You will take an early breakfast, as you’ve got a big day of exploration and adventure ahead of you! You will begin the day with the scenic drive towards the Serengeti. Along the way, you’ll pass through the mist-shrouded rainforests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of cape buffalo, baboons, or even elephants and leopards in the dense undergrowth. It’s a nearly four-hour drive to the Serengeti park gates, but you can choose to break up the drive with one or both of the below optional activities:

· Oldupai Gorge Museum: Sometimes known as the Cradle of Mankind, the Oldupai Gorge Museum commemorates some of the oldest evidence of human habitation ever found. Here, you can see some of the oldest fossil evidence in the world of human habitation, visit the Oldupai Gorge Museum to learn more about the human journey, and take in the stunning views of this stark gorge country.

· Maasai boma visit: Pay a visit to one of the famous Maasai bomas, where you’ll have the opportunity to witness (and participate in) traditional Maasai dance, tour an authentic Maasai village, and even do a little souvenir shopping at the local market.

Both of the above activities attract an additional cost. Speak with your safari expert about adding them to your itinerary. After a delicious lunch at the Serengeti National Park picnic area, it’s time to explore the Serengeti itself. Witness Africa’s iconic savannah landscape and be amazed by the sheer number of animals that roam these grassy plains. Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from the options.

After breakfast, you will drive across the plains of Togoro and through the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes (small hills) as you make your way into the park’s northern reaches. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Serengeti’s diverse scenery as you pass through wooded hills, tumbledown kopjes, and the wide-open savannah. Your drive will show you everything from the diminutive dik-dik to towering elephants and giraffes. Upon arriving in the Kogatende region, you’ll go out in search of both the wildebeest migration and the famous Big Five.

After breakfast, you’ll start your game drive around the Kogatende area, searching around the kopjes looking for carnivores and the large migration groups that will be preparing to cross the Mara River into Kenya. Home to large numbers of hippos and Nile crocodiles, the Mara River is the last major obstacle standing between the wildebeest migration and the relative safety of the Maasai Mara.

If you’re patient and a little lucky, you may even get to witness the death-defying crossing itself where wildebeest and zebras brave the river's currents and crocodiles in an attempt to reach safety on the opposite bank. Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from the options.

After breakfast, you will get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater National Park. The drive takes you back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion. Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from the options.

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you’ll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world. It’s a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.

From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you’ll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa’s most recognizable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations. After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park's famous hippo pool before returning to Arusha.

What's included

· 1 game drive in Lake Manyara National Park

· 3 game drives in Serengeti National Park

· 2 game drives in Ngorongoro Crater

· 5 nights accommodation

· All game viewing activities specified safari

· All park entrance fees and taxes

· All meals on the safari. When staying at lodges it will be on full board basis and when budget camping then Shadows Of Africa’s accompanying chef will prepare delicious warm meals

· Camping equipment if applicable (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, table, and chairs)

· Flying doctors rescue insurance for the time of the tour with Shadows of Africa

· Game safari to national parks as specified

· Hotel/lodge/camp accommodation for the duration of the safari

· Private 4x4 wheel drive vehicle with a roof hatch and sliding windows for a 360-degree view of the wildlife surrounding you

· First aid kit - Every safari vehicle comes standard with a fully stocked first aid kit. The guides are all trained in providing basic first aid

· Spare tires - for any unforeseen issues that may arise on bumpy African outback

· Charging station - Each car includes a charging station so you can charge your phone, camera battery, or laptop while on the road

· The Tanzanian vehicles come standard with Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected while on the road

· Tea and coffee - Every safari departs with a box including coffee and tea that can be enjoyed at any point during your safari

· Binoculars - 1 pair per car

· Professional English-speaking safari and tour guide/driver

· Water and a hot drink (coffee and tea) during safari

· Wildlife tours according to your itinerary preferences

What's not included

· International flights

· Visit Oldupai Gorge Museum (if requested)

· Maasai boma visit (if requested)

· Any sightseeing excursions and optional activities other than those specified

· Entry visas

· Travel insurance

· Laundry

· Tips and gratuities to safari crew - recommended: 15 to 20 USD per day to safari driver

· 10 to 15 USD per day to safari cook