Walking in the footsteps of Early Man

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arriving in Tanzania

  Upon your arrival, you will be personally welcomed by one of our representatives and transferred to Arusha to a well-appointed hotel. In the afternoon, a comprehensive briefing with your guide is scheduled. Dinner is included at your hotel. Overnight at the Arusha hotel (half board).

• day 2

  Arusha to Lake Manyara - Rift Valley

  After breakfast, you set off again in your vehicle prepared for the safari. The paved road follows a line of ancient volcanoes to the Rift Valley and, here, nestled at the foot of the Rift wall, is Lake Manyara National Park, a true biodiversity hotspot. Although it is a small reserve, it contains at least 6 different habitats, ranging from lakes to dense groundwater forests, each with its own flora and fauna. Made famous by pioneering elephant research and many film scenes, this area is a good start for any safari. In the late afternoon, you head to your lodge for the evening. Overnight at Ngorongoro Farm (full board)

• day 3

  Ngorongoro Crater

  You leave in your safari vehicle and head to the next accommodation in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you descend into the 2,000-foot-deep caldera, which is home to more than 20,000 large mammals, including the rare black rhinoceros. An afternoon is dedicated to wildlife viewing before returning to your accommodation. Overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House (full board).

• day 4

  Ngorongoro - Makarot

  In the morning, we will set off for the start of a hike! An armed forest ranger will join us and your guide will give you an overview of the landscape and the Maasai way of life. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a mixed-use land reserve where the Maasai live side by side with wildlife. Chance encounters with Maasai on foot over the next few days provide insight into a way of life that has prevailed for millennia and, as now, is constantly evolving. The goal of today's hike is to reach the summit of the Makarot volcano – with a bit of luck, a breathtaking view of the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti plains – before heading to your light bush camp located in the heart of Makarot. Overnight at Makarot camp (full board).

• day 5

  Little Olduvai

  Early in the morning, as the cattle move away from the Maasai corrals, we set out to cross Mount Makarot and descend it by walking along cattle and wildlife trails. The trails lead us to the grassy plains of the Serengeti, which each year host the greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet: The Migration. We arrive at the camp in the afternoon and have time to relax and enjoy the surroundings while our bush chefs work hard to keep us fit for the day ahead. Here, at the base of Makarot, humans have literally evolved alongside other species, as the relationship between the environment and survival strategies led to the emergence of our species and the disappearance of so many others. Overnight at Little Olduvai (full board)

• day 6

  Serengeti Short Grass Plains

  Today, there is a difficult hike to the next camp and some of them may only want to finish a half-day. The itinerary takes us through the short grassy plains to the west, towards a prominent rocky outcrop, very different from the rock and environment we are coming from. Here, we approach another habitat of the short grassy plains and, in the evening, we can climb the nearby kopje to watch the sunset over the Serengeti plains. Overnight at Kopje camp (full board)

• day 7

  Serengeti

  From hiking in the plains, which have so far been relatively open, we now head towards the acacia forest for the final part of our adventure. Once again, there are options for those who wish to do only part of the hike. In the late afternoon, we head to our campsite for a well-deserved shower and to admire the sunsets. This mobile camp moves seasonally to follow the migration and will be our base for the next 3 nights. Night at Serengeti Camp (full board)

• day 8

  Serengeti

  The last 2 nights were spent under canvas while we explored the Serengeti in search of the migration of wildebeest, zebras, and other plains game. A time of abundance for resident carnivores: early departures are rewarded with greater predator activity, and the variety of habitats offers excellent wildlife and bird watching. Overnight at Serengeti Camp (full board)

• day 9

  Serengeti

  A final day is spent in the Serengeti and, on one of the days, a visit to the Olduvai Gorge is a must, where more than 3 million years of evolutionary history are laid bare. The Olduvai museum and the lecturers are able to provide additional information about the region, the history of mankind, and other megafauna. Overnight at Serengeti Camp (full board)

• day 10

  Departure

  In the morning, we leave for the center of the Serengeti to take a scheduled flight to Arusha. The return flight saves us long drives and maximizes our game viewing time. In addition, it offers us a unique perspective of the terrain below. Once we arrive, a vehicle is at your disposal to transfer you to town for lunch, then for optional shopping. A day room is available for you to shower and change before your flight. Note that from Arusha airport, you can connect to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, or even to other programs in southern Tanzania, Kenya, or further afield.