KONGONI Safari KONGONI 8 DAYS With this Safari trip we will visit all Northern Tanzaniza parks. We slowly get out of Arusha and one after another we will get into the TARANGIRE, MANYARA, SERENGETI and NGORONGORO parks. We have a lot of time available and the possibility to stop and visit Masai villages or markets, but also cultivations. We will see every kind of animals and we will pass though less known habitats. We choose KONGONI for a complete and relaxing visit of all parks and habitat of Arusha Eastern part, the visit of Masai village, cultivations and less known habitat. -
Safari Kongoni Parks: TARANGIRE - MANYARA - SERENGETI - NGORONGORO Duration: 8 days The trip and the map of Parks Welcome to Tanzania, the land of the large parks, of documentaries, of Hemingway and of Serengeti and Rift Valley. The land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. The land inhabited by animals of imagination with their daily life, looking for almuerzo to survive. Welcome to Ngorongoro Crater, the spectacular volcano cone where thousands of predators and their victims, with puppies to protect and feed, live inside without migrating, following their rites and habits. Their rest and their winking at the sun are like a symphony that repeats itself in a natural and authentic rhythm. In respect of this tradition, Safari Explorers will welcome you with experience and passion and will guide you along this country with standard and customized photographic safaris in the most important Northern Parks: Tarangire - Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro. We will attend to the great migrations and we will visit Masai villages or will go towards less explored areas where there are unknown ethnic groups, where we will share with them a daily meal or an overnight. A professional guide will take you during the safari. Water, tea/coffee and snacks will be available on the jeep. Full board accommodation during the safari. I will be possible to have a game drive at dawn. We will use an off-road 4WD wide pop up roofs Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruisers, field-glasses, fridge, loader, and unlimited mileage. Lodges are mentioned in the program and they have been chosen with care Safari Explorers. Pag. 2 / 8
1st DAY: Arrival at JRO - Arusha Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a Safari Explorers partner will welcome and organize the transfer to Arusha (about 50 km), it will take 50 minutes by car on a tarmacked road. Dinner and overnight at Arusha Planet Lodge or Ilboro Lodge. 2nd DAY: Tarangire National Park After a generous breakfast, we will leave for Tarangire National Park (it will take about 1h30min by a off road car on a tarmacked road) After gate standard procedures, we will start the wonderful Game Drive in the first large park just located on the west to Arusha. Then packed lunch in a lunch box. On the way to Keratu we will stop to visit Mto Wa Mbo incredible Masai market. At Sunset we ll join Olea Africana Lodge or Country Lodge to have dinner and spend the overnight. Tarangire National Park Tarangire National Park is a natural protected area in Northern Tanzania. It is located at 100 Km West from Arusha, on the way to Dodoma, on South West of Manyara Lake. Tarangire comes from the name of Tarangire River that flows along the park. Comparing to the parks like the Serengeti, here the landscapes is more verdant, around the river there are vast swap and alluvial plains but also woods. Above all during dry seasons, the park hosts numerous animals: zebras, gnus, hartebeests, minor kudus, dik-dik, different species of gazelles, buffalos, giraffes, elephants, catlike as cheetahs and lions. One of the most characteristics arboreal species is the umbrella acacia (Acacia tortilis). This is the Tanzanian Park with the highest concentration of baobab. Pag. 3 / 8
3rd DAY: Manyara National Park After breakfast, departure for Manyara National Park, located on the background of Lake Manyara. It is the most wealthy and verdant park. We will find flamingos, baboons and many animals who love humid places. In the afternoon back to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Planet Lodge or Ilboro Lodge. Lake Manyara Lake Manyara is an alkaline water lake located in Northern Tanzania, 100 Km South-West-West of Arusha, at the foot of the western Escarpment of Great Rift Valley. It is 50 Km long and 16 Km wide, with a total surface of about 230 Km. The Lake and a surrounding part of the territory are the natural protected area of Manyara Lake National Park. The name Manyara comes from a masai word emanyara that stand for euphorbia Tirucalli Euphorbia, that in the area is used as a hedge to divide the cattle corrals. The lake is located in the neighborhood of Mto Wa Mbu Village (in Swahili language = mosquito s river) where there s a local market with different ethnicities: Mgubwe, Iraqw, Gorowa, Irangi, Tatoga and Masai [senza fonte]. It s perhaps the only place in Africa where you can hear languages of the four main African linguistic families: bantu, khoisan, cuscitiche e nilotiche.