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Serengeti National Park

Tanzania’s oldest and most popular national park, also a world heritage site and recently proclaimed a 7th world wide wonder, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration. Some six million hooves pound the open plains, each one driven by the same ancient rhythm, fulfilling its instinctive role in the inescapable cycle of life, and more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language, Maa; specifically, “Serengit” meaning “Endless Plains”.

The Serengeti hosts the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, which helps secure it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world.

Activities

Serengeti Balloon Safaris – Central Serengeti/ Western Corridor

A popular addition to your stay in the Serengeti National Park is a balloon safari, a lifetime experience not to be missed. Launching at dawn, your balloon rises as the sun rises. Floating gently over the plains and wildlife of the Serengeti National Park, the flight is for about one hour. After landing, enjoy a traditional champagne celebration and an Out of Africa breakfast prepared and served in the bush. Return transfer to Seronera arriving at 09.30 hrs ready to continue with the days planned activities. This adventure is available to visitors staying at any central or western Serengeti lodge or camp.

Service: Daily. Launch at dawn (06.30 am), return approx. 09.30 am

Adventures aloft – Balloon Safari in Serengeti

For the ultimate safari experience with two superb locations in the Serengeti – Adventure Aloft floats you above to enjoy the magic of the Serengeti, the predators capital of the world and home of the famous migration.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 180 km (110 mi) west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area, is recognized by one private organization as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. Land in the conservation area is multi-use and unique because it is the only conservation area in Tanzania that protects wildlife while allowing human habitation. Land use is controlled to prevent negative effects on the wildlife population.

The main feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority is the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. The crater, which formed when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself two to three million years ago, is 610 meters (2,000 feet) deep and its floor covers 260 square kilometres (100 square miles). Estimates of the height of the original volcano range from 4,500 to 5,800 meters (14,800 to 19,000 feet) high. The elevation of the crater floor is 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) above sea level.

Activities

Ngorongoro Nature Walk Empakai Crater Trek –

Northeast of the Ngorongoro Crater lies the Empakai Crater, which is 6000m wide and 300m wide. Among other animals, you will see buffalo, bushbuck, a variety of antelope and blue monkeys. Birds are in abundance.

A deep soda lake covers a large part of the crater floor. There is a track to the crater floor and one around the rim of the crater. On a nice, clear day, one can see Mt Oldoinyo Lengai, Lake Natron and Mt Kilimanjaro. The scenery is left to your imagination! A day trip to Olmoti is available (weather and road permitting) ex- Ngorongoro as an add-on to regular safaris.

Ngorongoro Nature Walk Olmoti Crater Trek –

Close to the Nainokanoka village, also North-East of the Ngorongoro crater, lies this sunken crater. A visit to Olmoti is only possible by foot with the escort of an armed ranger. It takes about 35 minutes to walk to the rim of this shallow crater. Lots of different species of antelope can be found here. A walk to the waterfalls of the Munge River is also interesting. A day trip to Olmoti is available (weather and road permitting) ex-Ngorongoro as an add-on to regular safaris.

Ngorongoro Nature Walk

The Ngorongoro Crater rim walk normally takes two hours, and starts from Lemala Gate located about 4 kilometers to the northwest of Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. The nature trail is confined on the eastern rim of the crater, and the walk from Lemala Gate takes a southeast direction as if returning to Ngorongoro Sopa. This is a forested area, excellent for botanical and bird watching experiences. Occasionally visitors would encounter buffalos and elephants along the trail as well as Maasai cattle herders. The destination of this walk is the Quarry Hill (2365 meters) which offers an excellent view of the crater floor. This is a leisurely walk and would normally continue on to the junction of the main road to Ngorongoro Sopa, a kilometer up from the Quarry Hill, where a vehicle and driver would be waiting to meet them. Rarely though some visitors would choose to continue walking all the way to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge about 2 kilometers further up, a bit strenuous walk. So the walk can take about 2 hours from Lemala Gate to the pick-up point at the main road junction, or 3 hours if one continues up to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Visit to Maasai Village on the way to/from Serengeti to Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro is the home of the pastoral Maasai, who have been allowed to live in the Conservation area The Maasai move widely with their herds of cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys in search of pasture and water.

The visit will give clients a glimpse into the way of life of the Maasai tribe.

Zanzibar Island

Known as the Spice Island, the beautiful island of Zanzibar on Africa’s east coast is bursting with culture and history, seemingly at odds with its idyllic geography of white-sand beaches with palms swaying lazily in the sea breeze. Together this makes Zanzibar a fabulous place to explore as well as a dream to relax and unwind.

Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs and sandbars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish, small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for dazzling days in the sun.

