TANZANIA: A GRAND SAFARI ITINERARY:
1. Arrive Arusha, Tanzania
Tour begins: Serena Mountain Village, Arusha. Welcome to
Tanzania; a transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to
Serena Mountain Village, Arusha is included. Although most
flights land at Arusha’s airport after the sun has set, thoughts
of Ernest Hemingway’s legendary novel, The Snows of Kilimanjaro,
will cross your mind as you journey the short distance from the
airport to your hotel overlooking the smooth waters of Lake
Duluti.
2. Tarangire National Park
Dreams become reality this morning as you depart your hotel
in safari vehicles for your first experience at wildlife
viewing, Tauck Style. Your destination today is
prehistoric-looking Tarangire National Park, where you’ll see
the African wilderness as the early explorers did – without
crowds! One of the best parks on the northern circuit to see
elephants, Tarangire’s wildlife population includes herds of
zebra, jackal, giraffe, gazelle, and buffalo. Arrive at your
safari lodge in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive into
a landscape dotted with baobab trees and umbrella-thorn acacias.
Join us for a welcome reception and dinner at the lodge tonight.
Meals BLD
3. Tarangire Game Drives
Spend a full day in Tarangire National Park on morning and
afternoon game drives that reveal an honest glimpse of an
unspoiled Africa. Home to over 550 species of birds (one of the
highest number of bird species of any world habitat), and
thousands of game animals, Tarangire boasts one of the highest
concentrations of African wildlife during the dry season. Your
open-top safari vehicle provides you with intimate viewing of
this natural wilderness, considered one of Africa’s finest.
Meals BLD
4. Lake Manyara National Park
Observe gazelle, waterbuck, impala, leopard and other
year-round inhabitants of Tarangire National Park on a morning
game drive. Depart Tarangire and travel to Lake Manyara National
Park, considered a birdwatcher’s delight for the pink flamingos
and great birds of prey; it is world-renowned among
ornithologists. On the way, stop at a local school, where you’ll
have an opportunity to interact with students and their
teachers. Arrive at your lodge, set on the Rift Valley
escarpment overlooking the park and valley below. Look for
tree-climbing lions on an exciting afternoon game drive. Meals
BLD
5. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Encounter Lake Manyara’s flora and fauna this morning on a
nature walk throughout the tranquil grounds of your lodge, whose
interesting architecture was inspired by the area’s renowned
birdlife and the geometric patterns of traditional Masai
encampments. Visit the village of Mto wa Mbu, set on the banks
of the river of the same name, for an in-depth look at tribal
life in the African bush; take a look inside a typical home.
After lunch, travel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to
Ngorongoro Crater – one of the largest concentrations of
permanent wildlife in Africa. Built into the dormant volcano’s
rim, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge takes advantage of its spectacular
location high above the crater floor; private terraces open up
to stunning views of the “lost world” far below – an incredible
sight from dawn to dusk. Meals BLD
6. Ngorongoro Crater
Experience the true spirit of Africa, the Africa of bygone
days, when you explore wildlife-rich Ngorongoro Crater, long
regarded as Africa’s “Garden of Eden.” Within the walls of the
crater lie short grasslands, swamps, forests and a freshwater
lake, inspiring continual migration of animals in and out of the
crater. From the comfort of your four-wheel drive vehicle,
crafted exclusively for Tauck World Discovery, you’ll have an
opportunity to spot the Big Five – buffalo, elephant, leopard,
the black maned lion and the rare black rhinoceros – as well as
hyenas, baboons, and flamingos. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch
in the heart of this ancient volcanic crater; it is sure to be a
memorable highlight of your safari. Meals BLD
7. Olduvai Gorge / Masai Village
First stop today is Olduvai Gorge, where archaeologists
Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of the
earliest known man, believed to be about 1.8 million years old.
Visit a Masai village in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, then
set off for the grasslands of the Serengeti; be prepared for
bumps and bounces along the unpaved roads. You’ll have many
opportunities for wildlife viewing en route to your safari
lodge, styled after traditional Masai dwellings. Meals BLD
8. Hot Air Balloon Above the Serengeti
Awake for an exciting and romantic hot air balloon flight at
dawn that takes you over the vast Serengeti savanna, observing
the early morning rituals of the reserve’s abundant wildlife
from aloft. Enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush upon
landing. An afternoon game drive brings you into the heart of
the Serengeti’s endless plains where you may spot hyena,
leopard, cheetah, zebra, elephant, hippos, rhinoceros, buffalo,
jackals, and the graceful reedbuck. Be on the lookout for prides
of lions as this is one of the best places on the continent to
see them! Have dinner at your leisure tonight, savoring a
colorful African sunset. Meals BLD
9. Kirawira Tented Camp
Travel to the western corridor of the Serengeti for a
memorable two-night stay in Kirawira Tented Camp. Your tented
camp accommodations are the height of luxury in the African
bush, commanding extraordinarily intimate views of “the soul of
the African wilderness.” The camp is built in the remote region
of the Grumeti River, where throughout the year game animals may
include wildebeest, lion, buffalo, cheetah, warthogs, giraffes,
and zebra. Go on a game drive this afternoon with an experienced
guide who takes you across undisturbed open grasslands for
exclusive wildlife encounters. Meals BLD
10. Western Serengeti Safari Game Drives
Rise early for a morning game drive as a new day dawns in
the Serengeti, witnessing first-hand vivid vignettes
representative of Africa’s circle of life. Your safari guide
will share fascinating insights into the poignant everyday
rituals of the wildlife residing within the African bush.
Game-watching this afternoon precedes traditional sundowner
cocktails at Kirawira poolside, offering an opportunity to
reflect on the spiritual side of your safari experience in
magnificent Tanzania. Meals BLD
11. Journey Home
Tour ends: Arusha. A short air journey returns you to Arusha,
where your safari ends; a day room has been reserved for you at
Serena Mountain Village, Arusha, set within the lovely gardens
of a tree-shaded coffee plantation overlooking Lake Duluti. Join
us for dinner at the hotel. Transfers will be provided from
Serena Mountain Village, Arusha, to Kilimanjaro International
Airport. Meals BLD
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