8:00 AM – Departure from Arusha
A private driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Arusha (or Kilimanjaro International Airport if arriving early) for a scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park (2-2.5 hours, approximately 130 km) in a luxury 4x4 Landcruiser (1 vehicle per 6-7 people). The route passes through the bustling town of Mto wa Mbu, with views of the Rift Valley escarpment.

10:30 AM – Arrival & Check-In
Arrive at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, a luxury lodge perched on the escarpment with panoramic views of the park and lake below. The lodge offers spacious rooms with Wi-Fi, en-suite bathrooms, and a pool, blending comfort with the wilderness.

11:00 AM – Gourmet Brunch
Enjoy a gourmet brunch at the lodge, featuring fresh fruits, pastries, and Tanzanian dishes like grilled chicken with mango salsa, overlooking the lush park in May’s greenery.

2:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive (3 Hours)
Embark on a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park (550 km²), known for its diverse ecosystems—groundwater forests, acacia woodlands, and the soda lake. Spot four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo; no rhinos due to historical poaching). Look for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, often lounging in acacia trees, and large elephant herds. In May, the lake attracts thousands of flamingos, painting it pink, alongside pelicans and storks. The wet season enhances the park’s greenery, making it ideal for spotting giraffes, zebras, and over 400 bird species, like yellow-billed storks.

6:00 PM – Sundowner Experience
Enjoy a private sundowner in the park, sipping champagne as the sun sets over Lake Manyara, with the golden light reflecting off the water and the escarpment in the background—a luxurious start to your safari.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Return to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for a 4-course dinner with paired wines, such as spiced lamb with couscous, under the stars. Overnight in your room, listening to the sounds of the bush.

6:00 AM – Morning Game Drive (3 Hours)
Start with an early game drive to catch animals at their most active. Explore the park’s northern section, focusing on the hippo pool and hot springs (Majimoto), where you might spot hippos, crocodiles, and buffalo. Look for leopards in the dense forests and baboon troops—some of the largest in Africa. May’s lush vegetation makes spotting tree-climbing lions more challenging but enhances birdwatching, with species like the African fish eagle.

9:00 AM – Breakfast in the Bush
Enjoy a luxury bush breakfast near the lake, with shaded seating and a spread of fresh pastries, fruits, and hot dishes, surrounded by flamingos and the sounds of nature.

10:00 AM – Continue Game Drive (3 Hours)
Resume your game drive, heading to the southern part of the park for giraffes, impalas, and dik-diks in the acacia woodlands. The wet season ensures water sources attract wildlife, including migratory birds like European storks.

1:00 PM – Picnic Lunch
Break for a gourmet picnic lunch near the Endabash River, featuring vegetable-stuffed flatbreads and mango salad, with views of the park’s lush landscapes.

2:00 PM – Return to Lodge & Relaxation
Return to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for an afternoon of relaxation. Swim in the pool, enjoy a cocktail at the bar, or relax on your private balcony with lake views.

6:30 PM – Night Game Drive (2 Hours)
Embark on a night game drive, a rare activity permitted in Lake Manyara. Spot nocturnal animals like aardvarks, bushbabies, and possibly leopards on the hunt. Look for owls and nightjars, adding a thrilling dimension to your safari.

8:30 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Return to the lodge for a 5-course dinner with paired wines, such as grilled fish with coconut sauce, under the starlit sky. Overnight in your room.

7:00 AM – Breakfast & Departure
After breakfast at the lodge, depart for Ngorongoro Crater (1.5 hours, approximately 60 km). The scenic drive climbs the Rift Valley escarpment, offering views of Lake Manyara below.

9:00 AM – Arrival & Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater (5 Hours)
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (260 km², 600 meters deep), for a full game drive. Spot all Big Five, including the rare black rhino (around 30 individuals), plus lions, elephants, and buffalo near Lake Magadi. May’s late wet season ensures lush greenery, attracting zebras, wildebeests, and hippos, with flamingos on the lake. The crater’s dense predator population includes hyenas and cheetahs. Enjoy a picnic lunch by a swamp, surrounded by wildlife, with short rains possible but typically brief.

