RS4201B Simba Safari – Sopa Lodges (2015/16) – SEAT IN VEHICLE
Days of operation from Kilimanjaro International Airport – Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday
Starting Point: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Ending Point: Kilimanjaro International Airport
Arrival Time: May arrive at any time. Please note that the earliest check-in at Arusha Coffee Lodge is 1400 hours
Return Time: Returns to Arusha Town Centre by 1230 for lunch. Earliest departure flight fromKilimanjaro International Airport is 1600 hours
Itinerary
Day 01 Arusha
Arrive KilimanjaroAirport (flight booked by agent), where you are met and transferred to your hotel located a short distance from Arusha Town Centre.
Overnight Arusha Coffee Lodge on bed and breakfast basis
Arusha Coffee Lodge
Lying on the gentle rolling foothills that cascade down from the ever-present Mount Meru is the bustling and vibrant town of Arusha. It is here on the outskirts of this town, hidden amongst one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, that you will find Arusha Coffee Lodge, a perfect haven for relaxation either before or after any African safari.
Comprising of 30 Plantation Houses – inclusive of 12 Plantation Suites – that radiate out into the evergreen coffee fields, Arusha Coffee Lodge has been designed around the original landowner’s home that dates back to the early 1900s.
The theme of coffee is never far away at Arusha Coffee Lodge, and this is never more evident than in the Plantation Suites where the coffee bean theme permeates even the interior designs of both the main bedrooms as well as the beautifully appointed en-suite bathrooms.
Day 02 Arusha – Lake Manyara
Morning at leisure and safari briefing followed by lunch. Afternoon you depart Arusha passing through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni you turn North West and continue the journey up through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant LakeManyara.
Overnight at LakeManyara Serena on full board basis
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Standing high on the edge of a towering terracotta escarpment with panoramic views over the glittering alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of tranquillity, wildlife discovery, and ornithological richness. The unprecedented range of high-adventure sports, meanwhile, include mountain biking, canoeing and forest walks, while cultural choices include tours of the neighbouring villages and dance displays by the local Iraqw and sukuma people.
Grouped around a central ‘vanishing horizon’ pool, this highly unusual lodge features a simple timbered reception area, built in traditional African style, which is accessed via a bridge over a small stream. Beyond reception, lies the central dining room, bar and veranda, below which lies the pool. Perched on the very edge of the cliffs, with stunning views over the lake is the pool bar and observation point. Dotted around the grounds, all with views over the lake, are a series of circular two-story ‘rondavels’, which house the rooms.
Designed to reflect the brilliance of Lake Manyara’s unique birdlife, the architectural motif melds swooping avian curves with the gentle concentric patterns of traditional Maasai ‘Bomas’ , while the vibrantly coloured wall frescoes depict the colourful intricacy of bird migratory patterns.
Day 03 Lake Manyara National Park – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast there is a game drive in LakeManyaraNational Park that returns to the lodge for lunch. Leaving LakeManyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park.
Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Nestled in the acacia woodland on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the plains of the south-western Serengeti National Park, one of the most famous parks in the world, and host to the largest and most spectacular annual migration of the wildebeest. The lodge is set in the Nyarboro Hills, in the South West overlooking the Serengeti Plains.
The lodge offers 69 standard rooms, all with 2 queen size beds, carpeted, and tastefully furnished with local fabrics and pictures. One entering the room is a lounge with a mini bar. In the front is a veranda with 2 comfortable chairs and coffee table, with glass windows facing the vast Serengeti plains which extend as far as the eye can see. The rooms have en-suite bathrooms and hairdryers. A veranda extends from the room facing the plains, ideal for relaxing and watching game.
Day 04 Serengeti National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives in SerengetiNational Park.
Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 05 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, stopping off en route for your picnic lunch. You then continue your journey towards Ngorongoro where you visit a MasaiVillage before you continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Perched on the rim of the collapsed volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, a world heritage site, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It has the most magnificent views over the crater floor, which is home to vast herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, the rare and endangered black rhino, elephant, cheetah, leopard, lion and herds of gazelle and wildebeest. Its position on the Eastern rim allows the most spectacular and uninterrupted views of the sunset.
All of the 91 double bedrooms are very spacious and each two queen sized beds and a separate dressing area. Each room has a glass fronted veranda, where you may enjoy a private view of the Crater The lodge has 6 single rooms, all of which have a queen sized beds and glass fronted sliding doors.
Day 06 Ngorongoro Crater
A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. Lunch is served near a small lake filled with hippos. You then continue game viewing before returning to the crater’s rim and your lodge.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 07 Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park
Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast,head south east past Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu village. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a game drive en route. After lunch and perhaps a swim, the remainder of the afternoon will be spent on a game drive.
Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Hidden among the kopjes, lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge, surrounded by ancient baobab trees. It is the home of the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive leopard. Over 400 bird species can be spotted here as well. With water constantly available in the area, the greenery is lush providing a wonderful contrast to the burnt ground.
Spacious and airy with marble floors, the lobby has glass sliding doors that open out to a veranda where one can relax and enjoy the view. The ceiling has a wooden finishing, and the décor with plants in strategic places, gives it a feeling of total relaxation, much needed after the long and dusty drive to the lodge. There is also a swimming pool for those that want to take a refreshing dip.
The lodge boasts 75 spacious rooms, all with a private lounge on entering with a mini bar. Each room is carpeted, has 2 queen size beds with a mosquito net around them. Ceiling fans keep the rooms cool and glass sliding doors that open out on to a balcony, with a great view of the landscape beyond, and wildlife can sometimes be spotted.
Day 08 Tarangire National Park – Arusha
Depart after breakfast and head north east to Arusha. The journey will pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. On arrival in Arusha you will be provided lunch followed by transfer to KilimanjaroAirport to connect international departure flight (booked by agent). END OF OUR SERVICES
NETT Costs – SEAT IN VEHICLE
| Currency – US$
Nett and non-commissionable |
16 Dec 16 to 29 Feb 15 | 01 Mar 16 to 31 Mar 16 | 01 Apr 16 to 25 May 16 | 26 May 16 to 31 Oct 16 | 01 Nov 16 to 15 Dec 16 |
| Per person sharing | 2,335.00 | 2,098.00 | 1,740.00 | 2,335.00 | 2,098.00 |
| Single supplement | 322.00 | 269.00 | 46.00 | 322.00 | 269.00 |
Supplements
Festive and New Year Supplement [24 Dec to 01 Jan inclusive] – $40.00 per person per night
Easter Supplement [25 to 28 March inclusive] – $35.00 per person per night
Please add $10.00 per person additional supplement for overnight at Arusha Coffee Lodge during holiday periods.
Sole Participant Supplement
There is a supplement of $90.00 for a participants arriving and departing alone to cover the transfer costs. Participants travelling alone cannot be confirmed unless at least three other participants are already booked on the departure.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari in Serengeti National Park (Day 04)
You depart the lodge before sunrise and transfer in the balloon safari company’s vehicle (with other travellers) to the balloon staging site. After a briefing from the pilot, the crew will inflate the envelope. At sunrise you begin your ballooning adventure with flights at different levels to give you both an overview of Serengeti National Park and a close look at the wildlife. After about 50 minutes, you land and the chase crew will take you to a picnic site where you are provided a bush breakfast complete with bubbly to celebrate your successful flight in the tradition of balloonists over the centuries. You then transfer to the Serengeti Visitors’ Centre where you meet your driver guide.
Nett Cost – $445.00 per person
Child/Third Adult Rates
- Children younger than age 7 are not permitted on our seat in vehicle safaris. We welcome young children on private safaris.
- One child aged 7-11 years sharing with 2 adults pays 50% of safari cost
- Two children aged 7-11 years sharing their own room pay 75% of adult rate
- Third adult rate, same as per person sharing
Cost Includes
- Meet and greet services
- Seat in vehicle safari
- Depart by 4×4 vehicle with photo roof (maximum 7 clients per vehicle)
- Services of an English speaking driver-guide
- Guaranteed window seat
- Game drives and crater tour
- All accommodation and meals as specified
- All park fees and government taxes
- One bottle of mineral water per person per day during game drives
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Airport tax (usually included in the tickets)
- Driver guide or local escort gratuities
- Drinks and dining rooms tips, porterage, personal travel and baggage insurance
- Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature
- Medical, evacuation or travel insurance
Additional remarks
We may have to reroute the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.
Passenger Information
Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris.
All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them for internal flights.
Baggage on internal flights is strictly limited to 15kgs per person (including hand luggage). Any excess baggage will be charged by the airline at check-in.
Passengers arriving to Tanzania may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.
Transfers may be in a two wheel drive 7 passenger minibus or 24 passenger coach.
Luggage
Due to limited luggage space in vehicles, suitcases are unsuitable for scheduled road safaris. We recommend luggage packed in inexpensive barrel/sausage bags or soft sided bags not exceeding 15kgs and 65×46 cm.
Excess luggage can be handed over to the representative at time of briefing. It will be handed over to you on your return from safari. Additional costs may apply to pick up drop off luggage at specific points.
