A 22 day exploration of the best Tanzania has to offer, the game rich Serengeti plains, the elephants of Tarangire, trekking on the Ngorongoro Highlands and on Mt Meru in Arusha National Park as well as the white sands of Zanzibar
Duration:
22 Day Safari
Location:
Tanzania
Category:
Climbing
Tour Code:
SIM906
Price:
$ 7995
Travel Recap:
Day 1
On arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will be met by our guide and transferred to the Arumeru River Lodge for overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast this morning we depart for the Serengeti with a picnic lunch, and game viewing en route to our campsite, which we will arrive at mid afternoon. Dinner and overnight is at Ndutu camp. (depending on the time of year the camp will be on the short grass plains around Ndutu or further west into the Serengeti).
Short grass plains
The short grass plains occur east of the Naabi Hill gate and extend almost to Olduvai Gorge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The area is characterized by large sweeping plains with a short covering of grass which completely withers during the dry season. On the northern fringes of the plains are granite kopjes, large rocky outcrops which in themselves form unique habitats. On the border of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area is Lake Ndutu. The lakes here are surrounded by acacia forests and it is here that all the accommodation and campsites are to be found. It is also from here that it is possible to do some walking with one of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area rangers on the lake shore. It is on the Short Grass plains during mid December through to mid January that the wildebeest herds congregate in large numbers to give birth to nearly 400,000 calves in the first two weeks of February. This is a defence mechanism, as giving birth to large numbers in a very short period overwhelms the predators following the herds. The herds stay in the area till mid to late May, depending on the rains, before splitting up into smaller herds numbering in the tens of thousands of wildebeest all heading west in long straggling This is without parallel and is definitely the best game viewing to be had anywhere at anytime in the world! Not only are the massive numbers of wildebeest beyond comprehension, but the prides of lions and groups of cheetahs provide outstanding viewing opportunities.
Day 3 & 4
Full days game viewing in the Serengeti with picnic lunch, dinners and overnights are within camp in Seronera. We would expect the migration to be towards the east of Seronera and on the short grass plains, so the game viewing should be quite spectacular. Dinner and overnight is at Seronera camp.
Serengeti National Park
Arguably the most famous National Park in the world, the Serengeti Ecosystem (the name comes from 'siringit' the Masai word for "endless plains") consists of some 35,000 square kilometres. It extends into the Masai Mara in neighboring Kenya and provides a vast eco-system for the wildebeest migration that takes place each year. The famed plains are found to the south of the park east of the Seronera Valley, rolling hills in the less visited Lobo area to the north and wooded riverine valleys to the remote east around Kirawira and Grumeti.
The park itself is about 14,763 sq km's in area and encompasses the main part of the Serengeti ecosystem. The ecosystem is defined by the annual migration of over 1,500,000 million wildebeest, zebras and associated predators, which occurs throughout the year and extends into the game reserves, game controlled areas and conservation area surrounding the park boundaries. As in all ecosystems, the vegetation and type of animals you will find are closely correlated, although it is impossible to say exactly where different species will occur, it is possible to build up a picture of the most likely species to be found in each area.
Seronera Valley
Located virtually in the geometric centre of the park, the Seronera Valley provides the best all year game viewing within the National park. The area consists of a varied habitat of acacia riverina and plains of red-oat grasslands. To the east and south are the lightly wooded Nyaraswiga and Mukoma Hills. The Seronera Valley provides probably the widest variety of game viewing in all of the Serengeti park, being on the crossroads for the migration and having a number of permanent water courses. It is justly famous for both leopards and lions, both of which are usually seen in the area without difficulty. Just to the north of the valley along the road to Lobo is the only place where you are likely to see hippopotamus in the Serengeti
Day 5
This morning is spent game viewing in the Serengeti with a picnic lunch en route to the Ngorongoro Highlands via Olduvai Gorge. Dinner and overnight is at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. The Ngorongoro Crater is a spectacular caldera teeming with a wide cross-section of African wildlife contained within an almost self-contained eco-system.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the name given to the 8,300 square kilometer piece of land that surrounds the famous Crater and the Highlands of the same name. The Crater was once the headquarters of Serengeti National Park of which it was an integral part, but in 1956, after intense pressure and lobbying from the local Masai community who were dispossessed of the lands when the National Park was set up, Ngorongoro was designated a Conservation Area.
The 210 square km Crater is now one of the principal attractions on the Northern Tanzanian Safari Circuit and the reputation of the Crater Highlands is slowly developing as a premier trekking destination. The Crater is all that it is made out to be, the hyperbole about Garden's Of Eden, Eighth Wonder Of The World etc all justified by its perennial animal population. This cross-section of wildlife is about as convenient as you will find, dispersed amongst an amazing array of eco-systems within the Natural Amphitheater created by 600 metre high cliffs around it. It is home to one of the few remaining populations of black rhino in Tanzania and just about every other East African mammal, with the exception of giraffe (walls are too steep) and impala, all unafraid and used to the constant retinue of vehicles.
