dossier

Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara Extension

The SetUp

Either before or after your Kilimanjaro or Mt. Meru  Mountain trip, you are welcome to take aSafari starting from our hotel at Springlands, near Moshi. We can run thesetrips for as few as two people  wheneveryou like.  The Sherpa brochureadvertises a basic 3 day  Safariwhich  includes  time transferring  between Moshi and the parks and return, but we can organize  longer trips  for you. This flexibility,the fact that you have the Safari to yourselves, (i.e. you don’t have another12 people in your vehicle to worry about getting in the way of your zoomlenses!) and the  cost of  Tanzanian park fees  is reflected  in the cost  of thisextension.

If you are flying out on an early morning flight from  Kilimanjaro Airport at the end of the tour,we would recommend that you have an extra night in Springlands, just in case there are delays on your returnjourney from the  parks.  

How the Safari is Organized

In the morning after breakfast at Springlands on the firstday, to drive over to the next park and so on. All that is left for you to dois to enjoy yourself and to make the most of the game viewing and  photographic opportunities.

You will whisked away in your personal safari vehicle withyour driver /guide. You will proceed to the first game park, have a packedlunch and do a game drive. You will then arrive at your overnightaccommodation, which is always a good quality Safari lodge or Hotel, where youwill settle in and have a fine meal. On most safaris the optimum time for gameviewing is early morning and just before dusk, most people decide to have afairly early night so that they are alert for the morning game drive. At thesetimes the animals are much more active, easier to spot and the unilateral lightis generally excellent for photography. After a morning drive and  breakfast it will be time to make the mostof the inactive period 

Grade “S”  - ForSafari!

A pretty easygoing tour, you may be able to stroll around insome sections of the parks, but otherwise it is time to relax and take thingsin.

Climate

Across the plains and in the game parks it can get quite hot,from  the 20s to up in the 30s degree Cduring the day, it is largely a Savannah and Forest Savannah type ofenvironment. During the evenings the temperature drops to a pleasant  “Sit around the terrace with a drink” typetemperature, and can even be chilly at times.

Your Accommodation

This is on a twin share basis with comfortable rooms, withevening meal and a packed lunch supplied. Actual Accommodation name will dependon availability, but  will generallybe  the Lake Manyara Hotel and one ofthe Ngorongoro  lodges.

Outline Itinerary

This itinerary is intended as a working guide only and may besubject to variation as a result of local conditions and weather. 

Day 1: From our base at the Springlands Hotel, soon after breakfast  we meet our vehicle and driver, and drive over  to  the Lake ManyaraNational park (This takes about 4 hours). We arrive at the Lake Manyara Hoteland await for the  late afternoon gamedrive, before returning to the hotel for the evening meal.  You will probably need an early night afterthe long day.

Day 2:  After the early morning game drive  breakfast  is followed bythe 2 hour transfer to the Ngorongoro park, where you will be installed at oneof the Ngorongoro wildlife lodges, then it is off to enjoy the spectacle  of the park and hopefully a flamboyantsunset before  dinner.

Day 3: Depending on when you leave Tanzania,  today involves Transferring to the airport for departure or returning to Moshito start a trek, or depart overland. The drive time is about 5.5 hours innormal conditions. Nevertheless, we recommend that you make a day of this: Takethe morning game drive, have breakfast and then return to Moshi for anothernight at  Springlands so that you are well rested to fly out thefollowing day. Really  to leave  from Ngorongoro to the airport comfortablyin one day, you should have a late afternoon or evening flight. Remember thatfor international departures at this present time you should check in at least2 hours before your flight.

Equipment & Clothing

Generally you should bring khaki, mousy or mossy hue typecottons to  blend into  the environment. Cottons are good becausethey breathe, and long sleeves and zip on leggings  will protect you from the sun. A good hat is recommended, you canalso, with care, use it as a lens hood for your photography.  “Akubra” hats are the best we have comeacross but they are pricey and don’t fold up. “Tiley” hats are also good andcan be squashed, “Panamas” are excellent too! Cool but strong  footwear such as “Safari Boots” arerecommended.  Bring more film than youthink you will need. Higher speeds: 200-400ASA work better at these times ofday for the Safaris and with the longer lenses. Bring a monopod or tripod.Don’t forget to  take  your anti malaria tablets and put mosquitorepellant on during game drives.

What’s Included

All road transportation as specified in the itinerary. Fullboard accommodation on safari, services of driver -guide.

Not Included

Drinks, bottled water, clothing or hire of any equipment,tips, personal toiletry requirements, insurance and all items of a personalnature Passport, insurance, visas, immunization fees, airport taxes (allow$20).

Tipping:  Needlessto say that the driver- guide will expect a tip.

Health Matters & Documents

You should carry a reasonably comprehensive medical kit withyou, including First Aid supplies like basic dressings (including burns dressing),  Asprin, Ibuprufin, antihistamine cream or tablets, antiseptic cream, skin closures , Iodine Tincture  solution and your Malaria tablets. You doneed to have a valid certificate of vaccination for Yellow Fever in Tanzania.

Visas: NorthAmericans need a visa bought before departure from the Tanzanian Embassy.   Check with the local embassy well beforeyour departure for their requirements.

Books & Maps