[senza fonte]. The lake and the surrounding area, included in the National Park are a renowned ecosystem for the richness of vegetal and animals species. The vegetation is various with primary forest, gallery forest and savannah areas, besides the lake vegetation. The fauna includes numerous elephants, baboons, gnus, zebras, giraffes, hippopotamus and other species. The wealth of avifauna makes the lake a real paradise for bird watching. The Manyara lions are much known as they usually climb on the trees (habit not so common at all elsewhere) and the great flocks of rose flamingos. Ernest Hemingway in his novel Green Hills of Africa described his safari in this area and wrote of Manyara as the most beautiful lake of all Africa. Pag. 4 / 8
4th DAY: Serengeti National Park After breakfast in the early morning departure to Serengeti, in Swahili language it is called the endless plain! We will visit many ecosystems and we will see predators hunting but also huge animals walking slowly and solemnly and the variety of incredible birds. Packed lunch and dinner and overnight are at Kisura Tented Camp or at Kati Kati Tented Camp. Serengeti National Park Serengeti Plain covers a surface of 30.000 square meters where there are: prairie, savannah and woods. It is located in the Eastern Africa, the Northern part belongs to Kenya, the Southern one (80% of the overall surface) to Tanzania. The area represents the natural habitat for a great variety of animals. It is inhabited by about a million and a half of herbivorous and thousands of predators. The most common animals are gnus, antelopes, gazelles, zebras and buffalos.the plain is famous for the amazing migratory movements that happen every year. Around October about one million and a half of herbivorous move to the South crossing Mara River, and go back to the North (still crossing Mara river more on the West) around April. This event is sometimes called the circular migration. Also Olduvai archeological site belongs to this area where they found some of the most ancient hominid fossils. Serengeti plain is divided in numerous National Parks: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Masai Mara Kenyan Reserve, Maswa Game Reserve, and the regulated areas of Loliondo, Grumeti and Ikorongo. Serengeti has been inspirational source for the Disney feature film Lion King and the following theatre production. Besides Toto band mentioned the park in their tune Africa 5th DAY: Serengeti National Park A whole day in the Serengeti park looking for the big five or just looking at the park inhabitants daily life. In the afternoon we will be back towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area to have dinner and overnight at Kisura Tented Camp o al Kati Kati Tented Camp. Pag. 5 / 8
6th DAY: Serengeti National Park Last day in the Seronera Serengeti. In the afternoon we will be back towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area to have dinner and overnight a Rhino Lodge, Olea Africana or Country Lodge. 7th DAY: Ngorongoro National Park In the morning after breakfast, departure for Ngorongoro Crater through the Ngorongoro Coservation Area. We wil climb down to the incredible crater with a diameter of 25 km and we will be able to watch all kinds of animals living in the savannah. In the afternoon around 4 pm, we will go back to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Planet Lodge or Ilboro Lodge. Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro crater is at 2200 mt, diameter of 16 km and covers an area of about 265 square meters. It is the largest and intact caldera in the world. The only path runs along the crown of the crater on the Southern slope. There are four paths that connect the crown with the inside of the crater. The way to get there takes 30 min by off-road. The crater belongs to the most extended Ngorongoro Conservation Area or so called NCA (about 8.300 square meters). The NCA is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority which is an institution independent from the Tanzania National Parks System and it directs on its own the area in a different way. For example, inside the NCA, Masai population is free to live and move (that does not happen in any other Tanzania parks). Besides Ngorongoro crater, this area includes other two craters of smaller dimensions: Olmoti and Empakaai, and also an extremely important Olduvai Gorge archeological site, known as the cradle of humanity. Here they discovered the rests of primitive men going back to about 175 millions of years ago and rests of animal fossils going back to the age of stone. The whole NCA area has been declared UNESCO Humanity Patrimony. Thanks to good rainy climate, ponds, small lakes, internal creeks and shrouding mist feeding forests on slopes of volcano; the area has become a real ecosystem. The savannah is located in the more internal crater area where now and then there are areas of swamp, acacia trees and dry semi-deserted areas. In the centre of the crater there s a lake. In the crater the concentration of fauna is incredible! It is inhabited by more than 25.000 large size animals. The most typical image is probably the one of huge herds of zebras and gnus, but also the biggest part of typical Savannah species live in the crater. Elephants, lions (present with high-density population of all Africa), buffalos, hyenas, jackals, hippopotamus, baboons, cheetahs and also some more rare species as dark rhino survivors that are at risk extinction in the rest of Tanzania. And there are also leopards living in the rainforest that covers the slopes of the crater. You may see innumerable species of birds attracted by the conservation area because of its numerous stretches of water that summon the migrant fauna. Part of this fauna is made of flamingos that are one of the most numerous colonies of all Africa. There are no giraffe and impala. Local Masai tribes have right of pasture in this area and you may meet them with their cattle. 8th DAY: Arusha visit After breakfast, we will spend a relaxing day with shopping and visit at Arusha Masai market and other local markets. Then transfer to JRO Airport. Pag. 6 / 8
Useful information Our Safari vehicles Safari Explorers has modern 6 or 8-seats 4WD vehicles (Land Rover or Land Cruiser). They are comfortable, reliable and safari vehicle that can communicate one to another through VHF radio system. On all Safari jeeps passengers are always covered under insurance liability policy according to Tanzanian laws. The guides have experience of many years, they are professional and passionate, they can speak many languages, such as English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Arabic, but without forgetting their native language: the local Swahili. The jeeps are all provided with wide pop up roofs to allow people to stick them out to take pictures during the safaris. Every vehicle is provided with its own rechargeable battery AC 240V. Cold drinks are available in portable fridges The price includes Safari 4x4 vehicle, JRO / ARUSHA / JRO transfers, all meals and accomodations in the chosen category, bottles of water, fees and registration for visited parks, Flying Doctor insurance for Eastern Africa, government taxes. What is not included International flight tickets and visa (booking and payment are at the expense of the traveller), any other extra visit, meals in Arusha, any possible tip. Special Price Offer Reservation for 2 people, Standard category Reservation for 4 people, Standard category Reservation for 6 people, Standard category 2900,00 US$ per person 2050,00 US$ per person 1800,00 US$ per person Custom Price Estimate Contact Safari Explorers for a custom price estimate for a different number of people and / or category ( Camping or Luxury ). Contacts Safari Explorers Inc Reg nr 115013 Serengeti road, Olduvai Inn House Po Box : 2601 Arusha (Tz) Maurizio Paoli (Italy) +39 340 496 79 00 Pag. 7 / 8
F.A.Q. - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1) I would like to organize my safari, what should I do first? How can I plan that? The safari is a trip to discover a land that is very different from ours. We need to ask ourselves: which are our interests? Animals, parks, local culture. We are interested in particular activities or trekking (walking / sailing / mountain bike / night, etc safaris). We should consider the time available and the budget. On a safari we suggest to proceed slowly. It s better to visit one park or one region, rather than rushing from one place to another and without the proper time to visit the places and enjoy the activities. Another main topic is the accommodation during the safari: camping, tents camps or lodges, and their comfort level (economy, plus, luxurious, super-luxurious). Our team will help you to identify and plan your made-to- measure safari. 2) I have thought to go on safari for a long time but it is very expensive how to reduce costs? There are different typologies of safari: luxurious, standard and camping ones. Camping safari is the cheapest option. Another option is sleeping outside the parks saving money on lodges and hotels rates. We have very good tourist structures outside the parks that allow significant saving. For more info, you can contact our offices. Another way to reduce costs is traveling in a group with other friends, as some services have fixed costs. For example the car renting and the guide are fixed costs per jeep. If you share the cost in 4 participants, it allows significant savings. 3) What I necessary bring with me on a safari? Cotton pants, sneakers or trekking shoes, t-shirts, sweatshirt, wind resistant jacket Sun hat and sunglasses, camera or videocamera, high protection sun cream. 4) What is a game drive? It is a tour in the park looking for wild animals; it usually can take 2-3 hours. The guide / driver will take you looking for animals usually in the early morning or middle late afternoon, when it s more common to sight them. It is possible to do a night game drive, usually with cars and guides available from park organizations. 5) Camping safari how is everything organized for what concerns food, camp kitchen, tents, etc? On the safari a cook will be with you during the whole tour, taking care of meals and breakfast. All kinds of food are available (vegetable, fruit, meat and chicken). Please, let us know your favorite food when you make the reservation and we will try to accomplish your tastes and needs, including food intolerances. Safari Explorers also provides tents, mats, table and chairs. Campings are provided with showers, hygienic services (hot water is sometimes missing but the weather is mild and water is not very cold). 6) When is the rainy season? Is it possible to plan a safari on that period? Long rainy season is in April while short one is in November. It is possible to go on safari in these seasons but we discourage camping in April. 7) Are the animals dangerous or aggressive? They are wild animals so supposed to be wild, but with the guide you ll be never in danger. You ll just have to follow his instructions. Please do not disturb the animals or picking them up and respect the environment. Do not feed the animals. 8) What are the Big Five? They are the most dangerous animals to hunt, in particular if they are wounded. The Big Five are buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard and rhino. 9) Is it possible to sight the Big Five on a safari in Tanzania? We cannot guarantee you will see all Big Five, but you can probably see them if you spend 3-4 days in Ngorongoro and Serengeti Parks. The leopard hunts at night and during the day he usually sleeps on the trees where he brings his prey. The rhino is very shy despite his large size. Leopard and rhino are the most difficult ones to see on a safari. 10) Which other animals is it possible to see on a safari? The parks are really full of animals. There are not just the Big Five (buffalo, lion, elephant, leopard and rhino). You will see different types of antelopes, zebras, gnus, monkeys (for example the baboons), giraffes, hippopotamus, crocodiles, cheetahs, hyenas, eagles, vultures, and many others. 11) Do I need a visa to go to Tanzania? The visa can be requested at the Kilimanjaro, Dar Er Salam or Zanziar Airport, or on Kenya border (Namanga Border) in case you come by car from Nairobi. For Italians: you can also get the visa in advance requesting it to the Tanzanian Embassy in Rome or the Consulate in Milan. The form to be filled can be downloaded from the website www.tanzania-gov.it. Consolato della Tanzania a Milano Foro Bonaparte n 55 Telefono: 02/58307534 Ambasciata della Tanzania a Roma Viale Cortina D ampezzo 185 12) Are tips compulsory at the end of the safari? What should I do? Tips are not compulsory and are up to the tourist considering the level of the service received. Parks Organization (TANAPA) has provided some guidelines In order to give you an idea here is a part of the text: Safari guide $15-20 per day, cook $10-15 per day Kilimanjaro guide: $15-$20 per day, assistant guide: $10-15 per day, cook: $10-15 per day, carriers $7-10 per day The amount are not considered to be given by one person (=participant) but by the whole group. 13) Is there any Italian-speaking guide available on the safari? Safari Explorers provides, if requested preparing the program, also guides who speak Italian. Pag. 8 / 8