Itinerary:
May 15 (tentative), Leave PDX, fly to New York, by JetBlue Airways, or fly to Amsterdam by Air France, or fly to Dubai by Emirates Airline.
May 16, Fly to Kilimanjaro by Qatar Airways. or take a day rest.
May 17, Arrive Kilimanjaro. Get visas. Transfer to Arusha(45min), check in Mt Meru Hotel.
May 18, NGR Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater
Depart Arusha early morning, visit Coffee and flower plantations, traveling through the Great Rift Valley and along western escarpment, visiting Lake Manyara National Park for five hours. Continue to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater to Wildlife Lodge in the afternoon.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a very unique nature reserve. The volcanic crater of more than 100 square kilometers gathers various ecological features such as grasslands, forests, hills, lakes and swamps, and attracts animals outside the crater. Settled, it gradually formed an independent ecological chain system. The crater contains almost all animal species outside, and more than 25,000 large animals form a natural ecological balance in this semi-enclosed area. It is also one of the few regions in Africa that can see five major animals at the same time. It is called the “eighth wonder of the world”.
May 19, NGR Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater
Early morning game drive, enjoy whole day in the Crater.
May 20, Ndutu Safari Lodge, Southern Serengeti
Leave the lodge after an early breakfast and drive around the rim road to the Serengeti. Stop by Masai village. During these next 2 days you will have a chance to visit a number of key areas in the southern plains, including Lake Ndutu, Lake Masek, the Kusini Plains, the Moru Kopjes, and possibly Hidden Valley. Arrive at Ndutu Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight with afternoon game drives. Ndutu Safari Lodge is located just west of Lake Ndutu in a lush corridor by the marshland which attracts a great deal of cats and herd animals.
May 21, 22, Ndutu Safari Lodge, Southern Serengeti
Over the next two days, continue exploring the vast areas of the southern plains with an with an opportunity of visiting the Gol Kopjes on one of the days. This is cheetah territory and we hope to be able to find active cheetah who are constantly searching for Thomson gazelle. This area is prime location for massive herds of wildebeest and zebra and other grazing animals. (Self-funded hot air balloon $600/person)
The Serengeti National Park is located west of the Great Rift Valley, 130 km west-southwest of Arusha. Some of the narrow strips extend westward to Lake Victoria for 8 km and the north to the Kenyan border. After 1940, it became a protected area. In 1951, it was built as a national park. It was expanded in 1959 and listed in the World Heritage List in the same year.
May 23, Serengeti Wildlife Lodge, Central Serengeti
Leave the southern plains and game drive through the Gol Kopjes to reach Wildlife Lodge. Lodge is located in the eastern central Serengeti and at this time of the year, there may be portions of the herd remaining for good grazing and there are excellent cats in the Sametu Kopjes as well. Arrive at Lodge in time to enjoy a Sun-downer before dinner.
May 24, 25, Serengeti Wildlife Lodge, Central Serengeti:
Explore the vast areas of the central Serengeti including the Sametu Kopjes, the Maasai, Simba and Moru Kopjes as well as the Seronera River Valley. The central Serengeti covers a tremendous amount of land so having these days will greatly benefit your photographic opportunities. If we are lucky enough, we will see the wildebeests crossing the Grumeti River.
May 26, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, Central Serengeti & Lake Manyara
Heading to Manyara Lake, where there is a Flamingo assemble point.
May 27, Lake Manyara Wildlife Lodge, Lake Manyara
Whole day exploring Lake Manyara, plus game drives and walking along the lake.
May 28, Mt. Meru Hotel, Arusha National Park
Heading to Arusha NP, to see the flamingos.
May 29, Heading to Kilimanjaro National Airport. Leave JRO at evening. Qatar Airways. |
