"The Ultimate Discoveries"
(11 Days)

Day 1               Arusha - Serengeti National Park

Transfer to the Arusha Airport early afternoon to catch the scheduled flight from Arusha to the Serengeti. Upon arrival you will be met at the airstrip by your guide and you’ll spend the remainder of the day on a game drive arriving at camp as the sun sets. When you arrive into camp, the fire will be lit and you’ll be able to enjoy a nice warm shower before settling down to a relaxing evening taking in the night sounds of the bush. Overnight at Ranger Safaris private mobile tented camp on a full board basis.

Ranger Safaris Private Tented Camp

To Ranger Safaris, mobile camping is a way of life. We strongly believe that everyone should experience this at least once in their life, for the excitement and tranquillity of sleeping in a large walk-in tent, miles from anywhere. There is nothing to compare to the joys of listening to an uninterrupted cacophony of beetles, crickets and birds or of watching hyena, elephant or wildebeest from the privacy of one’s tent. It’s all about appreciating nature, its romance and excitement.

The camp includes a full complement of staff, from ground crew who build and dismantle the camp, to waiters and chefs, who ensure it is run efficiently, that meals are delicious and drinks always cold. After every safari, guests ask us how, in the middle of the bush, such tasty meals are prepared… well, that’s the chef’s secret!

The team is an essential part of the experience. The camp is always set up in a spectacular location before guests arrive. Be it on the edge of a vlei, forest or river, it will be off the beaten track, ensuring total privacy at all times. The tents are heavy-duty canvas with ample space to walk through and relax. Once you’re inside, the tents are bug-proof, waterproof and extremely safe from all wildlife. One great feature of these tents is that all window and door covers can be rolled up to reveal large gauze openings that enhance the views.

The beds are solid and extremely comfortable, with a mattress, sheets, blankets and pillows. To the rear of each tent, is an en-suite bathroom, which includes a hot-water shower and a comfortable ‘bush’ toilet. To the front is a large covered verandah area with table and chairs.

Serengeti

In the local vernacular, Serengeti means ‘the endless plains that go up to the sky’. And they do just that. It is therefore easy to understand why this is the most popular and spectacular of all game parks in East Africa. Covering 14,765 sq km, one of the striking features of this park is the series of large granite outcrops that dominate the vast plains, making it very different to the Masai Mara. Life in the park centres on the triangular trek of several million hooves. This movement never stops, as the animals constantly seek out new grazing pastures.

Every year, after the south’s short November rains, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, eland, topi and hartebeest gather in their thousands on the Serengeti’s southern plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands. Then, around April, they head towards the western corridor of the Serengeti, where many overflow into the Masai Mara around July/August.

They remain here until late October/November, when Tanzania’s new rains prompt the move south again, towards Lake Ndutu and Lagaja. This yearly phenomenon also affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of other species, who rely on the migratory herds for their survival. These include predators, gazelles, birds and lowly insects, not to mention the grasses and trees that are fertilised by droppings. Another of the highlights here, is the early morning balloon safari.

Day 2               Serengeti

Morning, afternoon, or a full day trip with a picnic lunch. Overnight at Ranger Safaris private mobile tented camp on a full board basis.

Day 3               Serengeti – Rubondo Island

After breakfast you’ll depart the camp on a morning game drive with a picnic lunch. You’ll then connect with the flight to Lake Victoria’s Rubondo Island, where a guide will meet you and transfer you to camp. Alternatively, the walk to camp is much more fun as you wind through a forest that’s lapped by the lake! The activities at camp are very flexible and will depend entirely on you. So once you’ve settled in, perhaps depart on a boat for a scenic cruise around the inlets of this picturesque island. Overnight at Rubondo Island Camp on a full board basis.

Day 4 & 5            Rubondo Island

Morning and afternoon walking and boating activities. Overnight at Rubondo Island Camp on a full board basis.

Rubondo Island Camp

This island lies in the south-western part of Lake Victoria and comprises approximately 240 sq km. Although relatively small, Rubondo Island consists of a variety of habitats ranging from savannah and open woodland to papyrus swamps and dense evergreen forests. During the season of the short rains from December to March a profusion of ground and tree orchids, as well as gloriosa and fireball lilies put on a dazzling display. The red coral tree which flowers almost year-round is also a spectacular sight.

Visitors to the island are sure to see hippo, crocodile, otter, bushbuck, vervet monkey, and the omnipresent sitatunga, while wide spotted genet cat, marsh mongoose or the tiny suni are more difficult to spot. The lucky are rewarded with sightings of elephant, giraffe, colobus monkey or the shy chimpanzee. Accommodation may be double or twin-bedded tents, all with views of the lake and are simple, en suite spacious and comfortable. Fishing, walking and scenic boat rides are the popular activities here, though many just relax in camp as the birding’s excellent and surroundings tranquil.

Day 6    Rubondo Island - Serengeti

Following breakfast and perhaps a morning activity, you’ll fly back to the Serengeti where you’ll be met by a guide and transferred to camp. Following lunch and time to settle in, the remainder of the day will be spent on a game drive. Overnight at Grumeti River Camp on a full board basis. Day 7       Serengeti Morning, afternoon, or a full day trip with a picnic lunch. Overnight at Grumeti River Camp on a full board basis.

Day 8   Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 4 hours)

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro Crater, viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains and stopping off at Olduvai Gorge en route. The Gorge acquired its name from the Sansevieria bush that grows profusely in the area, named Olduvai by the Maasai. The Gorge is about 50km long and in some places around 90m deep and is found between the Crater and the Serengeti. It was first discovered by a German entomologist named Professor Kattwinkel, who instigated an expedition just before the First World War. Later, the exploration was continued by Dr Louis Leakey and his wife, who in 1959 found humanoid remains of Zinjanthropus, later renamed Australapithicus Boisei, an early form of man.

You will have time to walk through the simple small museum at the gorge, where you can view copy displays of some of the finds as well as pictures of what life was like for the gorge’s earliest inhabitants. After a picnic lunch, you’ll continue to the Crater for the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 9               Ngorongoro Crater

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart by 4x4 to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you’ll descend through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater for a full day of game viewing with a picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera and is also one of the World’s seven natural wonders. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct habitats, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience.

Late afternoon you leave the Crater and drive back to the lodge for the evening. Overnight at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 10    Ngorongoro Crater – Lake Manyara National Park (approximately 2 hours)

Heading south east towards the highlands and Karatu, the scenery gradually changes into wheat plains and coffee plantations. A little further you’ll continue down the escarpment and enter the park. From here you’ll be able to enjoy a game drive en route to the lodge. Following lunch and perhaps a siesta, there will be an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 11             Lake Manyara - Arusha (approximately 2 hours)

After breakfast and perhaps an early activity, you’ll depart towards the village of Makuyuni and onto Arusha. The journey will pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. Upon arrival into Arusha, you will be transferred for your onward arrangements.

African Safari Consultants
1042 Willow Creek Road # A101 - 240
Prescott, AZ 86301