Mawenzi Adventures

 

SAFARI: LAKE MANYARA OR TARANGIRE, SERENGETI, NGORONGORO CRATER AND LAKE NATRON (8 days)

Mix a more classic safari with the off the beaten path feeling of Lake Natron. You’ll have a really good chance of seeing the Big Five but also millions of flamingo’s and a glimpse of Maasai life. 

Read more about the destinations

 

SAFARI ITINERARY

Please pick your desired comfort level below to see the matching itinerary. 

We use exactly the same cars and guides for each type of safaris. You’ll visit exactly the same places and there is no difference in comfort or quality during your game drives. The choice you make below only impacts your accommodation.

This is a general itinerary that can be followed during most of the year. However in certain months we’d suggest visiting different parts of the Serengeti in order to see more of the great migration. We include these suggestions in our personalized offers once you’ve informed us of your travel dates. They might have an impact on the prices mentioned below.

Budget camping
Glamping
Standard lodges
Mid-range lodges

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind very basic comfort, this option is perfect for you! You’ll sleep on a camping mattress in small temporary tents and bathrooms are shared. Simple but delicious meals are prepared by your personal chef and served at camping tables and chairs. 

Day 1: Arusha – Lake Natron

Your guide will pick you up early in the morning in order to drive to the unknown lands of Lake Natron. You have a long road ahead of you, part of which will take you through the most breathtaking landscapes. Depending on the weather and the condition of the access roads, we’ll pick the best option. For each of them, you’ll first drive about 2 hours on a tarmac road and will then continue over dirt roads while you approach the sacred mountain of the Maasai, Ol Doinyo Lengai, which determines the landscapes around Lake Natron. After your arrival, if you’re not scared of getting wet, you can do a pretty adventurous hike to the Engaresero waterfall. You’ll spend the night close to the lake and dinner will be served here.

Accommodation: budget camping at Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge at Lake Natron. 

Meals: lunch and dinner included. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, dinner is freshly prepared by your personal chef.

Day 2: Full day on the east side of Lake Natron

After breakfast, you’ll leave your accommodation on foot (or by car if you prefer), together with your safari guide and local Maasai guide, for a walk to one of the least visited areas around the lake. In this area, you can usually see a lot of zebras, some wildebeest and maybe even giraffes. You can get close to the shore of the lake to see the flamingos up close. Your safari car will follow you the entire time and after visiting the shore of the lake, you’ll get in the car to drive to a nearby natural pool. In this entire area, there’s no roads so this is a real adventure! Once you get to the pool, you can relax, ‘swim’ (the pool is shallow and the water is pretty warm), watch the Maasai walk by with their cattle or make a short walk to the shore of the lake. This is a 20 to 30-minute walk. After all this adventure, you’ll drive back to your accommodation, where dinner will be served.

Accommodation: budget camping at Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge at Lake Natron. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, breakfast and dinner are freshly prepared by your personal chef.

Day 3: Lake Natron – Serengeti with sunrise visit to the lake

Today you’ll get up early to see the sunrise at the lake, not far from your accommodation. After this, you’ll start the drive towards the Serengeti. The road is nothing less than breathtaking while you cross the nort-eastern part of the Serengeti. Depending on the condition of the road and the amount of animals that you’ll be able to see whilst driving, you’ll arrive in the central part of the Serengeti sometime during the afternoon. If there’s enough time left, you can still do a game drive in the park, after which you’ll head to your accommodation inside the park. Dinner will be served here.

Accommodation: budget camping on a public campsite in the Serengeti . 

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, breakfast and dinner are freshly prepared by your personal chef.

Day 4 & 5: Serengeti National Park

You’ll start the day with breakfast at your accommodation, after which it’s time to spend the entire day game driving. You’ll witness an extraordinary nature, as well as an abundance of animals like lions, gnus, Thomson gazelles and zebras. We’ll let you decide on the exact planning for the day together with your guide, as your safari is fully private. You’ll spend another night in the Serengeti, in the same accommodation as the night before.

Accommodation: budget camping on a public campsite in the Serengeti . 

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, breakfast and dinner are freshly prepared by your personal chef.

