5 Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro Budget Lodge Safari

Barter for traditional crafts and beadwork at the roadside stalls, en-route from Arusha to Karatu. Stop at Mto wa Mbu (pronounced ‘umto wambu') learning about Tanzania's cultural heritage.

Call in at Olduvai Gorge, site of the Laetoli hominid footprints, Oldupai Museum and many fossilised hominid, animal and plant specimens. Visit a Masai Village before entering the Serengeti National Park to view Africa's majestic and incredible wildlife.

Explore Ngorongoro Crater, where more than 25 000 wild animals occupy the crater-floor. The small soda lake (Lake Makat) is home to flamingos. Drive from Ngorongoro back to Arusha where there will be some time to visit the Cultural Heritage Centre.

Day 1 Arusha To Karatu

En-route from Arusha there is opportunity to barter for traditional crafts and beadwork at the roadside stalls on the way to Karatu.

The afternoon will be spent at Mto wa Mbu (pronounced ‘umto wambu'), learning more about the extremely varied cultural heritage of Tanzania. Within the estimated population of around 28 000, Mto wa Mbu is home to nearly 120 different tribes. This excellent opportunity to experience true cultural-diversity often makes for dramatic photos and lasting memories.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Olduvai Gorge And Serengeti National Park

No visit to this part of the world would be complete without calling in at Olduvai Gorge, site of the Laetoli hominid footprints, Oldupai Museum and many fossilised hominid, animal and plant specimens.

The names of Louis and Mary Leakey are most closely associated with Olduvai since they first started excavating this area over 70 years ago. 4-different types of hominid have been discovered here, with more than 60 remains comprising the archaeological record. A self-guided tour of the museum and a short lecture provide an excellent start to learning more about the history of hominids and other mammals.

A short visit to a nearby Masai Village rounds off the morning before we finally enter the Serengeti National Park. On entering the Serengeti, it is immediately apparent why the Masai called this Siringitu - "the place where the land moves on forever."
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Serengeti National Park

The 14 763 square kilometres of the Serengeti is made up of a variety of different habitats - plains, kopjes, river and forest.

The vast size of Tanzania's premier National Park makes game viewing only one aspect of the Serengeti - the scenery is simply breathtaking. A good camera is an essential item to take with you as well as lots of spare batteries, memory cards, film...

There is no bad time to visit the Serengeti as every season has its own special highlight - even the rainy season has the daily thunder and lightening to look forward to. Changing seasons and light patterns form the most beautiful backdrop to view Africa's majestic and incredible wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The first glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater is an unforgettable experience. Although commonly referred to as a crater, it is actually a caldera. At over 20 km's across and 600m deep, the Ngorongoro Caldera is the largest unbroken, un-flooded caldera in the world, and clear testimony to this regions volcanic history.

The most renowned part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this unique feature is legendary for the more than 25 000 wild animals that occupy the crater-floor. In addition to the large population of grazing animals, the small soda lake (Lake Makat) is home to flamingos. Africa's Big-5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) are all to be found here along with hippo, zebra, warthog, eland and many of Africa's other wild animals.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Arusha

The drive from Ngorongoro back to Arusha is still filled with birds, animals and beautiful scenery.

On arrival in Arusha, there will be some time to visit the Cultural Heritage Centre, where many items of local produce are on sale - including Tanzanite. The Serengeti & Ngorongoro Budget Lodge Safari comes to an end in Arusha on day five.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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