Compare Essence of Tanzania by Rothschild Safaris vs Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu and Wildlife Safari by Wakawaka Adventures

Day 1 - 2: Tanzania: Arusha - Rivertrees Country Inn, Garden Room

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Rivertrees Country Inn

Today you will fly into Kilimanjaro. A special meet & greet has been arranged for your arrival to assist you through customs, immigration and to collect your bags. Please look out for an airport representative with your name on a signboard. You will be assisted to meet with your driver for your private road transfer to your accommodation.

Accommodation:

Rivertrees Country Inn is a charming country estate that was once an old coffee farm, and still retains the nostalgic air of a well-loved homestead. Sprawling 10 acres of fertile greenery, the grounds are a natural extension of Mt Meru’s sloping foothills, and offer a sanctuary for the birds and wildlife indigenous to the area. Elegantly rustic cottages are dotted along the river and in thickets of tall trees, while lush lawns and birdsong make for a peaceful and picturesque setting.

Dinner will be served upon arrival.

Inclusions:

Your 2 night stay includes:

• WiFi - Signal strength can be intermittent

Activities:

Optional activities for an additional cost: Canoeing, mountain biking, local village tour. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated. Water activities are water dependent.

Day 3 - 4: Tanzania: Tarangire National Park - Kuro Camp, Safari Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Kuro Camp

This morning you will transfer with your guide by road to Tarangire National Park and your next accommodation.

Accommodation:

Kuro Camp is set in central Tarangire away from the busy north, amid a grove of Acacia and Kigelia trees on the banks of the Tarangire River- often a dry, sandy course snaking through this quiet area of the park. The camp has a total of 6 light and stylish safari tented rooms. All the rooms rest among the trees with views of the African bush and have en-suite bucket showers and flush eco-toilets.

Inclusions:

Your 2 night stay includes:

• Local beverages (house wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks)
• Laundry - Please allow 24 hours for your laundry to be returned to you

Activities:

Morning and afternoon game drives, walking safari, bush picnics. Optional activities for an additional cost: Spot light night drive. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 4: Night Game Drive

The adventure doesn’t end at sunset; continue your drive through the vast wilderness in search of game as it gets dark. Sway to the movement of an open vehicle while wrapped warmly against the night cold. You might hear the call of a Nightjar darting overhead, or see the flash of eyes reflected from the bushes. Drop your head back and look up at the crisp night skies that seem to go on forever. You guide will pull out the spotlight, giving you the opportunity to spot a host of nocturnally active animals such as hyena, lion or leopard. Keep an eye out for other creatures of the night such as porcupines, civets and genets.

Day 5 - 6: Tanzania: Ngorongoro Crater - Plantation Lodge, Double Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Plantation Lodge

Today you will be met at your accommodation and driven to your next accommodation.

Accommodation:

The Plantation Lodge is located just outside the small village of Karatu about half way between the Crater and Lake Manyara. This makes it the perfect spot for those looking for a safari day in each and a lovely, peaceful place to go back to afterwards. The 15 rooms, 7 suites and 2 family units are all individually furnished, melting harmoniously into the flowering garden offering comfort and relaxation. All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms with a verandah or terrace with a view of the gardens. Facilities include a swimming pool, souvenir shop and beauty treatments.

Inclusions:

Your 2 night stay includes:

• Laundry - Please allow 24 hours for your laundry to be returned to you
• WiFi - Signal strength can be intermittent

Activities:

Morning or afternoon game drive. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 5: Private Vehicle and Guide

Today you will met by your guide with private vehicle which you will have available to you for the remainder of your trip.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Drive

Today you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact, unflooded caldera in the world. The crater is a World Heritage Site, commonly considered the 8th Wonder 0f The World. The enduring charm of Ngorongoro Crater stems from its overwhelming physical beauty and the abundance of wildlife that permanently reside on the crater floor.

Depending on the season, populations of approximately 25,000 to 30,000 large animals live in the crater. This includes, reputedly, the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa. An astonishing 55 different species of mammal have been counted in the crater together with over 400 species of birds, so your wildlife viewing is going to be spectacular. Aside from herds of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest, the crater is home to the "Big Five" of rhinoceros, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Hyenas are the most numerous predators and are constantly at war with the lion. There are also ongoing skirmishes between buffalo and lion.

Day 7 - 9: Tanzania: Serengeti National Park - Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp, Tent

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your flight to Serengeti National Park, then by road your next accommodation.

Lake Manyara - Serengeti National Park, Shared Charter flight

Accommodation:

Legendary Serengeti Mobile Camp is set up near the Great Migration in the famous Serengeti, where great migration herds of more than 2 million wildebeest & zebra and their attendant predators are constantly on the move, driven by an endless search for food and water. The camp consists of 10 en-suite tents. The bathrooms have flush toilets and bucket-style showers. Breakfast or lunch is often set up under shade of an old tree on the untamed Serengeti plains. Evenings are spent enjoying fine wine or well-aged toast around a roaring campfire under a star-filled sky.

