DAY 1

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our guide will meet you with a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, a refreshing bottle of water, and a cooling towel. Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes to Onsea House, or 90 minutes to Katambuga House, providing an opportunity to converse with your driver about the local area as you adjust to Tanzania.
Depending on your arrival time, unwind by the pool with a cold beverage and a good book, or indulge in a massage to release any post-flight tension. At either option, dine on a diverse selection of local and international cuisine, ensuring all tastes are catered to before retiring for a restful night’s sleep.

DAY 2

After a satisfying breakfast, your driver-guide will meet you as you embark on the driving segment of your safari adventure. Departing Arusha in a westerly direction, leave behind the bustling town and pass through small settlements, perhaps encountering a local market. Keep an eye out for bicycles loaded with clusters of bananas when passing through the town of Mto wa Mbu. A game drive through Lake Manyara National Park offers an immediate immersion into Tanzania’s bush and wildlife. The park, centered around a large alkaline lake, attracts a variety of birdlife year-round, including flamingos and pelicans. Look out for lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest amidst the grassy plains and acacia woodlands. Pause for a picnic lunch and a refreshing drink in the shade before continuing toward Ngorongoro.
As the road ascends, enjoy the changing scenery as you climb the steep walls of the Great Rift Valley, eventually arriving in the town of Karatu. Nestled beneath the Ngorongoro Crater, Karatu is surrounded by lush farmlands and serves as a hub for travelers heading to the Serengeti. Gibb’s Farm, situated on a working farm, provides a serene setting to relax and savor fresh, home-grown produce. Alternatively, Ngorongoro Farmhouse offers accommodation amidst a coffee plantation, conveniently located near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance.

DAY 3

Start your day early to be among the first to enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend to the crater floor. Passing through the entry gate, ascend the outer slopes of the crater through dense tropical jungle until reaching the rim road, offering a breathtaking viewpoint. Pause for a quick photograph before descending to the crater floor.
Upon arrival, enjoy coffee and breakfast snacks before embarking on a game drive in this unique location. Relish a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, surrounded by grunting rafts of hippo. In the afternoon, ascend the caldera walls and return to your lodge to freshen up before enjoying a drink at the bar and dinner.

DAY 4

After breakfast, depart Karatu and head to Manyara Airstrip. Bid farewell to your driver-guide and board a flight to your next destination. Depending on the season, fly to either the southern or northern Serengeti. Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to camp in time for lunch.
In the early afternoon, settle into your accommodations and admire the views from your veranda. As the day warms, relax in the shade with a book and cool beverage. Enjoy tea or coffee with a sweet treat before embarking on an afternoon game drive across the Serengeti’s vast plains. As the sun sets, savor a sundowner in the bush or return to camp for refreshments by the fireside before dinner.

DAY 5-6

Experience shared morning and afternoon game drives, with the option for a picnic lunch to extend your time in the bush. Alternatively, consider hiring a private vehicle for greater flexibility and personalized wildlife viewing opportunities. For a unique perspective, embark on a hot air balloon safari at sunrise.

DAY 7

After a final breakfast, head to the airstrip for your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. The plane may make multiple stops, arriving around mid-day. Collect your belongings and check-in for your onward journey.