DESCRIPTION Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro – Tarangire Lake Manyara stretches fo 50 km along the base of the rusty-gold 600-metre high Rift Valley escarpment. It is a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as ‘the loveliest seen in Africa”. From the entrance gate, the road winds through an expanse of lush jungle-like groundwater forest where hundred-strong baboon troops lounge nonchalantly along the roadside, blue monkeys scamper nimbly between the ancient mahogany trees, dainty bushbuck tread warily through the shadows, and outsized forest hornbills honk cacophonous in the high canopy. Large buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds congregate on the grassy plains, as do giraffes – some so dark in coloration that they appear to be black from a distance. It provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded, and even a first time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. Highlights include thousands of pink hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as well as other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks. You get to Lake Manyara by road, charter or scheduled flight from Arusha, en route to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Carter. Among the activities, game drives, night game drives, canoeing when the water levels are sufficiently high. Cultural tours, picnicking, bush lunch/dinner, mountain bike tours, abseiling and forest walks on the escarpment outside the park. The best time to visit is during dry season (July-October) for to watch large mammals, also during wet season (November-June) for bird watching, the waterfalls and canoeing. Accommodation is in luxurious tree house style camp, public bandas and campsites inside the park. Ngorongoro crater is dramatically beautiful and often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world. Here, mankind lives in almost absolute harmony with the incredible wildlife that inhabits the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is the permanent home of nearly 25000 animals with ideal game viewing opportunities all the year round. There are luxury camps with private butler service. Exclusive and private atmosphere with magnificent views of the crater from each suite. Fine dining within outdoor dining areas offering spectacular views. Finally the domed dining area with a fireplace brings luxurious warmth to any guest’s saty. SCHEDULE Depart Nairobi for Arusha via Namanga border town. Lake Manyara National Park has good network of tracks and roads in the park allowing for excellent viewing opportunities. Animals seen include buffalo and elephant. Other animals present that can be seen with luck are the tree climbing lions, leopard and black rhino. Lesser flamingos and Egyptian geese are some of the birds seen here. At Ngorongoro crater all the big five may be seen. Other species encountered are cheetah, grant’s and thompson’s gazelle, common zebra, wildebeest and the spotted hyena. Tarangire National Park serves as a dry season refuge for animals from as far as Serengeti and Ngorongoro as it has permanent river flowing across it. Day 1: Nairobi - Arusha
Step 1: After breakfast, pick up from your Nairobi hotel.
Step 2: Immigration formalities at Namanga, the Kenya/Tanzania border. Step 3: Head to Arusha town for lunch. Step 4: Overnight in an Arusha hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Day 2: Arusha - Lake Manyara
Step 1: Early breakfast.
Step 2: Arrive in Lake Manyara National Park foran afternoon game drive. Lunch en route. Step 3: Dinner and overnight at a lodge/campsite. Day 3: Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro Crater
Step 1: After breakfast, depart for the Ngorongoro crater for a full day tracking game with your guide on the crater floor.
Step 2: Picnic lunch at the Ngoitotok springs picnic site. Step 3: Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Day 4: Ngorongoro - Tarangire
Step 1: After breakfast, leave Ngorongoro for Tarangire National Park.
Step 2: Lunch, dinner at lodge/campsite at the park Day 5:Tarangire - Arusha - Nairobi
Step 1: After early breakfast, proceed on early morning game drive.
Step 2: Depart for Arusha for lunch and your onward transfer to Nairobi via Namanga border town for immigration formalities. Step 3: Arrive in your Nairobi hotel the evening. |
Wildlife attracts tourists to KenyaK enya has long been recognised as Big Game country, with huge numbers of animals in over 40 National Parks and Reserves and the country has a long and illustrious history of protecting its varied wildlife. All this has helped provide the visitor to Kenya an wide range of experiences in all sorts of terrain. A wildlife safari in Kenya is indeed a magical experience into the 'Kingdom of God'. In fact,
 Kenya has been a focus of attention for its varied wildlife for many years. The country has had its fair share of international publicity too. Adventurous hunters like Teddy Roosevelt and Earnest Hemingway have contributed significantly in promoting Kenya as a popular wildlife destination in Africa. Popular movies like 'Out of Africa' and 'The Lion King' have also contributed in promoting Kenya's status as the wildlife destination in East Africa. In fact, Kenya has a reputation for being more popular than it should be- numerous minibuses plying in its wildlife parks and the large number of safari lodges dotting  its countryside are an indication of the commercialisation of Kenya's popular wildlife tourism sector. However, Kenya has been coping extremely well with the hordes of package tourists coming in. To counter this trend many new 'Boutique' lodges have also cropped up, which host only a limited number of guests in an exclusive and remote setting.All this means that Kenya can cater to every market segment and once you expereince a Kenyan Safari you will know why so many safari-addicts return to Kenya repeatedly. To add to the charm of wildlife, the Kenyan coast is also considered one of the best in Africa with soft, white sands and warm blue waters. Most of Kenya's wildlife parks are also easily reachable from the coast including, Tsavo, Taita Hills and Shimba Hills. So if you're planning a wildlife safari, Kenya is undoubtedly one of the best countries to offer you a truly 'wild' expereince. Although South Africa has a good tourism infrastructure as compared to Kenya, the experience of a Kenyan wildlife safari somehow appeared more 'real' for me. Right from the local people you meet in the countryside to the local guide acompanying you... a Kenyan safari is somehow offers a much authentic 'flavour' than what one can experience in more developed countries like South Africa. I was also happy to know that my tourism dollars were contributing towards the welfare and development of a developing country in much need of foreign exchange revenues to bolster its economy. All in all, a Kenya safari can be summed up in two words....'highly recommended |