Welcome to Tanzania! Experience an unforgettable African adventure.

When choosing a safari   be sure to specify what kind of safari you want. Trips can be tailor made according to your travel preferences, the time of year, and what you want to see, so don’t hesitate to let us know exactly what you want. The quality of safaris can vary according to what you will be paying, all visitors should expect the best of their safari team, from competent, well-informed guides to well served food and comfortable accommodation. Remember that many of these multiple safari options are available in the same areas and parks, and that what differs is only the accommodation facilities offered; not the wildlife and the scenery that you will see.

Safaris in Tanzania have something to offer to everyone. Experience the adventure of budget camping or the opulence of luxury camping safaris. Enjoy a truly memorable lodge safari, or take it one step further and go fly camping. Hunting safaris are also possible.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tanzania Safaris

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ’Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is a main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. Within the crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist. Just outside the crater’s ridge, tall Masaai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures through the highland slopes, living alongside the wildlife as they have for centuries.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes its eponymous famous crater, Olduvai Gorge, and huge expanses of highland plains, scrub bush, and forests that cover approximately 8300 square kilometres. A protected area, only indigenous tribes such as the Masaai are allowed to live within its borders. Lake Ndutu and Masek, both alkaline soda lakes are home to rich game populations, as well as a series of peaks and volcanoes and make the Conservation Area a unique and beautiful landscape. Of course, the crater itself, actually a type of collapsed volcano called a caldera, is the main attraction. Accommodation is located on its ridges and after a beautiful descent down the crater rim, passing lush rain forest and thick vegetation, the flora opens to grassy plains throughout the crater floor. The game viewing is truly incredible, and the topography and views of the surrounding Crater Highlands out of this world.

 

With so many parks and itineraries to choose from, safaris to Tanzania are often divided into regional circuits, or groups of game parks whose geographical proximity and topographical variations make up a varied and diverse group. Some of the circuits are of course more travelled to than in others. Tanzania’s northern circuit alone easily attracts the majority of tourists. But the northern circuit’s fame and popularity means that other equally stunning but less well-known locations remain little-visited attractions whose beauty is known to only a few. The southern circuit contains the Selous Game Reserve – Africa’s largest game reserve which is larger than Denmark! Although the northern circuit is the most famous, venturing off the familiar path inevitably rewards visitors with the phenomenal scenery and wildlife experiences.
What follows is a brief write-up of the main attractions of each region in Tanzania, divided into circuits accordingly. Although the western and eastern circuits are not developed as full itineraries per se, there is still much in each region that warrants a discerning visitor’s attention. Of course, none of these circuits are a complete itinerary in itself, nor is it set in stone. Rather, they are regional suggestions for travellers wishing to explore a certain part of the country, or for return visitors to travel to some new place.

ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK

The closest national park to Arusha town – northern Tanzania’s safari capital – Arusha National Park is a multi-faceted jewel, often overlooked by safarigoers, despite offering the opportunity to explore a beguiling diversity of habitats within a few hours.
The entrance gate leads into shadowy montane forest inhabited by inquisitive blue monkeys and colourful turacos and trogons – the only place on the northern safari circuit where the acrobatic black-and-white colobus monkey is easily seen. In the midst of the forest stands the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, whose steep, rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor dotted with herds of buffalo and warthog.

Further north, rolling grassy hills enclose the tranquil beauty of the Momela Lakes, each one a different hue of green or blue. Their shallows sometimes tinged pink with thousands of flamingos, the lakes support a rich selection of resident and migrant waterfowl, and shaggy waterbucks display their large lyre-shaped horns on the watery fringes. Giraffes glide across the grassy hills, between grazing zebra herds, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into scrubby bush like overgrown hares on spindly legs.
Although elephants are uncommon in Arusha National Park, and lions absent altogether, leopards and spotted hyenas may be seen slinking around in the early morning and late afternoon. It is also at dusk and dawn that the veil of cloud on the eastern horizon is most likely to clear, revealing the majestic snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, only 50km (30 miles) distant.
But it is Kilimanjaro’s unassuming cousin, Mount Meru - the fifth highest in Africa at 4,566 metres (14,990 feet) – that dominates the park’s horizon. Its peaks and eastern footslopes protected within the national park, Meru offers unparalleled views of its famous neighbour, while also forming a rewarding hiking destination in its own right.

