TOUR TANZANIA - OVERLAND; 14 DAYS SAFARI.

The Crater Highlands walk is designed to give an introduction into a real Tanzania life away from the main stream tourist routes, the areas are truly wild and views outstanding. Ngorongoro Crater a great introduction into some of the wildlife found in Tanzania and the famous plains of Serengeti - not to be missed. Using the Semi luxury camp set up gives you the advantage of sleeping on the special camps inside the parks - a private spot in the bush often visited by wildlife, especially in the night. The Adventure day to day. Legend: O/N - Overnight, H/B - Half Board, F/B - Full Board

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
Meet and greet by your VAS driver guide and transfer to Karama Lodge located just outside Arusha town. O/N Karama Lodge - B/B

Day 2: Leisurely breakfast at the lodge then departure towards Maji Moto Crystal water springs - Enjoy swimming in the pools - relaxation. Hot lunch prepared by your safari chef. O/N Maji Moto -Semi Luxury Camp Set Up - F/B

Day 3: Together with a local guide head off on a nature trail following the meandering river - great bird watching opportunities - return to the Maji moto for swimming and hot lunch before departing towards Eselelei Maasai Community. O/N Eselelei - Semi Lux Camp Set Up - F/B

Day 4: Introduction into the Masai way of life with a morning boma visit.
Return to the camp by foot following a dry Korongo (river bed) - your chef has prepared lunch. Later in the afternoon head out on a maasai medicine walk. Learn about the different root & plant extracts still being used by the maasai. Head to camp for relaxation - early evening Masai dancing and songs followed by traditional goat BBQ around the fire. O/N Eselelei Camp -Semi Lux Camp Set Up - F/B

Day 5: In the morning leave the maasai community behind and head towards Lake Manyara NP for game drives. Picnic lunch in the park followed by game drives till late afternoon. Then leave the park and head towards Karatu. O/N Karatu Camp - Semi Lux Camp Set Up - F/B

Day 6: Early morning departure to Nainokanoka village.
Meet your ranger who will accompany you throughout the highlands trek - head up to Olmoti Crater - pass by several Masai bomas, enjoy the views from the crater rim over the bul bul depression and Nainokanoka village below. Return to the camp for full breakfast. Then board your safari vehicle and cut across the bul bul depression towards Bulati masai village. Continue by foot through to the rim of Empakai crater. Relax on the crater rim soaking in the views around you. O/N Empakai Campsite - Semi Lux Camp Set Up - F/B

Day 7: After breakfast drop down into the Empakai crater to view the lesser East African flamingoes that congregate along the forshore - return to the camp for brunch. Then cross the crater highlands to Naiyobi Village a well populated Masai settlement in the heart of the highlands - get a better understanding of masai culture. Afternoon exploration of the area. O/N Naiyobi Village -Eco lightweight Camping - F/B

Day 8: After breakfast head through open plains down into yellow Acacia Forest crosses rivers before continuing out of the NCA through to Acacia masai camp. O/N Acacia forest campsite -Eco lightweight Camping - F/B

Day 9: Descend down the Rift Valley escarpment to Oldoinyo Lengai, an active volcano and the home of the Masai God - here you will leave the donkey train and Masai escort you to board the safari vehicle and transfer through to the lush natural gardens at the Lake Natron camp. Relaxing afternoon/evening, dinner and overnight. O/N Lake Natron Permanent Tented Camp - F/B

Day 10: Breakfast, then head down to the lake shores by 4×4 vehicle - enjoy walks out on the mud flats around the shores of Lake Natron, viewing the Lesser East African flamingo. Together with a local guide make your way to the waterfalls - relaxation and swimming before returning to your camp. O/N Lake Natron Permanent Tented Camp - F/B

Day 11: Morning departure from Lake Natron - head via Loliondo village towards Klein's Gate where you enter Serengeti NP. Game drive en route to your special campsite where a camp will be set up already. Sundowners at the camp - your private spot in the middle of Serengeti. O/N Serengeti Special Camp - Semi Lux Camp - F/B

Day 12: Dawn game drive of the Serengeti.
Return to the camp for breakfast. Plan your game drives with your driver - relax at camp or head out on full day game drives to your own design. O/N Serengeti Special Camp - Semi Lux Camp - F/B

Day 13: After breakfast leave the Serengeti plains behind you - drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as you head towards Ngorongoro Crater. Stop at Olduvai gorge to visit the cradle of mankind where the Leakey's discovered findings of early Hominids along with many fossils and stone artifacts. Continue towards your Ngorongoro Special Camp. O/N Ngorongoro Special Camp - Semi Lux Camp - F/B

Day 14: Early morning descend in the crater for game drives.
There are 25,000 large mammals residing in the park, elephants are mainly bulls, females stay out of the park due to the largest predator population in Africa. Black Rhino also make there home on the grassy plains, there numbers make up for almost half which can be found in East Africa about 20 in total. Mid afternoon begin the climb out of the crater and drive back to Arusha. O/N Karama Lodge - H/B