8 Days The Big 5 Lodge Safari in Tanzania

Overview

During this camping safari itinerary, you will spend few nights in the hotel accommodation before and after safari and then spend the rest of the nights in the fantastic Adventure Public Camps in the wilderness. Our fabulous staff will provide you a great meals, and very exclusive game drive experiences. Your game drives will always be taken in private safari vehicle with knowledgeable guides and spotters. This allowed you to see game up close and we were so fortunate to see the Great Wildebeest Migration. I am sure after having this tour; you will never forget the experiences you got from us.

There is a day someone quoted: “Africa is not the trip of a lifetime, it is a lifetime of trips”. Once you go on safari in Africa, you want to go back to experience more of the wonderful nature and people as well. We at Aardvark Expeditions are truly caring about making your vacation the best ever!

Trip Summary

• Start: Arusha, Tanzania
• End: Arusha, Tanzania
• Destinations: Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire
• Theme: Wildlife Safari
• Max group size: Any size

Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO):

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be Met and assist at the airport and after going through Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs, Transfer to the Green Mountain Hotel to stay overnight on Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 2 – Arusha National Park + Walking Safari at the park:

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge at 08:30 AM and then proceed to Arusha National Park where you will start first day. The park has an incredible variety of fauna and flora, which cannot fail to impress. Hollywood also chose this region to film the movie “Hatari” in which Hardy Kruger starred alongside the legendary John Wayne. Your day trip will include a visit to the Ngurdoto Crater. Buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, warthogs, zebras and baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. Walking safari is possible at this national park for an extra cost. Only a few other national parks in Tanzania give you such an opportunity and it is something that should not be missed. Lunch will be taken at a picnic place and in the afternoon, you will continue your tour in the safari vehicle through the Arusha National Park. In the evening you will drive to Green Mountain Hotel to stay overnight on Full Board basis.

Day 3 – Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park:

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park to spend a full day game drive exploring the park. It is said to be the “loveliest (lake) in Africa,” Lake Manyara is covering 127 square miles (329 km2) of Lake Manyara National Park, the lake’s alkaline waters cover approximately 89 square miles (231 km2). It is famous for a good number of baboons and birdlife, also home to herbivores such as hippos, impalas, elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, warthogs, and giraffes, giant fig trees and mahogany seen in the groundwater forest immediately around the park gates, and then you will drive to Panorama Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 4 – Serengeti National Park:

After breakfast drive to Serengeti National Park with an optional – visit to Olduvai Gorge (Millions of years ago, the site was that of a large lake, the shores of which were covered with successive deposits of volcanic ash. Excavation work there was pioneered by Louis and Mary Leakey beginning in 1931. The Serengeti National park covers 14,763 km² (5,700 square miles) of grassland plains and Savannah as well as river trine forest and woodlands. The park lies in the north of the country, bordered to the north by the national Tanzania and Kenyan border, where it is continuous with the Masai Mara National Park Reserve. Stay overnight at Seronera Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 5 – Full Day Serengeti National Park:

Wakeup call at 06:00 AM, and then go for your full-day game drives in the Central Serengeti National Park. This gives us further time to wonder at the migratory herds and the dangers and challenges they face each year in their battle for survival. As well as the heard animals, you can perhaps the hippopotamus – or up in the skies, a majestic martial eagle. As well as the migrating animals, this area also has a good population of resident wildlife, so you won’t be disappointed. Picnic lunch box will be provided by your driver guide at the picnic site. Stay overnight at Seronera Campsite on Full Board basis.

Day 6 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority:

Wake ups call at 06:00 AM, in order to have just a cup of the hot coffee then proceed for the early morning game drive, this morning game drive is very important as you will be able to witness the early morning kills from the big five only if you will be lucky enough. After the game drive back to the Lodge at 9:30 am in order to have your main breakfast, there after you will check out the camp and then proceed with game drives en-route to Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. Stay overnight at Simba Campsite – overlooking the crater floor!

Day 7 – Ngorongoro Crater Tour – Drive to Karatu Area:

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for crater tour. This is world heritage site; the incomparable Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest “caldera”. Dominated by cliffs standing some 600 meters high and presenting a sheer drop down to a wide open space of some 246 square km, and you may see everything from elephant to lion, and if you’re lucky, the near-extinct black rhino, all amongst large herds of zebra and wildebeest. Afternoon exit the Ngorongoro Crater and then proceeds to Kudu Campsite to overnight on Full Board basis.

Day 8 – Tarangire National Park – Drive Back to Arusha:

Have breakfast at 07:00 AM, after that, you will drive to Tarangire National Park, which known for its large elephant herds. From the open roof of the vehicle, you will scan the seasonal swamps, Savannah and Tarangire River in search of zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, hartebeest, elephants, giraffes, waterbuck and reedbucks. With a bit of luck, you will catch a glimpse of a lion stalking its prey or leopards lying lazily in the trees above. After an extensive game drive, having experienced the various sights and sounds of the wilderness, you will leave the park and then proceeds to Arusha. Stay overnight at Green Mountain Hotel on Bed and Breakfast basis.

End of service.

Mid-Range Lodge Safari

2 Pax Adventure Camping Safari – Price cost US$ 2,282 per person.
4 Pax Adventure Camping Safari – Price cost US$ 1,794 per person.

Accommodation

Price Includes

• Lodge safari according to the itinerary
• Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
• Professional, English-speaking guide
• Walking safari, Materuni waterfalls
• Overnight accommodation according to the itinerary
• Meals according to the itinerary
• 1.5 liters of mineral water per day
• All mentioned activities
• All national park fees
• Airport pickups/departure transfers.

 Price Excludes

• Flight tickets
• Optional activities
• Zanzibar Island
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Visa fees
• Tips
• Personal spending money for souvenirs
• Travel insurance etc.