  ULTIMATE NORTHERN SAFARIS - 8 DAYS

This safari highlights the unrivalled national parks of Northern Tanzania over the course of eight days. We begin at Tarangire National Park, famous for its dense wildlife population. Our tour continues to Ngorongoro Crater, a wonder of the natural world that supports a variety of wildlife year-round. We then visit the Serengeti, often referred to as the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world and home to over three million exotic large mammals. Our safari concludes at Lake Manyara National Park, an ornithologist’s paradise also home to the elusive tree-climbing lions. Accommodation throughout the Safari is provided by some of the highest quality lodges and hotels in Tanzania.

Day 1: ARUSHA
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, meet and assist at Airport and then Transfer by
your driver to appointed lodge or hotel.

Dinner and overnight at appointed accommodation.
 

Day 2: ARUSHA – TARANGIRE
After breakfast, you depart for Tarangire National Park. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge.

After lunch relax for a short while and later go for an afternoon game drive.Tarangire is a park of giant baobab trees, rolling savannah and acacia parkland.

It is famous for its dense wildlife population, which is most spectacular in the dry season between June and September. It is during this period that thousands of animals- wildebeest, zebra, eland, harte beest, buffalo, and onyx migrate from the dry Maasai steppe to the Tarangire River in search of water. The predators -lion, leopard and others- as is the custom in the savanna follow closely by. Birds are also abundant here and over 550 species have been recorded.

Dinner and overnight at appointed accommodations.

Day 3: TARANGIRE – NGORONGORO

After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you will have lunch at your lodge. The lodge sits on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater from where you get awesome views of the collapsed volcano.

After a short rest break, proceed for an afternoon tour of the crater. The drive commences with the 600 m descent to the crater floor, a magnificent natural amphitheater. Covering 260 sq. km, the crater is an attraction in its own right and is one of the wonders of the natural world. The crater supports a year round resident population of a variety of wildlife. You will have no trouble spotting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many species of plain animals- wildebeest, zebra, reed buck, Thompson gazelle and many more.

Dinner and overnight at appointed accommodations.

Day 4: NGORONGORO – SERENGETI
After breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park passing via Olduvai Gorge. Olduvai Gorge is the prehistoric site where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis (?Handy man?) regarded as mankind?s first step on the path of human evolution. You arrive in time for lunch at your lodge.

Later in the day afternoon game drive in the park. The Serengeti is probably the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world. Within its 15,000 sq km area it hosts 3 million large mammals. More than 35 species of plain animals- zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe, and others are found here. And so for the big five: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino.

The park is the staging zone for one the most spectacular events in the natural world- the annual migration of wildebeest. This commences around June when over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle head for the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of pasture. They are followed closely by the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Serengeti also has over 500 species of birds.

Dinner and overnight at appointed accommodations.
  
Day 5 & 6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
0630 hrs- depart for an early morning game drive. Return for breakfast, collect lunch boxes and proceed at 1000 hrs for a full day of game viewing in the Serengeti. You will have a picnic lunch in the course of the day. Return to the lodge at 1700 hrs.

Dinner and overnight at appointed accommodations.

Day 7: SERENGETI – LAKE MANYARA
0630 hrs- depart for an early morning game drive in the Serengeti. After breakfast, drive at 1000 hrs to the Ngorongoro Highlands. You will have lunch at Gibbs Farm, formerly a working coffee farm. Then proceed for an afternoon visit of the waterfalls en-route to Lake Manyara to arrive in time for dinner at your lodge.

Dinner and overnight at appointed accommodations.

Day 8: LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – DEPART
After breakfast, depart at 0830 hrs for a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. The park covers 330 sq. km, 70% of which is occupied by the lake. The varied ecosystem consists of ground water forests, acacia woodland and open grassland along the lake shore and sustains a wealth of wildlife, including the Big Five -lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. The park is famous for the elusive tree-climbing lions that inhabit the woodland between the lake and the Rift Valley. It is also an ornithologists? paradise and is host to over 400 species of birds.

Return to the lodge for lunch. 1400 hrs- Drive back to Arusha. Later in the evening drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.

 TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR SAFARIS - 12 DAYS

     

This short sharp introduction into Tanzania’s wonderful variety of landscapes will make your African dreams come true, huge pods of hippo, migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra, before moving into the cool breeze and hot sun of Zanzibar.

