Feb 19 - Arrival Arusha
Overnight Arusha Coffee Lodge (1nt)
Arusha Coffee Lodge lies cradled in the endless acres of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantation. This exclusive, boutique hotel lodge has been designed around the farms’ original plantation homes, radiating the warmth and invitation of the old colonial plantation homes historically distinctive to the coffee plantations. Luxurious accommodation, fine cuisine, and roaring fires, beckon to the most seasoned traveler. The Arusha Coffee Lodge accommodation consists of 18 plantation houses lavishly furnished, featuring split-level living room area and a private deck patio. Offering every guest amenity and fancy, the Arusha Coffee Lodge is the place to relax and rejuvenate before or after a Tanzanian Safari. Laze around the swimming pool, enjoy a sundowner at the Safari Bar, unwind after a delectable meal in the lounge with a good liqueur and a fireside chat.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626373839755/
Tarangire National Park
Named after the Tarangire River which runs through it, is an arid haven, peppered with ancient baobab trees, towering termite mounts, and home to huge herds of elephant.
Feb 20 & 21 - Tarangire Park
Maramboi Tented Camp (2nts)
Drive to Tarangire Park. 3 game drives and a bush walk. (BLD)
Maramboi Tented Camp is situated in a beautiful location on the shores of Lake Manyara, just 18 km from Tarangire National Park. It is set in a 25,000 hectare concession area run by the local Masai community. The spacious tents are on raised decks spaced out each side of the main lounge area, each with en-suite facilities and a private verandah. There are either twin or king size beds with lighting provided by solar power. The bar and dining area has views across to the Manyara shore and the bush beyond. There is a swimming pool at the end of a viewing deck overlooking the plains.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626373947815/
Serengeti National Park
The name comes from the Masai word “siringet” meaning ‘endless plain’. This 14,763sq. kms. park encompasses lakes, savannah grassland, wooded hills, rivers, swamps, and volcanic massifs. Due to this diverse ecosystem it is undoubtedly one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges. Serengeti is home to over 2 million wildebeest, half a million Thomson’s gazelle, and a quarter of a million zebra, giraffe, eland, topi, kongoni, impala and other antelope. The predators are also well represented by lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. In total, there are nearly 35 species of savannah animals and almost 500 species of birds including lilac-breasted rollers, barbets, and ring-necked doves living in this animal kingdom.
Feb 22 & 23 - Central Serengeti
Mbuzi Mawa Camp (2nts)
Game viewing on drive to the Central Serengeti.
Optional Balloon Safari. 3 game drives. (BLD)
Scenically located in a glade, known as ‘the place of the klipspringer' (mbuzi mawe), and guarded by three million year-old granite towers, this luxury tented-camp is unique. Cleverly located on one of the main annual migration corridors for over one million wildebeest, half a million zebras and gazelles, and their accompanying cast of predators it is also located at the very epicenter of one of the world's most famous national parks. The sixteen large custom-made canvas tents are widely spaced throughout the rocky glades of the camp. Reached by winding stone paths, each tent stands on a stone platform and has its own thatched roof. Opening off the spacious bedroom, is a tented bathroom, which features twin basins, shower and flushed WC. The main bedroom area features two queen-sized four-poster beds, each with all encompassing mosquito nets. There is also a seating area with stylish lamps and easy chairs. On the spacious private terrace are both safari chairs and sun loungers.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626374126541/
Feb 24 & 25 - Western Serengeti
Mbalageti Tented Camp (2nts)
Game drive to Camp and 3 additional game drives. (BLD)
Mbalageti Serengeti is located in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The Lodge offers a breathtaking 360-dgree panorama view of the Serengeti Plain lands and the Mbalageti River, where one of the main attractions is the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. Mbalageti is actually the word from old Maa language. It means wildebeest, but the word is no longer in use; today Mbalageti refers to the seasonal river. All rooms are beautifully decorated in a modern design for a feeling of comfort and have en suite bathrooms and a small veranda. View images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626498963476/
Feb 26 & 27 - Ndutu
Ndutu Safari Lodge (2nts)
Game drive to Lodge and 3 additional game drives. (BLD)
Ndutu Safari Lodge is situated in the Southeastern part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Shaded by majestic acacia trees, each of the thirty-four cottages, which are built of local materials, has a private verandah facing Lake Ndutu. The Lodge is surrounded by indigenous trees and shrubs, which encourage a host of birds and mammals to come right to your front door. Tucked well away from the busy tourist circuit, Ndutu offers peace and tranquility far from the crowds. Relax to the rhythm of an African day as a myriad bird calls herald the rising sun. Stay close to the Lodge and enjoy our resident wildlife, or go for a drive and explore the range of habitats that lie within easy reach. After sunset return to the warmth and hospitality of Ndutu Safari Lodge. Ndutu still has the informal, intimate feeling of the original bush camp, built by legendary hunter George Dove
in the 60's. Now, comfortable cottages have replaced tents, but our main buildings place no barriers between you and nature.
