Travelpack

Highlights: Arusha - Tarangire National Park - Central Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater

Other departures: Manchester - £3889, Newcastle - £3929

Overview:
This is a perfect sweet-and-short affordable Tanzania Safari. Scheduled departures is on a Saturday from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). This safari can be extended to Zanzibar.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Mount Meru Game Lodge, Arusha
Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania - nestled below Mt. Meru, close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks and from there it’s a short trip to the Serengeti. Just to the north, on the slopes of Mt. Meru is the Arusha National Park. Built by the Germans as a centre of colonial administration because of the temperate climate Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from your safari.

Day Notes:
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Mount Meru Game Lodge
Nestled between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary lies midway between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha. The lodge is located within 33 acres of mature, well manicured gardens bounded on one side by the tranquil waters of the Usa River and on the other by the Sanctuary where our wildlife and birdlife reside. This wildlife and birdlife provide many of our guests with their first exciting game viewing experience. The lodge comprises 2 suites and 15 double or twin en-suite bedrooms. As you would expect in a property of this standard, the design and character of the rooms are as individualistic as the Lodge itself. All rooms have a veranda with comfortable chairs where guests may relax during the late afternoons enjoying the peace of the surroundings, soaking up the unique atmosphere of the Lodge and watching the wildlife and birdlife. The terrace, shaded by enormous old Mango trees, enjoys magnificent views over mature, carefully tended gardens to the Sanctuary beyond. The lounge, with its enormous picture windows and comfortable furniture, provides for complete relaxation in intimate surroundings. The bar is well stocked with a wide selection of spirits, beers and minerals which are complemented by a carefully selected collection of fine wines. Since January 2009, Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary has adhered to a policy of serving its guests breakfasts, lunches and dinners ‘al fresco’ in the grounds of the property, a factor which has proved extremely popular with all who have stayed with us.

Included:
Bed & Breakfast

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. Located just a few hours drive from the town of Arusha, Tarangire is a popular stop for safaris travelling through the northern circuit on their way to Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The park extends into two game controlled areas and the wildlife are allowed to move freely throughout.

After a leisurely breakfast and exploring the resident game, you will be collected around lunch time and transferred to Tarangire Sopa Lodge with a safari drive en route.

Hidden among the kopjes, lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge, surrounded by ancient baobab trees. It is the home of the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive leopard. Over 400 bird species can be spotted here as well. With water constantly available in the area, the greenery is lush providing a wonderful contrast to the burnt ground.

Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

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. Aside from traditional vehicle safaris, hot-air ballooning over the Serengeti plains has become almost essential and you can even do a horseback safari.

After breakfast depart to the Serengeti. You safari is en route to the lodge where you will arrive in time for lunch.

After lunch depart on your afternoon safari.

Serengeti Sopa Lodge is perched on a hilltop overlooking the vast plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s leading game reserve. The park offers unrivalled game viewing and bird watching opportunities. All the members of the Big Five; elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards and cheetah may be spotted here!

Full Board

Spend your day on morning and afternoon safaris in Serengeti National Park.

Full Board

The Ngorongoro Crater is game viewing gone crazy and it is not surprising that with is one of Tanzania’s major tourist drawcards. Within the crater rim a daily wildlife drama is played out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby lions, leopards, elephants and black rhinos. Outside of the crater a similar drama continues in a more spread out manner with Masai herdsmen thrown into the mix.

After breakfast depart to the Ngorongoro Crater, where you will have a picnic lunch on the crater floor and spend the rest of the afternoon on safari in the crater.

Perched on the rim of the collapsed volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, a world heritage site, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It has the most magnificent views over the crater floor, which is home to vast herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, the rare and endangered black rhino, elephant, cheetah, leopard, lion and herds of gazelle and wildebeest. Its position on the Eastern rim allows the most spectacular and uninterrupted views of the sunset. Situated on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, in the volcanic highlands of Tanzania, covering an area of some 240 square kilometers. The lodge is located 170 km from Arusha, approximately 4 hours drive and 40 minutes by air, with another 45 minutes transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.

Full Board

After breakfast depart back to the Airport.