Day 1
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, meet and assist at Airport and then Transfer by
your driver to appointed lodge or hotel

Day 2 .

 The Second day Driver come to pick  you and drive to Arusha National Park for Game drive, Guided walking inside the park with armed rangers, canoeing in lake Momela and dinner and overnight at an appointed accommodations.
 

Day 3

The third day, You will be met after breakfast by your drive guide, you will depart by road for the Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its birdlife, huge herds of elephant and buffalo and crazy tree climbing lions.

After a full day’s game viewing you will drive up the escarpment to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you will stay for the next two nights at appointed accommodations  including all meals and game viewing activities.

Day 4
This morning you will descend at first light onto the Ngorongoro Crater Floor for a morning’s game viewing. Overnight at appointed accommodations.

Day 5
Today you will depart for the Serengeti, this drive is game viewing all the way and you will hopefully catch the wildebeest migration, where hundreds and thousands of mad wildebeest gallop the plains and migrate in search of lush pastures. The predator prey interaction surrounding the wildebeest is exceptional. You will stay at  Appointed accommodations for the next two nights including all meals and game viewing.

Day 6
Full day’s game viewing in the Serengeti. Overnight to the appointed accommodations

Day 7
Today you will drive back towards Lake Manyara National Park, and will game view in Lake Manyara National Park. You will overnight in appointed accommodations including all meals and game viewing activities.

Day 8
Today you will be transferred to Arusha airport for your flight to Zanzibar.

On arrival into Zanzibar you will be transferred to the appointed accommodations, to stay for one night including breakfast.

Spice and walking tours are a great way to get to know the vibrant and culturally colorful town that is Stone Town.

Day 9
Today you will be transferred to appointed accommodations to stay for the next three nights including breakfast and dinner.

Day 10 – 11
Full day relaxing on the beach in Zanzibar.

You could also stay at appointed accommodations for your time in Zanzibar.

Day 12
This evening you will be transferred back to Zanzibar airport in time for depture and connect with an International flight back to Home.          

                                                    ITINERARY FOR 4 DAYS
 

The travel schedule that Sam Tanzania provide his or her clients. A proposed or preliminary itinerary may be rather vague or specific. A final itinerary, however, provides all details--flight numbers, departure times and so on--and describes planned activities.

4 Days Travel to Tanzania most toured destination; Ngorongoro Crater. A wonderful way to relax on one of our travel through Northern Tanzania's most famous national parks and conservation areas. As explained else where, you enjoy seing the wonders of the world in Ngorongoro where millions of diverse flora and fauna living together in one crater floor to form a world unique ecosystem ever happened elsewhere in the world.

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN ARUSHA Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania. You will meet us at the airport and pick up with private transfer to an appointed Lodge or Hotel. We will gather in the evening for a pre-safari briefing.

DAY 2 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Morning breakfast at your hotel in Arusha, safari briefing and after wards we depart for Tarangire National Park. Your first experience of safari will be the thrilling game drive through the vastness of Tarangire National Park, arrive in good time for lunch. Afternoon game driving through the park followed by dinner and overnight at appointed Lodge.  

DAY 3 NGORONGORO CRATER Today we visit the largest intact volcanic crater in the world, the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. At more than 2,000 feet deep and 12 miles in diameter, the Ngorongoro Crater has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. 30,000 animals make their home in this crater, making it an ideal place for sightings of the 'big 5' - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this truly world-class attraction, also known as the '8th Wonder of the World'. Our dinner and overnight stay is at an appointed accommodation.  

DAY 4 LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARKWe depart from your lodge proceed to Lake Manyara National Park. Although small in size, this park is one of the most diverse reserves in the country. Lake Manyara covers two thirds of the park. At the backdrop is the wall of the Great Rift Valley, before which lies the ground water forest, areas of open grassland near the lake foreshore, and the Soda Lake. We enjoy a picnic lunch in this area, which consists of open grassy areas, hot springs, dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. Lake Manyara National Park is a birding paradise that has more than 350 species of bird. The park is also famed for its unique and elusive tree- We will leave Lake Manyara National Park in Afternoon depart the Lake back to Arusha at an appointed accommodation and overnight at Arusha or transfer back to Arusha Airport.