Rift Valley Adventure - Family Holiday

After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Set at an altitude of 1,390 metres, Arusha is surrounded by fertile land. Arusha was once the headquarters of the East African community in the days when Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were members of a communications and customs union and remains one of Tanzania’s most attractive and lively towns. 

Ilboro Lodge (AAA) - 1 night - Swimming Pool (D)

This morning you make your way to the Serengeti (approx. 3 1/2 hours). En route you’ll stop at Olduvai Gorge; this famous archaeological site is where some of the oldest humanoid skeletons have been discovered and visit the small museum exhibiting many of the fossils and relics from the area.  You continue onwards to the most famous of Tanzania's national parks. Established in 1951, the Serengeti is well known for the annual migration that takes place across the savannah plains. Migration begins in the south from December to March and arrives at Ndutu from April to June; thousands and thousands of animals as far as the eye can see. Even before reaching your campsite in the middle of this vast plain you are certain to make many sightings of large animals. Arrival at camp is therefore expected in the late afternoon. There will be plenty of time to explore the sweeping grass plains, rocky outcrops (kopjes) and sparsely wooded river valleys of this incomparable park, where lion, cheetah, leopard, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and perhaps even wild dog can be seen. Tonight you camp beneath clear starry skies surrounded by the unfamiliar sounds of the African bush. Facilities are basic and although ablution blocks consisting of toilets and wash areas exist, water is not always available - especially in the dry season from June to October. 

Seronera Camp (CS) - 1 night (BLD)

Today you leave the grassy plains of the Serengeti behind as you travel north towards Kenya and the great salt lake of Lake Natron (approx. 4 hours). The lake is a spectacular sight as it attracts large flocks of flamingos – every evening, thousands take flight over the waters of the lake. These beautiful birds come here for breeding in the single largest flock in Africa as the high salt levels of the lake act as a natural deterrent for other predators to settle here. The water of Lake Natron is far too alkaline to swim in, but you will have the opportunity to take a splash in the nearby river and a natural pool close to camp. 

Lake Natron Camp (CS) – 2 nights (BLD)

Time for a final safari experience as you head to Lake Manyara (driving time approx. 3 hours). You set up camp for the last night before embarking on an afternoon game drive. The lush greenery and dense vegetation of Lake Manyara National Park offers a very different habitat to the open grasslands of the Serengeti. Once inside the park keep your eyes peeled for its major attraction - the tree-climbing lions, although there is no guarantee that you will see these great animals. There are plenty of other things to see too - elephant, hippo, baboon, giraffe and buffalo as well as a huge variety of bird life, both resident and migratory.

Jambo Camp (CS) – 1 night (BLD)