Day 6: Serengeti National Park – transfer to Ngorongoro

The morning is dedicated to another game drive in the central part of the Serengeti, and we can plan the day keeping in mind your wishes. Our top tip: get up early to witness the Serengeti at sunrise (from your accommodation or during a short game drive), have breakfast at your accommodation and spend the rest of the morning game driving. In the afternoon, you’ll start heading towards Ngorongoro conservation area, with the chance to stop and see more wildlife along the way. We’ll provide dinner at your accommodation again.

Accommodation: budget camping on a public campsite in Ngorongoro Conservation Area . 

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, breakfast and dinner are freshly prepared by your personal chef.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu or Mto wa Mbu

After an early breakfast you’ll head towards the entrance of the crater. You’ll enter the crater over the steep path that leads down. Get ready to take in the amount of different animals you’re about to see – only giraffes and a few other species are absent, but other than that the wildlife density in this area is nothing less but impressive. You’re almost guaranteed to see large numbers of gnus (wildebeest), zebras, buffaloes and gazelles and chances are you’ll be able to spot rhinos and leopards. You’ll drive to your accommodation in Karatu or Mto wa Mbu sometime during the afternoon. Dinner will be served here.

Accommodation: budget camping at Migombani camp in Mto wa Mbu. 

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, breakfast and dinner are freshly prepared at the accommodation.

Day 8: Tarangire or Lake Manyara National Park – Arusha

Today you’ll be visiting either Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park. We’ll pick the park depending on things like the time of the year in order to give you the best experience or you can of course inform us about your preference, as your safari is fully private. You’ll spend the entire morning game driving and will have lunch in the park. Lake Manyara and Tarangire are both famous for their huge amounts of elephants, and in Lake Manyara you might even catch a glimpse of a tree-sitting lion! After lunch it’s time to drive back to Arusha. 

Accommodation: not included

Meals: breakfast and lunch. Lunch will be served in a lunchbox, breakfast is freshly prepared by your personal chef.

Pick-up and/or drop-off at JRO airport or in Moshi is also possible.

 

OUR OFFER – PRICES AND SERVICES

Please find prices for this package below. These prices are valid for adults, throughout the year and are based on the cheapest combination of single and double tents for your group size. Discounted prices apply for children under 16, please let us know if you’re traveling with children in your booking request and we’ll send you the correct rates.

Prices according to group size:

  • 1 person: 4160 USD / pers.
  • 2 people: 2600 USD / pers.
  • 3 people: 2120 USD / pers.
  • 4 people: 1870 USD / pers.
  • 5 people: 1730 USD / pers.
  • 6 people: 1600 USD / pers.
 
Book this tour or request more information

Didn’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Don’t worry, there’s lots of other options! Please contact us for different accommodation options in any price range, different room types and group sizes or groups including children, as well as if you wish to add extra options to your safari.  

The following services are included in our package:

  • Entrance fees to the parks (Tarangire or Manyara, Serengeti 72h, Ngorongoro 24h and Lake Natron)
  • Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle from your hotel in Arusha to the parks and back (other pick-up points possible, please contact us for the right price)
  • Game drives in the parks
  • Professional, English-speaking guide. Local Maasai guide attributed by the local activity office during your activities at Lake Natron.
  • Professional chef who will prepare your meals
  • Accommodation as mentioned above. Specific accommodation options are always subject to availability. If the suggested option is not available, we’ll suggest another option for your approval. A higher or lower price might apply in this case.
  • Camping gear like tents, camping mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, camping chairs, etc.
  • Meals as described above
  • Drinking water, tea and coffee

This package however doesn’t include:

  • Tips for the crew. We recommend a tip of 25 USD per day for each guide and 15 USD per day for your cook, to be divided between each member of your group. 
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa
  • Flights or other transport to Arusha. We can however arrange airport pickup for you. Let us know your itinerary and we’ll make it happen!
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Accommodation in Arusha before and after your safari. If you wish, we can however assist you in finding a place that corresponds to your needs and budget.
  • Breakfast on the first day and dinner on the last
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs, laundry, etc.
  • … and all other services that are not mentioned as included.