Overview
SAFARI IN NATIONAL PARKS: TARANGIRE, NGORONGORO CRATER AND SERENGETI The program is designed for a full four-day game drive, one day of which you will spend in the Tarangire, then in the Ngorongoro, and two days in the Serengeti. Serengeti National Park is considered a treasure of the world's wildlife. The unique climatic conditions allow you to enjoy the incredible scenery, and you'll be able to see resting lions, secretive leopards, and graceful antelopes. The advantage of this itinerary is that it gives more chances to see the rare representatives of the African fauna: pythons, gemsboks, elands, servals, caracals, secretary birds, crocodiles, black rhinos, and many others.
Day by day
Day 1 — Arusha – Tarangire
In the morning after breakfast (around 7:30 AM) your safari guide will arrive at the hotel and inform the receptionist that he is waiting for you. After meeting up with your driver you will travel to Tarangire National Park, and by 10:00 AM you will already be on your first safari! In this park, you have the chance to see lots of wild Tanzanian animals (lions, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, etc.), but above all else, it is famous for its astonishing number of elephants, who typically tend to stay close to their drinking source, the Tarangire River. You should be aware that this is wild nature, so the guide cannot make any guarantees about the presence of specific wild animals, but you can be sure he will do his best to find everything you're looking for! The Altezza team has its own radio channel that the drivers use to communicate with other guides and collaborate on searches for rare species. At lunchtime, you will be provided a meal, after which the safari will continue. In the evening you will be transferred to the hotel. Additional notes: This is your first day on safari, so we ask that you please pay special attention to the national park visitor rules and our company recommendations. During the safari, it is strictly prohibited to exit the vehicle, except in specially designated areas. Violations of this rule may be accompanied by large lines for the company, including the revocation of its license. Off-road driving is also prohibited, as such behavior may cause irreparable damage to the fragile balance of the natural ecosystem. During the safari, you are allowed to smoke, but be extremely careful about how you extinguish and dispose of cigarette butts, as they are a frequent cause of fires in the savanna. In addition, we sincerely request that you not put your feet on the safari car's seats, nor sit on the back of them, because this type of behavior quickly makes the cars unusable. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Day 2 — Ngorongoro Crater
On this day it is best to leave the hotel as early as possible so you can see the variety of animals that are only active during the morning hours; breakfast will be packed in lunchboxes specifically for this purpose. At 6:30 AM you will set off for Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and after about an hour you will already be inside the crater. Ngorongoro is one of the most famous and interesting of Tanzania's national parks because here you can find the greatest number of different animal species per square kilometer. You will have the chance to see buffalo, elephants, lions, wildebeests, zebras, hippopotami, and feline species such as caracals and servals. The luckiest travelers might even see a rhinoceros, an animal whose numbers are rapidly declining. By lunchtime you will arrive at the lakeside, where you will be offered lunchboxes, after which the safari will continue, ending in a few hours with a transfer to Serengeti National Park. On your travels, you will also visit a memorial dedicated to two West German researchers, Bernhard and Michael Grzimek. It is them we have to thank for Northern Tanzania National Parks having survived till our times in its current natural state. You can read their full story in the book "Serengeti Shall Not Die" which can be found on Amazon.com for USD 10–25. In the evening you will be transferred to a hotel in the center of the Serengeti Valley.
Day 3 — Serengeti Plains
After breakfast you will start the safari by being transferred to the central part of the Serengeti (also called Seronera). Here your driver will try to find the animals you're the most interested in. Closer to lunch time you will visit the Serengeti Visitor Centre, where you will be offered a lunchbox and provided with lots of interesting information not only about the animals’ populations, but also about the history of the National Park. Also, in this area you will be able to see hyraxes, which are the elephant's closest relatives. It is difficult to describe in detail all the animals of the Serengeti valley, for they number in the thousands: elephants, buffalo, ostriches, giraffes, jackals, hyenas, lions, antelopes, leopards and cheetahs—just keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the nature around you. In the evening you will be transferred to a hotel, where you will have dinner and be able to rest.
Day 4 — Serengeti - Arusha
Wake up, have breakfast, and start your game drive through the northern part of the Serengeti, which is in a league of its own when it comes to its landscape and diversity of fauna. On this day you can see the animals that only live in the most remote areas of the park. By early afternoon you will finish the safari and return to the hotel in Arusha.
Included
Two nights' accommodation at Hotel in Arusha double or triple occupancy (before and after the Safari) The first night includes breakfast Last night includes dinner & breakfast Qualified guides with mountain crew National park fees Hut/camping fees and tents Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils. Rescue fees (required by the National Park) Pulse oximeters First aid kit Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries Boiled water on the mountain Airport transfers (JRO - Kilimanjaro International Airports) All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner) Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation, and entry fees on the mountain
Not included
Single rooms supplement at Hotel. Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips Meals and drinks not specified Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags) Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent. See our rental price list. Car Supplement USD$145 per car for clients who go through Lemosho/Rongai/Shira Routes Items of personal nature (expenses) Emergency Oxygen Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit). Visa fees & travel insurance. Flight tickets.