Stone Town

Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is famous for its winding alleys fringed by grand architecture, bustling bazaars, sultan’s palace, mosques, the House of Wonders, gardens and the extravagant merchants’ houses with their remarkably ornate doors.

Nungwi

Once little more than a ramshackle fishing village, Nungwi has been transformed into one of Unguja island’s busiest beach destinations and its second most populated village after its capital, Stone Town. Situated at the island’s northernmost tip, Nungwi is blessed with some of Zanzibar’s most idyllic swimming beaches as the water surrounding this section of the island is fairly deep and mostly unaffected by the change of tides.

Kizimkazi

Resting near the southernmost point of Zanzibar’s Unguja island, the remote little fishing village of Kizimkazi is known for its gorgeous stretches of untouched coastline, its excellent diving opportunities and its world-famous dolphin tours. The turquoise waters surrounding the village are home to an abundance of spectacular marine life including several schools of bottlenose dolphins which are frequently sighted during boat trips from the village. Kizimkazi is also renowned as the site of an ancient 12th-century mosque, thought to be the oldest mosque in Africa.

Mafia Island

Mafia Island forms part of the famous Tanzanian Spice Islands which are set in the Indian Ocean. Mafia Island features mangrove thickets, coastal moorlands and lowland forest. The Mafia Archipelago’s coral reefs, sandbars, lagoons and beaches form part of the Mafia Island Marine Park – Tanzania’s first national marine park. This spectacular, unspoiled area offers visitors rich, colorful reefs with over 50 hard and soft corals and over 460 species of fish and a variety of diverse marine life, making this area excellent for diving boasting numerous world-class dive sites.

Tarangire National Park

Is the sixth largest national park in Tanzania after Ruaha, Serengeti, Mikumi, Katavi and Mkomazi. The national park is located in Manyara Region. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire river that crosses through the park, being the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons. During the dry season thousands of animals migrate to the Tarangire National Park from Manyara National Park. It lies a little distance to the south east of Lake Manyara and covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometers(1,100 square miles.)

The landscape and vegetation is incredibly diverse with a mix that is not found anywhere else in the northern safari circuit. The hilly landscape is dotted with vast numbers of Baobab trees, dense bush and high grasses.

Home to more than 550 species, the park is a haven for bird enthusiasts who can expect so see dozens of species even in the dry season. The swamps are the focus of the largest selection of breeding birds anywhere in the world. Yellow-collared Lovebirds are a common bird sighting in the trees along the Tarangire River.

Activities

Adventures Aloft – Balloon Safari in Tarangire

Balloon flights typically take off at 06h30 by sunrise, but passengers start early from their respective lodges arriving in time to watch the balloon inflation. The flight is for one hour. The balloon takes its path following the prevailing winds, floating over the spectacular Tarangire National Park and offering passengers a bird’s eye view of the wildlife in the game park. On landing, the balloon crew set up a champagne breakfast just before the Tarangire river or past the Tarangire river, followed by a game drive en route to the lodge or to the drop off point as agreed by the tour guide.

Lake Manyara National Park

The name Manyara comes from the Maasai word emanyara, which is a euphorbia species of plant that is grown into a hedge around a family homestead (Euphorbia tirucalli). The name “is a Masai description not for the lake, but in general for a lake shore region.”

The park consists of 330 km2 (130 sq mi) of arid land, forest, and a soda-lake which covers as much as 200 km2 (77 sq mi) of land during the wet season but is nearly nonexistent during the dry season.

Activities

Village Walk:

Visit Mto Wa Mbu village for a great cultural experience with an experienced, English speaking guide who grew up in the village! Visit local farms, schools, a kindergarten, local homes, the market and milling machines. We can include a local lunch for your guests that are served in a lovely banana plantation deep inside Mto Wa Mbu village.

Forest Hike:

Hike down the Great Rift Valley and through a dense ground water forest. View birds, monkeys, bush buck and other forest animals. During the hike enjoy the sounds of the forest and the fresh streams and water falls surrounding you.

Nature Walk:

Enjoy a short stroll on the edge of the Great Rift Valley with beautiful vies of Lake Manyara and the National Park below. Learn more about plants, insects, birds and small mammals from a knowledgeable guide.

‘Bean-to-Cup’ Coffee Tour

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, take a fascinating ‘Bean-to-Cup’ Walking. Tour around the coffee estate to learn how the humble coffee bean is grown, harvested, processed and eventually ends up in your morning cup of coffee.

Mountain Biking:

An easy cycle ride down the Great Rift Valley wall into the farming village of Mto Wa Mbu. Experience local cultures from the bike, ride through some of the Manyara ground water forest and between small herds of wildlife on the lake shore. We can include a local lunch for your guests, either prepared by Serena or prepared by a lady in the village. We supply bikes, helmets and gloves.

Lake Manyara Game Drive

Lake Manyara is best used as a soft introduction to a safari. While the scenic beauty of this park certainly makes it worth a visit, the game viewing here pales into insignificance when compared with that on offer in Tarangire, the Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, flamingos, breathtaking scenery and the soda-ash lake in the centre, Manyara merits a day trip but not much longer.

The main activity to Lake Manyara is day time game driving, although the park has recently started to offer night safaris and the camps deep inside the park offer short walks. Staying in the Rift Valley outside the park however does open up a wealth of possibilities, with activities such as walking, village trips, hiking and mountain biking available at some lodges.

Night Game-drives:

From an open game drive vehicle view nocturnal animals; leopards, hippos, porcupines, genets, civets, bush babies and lots more. The night game drive is also an experience for the senses; listening to the night sounds and learning more about the African stars.

Kilimanjaro National Park

Kilimanjaro is a Tanzanian national park, located 300 km (190 mi) south of the equator and in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The park is located near the city of Moshi. The park includes the whole of Mount Kilimanjaro above the tree line and the surrounding montane forest belt above 1,820 metres (5,970 ft). It covers an area of 1,688 square km (652 sq mi), 2°50’–3°10’S latitude, 37°10’–37°40’E longitude. The park is administered by the Tanzania National Parks Authority.

Mount Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo (5,895 m (19,341 ft)), Mawenzi (5,149 m (16,893 ft)), and Shira (3,962 m (13,000 ft)), is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania. Not only is this the highest peak on the African continent; it is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising in breathtaking isolation from the surrounding coastal scrubland – elevation around 900 meters – to an imperious 5,895 meters (19,336 feet) (the Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak).

Climbing the Mountain

Kilimanjaro has multiple routes to the peak offering a diversity of difficulty levels, scenery and climate to suit the recreational as well as expert enthusiast.

The Routes ( see map button below)

The different routes are explained below:

Marangu (“Coca Cola”) Route (Easiest)

Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.

The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Klimanjaro using the Marangu route.

However, despite its immense popularity, some people avoid the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason.

Machame (“Whiskey”) Route

Known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular route on the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous folks and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.

The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field before summiting. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended.

The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to the heavy crowds, it loses some of its splendor.

Lemosho Route  (RECOMMENDED)

The Lemosho route is one of the newer routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. The route begins in the west and rather than simply intersecting Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira Camp. Climbers encounter low traffic until the route joins the Machame route. Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.

The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although eight days is ideal.

Lemosho is considered the most beautiful route on Kilimanjaro and grants panoramic vistas on various sides of the mountain. It is our favorite route because it offers a great balance of low traffic, scenic views and a high summit success rate. Thus, Lemosho comes highly recommended. Most of our clients use Lemosho.

Shira Route

The Shira route is another path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, and it is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.

On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from 11,800 feet (3,600 m) and spend their first night at the same elevation at Simba Camp. Then, the route merges with Lemosho and follows the southern circuit route.

Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, Lemosho is recommended over Shira due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.

Northern Circuit Route  (RECOMMENDED)

The Northern Circuit route is the newest, most exciting route on Kilimanjaro. The trek follows the Lemosho trail in the beginning, approaching Kilimanjaro from the west. However, instead of following the southern traverse like all the other west approaching routes, the Northern Circuit traverses the mountain around the quiet, rarely visited northern slopes.

The Northern Circuit route is a nine day climb, which is the longest route in terms of time and distance traveled. The days spent at around 13,000 feet are great for acclimatization, resulting in the highest success rates for all routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.

With a high success rate, incredibly varied scenery and a very low number of visitors, the Northern Circuit route is certainly one of the best routes on Kilimanjaro.

Rongai Route (GOOD)

The Rongai route is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Though gaining popularity amongst climbers, Rongai has low traffic. It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu route, for those who would like a more remote hike, and for those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).

The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, and seven days are recommended.

Although the scenery is not as varied as the western routes, Rongai makes up for this by passing through true wilderness areas for days before joining the Marangu route at Kibo camp. This route descends down the Marangu route. Rongai is a moderately difficult route, and is highly recommended, especially for those with less backpacking experience.

Umbwe Route (Experts)

The Umbwe route is a short, steep and direct route. It is considered to be very difficult and is the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro. Due to the quick ascent, Umbwe does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this route is very low, the chances of success are also low.

The route is offered at a minimum of six days, though seven days is recommended when attempting this route.

The Umbwe route should only be attempted by those who are very strong hikers and are confident in their ability to acclimatize. However, overall, the Umbwe route is not recommended and we discourage its usage for our clients.