SVAT 003: 5 Days 4 Nights Lake Manyara National Park/ Ngorongoro Crater/ Tarangire National Park

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Manyara

Depart Arusha in the morning for Lake Manyara, arriving there by lunch time. Afternoon game drives. Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.

Located beneath the cliffs of the Manyara Escarpment, on the edge of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park offers varied ecosystems, incredible bird life, and breathtaking views. Lake Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions are another reason to pay this park a visit. The only kind of their species in the world, they make the ancient mahogany and elegant acacias their home during the rainy season, and are a well-known but rather rare feature of the northern park. In addition to the lions, the national park is also home to the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world — a fact that makes for interesting game viewing of large families of the primates.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge

Day 2: Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro crater

After breakfast, depart for Ngorongoro crater, with game drives en route. Check into your lodge and pick lunch boxes. Descend into the crater rim for half day game drives. Late afternoon, drive to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the crater rim for dinner and overnight.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is must for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is home of Ngorongoro Crater. It was formed some 2.5 million years ago from a volcanic mountain sinking due to inactivity, and was initially thought to be higher than Tanzania’s famous Kilimanjaro. The crater has evolved into a unique and integral part of Tanzania’s eco-system. The crater is actually a caldera, measures 22.5 km’s across and the rim walls stand 600m high. Views from within and from the rim are breathtaking (as can be seen from the picture). The crater houses 30,000 animals and a large variety of birds, which rarely move from the area due to the availability of water through wet and dry seasons

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Ngorongoro – Tarangire National Park

After breakfast drive to Tarangire. After lunch at Tarangire Sopa Lodge, set off for afternoon game drives till sunset.

Tarangire National Park, one of the hidden jewels of Tanzania. This park measures 2,600 sq km’s and boasts a concentration of wildlife second only to Ngorongoro Crater. It features an impressive amount and array of bird life and plant life. Situated only 160km’s from Arusha, the park is nestled to the south of the large open grass plains of southern Maasai land. It is named after the Tarangire River, which runs directly through the center of the park and is the only permanent water source for the animals. Along the banks of this river you will find herds of wildebeest (or gnu) and zebra, followed by Grant’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle and many others. Lurking in the background lion and leopard keep a watchful eye on a possible meal. The park offers views of grass and floodplains with impressive baobab and flat topped acacia trees scattered throughout. During the dry season the park may look quite ordinary, but activities continue even more earnestly due to the now increased competition.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Day 4: Tarangire

Full day game drives in Tarangire National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Day 5: Tarangire – Arusha

After breakfast ,enjoy a morning game viewing drive in the Tarangire National Park. Return to lodge for lunch and in the afternoon depart for Arusha.