Itinerary

Photos

Our 7 day trip was just about the perfect amount of time for the things we wanted to experience.  Two full days (4 half days of game drives in Serengeti), One full day in Ngorongoro Crater and half day in Lake Manyara on the way from Arusha.  On the way back, we also stopped by Oldupai Gorge - the origin of human species, if you wish.

• Day 1: JAN 23 - Arrive JRO (Kilimanjaro Airport) at 0150 AM on Turkish Airlines nonstop from Istanbul.  Clear Immigration, collect luggage, and meet driver/guide.  Driving West for an hour, you will be transferred to Arusha hotel BB, in Arusha.
• Day 1: JAN 23 (same day) - After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Arrive for Lunch. Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara.  Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara Kirurumu Lodge FB 
• DAY 2: JAN 24  - After breakfast, drive to the vast Serengeti plains .Enjoy an Enroute game drive arriving in time for lunch and check in at your lodge. In the afternoon, enjoy game drive. Dinner and overnight -Serengeti Sopa Lodge FB
• Day 3: JAN 25 - After breakfast have full day game drives in Serengeti national park where if you are lucky you can see the big five animals.  Dinner and overnight -Serengeti Sopa Lodge FB     
• Day 4:  JAN 26 - After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro conservation area.  Stop by Oldupai Gorge on the way after picnic box lunch.  Dinner and overnight –Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge FB  
• Day 5: JAN 27 - Early morning breakfast. Descend down to the Ngorongoro crater floor with a picnic packed lunch boxes for a full day game view. Return to your lodge, in the evening for dinner and Overnight.  All meals and Overnight – Ngorongoro Sopa FB 
• Day 6: JAN 28 - Depart after breakfast and drive to Arusha. Lunch in Arusha. Thereafter transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your departure flight back home. Flight departs at 0415 am on 29 Jan back to Istanbul via Zanzibar.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON KENYA/TANZANIA

Time Difference: Kenya/ Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of GMT.

Visa: All travelers must have current passports valid for 60 days after the expected departure date from Africa. The visa can be obtained through a Kenya/ Tanzania embassy in advance of your trip or upon arrival at the airport/entry point.

Currency Conversion: The currency of Tanzania is Tanzania Shillings (TS). 1 USD approx. 2000 TS

Languages Spoken: Kiswahili is the National language and English is widely spoken.

Learn to speak Kiswahili!

A few words go a long way in making things easier for you in a new country…so here goes!!!

Jambo – Hello

Habari! – How are you?

Mzuri Sana – I am fine, thank you!

Sisemi Kiswahili – I can’t speak Swahili

Hapana - No

Ndiyo - Yes

Asante sana – Thank you very much!

Kwaheri – Good bye!

BiaBaridi – Cold beer!

Packing List

Clothing: Kenya is casual. Please bring neutral colors. Remember, as there is lots of dust, khaki is always good. The best method of dress is layering. Early morning and evening game runs call for a sweater/fleece or windbreaker over a cotton long-sleeved shirt. A T-shirt or short-sleeved cotton shirt is good for mid-day. Hats are a must. Cotton or poly trousers, shorts, sneakers or comfortable hiking shoes are recommended. 

Dos and Don’ts while on safari

• Don't photograph the people or their homes and livestock without asking permission first, and don't be offended if you're asked to pay for the privilege—it's customary in some areas, particularly with the Masai who expect payment.
• Don't encourage your driver to go off road on safari to get closer to the animals. Some will happily do this for the promise of a tip, but it is against national park rules and destroys the environment for the animals.
• Do stock up on insect repellent and general medicines in case you suffer from minor ailments while you are out on safari without access to a pharmacy or a doctor.
• Do take more camera film or memory cards than you think you'll need. There are great photographic opportunities on safari, and most people get carried away taking photographs of animals. If you run out, it is very expensive to buy film or cards in the national park lodges.
• If you are going on a Safari, watch your clothing choices. Bright colors (such as whites and blues) attract wild animals as well as insects.
• When on safari, please do not get out of your vehicle, unless you are told it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to go for walks outside the lodge premises, when staying in game lodges/ camps.

Best season to visit

Rainier season (November to April) The short rains are November- December; long rains from February-April - the latter generally being considered the off season.  However, the rainy season is a very exciting time of year as this is when the animals congregate on the Short Grass Plains to have their young. Late February-early March is usually a good time to see the migration on the plains. In turn, this attracts large numbers of predators and results in spectacular interactions between predators and prey. Keep in mind that part of the Serengeti Plains fall within the NCA (Ngorongoro Crater.)  Birds abound at this time and the wild flowers are in bloom, streaking the landscape with white, yellow and purple and attracting a menagerie of butterflies.  The rainstorms are dramatic and usually short-lived, but the cloud formations and the build up of rainstorms is a sight to behold. On the downside, you may get stuck a few times, or skid, and it may rain.  The Short Grass Plains, Ngorongoro and Ndutu are particularly good this time of year.

Dry season( May to October) The dry season holds its own beauty. It is generally accepted in other parts of Africa that the dry season is the best time for game viewing because the animals are concentrated along permanent water sources. This is true within the crater where game-viewing is excellent this time of year. However, keep in mind that the Short Grass Plains become completely devoid of game during this season. This is the best time of year to visit Empakaai and Ndutu also has resident game that remains around the lake all year round.