The crater has the highest density of lions in Africa, with over 30 lions per 100 sq km's, compared to the Serengeti, which has about 14 lions per 100 sq km's; and Kruger National Park in South Africa with about 10 lions per 100 sq km's. In Ngorongoro it is not uncommon to find the lions lying in the shade of the parked tourist vehicle!
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is unique in that the area is shared between the pastoralist Masai tribe and the wildlife the area was established to preserve.
Day 6
We head into the crater to spend the day game viewing with a picnic lunch before heading towards the village of Nainokanoka on the crater highlands, arriving at about 17hr00. Dinner and overnight is within camp
Walking Safaris in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Walking in the Ngorongoro Highlands provides opportunities for visitors to experience the majesty of the Conservation Area without having to sit in a vehicle for 12 hours a day. On most of these walking safaris wildlife will be seen but usually at a distance, and it is highly likely that the camp will be visited by game at night. The scenery is spectacular and is the main attraction to the area, plus the possibility of interaction with the local Masai.
Ngorongoro Highlands towards Oldoinyo Lengai.
This is probably the best - known area for walking safaris in the Ngorongoro Highland. Located to the north west of the crater and heading towards the spectacular Lake Natron area which includes the active volcano Oldoinyo Lengai, known by the Masai as "the Mountain of God." The area consists of open grasslands, spectacular natural features such as Empakai crater and Mt Lolmalasin, the third highest mountain in Tanzania. Many Masai villages are located in the highlands and cultural interaction is always a possibility. This is probably the best area for walking expeditions of between two to six days, starting near the crater at Olmoti Crater and walking towards Oldoinyo Lengai, trekking down the Rift escarpment and eventually ending up at Lake Natron. Between Empakai and Oldoinyo Lengai there is no vehicle access down the escarpment, so no vehicular support is possible for one to two days. All the campsites are special campsites with no facilities whatsoever which is carried in by support vehicle.
Day 7
Today we walk about 18 kilometers to the campsite located on the slopes of Empakai crater. The walk will take about 8 hours and is through changing scenery from rolling grasslands towards the forested slopes of Empakai. Dinner and overnight is within camp
Day 8
After an early breakfast we head towards the Rift Valley escarpment and towards our campsite overlooking the lake Natron and Oldoinyo Lengai area. A walk of approximately 15 kilometers which takes about 8 hours. Dinner and overnight is within camp.
Day 9
Today is the longest trek from the escarpment to the campsite near Engaresero. Dinner and overnight is in the permanent Engaresero Camp
Day 10
Early this morning we will take the opportunity to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai with our Masai guides, hopefully reaching the peak in time for sunrise over the Rift valley. When we return to Engaresero we have the chance to relax in the Natron area, visiting Olkarien gorge or the nearby waterfalls, or walking towards the flamingo breeding grounds of Lake Natron. Dinner and overnight is within the Engaresero Camp.
Day 11
After breakfast this morning we depart with a picnic lunch for the Tarangire Conservation Area. Dinner and overnight is at Boundary Hill Lodge.
Tarangire National Park and Conservation Area
This park represents perhaps the closest approximation to people's expectations of Africa. Savannah lands, acacia stands, clusters of baobab trees, large herds of elephant and large tracts of rarely visited game lands make this perhaps the epitome of the safari experience. The park is approximately 2,600 sq km's within an ecosystem of over 20,000 sq km's on the Masai steppes, and during the height of the dry season is second only to Ngorongoro in density of wildlife. Tarangire is also arguably the best park in Africa for elephants with a population of over 3,000; and during the season, these are concentrated around the permanent waters of the Tarangire River during the heat of the day.
As in all ecosystems the vegetation and the types of animals you find are closely correlated. The principle features of the ecosystem are grasslands and floodplain's, Acacia tortillas and baobab parkland, riverina woodland, acacia commiphora woodland and combretum woodland. Three swamps form very important all year water sources for the large elephant populations, Silale and Gursi within the park, and Goswa within the conservation area.
Tarangire is also one of the only places in Tanzania where you are able to combine the traditional game viewing from vehicles with other activities such as night drives, walking safaris and fly camping. For avid birders, to be able to walk in the Conservation Area with one of the trained Masai guides is incredibly rewarding as it is at this pace it is far easier to spot and observe the many bird species. Night drives also enable visitors to spot the nocturnal animals such as African wildcat, serval cats, genets, civets and bat eared foxes. The larger predators are also active at night and it is not uncommon to spot leopards hunting in the woodland margins or lions on the plains.
For birders, species to note include Hildebrandts starling, the endemic ashy starling, yellow collared lovebird and orange bellied parrot. Also seen around the camp are brown parrots, Von der Deckens Hornbill, northern pied babbler, northern white crowned shrike, white bellied go away bird, plus a variety of rollers, woodpeckers and other species. On the night drives we also have the chance to see some of the many owls in the area, as well as two banded coursers and montane nightjars.
