8 Days Tanzania Discovery

You will arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and meet your expert guide. Then, you will enjoy the drive to Tarangire National Park which is approximately 130 kilometers from Arusha. With its baobab-studded landscape, Tarangire National Park reportedly has the highest concentration of elephants in the world. This 2850-square-kilometer park is home to large herds of zebras, wildebeests, hartebeests, elands, oryxes, waterbucks, giraffes, and buffaloes. Tarangire offers amazing bird watching opportunities and is also home to big predators that roam this territory including cheetahs, leopards, and lions.

You will depart Tarangire National Park and head toward your next stop, Lake Manyara National Park, which is made up of 11 different ecosystems. On your way, you will visit the Mto Wa Mbu Village (meaning River of Mosquitoes). You will also visit the colorful markets and please be sure to try the delicious fruits including red bananas. Game viewing and lunch will take place at Lake Manyara National Park. This superb setting is famous for tree-climbing lions, a large population of primates, and many large mammal species. Lake Manyara National Park is also a paradise for avian species including spoonbills, teals, pelicans, kingfishers, hornbills, and cormorants. Among the tall trees along the slopes of the Great Rift escarpment, forest monkeys leap from branch-to-branch while elephants stand in the shade of the baobab. After exiting the park, you will head toward the Ngorongoro Highlands.

You will begin your day early and make your way around Ngorongoro Crater Rim before descending into the extinct volcano that collapsed roughly 25 million years ago. The 19-kilometer wide crater with a surface area of 264 square kilometers is a Unesco World Heritage Site and also referred as the Garden of Eden. This place is a primeval paradise of woodland, lake, river, swamp, and grassy plains that are home to a permanent population of animals. Large animals such as wildebeests, buffalos, gazelles, and zebras can be seen grazing in the open grasslands. Predators including the black-maned lions, leopards, and hyenas lurk through the ecosystem as they hunt for their prey. The forest is home to lone male elephants, monkeys, waterbucks, as well as several black rhinos who have taken refuge in the crater. The soda lake attracts water birds including flamingo. The watering holes are where you will find the hippos doing what they do best, relaxing and being hippos. At the end of this amazing day, you will ascend to the crater rim and return to the lodge for a night of relaxation and comfort.

You will make your way to the next highlight of your east African safari. It is Africa’s most famous national park, Serengeti National Park. On your way, you will experience the cultural experience of a lifetime as you are invited into a village of the Maasai. There, you will observe the Maasai warriors as they present to you their dancing and chanting. Men will be welcomed to join the men in a jump competition while Ladies will be welcomed to join the Maasai women in a dance circle. You will speak to the people of the village, meet the school children, and have the privilege of entering the home of a Maasai elder.
After this enlightening stop, you will proceed towards your next destination, Olduvai Gorge. This remarkable archaeological site provides a detailed account of ancient life dating back almost 2 million years. Thereafter, you will visit the museum as well as gift shop and overlook the dig site while you will take in an interpretive talk over enjoying lunch. After that, you will go to Serengeti National Park which has nature, power, mystery, and beauty at its best. Covering over 14,000 square kilometers, this park is renowned for its predators. You will be in awe as the show will start from the moment you enter the park. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, jackals, rhinos, gazelles, giraffes, buffalos, zebras, and wildebeests are the endless list.

You will wake up very early as you will begin the morning with a magnificent hot air balloon ride over the vast Serengeti Plains. From tree top up to 1000 meters, you will float above the wildlife for approximately 1 hour. Upon landing, you will be served a traditional full English breakfast. Champagne can also be enjoyed under an acacia tree. This activity is without a doubt the experience of a lifetime. After your balloon ride, you will enjoy a scenic wildlife drive through Serengeti National Park prior to making your way back to Ngorongoro Highlands.

Following breakfast, it will be with great regret to inform you that your safari will come to an end. Our safari guide will escort you on the final leg of your journey to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight.