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8 Days The land of Kilimanjaro Tour Package
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Priced From: $3,197 (All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses)
Dates: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Oct, Nov, Dec
Tanzania, the largest nation in East Africa, is without doubt one of the most exciting countries in the world. In fact, the Serengeti itself is so vast that you can drive for an entire day and not encounter any other human being. Other safari destinations can't offer this kind of experience to travellers, not anymore; Tanzania still can. Tanzania is classic Africa -- Kilimanjaro, the Great Rift Valley, Maasai homelands and the celebrated plains of the Serengeti -- and the country's wildlife parks and reserves are unrivalled for their abundance of wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater serves both as stunning ecological phenomenon and as home to a host of animals, including the "Big Five" as well as astonishing birdlife, where the Serengeti, now synonymous with the term 'safari', is a land of superlatives that boasts more abundance and diversity of wildlife than anywhere on the planet. Along with the plethora of exotic wildlife that only an African adventure can duplicate -- like lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelle and hippos, to name but a very few -- we see prehistoric sites that are among the most important in the world and Mother Nature at her best.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Nairobi
Today we arrive in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Part of Maasai land when the British arrived, this modern capital grew with the development of the railway. Derived from a Maasai word meaning "Cold Water," Nairobi is a pleasant mix of colonial British with modern and traditional African influences. This evening we enjoy dinner at the famous Tamarind Restaurant. PLEASE NOTE: The hotels indicated in this itinerary reflect our preferred properties in each location. We list these hotels primarily to provide a general sense of overall standard; the final hotel list is not 100% confirmed until approximately 30-45 days prior to departure. We reserve the right to make substitutions of a similar standard if necessary. Overnight in Nairobi. Nairobi Hilton (or similar). Dinner if required.
Day 2 Nairobi - Amboseli National Park
Today we travel south from Nairobi to the Amboseli National Park. Just across the border from Tanzania, this park is situated on the African plain at the foot of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the continent's tallest mountain at 5894 m (19,300 feet). Here the cone-shaped mountain seems to hover majestically over the shimmering African plains. The Amboseli National Park is also famous for its large herds of elephants. Here they cover themselves in red dust, giving them an even more imposing appearance. On this afternoon's game drive we hope to view animals grazing on the open plain with Kili providing the classic backdrop (weather permitting). Overnight in the Amboseli National Park. Amboseli Sopa or Serena Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 3 Amboseli, Kenya - Ngorongoro, Tanzania
We depart early this morning as our destination today is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania.* We pass through Arusha, the starting point for the northern safari routes of Tanzania, and one of the country's most attractive towns. The surrounding area is primarily a highland forest park and it is a good place to see black and white colobus monkeys and bushbuck. You may catch a glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. After lunch in Arusha (on your own account), we continue to Ngorongoro via Lake Manyara, another Rift Valley lake, renowned for its unique rainforest micro climate. A rough road takes us up the rift escarpment, through dramatic rolling green fields and tiny traditional villages. Our arrival at the crater rim near sunset coincides with the best time to see the elusive leopard as they quietly patrol the thick forests. Called the 'eighth wonder of the world' and stretching across some 8,300 sq km, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania boasts a blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeology that is unsurpassed in Africa. The volcanoes, grasslands, waterfalls and mountain forests are home to an abundance of animals and to the Maasai. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world's greatest natural spectacles, its magical setting and abundant wildlife never fail to enthral visitors. *NOTE: Due to an extreme shortage of accommodation presently in Tanzania, we may have to make some adjustments to our final itinerary. Most commonly, we occasionally need to split the two nights at Ngoronongoro and spend one of the nights at Tarangire National Park or Gibbs Farm or elsewhere. Overall sightseeing content and the number / duration of game drives will not be affected. Any such changes will be indicated on your final hotel list sent as part of your final documents. Overnight in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge or similar. Breakfast and dinner.
