Join Crystal Fernandez on an unforgettable adventure to Tanzania, hosted through Roane Travel. This epic group safari will take you to two of the most breathtaking destinations in East Africa: the serene Neptuen Ngorongoro Crater and the luxurious TAASA Lodge.

Experience the wonders of the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife, including the Big Five. The crater’s caldera is a natural sanctuary teeming with life, offering some of the best game viewing in the world. After exploring the crater, you’ll head to the tranquil TAASA Lodge, a haven of relaxation nestled in the heart of Tanzania’s wilderness, where luxury meets nature.

With Crystal as your guide, you’ll immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and culture of Tanzania, all while experiencing the finest in safari accommodations. It’s more than a trip—it’s the adventure of a lifetime

Welcome to Beautiful Tanzania!

Welcome to the magical country of Tanzania; well known for its wilderness areas, wildlife, culture and incredible people, we are confident you will love your time here. Tanzania is located in East Africa along the equator and is also home to the world famous Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Arrival into Tanzania

Tanzania has 3 main international airports that you can arrive and depart from. We recommend arriving at the below airport. You can arrive at anytime and regardless our team will be there to pick you up!

• JRO - Kilimanjaro International Airport ("The Gateway to the Serengeti")

LOGISTICS: Upon arrival in Tanzania, a Roane Travel Design representative with Leopard Tours will meet you right outside of the airport. Your guide will be wearing a Roane Travel shirt and holding a sign that says your name on it. They will transfer you to your accommodation for the first night and help you get checked in. Rest assured you are in great hands!

LOGISTICS: Freshen up for a night full of fun with Chef Alan. You will begin your tour and cooking class at 5:30PM - this will take place in a private room inside The Grill restaurant. 

DESCRIPTION: Relax and unwind - enjoy a cooking class and wine tasting for dinner with Chef Alan. Take a walking tour of the beautiful garden on the Gran Melia grounds where you will hand pick fresh vegetables, fruits and spices that will be used for your delicious meal.

MEAL PLAN: Bed & Breakfast

ROOM TYPE: Deluxe City Meru View Room

WHAT TO EXPECT: With incredible views of Meru Mountain, Gran Meliá Arusha offers an exquisite blend of luxury and natural beauty. This first-class hotel combines African exoticism with modern comforts, featuring a spa, heated infinity pool and gym. Guests can indulge in international cuisine at the signature restaurant, The Grill, or enjoy drinks at the rooftop bar with panoramic views. Surrounded by lush coffee and tea plantations, the hotel provides exclusive suites, stunning gardens, and personalized services, making it an oasis of comfort and elegance in the heart of Arusha's majestic landscapes

LOGISTICS: After enjoying breakfast at your accommodation, your guide will meet you to embark on a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park for your first exciting safari experience! Upon arrival, you'll begin your exploration of the park’s stunning wildlife. Around midday, you'll stop for a delightful lunch inside the park (please note that beverages are not included with your meal). After lunch, you'll continue your safari adventure, discovering more of the park's diverse wildlife, before heading to your accommodation for a relaxing check-in. You’ll stay here for the next two nights (approx. 2 hour drive).

ABOUT THE PARK: Tarangire National Park is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. Elephants roam the plains in herds, often resembling cattle, and the air is filled with the calls of lions and the distinctive barks of zebras. Tarangire boasts the second-highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania, only surpassed by the Serengeti. It is home to the world’s largest elephant population and supports a thriving ecosystem, including more than 700 resident lions, making it a fantastic destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

MEAL PLAN: All inclusive - all meals and house beverages included

ROOM TYPE: Luxury Suite

WHAT TO EXPECT: Situated among 50 acres of Tanzanian bush within the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge is a beautiful log cabin-style retreat, offering easy access to the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa's densest wildlife concentration. The lodge boasts spacious, comfortable accommodations with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Enjoy a range of amenities, including a swimming pool, excellent dining options, and rejuvenating spa treatments, all set within the serene beauty of this unique and stunning environment.

LOGISTICS: This morning you will have an early breakfast and make your way toward the Ngorongoro Gate for the 6:00am opening of the Park. You will make your way down the winding escarpment and through thick forests before coming face to face with tens of thousands of animals inhabiting the Crater floor. For lunch you will stop at one of the designated picnic sites on the Crater floor for a delicious packed lunch. Surrounded by some of Africa's most iconic scenery, as well as masses of wildlife. Continue your wildlife adventure after lunch, before returning to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and an evening at leisure.

ABOUT THE CRATER: The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most iconic and breathtaking natural wonders in Tanzania and the world. Often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a massive volcanic caldera formed millions of years ago when a giant volcano collapsed after erupting. Today, it is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, covering approximately 100 square miles (260 square kilometers) and reaching depths of up to 2,000 feet (610 meters).

