The Big 5 Safari

Day 1: Moshi to Tarangire National Park

1. Tarangire National Park
   12h
   We will leave from Moshi in the morning and travel to the Tarangire National Park, where you can marvel at the two-stories high termite mounds and the “upside-down” giant baobab trees. The aesthetic scenery and cornucopia of bird-life assist in creating the unequivocally peaceful ambiance of the Tarangire National Park. In addition, the African elephant population, over 300 strong, is an extremely remarkable sight. African elephants are the largest living land mammals, with adult males weighing in at seven tons. Other animals endemic to Tarangire’s savannah include the hardy African lions, giraffes, toothy warthogs, ostriches, impalas, agile cheetah, mongoose, water buffalo, and red-bottomed baboons. When your game drive comes to an end, our guide will transport you to the Fanaka Campsite, complete with a pool and hot showers. As with guaranteed with each tour, guests are provided with comprehensive camping facilities.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park to Serengeti National Park

1. Tarangire National Park
   12h
   A delicious breakfast showcasing local and organic products will be served at camp, followed by a breathtaking drive to the Serengeti National Park. We will take the scenic route to Serengeti, allowing for an amazing, bird’s-eye-view of Ngorongoro Crater. There is a high likelihood of spotting game on the drive. The endless golden savanna, contrasted with the vibrant patterns of zebras, lions, and elephants make it easy to understand why the Serengeti is one of the Seven Natural wonders of Africa. We will stop for a picnic lunch on the most famous kopje (a small hill in a generally flat area) in the park, allowing visitors to experience the vastness Serengeti from atop the hill. We will proceed further into the Serengeti for a leisurely game drive where you will likely view herds of giraffes, elephants, and zebra. You will spend the night at the Nyani (Baboon) Serengeti Camp, where you will fall asleep to the mighty chorus of zebra, lions and gazelles.

Day 3: Serengeti National Park

1. Serengeti National Park
   12h
   The day will begin in the center of the majestic Serengeti. After a nourishing breakfast, we will continue our journey into the plains. Since we have a full day of game driving, you will likely view hundreds of the diverse animals that find their home within the Serengeti’s endless plains. This day will likely offer sightings of the African mammals that make the park famous- lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, and water buffalo, all within a few feet of the jeep. Visitors will also have the chance to view some of the park’s lesser known, but equally majestic animals including, elands, hyenas, gazelles, crocodiles, giraffe, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos and antelope. Depending on the time of year, visitors will also have the chance to view thousands of zebra and wildebeest on their Great Migration. The hundreds of bird species, both endemic and migrating from the Eurasion region, are a special bonus for bird-watchers. Guests will enjoy fresh and delicious dinner at our campsite in Seronera, another spot well known for animal sightings.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater

1. Serengeti National Park
   12h
   Today is our last game drive in Serengeti before we continue to Ngorongoro Crater. We will overnight at Simba Camp, which is located at the rim of the crater, ideal for watching the gorgeous sunset expand over the savannah within the caldera. After watching the sunset, guests can look forward to a delectable dinner made fresh by the Viva Africa Tour’s friendly cook.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara National Park

1. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
   12h
   We will depart for the Ngorongoro Crater early in the morning, as early mornings provide an opportune time to spot game, especially within the “Big 5”. The group comprises some of the strongest animals in Africa – the ferocious lion, the mighty elephant, the stealthy leopard, the charging rhino and the strong water buffalo. We will enjoy a leisurely game drive in the morning and have a picnic lunch near a pond full of hippos inside the crater. As we enjoy our snacks and sandwiches, we will be able to watch the hippos splash around. An interesting fact about Ngorongoro Crater is that it provides a unique haven for animals, which thrive within the protective shelter provided by the high walls of the caldera. The Crater was formed millions of years ago when a large volcano erupted, collapsing the volcano but leaving a perfectly unbroken crater. It is the only one like it in the world. Within the Ngorongoro Crater drive, visitors can definitely expect to encounter zebra, hippo, wildebeest and cackling hyenas. Similarly, the Crater is home to flocks of graceful flamingos lounging at Soda Lake and vultures and hawks eagerly circling the sky in search of a hardy meal of discarded carcases. Storks, ibis, and cranes are popular water birds in the crater. Our game drive will conclude shortly after lunch when we will begin our drive to camp. This night, guests will enjoy the tranquility of Fanaka Campsite and a delicious dinner served hot and fresh.

Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park to Moshi

1. Lake Manyara National Park
   12h
   On our last day of the tour (we know, we wish it was longer too!), we will experience the beauty of Lake Manyara National Park. We will enjoy an early breakfast, in order to start our game drive early enough to spot the “Big Five” mammals. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park provides picturesque, yet varying scenery. Throughout the day we will experience the shrubbery of the golden savannah, mighty rivers, and amazing wildlife. We will eat our picnic lunch in the heart of the beautiful park. Soda Lake and the surrounding savannah support the highly diverse ecosystem, leading to the diverse array of wildlife to be viewed within the park. With over four hundred species of dazzling birds, some of which are migratory, Lake Manyara National Park is a birdwatcher's paradise. Lake Manyara is home to the legendary tree-climbing lions as well as powerful water buffalo, immense African elephant, soaring giraffe, graceful impala and gigantic hippo. In the late afternoon, we will leave Manyara and proceed to Moshi to conclude our safari. Guests will enjoy the beautiful scenery as we drive past Maasai bomas, baobab forest, and rolling savannah plains in route to Moshi. Airport transportation can be made upon request.

Pickup details

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• Suitable for all physical fitness levels