Tanzanian Safari: Tarangire & our encounter with a leopard

To go on a safari, you must always book a tour with a local tour operator.  Most safaris in Tanzania start from Arusha, but there are couple of other places where you can do a safari as well, such as  Selous.

Our first destination, Tarangire was located a 1.5h our drive outside Arusha. To get there you travel through the beautiful scenery of the Great Rift Valley.

Tarangire is the greenest and lushes of all the parks in the area, especially during and after the rainy season which is also when we were visiting. While vegetation sometimes does a good job of hiding the smaller animals, we started seeing different animals immediately after entering the park: baboons, different kinds of antelopes, giraffes and warthogs, just to name a few.

Tarangire is famous for the large herds of elephants. The most memorable encounter we had with elephants was seeing them playing in a watering hole: they were like small kids playing and fighting with each other.

Regardless of seeing so many amazing elephants, the highlight of the day was the leopard sitting on the tree enjoying its launch, a baby impala. Given leopards are rare and spend most of their time on the trees, they are usually very difficult to spot, so we were incredibly lucky.

During the day we also saw many different birds including vultures.

DAY 1:- After breakfast at 8:00am picks clients from the place of staying in Arusha and drive to Tarangire National Park with picnic lunch boxes. Full day game viewing in Tarangire National Park. This park is often referred to as the “home of Elephants”, you have a great chance to spot elephants in large groups gathering around the Tarangire River. Other animals to be spotted include Leopards, Lions, Giraffes and even tree-climbing Pythons! Dinner and overnight stay on top of Great Rift Valley, overlooking Lake Manyara National Park. Panorama camp.

DAY 2:- Early morning after breakfast at 7:30am, with picnic lunch boxes drive to Serengeti National Park. Game viewing en route from Ngorongoro Crater Gate{Olduare} Serengeti National Park its famous park in Tanzania , known worldwide for its endless plains, wildebeest-migration, herds of lions and other predators like hyenas, cheetahs and leopards. Crocodiles can be found in the Grumeti River, as well as hippos, giraffes, antelopes, and gazelles. Dinner and overnight in the heart of Serengeti! Seronera Campsite (Pimbi camp).

DAY 3:- A cup of coffee / tea and with a bush breakfast, sunrise game viewing in Serengeti National Park. Back to the camp for the hot lunch and proceed with game viewing en route to Ngorongoro Crater via OLDUVAI GORGE. Dinner and Overnight stay on top of the crater rim, overlooking the crater floor! Ngorongoro Simba Campsite.

DAY 4:- An early breakfast at 6:00 am and descend 610m. Down the crater floor with picnic lunch boxes. Full day crater tour-which its 7hrs.There is a very high possibility of spotting the big 5 in one day: Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard. Lunch will take place at the picnic site at the crater floor. In the afternoon, ascend the crater and drive back to Arusha City.

WHAT IS INCLUSIVE IN THE PRICE:-
Pick up from the Airport / bus station, all park entry fee, all camping fee, crater services fee, 4Wheel Toyota Land cruiser-Open roof, Food-3 meals a day, camping gears like two person tent, mattress, table, chairs, pillow, mineral water- 3ltrs per day / person, per person, driver guide, chef, 1-night accommodation in Arusha after safari or before. {ArushaTourist Inn –Bed & Breakfast}