The crater floor is teeming with wildlife, making it a prime destination for safari enthusiasts. Despite its relatively small size, the Ngorongoro Crater boasts an incredibly high concentration of animals, including the "Big Five" (lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos), as well as a wide variety of antelopes, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, and countless bird species. The lush greenery and the presence of a permanent water source in the form of a soda lake support this vibrant ecosystem year-round.

The crater is often described as a natural wildlife sanctuary due to its unique geography, which provides a diverse range of habitats, from grasslands to wetlands, all within a relatively compact area. The steep crater walls keep animals contained within the caldera, and many species, including the endangered black rhino, thrive here. The diverse wildlife, combined with stunning landscapes, creates a truly magical safari experience.

Keep in mind that you can game drive throughout the crater for as long as you would like - opening time is 6:00am and closing time is 6:00pm. You can discuss with your guide when you would like to get going that morning and when you would like to head back to your accommodation

LOGISTICS: After breakfast at Neptune, your guides will transfer you about 30 minutes to the Lake Manyara Airstrip, where you will get on your flight to TAASA Lodge.

Once you land at the TAASA airstrip, the team will be waiting there to pick you up & Transfer you to the lodge!

Your safari will start right as you land, so be ready to be on the look out! 

MEAL PLAN: All inclusive - all meals and house beverages included

LAUNDRY: Complimentary

ROOM TYPE: Luxury Tent

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: TAASA Lodge is located on the northern edge of the Serengeti in Tanzania, it is nestled on a ridge within a private concession - far away from the crowds of tourists.

OUR MISSION:

Employ and empower members of our local community.

Preserve and protect the indigenous wildlife and natural species of the region.

Educate global travelers on the rich natural and cultural resources Tanzania has to offer. 

ACCOMMODATION:

You’ll feel right at home between game drives in one of our luxurious and spacious en-suite tents. Expertly appointed, each one seamlessly blends modern comforts with uniquely African accents.

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Enjoy stunning views of the Lobo Valley from the serenity of your private verandah or curl up with a good book in your own cozy sitting area, beautifully furnished with a large sectional couch and desk. A raised sleeping area features either a king or twin sized beds. En-suite bathrooms are complete with a stone shower, double vanity, and hair dryer, along with sumptuous robes and towels – a touch of indulgence in the bush.

During your stay at TAASA Lodge, you will have the opportunity to participate in the "TAASA Moments" listed below. The TAASA Moments you are able to experience may vary depending on your length of stay and the lodge capacity. We definitely recommend saying "YES" to everything during your stay here - the staff always have a surprise up their sleeve!

BOMA DINNER

Perched on a hill above the tents and overlooking the valley, enjoy a classic African dinner under the twinkling Tanzanian stars. 

BUSH BREAKFAST

Enjoy a hot cooked private breakfast surrounded by the wildlife of Africa.

MAASAI VILLAGE VISIT

As a part of the TAASA mission statement to "employ and empower members of the local community" - TAASA hires 75% of their staff from the local Maasai Village of Ololosokwan. Immerse in the authentic culture with a visit to the remote village.  

NIGHT GAME DRIVES

Load into our open-sided Toyota Land Cruiser with warm blankets and head out in the dark of night under starlit skies. The experience of a game drive at night is very different from one during the day and you may see striped hyena on the prowl or lions on hunt. Your Maasai guide will be in his tracker’s chair mounted on the vehicle front with his floodlight sweeping for reflective eyes of predators. 

NATURE WALKS

Walking in the bush, surrounded by all the sights, sounds and smells of Africa is completely different and more personal experience than a drive in a Safari vehicle. Learn about medicinal plants, how to start a fire with sticks, and the wildlife you might encounter. Please note the option to do this may not be available depending on the time of year that you are there and the weather conditions.

LOGISTICS: Throughout your stay at TAASA, you will be able to experience one of a kind game drives. Your guide and your tracker will communicate with you each day to schedule your custom safari experience. Early game drives, night game drives, you name it and our team will make your safari dream come true!

LOGISTICS: After breakfast, a TAASA representative will transfer you to the Lobo Airstrip, where you’ll embark on one last thrilling safari in an open-air vehicle, soaking in the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. You will then fly to the Arusha Airport (ARK) for your onward journey.

LOGISTICS: Upon arrival at the Arusha Airport (ARK), you will be greeted by your Roane Travel representative with Leopard Tours who will transfer you from the airport to SANAA for lunch (30 minute drive). After you finish lunch, you will then be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight home.

SANAA DESCRIPTION: SANAA is a wonderful project highlighting marginalized people who make amazing products. In our workshop disabled artists create unique products, mainly from recycled waste. These are sold in our concept store on site which is also home to Sanaa Cafe & Restaurant.

SANAA is a celebration of all that is good, beautiful, Tanzanian and kind. Proceeds are used for the several charitable projects which Sanaa supports. Our artists are proud to be the breadwinners for their families and in turn generate funds to support other people in need!