4 Days Tanzania Rift Valley Safari
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
The Rift Valley – just the sound of the name is magical. Our 5 Days Tanzania Rift Valley Safari takes in Lake Manyara, a magical wildlife destination, the Serengeti (of course!) and spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. This really is the very best of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit. Accommodation during this ‘Comfort’ category trip is a great combination of hotel in Arusha and safari camps in Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Trip Highlights
The ‘endless plains’ of Serengeti, a marvellous landscape and surely the world’s most celebrated national park with an incomparable range of predators and their intended prey: see leopard and cheetah, antelope and zebra
Ngorongoro’s awe-inspiring crater, a collapsed volcano some 12 miles across and 7,500 feet above sea-level, with its incredible year-round display of wildlife. A truly inspiring setting which plays host to lion and elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo as well as many other species. Mto wa Mbu village visit, a chance to get up close and personal with the local people and learn about their everyday lives -fascinating. Lake Manyara’s incredible array of birdlife, making this a special place for keen ornithologists. Flamingoes and pelicans are amongst those providing the entertainment.
ITINERARY SUMMARY
Group Discount
The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
SAFARI FAQ's
During the period of December to March, the Serengeti Migration congregates in large herds around Lake Ndutu in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania Safari. So, the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is usually during June and July and January to February is the perfect time to see the wildebeest calving.
Ideally, there is no fixed price range for Tanzania safari. There are several factors such as time, numbers of days, and accommodations types that influence the Tanzania safari cost. However, the average cost of Tanzania Safari per day can come down to $400 (dollars) per head for a lodge safari and around $200 (dollars) per day for camping.
Yes, Tanzania is a fairly safe country. Every year millions of tourists visit this beautiful country in the hopes of a thrilling Tanzania travel experience. And, the statistics say that maximum tourists leave the country with their heart bubbling with joy and a secret promise to visit again.
Tanzania offers a great range of lodges and tented camps. However, your Tanzania accommodations depend on the type of packages you have purchased like budget safaris, standard or luxury Tanzania safari.
The duration of an ideal Tanzania safari can take between 5 to 10 days, to ensure you hit all the top spots on your safari. The length though can depend on how long you’d like to stay and enjoy a specific place, hotel, park on your itinerary.
FULL ITINERARY
We have carefully planned out each day to give you the best possible experience. From exploring historic landmarks to tasting delicious local cuisine, each day is packed with adventure and excitement. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
Today, you collect your picnic lunch box and your safari really begins as we start early from your Arusha hotel for our pleasant drive westwards to Lake Manyara National Park. exploring the stunning landscape of the park, looking for wildlife on the plains, in the acacia woodlands and by the shores of the shallow alkaline lake.
Lake Manyara is rightly famous for its tree-climbing lions, but they’re far from the only highlight: by the end of an exhilarating afternoon, you could easily have spotted elephant, hippo, wildebeest, buffalo and giraffe, plus many other species. Pink-hued flamingos, one of 400 bird species recorded here, provide a splash of colour. At the end of the afternoon, it’s back to your campsite for some relaxation and a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Twiga Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Distance: 2 hours, 130 km from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, we collect our lunch boxes and leave Lake Manyara National Park. Our journey takes us west and north, our exciting destination being a name familiar to everyone – the Serengeti! Along the way, the sheer scale of the territory and the raw beauty of the landscapes reveal themselves and your driver-guide will help you to spot animals and birds. This is just a preview of things to come, for the Serengeti is home to what is possibly the world’s greatest gathering of wildlife.
After enjoying a picnic lunch, you’ll be eager to pursue some more great wildlife-spotting opportunities in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set in the grasslands, savannahs, woods and mountain scenery, which creature will show itself next? These ‘endless plains’ are home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, hippo and crocodile… the adventure has truly begun. At the end of the afternoon, exhausted and exhilarated, it’s back to your campsite for dinner and to talk about the many fantastic experiences you’ve had today.
Accommodation: Seronera Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Distance: 4.5 hours, 205 km from Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
The exciting sounds of Africa will rouse you from your sleep. We make the most of the day with a 08:00 start, heading off on our morning game-drive. Later, the adventure will continue when we travel up to Ngorongoro, another African icon.
It’s almost impossible to spend too much time in Serengeti and with more than 1.6 million herbivores – plus thousands of predators – there’s always something new and interesting to see. The changing seasons and natural light simply add to the diversity. This morning your driver-guide will help you spot some more of the many species at Serengeti, teaching you about their fascinating habits and habitats.
After a pleasant picnic lunch, it’s time to drive eastwards to visit another spectacular setting for Tanzania’s wildlife, the famous Ngorongoro Crater. On arrival, settle in at the campsite while a tasty, hot dinner is prepared for you. Tomorrow, the wonders of the crater await us.
Accommodation: Simba Campsite
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic lunch box and Dinner
Journey time and Distance: 3.5 hours, 145 km from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Tour
Today may be ‘departure day’, but there will be plenty of time to enjoy another true spectacle, before your thoughts turn to home. Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as a wonder of the world and your early morning game drive shows you why.
First, there’s the volcanic caldera (the world’s largest), full of grassland, forest and swamp, a setting of jaw-dropping beauty. Secondly, the permanent water of the crater floor supports a resident population of more than 25,000 large mammals. Here you’ll find many of the reasons you chose to come on safari: elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, wallowing hippo, waterbuck, baboons… even the rare black rhino finds shelter here.
