Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Drive to Arusha
Tanzania Safari Welcome to Tanzania! On the first day, our experienced driver guide will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport and escort you to the hotel in Arusha which is 55 km (34 mi) away from the airport, taking about 1 hour. Upon arrival, please have a good rest and prepare for the following 7-day safari. Important Information to Know:1. Visa: American visitors can only enter Tanzania holding Multiple-entry Visas (100 USD), while travelers from other countries can pass the border with Ordinary Visas (50 USD). You can apply for an e-visa online 1-2 weeks before departure, or a Visa-on-Arrival after landing. 2. Money Tips: The US dollar (USD) issued after 2013 and the Tanzania Shilling (Tsh) are both circulated in Tanzania, but many locals don’t accept large bills. Preparing some small domination USD cash is necessary. However, you will spend less by paying with local Tsh. 3. Yellow Fever Certificate: Yellow fever vaccination is not mandatory for travelers directly arriving in Tanzania from America or Europe, but you need to present the certificate if departing from endemic countries such as Kenya, Brazil, and Panama before. 4. Plastic Bag Ban: All single-use plastic bags are prohibited in Tanzania, so we recommend you pack your luggage with reusable cloth bags or paper bags. Ziplock bags are also available but you are expected to take them home when leaving. Accommodation: Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa (4 stars)
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Day 2: Head to Tarangire National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, we will drive 3 hours to Tarangire National Park located to the southwest of Arusha. Upon arrival at noon, you will check into the camp and then enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, our driver guide will escort you to have an exciting game drive in the park until dusk. As the sixth-biggest animal reserve in Tanzania, Tarangire is most famous for baobab trees and over 4,000 wild elephants. In the dry season (July - October), elephants will gather along the Tarangire River for water when you can surprisingly see them everywhere. During the safari, these brilliant creatures will come close to your car, and you can closely admire their tusks and flattened ears. Besides, other animals such as antelopes, lions, and leopards are all easy to spot. ► Tips: 1. It is better not to have sudden movements when the elephants come close, or they may be scared off or irritated. 2. To minimize the risk of tsetse fly bites, we suggest wearing neutral-colored clothing, such as khaki or green, and applying insect repellent. ★ Strengths of Our Tanzania Safaris:1. Vehicle: We will provide you with a well-maintained 4×4 safari vehicle with a fully closed body which can not only ensure your safety when driving at a high speed but also protect you from the scorching sun and dust. In addition, the sliding windows and pop-up roof are ventilated and offer you a good view of the animals. 2. Handpicked Accommodation: The lodges we booked for you are mostly located at advantageous positions in the national parks and reserves, where you can see the lake and valley nearby or receive a panoramic view of the surroundings. The elegant environment will also attract animals such as monkeys, dik-diks, and hyraces. You can easily see them from the windows of your room or the hotel lobby. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge (5 stars)
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Day 3: Transfer to Lake Manyara, Afternoon Safari around the Lake
After breakfast, we will take the picnic lunch box and drive 3 hours to Lake Manyara National Park which is described as 'the loveliest lake in Africa' by the American writer Hemingway. After lunch, our driver guide will show you around the park through a game drive. 2/3 of the park is soda lake whose proper salinity provides a perfect habitat for flocks of flamingos. If you happen to visit here in the rainy season (November - May), you will see these pink birds gathering on the lake, which looks like a pink carpet from afar. You can also see other birds such as pelicans, cormorants, and spoonbills nesting and laying here. What’s more, our guide will drive you into the acacia forest to find the famous tree-climbing lions which can only be seen in a few special places in Africa. Keep your head up and eyes open! These Manyara killers always hide in the tree during scorching days. Our experienced and knowledgeable guide will introduce the animals and plants you encounter on safari and answer all of your questions in detail. After the lake safari, head to the camp and enjoy dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (4 stars)
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Day 4: Drive to Serengeti National Park
On the fourth day, we will leave Lake Manyara and drive along the Rift Valley for about 6 hours to Serengeti National Park. During the 200-km-long (124-mi) road trip, the vibrant life of Tanzania, diverse tribal people, bustling traffic, and lively roadside stalls and bazaars will surely catch your eyes. Upon arrival, please enjoy dinner and have a good rest at the handpicked lodge. Best Time to Visit:1. June - October: Although Serengeti is suitable for safaris all year round, it offers more chances for you to admire the wildlife during the dry season (June - October). Because animals such as leopards, lions, and elephants will gather around the rivers or swamps for water. In addition, the bushes are becoming withered at this time, which makes animals more easily to be seen. 2. December - April: During these months, millions of wildebeests migrating through the central area to the northern parts will linger along the Seronera River. It is the best time to witness the Great Migration. You may have a chance to see the thrilling scenes of lions hunting and wildebeests escaping, which creates an awe-inspiring sight for a safari adventure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge (4 stars)
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Day 5: Enjoy Full-day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
In the Masai language, Serengeti means the “endless plain”. Thousands of lions and cheetahs and millions of ungulates live on the savanna of 15,000 square kilometers (5792 square miles). Today you will spend a whole day enjoying game drives in the Central Serengeti National Park (also known as Seronera region) in the company of our guide. The heart part of Serengeti features diverse landscapes such as the vast savanna, acacia forest, and rocky outcrops, offering various animal habitats. Our driver guide will escort you to find the trail of the African Big Five: leopards, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, and lions. You may have a chance to closely look at the lion’s den which is always hidden behind the rocky outcrops. In the late afternoon, we will go back to the lodge and enjoy a hearty dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge (4 stars)
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Day 6: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Visit Masai Tribe
You will continue enjoying a morning game drive in Serengeti. After lunch, we will drive southeast for 3.5-4 hours along the 145-km-long (90-mi) road, passing through Lodware Gate to reach Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and features the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, Ngorongoro Crater. After arrival, we will first pay a visit to the local semi-nomadic Masai tribe which has lived in harmony with wildlife for thousands of years. When stepping into the settlement, you will see their kraals, the enclosures built with acacia thorns for livestock. If lucky, you may encounter local men in shukas made of red cloth with black stripes, jumping high to the chant of women. It is said that this is the way they attract their spouse. After leaving the tribe, we will head to the lodge where you will have a good rest to replenish energy for the remaining Tanzania safari tours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (4 stars)
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Day 7: Last Exploration to Ngorongoro Crater, Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport & See-off
After breakfast, our guide will lead you to explore the Ngorongoro Crater. Formed 2 or 3 million years ago, it is 300 square kilometers (116 square miles) in size and 600 meters (1,970 feet) in depth. With vast grassland, swamps, lush forests, mountains, and lakes, the striking natural wonder guarantees great wildlife viewing. Its flat bottom fed by streams and rivers supports around 25,000 animals. The relatively small area makes the animal density even higher than that of Serengeti, which means you can see solitary animals such as rhinos and leopards more easily. If time permits, our guide will drive you to Lake Magadi in the southwest of the crater, where you may see flamingos. The safari will end with a delicious lunch. Later, we will escort you on a 4-hour drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport and see you off there. We will get to the airport at about 5 pm, so we suggest you book a flight departing after 9 pm. If you plan to leave the next day, we are happy to help you book the hotel and send you there. If you do not feel enough, Tanzania also boasts Africa’s highest peak, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, featuring a beautiful sunrise and extraordinary trekking routes. We can tailor a great route for you to climb the world-famous mountain. Want to see the thrilling scene of millions of wildebeests crossing the Mara River between Kenya and Tanzania? We can also add it to your itinerary. Just feel free to contact our travel consultants and we are always ready to serve you! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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