COVID-19: ACTIVITIES & SERVICES
On arrival at Arusha Airport you will catch your connecting Coastal Aviation flight ETD 13h00 ETA 13h30 into Manyara Airstrip. On arrival at Lake Manyara you will be met by your driver guide and transferred up the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, through the town of Karatu and into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. While en-route, don’t forget to admire the spectacular views of the ancient volcanoes that make up the landscape.
Once in camp, relax, unwind and soak up the views from your tent. Once refreshed make your way to the main area for sundowners and a delicious three course dinner. Once the tummies are satisfied, relax by the indoor wood burning campfire, or sample a single malt at the whiskey bar.
An early start to the day is best in order to avoid the influx of tourists into the Ngorongoro Crater. The park gate opens at 06h00, so it is best to be aiming to leave camp at this time.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a large, unbroken, un-flooded caldera, formed when a giant volcano erupted and collapsed some three million years ago. Had it not become a caldera, it is possible that the volcanic mountain would be about the same height as Kilimanjaro. Down on the crater floor there is an abundance of wildlife including black rhino, wildebeest, zebra and eland. There are a number of lion which are typically larger in size than an average lion due to the large amount of game in the area. The crater floor tends to get very busy, with there often being numerous vehicles at any wildlife sighting.
As lunch time approaches, you’ll make your way to a private site where, on arrival, you will find a picnic table set up with cold drinks and a hot lunch. Enjoy an easy lunch under the trees before departing for a slow drive up and out of the crater, and onwards, away from the masses, towards the exclusivity of The Highlands.
Once back in camp you will have the opportunity to freshen up and relax. If you wish, there will be the opportunity to enjoy a guided visit to a local community in the area. For some of our staff, this is a chance for them to show you where they grew up and allow for a glimpse of Maasai culture. The evening brings with it drinks by the fireplace or out on the balcony, followed by a delicious dinner.
After an early breakfast you will depart camp by vehicle at 08h00 for your Empakaai Hike through the stunning and relatively unknown Empakaai Crater. On arrival at the start of the hike you will be met by an NCA Ranger and begin the 30- 45 minute descent into the crater through thick, mountainous forest. Once on the crater floor, the lake offers superb birding and the chance to see the famous flamingos. The walk back to the vehicle on the crater rim will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, with the chance to see big game (buffalo, hyena and elephant).
If you did not opt to take a picnic lunch with you, then it’s straight to lunch when you arrive back at The Highlands. There’s a couple of hours to relax in camp if you’re joining the afternoon walk up Olmoti Crater. Departing at 15h30 on foot from camp, the Olmoti Hike follows an ancient Maasai cattle trail up a gentle ascent through mountain forest, grassland and rocky outcrops. The 2-3 hour walk (roundtrip) offers outstanding birding, a large array of butterflies and is a botanist’s dream, with varying vegetation and a variety of splendid fern species. At the summit, guests are treated to a stunning view of the Olmoti crater.
On arrival in camp, there’s an opportunity to relax before drinks and dinner.
After breakfast, it’s ‘farewell’ to The Highlands as you depart to Manyara Airstrip for your Coastal Aviation flight ETD 11h30 ETA 13h00 to Kogatende Airstrip in the Northern Serengeti. On arrival at Kogatende Airstrip you will be met by a guide from Sayari Camp. A welcome table will be set up for you with a cold drink and a brief introduction into the surrounding area before heading on a game drive en-route to camp.
Once at Sayari Camp, lunch will be served with an opportunity to relax and settle in. In the afternoon, you have the option of either relaxing in camp or heading out for a game drive in an open safari vehicle. Arriving back in camp, there’s a chance to freshen up before enjoying your first Sayari dinner experience followed by the opportunity to enjoy a drink around a proper safari camp fire.
Depending on your preference, there are a couple of options with regards to how your day is structured. One option is to break camp early and head out with a picnic breakfast on a morning game drive, returning to camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon you can do another game drive or opt to relax by the pool with a good book. Alternatively, you can eat breakfast in camp and head out on your game drive with a picnic lunch, returning in the mid-afternoon. Despite sharing vehicles on a Game Package basis, the camp will do everything it can to ensure that your ideal structure is met.
Private vehicle hire is an optional extra which further increases the flexibility afforded to you, but needs to be booked in advance.
After breakfast depart with your guide to Kogatende Airstrip for your Coastal Aviation flight ETD 09h25 ETA 14h20 to Msembe Airstrip in Ruaha National Park. Given the length of the flight, a packed lunch from Sayari Camp will be supplied to keep you sustained until arrival in Ruaha. On arrival at Msembe Airstrip you will be met by a guide from Jabali Ridge. A welcome table will be set up for you with a brief introduction into the surrounding area before heading on a game drive en-route to Jabali Ridge.
Once at camp you will have the opportunity to relax and acclimatise after the long flight. In the afternoon, you have the option of either relaxing in camp and soaking up your immediate surroundings, or heading out on an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle. As evening approaches, it’s time to prepare for drinks and dinner or, if pre- booked, the opportunity to search for the nocturnal residents on a night game drive.
Depending on your preference, there are a couple of options with regards to how your day is structured. Walking safaris are a great way to start the day, getting out early and exploring the environment on equal footing as the wildlife. There are morning game drives with picnic breakfasts, or delicious breakfasts to be enjoyed in camp. Full day game drives with picnic lunches, or a relaxed lunch in camp with an afternoon game drive. Or spend the day in camp, enjoying the pleasures of the spa and unwinding in swimming pool before venturing out on a night game drive. Despite sharing vehicles on a Game Package basis, the camp will do everything it can to ensure that your ideal structure is met.
For increasedflexibility, book a private vehicle and structure your days exactly how you wish.
Hot air ballooning (Jun to Oct)
Private use of vehicle
After breakfast, pack your bags and say your farewells as you depart for Msembe Airstrip for your Coastal Aviation flight ETD 11h45 ETA 13h50 to Dar Es Salaam Airport. Wave goodbye to Ruaha and enjoy the delicious packed lunch from Jabali Ridge as you make your way to Dar es Salaam to connect with your onward travel.