Sharing this awesome space with the animals are the Maasai, grazing their cattle in an area which has been a separate conservation area since 1956 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. This harmonious co-habitation of man and beast makes Ngorongoro unique in Tanzania and your driver guide will be pleased to explain this incredible co-existence to you.
After your early morning game drive, we have our picnic lunch in the crater before we return to the airport for your flight home. You will drive for 5 hours from Ngorongoro Crater floor to Kilimanjaro International Airport, Read Departure Instructions below
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Picnic lunch box
Journey time and Distance: 5 hours, 245 km from Ngorongoro Crater Tour to Airport
INCLUDES
- Transfers in both directions between the International Airport and Moshi.
- One-night Hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha.
- Accommodation at luxury lodges and camps during the safari full board
- Extended 4 x 4 safari jeep with pop up roof for game viewing
- Professional safari guide
- Entrance fees to all national parks.
- Maasai Experience tour if interested.
- Ngorongoro Crater fees
- 18% VAT to our entrance fees.
- Government taxes, VAT and service charges relating to accommodation and included meals.
EXCLUDES
- Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival, USA and CANADA passport holders USD.100
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Optional Tours (balloon rides USD. 570 per person)
- Tips and gratuities to your safari guide.
GETTING VISA IN TANZANIA
To visit Tanzania, you need a valid passport (at least 6 months beyond your stay) and a tourist visa. You can apply for a visa online before your trip or get one upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. However, getting it in advance is recommended to avoid long queues and potential delays. Visas typically cost around $50, although US citizens may pay $100. UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, and most EU citizens need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can also apply online at Tanzania eVisa. Make sure to read the guidelines and ensure you are entering through an approved entry point.
Where to obtain a Tanzanian visa
- In Dar es Salaam: The Office of the Director of Immigration Services
- In Zanzibar: The Office of the Principal Immigration Officer
- Abroad: Any Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission or via the Tanzania Immigration Services website
- Entry points to Tanzania: Any gazette entry point, including international airports, Zanzibar Airport, the port of Kigoma, Horohoro, Sirari, Tunduma, and Nagama
Please be advised that, whilst we make every effort to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, travel requirements can change quickly and sometimes without notice. We urge you to double-check the visa and passport requirements for your trip, and consult with an embassy or consulate.
OUR BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Twende Africa Tours terms & conditions – We are registered and Licensed Tanzania Tour Operator under the laws of Tanzania and accepts your bookings under the following terms and conditions.
DEPOSIT & PAYMENT
To secure place, 10% down payment is required to make in advance as per the company policy, the payment will be made via bank transfer or online payment with visa, master card and America express etc.
Deposit and final payments can be made via bank transfer or online payment with your master card or visa card within 30 days’ prior the tour or in cash upon arrival (USD). Please note US dollar notes printed prior to 2001 are not accepted anywhere in Tanzania. Transfer details will be emailed on request.
All bank charges are to be settled by the client respectively. This includes transaction fees charged by our bank. Our bank will not charge a fee for wire transfers but your bank will and there may possibly be a 3rd bank involved. From our experience we see bank fees for wire transfers from $35 – $50. The amount charged for a wire transfer is not dependent on the amount sent.
ONLINE PAYMENT
Payment can be made through our online payment system using credit card at a surcharge of 3.5%.
THE BOOKING
Bookings and ensuing contracts shall be deemed to have been concluded in Moshi, Tanzania and shall be interpreted according to the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Company reserves the right to decline any booking without outlining the reasons for it.
All travelers receive pre-trip information, complete itinerary and on-demand pre-travel advice, via email or directly with our offices for any last minute or personal queries.
In the event of a particular accommodation being unavailable upon booking, accommodation of a similar or higher standard will be substituted.
BOOKING AMENDMENTS
For amendments of existing bookings done by the client/ agent (e.g. departure dates, air tickets, accommodation, number of participants etc) a handling fee of 70 USD per booking applies. The handling fee will be charged in addition to the service provider fees.
CANCELLATIONS
Twende Africa Tours entitled to act as an agent or principal with regard to the provision of the services.
Having paid full amount of any trip, you are entitled to incur refund in case if you want to cancel your trip. Still, cancellation charge is invoiced to you. Written notification of your cancellation should be made to cancel any trip. Nevertheless, you are imposed cancellation charge as advised below: –
- 90 – 60 days or more deposit retained
- 59 – 45 days before departure 50% of the TOTAL BOOKING COST shall be refunded.
- 44 – 30 days before departure 75% of the TOTAL BOOKING COST shall be refunded.
- 29 – 01 days before departure 100% no refund of the TBC shall be made.
If Twende Africa Tours cancels your trip due to unforeseen circumstances like weather and Pandemics etc. we would be happy to refer your alternative trip of a similar standard. If this doesn’t fit your personal interest, all monies paid by you to our company will be refunded. But remember, any other expenses incurred by you as a result of this booking are entirely your responsibility.
Price From
$ 1,100 / PER PERSON
All Prices are per person in a party of 2 adults sharing a double room. Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. Read our booking terms and conditions for more details.
GET A FREE QUOTE
The best time to visit Tanzania depends on the wildlife you want to see. Tanzania’s seasons are shaped by the rains, offering unique experiences throughout the year. The Great Migration, the country’s main attraction, happens year-round across the Serengeti. From July to September, large herds of wildebeest and zebras cross the Mara River, facing crocodiles and other predators—a dramatic spectacle that draws many visitors.
If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the “green season” from November to March. Although there are occasional rain showers, it’s the perfect time for birdwatching as thousands of migratory birds arrive. You can also witness the Great Migration herds with their newborn calves during this lush and vibrant time.
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