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Serengeti Balloon Safari – All year round
What better way to see the African savannah and animals than by hot air balloon. Add this excursion to your Serengeti safari,
especially if you have only 1 chance at the Serengeti. We can add this to any design
of safari, the itinerary below is quite luxurious,but it will go with any.
Just let us know if you want our help with designing your safari.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Arusha to Tarangire is an easy
and pleasant drive, leaving plenty of time to see many animals
on your first day - you will be in awe. Swala Camp, is located
deep within Tarangire
National Park. The camp lies
near the Tarangire River and this section of the park is private
with no other camps around. Tarangire is famous for its elephant
population and spectacular baobab trees. Swala camp is located
under a canopy of acacia trees, creating a beautiful setting.
Swala is the Swahili word for impala, who are often to be found
around the camp. L, D.
Day 2
Swala Camp. Wake up to the sound
of elephant as they visit the camp's waterhole most mornings. Spend
the day exploring this unique park and relaxing at the elegant
Swala Camp. Tarangire is named after the Tarangire River, the
park’s permanent source of water. In the very dry months
of August and September the river is a lifeline, attracting large
herds of elephant, greater kudu, and fringe eared oryx in particular.
B, L, D.
Day 3 Ngorongoro
Crater. After an early breakfast spend the morning on
an animal viewing drive as you leave the Tarangire National Park.
Once you leave the park drive for 90 minutes to the rim of Ngorongoro
crater. Spend the afternoon relaxing in luxury at the rim of the
crater and drink in the spectacular views from Serena Lodge. B,
L, D.
Day 4
The
whole day is spent touring Ngorongoro Crater. The area has been
designated as a World Heritage Site and also has International
Biosphere Reserve status. Overnight at Serena Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 5 Serengeti
National Park. After a late breakfast we head for central Serengeti
arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon spent on a animal viewing
drive. Overnight At Serena Serengeti Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 6 Up at 5pm for your balloon
safari. Each day at dawn over the Serengeti plains, a fortunate
few enjoy the ultimate safari experience. As the sun rises over
the Maasai kopjes, our hot air balloon also rises enthralling
the passengers. The views from this platform are truly special
– sometimes so high you can see for hundred of miles in every
direction – then at tree top height pass directly over a
vulture’s nest in an acacia tortilis.
Float silently over the Seronera river whilst hippo snort and
yawn. Eventually when you touch down, champagne breakfast ! You
will be served a full English breakfast cooked on the balloon's
burner. Your table will be set under an acacia tree in a remote
part of the bush and served on fine linen, silver cutlery and
English porcelain. After breakfast we take you on an animal viewing
drive back to Serena Serengeti Lodge. The rest of the day is spent
exploring from Serenera Valley to the Grumeti River. Overnight
at Serena Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 7 The Serengeti – not only
the largest wildlife park in Africa, it is the home of the greatest
concentration of large animals on Earth. With only eight permanent
lodges / camps within its 5700 square mile area, you are assured
one of the most exclusive animal viewing experiences to be found
in Africa. Animal viewing drives during the early morning and
late afternoon. Overnight at Serena Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 8 Serengeti. Animal viewing drives
during the early morning and late afternoon. Overnight at Serena
Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 9 The full day is spent driving
through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area arriving
late afternoon at Lake Manyara. Your first vista as you approach
Lake Manyara National Park is spectacular, regardless of direction.
When you approach it, pause at the top of the escarpment, the
park lies in a green strip below you, the lake glistening in the
sunlight. You can easily pick out the mosaic of the Park's different
habitats. And remember to have another view as you head away towards
Arusha. From the east the Rift Valley escarpment looms on the
horizon forming an impressive backdrop to the lake.
In the tall trees of the ground water forest you will see monkeys
leap from branch to branch on the slope of the escarpment. It
is also common to see elephant standing in the shade of the baobab
trees. Perhaps only here will you see lions draped along the branches
of umbrella trees. Down in the pools along the lakeshore the hippo
wallow, and in the lake itself colourful flamingos wade. Dinner
and overnight at Kirurumu Tented Lodge. B, L, D.
Day 10 Enjoy an early breakfast and
then drive through Lake Manyara National park, taking an early
lunch in the park. Kirirumu will set up a mobile kitchen and serve
your 5 star lunch bush of this small but fascinating National
park. B, L.
Afternoon transfer to either - Nairobi, Dar or Kilimajaro Airport for
departure or transfer to Bwindi Forest for gorilla tracking or
maybe to the exclusive Fundo Lagoon on Pemba Island or Zanzibar
or Lamu in the Indian Ocean to enjoy the beach and spectacular diving
in coral rich water.
