Ketumbeine, Lake Natron, Oldoinyo Lengai Volcano, Lake Manyara & Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli Fossil Site,  Ngorongoro Crater    14 Days

Ketumbeine – Lake Natron (800m) & Oldoinyo Lengai (2,878m)
Hop into your safari vehicle this morning for a scenic drive to Lake Natron. Visit the waterfall and explore the lake; climb the “Maasai mountain of God” or simply relax in camp. Oldoinyo Lengai is one of East Africa’s youngest volcanoes and possibly the most active.

The climb normally takes 5 to 6 hours along steep slopes which are practically bereft of shade and the descent (which can be very tough on knees and ankles) takes about 2 hours. Most local guides recommend starting this climb at midnight, to reach the crater rim in time for sunrise and descend before the intense mid-day heat reaches the parched slopes.

Suitable only for reasonably fit and agile adventurers, this is, nevertheless, a rewarding climb, passing through some magnificently arid scenery and offering spectacular views back towards the Rift Valley before leading to the lunar landscape of the crater, studded with ash cones, lava pools, steam vents and other evidence of volcanic activity. Overnight in camp or tented lodge (full board)

Lake Natron – Wasso
Rise and shine with the African sun to enjoy your leisurely breakfast under the acacia trees. Today we set off for Wasso where you can ? Overnight in camp (full board)

Wasso – Serengeti National Park (Lobo area)
Take time to relax in a shady spot near Kleins Gate, for a tasty packed lunch before journeying on to the northern plains of Serengeti National Park. In May and June, when the rains stop, the migratory herds start to move west and north once more and provide an amazing spectacle as wildebeest march in long, meandering lines that stretch for miles, or bunch together into thousands-strong groups.

They will move through the northern woodlands in most years from June to December, to feed on the longer grasses which persist in the Lobo area. Rocky hills, rivers and woodlands typify this scenic locale, noted for large prides of lions as well as providing refuge to cheetah, leopard, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox and the exquisite Serval cat. Overnight in camp or lodge (full board)

Serengeti National Park (Lobo – Seronera)
The Seronera Valley is justly famous for leopards and lions, both of which can usually be seen and photographed here. The cheetah, too, hunts in the long-grass plains, among kongoni, (Coke’s hartebeest), topi, Grants & Thomson’s gazelle, eland and many other herbivores. Explore intriguing kopjes which provide shelter and capture water for a wealth of wildlife and plants.

Without such environs, lions and other large animal would be unable to survive the dry season on the Serengeti plains. Most kopjes are outstanding for their size and profusion of resident wildlife, including lion, leopard, serval, caracal and even elephant as well as cheetah, giraffe, baboon and large cobras. Overnight in camp or lodge (full board)

Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Explore today the lakes and kopjes of the short-grass plains. Discover the resident lion prides and numerous water birds at Lake Lagarja (also called Ndutu) and nearby Lake Masek; drive slowly between the giraffe families in the surrounding acacia woodland. Drive across to Moru Kopjes (rocky outcrops on the treeless plains), where very old Maasai rock paintings can be found at Ngong Rock – an old Maasai ceremonial meeting place.

The southern grass plains are some of the most productive and nutritious natural grasslands in the world. When the short rains start in November, the huge herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra move south from the northern woodlands. They move to exploit the mineral-rich grass which they need to rear their young (which are born in the Ndutu area during January and/or February). These plains are also used by migratory birds, including the pallid harrier, white stork and peregrine falcon. Overnight in camp or lodge (full board)

Oldupai Gorge Museum & Laitoli Fossil Site
From our base in the “Ndutu triangle” on the short-grass plains, we will today visit Oldupai Gorge and its museum of hominid remains and fossils and the Pliocene fossil site of Laetoli. In 1978, Mary Leakey and her team discovered fossil hominid tracks at Laitoli; remarkable because these footprints show us that, as early as about 3.6 million years ago, hominids walked upright as modern humans do, leaving their hands free for carrying artefacts, foodstuffs and other items. Overnight in camp or lodge (full board)
Short grass plains – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu

Camera chockablock with film of all you have seen on the Serengeti plains, you are now ready for Ngorongoro, the unofficial 8th wonder of the world. Drive the winding trail up and around the outer slopes to the rim, passing Maasai herdsmen with their cattle and goats, all grazing peacefully together with wildebeest, zebra and gazelles.

Wonder at the dewy-eyed, long-lashed giraffe as it happily browses on sharp-thorned acacia trees. Experience the thrill of entering the 600 m deep crater by a steep, narrow track which winds down the crater wall. Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken, unflooded crater on our planet, is truly one of the world’s most amazing places. Descend and discover…

The Rainforest, which covers the higher parts of Ngorongoro and extends into the Crater in deep gullies.   The Grasslands, where the forest gives way to scrub, small trees and bushes, much loved by browsing rhino and family groups of elephant.   Lake Magadi, feeding ground for thousands of mainly Lesser Flamingoes   The Swamps of Gorigor – fed by Ngoitokitok Springs and the Oljoro Nyokie River, and Mandusi – fed by the Munge River which flows into Lake Magadi.   Lerai & Ngoitokitok Forests, composed mainly of Yellow-barked Fever-tree Acacias, enjoy perennial fresh water and are especially important refuges for Black Rhinos. After enjoying a tasty lunch at the Hippo Pool picnic site, we return to the rim by another steep track cut into the Crater wall and drive through the densely forested outer slopes towards Karatu, our home for tonight. Overnight in camp or lodge (full board)

Karatu – Mto wa Mbu (Manyara region)
Experience the lifestyle and learn the culture of Iraq people today. Visit Elephant Cave and enjoy a bird watching walk along the way. Let your guide explain to you the local farming and irrigation methods used by the people of Karatu, located on the lower slopes of Ngorongoro and thus a fertile agricultural area.

Set off for the Great Rift Valley and admire spectacular scenery as you approach the bustling market town of Mto wa Mbu, located on the boundary of Lake Manyara National Park. There are many cultural, hiking and other activities to be undertaken in and around Mto wa Mbu. Overnight in camp or lodge (full board)

Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha
Game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park starts at the gate, where entry is through the groundwater forest, alive with baboons, vervet and blue monkeys. Birdlife is extravagant and prolific throughout Manyara. Although Lake Manyara Park is only 330 sq km in area (of which about 230 sq km are lake), it supports a large number of animals. This is due to the variety of habitats; the rift wall, the ground water forest, acacia woodland, areas of open grassland, the lake shore, swamp and the lake itself.

A large variety of water birds can be viewed at the Hippo Pool section of the Simba River, including herons, egrets, storks, cranes and sacred ibis – to name just a few. Among the mammals which roam Manyara are giraffe, elephant, impala, warthog, lion, wildebeest and zebra. After a picnic lunch in the park, we will make our leisurely way back to Arusha. Overnight in Arusha (hotel or lodge, full board)

Arusha Town Tour – KIA
Morning guided tour of Arusha Town. After lunch in town, we will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your ongoing arrangements.



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