Tanzania Discovery Safari

Jul 8, 2008 at 11:28 AM
1 comment

Day 1-2: Depart U.S. / Arrive Arusha

Connect in Amsterdam with your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport, arriving late evening. You will be met by Thomson Safaris staff and transferred to your lodge.

Overnight: Kigongoni Lodge

Day 3: Arusha

Begin your exploration of Tanzania culture with a visit to Ng'iresi village on the slopes of Mount Meru. Learn about current development projects and experience local fare with a lunch prepared by the Juhudi Women's Group.

Visit Ng'iresi village
Overnight: Kigongoni Lodge

Day 4: Arusha / Tarangire National Park

Today you will depart Arusha, traveling southwest through the Maasai Steppe to Tarangire National Park, Tanzania's fourth largest.

Full day of viewing in Tarangire National Park
Overnight: Thomson Tarangire Nyumba

Day 5: Tarangire National Park

Spend another day in Tarangire National Park, viewing some of Tanzania’s largest populations of elephant and enjoying the diverse scenery, including the dramatic baobab trees that are so typical of the park.

Full day wildlife viewing in Tarangire National Park
Brief Swahili lessons with your guide
Overnight: Thomson Tarangire Nyumba

Day 6: Tarangire / Mto Wa Mbu / Ngorongoro Highlands

Depart Tarangire this morning, wildlife viewing along the way. Then, as you approach the Great Rift Valley Escarpment on your way to Gibbs Farm, you will make a few stops that are sure to increase your understanding of Tanzania's fascinating culture.

Morning wildlife viewing departing Tarangire National Park
Guided walk through the village of Mto Wa Mbu
Spend the afternoon with Daniel Tewa, a local historian and storyteller
Overnight: Gibbs Farm

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater

Depart Gibbs after a leisurely breakfast and head deeper into the highlands until reaching the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The crater is a geological marvel boasting several vegetation zones from lakes to forest to Savannah and being home to about 30,000 animals, despite its tiny size of only 10 miles across.

Full day of wildlife viewing on floor of Ngorongoro Crater
Overnight: Gibbs Farm

Day 8: Ngorongoro Highlands

With Gibbs Farm as your base, spend the day enjoying a myriad of activities and cultural pursuits in the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Guided nature walk on the Gibbs estate (2 hours)
Guided walk in Karatu town, stopping at local businesses and markets (2 hours)
Optional afternoon activities:

A walk through the estate focusing on indigenous medicinal plants
Afternoon tea on verandah
Visit with the artist in residence
Spa services (additional fees)

Overnight: Gibbs Farm

Day 9: Oduvai Gorge / Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, continue your journey into the heart of Tanzania by heading west, toward the Serengeti Plains.

Brief stop at Oduvai Gorge
Overnight: Thomson Serengeti Nyumba

Day 10: Serengeti National Park

Enjoy the vastness of the Serengeti "the land that flows on forever" along with some of the best game-viewing that Africa has to offer.

Full day of wildlife viewing in Serengeti National Park
Overnight: Thomson Serengeti Nyumba

Day 11: Serengeti National Park

Enjoy another day of wildlife viewing from a second location deep in the Serengeti. Home to literally hundreds of thousands of hoofed animals, the Serengeti is a pristine and unique sanctuary that will give you a glimpse into "the world as it was in the beginning."

Full day of wildlife viewing
Stop in the village of Mugumu or Robanda
Overnight: Thomson Serengeti Nyumba

Day 12: Serengeti National Park

Spanning nearly 6,000 square miles, the Serengeti has even more to offer you today. With your skilled guides at the helm, the game viewing promises to be interesting on this last day of your adventure.

Full day of wildlife viewing
Overnight: Thomson Serengeti Nyumba

Day 13: Serengeti / Arusha / Depart

Depart the Serengeti late this morning and spend the rest of the day in Arusha, with a farewell lunch, some shopping and a dayroom to prepare for your flight home this evening.