- Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, a guide will welcome you and provide a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and a cool towel.
- The transfer time to either Katambuga House is roughly, about 90 minutes. During the transfer, you can chat with your driver about the local surroundings and enjoy sights of the bustling and colourful town of Arusha.
- Once you arrive, you can relax by the pool with a cold drink and a good book or get a massage to relieve post-flight tension. In-house dining at either option offers a wide selection of local and international cuisine, ensuring all taste preferences are satisfied before you turn in for a good night’s sleep.
- After a delicious breakfast, your driver-guide will meet you as you begin the driving portion of your safari.
- As you leave Arusha behind, you’ll head west, passing small settlements and watching bicycles carrying large bunches of bananas as you pass through the small town of Mto wa Mbu.
- A game drive through Lake Manyara National Park will immediately immerse you in Tanzania’s bush and wildlife. The park is centred around a large alkaline lake, which attracts a variety of birdlife all year round, including greater and lesser pink flamingo between November and April, as well as pelican, stork and heron. Hippo, lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest can be seen on the grassy plains and among the acacia woodlands.
- Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch in the shade before continuing your journey towards Ngorongoro.
- From here, the road begins to ascend, and the elevation changes as you climb the steep walls of the Great Rift Valley before arriving in Karatu. This bustling town lies in the shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater and is surrounded by beautiful, lush farmlands. Gibb’s Farm is situated on a working farm and provides a tranquil environment to unwind while enjoying fresh, home-grown produce. Ngorongoro Farmhouse is located amongst a coffee plantation, conveniently close to the entry gate to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
- It’s an early start to the day as you aim to be amongst the first vehicles into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and onto the crater floor. After passing through the entry gate, the steep road ascends the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater through a lush and dense forest until you arrive on the crater rim road with a spectacular viewing point of the crater. Marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage Site and take a photograph before continuing on your journey.
- Once you descend to the crater floor, there’s time for coffee and some breakfast snacks to see you through the morning’s adventure on safari. The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique safari destination, home to black rhino, giraffe, lion, leopard, hippo and more. To game drive in the base of a dormant volcano is not something you will soon forget. By mid-afternoon, it’ll be time to start the return journey up the caldera’s walls to the rim and onward to the welcome comfort of your lodge.
- Unwind in the sauna, or simply relax at your suite before drinks and dinner in the dining tent, sharing safari stories with fellow travellers.
- After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to retrace your steps out of Karatu as you head towards Manyara Airstrip on the edge of the escarpment. From here, you say goodbye to your driver-guide and board a plane to your mobile camp in the north or south of the Serengeti (depending on the season). On arrival at the airstrip, your guide will meet you and transfer you to camp, arriving in time for lunch.
- In the early afternoon, settle into your new surroundings and enjoy the views from your veranda. The early afternoon hours can be the hottest, making it an excellent time to relax in the shade with a book and a cool drink.
- As the afternoon drifts, there’s a chance for a cup of tea or coffee and a sweet treat before heading out for an afternoon game drive across the endless plains of the Serengeti. Home to an abundance of wildlife, including big cats, elephant herds, meandering zebra and of course the Great Migration, there is much to discover here.
- As sunset approaches, there may be time for a sundowner in a scenic spot. Return to camp for the chance to freshen up and relax with a drink by the fireside beneath the sparkling stars before dinner.
- You have two full days here to enjoy activities as included in your stay.
- Game drives in shared vehicles typically go out twice daily in the early morning and late afternoon. Depending on the other adventurers, you can take a picnic lunch and spend a whole day out on safari to cover greater distances one day.
- Alternatively, consider hiring a private vehicle for your stay to have complete freedom of choice regarding how your day is structured. If you have very particular wildlife interests, this is really worthwhile, allowing you to spend as long as you like at wildlife sightings and set the pace you choose with your guide.
- After a final safari breakfast, make your way towards the airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. The plane will likely make a few stops as it picks up and drops off passengers at selected airstrips, eventually arriving around midday.
- Upon arrival, collect your bags and check in for your onward travel.
