9 Days Amboseli, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Olduvai, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire

Areas of Interest: Amboseli National Park, Manyara National Park, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Arusha, Wildebeest Migration (Seasonal)

Activities: Game and Bird Watching, Camping, Culture, Ethnic, Scenery, Wildlife, Photography, Excavation site, Historical Site.

Country: Kenya & Tanzania Combination.

Amboseli National Park is Kenya’s first established game park and the word ‘Amboseli’ is the Masai word for “salt dust”. It is situated on the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro very close to the Tanzanian border. Despite its small size (392 sq km), this fragile ecosystem supports a wide range of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400 species).

In Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is said to have the world’s densest population of lion. In Lake Manyara Lions have developed a liking for residing in the branches of trees, where they can both sleep and watch for prey whilst the Serengeti is notable for its large migratory herds of Wildebeest and Zebras with strings of predators in trail. Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife of any of the country’s parks, whilst the small Arusha National Park is one of the most beautiful Parks that Tanzania has to offer.

Day 1 & 2– Amboseli.

We depart Nairobi in the morning and drive via Namanga, on the Tanzania border, to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is situated. After a stopover lunch we proceed into the scenic Amboseli National Park with the possibility of seeing game on our way to the campsite. The days are spent viewing game and bird life with game drives in the morning and afternoon. We have sufficient time for relaxation in our campsite, complete with the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background.

The waters from melted snow drain down the mountain under lava flows and surface in Amboseli, creating a green belt of swampland amidst dusty plains.  Here, hippo, elephant and bird life can be seen against the backdrop of the magnificent snow-capped mountain. At 329 sq km Amboseli is a small park and lacks the profusion of animal species found in the Mara, but the landscape provides limited cover so we have better chances of seeing some of the larger predators.  Buffaloes, Lions, Gazelles, Cheetahs, Wildebeest, Hyenas, Jackals, Warthogs, Masai Giraffes, Zebra, Baboon, and Waterbuck are all present in the park.

Day 3 – Lake Manyara:

After breakfast, we drive into Tanzania via the Namanga border. We also pass through Arusha to Lake Manyara National park with lunch en route. Regardless of the direction we approach Manyara from, the view is always fantastic. We stop for the night at the campsite.  

Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake that is part of the Rift Valley wall; the lake is at the base of this dramatic western escarpment giving it a beautiful and serene setting.  In addition to this peaceful setting, Lake Manyara’s main attractions are its rich bird life, tree climbing lions and its Hippos, which you can see at a closer range than many other places.  Lake Manyara also hosts thousands of flamingos at certain times of the year and has diverse vegetation ranging from Savannah, to marshes and acacia woodland, enabling a variety of wildlife habitats including butterflies.   

Day 4 & 5 - Serengeti

We enjoy a refreshing early morning game-drive in Lake Manyara National Park followed by breakfast in the cool morning air.  We then drive to the great Serengeti National Park game viewing and with a picnic lunch enroute.  Dinner and overnight stay at the Seronera Campsite.  The following day is spent leisurely viewing game.   

Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and Tanzania’s largest park covering 14,736 sq km and is adjoining with the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya.  With a wildebeest population of about 2 million and several other hoofed species (which include zebra, Thomson’s Gazelle, Impala, topi, Grants gazelle, Kongoni, Eland, Kirk’s Dik dik, Klipspringer, Roan, Oryx, Oribi, Waterbuck, Buffalo, Giraffe and Warthog), the Serengeti is sure to attract a string of prey such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, golden jackals and bat eared foxes.  Elephants are relatively scarce and the few remaining black rhinoceros are restricted to the Moru Koppies area.

Serengeti also offers rewarding bird viewing with Ostrich and Kori bustard being common, a variety of Larks, Finches, and Raptors can be seen but the most distinctive small bird is the lilac breasted roller. 

During March to May the herds move in search of grazing to the southern section and in May to June, they move towards the western corridor of the park.  Serengeti in the low season will still offer game viewing to match that of any park in Africa, and for some, the fact that there will be fewer tourists may be an added bonus.

Day 6 - Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge

After an early breakfast, we drive south to the magnificent Ngorongoro crater via the historical Olduvai Gorge whilst game watching only interrupted by a picnic lunch en route.  We stop and set camp at the Simba (Lion) Campsite.    

The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena.  It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals. 

The Olduvai Gorge cuts through rock beds layered in time sequence from 2 million years ago to the present. It is here where humanoid bones have been found dating back to over 1.75 million years including a direct ancestor of modern man.  Fossil footprints (over three million years old) have also been found here and are the most ancient footprints yet discovered.  There is an excellent site museum where you can explore the diggings with a guide and it is also a great place to view birds.

Day 7 - Tarangire

Morning crater tour and after lunch we proceed to the less congested wildlife paradise, Tarangire National Park.  Dinner and overnight stay at the campsite. 

Tarangire becomes most active during the dry season between July and November, when large herds of game attracted to the everlasting waters of the Tarangire River make this reserve every bit as appealing as the Serengeti.  Tarangire is more densely vegetated than the Serengeti, covered primarily in acacia and mixed woodland including baobab trees and supports similar large mammals to the Serengeti.  It is also home to a variety of bird species.

Day 8- Arusha

After breakfast we proceed on the early morning game drive followed by lunch at the campsite, before continuing to Arusha for dinner and overnight in a hotel of your choice at an extra cost.

Day 9 - Nairobi

We depart Arusha by DHL Shuttle for Nairobi. Arusha is a vibrant and bustling town as it is the gateway to Tanzania’s national parks and game reserves.