Into The Wild Safari

Your safari begins the moment you exit the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and are greeted by Wanderful Tanzania’s local guide(s). They will help you with your luggage and will take you to your first night’s accommodation at a beautifully appointed safari lodge in Arusha.

An exhilarating bush flight will take you from the Arusha Airport to the little Seronera Airstrip in the central region of the Serengeti National Park, where you’ll meet your team of amazing safari guide(s) for the first time! They will be there to welcome you to the Serengeti, will help you to get situated in the safari vehicle(s). Next thing you know, you’ll be on your first game drive of the safari!

The majestic and world famous Serengeti is the thing that dreams are made of! Granite kopjes (pr. co-pees) pop up, seemingly out of nowhere, and dot the landscape like islands in a sea of wind-blown grasses.

The park has a well-earned reputation for reliable and unforgettable wildlife encounters, seemingly around every bend in the road!

You should have no problem spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos, and more! Your guide(s) will help you spot the big cats, as those are usually much harder to locate.

And, once again, the birds play a huge role in the beauty and vibrancy of the park. They are nothing short of mind blowing, both in volume and variety!

Your next adventure will take place on the Ndutu Plains in the Southern Serengeti. This area was made famous by documentary and cinematic filmmakers, and by researchers such as Jane Goodall.

In this region, Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek form shallow basins where water accumulates from the nearby highlands. The water in both lakes are extremely saline… too saline for human consumption. Lake Ndutu is reknown for reliable and abundant wildlife encounters, but it truly comes alive with animals when the great migratory herd arrives (February-April) because it is surrounded by the dense woodlands and short-grass plains, which provide ample cover and food, and makes the perfect place for their birthing grounds. Approximately 400,000 new babies are born here during that timeframe!

Before we begin the climb out of the Serengeti and Ndutu Plains on this day, we will stop for an hour or two at the famous OLDUPAI GORGE for a chance to visit to their well-curated museum and to hear a docent speak about the storied history of this important archeological site. This gorge is known around the world as “The Cradle of Mankind,” as the oldest homonid footprints were famously discovered there by Mary Leakey in 1959.

The site remains an active archeological excavation site, with universities, museums, and other research institutions sending teams of scientists there each year to continue the exploration.

It is a fascinating place to spend a couple of hours and realize that every single person on the planet can trace their lineage to this very spot on Earth.

I intentionally leave Day 10 sort of flexible so that the guides can determine the best activities for the group on this day. We may do a mini game drive in Manyara National Park and/or visit the African Galleria for shopping, exploring and a fantastic East African lunch that will gets rave reviews from our past guests! The Galleria is an amazing mixture of exhibits, galleries, fair-trade and authentic souvenirs, exquisite jewelry, and an incredible open-air restaurant with delicious East African food and refreshing drinks! While we are here, the group will enjoy and amazing lunch highlighting that delicious East African cuisine at its beautiful open-air restaurant!

Ebony Experience

You can learn all about the rare and precious gemstone called “Tanzanite” that comes out of only one mine in the world (very near the JRO airport, interestingly enough!) Another whole immersive and interactive exhibit at the Galleria focuses on Ebony. Both of these are fascinating and fun to explore! Experts estimate that the Tanzanite mine will be tapped out in the mid-2030s, which will drive the value of this gemstone higher and higher.

 

Shopping galore!

You can shop for high-quality, beautiful souvenirs at the Galleria’s gift shop, and check EVERYTHING off your holiday gift list… including some precious Tanzanite, if you’re so inclined!

NOTE: You may use credit cards here without any concerns at all… and shipping is available (for a pretty steep fee).

East-African Cuisine in a relaxed open-air atmosphere…

Once you are finished exploring the shops, exhibits, and galleries, head out to the open-air restaurant and grab an ice-cold beer (or two). Around lunchtime, the group will gather here to share an authentic East African lunch together. Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten has been at this restaurant! It is delicious!

It is worth the early wake up to be one of the first groups to reach the crater floor on “Crater Day”… the last game drive, and final day of safari-related activities

While on the floor of this UNESCO site, it will be everyone’s primary goal to be on the lookout for the endangered Black Rhino. This will be your best shot at finding this element of the Big Five!

Although Tanzania has many wilderness and wildlife show pieces, this one is particularly difficult to put into words. With remarkable views from the ridge above, to the real action on the crater floor, the crater embodies a constant stir of wildlife and unspoiled scenes to keep you engrossed.

One of our past guests described Ngorongoro as “Where Heaven Meets Earth!” Another said it was like “A mixture of Narnia and Seuss, with just a dash of Jurassic Park!” However YOU describe it, it is a MUST-SEE on any Tanzanian safari!

Millions of years ago this enormous volcano collapse and formed this massive CALDERA that everyone mistakenly calls the “Ngorongoro Crater.”

Present day, this caldera is now an incredible, self-sustaining ecosystem that boasts the highest density of African wildlife on Earth, and a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot!