Day 1: Nairobi to Arusha, Tanzania

From Nairobi you travel south, crossing the border into Tanzania at Namanga. Tonight, you stay in a lovely campsite in Meserani on the outskirts of Arusha, before heading out on your Optional Excursions to Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Lunch and dinner included.

Days 2-4: Arusha to Serengeti National Park (Optional)

Arusha is a pleasant town situated at the base of Mount Meru and is the starting point for the optional excursions to Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. You conduct these excursions in locally operated 4x4 safari vehicles.

For those not opting to visit the Ngorongoro Crater or Serengeti National Park, the next days are spent at leisure enjoying the Meserani Reptile Park, Masai Cultural Museum and the surrounding villages and craft markets. Alternatively the town of Arusha is close by to explore.

The Optional Ngorongoro / Serengeti excursion takes you via the Masai town of Mtu Wa Mbu (Mosquito River) that lies adjacent to the Lake Manyara National Park and up the Rift Valley Escarpment to the higher lying village of Karatu. Karatu offers magnificent views over the surrounding hills and has many well established wheat farms that add to the picturesque panoramas.

You spend the evening at a pleasant campsite in Karatu. The following morning you depart early for the Ngorongoro Conservation area and head into the wildlife rich Ngorongoro Crater. This World Heritage Site boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa. You may spot the elusive Black Rhino.

After your game drive in the Crater, you head down the Crater rim and past the 'Cradle of Mankind' on your way to the Serengeti National Park. You cross the vast plains on your safari through the southern and central areas in the park.

Tonight you camp in the bushveld surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness. In the morning, you head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident game. With some luck, you may see some of the Big Five animals (Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino).

After your morning drive, you head back across the plains and the lush Crater rim to your truck at Arusha, where you spend the evening musing over your thrilling wildlife experience. Breakfast, lunch, dinner on all days.