Inclusions:

Your 3 night stay includes:

• Local beverages (house wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks)
• Laundry - Please allow 24 hours for your laundry to be returned to you

Activities:

Morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris, bird watching. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated.

Day 10:

This morning you will transfer to the local airstrip for your flight to Arusha. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Rivertrees Country Inn, where you will have a day use room to refresh and relax. Later this evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro in time to connect with your international departure flight.

Serengeti National Park - Arusha, Shared Charter flight

Day 1: Tanzania arrival – Moshi

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be greeted by our guide. Drive to Moshi to Tembo Tamu. Depending on your arrival time have a guided walk through Moshi. Briefing in evening for your climb starting the next day.

Day 2: Marangu Gate - Mandara Hut

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Marangu Gate (1900m) to Mandara Hut (2720m)

Hike Time: 4 hours

You will be picked up at your hotel in Moshi and driven to Marangu Gate. When your guide is done dealing with all the registration forms you can start your climbing adventure! Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

Day 3: Mandara Hut - Horombo Hut

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut

Mandara Hut (2720m) to Horombu Hut (3720m)

Hike time: 5-6 hours

Day 4 Horombo Hut

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Horombu Hut (3720m)

Today we walk towards the Mawenzi Hut, passing the Zebra Rocks. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. We recommend drinking enough water and walking slowly! Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Horombo Hut (3720m) to Kibo Hut (4700 m)

Hike time: 4-6 hours

There is no running water at Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.

Day 6: Kibo Hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Kibo Hut (4700 m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3720 m)

Hike time: 13-15 hours

Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5685 m. There you can rest for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5895 m which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment descend to reach Horombo Hut.

Day 7: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate – Arusha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Outpost Lodge

Horombo Hut (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1900)

Walking time: 6-7 hours

Today you will descend all the way down to Marangu Gate. Successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. At the gate you will be driven back to Arusha for your celebration and overnight at Outpost Lodge.

Day 8: Tarangire National Park/Lake Manyara (choose between)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast drive to Tarangire National Park. Enjoy a game drive through the park with a picnic lunch. This park is known for its holding one of the largest elephant herds in Africa. Lions, giraffes, zebras well seen and over 500 different birds species to find. Later go to Panorama Inn in Karatu for your dinner and overnight.

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After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara. Enjoy a game drive in the park with a picnic lunch. Lake Manyara is best known for its rich variety of bird life and tree climbing lion. Elephants, monkeys, flamingos, pelicans, cormorants and storks, to mention a few also visible in Manyara.  Later you will drive to Panorama Inn in Karatu for your dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Coffee Plantation Resthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast drive to Coffee Plantations at this beautiful location bordering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Take a walk through the coffee, and vegetable plantations. Here you can see a variety of different species of trees as well. If you're lucky you can see elephants in the distant jungle. Take a walk through the nearby hills, optional to see and visit local families living the true African way. Enjoy a day here in this unique Tanzanian place.

Day 10: Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camps

After breakfast you will head off to Serengeti National Park. This is undoubtably Tanzania's most famous park. Great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant's gazelle are resident at any time of the year. Lions and leopards easily seen. You will enjoy a late afternoon game drive in the amazing Serengeti. Later go to your dinner and overnight at Serengeti Wild Camp.

Day 11: Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camps

After breakfast you will venture into Serengeti’s wilderness corners for a full day of game viewing in the park. With a picnic lunch beside you, take your leisure while exploring this world heritage site, where earth’s largest concentration of plain game still roams free! In the evening you will go Serengeti Wild Camp for your dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camps

After breakfast head out for your last game drive in the amazing Serengeti. You cannot see too much of the park. That's just the way it is! About 70 larger mammal and 500 bird species are found in this park. Blue wildebeests, gazelles, zebras, and buffalos are some of the commonly found large mammals in the region. Later drive to Ngorongoro Wild Camp for your dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Ngorongoro Crater

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Flamingo Safari Lodge

After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a half day game drive inside the crater. This is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-manned males. There are lots of colorful flamingoes and a variety of water birds. Other game that you can see includes leopard, cheetah, hyena, other members of the antelope family, and small mammals. Later drive to Flaming Safari Lodge in Karatu for your overnight.

Day 14: Karatu – Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Have breakfast at Flamingo Safari Lodge. Depending on your flight time, you can have a guided walk through the town Karatu. This upcoming safari town has many unique things to see. Explore the way local Tanzanian's live their lives. Later depart back to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.