ARUSHA

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, an Asilia guide will meet you with a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, a bottle of water, and a cool towel. Transfer time is approximately 45 minutes to Onsea House, or 90 minutes to Katambuga House, allowing for a chance to chat with your driver about the local surroundings as you acclimatise to Tanzania.

Depending on your time of arrival, relax by the pool with a cold drink and good book, or enjoy a massage to remove any post-flight tension. In-house dining at either option offers a wide selection of local and international cuisine, ensuring all taste palettes are satisfied before turning in for a good night’s sleep.

NGORONGORO CRATER

After a delicious breakfast, you will be met by your Asilia driver-guide as you embark on the driving leg of your safari. Head in a westerly direction as you leave the bustling town of Arusha behind you, passing small settlements and perhaps a trading market. When passing through the small town of Mto wa Mbu, look out for bicycles laden with large clusters of bananas. A game drive through Lake Manyara National Park offers an immediate immersion into the bush and wildlife of Tanzania. The park centres around a large alkaline lake which attracts a variety of birdlife throughout the year, including greater and lesser pink flamingo between November and April, as well as pelicans, storks, herons and the flightless hippo. On the grassy plains and amongst the acacia woodlands, keep an eye open for lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a cold drink in the shade, before continuing your journey towards Ngorongoro.

From here, the road begins to climb and the elevation changes as you ascend the steep walls of the Great Rift Valley, before arriving in the town of Karatu. Lying in the shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater and surrounded by beautiful, lush farmlands, this busy town offers the last opportunity for supplies on the road to the Serengeti, while its outskirts host some remarkable tourist accommodations.

Set on a working farm, Gibb’s Farm offers a tranquil environment in which to relax whilst enjoying fresh, home-grown produce. Ngorongoro Farmhouse is set amongst a coffee plantation, conveniently close to the entry gate to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

NGORONGORO CRATER

I’s an early start to the day as you aim to be amongst the first cars into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and onto the crater floor. After passing through the entry gate, the steep road ascends the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater through lush and dense tropical jungle, until you arrive on the crater rim road with a spectacular viewpoint over the crater. If the weather is clear, this is a mandatory stopping point for a quick photograph before continuing to the descent road down to the crater floor.

Once on the crater floor, there’s time for coffee and some breakfast snacks to see you through the morning, whilst enjoying the game drive experience in this unique location. A picnic lunch can be enjoyed alongside the hippo pool, where grunting rafts of hippo will keep you company whilst you refuel. By mid-afternoon, it’s time to start the return journey up the walls of the caldera to the rim, and onwards down the outer walls back to the back to the comfort of your lodge for a chance to freshen up and enjoy a drink in the bar before dinner.

NGORONGORO CRATER

After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to retrace your steps out of Karatu as you head towards Manyara Airstrip on the edge of the escarpment. From here, you say goodbye to your driver-guide and board a plane to your next destination. Depending on the time of the year, you will either have a short flight into the southern Serengeti, or a slightly longer one into the north. On arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by your guide and transferred to camp, arriving in time for lunch.

In the early afternoon, settle into your new surroundings and enjoy the views from your veranda. The hours of the early afternoon can be the hottest, making it a good time to relax in the shade with a book and cold drink. As the afternoon drifts on, there’s a chance for a cup of tea or coffee, along with a sweet treat, before heading out for an afternoon game drive across the “endless plains” of the Serengeti.

As sunset approaches, there may be time for a sundowner in the bush, otherwise, head back to camp for the chance to freshen up and relax with a drink by the fireside before dinner.

SERENGETI

Game drives in shared vehicles typically go out twice a day in the early morning and late afternoon. Depending on the other guests, you may wish to take a picnic lunch and spend a full out in the bush to maximise your game viewing opportunities. Alternatively, consider hiring a private vehicle for the duration of your stay in order to have complete freedom of choice in terms of how your day is structured. If you have very particular wildlife interests, this is also a good idea as it allows you to spend as long as you like at those wildlife sightings, instead of having to accommodate the interests of other clients sharing the vehicle. For an entirely different perspective of the landscape, consider a hot air balloon safari and take to the skies for a unique and truly memorable sunrise experience.

DEPARTURE

Enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing at camp or venture out early on one last morning game drive before transferring to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Kilimanjaro via Arusha. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro connect with your onward flight