March 2024 ~ Tanzania Sample Itinerary
For details about what is included in this itinerary– and what you will need to prepare for your adventure click here.
Arrival Day ~ Mt. Kilimanjaro International Airport
We will greet you at the Kilimanjaro International airport in the small hours after you clear Customs and Baggage Claim. The drive to your 1st safari lodge is approximately 1 hour.
Rivertrees Country Lodge is a great place to begin a Safari in northern Tanzania, as the lodge is nestled in the foothills of Mt Meru and commands a majestic view of the great Mount Kilimanjaro. This country estate combines old-world ambience, rustic African elegance, excellent farm-to-table cuisine, and warm personal service. The inn’s timeless tranquillity is complemented by its contemporary comforts, rendering it the perfect spot to ease into an outdoor adventure.
Since all flights from abroad arrive early in the morning, feel free to relax and sleep in late! A delicious brunch will be served if you are feeling peckish. Have the afternoon to take a dip in the pool or relax. Around sunset we’ll enjoy a Karibu! (Welcome! cocktails & dinner), followed by Safari Orientation from your gracious hosts.
Overnight – Rivertrees Country Lodge ~ Brunch and “Karibu!” dinner included.
Day 1~ Walking Safari Arusha National Park
This is our official first day of Safari. After a hearty breakfast we’ll head out on a Walking Safari in the magnificent Arusha National Park. The locals are proud of their National treasure– and for good reason! It’s a lush and serene way to acclimate to the sights and sounds of East African wildlife– and you may see something special that only exists in this part of the planet!
Would like to have a soak and massage in a Banda by the river? Advance notice please…
Overnight – Rivertrees Country Lodge ~ Breakfast Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 2 ~ Experience Tarangire National Park
This morning we’ll depart the lodge after breakfast and pass through Arusha on our way to Tarangire National Park, a 3-hour drive through village and country. The Tarangire ecosystem stretches from the Tanzania-Kenya border in the north, to the west by the eastern Rift Escarpment, and to the Maasai Steppe to the south. The area comprises a diverse array of habitats and is home to fringe-eared oryx, important populations of African wild dog, and the last remaining stronghold of the Eastern white-bearded wildebeest, a character on four legs.
Overnight ~ Tarangire Lodge ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
We’ll spend our days in Tarangire exploring the acacia-covered woodlands and the grass-filled swamps of the park in the care of your expert Safari Guides. This diverse wildlife area is home to migrating giraffe, impala, buffalo, lion, elusive leopard– and thousands of elephants. In addition to elephants, Tarangire is known as a birder’s paradise and the landscape is of particular interest too, due to the high number of scenic baobab trees.
Overnight ~ Tarangire Lodge ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 3~ Experience an authentic Maasai Village
This morning we’ll have the opportunity to visit an authentic Maasai village and observe the morning activities near Isoitok Camp, an eco-project committed to empowering the local Maasai tribe. After visiting the boma we’ll climb the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and head into the Ngorongoro Highlands. There’s time to visit the FAME medical facility, to see where volunteers and donations are doing great things! [www.fameafrica.org]
Overnight ~ The Plantation ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 4 ~ Experience the Ngorongoro Crater
Today we’ll rise early to spend our day in the Ngorongoro Crater, home to over 25,000 animals. From the lodge to the floor of the crater will take about 1.5 – 2 hours depending on permit processing at the Ranger station. This “8th Wonder of the World” leaves visitors in absolute awe. The Crater’s stunning landscape and amazing array of species make this a highlight of any Safari. Ngorongoro is home to all of the massive African mammals with the exception of giraffe, who are unable to cope with the steep descent. The Crater is also one of the few remaining places in the world where it is possible to encounter the highly endangered African Black rhino. It is also possible to see lone or “bachelor” elephant bulls, contented prides of lion, a herd of wildebeest, hippo, zebra, baboon, various gazelles, and many more. After a lovely picnic in the Crater floor, we’ll ascend the volcano’s rim and return to the Plantation for the night.
