Arusha – Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania offers some of Africa’s finest game viewing. This gap year safari visits three of the major National Parks for an exciting cocktail of wildlife experiences. The vast open plains of Serengeti are home to the big cats — cheetah, leopard, lion; plus vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and other small plains game. Ngorongoro crater is an expansive natural wonder, watch out for the rare black rhino and see the hippos splashing playfully in pools. Lake Manyara affords much chance to see large tusked elephant and maybe even a tree climbing lion. Camping gives you an added feeling of being close to nature — closer sometimes than you might expect! All the perfect ingredients for a gap year adventure in the wild!

Is this journey right for me?

There are some long drives and some roads are rough but when you sight your first wildlife it’s all worthwhile. A must do trip for any visitor to Africa, completing the trip to make for a perfect career break.

When can I go?

Other dates may be available on request please ask us.

Where do I join and end the journey?

This career break journey starts and ends in Arusha.

What’s Included?

• Accommodation: You will camp in two man tents.
• Travel: You walk with your own day sack – porters carry your main luggage and camp provisions.
• Food: A cook travels with you and prepares three good meals a day for you.
  Energy snacks and safe drinking water are also provided. Bring your own water bottle.

What’s Extra?

• International Flights
• Entry Visas
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses

The itinerary

Day 1 - Lake Manyara

Drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park. This is a great opportunity to see its marvelous concentration of game, including 350 species of birds, not to mention the glistening soda lake itself where you’ll catch glimpses of grazing pink flamingoes. Watch out for elephants with large tusks that roam here and maybe even spot a tree climbing lion.

Overnight: Camp just outside Lake Manyara NP

Day 2 - Serengeti National Park

Drive to the Serengeti National Park. Enroute visit Olduvai Gorge, made famous by the anthropological Leakey family this is where the origins of man are said to have emerged. The Serengeti is the largest of the parks in Tanzania, famous for both its migratory and resident animal population. Big cats; lion, leopard and cheetah can be sighted – plus huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and other plains game.

Overnight: Camp in the Serengeti

Day 3 - Serengeti National Park

Today you spend a full day in the Serengeti National Park. You will be treated to a vast array of wildlife. Take in the vast sweeping panoramas of the African savannah, dotted with lush rocky outcrops (known as kopjes) where lion often love to bask in the sunshine.

Overnight: Camp in the Serengeti

Day 4 - Ngorongoro Crater

Take a morning game drive in the Serengeti. In the afternoon you will drive to the lush Ngorongoro Conservation Area and around the rim of the Crater to your camp to behold the spectacular view.

Overnight: Camp overlooking crater.

Day 5 - Arusha

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a crater tour. This 100 square mile natural amphitheatre is host to an astonishing array of wildlife and you may see everything from elephant to lion, and if you’re lucky, the near-extinct black rhino, all amongst large herds of zebra and wildebeest. A picnic lunch will be taken in the crater. This afternoon you drive back to Arusha via the craft markets of Mto Wa Mbu.

Tour ends in Arusha.

Project photos