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9 DAYS AMBOSELI / MANYARA / SERENGETI / OLDUVAI GORGE / NGORONGORO / TARANGIRE / ARUSHA

Areas of Interest: Amboseli National Park, Manyara National Park, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Arusha, Wildebeest Migration (Seasonal)

Activities: Game and Bird Watching, Camping, Culture, Ethnic, Scenery, Wildlife, Boat Ride, Photography, Excavation site, Historical Site.

Country: Kenya & Tanzania Combination.

Departures: Every Sunday

Price: Euro 615
Local Payment: US$720

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
• Transport by special safari vehicle
• Services of an English speaking driver/tour guide and cook
• All campsite fees
• All camping equipment including use of our three-person tents (each tent shared by 2 people), stools, foam mattresses except sleeping bags
• Three meals a day while on safari whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian prepared by our safari cook

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Gamepark entrance fees shown separately as 'local payment'
• Personal travel insurance
• Sleeping bags [available for hire in the office at US$15 per bag per safari with US$ 40 refundable deposit]
• Hotel accommodation in Nairobi.
• All airport/hotel/airport transfers [but can be arranged at extra cost]
• All airport taxes and visas
• All personal expenses and toiletries; e.g. mineral water, toilet tissue, laundry, telephones, beverages, tips, portage, etc.
• Any other extras not stated as included above

Amboseli National Park is Kenya’s first established game park and the word ‘Amboseli’ is the Masai word for “salt dust”. It is situated on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro very close to the Tanzanian border. Despite its small size (392 sq km), this fragile ecosystem supports a wide range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species).

In Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is said to have the world’s densest population of lion. In Lake Manyara lions have developed a liking for residing in the branches of trees, where they can both sleep and watch for prey whilst the Serengeti is notable for its large migratory herds of wildebeest and zebras with strings of predators in trail. Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife of any of the country’s parks, whilst the small Arusha National Park is one of the most beautiful Parks that Tanzania has to offer.


Itinerary:
Day 1 & 2– Amboseli
We depart Nairobi in the morning and drive via Namanga, on the Tanzania border, to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is situated. After a stopover lunch we proceed into the scenic Amboseli National Park with the possibility of seeing game on our way to the campsite. The days are spent viewing game and bird life with game drives in the morning and afternoon. We have sufficient time for relaxation in our campsite, complete with the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.

The waters from melted snow drain down the mountain under lava flows and surface in Amboseli, creating a green belt of swampland amidst dusty plains. Here, hippo, elephant and bird life can be seen against the backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped mountain. At 329 sq km Amboseli is a small park and lacks the profusion of animal species found in the Mara, but the landscape provides limited cover so we have better chances of seeing some of the larger predators. Buffaloes, lions, gazelles, cheetahs, wildebeest, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, Masai Giraffes, zebra, baboon, and waterbuck are all present in the park.

Day 3 – Lake Manyara
After breakfast, we drive into Tanzania via the Namanga border. We also pass through Arusha to Lake Manyara National park with lunch enroute. Regardless of the direction we approach Manyara from, the view is always fantastic. We stop for the night at the campsite.

Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake that is part of the Rift Valley wall; the lake is at the base of this dramatic western escarpment giving it a beautiful and serene setting. In addition to this peaceful setting, Lake Manyara’s main attractions are its rich bird life, tree climbing lions and its hippos, which you can see at a closer range than many other places. Lake Manyara also hosts thousands of flamingos at certain times of the year and has diverse vegetation ranging from savannah, to marshes and acacia woodland, enabling a variety of wildlife habitats including butterflies.

Day 4 & 5 - Serengeti
We enjoy a refreshing early morning game-drive in Lake Manyara National Park followed by breakfast in the cool morning air. We then drive to the great Serengeti National Park game viewing and with a picnic lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight stay at the Seronera Campsite. The following day is spent leisurely viewing game.

Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and Tanzania’s largest park covering 14,736 sq km and is adjoining with the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. With a wildebeest population of about 2 million and several other hoofed species (which include zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, impala, topi, Grants gazelle, Kongoni, Eland, Kirk’s dik dik, klipspringer, roan, Oryx, oribi, waterbuck, buffalo, giraffe and warthog), the Serengeti is sure to attract a string of prey such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, golden jackals and bat eared foxes. Elephants are relatively scarce and the few remaining black rhinoceros are restricted to the Moru Koppies area.

Serengeti also offers rewarding bird viewing with ostrich and kori bustard being common, a variety of larks, finches, and raptors can be seen but the most distinctive small bird is the lilac breasted roller.

During March to May the herds move in search of grazing to the southern section and in May to June, they move towards the western corridor of the park. Serengeti in the low season will still offer game viewing to match that of any park in Africa, and for some, the fact that there will be fewer tourists may be an added bonus.

Day 6 - Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge
After an early breakfast, we drive south to the magnificent Ngorongoro crater via the historical Olduvai Gorge whilst game watching only interrupted by a picnic lunch enroute. We stop and set camp at the Simba (Lion) Campsite.

The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals.

The Olduvai Gorge cuts through rock beds layered in time sequence from 2 million years ago to the present. It is here where humanoid bones have been found dating back to over 1.75 million years including a direct ancestor of modern man. Fossil footprints (over three million years old) have also been found here and are the most ancient footprints yet discovered. There is an excellent site museum where you can explore the diggings with a guide and it is also a great place to view birds.

Day 7 - Tarangire
Morning crater tour and after lunch we proceed to the less congested wildlife paradise, Tarangire National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite.

Tarangire becomes most active during the dry season between July and November, when large herds of game attracted to the everlasting waters of the Tarangire River make this reserve every bit as appealing as the Serengeti. Tarangire is more densely vegetated than the Serengeti, covered primarily in acacia and mixed woodland including baobab trees and supports similar large mammals to the Serengeti. It is also home to a variety of bird species.

Day 8- Arusha
After breakfast we proceed on the early morning game drive followed by lunch at the campsite, before continuing to Arusha for dinner and overnight in a hotel of your choice at an extra cost.

Day 9 - Nairobi
We depart Arusha by DHL Shuttle for Nairobi. Arusha is a vibrant and bustling town as it is the gateway to Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON SAFARI:
• Sleeping bag [available for hire in our office for US$ 15 per bag per safari plus a refundable deposit of US$ 40 after the safari; Tanzania/Uganda - US$ 30].
• Money for personal spending and tipping approximately Kshs.1000 a day
• Only a small case or rucksack, as storage space is limited [maximum 20kgs].
• A pair of long trousers and jersey for the cool mornings and evenings in addition to plenty of light clothes for hot days (do not forget a hat), swim suit, a pillow, good walking and biking shoes and sweets
• Torch, sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent/spray but not mosquito coils
• Mineral water for drinking (available for sale in our office)
• Camera, films, binoculars, maps, guide-books and also darts for our dart board at Maasai Mara
• Toilet paper, towel, soap and toothbrush/paste
• All personal travel insurance
• It is good idea to bring any drinks you might want around the campfire as they are not always available on route.

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