Tanzania safari – Manyara and Ngorongoro
This is a three or four day itinerary and gives an excellent Tanzania
safari for those with a little time, perhaps after climbing Kilimanjaro.
The safari is totally flexible and can be changed to fit your timetable
and interests.
Manayara and Ngorongoro Itinerary
For prices for this tour see our Tanzania
safari prices & itineraries index
Day 1
You will be picked up from your hotel early. The drive to Ngorongoro
is rough and dusty, but there is much of interest on the way. The
first hour or so is pleasant, on a surfaced road. You quickly leave
the coffee plantations and then across a very dry area with views
of the mountains. The scarp slope of the Great Rift Valley to your
right becomes clearer as you drive south.
At Makuyuni the road divides, and you may stop for fuel and to
be accosted by ancient Masai women selling crafts. For the next
hour the road is dusty and you will arrive at Mto Wa Mbu, where
you can stop to buy from a wide range of crafts. The road climbs
steeply up the scarp face out of the Rift Valley and you will see
Lake Manyara below to your left.
The road is extremely rough through Karatu, a village entirely
covered in red dust, but improves as you climb through the forest
towards the Ngorongoro crater. You will get a first amazing glimpse
into the crater where the road reaches the rim and then continue
to the Lodge situated right on the rim, with views right across
the crater.
Day 2
Today's safari game drive will last most of the day, because
of the time needed to get down into the crater. The road down is
further round the rim and takes you into the northern part of the
crater. As you descend, you will begin to appreciate the vast scale
of the crater and later you will see the surprising variety of habitats
within it.
The number of animals in the crater is far fewer than in Serengeti,
but the concentration is greater. All animals are there, excepting
giraffe and you should also see rhinos. The beauty of the crater
certainly enhances the game viewing.
The road out of the crater is exciting and takes you directly up
to the Lodge. From here it is about an hour to Lake Manyara.
Day 3
Before breakfast, transport will arrive for the drive into Lake
Manyara National Park. From the hotel, you will drive back down
the hill and into the park. The forested area is dry and scrubby
and you should see lion, elephant and monkeys. The lake is home
to a great variety of birds, including pink flamingos. The most
popular spot is the hippo pools, where you will also see many giraffe
and zebra.
You will leave at lunch time for the return drive to Arusha.
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