Community Conservation
During the late eighties and early nineties, Tarangire National Park was in danger of becoming an island surrounded by marginal agricultural activities. This would have been a disaster for the Tarangire National Park and the world would have lost one of the top three wildlife migrations. The local Masai communities, seeing their natural heritage endangered entered joint partnerships with private investors and established areas set aside for habitat and wildlife preservation. It is in these areas that we offer our walking safaris, night drives and fly camping, with economic benefits flowing back to the local Masai communities.
Day 12
Today we explore the Tarangire ecosystem and its wildlife on foot and by vehicle. Tarangire is one of the least visited parks, but during the dry season has the highest density of wildlife in any part of northern East Africa. It is not unusual to view over 300 to 400 elephants in a single day. \The Tarangire area is also unique in that it is one of the few areas that we are able to experience walking safaris and night drives in northern Tanzania. We also take the opportunity to visit one of the local Masai villages in the area, which are the traditional landowners here. Dinner and overnight are at Boundary Hill lodge.
Day 13
After and early morning walking safari or game drive, we return to the camp for a late morning brunch, before heading towards Arusha National Park and our campsite at the base of Mt Meru for dinner and overnight
Mt. Meru (4,566 m.) is the second highest mountain in Tanzania and is a very underrated mountain climb because of its close proximity to Kilimanjaro. It is a horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater with a spectacularly narrow ridge and superb all round views. The cliffs of the inner wall below the summit are over 1500 m. high, and inside the caldera is a subsidiary peak called the Ash Cone (3,670 m.) that last erupted only 100 years ago. There is an immense variety of tree and plant life, adding considerably to the interest of the trek.
Mt. Meru is part of Arusha National Park, and the lower slopes of the mountain shelter a variety of wildlife. The routes below Miriakamba Hut are more like walking safaris than mountain climbs and our guide is an informed and armed park ranger (in case we get too close to some of the animals!). You are almost certain to see buffaloes, warthogs, monkeys, and a variety of bird life. Giraffe and elephant are also quite common.
Accommodation is in two well-maintained wooden huts that have spectacular views of Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds. The climb of Meru is very much justified on it's own merits but is also a great way to get acclimatized for Kilimanjaro. The views from Meru to Kilimanjaro, and of the Meru crater, give plenty of inspiration for another mountain climb!
Day 14
Our climb begins from our camp and the track soon passes some open grassland, with a good chance of seeing buffaloes, giraffes and warthogs, and then continues as a steady climb through montane forest. We take lunch at, or near, the Fig Tree Arch, which is big enough to drive a car through! After lunch, the route continues through less dense forest, where there are an abundance of birds and monkeys. The black and white colobus monkeys are particularly fascinating to watch. By mid-afternoon, there are the first closer views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. We reach Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m.), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. [5-6 hours walking].
Day 15
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep and sustained climb all the way. We walk through attractive, open, and lush montane forest to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. This has excellent views of the summit ridge and across most of the crater floor. Whilst resting, you might spot elephants or other animals from here. The path continues uphill through giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3,570 m.), where lunch is waiting for us. The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. The more energetic can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m.) for superb views just before sunset. [3-6 hours walking].
Day 16
An early start at around 2 a.m. to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m.), and then continue along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m.) around sunrise. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the Crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning cloud, and west towards the Rift Valley if the weather is clear. The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m.) is an hour more on a superb but often steep path. The route back to Rhino Point in the sharp morning light on a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. We rest, and have brunch at Saddle Hut
before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m.). [10-12 hours walking].
Note: The ridge between the summit and Rhino Point is not suitable for those suffering from vertigo. In icy conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point. Sunrise from here is equally as spectacular as from Cobra Pt.
Day 17
We take the direct route down towards Momella through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. We then transfer to the Arumeru River Lodge [2-3 hours walking].
Day 18
This morning we catch the flight to Zanzibar, where you will be met and transferred to the Dhow Palace or Tembo Hotel for overnight in Stone Town. Accommodation is on a b&b basis.
Day 19
This morning we take in the sights and sounds of Stone Town on a spice Tour, before being transferred in the afternoon to the Pongwe Beach Resort or Karamba Beach Resort for dinner and overnight. Accommodation is on half board basis
Day 20 & 21
These days are spent relaxing on the beaches. Dinners and overnights are at Pongwe Beach Resort or Karamba Beach Resort. Accommodation is on half board basis.
Day 22
Morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Dar Es Salaam
Cost
Includes
This is a private safari including full board accommodation throughout unless otherwise noted, all transfers, all park fees and all conservation area fees, all walking safaris, all nights drives as stated in
the itinerary, UNLIMITED kilometers on game drives in 4WD Land Rover or Land cruiser with English speaking guide, all camping equipment and services of a camp chef. Flights Arusha to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam
Not Included
Soft and alcoholic drinks, visas and items of a personal nature.
Short grass plains
Walking Safaris in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area