2:30 PM – Return to Lake Manyara
Ascend the crater and drive back to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, arriving by late afternoon.

4:30 PM – Relaxation at Lodge
Spend the afternoon relaxing—enjoy a massage at the lodge’s spa (additional cost) or lounge by the pool with views of the park.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine at the lodge, enjoying a 4-course meal with paired wines, such as roasted chicken with peanut sauce, by the firepit. Overnight in your room.

7:30 AM – Breakfast
Have a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, savoring lake views and Tanzanian coffee.

8:30 AM – Canoeing on Lake Manyara (2 Hours)
Embark on a guided canoeing trip on Lake Manyara, a unique activity offered by select operators. Paddle along the lake’s edge, spotting flamingos, pelicans, and hippos from a new perspective. May’s water levels ensure a good canoeing experience, with lush shoreline vegetation attracting birds like the African jacana.

11:00 AM – Cultural Visit to Mto wa Mbu (2 Hours)
Visit the nearby town of Mto wa Mbu for a cultural experience. Explore the vibrant market, tasting local dishes like banana beer and buying crafts like Makonde wood carvings. Join a guided walk through a banana plantation, learning about local farming practices, and visit a Chagga family to see how they brew traditional beer—a glimpse into the region’s diverse cultures.

1:30 PM – Lunch at the Lodge
Return to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for a gourmet lunch, featuring fresh fish with coconut rice, overlooking the park.

3:00 PM – Visit to Maji Moto Hot Springs (2 Hours)
Drive to the Maji Moto Hot Springs in the park for a relaxing dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters, surrounded by lush forest. This natural oasis offers a serene escape, with the chance to spot monkeys and birds nearby.

6:00 PM – Return to Lodge & Relaxation
Return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation, perhaps with a cocktail at the bar.

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine at the lodge, enjoying a 5-course meal with paired wines, such as grilled prawns with tamarind sauce, under the stars. Overnight in your room.

7:00 AM – Breakfast
Have breakfast at the lodge, enjoying the morning views of the park.

8:00 AM – Maasai Village Visit (2.5 Hours)
Drive to a Maasai village near Lake Manyara (30 minutes) for a cultural immersion. Learn about their semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyle, participate in a traditional dance with rhythmic jumping, and visit a boma (homestead) to see their daily life. Browse handmade crafts like beaded jewelry as souvenirs, and hear stories of their coexistence with wildlife.

11:00 AM – Walking Safari in Lake Manyara (2 Hours)
Embark on a guided walking safari in the park, led by an armed ranger. Explore the groundwater forest on foot, spotting smaller wildlife like bushbucks and vervet monkeys, and learning about the park’s flora, such as medicinal plants used by locals. This intimate experience offers a deeper connection to the environment, with chances to see flamingos up close.

1:30 PM – Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch in the park, set up under a fig tree, featuring dishes like vegetable wraps with mango salad, surrounded by the sounds of nature.

3:00 PM – Relaxation at Lodge
Return to Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for an afternoon of relaxation—read on your balcony, swim in the pool, or enjoy a spa treatment (additional cost).

7:00 PM – Dinner & Overnight
Dine at the lodge, enjoying a 4-course meal with paired wines, such as spiced beef with ugali, by the firepit. Overnight in your room.

6:00 AM – Morning Game Drive (2 Hours)
Take a final game drive in Lake Manyara, focusing on any animals you may have missed, such as tree-climbing lions or leopards. Enjoy the sunrise over the lake, with flamingos creating a stunning backdrop amidst May’s greenery.

8:30 AM – Breakfast & Check-Out
Return to the lodge for a gourmet breakfast, featuring fresh juices, pastries, and hot dishes, then check out.

9:30 AM – Departure to Arusha
Drive back to Arusha (2-2.5 hours), with a brief stop in Mto wa Mbu to shop for souvenirs if desired.

12:00 PM – Arrival in Arusha & End of Tour
Arrive in Arusha and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or your accommodation, concluding your luxury safari.