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Day 1 - Arusha-Lake Manyara
Depart from Arusha after lunch, driving to Lake Manyara National
Park. Overnight at the spectacularly located Manyara Serena
hotel on a full board basis.
Lying in a shallow depression at the base of
the Rift Valley escarpment is scenic Lake Manyara National
Park. Most famous for its tree-climbing lions, which drape
themselves over branches of umbrella-shaped thorn trees to
catch cool breezes, the reserve boasts over 40 species of
large mammals and some 380 birds. There are several different
types of forests with a variety of fauna - hippopotamuses,
giraffes, elephants, zebras, and monkeys just to name a few.
From Arusha it is a 3-hour drive to Lake Manyara.
The Lake Manyara Serena Lodge has a dramatic
setting overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the beautiful
soda lake of Manyara Park. The area is rich in birdlife and
from them much of the lodge decoration has been inspired.
The Lodge facilities include a swimming pool, spacious, comfortable
public areas and a restaurant and bar - all which take advantage
of the breath
taking view.
Day 2 - Lake Manyara-Serengeti
Morning game viewing around Lake Manyara. After lunch continue
west, to the Serengeti plains with superb views all the way.
Two nights at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis.
Serengeti Serena Lodge is set high on a hill
with breathtaking vistas of a landscape teeming with game.
The wildlife defines the Serengeti - countless zebra, buffalo,
gazelle, wildebeest, and other species make it their home.
Big game feed in full view of the lodge itself. The terrain
is the main stage for the great wildebeest migrations, an
awesome spectacle involving millions of these beasts. The
lodge design is simple but stunning. Inspired by a traditional
African village, separate rondavel "huts" house
the luxury guest rooms. From the overall impression to the
smallest detail, the lodge is rich in local atmosphere created
by indigenous handicrafts and art.
Serengeti National Park is arguably the best-known
wildlife sanctuary in the world. "Serengeti" means
"endless plains" in the Masai language, and within
its boundaries are more than three million large mammals.
About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including
the so called "big five" - elephant, rhino, lion
(more than 2,000 of them), leopard and buffalo. During the
wet season, November to May, most of the plains game congregates
in Southern Serengeti, followed by their attendant predators.
Some time in May or June the herds migrate North and West
in search of water. They remain in North Serengeti and the
western corridor during the dry season, July-October, returning
South again as the November rains approach. The Wildebeest
calving takes place on the short grass plains during late
December - early February. In their wake follow the predators;
lion, cheetah and hunting dogs with vultures circling overhead.
Other common species found here include hippo, giraffe, eland,
impala and other antelope types, baboons, monkeys and a profusion
of almost 500 bird species.
Day 3 - Serengeti
A full day game viewing, either along riverine forest or on
the grassy plains amongst the Wildebeest herds.
Day 4 - Serengeti-Ngorongoro
Drive to Ngorongoro stopping en route at Olduvai Gorge to
see the famous archeological remains. Spend two nights at
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis.
The road around the Ngorongoro Crater sits at
2250 metres above sea level and offers breath-taking views.
Just as overwhelming is the view from the private terrace
of most of the guest and public rooms at the Ngorongoro Serena
Lodge. The Ngorongoro Serena is built of local stone and is
molded to the contours of the site on the rim of the Crater.
The lodge consists of 75 luxury en suite rooms most with private
terraces. Cultural events include Masai dancing and celebratory
presentations. In the evenings a choir or guitarist performs
for the guests' pleasure. At Ngorongoro Serena Lodge visitors
co-exist in perfect harmony with the natural environment and
the wildlife that inhabits it.
Dominated by cliffs standing some 600 meters
high and presenting a sheer drop down to a wide open space
of some 264 square km, Ngorongoro Crater (a UNESCO-designated
World Heritage Site) is one of the most amazing sights seen
anywhere. Home to 25,000 larger mammals, almost half of them
are zebra and wildebeest. There are also gazelle, buffalo,
eland, hartebeest and wart hog. Such vast numbers attract
predators a plenty, mainly lion and hyena but also cheetah
and leopard. More than 100 species of birds not found in the
Serengeti have been spotted here. At certain times of the
year countless flamingos form a pink blanket over the soda
lakes.
Day 5 - Ngorongoro
A full day game viewing in Ngorongoro Crater with picnic lunch.
A wildlife paradise unequaled in its splendor.
Day 6 - Ngorongoro-Arusha
Return to Arusha for lunch and your onward journey.
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