Day 4 Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Today we enjoy a half-day tour in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.* After an early breakfast we descend into the crater far below for a game drive in this incredible setting, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the Ngorongoro Crater, 20 km (13 miles) wide and 700 m (2300 feet) high where we may see the "Big Five" as well as many herbivores like wildebeest, gazelle, zebra and hippopotamus, as well as thousands of flamingos. * As of July 2005, in order to reduce congestion and stress on wildlife, the Tanzanian government began limiting visitors to half-day visits of the crater. Depending on what time "window" we are assigned, our excursion may take place first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon (both of which are equally advantageous for game viewing, given the relatively mild climate at this altitude). Overnight in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Sopa Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 5 Ngorongoro - Serengeti National Park
Departing the Ngorongoro Conservation area this morning we descend onto the Serengeti Plain, stretching out endlessly before us. Indeed the name "Serengeti" derives from a Maasai word meaning "Land-without-end." This is a land of superlatives, both in the vast landscape that surrounds you and the incredible biodiversity it supports. It is here that you have a chance to witness one of the most compelling natural dramas on earth--the annual migration, a sight unparalleled anywhere in the natural world. Our afternoon game drive provides an excellent introduction to this fantastic landscape and the biodiversity it supports. Overnight in the Serengeti National Park. Serengeti Sopa Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 6 Serengeti National Park
Today we have a full day of game viewing on the Serengeti. We will visit the "kopjes," a series of low, incongruous hills dotting the open landscape that often provide a vantage point for hungry predators contemplating the endless stream of hoofed animals parading past them. During this time, up to 1.5 million wildebeest and a half a million zebra embark on a single-minded and perilous quest for water and grazing land. Following this spectacle, of course, are the meat-eating opportunists, hoping to capitalize on the physical toll this journey exacts on the desperate grazers. Overnight in the Serengeti National Park. Serengeti Sopa Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 7 Serengeti - Lake Manyara National Park
Travelling back to Manyara today we make a stop at Olduvai Gorge, site of the Leakey excavations in the 1960s and 70s that established this region as the prehistoric habitat of some of the earliest species of hominids with some finds dating back 1.8 million years. Pundits in the life sciences have argued that the Olduvai contribution to the story of human origins remains unsurpassed by any other prehistoric site in the world. A small museum on site outlines the unique geological and human history of the area. Later we will enjoy a leisurely lunch at Gibb's Farm. Founded during German colonial times and still privately owned, Gibb's Farm is now a small hotel perched on the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Highlands, surrounded by coffee plantations with long views over lush and beautiful agricultural country. We continue to the vicinity of Lake Manyara National Park, the smallest of the northern parks in Tanzania (330 sq km, of which two thirds is the actual lake) hosting a wide variety of vegetation, ranging from savannah to ground water forest to riparian habitats. The park is host to thousands of pelicans, ibis and flamingo that can be heard from afar. Other common visitors to this beautiful lake are hippos and the majestic African fish eagle, which can be seen swooping down from its perch to snatch a fish from the still waters of the lake. We will spend the night at a lodge near Lake Manyara. Overnight near Lake Manyara. Serena Lodge or E Unoto Lodge or similar. All meals.
Day 8 Lake Manyara - Arusha - Depart
We have a morning game drive through this beautiful park, located at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and comprising of forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. Wildlife interest at Lake Manyara is not confined to bird life only, many game animals such as buffalo, elephant, giraffe, impala, hippo and a great variety of smaller animals also inhabit the park. Most famous spectacle in the Lake Manyara National Park is the tree-climbing lions, which spend most of the day spread out along the branches of acacia trees, six to seven metres above the ground. After a picnic lunch, we continue to Arusha. After dinner we transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for our homeward flights. All meals. LAND ONLY PASSENGERS need to take into account our morning activities when booking their flights out of Arusha (JRO). Your departure should occur no earlier than 6:00 pm. SAFARI NJEMA!
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12/09
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