Starts at Kilimanjaro International
Airport
Ends at Kilimanjaro International
Airport
Arrive
Kilimanjaro International Airport, where guests are
met and transferred to their hotel located a short distance from Arusha City
Centre.
Overnight Arusha Serena Hotel on bed and breakfast basis
Lake Duluti Serena Hotel
This
unique hotel stands amid coffee plantations on the shores of tranquil Lake
Duluti. Designed to echo the traditional style of the colonial coffee farm,
which originally stood on this site, Lake Duluti Serena Hotel offers a range of
tastefully presented cottage-styled rooms set amid extensive landscaped
grounds.
Standing
at the gateway to the famous Tanzanian ‘Northern Safari Circuit', the hotel
offers a broad range of attractions, which include: walking, mountain biking
and canoeing on Lake Duluti (all at additional costs).
The
hotel features a stone-built reception with an adjoining lounge, library,
restaurant, boutique and business centre. Imposing in stature and spacious in
concept, the design of the new building echoes the hotel's original incarnation
as a working coffee farm dating back to colonial times.
Morning at leisure with safari briefing
followed by lunch. Afternoon join seat in vehicle safari and depart Arusha
passing through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages
as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni turn
North West and continue the journey through a scenic escarpment that brings you
to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over
the distant Lake Manyara.
Overnight at
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Standing high on the edge of a towering
terracotta escarpment with panoramic views over the glittering alkaline waters
of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of
tranquillity, wildlife discovery, and ornithological richness. The
unprecedented range of high-adventure sports, include mountain biking, canoeing,
forest walks and treetop walkway, while cultural choices include tours of the
neighbouring villages and traditional lunch (all at additional costs).
Grouped around a central ‘vanishing
horizon' pool, this highly unusual lodge features a simple timbered reception
area, built in traditional African style, which is accessed via a bridge over a
small stream. Beyond reception, lies the central dining room, bar and veranda,
below which lies the pool. Perched on the very edge of the cliffs, with
stunning views over the lake is the pool bar and observation point. Dotted
around the grounds, all with views over the lake, are a series of circular
two-story ‘rondavels', which house the rooms.
Designed to reflect the brilliance of
Lake Manyara's unique birdlife, the architectural motif melds swooping avian
curves with the gentle concentric patterns of traditional Maasai ‘Bomas' ,
while the vibrantly coloured wall frescoes depict the colourful intricacy of
bird migratory patterns.
After breakfast there is a game drive in
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Serengeti Serena Lodge
Set high on the saddle of a tree-clad ridge, commanding panoramic views across the Serengeti, this lodge is the ultimate fusion of traditional African architecture and world-class style. Centrally located adjacent to the famous Western Corridor and Grumeti River, the lodge has been designed to blend completely into the living landscape. A series of traditional domed ‘rondavels' are widely spaced throughout the grounds, which are cooled by groves of acacia trees and watered by sparkling streams. On the very edge of the ridge is a ‘vanishing horizon' pool, which looks out over the ‘endless plains' after which the Serengeti is named.
The lodge has been styled to offer a
showcase of cultural performance, heritage and traditional art, which is best
illustrated by the lavish Makonde carvings which decorate both the rooms and
the stunning domed dining room.
As for wildlife, the Serengeti National
Park offers not only all the members of ‘The Big Five' (elephant, rhino, lion,
leopard and buffalo), but also the annual ‘migration' of over one million
wildebeest and their attendant cast of predators.
Morning and afternoon game drives in
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis
After breakfast you depart for
Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains,
stopping en route for a picnic lunch. Continue
to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater arriving for dinner
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Regularly voted one of the best hotels
in the world, this unique lodge clings to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro
Crater, the largest and most perfect volcanic crater on Earth. Long and low,
the lodge is built from local river stone and camouflaged with indigenous
vines. Designed to blend completely into the landscape, it is entirely
invisible from the floor of the Crater 600 metres below.
Hugging the contours of the jagged
Crater rim, the lodge takes its inspiration from the so-called ‘Cradle of
Mankind', the prehistoric site of Olduvai Gorge, which lies close by. Linked by
arched stone passages and timbered decks, its walls are decorated with stylised
prehistoric cave paintings and lit by flaring torches. At the stone heart of
the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Decorated with
cave paintings, the rooms are strung around the Crater rim. Each has its own
rock- enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the
volcanic amphitheatre far below.
Known as ‘The eighth wonder of the world' the
Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's best-known wildlife arenas. A UNESCO World
Heritage Site, it offers a unique biosphere, which has remained virtually
unchanged since the dawn of time. Deep within the Crater, enclosed by towering
walls, some 25,000 large mammals wander the plains, lakes and forests of ‘The
land that time forgot', dominated by enormous bull elephants, rhinos and lions.
A highlight awaits you this morning as
you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural
wildlife arena. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the
early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the
World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the
crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest,
swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. A truly
unique wildlife experience. Return to
the lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Depart Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast, head
south east past Lake Manyara and
Mto wa Mbu Village. Through the highlands and the Karatu district,
you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before
journeying down the spectacular escarpment turning south on to the main Arusha
– Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, enjoy a game drive en
route. After lunch board your safari vehicle and enjoy an afternoon game
viewing within the park.
Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Tarangire
Sopa Lodge
Hidden among the kopjes, lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge,
surrounded by ancient baobab trees. It is the home to one of the greatest
concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive
leopard. Over 400 bird species have been identified within the park. With water
constantly available through the Tarangire River, the greenery is lush
providing a wonderful contrast to the burnt ground.
Spacious and airy with marble floors, the lobby has
glass sliding doors that open out to a veranda where one can relax and enjoy
the view. The ceiling has a wooden finishing, and the décor with plants in
strategic places, gives it a feeling of total relaxation, much needed after the
long and dusty drive to the lodge. There
is also a swimming pool for those that want to take a refreshing dip.
The lodge boasts 75 spacious rooms, all with a
private lounge on entering with a mini bar. Each room is carpeted, has 2 queen
size beds with a mosquito net around them. Ceiling fans keep the rooms cool and
glass sliding doors that open out on to a balcony, with a great view of the
landscape beyond.
Luggage
Due to limited
luggage space in vehicles, suitcases are unsuitable for scheduled road safaris.
We recommend luggage packed in inexpensive barrel/sausage bags or soft sided
bags not exceeding 15kgs and 65x46 cm.
Excess luggage can be handed over to the representative at time of briefing. It will be handed over to you on your return from safari. Additional costs may apply to pick up drop off luggage at specific points.