Description of Tanzania Holiday, the Rift and the Crater

The Elephants have carved out a trail in Silela Forest and in places they actually take short cuts by sliding down on their ample behinds in the more steep areas. The elephant trails are used by buffalo and eland and lion pugmarks give away the only predator living on these heights that is powerful enough to tackle the dangerous buffalo. There are secret glades, waterholes and salt licks which all afford the most exciting game watching from the cover of the forest and patience is rewarded by special moments watching animals at close quarters in their own element.

The Rift Plains between Losimongori, the Rift scarp and the Silela Forest Reserve are open plains punctuated by Maasai bomas. Each Boma is the home of a family enclosed in a living thorn fence which forms a kraal for the cattle and dwellings for the family. The Maasai live as they have for centuries following a pastoral tradition with cattle defining their lives, social relationships, their symbolism and rites. When you travel across these plains you will have serendipitous meetings with these proud people. Best time to go this trip can be done at any time of year. However, in the wet season, the trekking could be challenging especially up the escarpment. The long rains are March/April to June, short rains November to late December/early January.

Day- By Day Itinerary

Day 1:  We will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport and depart on a private safari to Lake Manyara National Park taking a picnic lunch. Afternoon spent on a visit to this park which boasts rich ground water forest, lakeside grassland and an abundant variety of trees and shrubs. Early evening drive up to Kirurumu Manyara Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2:  Day spent on a guided walk through Silela Forest taking about 1hr, before embarking on a hike taking approximately 4hrs up to upper Kitete where you will be met by your driver guide. Picnic lunches en route. Late afternoon return to Kirurumu Manyara Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3:   An optional ethno botanical walk escorted by a local guide. After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro and descend into the Crater floor for a remarkable full day crater tour with picnic lunches. Early evening ascend to the rim and drive to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 4:  Arusha. Return to Arusha