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An extraordinary journey through contrasting
landscapes with excellent opportunities for game
viewing in Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and the
Ngorongoro Crater.
Lake Manyara is an unusual park in the shadow of
the Great Rift Valley, whose reddish brown
escarpment wall looms on the eastern horizon. The
park is well known for its tree-climbing lions, who
may be seen sleeping off the heat of the day on a
branch instead of a shady spot on the ground.
Then onto the world-famous Serengeti National
Park, where vast open savannahs are dotted with
acacia trees and a few rocky hillocks. The Serengeti
is Tanzania's largest and best-known national
park, with a massive concentration of migratory
animals who move around the park according to the
availability of food.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest
unbroken volcanic caldera whose steep sides form a
natural enclosure for a wide variety of wildlife. An
estimated 25,000 animals, including the 'big five'
inhabit the interior of the crater.
Accommodation is in Serena properties which are
situated in some of the finest locations in the parks.
Day 1
Monday
Arusha
Met at Kilimanjaro airport and transferred to Serena
Mountain Village (approximately 45 minutes), a haven of
calm and serenity away from the hustle and bustle of
Arusha. Overnight: Serena Mountain Village. (l,d)
Day 2
Tuesday
Lake Manyara
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park,
famous for its tree-climbing lions (150 km –
approximately 2 hours 30 minutes). Your lodge
commands panoramic views across the floor of the Great
Rift Valley. Here you have time to relax before an
afternoon game drive. Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena
Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 3
Wednesday
Serengeti
Drive to the world-famous Serengeti National Park with
game viewing en route (235 km – approximately
5 hours). Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 4
Thursday
Serengeti
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast
at the lodge. Or take an early morning balloon flight over
the Serengeti followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast
(optional extra). Later enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 5
Friday
Ngorongoro
Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge
(200 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch at your lodge
which is perched on the jagged rim of the Crater. The
afternoon is at leisure. Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena
Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 6
Saturday
Ngorongoro
Drive down into the Crater for a half-day of game
viewing. This extinct volcano plays host to wildebeest,
zebras, buffaloes, gazelles, elephants, rhinos and big
cats. Visit a local Masai village (time permitting).
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. (b,l,d)
Day 7
Sunday
Extension or USA
Return to Arusha (200 km – approximately 3 hours
30 minutes). Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the
Kilimanjaro airport and proceed with your chosen
extension (see ‘where next’) or return to the USA. (b,l)
Alternatively, there is the option to fly from Arusha to
Zanzibar for your beach extension (from $465).
Mara Extension:
Fly to Nairobi for overnight at your
chosen accommodation. Fly to the Masai Mara for two
nights at the lodge or camp of your choice, including
game drives. Return by light aircraft to Nairobi (from
$1950).
15 kg luggage allowance on all light aircraft.
Where Next
Complement your Serena Serengeti Safari with a beach
stay on the Kenya Coast, Zanzibar, Seychelles or
Mauritius. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a superb addition
to a safari – see pages 92-93.
Serena Serengeti
RRRRR
1 night Arusha – 1 night Lake Manyara – 2 nights Serengeti – 2 nights Ngorongoro
