Travel to Africa with Friends – Northern Tanzania Safari
September 16 - 27, 2023
+ Optional Extension to Rwanda to see the Gorillas (add 5 days to the trip)
Availability: 22 travelers
Interested in the Northern Tanzania Safari?
Email Marta Howell at mhowell@fobgcc.org to get on the Interest List! Information on trip deposits to come in July.
Joining Us? Please submit the following forms:
Trip Highlights
national parks:
- Arusha National Park
- Tarangire National Park
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Serengeti National Park
Activities Included:
- Walking Safari
- Game Drives
- Hot Air Balloon Safari & Cultural experience
Tentative Itinerary
Please note that we may make changes to this itinerary in response to unexpected closings, road conditions, weather or other unforeseen events.
Day 1: Arrival to Tanzania
Upon arrival, you will be greeted and welcomed by Wilderness First staff. We will then have about 40 minute scenic drive to the hotel at Kilimanjaro Gold Estate.
Overnight: Kili Villa Lodge
Day 2: Arusha National Park
After enjoying breakfast at the lodge, we head to Arusha National Park for the walking safari and day game drive. This will help our body to recover well from the long flights and adjust with weather before we start your Safari. We will enjoy a hot lunch at Hatari Lodge then we will drive back to overnight at Kili Villa.
Day 3: Kili Villa to Tarangire National Park
Enjoy a scenic drive to Tarangire national park which lies about 3 hours drive west of Arusha. On the way we will see changes in vegetation from cultivated lands to open dry grass land, which is dominated mostly by the Maasai tribe for cattle grazing. The Tarangire National Park is known as a wonderful birding destination and features large numbers of elephants, zebra, and wildebeest, particularly during the dry season when the Tarangire River is the only source of water in the area. The landscape is of particular interest too, due to the high number of scenic baobab trees.
Overnight: Lolkisale Bush Camp or Lemala Mpingo Ridge
Day 4 : Tarangire National Park
Another day in Tarangire full of activities around Silale swamp. Because the swamp is the only source of water in the area, you will enjoy big herds of elephants, buffalo, Zebra, wildebeest and some big cats like lions and leopards. Drive back to camp ready for a great sundowner with some cocktails.
Overnight: Lolkisale Bush Camp or Lemala Mpingo Ridge
Day 5: Tarangire To Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
Leisure breakfast at the camp then we will check out and enjoy a drive to Ngorongoro Neptune Lodge. En-route we will enjoy a visit at Maasai village to learn about Maasai culture.
Overnight: Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Masek Tented Lodge
After a drive to Ngorongoro crater rim, we will then descend over 1800ft to the crater floor for a game drive. We will enjoy our lunch in the crater floor, and after lunch we will slowly start our drive to Lake Masek. The area is less visited during this time of the year but has fantastic landscape and some resident’s game. The Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife, which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing.
Overnight: Lake Masek Tented Lodge
Day 7: Ndutu Experience Lake Masek Tented Lodge
We will have an early morning game drive around the Ndutu area then we will be back at the camp for breakfast and to relax at the pool. Ndutu is situated in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within the magnificent Serengeti. The surrounding landscapes are covered in sweeping grasslands which provide the perfect habitat for the migratory route for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope and zebra. Visitors can look forward to exploring the forest around Lake Ndutu, spotting an array of wildlife. Other commonly spotted species include: leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a variety of prolific birdlife.
Overnight: Lake Masek Tented Lodge
Day 8: Ndutu to Eastern Serengeti
Optional Early morning game drive in Ndutu area then drive back for breakfast. Guest check out and enjoy a drive to Eastern Serengeti for game drive and overnight.
The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world. With over 14,700 sq kms of savanna and woodlands, it is famed for its epic annual migration of vast herds of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras, followed by their predators.
Overnight: Lemala Nanyukie Tented Lodge
Day 9: Eastern Serengeti – Hot Air Balloon Safari
On this day you will enjoy a Hot air balloon safari. There will be an early morning start, you will be picked up at 5am to go to the balloon take off site; you will enjoy an hour or more flight, and after landing you will enjoy a full English bush breakfast. After breakfast you will be driven back to the lodge for rest and relaxation! Dinner and overnight. On this day you will enjoy a bush dinner.
Overnight: Lemala Nanyukie Tented Lodge
Day 10: Eastern Serengeti to Central Serengeti
Enjoy a game drive en-route to Four Season Lodge. We will enjoy a vegetation change from open grassland to acacia woodland. We will enjoy lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Overnight: Serengeti Four Season Lodge
Day 11: Central Serengeti
On this day you will have an optional game drive, otherwise enjoy a well-deserved rest day.
Overnight: Serengeti Four Season Lodge
Day 12: Central Serengeti to Kilimanjaro Airport
Departure.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Airport pick up and drop off
- All accommodations and meals as noted in the itinerary
- 4×4 customized safari truck with pop-up roof
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- All sightseeing and game viewing as noted in the itinerary
- One-way flight from Serengeti to Kilimanjaro
- 24-hour park fees, transit fees, and crater fees
- On-board bottled water, drinks, and snacks throughout the safari
- Thermos with hot tea/coffee
- Field guidebooks
- Hot air balloon safari
- All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff as part of the group program
- Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
- Emergency air ambulance rescue
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Personal laundry service at the hotel
- Adult beverages beyond beer and wine offered (these can be paid for separately at the time of service)
- Anything that is not mentioned in the itinerary
