Rhino Explorer

Overview

Jambo! Welcome in heart of breathtaking wildlife, perhaps a young gazelle raised its head and suddenly encounter an ambush from the hungry fast and furious mother cheetah nearby your vehicle with your camera on.

In your great 7 days in Tanzania arrive on day 1 and overnight in Arusha, uniquely hit your first visit in search for big five wildlife in Ngorongoro crater from Arusha in early morning on day 2 and overnight in Serengeti at evening.

You will then searching for migrations on day 3, 4, 5 and on day 5 afternoon drive to Natron for flamingos via North east gate and finally back to Arusha on day 6 late afternoon.

During great migration of about 1.5 million gnus, 250,000 Burchell’s zebra and a smattering of trailing Thomson’s gazelle make the yearlong, round trip trek from Tanzania’s Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya where they stay a month and back, in different loops a day.

The herds make the 1,200-mile oval circuit with two things in mind: food and water. “The smell of rain and sound of thunder spur the migration forward, but sometimes sideways and even back,” says head guide last year. Along the way, many migrating animals become prey to predators including lion, cheetah, crocodile and hyena.

In fact, around 250,000 gnu and 30,000 zebra perish in this tough trek, mainly younger ones. Godson one of our guide cited “Many times, mother gnu will just start running and keep running, not knowing that their young can’t keep up,” That is one wildlife encounter to witness among many during a visit to East Africa, where the Great Migration’s mind-boggling scope and raw beauty are on full display throughout the year.

The routes for the Wildebeests Migration

January - March
The migration begins in the Serengeti. “Wildebeests tend to congregate in February, when they give birth to 300,000 calves,” Thomas says. “The reason for concentrating in the south is to give their calves the richest milk, as the soil and grass is rich in potassium, calcium and phosphorus from the volcanic eruptions of two to three million years ago.” Says our safari guide Bernard last year on February 15:
Our guide Bernard continue saying “The southern part of the Serengeti has short grass, so wildebeest prefer to calve here, without fear of predators that typically luck in taller grass.”
April - May
“By April,” Daniel says, “most of the grass is gone.” As the Serengeti starts to dry up, the herds follow the Grumeti River west.
June – Early July
“By June the Grumeti River is low, often leaving crocodile infested pools as the only water source in the area, and both gnus and zebra drink almost three gallons daily,” our guide says. “Come July, the main body is in and around Ikorongo and Fort Ikoma. At this time, the herds also hasten their approach to the Masai Mara as the reserve receives rain from Lake Victoria, about 70 miles away.”
Late July - September
The main mass reaches the Mara River, and the river crossings begin. “August is probably the best month to catch a crossing, but take a book and plenty of patience as it is a waiting game,” our safari guides.
“If you’re lucky, you may witness three or four high-drama crossings in one day. The feast-or-famine crocs lick their chops for four months of the year in total, though they can survive on fish and the fat in their tails for a year or more.”
October - December
The herds turn the corner and head back toward the Serengeti, as the rainy season starts in Tanzania. “By early October the Masai Mara grasslands are pool-table flat,” our guides witness this in the last years witness this. “Now, the million-beast march starts the winding journey south, consuming approximately 5,000 tons of grass a day.” Note that the small Masai Mara reserve has only small part of pastures for those millions of wildebeests to stay over a month.

Safari in Brief

(7 days great wildlife migration safari in Tanzania)

Most welcome to your 7 days wildlife migration and lodge safari in Tanzania. In 7 days explore Ngorongoro crater, migration in Serengeti and Lake Natron for 5 days inside the parks, where the rest is arrival and departing date which includes lodge overnights and breakfast (BB) in Arusha.

Safari locations:

Natron, Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Safari Accommodation:

lodges and tented camps (classified as per table in the next pages).

Safari Highlights

DAY 1: Arusha

From: Kilimanjaro Airport To: Arusha
Distance: 45 Km Time: 1 Hrs
Lodge: LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW WITH TOTAL SAFARI RATES
Meal: Full Board
What You See: Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro view

DAY 2: Ngorongoro

From: Arusha To: Ngorongoro Crater
Distance: 200 Km Time: 3 Hrs
Accommodation: LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW WITH TOTAL SAFARI RATES
Meal: Full Board
What You See: Unique bird species, Zebra, Giraffe, Dwarf Mongoose, Elephant migration, wildebeests, Dik Dik, Impala, Snakes Baboons, Jackal, baobab tree, Birds, Different Type of Trees and so on.

DAY 3: Serengeti

From: Ngorongoro To: Serengeti
Distance: 205 Km Time: 4.5 Hrs
Accommodation: LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW WITH TOTAL SAFARI RATES
Meal: Full Board
What You See: Acacia Tree, Serengeti Savannah, Buffalo, Wildebeest (gnu), Giraffe, Gazelles, Impala, Hippo, Warthog, Birds, vast plain of savannah, sun set and sun rise and so on.

