7-Days Tanzania Adventure Safari with Lake Natron
Lake Manyara National park - Lake Natron - Serengeti Nationalpark - Ngorongoro Crater
Highlights
An safari adventure through pristine regions of northern Tanzania awaits you! Experience the beautiful national parks of Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater on our safari.
An incredible abundance of countless wild animals in a dreamlike setting!
A highlight of this safari is the drive through the wild volcanic landscape in the Ngorongoro Highlands to Lake Natron.
The endless starry sky of African nights becomes an unforgettable experience in the midst of magnificent natural paradises with a crackling campfire and the sounds of the wilderness.
Optional: Serengeti balloon safari
ITINERARY
Karibu sana! Warmly welcome in Tanzania!
Your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning. After your briefing you start to the first destination of the safari. It’s the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park. Nestled in one of the most spectacular landscapes in northern Tanzania, this park lies at the foot of the East African Rift Valley. With its lush groundwater forests, open grasslands and pristine lake shores, the park is a scenic gem. Two thirds of the park is taken up by the alkaline lake, which is populated by tens of thousands of flamingos during the rainy season. A remarkable abundance of animals can be found here in a very small area. Large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra gather on these green plains. The wide-spreading branches of the acacia trees are the preferred habitat of the legendary tree lions. Elephants, giraffes, hippos and numerous antelope species can also be spotted. Lake Manyara is also a bird paradise – over 400 species are represented here.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals: 1x packed lunch, 1x dinner
Today you travel on a rather adventurous track along the Rift Valley to your next destination, Lake Natron. This sandy track takes you through an impressive, wild volcanic landscape and is still one of the insider tips in northern Tanzania. You drive past small Maasai villages and from a distance you can already see the striking mountains of the Rift Valley, such as Mount Gelai and Ol Doinyo Lengai. We reach Lake Natron and the sight of the lake with its thousands of flamingos is fascinating.
Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch, 1x dinner
You spend this day exploring Lake Natron.
Lake Natron lies at the lowest point of the Great African Rift Valley at an altitude of 600 m above sea level. The lake is fed by natural springs from the surrounding volcanoes and is rich in a mixture of salts and minerals. These minerals come to the surface when the water level drops in the dry season and form a purple crust on the surface of the lake. Salt-loving microorganisms thrive here, giving the lake its deep red color. The warm water can reach temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius and is highly alkaline. From June to November, over 2 million lesser flamingos gather at the lake to breed. The flamingos nest on the small salt islands that form in the dry season and feed on the algae that grow in the salt water.
Enjoy a walk to the lake to watch the flamingos. The adorable lesser flamingos feed on the algae of soda lakes throughout East Africa, but breed almost exclusively at Lake Natron. Around 75% of the world’s population of Lesser Flamingos are born at Lake Natron. The best time to see these beautiful birds is either at sunrise or sunset, when it is not so hot and the light is particularly beautiful. The area surrounding the lake consists of small streams, ponds and hills, providing a variety of habitats for the birds that thrive in this alkaline oasis. Natron is home to well over 250 bird species, most of which can be observed from the camp or after a short walk.
Refresh yourself in one of the natural water pools near the camp, which are fed by natural springs and provide a welcome cool down in the heat of the day.
You will also go on a hike to the hominid footprints in the concession area. Recent research has confirmed that these well-preserved human footprints are 120.000 years old, making them the oldest Homo sapiens footprints ever found. Nowhere else in Africa are there so many Homo sapiens footprints, making this site a treasure trove for scientists trying to tell the story of mankind’s earliest days. End the day with a drink at sunset.
