Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel located a short distance from Arusha City Centre.

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The remainder of the day at leisure.

This morning is at leisure with optional activities (payable direct). You will then have a safari briefing followed by lunch.

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After lunch you depart Arusha and head to Tarangire National Park. As you make your way out of Arusha, you leave the busy city behind, and the landscape gives way to vast plains dotted with grass thatched huts. It will be common to see young children tending to herds of cattle and sheep. In the distance, the imposing wall of the Great Rift Valley rises from the horizon.

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Afternoon arrival at the tented lodge located adjacent to the park for dinner and overnight.

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Tarangire National Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it and is known for its large herds of elephants and diverse wildlife. The park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometres and is home to over 550 bird species, as well as lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and many more animals. The park is also known for its baobab trees and picturesque views of the Maasai Steppe and the Rift Valley.

This morning board your safari vehicle for game viewing within Tarangire National Park in search of its large lion prides and elephant herds. Drive through the baobab tree lined park and explore the silale swamp. Return to your camp for lunch.

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In the afternoon drive north through the park and to the town of Makuyuni where you continue the journey through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.

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Lake Manyara National Park is named after Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that is a prominent feature of the park. The park covers an area of 330 square kilometres and is known for its diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, baboons, and various species of antelope. The park is known as home to tree-climbing lions, a behaviour that can be observed in other areas of Africa. In addition to its wildlife, the park is known for its birdlife, with over 400 bird species recorded, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and various birds of prey. The park's terrain varies from dense forests to open grassy plains, and the views of the Great Rift Valley and the surrounding landscapes are breathtaking.

After breakfast there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park before returning to the camp for lunch.

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Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues north-west across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands, filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

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From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park.

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The Serengeti National Park covers an area of approximately 14,750 square kilometres and is known for its vast savannah grasslands, iconic wildlife. The park is home to the huge array of wildlife including lions, elephants, leopards, as well as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and many other species of mammals and birds. The park is also home to the Maasai people, who have lived in the area for centuries and still practice their traditional way of life.

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.

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OPTIONAL: It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement - pre-booking essential (highly recommended)

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Hot Air Balloon Safari: Early morning shared transfer in the balloon company vehicle to the balloon staging site. You meet the pilot who provides a safety briefing while the crew inflate the hot air balloon. At sunrise, your shared hot air balloon lifts off over the African plains. At times, your pilot will ascend to a higher altitude to give you an overview of the ecosystem. Then you descend to treetop level to silently observe the wildlife from above. After about 50 minutes, you land and are met by the balloon staff to transport you to your shared bush breakfast. You then return to your camp or lodge. Price: from AUD900 per person.

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains.

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After a picnic lunch you continue your journey towards Ngorongoro Crater where you pass along the rim of the crater and descend to the park gate and your lodge located in Karatu surrounded by farmland and a view of the back wall of the crater.

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After an early breakfast, you drive to the park gate and descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater.

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Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience.

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The Crater is home to an estimated 30,000 animals, making it one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in the world. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for wildlife safaris and outdoor adventure activities.

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You return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Those awake early enough will be able to enjoy the sunrise across the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

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Depart Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast, head south east past Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu Village. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment turning south on to the main road to Arusha.

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On arrival in Arusha (around 12h30) lunch is provided before you continue the journey by road to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight (flight cost not included) and the end of your tour - tour ends at approx. 1530 hrs - please note, earliest flight to be booked is 18h30. Travellers extending to Zanzibar may depart from Arusha Airport.

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