and listen for lions at night. Enjoy your meals under a million stars.

Alternative Accommodations

View 1 Alternative Accommodation

Video: Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp Tour | All Rooms, Tents & Facilities in the Heart of Serengeti

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 & 8

Day 7 & 8 Ngorongoro Highlands

Your day

On day 7 in the morning you do a last game drive in the Serengeti and around noon you slowly start driving out of the Serengeti, while wildlife spotting along the route. Continuing up into the highlands, the plains turn into hills, you pass Maasai villages and herds of cattle, and the air gets cooler. After a picnic lunch you drive down the steep crater wall, often through the clouds. Then the whole crater floor lies below you. You spend the afternoon among buffalo, zebras, hippos and lions.

Day 12 is yours. You can stay by the pool and let the last days sink in. Or you can add another activity:

- a coffee tour at Ngila Estate near Karatu

- a walk through the town of Mto wa Mbu with a local guide

Activities Day 7

Morning

Transfer by Road, Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

Afternoon

Exploring Ngorongoro Crater in the company of an expert guide could make your guided game drive here one of the highlights of your whole safari. Look for lions, black rhinos and spotted hyenas as you drive around the crater floor this afternoon.

Activity Day 8

Optional

Guided coffee estate tour at Ngila Estate in Karatu, Ngila Estate Ngorongoro
Local farm walk & cultural interaction with community, Mto wa Mbu

Accommodation – Day 7 & 8

Mid-Range Mamadunia Safari Lodge Double Room

A small lodge in the highlands, with a wide view over a valley. The rooms are large, with air conditioning and big terraces. From the infinity pool you can watch the sun go down.

Alternative Accommodations

View 1 Alternative Accommodation

Meal Plan Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9

Day 9 The end of your safari with us

Your day

After a slow breakfast, your driver takes you back to Kilimanjaro Airport. On the way you get one last look at Lake Manyara from the top of the Rift Valley wall.

Kwaheri - Goodbye

Thirteen days ago you landed here. Since then you've watched elephants under the baobabs, stood at the Mara River and driven down into the crater. We hope you take the quiet of the bush home with you.

Asante sana for travelling with us. Safe travels, and come back soon.

Meal Plan Breakfast

Accommodations Overview

Only show included accommodations

Accommodation - Day 1 Arusha

Mid-Range

Samora River Lodge

Lodge

Room: Double Room

Meal Plan: Dinner

Included

Alternative for Day 1

Luxury

Tumbili Lodge

Lodge

Room:	Double Room
Meal Plan:	Dinner

Accommodation - Day 2 & 3 Lake Natron

Mid-Range

Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow)

Lodge

Room: Double Room

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included

No alternative accommodation for Day 2 & 3

Accommodation - Day 4 & 5 Northern Serengeti National Park

Mid-Range

Kontiki Kogatende Camp

Tented camp - Inside Northern Serengeti National Park

Room: Double Room

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included

Alternative for Day 4 & 5

Luxury

Serengeti Mara River Camp

Tented camp - Inside

Room:	Executive Suites (Double)
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation - Day 6 Serengeti National Park

Mid-Range

Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp

Tented camp

Room: Double Room

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included

Alternative for Day 6

Luxury

Serengeti Sametu Camp

Tented camp

Room:	Executive Suite (Double)
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation - Day 7 & 8 Ngorongoro Highlands

Mid-Range

Mamadunia Safari Lodge

Lodge

Room: Double Room

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included

Alternative for Day 7 & 8

Luxury

Kitela Lodge

Lodge

Room:	Double Room
Meal Plan:	Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Payment Due	Amount
At booking	$ 1,377.00 (30%)
7 weeks before tour departure	$ 3,213.00 (70%)

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Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness

Map

Day 1 Arusha

Activity Day 1

Mid-Range Samora River Lodge Double Room

Alternative Accommodations

Day 2 & 3 Lake Natron

Your days

Lake Natron

Activities Day 2

Morning

Around Lunchtime

Evening

Activities Day 3

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Mid-Range Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow) Double Room

Day 4 & 5 Northern Serengeti National Park

Your days

Northern Serengeti

Activities Day 4

Morning

Evening

Activity Day 5

Mid-Range Kontiki Kogatende Camp Double Room

Alternative Accommodations

Day 6 Serengeti National Park

Your days

Central Serengeti

Activity Day 6

All Day

Mid-Range Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp Double Room

Alternative Accommodations

Day 7 & 8 Ngorongoro Highlands

Your day

Activities Day 7

Morning

Afternoon

Activity Day 8

Optional

Mid-Range Mamadunia Safari Lodge Double Room

Alternative Accommodations

Day 9 The end of your safari with us

Your day

Kwaheri - Goodbye

Accommodation - Day 1 Arusha

Mid-Range

Samora River Lodge

Included

Alternative for Day 1

Luxury

Tumbili Lodge

Accommodation - Day 2 & 3 Lake Natron

Mid-Range

Africa Safari Lake Natron (Safari Comfort Bungalow)

Included

No alternative accommodation for Day 2 & 3

Accommodation - Day 4 & 5 Northern Serengeti National Park

Mid-Range

Kontiki Kogatende Camp

Included

Alternative for Day 4 & 5

Luxury

Serengeti Mara River Camp

Accommodation - Day 6 Serengeti National Park

Mid-Range

Kontiki Central Serengeti Camp

Included

Alternative for Day 6

Luxury

Serengeti Sametu Camp

Accommodation - Day 7 & 8 Ngorongoro Highlands

Mid-Range

Mamadunia Safari Lodge

Included

Alternative for Day 7 & 8

Luxury

Kitela Lodge

Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness

Tanzania's Origins - culture and wilderness