TANZANIA’S PRIVATELY GUIDED BUSH, PHOTOGRAPHY & STARGAZING SAFARI
- Places to visit: Tarangire, Ngorongoro crater, Serengeti
Overview
Tanzania’s safari destinations are among the most rewarding on the continent and this 15-day privately guided safari takes in four of the best: Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, the legendary Serengeti, and the wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater. Choosing a privately guided safari is how you get all the advantages of tailor-made travel in the competent care of one of Africa’s renowned safari guides.
Accompanied from the start of your journey right through to the end, you will climb Mount Meru, become acquainted with the Tarangire red-dust coated elephants and ancient baobabs, and visit the largest intact caldera in the world – the Ngorongoro Crater. You will also traverse the golden safari plains in the Serengeti with a strong focus on photography – capturing award-worthy wildlife shots – and learn about African skies and constellations during fascinating stargazing sessions. In season, you will be right in the action of the Great Migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebra make their annual circular journey with dramatic predator encounters.
Itinerary
Days 1-2: Welcome To Tanzania
On your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be road transferred to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge. The lodge is set in lush gardens amid forest and crystal-clear waterways on the slopes of Mount Meru. It is one of Arusha’s oldest family lodges, having been adapted from an early colonial farmhouse – established in the beginning of the twentieth century.
After your first evening of settling into East Africa, your next day will be spent on a half day climb of Mount Meru – a dormant volcano with an elevation of 4,566 meters (14, 980ft), and the centrepiece of Arusha National Park. You will be immersed into stunning landscapes that include ancient fig tree forests, sulphur lakes, meandering mountain streams, and the opportunity to see many species of wildlife – including the unusually beautiful colobus monkeys. rn
Accommodation: City hotel
Days 3-5: Explore Tarangire | 3 Nights
The next part of your journey is travelling to the Tarangire National Park, with a stop at a central market in Arusha. Your next three nights will be spent at Tarangire Ndovu Lodge, a tented safari camp in this wild landscape with ancient baobab trees as its backdrop. The first afternoon is reserved for a thrilling game drive encountering safari heavy hitters including rhino, leopard, and lion. On return to the camp, your guides will facilitate an interpretive talk on the constellations of African stars.
Your next two days will be spent exploring the park with an introduction to the ‘Giants of the Tarangire’ – the baobabs and elephants, and your guides will prepare an introduction into wildlife photography. Plus, you’ll visit the Silale Swamp, one of the Tarangire ecosystem’s most important features. Huge herds of herbivores flood the park in search of this water, attracting lions, leopards, and the painted wolves of Africa, endangered wild dogs.
Accommodation: Ndovu Lodge
Days 6-7: Maasai Culture & The Ngorongoro Crater | 2 Nights
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin your transfer journey to Karatu and stop en-route to visit a local Maasai market, experiencing this ancient culture with some fantastic photographic opportunities. Your last stop for the day will be at Plantation Lodge, where you will be welcomed with a wine tasting event and have an introduction to the Ngorongoro region – its people, altitude, wildlife, and the crater.
The Plantation Lodge sits at an elevation of 1,600 meters, just a short distance from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is often called the game lodge at the top of the world. You will explore this region where endangered black rhino wander within the rim of the crater, giant tusked elephants roam through the forests and lions prowl the grasslands.
Accommodation: Plantation Lodge
Days 8-9: Serengeti Sights
You will be transferred to the central Serengeti where you will arrive at Nyikani Camp, known as the birthplace of the Great Migration. This unique camp opens is perfect for travellers wanting to ‘unplug’ from 21st century life and get back to nature. You will also have the opportunity for some phenomenal stargazing at this camp, where the sky is blanketed in the millions, and you’ll learn fascinating insights into the constellations.
Accommodation: Nyikani Camp,
Days 10-11: Photographic Safari | 2 Nights
Wake up early and get ready to journey to your next stop, Dunia Camp. When you arrive, you will settle into the camp and enjoy a gin tasting event with a presentation of the migration – its history, evolution, ecology, predator action and conservation efforts. Dunia is an inspirational safari camp, run entirely by women. The camp is seasonal open from March to June and November to December each year and is a front-row seat the all the action of nature’s greatest spectacle.
Accommodation: Dunia Camp
Days 12-13: The Great Migration | 2 Nights
In the morning you will be transferred to the Seronera airstrip for a charter flight to the northern Serengeti, where you will arrive at the Olakira Tented Camp. Each year, this safari camp migrates between two spectacular locations in the Serengeti’s north and south, the north is reserved for famed river crossing sightings at the Mara River.
Thousands of wildebeest brave the waters where crocodiles and hippos lie in wait. Here you will discover the wilds of Africa and its inhabitants while enjoying luxurious tented accommodation in one of the most famous regions in the world. Plus, you will embark on a walking safari, taking you closer to the intricacies of this pristine environment.
Accommodation: Olakira Tented Camp
Day 14: Local Treasures
Wake up in the golden plains of the northern Serengeti and prepare for the return to Arusha. You’ll be transferred to Kogatende where your flight will take off to the Arusha airport.
Before arriving at Ngare Sero, you’ll have a stopover at a vibrant, central market. After a hearty lunch, you’ll move along to Ngare Sero for your last night in Tanzania. After dinner, you’ll watch a slide show of your stay and reminisce over the best moments of your trip.
Accommodation: Ngare Sero
Day 15: Bid Farewell To Tanzania
Arusha’s Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward travel plans will begin. Recount the incredible adventure as you reflect on unforgettable memories made and friendships formed. Come again soon!
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips (tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Alcohol drinks
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