DAY 4: Serengeti

From: Serengeti To: Serengeti
Accommodation: LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW WITH TOTAL SAFARI RATES
Meal: Full Board
What You See: Big five animals, Cheetah, Elephant, Eland, Thomson’s Gazelle, rare black Rhino, Ostriches, hippo.

DAY 5: Serengeti to Natron

From: Serengeti To: Natron
Distance: 195 Km Time: 4 Hrs
Accommodation: LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW WITH TOTAL SAFARI RATES
Meal: Full Board
What You See: Elephant, Buffalo, Spotted hyenas, Jackals, Cheetah, Different Type of trees.

DAY 6: Lake Natron

From: Natron To: Arusha
Accommodation: LISTED IN THE TABLE BELOW WITH TOTAL SAFARI RATES
Meal: Full Board
What You See: Elephant, Buffalo, Spotted hyenas, Jackals, Cheetah, Different Type of trees.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE DATE

We drive you back to JRO airport inclusive for your flight.
Thank you.

Itineraries

Day:1Arrival

The group arrives at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). Participants are met by a representative of Rhino Explorer Tours and transferred to a hotel in Arusha.
Note: The hotel cost only includes breakfast. Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

Day:2Ngorongoro Crater

Wake up early and meet your driver for short briefing about today and ready to leave at 6:30 AM from your hotel in Arusha to enjoy your breakfast at 8:00 AM at Mto Wa Mbu on the way to Ngorongoro.
On this day it is best to leave the hotel as early as possible; breakfast will be packed in lunchboxes. At 9:00 AM you will set off for Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and after several minutes you will already be inside the crater.
Road trip: Arusha- Ngorongoro Crater
Today we start our road trip early so that we will full enjoy Ngorongoro’s incredible crater after a travel time of 3 hours on about 210km distance.
Game Watching in Ngorongoro Crater
At 9:30am we reach the crater rim and then descend into the vast crater itself. At one side there’s the Lerai Forest, classic mountain forest landscape with almost tropical characteristics. This is good elephant country, so keep your eyes peeled. By the side of the nearby swampland is what is sometimes called the ‘elephant graveyard’ as the mighty male tuskers at the end of their lives come to chew on the soft, swampland grasses once their teeth have failed them. The crater has a population of around 120 lions, in well-defined territories; 15,000 wildebeest, 9,000 zebra, 400 hyenas, and around 50 black rhino. Many wildebeest and other herd animals are resident, benefiting from the many sources of year-round waters and are boosted by some migratory in season. Buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle and eland are also present in numbers. Hippos can be found in pools and swampland and highland birdlife is colorful and plentiful around the waters. Flamingos can often be seen in Lake Magadi, which occupies part of the crater floor. By lunch time you will arrive at the lake side, where you will be offered lunchboxes, after which the safari will continue, ending in a few hours with a transfer to your accommodation in Serengeti National Park.
Journey: Ngorongoro crater – Serengeti
Afternoon at late hours ascend the crater for another 140km travel to your stay in Serengeti National Park.

Day:3Serengeti

Wake up early to experience sunrise following breakfast, then we pack our luggage and lunchboxes heading to your morning wildlife experience. Afternoon we drive to the Northern Serengeti for a short game drive in search for wildebeests migration ending to our stay for dinner and the rest of the day.
Morning Game Drive in Seronera
After breakfast you will start the safari by being transferred to the central part of the Serengeti (also called Seronera). Here your driver will try to find the animals you're the most interested in. Closer to lunch time you will visit the Serengeti Visitor Centre, where you will be offered a lunchbox and provided with lots of interesting information not only about the animals’ populations, but also about the history of the National Park. Also, in this area you will be able to see hyraxes, which are the elephant's closest relatives. It is difficult to describe in detail all the animals of the Serengeti valley, for they number in the thousands: elephants, buffalo, ostriches, giraffes, jackals, hyenas, lions, antelopes, leopards and cheetahs just keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the nature around you. In seronera visit Retima hippo pool which offer phenomenal hippopotamus sightings. Keep yourself in the vehicle while espying numeral bewildering hippopotami wallowing inside the pool because they survive well both on the land and into the water bodies.
Short Game En-route to Northern Serengeti
Afternoon we drive en-route to Northern Serengeti, and perhaps for wildebeests migration watching but if not today tomorrow you will have a full day on scanning for wildebeest migration and when in time wildebeests crossing the Mara River and crocodile killings. By the afternoon we will be transferred to your accommodation.
Meal plan Breakfast is served at your Serengeti stay. Followed by packed lunch prepared by your stay’s team, for you to enjoy while out on game watching. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal prepared at your accommodation at evening.