Email and request a personalised itinerary Email for current price on above itinerary
Price Indication Per Person GB£ / US$ - 2006:
2 or 3 people in your group - GB£3370 /
US$5870
4 or 5 people in your group - GB£2850 / US$4980
6 people in your group - GB£2770 / US$4850
What is Included
Full-board accommodation
throughout the safari. Beer (not premium Brands) house wine, tea
and coffee at Kusini and Swala Camps. Park entrance fees. Animal
viewing drives in 4-wheel drive vehicles with a multi lingual
(English / Latin (flora), plus other languages) guide. Laundry
at Swala Camp only. Balloon trip over the Serengeti.
What is Not Included
The price allows for joining
in Arusha and does not include international flights or departure
taxes. All items of a personal nature. Medical & Travel Insurance.
Laundry, except at Swala Camp. All alcoholic and non-alcoholic
drinks, except tea, coffee, non-premium beers and table wines
at Swala Camp. Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
Visa fees. Gratuities to camp staff.
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Lodges and Camps - Outline Information
Swala Tented
Camp – The quintessential
African Experience
Sheltered beneath a canopy of majestic
Acacia trees in a remote and secluded corner of Tarengire National
Park, Swala Camp, With just 9 luxuriously furnished en-suite tents,
offers you the perfect setting from which to explore one of Tanzania’s
best kept secrets.
Ø This camp is in a rarely visited and private part of
the park.
Ø Nine country houses under canvas complementing the surroundings.
Ø En suite bathrooms and private wooden viewing decks.
Ø Gourmet bush meals and traditional sundowners.
Ngorongoro Serena
Lodge
As if in a land before time,
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is built into the rim of a dormant
and collapsed volcano (known as a caldera), the plant and ivy-covered
native stone blending masterfully with its surroundings. Close
by lies Olduvai Gorge (oldupai to the locals), the "birthplace
of Homo Sapien". Today the volcano and surrounding landscape
are part of a vast conservation area inhabited by the Maasai,
as well as an extraordinary variety of big animals and birdlife.
Most guest rooms have private terraces with views of the crater
floor where countless animals make their home. At Ngorongoro Serena
Lodge visitors can co-exist in harmony with the natural environment
and the wildlife that inhabits it.
Serena Serengeti
Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
is set high on a hill with breathtaking vistas of sweeping grasslands
and the unspoilt wilderness of the Serengeti plains. Large animals
feed in full view of the lodge. The Serengeti is a natural paradise
and home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth -
the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle.
The lodge design is simple but stunning. Inspired by a traditional
African village, separate rondavel "huts" house the
luxury guest rooms that have their own view of the plains. From
the overall impression to the smallest detail, the lodge is rich
in local atmosphere created by indigenous handicrafts and art.
A delightful water feature runs through the main public areas,
creating a natural source of waterborne plants and provides a
home to many indigenous species of reptile, amphibians and birds.
Kirurumu Tented Lodge
Kirurumu Tented Lodge is
extremely unobtrusive, having been built with great sensitivity.
There is a partnership with the local community (who benefit directly
from the Lodge through provision of clean, fresh water, and a
support for the Community Development programme). Great care was
taken not to cut away any trees, the tent bases were made from
local volcanic stone and the roofs are thatched, blending into
the environment. Impact on the Lodge’s surroundings has been
minimal, all utility lines are carefully placed underground and
hot water is created by solar panels. As a result, birdlife around
the lodge has increased and even the shy dik-dik, the smallest
of the antelope family, have remained resident around camp.
The same level of care is extended to guests at Kirurumu Tented
Lodge and a warm welcome is afforded to the weary traveller. First
class service, very comfortable and well spaced accommodation,
delicious home cooked food and a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere
may all be taken for granted at Kirurumu.
Arusha Hotels / Other
Options
We will be pleased to arrange
for you to stay in Arusha or for your further travel in East Africa
or beyond. You may want to consider adding some time at the coast
or on Zanzibar, for example.
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Airfare (from the
UK)
As a guide, the international
airfare should be in the range £500 to £650 for economy
class.
Visa (UK residents only)
A visa is required for Tanzania
(approx. £38) and you will need a visa for Kenya if travelling
via Nairobi (also £38). We provide an optional extra service
if you need assistance in obtaining your visa.
Travel
Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on
this trip. We recommend the BMC policies www.thebmc.co.uk
