Often called “Africa’s Eden” and the 8th Natural Wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater is a photographic destination that one must experience to understand how uniquely special it is. The eco-system on the floor of the crater not only contains all the big 5, but the high altitude creates a diffused moody light, filled with layers of mystery, and the steep walls offer green and blue backgrounds that set the stage to create breathtaking fine art imagery. The crater floor is home to some of the biggest tuskers left in Africa and is one of the best places to photograph the endangered free-ranging black rhinoceros. There is an abundance of general plains game, like zebra, gazelles, elephants, buffalo, hippo, eland, baboons, warthog, and bird life. The steep walls also keep predators and prey in close proximity of each other. The Maasai are still living traditionally all around the creator; a visit to a Maasai village is a huge part of any safari experience. Adding this pre-safari is the perfect way to turn your safari into the Best of Tanzania and capture unique inspirational images for your portfolio.
Itinerary
Day 1, September 13, 2019 Arrive – Arusha Tanzania
Upon your arrival at the Kilimanjaro international airport in Tanzania, you are met by a member of our ground team and transferred by private vehicle to the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel. This is the perfect place to unwind after your long journey. You may enjoy a sundowner on the beautiful grounds overlooking the lake, take a swim, or relax in the spa. After a good night’s sleep and a scrumptious breakfast, you will be ready to depart on an extraordinary safari.
Accommodations: Lake Duluti Serena Hotel
Day 2 , September 14, 2019 – Ngorongoro Crater
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley, into the beautiful Ngorongoro Highlands, circumnavigating the rim of the crater with spectacular views. We will arrive at our intimate stylish African camp set under the Acacia Forest on the northern side of the crater’s rim in time for lunch. Early afternoon, we will descend to the crater floor for our first afternoon game drive and exploration of this fascinating wildlife destination. The scenic drive back up to camp will leave you spellbound at what is ahead of you for tomorrow’s full day of photography on the crater floor.
Accommodations: Ang`ata Ngorongoro camp (B,L &D)
Day 3, September 15, 2019 – Ngorongoro Crater
In the finest tradition of a safari, just before the day breaks, you will be woken with a steaming cup of coffee or tea and biscuits, plus fruit if you desire, delivered directly to your tent. As the crater offers such a unique atmosphere with changing weather and layers of light, we can generally produce beautiful images all day. We will have our picnic breakfast and lunch directly on the crater floor at a picnic sight, where you can photograph hippo at eye-level, get inflight shots of the elegant Grey Crowned Cranes, or enjoy the view of yellow acacia forest and rolling hills. We will take full advantage of every photographic opportunity, while maximizing our time in this extraordinary location.
Accommodations: Ang`ata Ngorongoro camp (B,L &D)
Day 4, September 16, 2019 – Maasai visit/Arusha
The Maasai warriors, an icon of Tanzania, once dominated the plains of East Africa. There are still more than 10,000 members of the tribe living in the Ngorongo conservation area. This morning, we will rise at predawn to the aroma of fresh Tanzanian coffee or tea before heading out for a special visit at a Maasai village at sunrise. Soft hues of light will gradually filter over the traditional huts, as the village comes to life, a surreal experience. You will have quality time in the village to join the morning activities, such as milking cattle and goats, fire-starting, herding, making coffee, and socializing amongst them, to learn about their ancient ways.
We will return to our camp for a proper breakfast. We will have a picnic lunch in route back to Arusha. Once at Lake Duluti Serena Hotel, set among the woodland slopes of Mount Meru, you may relax around the pool, take a walk around the lake, visit the spa, edit your incredible images from the Ngorongoro crater, or just simply sit on the patio with a sundowner and soak in your safari experience. (your accommodations on this night are included with your main safari) B, L
Important Details
The Price
The price of this pre -safari is $2,595 based on double occupancy.
Single room rate is an additional 350.00 ” if available”. Single accommodations are limited.
If a solo guest request to share accommodations, we will do our best to match them with a roommate of the same gender. However, if we are unable to make a match, the single room rate will apply.
A USD $1,295.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover your deposit. Many travel insurance companies will allow you to purchase insurance to cover your deposit and then increase the amount as you make payments.
Payment Terms
- USD $1,245.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- Final payment/Balance is due May 9, 2019
- We highly recommend trip and cancellation insurance
Included
- 3 nights accommodations on shared basis
- Guaranteed row and window seat in private extended 4X4 land cruisers
- All meals from breakfast on September 14, 2019 through lunch on September 16, 2019, as noted on on the itinerary –B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
- All National Parks fees, Game Reserces entrance fees, and taxes
- Visit to Maasai village
- Airport transfers on arrival date and departure date
- Bottled drinking water 2 in transport vehicles and at the lunch and dinner meals
- Evacuation insurance to a hospital in Arusha Tanzania – cost of hospitalization payable direct
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa
- Travel and Medical insurance
- Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, laundry, internet fees, phone calls, etc)
- Accommodations before or after the tour
- Transportation before the arrival or departure date of the itinerary
- Gratuities for our main guides
THIS PRE SAFAR LIMITED TO 6 PARTICIPANTS. We must receive both your esign registration form and your deposit/s to confirm your spot. Each participant must fill out a registration form, but you may change the quantity on the deposit and make multiple deposits with one transaction.
ADDING THE PRE SAFARI EXTENSION- You may fill out one registration form and in the trip title state, “Tanzania and Ngorongoro Crater Pre-Safari”, but you must make both deposits to confirm your spot on both.
