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"Lion Itinerary"- Firelight Safaris

Northern circuit 9 days, 8 nights 2017-18 Season

Validity: from 1st May 2017 to 30th September 2018.

Issued 05.09.2017

Arrival Kilimanjaro, 1 night Rivertree Country Inn Arusha, 2 nights Isoitok Manyara, 1 night Gibbs Farm Ngorongoro Highlands, 4 nights Chaka Camp Serengeti
 

Arrival day 1:

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Collection from Kilimanjaro Airport by our representative and transfer by road to Rivertrees Country Inn on the outskirts of Arusha. Once a thriving coffee plantation it has now opened its doors to visitors from all corners of the world. It maintains its old-world charm and is surrounded by beautiful gardens established over many years. Set on the banks of a fast-flowing river, the garden cottages are scattered along the banks under ancient indigenous trees, just a short stroll from the main areas where the thatched bar and dining room are set up al fresco.

Overnight Rivertrees Country Inn, Arusha

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Day 2:

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Collection by your own private driver guide with 4 x4 safari land cruiser from your hotel at approximately 8:00 am. Drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its huge herds of elephant and wetlands. Bird life is incredible and the wildlife is amazing. Watch the lions sleep under the trees while herds of impala graze in the shade, buffalo and eland run across the horizon. Picnic lunch under an acacia tree and onwards for your afternoon adventure. Leave the park at around 5.00 pm and make your way to Isoitok camp. This is an intimate private rustic camp encompassing a grass roots cultural experience and a true look behind the scenes into Masaai culture. Comfortable and friendly. Sundowner drinks on the bluff overlooking Masaailand followed by a delicious 3 course dinner by candlelight.

The night chorus in the form of crickets, cicadas and tree frogs is always present; and to pull you from your dreamy sleep state the following morning, a chorus of bird song follows thereafter to be enjoyed with freshly brewed Kilimanjaro coffee.

Isoitok Camp location in relation to three prime wildlife areas is a perfect situation while exploring the surrounding areas. A good base to conduct day trips out to Tarangire and Lake Manyara National parks or the Ngorongoro Crater. In between game drives there are cultural activities and walks with the Masaai tribespeople. The activities are real-life experiences (not staged), fitting into the Masaai way of life. Most walks will be accompanied by one of the Isoitok staff members to help with translation and explanations that the Masaai game scout cannot provide.           

Overnight Isoitok Camp, Manyara

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Day 3:

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Stay at Isoitok camp for the day to experience some of the amazing cultural activities:

 

Masaai medicine walk

Learn about the different root and plant extracts still being used by the Masaai on a daily basis.

Approximately 2 hours.

 

Masaai boma visit

Visit a Masaai boma – take a look behind the scenes and experience the daily living of these pastoralists.

Meet with the Masaai women and their children. Approximately 1 hour.

 

Traditional song and dance

Experience the song and dance of the Masaai and learn about the traditional meaning behind the

various songs. Everybody welcome to join in!

 

Traditional goat sacrifice

Witness a traditional goat sacrifice in the korongo not far from the camp, followed by a traditional goat BBQ.

 

Viewpoint walk with bush refreshments 

Your Masaai guide will take you up to the viewpoint overlooking Lake Manyara. Approximately 45 minutes’, fairly steep hike. Bush sundowner refreshment on the top while overlooking Lake Manyara.

(Additional drinks like sparkling wines and champagne available on request and at additional cost)

 

Bush lunch

Head up into the hills behind Isoitok Camp Manyara (short hike) and enjoy a bush lunch with excellent views of Lake Manyara and the Rift Valley.

 

Choose your preferences!

Overnight Isoitok Camp, Manyara

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Day 4:

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Early morning departure with your driver guide to Ngorongoro Crater. Spend the day in the most spectacular caldera in the world, 110 square miles and teeming with game. Maybe spot a rhino, see the herds of game and the prides of lion as they sleep under the trees or try for a kill. Picnic lunch in an acacia forest and afternoon discovering the game on the lake shore.

