Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Arusha, Tanzania

  Welcome!

  Welcome to Tanzania, a country home to deep-rooted culture, fascinating wildlife and the world’s most treasured national parks. An unforgettable, authentic African experience awaits. As soon as airport formalities are complete, a local guide is on hand to escort you to the evening’s accommodations in Arusha.
  
  Get a good night's rest -- the safari adventure begins in the morning!
  
  "Karibu" = Welcome in Swahili

  Dinner
• Day

  02

  Tarangire National Park

  On Safari

  Meet your Born Free Safari Guide, and board a 4 x 4 Land Cruiser with photographic hatch. First stop is a short 2 hour scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, the quintessence of Old Africa.
  
  Entering the park, take a step back in time as you’re surrounded by a spectacular landscape of prehistoric-looking ancient baobab trees mixed with giant palms.
  
  Your guide has intimate knowledge of the bush and a keen eye for spotting the wildlife. Tarangire is home to a large population of elephant as well as other common park animals including lion, leopard, impala, Grant’s Gazelle, Black Backed Jackal and Vervet Monkey to name just a few.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Tarangire National Park

  Set out early for another day of game viewing in Tarangire. Keep your eyes out for large parades of buffalo, zebra, elephant, wart hogs, antelope and fabulous bird life including ostrich and the crested crane.
  
  Return to your lodge for a delicious dinner. Perhaps end your evening around a campfire, exchanging stories of today's sightings with fellow travelers.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  04

  Lake Manyara National Park

  Treetop Walkway

  Rise early to the welcoming sounds of the bush, this is the best time to see the wildlife in action. Lions on the hunt, elephant roaming to the river for their morning bath, each day is very different.
  
  Head towards the Great Rift Valley Wall and Lake Manyara National Park. Ernest Hemingway described Manyara as “the loveliest place I have seen in Africa.” More than two-thirds of this 127-square mile park is covered by lake. There are five different vegetation zones ranging from towering mahogany and fig trees to grassy glades to scrub land, giving the park a distinct charm compared to the other parks in northern Tanzania.
  
  In addition to the impressive population of hippos and tree-climbing lions, the park is home to elephant, giraffe, monkeys, impala, and more than 380 species of birds.
  
  For those who wish, time will be made to take a stroll on the new Treetop Walkway giving a birds-eye view of the parks forested area.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  05

  Ngorongoro Crater

  Early morning wake-up call, breakfast and then head down into Ngorongoro Crater for prime time game viewing. The area is inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife including lions with black manes, the highly endangered black rhino, herds of wildebeest, zebra, elephants, hippo, and hyena. The Crater is also known for large flocks of flamingos.
  
  After a simple picnic lunch, spend a few more hours exploring the Crater. This region has a very delicate eco-system and in order to protect the area, travelers must start out of Ngorongoro by 3:30.
  
  Travel to the Olduvai Gorge region for the night.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Olduvai Gorge

  Maasai Interactions

  For a change of pace, today's adventure includes a walk with the Maasai. They are warm and friendly people and are open to showing you their traditions, but will also like to know about you.
  
  Continue to the legendary Olduvai Gorge. Known as the “Cradle of Humankind”, the area boasts a new museum featuring Louis and Mary Leakey’s famous discoveries of early humans. At the new Olduvai Museum, delve into the story of the discovery of early hominid fossils by archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Serengeti National Park

  Today it's off to Serengeti National Park for especially dramatic game viewing. Base for your safari will be based on the time of year you are traveling. You will stay in two different regions.
  
  The Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa. Every year, it hosts what is now recognized as “the greatest show on earth,” the Great Migration. More than a million wildebeest and two hundred thousand zebras pass through the reserve on their endless journey, following the rains in search of greener grasses. Behind them follow the predators.
  
  The Serengeti never ceases to amaze. In one sweep of the binoculars you could see a hundred elephants, lion, cheetah, impala, zebra and wildebeest.
  
  Each day will be a surprise as the daily wildlife routine unfolds – however, there will be nothing routine about what you see!
  
  Born Free Safaris specially selects lodges and camps in the Serengeti based on the season of travel to optimize game viewing during the time of year you are traveling.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Serengeti National Park

  Serengeti National Park is home to herds of buffalo, large groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of elands, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle.
  
  The focus in the Serengeti will be finding your favorite species and following the herds. Each day, you'll go out on your choice of morning and afternoon or full day game drives. Our guide will check on the locations of the herds each morning and make his recommendations.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

  Special Activity:
  Hot Air Balloon Safari:
  We highly suggest the balloon safari at dawn over the Serengeti with a champagne bush breakfast, from $500 per person.
• Days

  09-10

  Grumeti Game Reserve

  Night Drives, Nature Walks

  This morning, we make our way to Grumeti Game Reserve, which is bordered South and West of Serengeti National Park. Game drives are done in and out of the Reserve. Wildlife is abundant all year round, but especially when the migrating herds cross the area from May to July and October to December.
  
  Listen for the roaring lion guarding its pride. Gazelle grazing quietly and then running off at the slightest sense of a predator. See the herds of elephants walking to new feeding grounds. You will be in awe of the concentration of wildlife and species in the area. Today should truly fill your expectations!
  
  On the Grumeti Reserve, you will be able to do off-road game drives allowing for up-close viewings of the wildlife. Guided nature walks are also included in Grumeti. In the early evening there is a Night Safari where your guide will search with a spotlight for nocturnal species.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  11

  Your Onward Journey

  Flight to Arusha

  Early morning nature walk before bidding a fond farewell to the Tanzania with promises of returning. Africa truly gets not only into your heart but your soul.
  
  Fly back to Arusha where a guide and vehicle will be available for the afternoon. Have lunch, do some final shopping, then begin your journey onward. Take with you forever treasured memories of an incredible African experience!
  
  "Kwaheri" = Goodbye

  Breakfast