View images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626374365655/
Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world' the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's best-known wildlife arenas. A World Heritage Site, it is also one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometres wide, 610-760 metres deep and covering a total area of 264 square kilometres). An utterly unique biosphere, the Crater harbours grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. Due to its high concentration of wildlife, close-range viewing opportunities and striking scenery it is also Tanzania's most visited destination.
Feb 28, 29 Mar 01 - Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Wilderness Camp (3nts)
Game drive to Camp and afternoon game drive. 2 half day game drives in Ngorongoro Crater.
Afternoon walks and game drives.
Masai Village visit. (BLD)
Ngorongoro Wilderness Camp is a ‘seasonal’ camp located inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Seasonal camps have the benefit of being able to move to some of the best game viewing areas of the park and every three to six months we move to a new location. Ngorongoro Wilderness Camp comprises of ten tents, with en suite facilities, solar lighting and eco-friendly toilets. Chilly nights are taken care of with warm duvets, hot water bottles and gas heaters in the communal areas. Our professional staff will be on hand to look after your every need, and our safari chef will prepare wholesome and varied meals during your stay at the camp. Meals are served in a large mess tent and the communal lounge and bar area is a great place to relax in the cool evenings. Maasai warriors provide security for the camp and this in turn provides them with much needed employment. Ngorongoro Wilderness Camp is an exclusive, but simple tented camp for those not keen on large lodges and hotels. View images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626374429279/
Lake Manyara National Park
Stretching for 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600-metre high Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”. The compact game-viewing circuit through Manyara offers a virtual microcosm of the Tanzanian safari experience. Contrasting with the intimacy of the forest is the grassy floodplain and its expansive views eastward, across the alkaline lake, to the jagged blue volcanic peaks that rise from the endless Maasai Steppes. Large buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds congregate on these grassy plains, as do giraffes – some so dark in coloration that they appear to be black from a distance. Inland of the floodplain, a narrow belt of acacia woodland is
The favoured haunt of Manyara’s legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants.
Mar 02 - Lake Manyara
Kirurumu Tented Camp (1nt)
Olduvai Gorge Paleolithic site and Afternoon Game Drive. (BLD)
Kirurumu Tented Lodge is set high on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, enjoying a marvelous, uplifting and panoramic view eastward over Lake Manyara, the Rift floor and Mt. Losimingori. Behind Kirurumu, the Ngorongoro Highlands rise in green and fertile splendour and form the gateway to Ngorongoro Crater and, finally, Olduvai Gorge, the Serengeti. Kirurumu has 22 luxury tents with ensuite facilities and all the modern comforts. There is a bar complete with sundeck with panoramic views of the Rift Valley. On option are Maasai guided botanical walks.
View images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltimeinc/sets/72157626499263866/
Mar 03 - Arusha
Drive to Arusha, Lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge (BL)
Transfer to Airport for the trip home