Overnight ~ The Plantation ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 5 ~ Experience the Serengeti ~ Oldupai Gorge
Today we’ll gear up for a long but classic Serengeti Safari. After breakfast, we’ll head out with a picnic lunch and make our way to Serengeti National Park with an optional stop at one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world. Oldupai Gorge is the site of years of research into the anthropology of early man by the famous Leakey family and prominent universities. The Oldupai Gorge is known as the Cradle of Humankind, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The museum at Oldupai is fascinating to many homo sapiens who appreciate archaic homo habilis.
Overnight ~ Serengeti Simba Lodge ~ Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 6 ~ Experience the Serengeti
The Serengeti is a protected area that includes approximately 30,000 km² of land, including the Serengeti National Park and several game reserves. Once inside the Serengeti, we’ll have a chance to explore some of the rivers, kopjes (rock hills), and plains en route to the safari lodge. Late in the afternoon, you’ll drive out the Ft Ikoma Gate and head to the Simba Serengeti, which is one of the few lodges that is located within the Ikona Wildlife Management Area– very exciting indeed!
Overnight ~ Serengeti Simba Lodge ~ Breakfast, lunch & dinner included.
Day 7 ~ Serengeti ~ Ikona Wildlife Management Area
Spend the day exploring the habitat around Ikona and the Ndutu Safari Lodge. At this time of year, the migration often passes in and out of the area. Weather permitting, you can travel down to the Grumeti River to look for the beautiful black and white colobus monkey, and other large wildlife. Giraffe, topi, waterbuck, impala, and other plains antelope are resident in the Ikona depending on the season. Large herds of elephant frequent the river to drink and play. Return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon rest or a swim in the pool before heading out for an evening drive– an amazing sight to behold.
Overnight ~ Ndutu Safari Lodge ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 8 ~ Experience the Southern Serengeti Ndutu Wilderness
After breakfast, you’ll leave the lodge and make your way to the Southern Serengeti. Continue driving across the game-filled plains to Ndutu, a wildlife lover’s dream. Over the years Ndutu has been the home of many famous wildlife photographers and filmmakers. Days are spent exploring the varied ecosystems surrounding the lodge like the marshes and a soda lake, acacia woodlands, and short grass plains. Evenings are spent relaxing around the campfire after dinner and gazing into the star-studded skies.
Overnight ~ Ndutu Safari Lodge ~ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.
The migration of wildebeest and zebra find their way to Ndutu annually between December and May. The smell of rain from miles away will cause the herds to move in that direction, traversing vast areas in search of sweet new grasses. If the timing is right, you’ll see one of the greatest shows on Earth. The resident wildlife includes giraffe, cheetah, lion, elephant, various species of antelope and exciting smaller African cats such as the caracal and serval. The rare Striped hyena is present in the area as well.
Day 10 ~ Return Drive or flight to Arusha
Today we’ll depart after an early breakfast and fly to Arusha to Rivertrees Country Lodge on a private chartered flight*. It’s magnificent to fly over the Serengeti on a clear day and the one hour flight save us 6 hours of off-road driving. We’ll arrive at Rivertrees in time to enjoy lunch and a guest feedback session. Would like to have a post Safari soak and massage in a Banda by the river? Advance notice please…
Rivertrees is set in lush gardens on the slopes of Mount Meru and is a wonderful place to wind down after Safari in the immense beauty of East Africa. After lunch you are free to swim, have a massage, or simply relax. Some guests may prepare for tomorrow’s departure, while others will continue the journey on to Zanzibar Archipelago. In either case, we’ll enjoy a lovely farewell dinner with sundowners and smiles.
Overnight – Rivertrees Country Lodge ~ Breakfast Lunch & Dinner included.
Day 11 ~ Departure Day or continue your adventure
Day Room – Rivertrees Country Lodge ~ Breakfast included.
On departure day, your rooms are available for you at Rivertrees until late afternoon, to accommodate those of you departing on afternoon or evening flights. A hearty breakfast is included, yet additional charges beyond that are the responsibility of the guest. Transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport is included as per flight schedules.
Would you like to extend your journey?
Information for add-on adventures coming soon!
Travel with purpose.