Tanzania 101 – Culture, Kilimanjaro, Safari

Day 1: Arriva , Marangu – kilimanjaro.

We pick you up upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and bring you to Marangu-Kilimanjaro, located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro at 1800 meters.

Overnight: Marangu Hotel.

Meals: D

Drive time to Marangu- Kilimanjaro : 2.5 hours from Kilimanjaro Airport

Day 2: Kilimanjaro foothills

Today hike for several hours on mountain trails between 1400m and 2200m elevation. The route proceeds through colorful mountain villages, past coffee and maize farms and rivers where you can refresh in the cool and crystal-clear water. You may spot blue monkeys hanging in the trees overhead.  Your local Rocky Africa experience guide will share with you his knowledge of the mountain and village culture in which he grew up.  Enjoy a picnic lunch at a stunning view point from which you can admire the plains below.  In the afternoon return to the Marangu hotel for a well-deserved rest and delicious dinner.

Note: The walking can be strenuous on steep trails that can be slippery when wet.

Overnight: Marangu Hotel

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3: Waterfalls tours, Coffee tours & Village walking.

Today is a day for cultural, educational, or energetic activities! Go for a refreshing swim below the Moonjo River waterfall that sits on the property, take guided walks through the village, visit the local primary school, learn about the area flora, enjoy a coffee production demonstration, taste banana beer, or just sit on your veranda with a cup of freshly roasted coffee and enjoy the peaceful village scene!

Overnight: Marangu hotel.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park

Depart after an early breakfast for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park, a small gem nestled below the 1,000 foot western wall of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The soda lake for which the park is named appears tinted pink by its huge flocks of flamingoes.  Upon closer inspection, you will also find the lake bursting with hippos bobbing in the water or grazing at its edge. With your guide explore the park’s many environments, including a jungle-like forest of wild fig, palm, and tamarind trees, an acacia woodland, and a grassy flatland where baobab trees and elephants abound.  Keep a keen eye out for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions.  Picnic lunch in the park.

Migombani Camp is a family-run camp located nearby to Lake Manyara National Park. The campsite is beautifully-appointed with grassy grounds. The spacious tents are equipped with comfortable beds and shared bathrooms.

Overnight: Migombani Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Drive time from Marangu Hotel to Lake Manyara: 4 hours

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a day game drive in its famed Crater. The descent into the crater, 2,500 feet below the rim, is an unforgettable experience. Ngorongoro is the best location for viewing the rare black rhino and to observe huge old bull elephants who come here to “retire.” Picnic lunch in the crater.

At the end of the day, drive back to camp to rest.

Overnight: Migombani Camp

Meals: B,L,D

Drive time to Ngorongoro Crater rim: 30/45 minutes

Day 6: Tarangire National Park / Arusha

Your next destination is picturesque Tarangire National Park, known for its magnificent baobab trees. This 2,600 square kilometer gem is often overlooked on the standard tourist routes but is known for its wild landscapes, resident elephants, large prides of lion, leopards, the rare fringe-eared oryx, excellent year-round bird watching, and the last remaining pack of wild dogs in northern Tanzania. During the dry season Tarangire can rival the Serengeti for its density of zebra, wildebeest, and other ungulate herds.

Enjoy game-viewing before a picnic lunch at your lodge and then a longer afternoon game drive.

Return back to Arusha Town to see this bustling commercial center of northern Tanzania and shop before transferring to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your late flight home.

Meals: B,L

Drive time to Arusha: 3 hours

INCLUSIONS

• Private safari for your group.
• All activities, meals, accommodations, and transfers as indicated.
• Services of a professional English-speaking guide trained in East African wildlife and ecology.
• Park fees and unlimited mileage on game drives in fully-equipped 4WD safari vehicle with pop-top.
• Purified drinking water in vehicle

EXCLUSIONS

Cold beverages and alcohol; activities on safari and at lodges that require additional charges; gratuities to trip leaders, guides, drivers, crew, or other staff; international airfare; airport departure taxes; additional accommodations made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expenses such as immunizations, travel insurance, passports, and visas; and any expenses of a personal nature, such as souvenirs and laundry.

DISCLAIMER

Accommodations listed in sample Top Itineraries or in custom draft itineraries Rocky Africa Experience creates may not be available on requested dates, in which case we will find a suitable substitute, striving to match the standard of the original.  We reserve the right to adjust the trip price if accommodations change.  Trip prices are based on Rocky Africa Experience costs, fees, and supplier prices in effect at the time of booking. Rocky Africa Experience reserves the right to alter trip prices should inflation, cost of fuel, labor, materials, or exchange rates change. If the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) raises park fees, or any hotel, lodge, camp, airline, or any other service provider raises their rates, Rocky Africa Experience reserves the right to require additional payment from the client.