THE ESSENCE TOUR ITINERARY

Depart early in the morning to cross the Great Rift Valley to Lake Manyara National Park, where you will take the day safari. (Approximate transfer time Arusha•Manyara: 2 hrs 30 mins) Lake Manyara is one of the smallest parks in Tanzania (330 square kilometers), but it has much to offer. The lake and the surrounding area constitute an ecosystem renowned for its wealth of plant and animal species. The vegetation is very diverse, with areas of evergreen forests, stretches of savanna, swamps and hot springs (Maji Moto). Wildlife includes numerous elephants, baboons, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, hippos, large flocks of pink flamingos and other species. The park is also home to leopards, hyenas and the famous Manyara lions, which have, in this area, a habit of climbing trees. At the end of the game drive transfer to Lodge/Tented Camp for dinner and overnight stay in Karatu. (Approximate transfer time Manyara•Karatu: 1 hr)

Early in the morning, immediately after breakfast, you will begin the game drive leaving the Serengeti to reach the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, declared a WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY (UNESCO 1978) AND INTERNATIONAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE (1981). (Approximate transfer time Serengeti•Ngorongoro Conservation Area: 2 hrs 30 mins) The area has become a true ecosystem, thanks to good rainfall, ponds, small inland lakes and streams, and night fog that surrounds and feeds the forests on the slopes of its famous crater. The safari will continue by descending to the bottom of the caldera for an entire afternoon dedicated to discovering one of the most beautiful places on Earth, where nature is sovereign and "unchanged by time." The 264-square-kilometer caldera has the highest concentration of wildlife on the continent. It is one of the very rare places where black rhino can be encountered. In the late afternoon, we will drive up the crater to leave the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with transfer to Lodge/Tented Camp for dinner and overnight stay in Karatu. (Approximate transfer time Ngorongoro Crater•Karatu: 1 hr 30 mins)

Later in the day you will return to Arusha/Kilimanjaro to catch your return flight.
Along the way you will have the opportunity to indulge in shopping for gifts and souvenirs in the quaint local stores and bazaars.

(Approximate transfer time Karatu•Arusha: 2 hrs 30 mins • Karatu•Kilimanjaro Airport: 3 hrs 30 mins)
However, we are flexible and available in case of special needs, such as early flight or other.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE THIS SAFARI WITH AN EXTENDED SEA STAY IN ZANZIBAR.