Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
Your adventure begins with a 07:30 hrs pick-up in Arusha, where you will start your journey towards Lake Manyara National Park with a packed lunch box. As you drive through the beautiful countryside, you will witness the changing landscapes before arriving at the park, known for its unique mix of forests, open savannah, and the vast soda lake. You will enjoy a game drive, searching for the famous tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, zebras, giraffes, and hippos. Bird lovers will be treated to thousands of flamingos and other waterbirds along the lakeshore. After an exciting afternoon, you will head to Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After an early breakfast, you will leave Lake Manyara and drive toward Serengeti National Park, passing through the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, you will stop at Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site where fossils of early human ancestors were discovered. Upon entering the Serengeti, the landscape transforms into endless plains, home to one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. You will enjoy an afternoon game drive, spotting predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards, along with herds of elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. As the sun sets, you will arrive at Serengeti Sopa Lodge, where you will have dinner and spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Day 3: Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Today is dedicated to a full day of wildlife exploration in Serengeti. You will start with an early morning game drive, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures when predators are most active. After breakfast at the lodge, you will continue to explore different areas of the park, including the Seronera Valley, a prime location for spotting big cats and a variety of other wildlife. With a picnic lunch in the wilderness, you will have the opportunity to experience the raw beauty of the Serengeti as you track the movements of the Great Migration (seasonal). Later in the evening, you will return to Serengeti Sopa Lodge for dinner and a second overnight stay in the heart of the wild.
Day 4: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
After one last early morning game drive in Serengeti, you will have breakfast before departing for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Arriving at the crater rim, you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to see the Big Five. As you explore the crater floor, you will encounter black rhinos, large elephant bulls, prides of lions, hyenas, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebras. You will stop for a picnic lunch near the Hippo Pool, where you can relax while watching hippos lounging in the water. In the late afternoon, you will ascend from the crater and head to Rhotia Valley camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Ngorongoro to Arusha
On the final day, after breakfast at the lodge, you will begin your journey back to Arusha, passing through scenic highlands and traditional Maasai villages. You may have the opportunity to stop for cultural visits or photos along the way. You will arrive in Arusha in the early afternoon, where your unforgettable 5-day Tanzania safari will come to an end.
