We've created an itinerary that gives you a combination of walking safaris and driving safaris with a few days in the Serengeti to round out your trip.
October 4:
Plan to arrive at Kilimanjaro airport by 2:00 PM. You will be met by our team and transferred to the Mount Meru hotel for your first night. Breakfast is included.
October 5:
Your guide will meet you after breakfast and you'll depart to Tarangire National Park, approx.2hrs drive – on arrival at Maramboi you will begin your first walking safari with your guide -- this is a chance to stretch your legs and take in the beautiful landscape of Tanzania and witness your first animals. Upon your return, dinner will be served and overnight is at Maramboi Tented Camp. Full board.
October 6:
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park for walking safari and Tuk Tuk ride or trekking including local lunch – dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Serena
October 7:
After breakfast depart for Empakai Walk with picnic lunch- Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
October 8:
Early morning descend down to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. Later, depart with picnic lunch drive to Serengeti National Park with game drive and visit to Olduvai Gorge. – Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge
October 9:
Full day game drive Serengeti National Park (optional Balloon Safari before full day game drive at extra cost of $550.00 per person Please indicate at time of booking you would like the balloon safari) – Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge – Full board - Okay
October 10 : Full day game drive Serengeti National Park – Lunch, dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge
October 11:
Departure (fly to Arusha, lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge then transfer to Kilimanjaro for your outbound flight)
October 12:
Full day game drive Serengeti National Park – Lunch, dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge – Full board.
October 13:
Departure (fly to Arusha, lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge then transfer to Kilimanjaro for your outbound flight)
OR
Transfer to Moshi for overnight and prepare for Kilimanjaro Climb. Email tava@ramblers.com for more information on Kilimanjaro extension.
Walking Safari:
While in Manyara, take the rare opportunity to enjoy a nature walk. Starting at the top of the Rift Valley escarpment, enjoy a stroll along the edge of the Great Rift Valley with beautiful views of Lake Manyara and the National Park below. During your 1 ½ hour walk learn about the insects, birds, plants and their traditional uses as well as the small mammals you will see from a knowledgeable guide.
Empakai Walk:
This full-day hike explores the dramatic Empakaai Crater. With a lake on the Crater floor and the entire caldera encircled by a steep, densely forested wall, Empakaai is a scene of vast natural beauty. On clear days the Crater offers views of Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania’s most recently active volcano. The steep slope calls for a degree of fitness, but the walk through the lush forest, with its ancient strangler figs and rich birdlife, is well worth the effort. The trail continues to the lakeshore, where you can view water birds such as flamingo.
A cave in volcanic caldera, Empakaai Crater stands at 300 meters in height and more than six kilometres in width. Rippling at its heart is Empakaai Lake, an 85 metre deep alkaline pool that envelops three quarters of the crater’s floor. Standing at Empakai Crater’s imposing rim, you can see landmarks, such as the distant fleecy snows of Kilimanjaro far on the eastern side of the Valley, the Great Rift Valley, and Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano.
Along your hiking sojourn, while taking in the glorious sights, you are sure to spot a profusion of animals including blue monkeys, buffalo, bush bucks, water bucks, and an extensive array of kaleidoscopic bird life.
