Lake Natron 8 Days Camping Safari Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kilimanjaro International Airport

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, our representative will meet you and drive you to your first evening. Arusha is a major international diplomatic hub. The city hosts and is regarded as the de facto capital of the East African Community. Arusha is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate.

Overnight at Ilboru Safari Lodge: Set in a maze of beautiful and exotic gardens, Ilboru Safari Lodge offers a place of complete relaxation and tranquility, providing the perfect environment before starting or finishing your North Tanzania safari. The restaurant at Ilboru caters for tastes of all kinds, and special requests can be put in for those with specific dietary needs such as vegetarians and vegans. Guests can enjoy a dip in the outdoor swimming pool, which is the perfect way to cool off from the heat of the African sun

Included: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Natron, game drive enroute

Our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel in Arusha and you will drive out to Lake Natron.. En route you see many Masai villages, termite mounds, gazelle, giraffes, zebras, baboons, bee boxes, and birds such as vultures, ostrich, glossy starlings, Cory Bustards, and kites. After checking in at your campsite and having some lunch you will go on a guided walk around Lake Natron, the lowest point of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania (600m / 2000 ft) and famous for a vast numbers of flamingos and other water birds due to a high concentrate of in sodium carbonate, algae, and zooplankton. You can go for a hike up the Ngare Sero River which flows in the Lake Natron. In contrast to the surrounding dry landscape, here you can find a small paradise.

Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world. Home to millions of tiny crustaceans, the lake is a haven for thousands of lesser flamingos and it is one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. The area around the lake is dry and desolate. The strangely beautiful landscape is the attraction in this area. After a strenuous walk up the stream, we reach the source of the river, in cascading waterfalls the river gushes out of the mountains. It is an excellent swim in the river and under the waterfalls for a nice cool-down from the hot sun. There may be baboons or other wildlife in the gorge. You will return to camp where your cook would have prepared you dinner. Enjoy your meals under the stars before retiring for the night.

Overnight at a public campsite: This is an open space ground where anyone is permitted to set up camp. Your camp crew will help you set up your dome tents which are small, comfortable tents with ground mattresses and sleeping pads for your comfort. Meals will be under the stars and your cook will prepare you sumptuous meals that can be enjoyed while relaxing in the open air. The campsites usually have bathroom facilities with running water and our cook will gladly warm you water to bath and clean up.

Included: Dinner, Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3: Full day activities around Lake Natron

After breakfast you visit Lake Natron to see the flamingos Lake Natron for which is famous. If you wish, you can walk at the lake shore in salty water. Visit Engaresero waterfalls or hike to Engaresero rift wall for an exceptional view and experience. You will also have an opportunity to take a plunge into the lake if weather permits it. Return to camp for lunch before going out again either for a swim in the lake or further walking. Kindly note Lake Natron is very hot and you will be required to bring protective clothes and sunblocks. If you would like you can climb Oldonyo Lengai at an extra charge. This is strenuous climb that usually departs at midnight and takes you to the ash cone for a magnificent view before descending back to the base and transfering back to the camp for a rest. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Serengeti, game drive en route

Enjoy a half-day drive across Tanzania’s heartland, passing red-robed Maasai herding their cattle along the way. Arrive at the famous Serengeti National Park in time for an afternoon game drive. After time to relax in the afternoon, journey out as the sun starts to set for an evening game drive.

Overnight at Serengeti Public Camp: Swap stories with fellow safari-goers in camp over hearty dinners and fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush all around you.

Included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Full day game drive in Serengeti National Park

As well as the migration of ungulates, the Serengeti National Park is well known for its stock of other resident wildlife, particularly the "Big Five” - lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros & buffalo – as well as cheetahs, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, topi, elands, waterbucks, hyenas, baboons, impalas, African wild dogs and giraffes. The park also boasts about 500 bird species, including ostrich, secretary bird, Kori bustard, crowned crane, marabou stork, martial eagle, lovebirds, and many species of vultures. In the evening, you will drive back to the camp just in time to watch the sunset over the Serengeti plains.

Overnight at Serengeti Public Camp

Included: Dinner, Breakfast & Picnic Lunch

Day 6: Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area with game drive en route

Today you will leave after breakfast in the morning and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area while game viewing on the way. You will pass by the Oldupai Gorge, where you will stop for a tour of the museum, which provides an excellent photographic history of research carried out in the gorge with a summary of the main archaeological findings. The gorge is an important prehistoric site, sometimes called "the Cradle of Mankind." We will go down and do a walk in the George while getting knowledge about geology.

A nominal fee is charged to visit the museum and it is possible to hire a guide for another nominal fee to take you into a Gorge for a walking tour. After enjoying your picnic lunch you will drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area arriving at Simba Public campsite where your camp crew will set up camp and prepare dinner as you enjoy a short guided walk on the crater's floor.

Overnight at Simba Public Campsite: Simba Campsite “A” is a public campsite on the crater rim. It has well-maintained toilets and hot water showers (heated by wood fires) and firewood for sale. View points of the crater are only a short walk away and are absolutely stunning.

Included: Dinner, Breakfast & Picnic Lunch

Day 7: Game Drive safari to Ngorongoro Crater

Today, you will visit the Ngorongoro crater, the main feature of which is a large, unbroken, unfolded volcanic caldera. The crater, which formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself some two to three million years ago, is mostly open grassland with two small wooded areas dominated by Acacia xanthophloea.

Game drives through the Ngorongoro Crater begin early in the morning in closed safari vehicles with pop – up roofs. Accompanied by an expert driver guide, a magnificent experience is sure to be had! The descent into the crater is one of scenic beauty, as you make your way through lush forests, home to numerous elephants and buffalo. 
As you reach the inside of the Ngorongoro Crater, marvelling at the incredible landscape around you, your guide will take you through the grassy crater floor, the unbelievable fever tree forest, the banks of Lake Magadi and the surrounding marshes. Lunch is served picnic style, surrounded by the natural wonders around you as well as the exceptional wildlife, roaming freely, with which you share this extraordinary paradise. You will have the privilege to observe the interaction between the different species.

After a full day on the crater's floor you will ascend back and drive out of the Ngongoro conservation area arriving at Laiboni Tented camp for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Laiboni Tented Camp: Laiboni Camp is located near the Maasai village of Laiboni, west of the city of Arusha. It is in the heart of some of the best animal migration corridors. The setup can be with two single beds, or one double bed.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Maasai cultural activities & Walking Safari

The day will start very early with a visit to the neighbouring Maasai village. The morning will be spent sharing in the native village of Maasai families, discovering their culture. You will get to see the maasai as they go about their daily activities which includes milking, and cattle handling. After that, you will return to camp for breakfast and then start to walk across peaceful animal corridors in the Great Rift Valley. This will give us the opportunity to see Africa from a slow pace perspective. While walking, our guide will educate you on aboriginal plants and birds. The walking safari circles back to camp, where you will enjoy a freshly prepared hot meal for lunch and then be driven back to Arusha, stopping for souvenir shopping before being driven to the airport for your international departure flight.

Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Terms & Conditions

Inclusions:

All government fees relevant to the itinerary

All park fees

Meals as described in the itinerary

Accommodation as described

Backup logistical support from the EAV safari team

Bottled water at all times in your vehicle

Guiding fees

Transport as described

Trained English speaking driver and or guide

Other language speaking guide on request

Excluded:

Alteration or customizing to this itinerary

Alcohol & other beverages at hotels and lodges

Airport Taxes

Excess baggage charges

International return air tickets

Hospital bills

Immunization

International insurance