TANZANIA - NORTHERN WILDLIFE SAFARI

This wildlife safari through the famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater remains an alternative & interesting approach for visiting the northern circuit. The spectacular wild beauty of Lake Natron at the foot of Lengai volcano where you will observe thousands of flamingos that gather to nest in the alkaline waters. Walk to freshwater falls in a hot desert region. Cultural contact with the Masai and Sonjo people of these regions. Several days game driving in the parks & camping in private locations.

ITINERARY

• Day 1 Arusha/Longido. Camping
• Day 2 Lake Natron. Camping
• Day 3 Sonjo Country. Camping
• Day 4 Loliondo/Serengeti National park/Lobo. Camping
• Day 5 & 6 Serengeti National Park Seronera. Camping
• Day 7 Ngorongoro. Lodge
• Day 8 Karatu. Lodge
• Day 9 Return Arusha Or Nairobi

See photo Gallery

Day 1 ARUSHA - LONGIDO Acacia trees and termite mounds line this excellent tarmac road, which brings us rapidly to the border at Namanga. The town is dominated by the sacred mountain Ol donyo Orok, where one of the most important Laibon or Masai sorcerers has been buried. But it is not the religious aspect that attracts the mass of people to this town. In fact it’s the merchants with their contraband goods who are trading along the border post. If coming from Kenya then you will pass the formalities to cross into Tanzania. Once in Tanzania the huge plains continue to spread before us, as far as Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru. On a small track we head towards the Longido hills.
Days 2 and 3 LAKE NATRON / SONJO COUNTRY Even for the Masai of Natron the environment is inhospitable and tough. Deep down on the floor of the Rift Valley, the giant fault that cuts its way across the African continent, the world continues to evolve. The active volcano, Lengai, is another sacred mountain for the Masai. Lengai means God in Maa language and on the summit, protected from the vapour and heat of the volcano, resides 'Ngai'. Several other volcanoes rise from the plains and Gelai dominates at some 3000 metres over Lake Natron. This lake was discovered by English geologist Gregory, and is certainly the most spectacular in the Rift Valley. An enormous pan of pink soda stretches towards the horizon. All around the edge of the lake there are hot springs bubbling from the ground at temperatures exceeding 50° C. These springs produce microscopic aquatic life that feed a variety of local bird species, along with a number of migratory birds. A species of perch, "Tilapia Grahami" survives in these extreme conditions, breeding in puddles of fresh water. Areas more concentrated in soda are favourable for the reproduction of algae which flamingos feed upon. It's not unusual for the flamingos to number into the hundreds of thousands. Camping FB
Day 4 LOLIONDO / SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK We climb out of the Rift Valley onto an escarpment several hundred metres high. From high above on the cliff edge we take our last look over to Mt. Gelai and it’s reflection shimmering on the surface of Lake Natron. We cross plains inhabited by wildlife and cattle grazing harmoniously, whilst the herdsman surveys from his lookout on a granite boulder. After passing through the green hills of Loliondo where we meet many people and shop for some fresh supplies, the road takes us to one of the most important animal reserves in Africa.
Days 5 / 6 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Serengeti National Park is one of the largest animal reserves in Africa and covers an area of 14500 km². During the annual migration we can observe immense herds of several hundred thousand animals. The last aerial census counted 1.2 million wildebeest, 700 000 zebra, 400 000 gazelle, and of course all the predators that follow and hunt the feebler of the animals. Over 2 million animals follow the rhythm of the seasons. During the few days spent here we join their rhythm and follow the procession, observing this magnificent wonder of nature. We pass through a wide variety of ecosystems from savannah dotted with acacias at Lobo, to open plains with the occasional rock kopjie of Seronera. Nights camping FB
Day 7 / 8 SERENGETI / NGORONGORO CRATER Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created with a separate entity to the Serengeti to protect the Masai herdsmen. The Masai had in fact found themselves thrown out of their traditional pasturelands. It was decided that to protect the ancestral rights of the Masai they should be given the right to graze their cattle in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but not in the Serengeti. This compromise seems to be a success as we are able to observe an enormous variety of wildlife against the backdrop of some spectacular landscapes. The amateur photographer will appreciate the contrast of the cloud charged skies which surround the hill tops, the brilliant golden sunlight illuminating the vegetation on the crater floor, and the white soda lake where pink flamingos search for food. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only an animal reserve but also a very important location for research into the roots of mankind. At Olduvai and Laetoli, Louis Leakey discovered several Australopithecus as well as footprints that date back 3.5 million years. Nights in Lodge FB
Day 9 ARUSHA (or Nairobi) With a much more abundant rainfall falling on the Mts. Meru and Kilimanjaro, the Warushe and Wachagga people cultivate the rich soil. They are cousins of the Masai but are now sedentary Nilotics. Only the National Parks of Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru have prevented them from cultivating the entire mountains. Mt. Meru towers 4566 metres high and is a dormant volcano which was last active about 100 years ago. We pass through the busy market of Mto Wa Mbu in the morning. A good tarmac road leads us back to Arusha where you will be dropped at your hotel. Those continuing onto Nairobi will head back to Namanga and the border post. When formalities to cross the border are completed, we head to Nairobi passing by the Ngong Hills. These hills which were made famous by Karen Blixen and her book "Out of Africa", tower over the edge of the Rift Valley. After a last glance over Hemmingway's Africa we find ourselves once again amongst the hustle and bustle of city life. Transfer to your hotel in Nairobi.