Late afternoon ascent and make your way to Gibb’s Farm situated in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Perched high on the Rift Valley bluff with magnificent views as far as the eye can see. Once a private farm and coffee plantation it now lends its unique ambience to a feel of Tanzania in bygone times. Amazingly friendly staff will be there to see to your every need. Enjoy the beautiful highland gardens, established over decades by the lady who lived there for 60 years and still resides on the neighbouring hillside, now well into her eighties but a character loved by all.

 

Overnight Gibb’s Farm, Ngorongoro Highlands

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Day 5 to 9 (4 nights):

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After an early breakfast the guide will drive to Manyara airstrip for the scheduled flight into Serengeti where guests will be met on arrival by a new guide and 4 x 4 vehicle. Drive to Chaka Camp, game viewing along the way as you head towards the Mara River. Arrive at camp to unpack and settle in, a delicious lunch awaits. Siesta, afternoon game drive, evening showers and cocktails under the stars.

Private en suite tents with a shaded verandah overlooking the Serengeti will be home for 4 days. Early morning tea or coffee is brought to the tent on request each morning before the start of each day.
Each day will be a new experience. Experienced guides know where the best places are to follow and watch the game. Choose between buffet lunch on the savannah or a delicious lunch in camp. Ice cold drinks are served as the guide stops each evening to let you watch the sun sink below the horizon, the final glow of another incredible day on the Serengeti Plains. Evenings around the fire are followed by a sumptuous dinner and fine wines.

From late May through October, Chaka Camp is located in Northern Serengeti. The camp is close to the Mara River, allowing easy access to several river crossing points in the area. During this time of year, the wildebeest migration is crossing the Mara River back and forth from Tanzania to Kenya. River crossings are common with crocodiles, hippos and large cats scattered throughout the area. Spot herds of wildebeest and plains game as far as the eye can see. Huge herds of zebra following the great migration. 

Maybe choose to do a balloon trip over the Serengeti one morning, followed by a champagne breakfast on the banks of the Mara River. (at extra cost)

Overnight Chaka Camp Serengeti (4 nights)

Day 9

After a leisurely breakfast your driver guide will take you to Kogatende airstrip for your flight to Arusha and your onward journey.

 

Price: from US$ 5450 Gross (High Season) per person sharing a double or twin tent/room
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Peak season is June – October and January to mid March in northern Tanzania

Prices may vary by season – please enquire

 

Includes:

  • Full board accommodation at all properties stated

  • All park and concession fees

  • Services of a driver guide and 4 x 4 safari vehicle at camps

  • Game drives with your private driver guide in Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater

  • Meet and greet at all destinations, road and boat transfers as per itinerary

 

Excludes:

  • Balloon ride (Extra $550 pp)

  • Alcoholic beverages at all destinations.

  • Hotels before or after itineraries.

  • Any extras requested in all destinations not mentioned on itinerary.

  • Laundry on days 1 – 3

  • International Flights

  • Medical Evacuation, Travel Insurance, we advise you to take out fully comprehensive travel insurance

  • Visas, there is an additional visa cost of US$ 50 (EU and UK) or US$100 (USA) per person which is payable on arrival in Tanzania.

  • Tips, we recommend $12 to $20 USD per guest per day in camps, off course depending on the quality of the service you receive

  • Items of a personal nature

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Terms and Conditions:

 

Children

Please ask for child rates

 

Bookings & cancellations:

·       30% deposit required for confirmation of all bookings

·       Balance to be paid 60 days or more prior to arrival.

·       60 days or more notice: forfeit deposit only

·       Less than 60 days’ notice: forfeit deposit + 30%

·       Less than 30 days’ notice: forfeit deposit + 100%

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PLEASE NOTE ALL RATES AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. This would only be due to a change in government taxes or flight price fluctuations which would be beyond our control.

If the properties in the itinerary are not available at time of booking, we may change to items of a similar quality and standard, with suitable adjustment in cost.

9 days

Price: from US$ 5450  per person sharing a double or twin tent/room
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Booking Contact: info@firelightexpeditions.com

 

Web: www.firelightsafaristanzania.com   

Tel: +255 784 278 639   or +44 0207 078 0295     

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