6 DAYS NGORONGORO - SERENGETI AND LAKE MANYARA
The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is a main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. Within the crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist. Just outside the crater’s ridge, tall Masaai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures through the highland slopes, living alongside the wildlife as they have for centuries.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes its eponymous famous crater, Olduvai Gorge, and huge expanses of highland plains, scrub bush, and forests that cover approximately 8300 square kilometres. A protected area, only indigenous tribes such as the Masaai are allowed to live within its borders. Lake Ndutu and Masek, both alkaline soda lakes are home to rich game populations, as well as a series of peaks and volcanoes and make the Conservation Area a unique and beautiful landscape. Of course, the crater itself, actually a type of collapsed volcano called a caldera, is the main attraction. Accommodation is located on its ridges and after a beautiful descent down the crater rim, passing lush rain forest and thick vegetation, the flora opens to grassy plains throughout the crater floor. The game viewing is truly incredible, and the topography and views of the surrounding Crater Highlands out of this world.
Itinerary
Day 1- NGORONGORO
Early morning departure from Nairobi for Tanzania, crossing the border at Namanga where our Tanzania guides will meet you. Drive on to Arusha for lunch and continue to the Ngorongoro Crater. Later afternoon arrival at the Wildlife Lodge, built on the rim of the crater and offering some breathtaking views. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Village Lodge.
Day 2: NGORONGORO
Breakfast at the Lodge and drive down to the Ngorongoro Crater floor for a full day's game viewing. the 100sq. miles crater is host to rhino, elephant, lion, Zebra and wildebeest. Enjoy a picnic lunch before ascending the crater wall back to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge.
Day 3 - SERENGETI
Breakfast and continue to the vast Serengeti National Park. Stopping at Olduvai Gorge, sight of the famous archeological finds by the Leaky family. Lunch at the Seronera Wildlife Lodge and afternoon game viewing where large herds of wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle roam the plains. dinner and overnight at Seronera Wildlife Lodge.
Day 4 - SERENGETI
Breakfast and a morning game drive taking you to a different part of the Serengeti is famous for its annual migration when millions of wildebeest and Zebra set off for the Maasai Mara in search of water and better grazing grounds. Dinner and overnight at Seronera Wildbeest Lodge.
Day 5 - LAKE MANYARA
An early breakfast and depart for Lake Manyara Hotel, perched o an escarpment overlooking the Rift Valley. An afternoon game viewing drive looking for the famous tree-climbing lions. Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Hotel.
Day 6 - NAIROBI
Breakfast at Manyara and to Arusha for an early lunch. Drive on to the Namanga border, crossing into Kenya, with an evening arrival in Nairobi.
