IIMPORTANT INFORMATION

GROUP SIZE FOR THIS TOUR RANGE FROM 2, 3, 4 PEOPLE AND ABOVE.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Airport Transfers to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

• Two night’s accommodation in Moshi Half Board at Springlands Hotel.

• Transport (A 4 X 4 Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover with comfortable seats and Open roof) and the Driver Guide(s) while on Safari.

• Accommodation full board double occupancy while on Safari

• All Park Fees.

• Extra supplement for the Ngorongoro Crater fee.

• Guided tour at Karatu Area, to the Water Falls and to the Forest.

• Local fees to the traditional groups at Lake Eyasi and Lake Natron Area

• Village Fees at Lake Natron Area

• Guide fee for Mount Oldoinyo Lengai 

NOT INCLUDED:

• Tips for the driver guides and local guides.

• Lunch or dinner and drinks at the Springlands Hotel.

• Drinks while on Safari and Zanzibar.

• Any personal expenses.

ADDITIONAL REMARKS.

We may have to re route the itinerary in case of Lodge availability.

Arusha National Park

This small but beautiful National Park near Kilimanjaro Airport. Arusha and Moshi provides an ideal destination for day's safari or to relax in after an ascent of Kili or Mt Meru in one of the lodges in the park.

As well as having an abundance of wildlife Arusha National Park has three special features: Mt Meru, Momela Lakes and the Ngurdoto Crater. Mt. Meru, Tanzania's second highest peak at 4566m, is one of Africa's most beautiful volcanoes. The route to the summit passes through parkland, montane forest, a giant heather zone and moorland. Finally, the summit is reached by a narrow, barren ridge which provides stunning views of the Ash Cone lying several thousand feet below in the crater and Kilimanjaro in the background. Over 400 species of birds, rhino, elephant, buffalo, baboon, warthog, black and white Colobus monkey and duiker are all found in this delightful "gem amongst parks".

The Ngurdoto Crater stretches 3 km's across; it is a steep-sided bowl surrounded by riverine forest. The crater floor is a lush swamp with many visible animal trials and provides a natural sanctuary to many animals, including elephant, buffalo, a variety of monkeys, baboons and birds since it is prohibited for tours to descend down to the bottom of the crater. To the west of the crater an extensive grassland plain, Serengeti Ndogo.

A visit to Momela lakes, with flamingoes and other wildlife, is an unforgettable experience. There are seven shallow alkaline lakes, all seven lakes being mainly fed by separate underground water sources. Due to the varying mineral content of these underground sources, each lake supports a different type of algae growth, resulting in differently coloured lakes.

Lake Manyara National Park

The Lake Manyara National Park stretches southwards alongside the north-western shores of the slightly saline waters of Lake Manyara. The rocky slopes of the Manyara Escarpment form a dramatic backdrop to the west, numerous springs bubble up at the foot of the escarpment, their fresh waters support the lush forests and grassy game filled meadows in the northern half of the park. In the more remote, southern half, of the park the forests thin scenery becomes more open.

The park is noted for its birdlife with almost 400 different species recorded. It also has a high elephant population and is famous for its "tree climbing lions". The forest contains a large variety of tree species creating a luxuriant, "jungle" atmosphere in the northern areas of the park.

Ngorongoro Crater

The steep walls of the Ngorongoro Crater hinder the easy movement of animals. This coupled with the year round availability of good grazing and water in the crater result in a constant, large, population of wild animals. This is a game viewers paradise and by far the best destination for a short safari extension to any Northern Tanzanian mountain holiday.

Strangely enough the Crater is sometimes visited by the Masaai with their cattle who are capable of co-existing and sharing the rich grazing with the wild animals. Young Masaai warriors - moran - escort their herds and protect them from lions and leopards which, in the olden days, they had to kill in order to prove their manhood.

Tarangire

It is often possible to escape the crowds in Tarangire which one of the more easily accessible parks. At the right time of year the park teems with elephants. During rainy seasons animals rapidly spread out of the park but as the land dries out grass becomes scarce they return to the green banks of the Tarangire river. The best months for game viewing in Tarangire are January, February, early March, July to mid-October.

Other frequently seen species include great herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, eland, and oryx. Magnificent baobab trees add to the grand atmosphere of the park.

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is the jewel in the crown of Tanzania's protected areas with its endless rolling plains. The name 'Serengeti' comes from the Maasai for 'extensive plains'. It is without doubt the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty.

Its landscape varies from open grass plains in the south, savannah with scattered acacia trees in the centre, hilly, wooded grassland in the north, to extensive woodland and black clay plains to the west. Small rivers, lakes and swamps are scattered throughout.

The Serengeti can be visited at any time of year. It is usually warm and dry with the main rainy season from March to May, and with short rains from October to November, The park is best known for the now unrivalled herd sizes of 'plains game', which migrate between seasonal water supplies and grasslands, accompanied by the main predators, lion, cheetah, hyenas.

Olduvai Gorge (Oldupai Gorge)

Leaving the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, Olduvai Gorge entrance and museum is 30km on the road towards the Serengeti. (Half way along this stretch a Maasai show village may be visited at a reasonable fee which permits photography and a look at how Maasai live in this area).

The museum at the Olduvai provides an excellent photographic history of research carried out in the gorge with a summary of the main archaeological findings. The importance of the area relates as much to its location as the way the strata of ash and other deposits have been layered then conveniently exposed during the formation of the gorge itself.

Louis Leakey was the first of the Leakey family to visit the area in the early 1920s. His trip was funded by the British Museum in which his role was that of a research assistant. Subsequently his family have become associated with pre-historical archaeological research throughout East Africa. Outstanding discoveries include that of the famous footprints of a family of hominids dating back 3.5 million years by Mary Leakey.

Ol Donyo Lengai, 2878m (9650ft)

Note: On 30th March 2006 Lengai erupted. 3000 people have been evacuated from nearby villages and there was a temporary ban on visiting the area. The ban has now been removed and the area and Lengai are open to visitors.

This is an active volcano in northern Tanzania lying just south of Lake Natron. It is located in the Rift Valley, in the heart of Masaai country, and locally regarded as a sacred mountain. Looking north from its summit crater the hot barren salt flats of Lake Natron stretch into the distance. To the south stretch the Crater Highlands and the Ngorongoro Game Reserve. The eastern horizon is dominated by Kilimanjaro and to the west the forested escarpments and hills comprising the western slopes of the Rift Valley. About every seven years Lengai erupts and plumes of smoke billow out of the crater. Almost always it is possible to walk across the crater floor, often to the edge of the molten lavas.

The ascent of Lengai is demanding on account of the day time heat, lack of water, steep and unstable slopes of ash and crumbly rocks and considerable height gain, 1600m. or just over 5000ft. Starting at midnight from Lake Natron it is just possible to reach the summit by dawn at a gentle pace. Although shorts and a warm jacket are suitable for the ascent, long trousers might be more pleasant as the summit just before dawn can be cold.