Day:4Northern Serengeti / western Serengeti

Today we will aid you to have a full day just to witness wildebeest’s migration in Serengeti.
The migrants can move as long as 40km in one day, which includes thousands of wildebeests sometimes known as gnu, zebra and other antelopes perhaps tailed by lion, leopard and hyena while the main obstacle are Nile crocodiles on crossing Mara River.
If that not enough Northern Serengeti National Park is home to lion, leopard, Elephant, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, gnu, Eland, Wild dog, Gazelles, Crocodiles and more. Serengeti is one of the most comprehensive and appealing internet presentations on nature, conservation and research in general. Every day, hundreds of nature-lovers and tourists from all over the world visit the great Serengeti.
Note:
For june arrivals, you are going to explore the western Serengeti and you are commanded to take accommodation types 2 for timing in fullest. June ans earlier July is when migration around western Serengeti the main bewildering sightings are Mbalageti river valley and Grumeti river bank. Grumet river is the first obstacle the wildebeests face while crossing Western corridor area northward, although is less fame compared to Mara river crossing and less visited but a breathtakingly sight for river crossing.
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at your Serengeti stay. Followed by packed lunch prepared by your stay’s team, for you to enjoy while out on game watching. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal prepared at your accommodation at evening.
Optional Excursion: for those who have booked the Balloon Safari for today, you will be picked up from the lodge at 05.00 hours for a 06.00 hours departure. After an hour aerial adventure, bush breakfast and champagne, your driver will pick you into full-day game drive.
Late afternoon we will drive en-route to our stay.

Day:5 Northern Serengeti to Lake Natron

Wake up, breakfast and the start of your game drive through the northern part of the Serengeti, which is in a league of its own when it comes to its landscape and diversity of fauna. On this day you can see the animals that only live in the most remote areas of the park.
Meal plan
Breakfast is served at your Serengeti stay. Followed by packed lunch prepared by your stay’s team, for you to enjoy while out on game watching. Your dinner will be a full, cooked meal prepared at your accommodation at evening.
In the afternoon we drive to Natron via Klein gate for dinner and overnight.

Day:6 Lake Natron

After your breakfast followed excursion in Lake Natron. Lake Natron is the breeding ground in East Africa for the about 2.5 million lesser flamingoes, whose status of “near threatened” results from their dependence on this one location. When salinity increases, cyanobacteria do, and the lake can also support more nests.

These flamingoes, the single large flock in East Africa, gather along nearby saline lakes to feed on Spirulina (a blue-green alga with red pigments).

Lake Natron makes safe breeding locations for flamingo because of its caustic environment which gives a barrier against predators trying to reach their nests on seasonally forming evaporate islands. Greater flamingoes also breed on the mud flats.

To the south of the lake the famous Ol Doinyo Lengai comes to sight. It is the only active volcano in Tanzania and this is evident by the fumes emitted from the mountain top that can be seen regularly alongside the volcanic ash painted on the slopes of the mountain.

Road Trip: Lake Natron – Arusha
Afternoon enjoy a road trip across several Maasai pastoralist villages on about 4hours to your accommodation in Arusha. Dinner and overnight will be at your stay in Arusha.

A Free Visit to Cultural Handcrafts
We provide a free visit to experience to handcrafts and souvenirs shopping after safari. After Lake Natron enjoy a visit to the handcrafts shopping. You can experience the drawings, Makonde handcrafts and other souvenirs and may be to pick your choice and buy.

Day:7 Departure Date

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, you have the option to extend your hotel stay till 6:00 PM for an extra fee.

Additional notes:

You are on safari, so we ask that you please pay special attention to the national parks visitor rules and our company recommendations.
During the safari it is strictly prohibited to exit the vehicle, except for in specially designated areas. Violations of this rule may be accompanied by large fines for the company, including the revocation of its license.
Off road driving is also prohibited, as such behavior may cause irreparable damage to the fragile balance of the natural ecosystem.
During the safari you are allowed to smoke, but be extremely careful about how you extinguish and dispose of cigarette butts, as they are a frequent cause of fires in the savanna.
In addition, we sincerely request that you not put your feet on the safari car's seats, nor sit on the back of them, because this type of behavior quickly makes the cars unusable.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

RATES AND AVAILABILITY

Safari segmented based on 3 types of accommodation, Silvered Rhino Safari, Golden Rhino Safari and Diamond Rhino Safari.

1. SILVERED RHINO SAFARI; COMFORT LODGES.

Prices ($) for SILVER ACOMMODATIONS

Night 1 and 6 = Ngaresero Mountain Lodge BB, Night 2,3,4= Sound Of Silence FB/ Wildlife lodge ( Seronera & Lobo ), Night 5 = Natron Camp FB.

