Day 1: Landing in Tanzania

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. After that, you will be transferred to the Mrimba Palm Hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations. Because the adventure begins early in the morning, you will have plenty of time to go over your itinerary.

Day 2 of the challenge
Tarangire National Park is located in Tanzania.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Tarangire National Park, where you will be accompanied by your guide. The national park was established in 1970 on the site of a former colonial hunting ground. He has a very diverse animal world, which is not surprising given the size of his territory, which is roughly equivalent to the size of Luxembourg. In addition to having one of the largest elephant populations in the north of Tanzania, the park is also home to a diverse population of other wild animals. It’s possible to see lions, cheetahs, and leopards if you’re lucky. The park’s landscape contains a great deal of variety. Particularly impressive are the massive baobab trees, which are clustered together in the north-eastern sector of the park and are particularly large in circumference. An extensive game drive concludes with a stay at Eileen’s Tree Inn the following night.

The third day has arrived.
Lake Manyara National Park is located in Tanzania.

After breakfast, we will travel to Lake Manyara National Park to see the wildlife. The park is dominated by the lake of the same name, which is home to large colonies of waterbirds and serves as its focal point. The pink-colored flamingos are particularly impressive, but many other bird species, such as cormorants, pelicans, and storks, can also be seen in this area. There are approximately 400 different bird species that live in the park. Additionally, the park is well-known for its tree climbing lions, which can usually be found in the central and open areas of the park.. Among the animals you will see on the safari are elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and a variety of other creatures. You will leave the national park in the late afternoon and spend the night at Eileen’s Tree Inn, which is located within the park.

Day 4 of the countdown

Lake Natron is a body of water in the United States.

Following breakfast, you will be traveling to Lake Natron. After passing through Mto wa Mbu, the asphalted road ends and the drive continues along the East African Rift Valley on a series of adventurous slopes. The drive takes you past Maasai villages and the Ol Doinyo Lengai, which is considered to be the holiest mountain in the Maasai tradition. Once the Maasai village of Ngare Sero comes into view, it is not far until you arrive at the lake. The outlet lake, Lake Natron, is home to a diverse range of birds, including approximately 2.5 million dwarf flamingos, who use the lake as a regular breeding ground. The lake is also home to a large number of other species of birds. In addition to being highly saline, the water is also the source of life for unicellular algae and bacteria, which are responsible for the lake’s planar reddish-brown to purple-violet coloring. The area surrounding Lake Natron is one of Africa’s most beautiful and unspoiled regions, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A hike will take you to the lake, after which you will visit the nearby waterfalls, which are a true oasis with crystal-clear waters in which to swim. You’ll spend the night at the Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge on the shores of Lake Natron.

Day 5 of the countdown

Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania.

After an early breakfast, you’ll set out for the Serengeti National Park. The Rift Valley climbs up into the Serengeti’s vast plains, traversing treacherous slopes on its way. It is the nucleus of a vast ecosystem with a diverse animal population that is unparalleled anywhere else on the planet. The rainy seasons bring a large number of animals to the three mentioned conservation areas, including over 1.4 million gnus, nearly 300,000 Thomson’s gazelles, approximately 200,000 zebras, and several thousand topi, who migrate to the areas with the greener and lusher meadows. The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is home to approximately 3 million large mammals, making it the world’s most diverse wildlife sanctuary. The above-mentioned animal species account for approximately two-thirds of the park’s total animal population; however, the park is also home to numerous other animal species, including giraffe, buffalo, hyena, elephant, and crocodile. According to estimates, the population of feline predators is particularly large, with approximately 3000 lions, 300 cheetahs, and an estimated 400–700 leopards using this area as a hunting ground.

Day 6 of the countdown
Serengeti National Park is located in Tanzania.

The Serengeti National Park is closed for the entire day, so you can go game viewing. The areas that you visit will be determined by the location of the migrating herds. Predators such as lions, leopards (who prefer to hide in the acacia trees), and cheetahs are often seen following closely behind the trekking animals. It is during the brief rainy season of November and December that these herds migrate from their natural habitat in the hills in the north to the plains in the south. They migrate up north during the longer rainy season, which lasts from April to June. Because the migration is entirely dependent on the amount of rainfall received each year, the location of the herds may vary from year to year. However, your guide will know where to find the animals and where to see them at their most spectacular. Tukaone Serengeti Camp is where you will be spending the night.

7th day of the week
Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

You will have the opportunity to see more wildlife on your way out to the park gate, and you will leave the Serengeti National Park in the early afternoon to continue your journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The giant caldera below you will be visible as soon as you reach the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, which is a breathtaking sight to behold. Once you have completed your tour of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you will travel to the Ngorongoro Highlands for the night. The Octagon Lodge will be your home for the night.

Day 8 of the countdown
The Ngorongoro Crater is located in Tanzania.

Come on, let your light shine brightly! After breakfast in the early morning hours, you return to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before continuing your journey down into the crater. It is home to more than 25,000 mammals, including the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) – as well as rare wild dogs and some of the area’s more than 500 bird species. The massive collapsed volcano is also home to the Big Five, as well as spotted hyenas and rare wild dogs. An extensive game drive will be followed by a picnic lunch, and you will depart the caldera in the late afternoon to travel to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

9th day of the week
Experience the Maasai way of life in a traditional village setting.

Following breakfast, you will travel to Mto wa Mbu. You will have the opportunity to learn about the Maasai way of life, their culture, and their traditions, as well as visit their bomas (groupings of huts of an extended family). Arriving in the village, you can expect to be greeted in the traditional manner: with lots of singing and dancing, with everyone encouraged to participate! Following that, participants will have the opportunity to learn about some traditional practices such as fire-making and beadwork. The opportunity to meet and speak with villagers in their homes is also possible; questions are always welcome, and your guide will gladly provide interpretation if necessary. In addition, you will have the opportunity to purchase handmade leather and beadwork from the local villagers during your visit. Following the conclusion of your time in the village, you will return to Arusha/JRO.