Day 1    Arusha - Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 4 hours)

Heading south from Arusha towards Tarangire, you pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni you turn north west and continue the journey up through a scenic Rift Valley escarpment before heading towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. En route, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations of the highlands before journeying into the Ngorongoro forests and on to your lodge, perched over the edge of the Crater. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a half board basis. 

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 areas, 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 Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

After breakfast you depart for the Serengeti, travelling around the Crater rim you stop 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. From here, continue through the conservation area into the Serengeti.

After lunch at the lodge and time to relax, you’ll depart for an afternoon game drive, returning late afternoon. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 4         Serengeti National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

After breakfast you depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara beyond. During the first part of the journey you’ll be on a game drive in the vast Serengeti plains, spotting game all the way to the border of the park – and probably beyond! From here, the journey takes you eastwards, across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands, filled with wheat and coffee, before arriving at your lodge overlooking the distant Lake Manyara. After lunch, the remainder of the afternoon will be on a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge on a full board basis.  

Depart after breakfast and head east, down the fascinating escarpment of the Rift Valley to Arusha. The journey will pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. After lunch overlooking the shores of Lake Duluti, the afternoon will be spent on a guided walk around the waters of Lake Duluti and the coffee farm. Overnight at Serena Mountain Village on a full board basis. 

Day 7       Arusha – Ruaha National Park

This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast before being transferred to the airport for the flight to Ruaha National Park. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you’ll be met by a guide from the camp and depart on your first game drive, arriving at camp in time for lunch. The following three days will be filled with morning and afternoon game drives and walking safaris. Overnight at Ruaha River Lodge on a full board basis plus activities. 

Day 8           Ruaha National Park

Morning and afternoon game activities and walking safaris. Overnight at Ruaha River Lodge on a full board basis plus activities.

Day 9          Ruaha National Park

Morning and afternoon game activities and walking safaris. Overnight at Ruaha River Lodge on a full board basis plus activities.

This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast before a morning game drive, departing with a picnic lunch to be enjoyed before connecting with the flight to the Selous. Upon arrival at the Selous airstrip, you’ll be met by a guide from camp and transfer to camp with a game drive en route. You’ll probably arrive into camp late afternoon/early evening. The following three days will be filled with morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris and boat trips on the Rufiji River and its picturesque lagoons. Overnight at Rufiji River Camp on a full board basis plus activities.

Day 11         Selous Game Reserve

Morning and afternoon game activities, walking safaris and boat trips. Overnight at Rufiji River Camp on a full board basis plus activities. 

Day 12          Selous Game Reserve

Morning and afternoon game activities. Overnight at Rufiji River Camp on a full board basis plus activities.