NAIROBI / ARUSHA/ LAKE MANYARA

On arrival in Nairobi connect with your flight to Arusha. Meeting assistance on arrival and transfers to Lake Manyara National Park, a Mecca for seekers of wildlife. Along its western border lie the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and its eastern border runs along the shores of Lake Manyara. Within this long and narrow corridor are dense concentrations of wildlife inhabiting a lovely and diverse landscape, which ranges from forest of tamarind, mahogany, and fig in the north to the wide open grasslands of the park center? Elephant, giraffe, lion, buffalo, and zebra are all to be found here, in addition to many other game and bird species. Rest of the day is at leisure. GIBBS FARM, LD

LAKE MANYARA/NGORONGORO CRATER

After a morning game drive, you will ascend through the highlands to the very rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater is a microcosm of the East African scenery and game. Famous around the globe as an echo of Eden, it is a 12-mile wide volcanic crater, ringed with towering walls and sheltering forests,grasslands, fresh springs, a large lake, and a dazzling abundance of animals of all sorts. The sunken cone of the extinct volcano serves as a natural cradle for the wildlife, which remains in the vicinity year-round. The view from the lodge, located atop the crater rim, is magnificent. NGORONGORO SOPA LODGE BLD

NGORONGORO CRATER GAME VIEWING

Descending nearly 2,000 feet to the crater floor of this World Heritage Site, you will discover the open grassy plains home to swarms of exotic animals, including the 'big five.' One of the most spectacular game-viewing areas in the African wild, the Ngorongoro is often dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World! There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater itself, mostly Zebra, wildebeest, leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, and eland. This is undoubtedly the best place to see the black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colorful flamingoes and a variety of other water birds around the Soda Lake on the crater floor. Afternoon is at leisure to explore the town or for optional game drive. BLD

NGORONGORO/OLDUVAI GORGE/SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Travel 30 miles west towards Serengeti to the Olduvai Gorge, site of many archeological discoveries including the estimated 1.7 million-year-old Zinjanthropus boiset fossil by Mary and Louis Leakey. Some of the discoveries are displayed in the museum overlooking the gorge. Continue to the Serengeti National Park, the finest game park in all of Africa. In the Maasai language Serengeti means "endless plain," and the 5700 sq. miles of parkland in Northern Tanzania do indeed seem infinite. Upon these grasslands roam more game animals than anywhere in the world. There are over a million wildebeest alone. SERENGETI SOPA LODGE BLD

SERENGETI GAME VIEWING

Virtually every game species in Africa can be found here, but it is most famous for its vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope, as well as "the Serengeti Lions". Marvel at the stunning landscapes and wide variety of environments found in the Serengeti. Spend your morning along the river searching for leopard hiding in the branches of trees and the afternoon out on the plains, among the vast herds of migratory animals. Explore the rocky kopjes, to spot lion or cheetah resting in the shade or preparing for the evening hunt. BLD
OPTIONAL : A fabulous balloon safari over the Serengeti is also available.

SERENGETI / TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Following breakfast, depart to Tarangire National Park symbolized by the Baobab trees, growing in the open acacia woodlands. Centered around the Tarangire River, the park is home to large herds of antelope including: eland, lesser kudu, Kongoni, impala, Zebra, gazelles, buffalo, wildebeest, leopard, elephant, rhino and other smaller mammals. Late afternoon game viewing & bird watching tour. TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE BLD

TARANGIRE / ARUSHA / NAIROBI / DEPART AFRICA

This morning's pre-breakfast game drive is your final opportunity to see the game in Tanzania's most famous park. Late morning you will travel to Arusha and connect with flight to Nairobi. Time permitting take a walking tour of the local vegetable market or treasure hunting for Maasai handicrafts. Board your late evening flight back home.

ARRIVE HOME

Arrive home today. Remember you may leave Africa but Africa will never leave you. It lives in your memory and the knowledge gained through your sojourn of the Tanzania Safari. (Or take an extension to Kenya, Zanzibar etc.)