Lake Manyara National Park

Destination: Lake Manyara National Park
Accommodations: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Activities: Game Drive

Depart from the northern town of Arusha (adjacent to Kilimanjaro International Airport) and drive to the Escarpment Luxury Lodge, a tranquil retreat, perfectly situated in a dramatic location of Lake Manyara National Park on the rim of the Great Rift Valley Gorge with views of wildlife from the wraparound deck. Enjoy lunch in their well-appointed restaurant. After lunch, take a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, which lies at the base of the western wall of the eastern arm of the Rift Valley. Typically shimmering in a golden heat haze, the lake is often frosted with thousands of flamingos, while the trees that surround the lake are famous for their tree-climbing lions. The park also offers abundant sightings of monkeys, jackals, mongoose, hyenas, hyraxes, zebras, hippos, warthogs, buffalos, Maasai giraffes, duikers, waterbucks, and impalas. Significant numbers of elephants are also resident in the park, whilst sightings of black rhino and leopard are not uncommon. Return to dinner at the lodge.

Ngorongoro Crater

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater Accommodations: Ngorongoro Farm House Activities: Olduvai Gorge tour; Maasai Boma visit; Empakai Crater walking safari Leaving the lodge after breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge the ‘cradle of mankind’, and site of one of the most important and controversial Paleolithic finds in recent history. Ascend the steep walls of the crater, drive around the rim, and visit a traditional Maasai village or ‘boma’ where you will get to witness the Maasai traditional way of living and see the Maasai’s famous dance! Finally, descend to the charming Ngorongoro Farm House, a small and exclusive hotel built on a 500 acre coffee plantation with its handplaited thatched roof tops, ample verandas, and colonial interiors which have been designed to take you to the comfort and style of a bygone era. There you will have lunch and unwind before departing for a walking safari to Empakai Crater, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Accompanied by an armed Maasai guard and your naturalist guide, you will descend on foot to the crater floor where you will find a lake occupied by hundreds of flamingo and other birds. Relax here and observe the fauna before hiking back up the crater and heading back to the lodge for a delicious dinner. In the evening, take a walk around the farm to contemplate the activities of the day, relax in the fragrant gardens, or enjoy the spectacular sunsets with the Oldeani volcano as a backdrop.

Ngorongoro Crater

Destination: Ngorongoro Crater Accommodations: Ngorongoro Farm House Activities: Game drive; Walking safari; Guided farm walking tour or massage (optional); Traditional dance performance After an early breakfast, drive the short distance to the crater and descend to its floor for a half-day tour, inclusive of a picnic lunch by the hippo pools. Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s best-known wildlife areas. A World Heritage Site, it is also one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometers wide, 610-760 meters deep and covering a total area of 264 square kilometers). An utterly unique biosphere, the Crater harbors grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. Due to its high concentration of wildlife, close-range viewing opportunities, and striking scenery, it is also Tanzania’s most visited destination. There will be opportunity here to get out of your vehicle and explore this magnificent landscape on foot. In the afternoon, ascend once more to the rim of the crater and return to the lodge, where you can take guided walk around the farm and the vegetable garden to see plants and the workings of a coffee farm. Or, you may want a massage! Conclude the evening with a fabulous dinner and sundowner cocktails while watching a spectacular performance by dancers from various Tanzanian tribes.

Departure or connection

Destination: Departure to Arusha or connection to Southern Circuit, Western Circuit, Kenya, Uganda, or Zanzibar After a hot breakfast and optional nature walk, drive back to Arusha for an optional day or overnight at Rivertrees Country Inn or connect to the next leg of your wildlife safari in the Southern Circuit, chimp trekking in Mahale National Park or Gombe Stream or, gorilla trekking in Uganda. Alternatively, connect with a flight to the magical island of Zanzibar, which lies just off the coast of Tanzania. See our complimentary itineraries for these locations.