Ngorongoro – Manyara – Lake Natron

Embark on a journey from the lush Ngorongoro Crater, known for its dense wildlife population and breathtaking views, to Lake Manyara National Park, celebrated for its tree-climbing lions and diverse birdlife. Conclude at the unique Lake Natron, where you'll witness the vast flamingo flocks and the stark, otherworldly landscapes. This tour encapsulates Tanzania's varied ecosystems, from crater game drives to lakeside flamingo watching, offering both adventure and natural beauty.

Day 1: Marangu – Karatu

Transfer from Marangu to mid-level Hotel in Karatu adjacent to Ngorongoro Crater for overnight. Overnight at Marera Valley View Lodge. Dinner, Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 2: Karatu – Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro is collapsed volcano - an incredible natural amphitheatre, 25 km across and teeming with all of the African big game. Early morning descent into the crater for spectacular scenery and game viewing in what has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. Overnight as last night.

Day 3: Karatu – Manyara – Lake Natron

After breakfast, traveling along the foot of the escarpment on dirt roads towards toward Lake Natron for overnight in the Maasai Giraffe Eco-lodge (www.maasaigiraffe.com). Dinner, Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 4: Lake Natron

We will visit the shores of Lake Natron in the morning to see flamingos & their breeding site and the water falls in late afternoon. Overnight as last. Dinner, Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 5: Lake Natron – Tarangire

We can get up around midnight to climb the nearby Oldoinyo Lengai mountain to get to the top for sunrise and avoid the heat of the day. The group meets up again in camp and leaves for the drive south, traveling along the foot of the escarpment on dirt roads towards Tarangire Nat. Park in afternoon. Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge. Dinner, Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 6: Tarangire

Full day game drive in Tarangire. Tarangire National Park a beautiful area stretching south-east of Lake Manyara around the Tarangire river. During dry season, July to October, Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife of any of the country's parks. Large herds of zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest and especially elephant are here. Overnight in the park as last night. Dinner, Breakfast & lunch included.

Day 7: Tarangire – Arusha

After breakfast, morning game drive before we drive to Arusha/Marangu/Airport in late afternoon.

TRIP INFOMATION

Weather
It is of course impossible to predict exact weather conditions, and mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised conditions. The highland areas of East Africa, including Northern Tanzania where Kilimanjaro and the parks of Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara are located, have a pleasant, temperate climate throughout the year. There is a long rainy season in April/May and a second, shorter rainy period in November/early December. Temperatures vary greatly with altitude. At the foot of Kilimanjaro it’s usually approximately 25- 28⁰C, dropping to 15⁰C at night. At 3000m, daytime temperatures can be around 15⁰C. Above 4000m, the night-time temperatures will fall below freezing and it is usually no more than 10⁰C in the day. For more information we recommend visiting www.worldweather.org.

Currency
The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSZ or TSH) although US dollars are widely accepted in hotels and tourist areas. We recommend that you change money at the airport. Credit cards are accepted in large hotels and some souvenir shops, but may be subject to commission.

Passports and Visas
In order for non-residents to enter Tanzania for a short-term (classified as up to 3 months) the Tanzanian government requires ta tourist visa. The tourist visa can be obtained in your home country OR very easily at the airport/border in Tanzania for approximately $50 (single entry) or $100 (US passport holders multiple entry). If you do apply for this in your home country bear in mind that the date of issue is the date the visa will start.

Photography
It is recommended that you do not photograph Tanzanians without their express permission. However, you will find that many people enjoy having their pictures taken especially if they can see the instant results of a digital image. If individuals do refuse to be photographed, please respect this decision.

Tipping in Tanzania
Tipping is not a common practice in Tanzania, with exception of the tourism industry. It is customary for visitors climbing Kilimanjaro or going on Safari to tip the guides and crew. This is discretionary and should depend on the level of service you received and be a mirror of your satisfaction of the professionalism of the team. We strongly feel this should not depend on whether or not you reached the top. Whilst discretionary, many of our guests ask us for a guideline so we suggest the following percentages: Kilimanjaro Expeditions: 10-15% of total sum shared across the crew Safaris: 5-7% of total sum shared across the crew Local Excursions: 10% of total sum shared across the crew

What to Wear
Though Tanzania is a rather tolerant country, people tend to dress rather conservatively and it is a sign of respect that you dress the same. Women should never dress in what the local people might interpret as a provocative fashion. We recommend that skirts or shorts at or below the knees or long pants should be worn at all times. Spaghetti strap tops, halter tops, or tank tops are not worn by local women very often, but are definitely seen more now than they used to be. Tight fitting or revealing clothing should be avoided – mainly to avoid stares from local men rather than any other reason. Men can wear shorts or trousers, although you will find the local men rarely wear shorts. It is also advisable that men avoid wearing sleeveless shirts. It can be rainy between November – April, so we’d suggest bringing a raincoat and a sweatshirt. At other times of the year, light cotton clothing is best for the heat, though you should be prepared and pack a light sweater just in case. Expensive Items In some cities and towns in Tanzania, expensive-looking clothing, jewellery and electronics could put you at an unnecessary risk for robbery or worse. Individuals with electronic equipment such as laptops, cameras, and music players are asked to use them discreetly.

Important Documents
We recommend that you make 3 photocopies of each of the below documents; you should scan them and email them to yourself as well. Passport (valid for at least 6 months after your intended return date) Tanzania Tourist Visa (you can also get this at the airport in Tanzania) Flight Tickets or print out of e-ticket (please also email these to Milestone Safaris so we can keep copies together on your file) Travel insurance details (again please email to Milestone Safaris) Check/Debit/Credit Card Vaccination records/certificates We recommend that you make 3 photocopies of each of the above documents; you should scan them and email them to yourself as well. On your journey to Africa, you should keep one copy in your backpack, one in your day-bag and give one set to your parents or a friend back home (in case you need to contact them in case of an emergency). To be extra safe you should also bring with you photocopies of the following: Driver’s license from your home, and international license if you have one Your embassy phone number in the countries you will be visiting Serial number on valuables e.g. cameras Credit card numbers & emergency numbers to report theft

Insurance
It is strongly recommended you secure travellers insurance for your upcoming trip and if climbing Kilimanjaro with us, be sure to include this additional coverage. The nearest hospitals of western standards for severe and life threatening emergencies are located in Nairobi. For a minimal fee we can arrange Emergency Air Evacuation coverage to be transferred via helicopter to accredited facilities. Medical evacuations often cost tens of thousands of US Dollars. There are many options for this, including AMREF Flying Doctors, Air Med, Medjet Assistance, International SOS, Patriot Travel Medical Insurance and Foreignsure. Before your trip, we recommend that you consult with an insurance provider about these and other options to decide what is best for you. As a developing country, health care costs are considered fairly low for local and basic services, and International travellers usually have to pay cash for any required medical care during travel. Few places will bill your home health insurance direction. And many health insurance plans do not cover medical care outside of your home country.

TOUR DATES AND PRICES
Please enquire for our most up to date prices.