Accommodation: Tented Camp/Lodge
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch, 1x dinner
Today starts very early, as you have a long drive ahead of you. This leads via the remote northern route through Maasailand into the Serengeti. On the way you will have wonderful views of the Rift Valley. The road is often bumpy and dusty, but there are now also well-maintained sections. At Klein’s Gate you enter the Serengeti Conservation Area. This world-famous nature reserve of superlatives is an animal lover’s dream. Covering an area of almost 15.000 square kilometers, the Serengeti is dominated by wide open plains with an abundance of game. During the drive into the heart of the Serengeti, you can already observe many wild animals en route. Finally, you will reach your tented camp in the middle of the Serengeti. After a long day of driving, enjoy a delicious meal and round off the evening around the campfire.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch, 1x dinner
Today you go on a full-day game drive in the Serengeti. Undoubtedly the most famous nature reserve on earth, it offers unparalleled natural beauty and an astounding variety of wildlife. The Serengeti is home to the largest wild concentration of ungulates in Africa such as wildebeest, antelope, buffalo and zebra, which are regularly spotted in the vast plains of the Serengeti. Lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas are also ever-present and regularly patrol the open savannah. The African wild dogs, which hunt in packs, are a special feature. A safari in the Serengeti is one of the most untamed wilderness experiences in Africa. The Serengeti has become famous for the “Great Migration”, the seasonal migration of the animal herds – the largest animal show on earth! In search of water and grazing land, millions of wildebeest, zebra and various gazelles cross the entire Serengeti from the south northwards to the Masai Mara in Kenya and back again in a seasonal cycle. The herds instinctively follow the rain and are on a never-ending journey. At the end of the day, enjoy a good meal at camp and listen to the sounds of the wilderness.
Accommodation: Tented Camp
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch, 1x dinner
After breakfast, you will go on another game drive in the Serengeti. Then it’s off to the next highlight of your Tanzania safari: the Ngorongoro Crater. Optionally, you can visit the Olduvai Gorge on the way, which is famous for the discovery of ancient fossils and is also known as the cradle of mankind. The Ngorongoro Crater and the surrounding highlands are among the most beautiful regions in Tanzania. The volcanic craters form a breathtaking backdrop to some of the most fertile and richest grazing areas in Africa. The most famous crater is undoubtedly Ngorongoro, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and home to the highest density of big game in Africa. Enjoy the magnificent view from the crater rim (2.286 m). Overnight stay in a lodge near the crater rim.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch, 1x dinner
Early in the morning we set off for the famous Ngorongoro Crater. The enormous caldera of the Ngorongoro is a wonder of the world. In fact, there is hardly a comparable place on earth in terms of biodiversity and head count. During a safari, practically all the important African animals can be spotted here in just a few hours. Their habituation to vehicles is so high that there are literally close encounters here and you can witness hunting scenes. From the crater rim, a steep dirt road leads down to the crater floor 600 meters below, which is home to around 25.000 mammals: buffalo, wildebeest and zebra predominate, but also a variety of antelopes such as Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles as well as the mighty eland graze in the open grassland. The highest density of predators in Africa can also be found here and this is a preferred hunting ground for lions, spotted hyenas and leopards. The crater is also home to elephants and hippos as well as the endangered black rhino.
After the crater tour, you leave the crater again via a steep slope up to the crater rim and enjoy the panorama once more. Return to Arusha/Moshi. The safari ends here in the afternoon.
Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x packed lunch
PRICE INCLUSION
- Safari according to program
- Experienced English-speaking safari guide – German speaking safari guide bookable at extra cost (limited availability)
- Transportation in special 4×4 safari four-wheel drive vehicle with retractable roof
- Entrance fees to Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks
- Ngorongoro Crater entrance and national park fees
- Game drives in all national parks
- Concession fees
- All Meals according to program/Lunch is provided en route in the form of a picnic with lunch boxes.
- 1 bottle (1.5 liters) of mineral water per person/day
PRICE EXCLUSION
- Beverages
- Optional excursions and activities
- Personal expenses, tips
- Travel Insurance
Individual safari - according to your wishes
We will be happy to plan an individual safari through the national parks of Tanzania tailored to your wishes and requirements. On the road with our experienced and competent safari guides in a comfortable safari off-road vehicle, you will experience the natural beauty of Tanzania. Travel duration, itinerary and accommodation can be chosen according to your preferences.
We offer all safaris in different accommodation categories: From classic camping in tents to cozy living tents with beds and bush showers to exclusive and luxurious lodges, we offer you the whole range of accommodation options.
Benefit from our expert knowledge when planning your safari!