Season	1 pax pp	2 pax pp	3 pax pp	4 pax pp	5 pax	6 pax
Low (April - May)	4990	3180	2845	2545	2500	2445
Mid	5300	3380	2925	2620	2550	2500
High season (July, August, Dec 20 to Jan 10)	5379	3480	3024	2704	2595	2550

Note*: There is discounted rates are used for persons under 16yrs.

2. GOLDEN RHINO SAFARI; PREMIUM LODGES.

Prices ($) for GOLDEN ACOMMODATIONS

Night 1 and 6=Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, night 2=Farm House, night 3, 4 = Lahia Lodge, night 5= Natron Camp

Season / Rates $PP	1 Pax	2 Pax pp	3 Pax pp	4 Pax pp	5 Pax pp	6 Pax pp
Low (April & May)	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Mid (Rest)	6805	4660	4305	3885	3799	3605
High season (June 1 - July 20)	6904	4705	4350	3929	3871	3699

Note*: There is discounted rates are used for persons under 16yrs.

3. DIAMOND RHINO SAFARI; PREMIUM LODGES.

Prices ($) for DIAMOND ACOMMODATIONS

Night 1 and 6 = Legendary Lodge, Night 2 = The Manor / Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Night 3, 4 = Four Season Luxury Lodge, night 5 = Natron Camp

Season / Rates $PP	1 Pax	2 Pax pp	3 Pax pp	4 Pax pp	5 Pax pp	6 Pax pp
Low (April & May)	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Mid (Rest)	6805	4660	4305	3885	3799	3605
High season (June 1 - July 20)	6904	4705	4350	3929	3871	3699

Note*: There is discounted rates are used for persons under 16yrs.

Included

Safari Transport 4X4 Custom built – Safari vehicle with pop up roof
Pop-up Roof, Opening Sliding windows, Seat Belts, Heavy duty wheels, and Extra Fuel tanks. Refrigerator for cooling drinks one pair of binoculars per couple, Eco friendly Trash Bag. Wi-Fi on board during safari, Charging Outlets type Plug G for charging Cameras and smart phones
Rhino safari Crew Professional English-Speaking Driver guide. A Friendly, Experienced and Passionate Driver Guide expert at a wide variety of skills: Flora and Fauna, Tanzania’s cultural and natural history
Rhino Treat A Special Safari Hamper
Soft drinks, Coffee/tea, and drinking water during game drives
A bottle of Non-Alcoholic Champagne
Arrival and Departure Transfer: To/From Kilimanjaro International or Arusha Airport
One arrival Transfer
One departure Transfer
Accommodation; 2 nights in Arusha, 3 nights in Safari
1st night – in Arusha, Half Board (Dinner, Breakfast)
2nd night-- in Serengeti, full board (Dinner, Breakfast , picnic lunch box)
3rd night – Northern Serengeti/ western Serengeti, Full Board (Dinner, Breakfast, picnic lunch box)
4th night – in Northern Serengeti/ western Serengeti, Full Board (Dinner, Breakfast, picnic lunch box)
5th night – in Lake Natron, Full Board (Dinner, Breakfast, picnic lunch box)
6th night – in Arusha Full Board (Dinner, Breakfast, picnic lunch box)
Photographic Wildlife Experience with our custom 4X4 Safari Vehicle on
Game drive in Serengeti National Park
Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Park Entrance Fee & concession fees
Park fee and concession fees for Ngorongoro Crater
Park fee and concession for Serengeti Crater
Crater fees
Taxes18 % VAT (Value Added Tax)

Excluded

Tipping Recommend Driver guide: $10 US per person per day. For hotels/lodges/tented camps staffs; from $5 US per day per guest in each stay and use the Tip Box, please do not tip individual staff directly other staffs are working hidden example chefs.
Balloon Safari Experience 60 – 90 minutes (depending on wind condition) aerial adventure, followed by bush breakfast and champagne.
Any Changes done by you The trip excludes changes done by you during safari or before safari which deviates from the original program
Flights The trip costs Excludes International and Domestic Flights
Visa The trip costs Excludes all visa costs including arrival visas and transit visas
Medical Insurance The trip cost Excludes Medical Insurance which is mandatory
Travel Insurance The trip cost Excludes Travel Insurance which is mandatory
Laundry Service If you require laundering your clothes while on your safari, then you will need to pay an amount that the accommodation charges as per their rate sheet.
Drinks at the lodges/camps All kinds of soft drinks and hard drinks at the lodges/camps are not included
Drones The government of Tanzania does not allow anyone to bring Drone in the Country.
Personal items (souvenirs, clothes.)