Journey Time: Approx. 5 Hours
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Was once a part of the great Serengeti National Park, but later in 1959, the Ngorongoro was split from Serengeti into an independently protected area a with unique outstanding universal values and conservational status. At the top of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders; Ngorongoro was upgraded to a UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979, owing to its global biodiversity significance portrayed by the presence of endemic animal species, immense wildlife within and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles into the northern plains.
Pick-up Time: 06:00AM. Early breakfast at the lodge and check-out: then board and depart Amboseli to Tanzania’ Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Stopping-over at Namanga Boarder Post will be for immigration procedures in order to be granted entrance into Tanzania; from Namanga continue to Ngorongoro – arriving for a picnic lunch within the Crater-floor – a once in lifetime experience!
After lunch explore the highlights of Ngorongoro (Game Drives and Nature walks) Explore the stunning Ngorongoro Crater; a renown world’s largest and most scenic volcanic crater! Ngorongoro is an utterly unique biosphere that has remained virtually untouched since the dawn of time. Deep within the crater, enclosed by towering walls, some over 20,000 large mammals roam in the plains, lakes, and forests of this land that time forgot, dominated by enormous bull elephants, rhinos, lions, and birds of all kind.
Visit the world-famous Olduvai Gorge and Olduvai Museum; a pre-historic archaeological site where the ancient fossils of the early man were discovered thus crowned the “Cradle of Mankind”. You will get to learn about; the discovery works of Mary and Louis Leakey (over 30 years), highlighted by historic excavations of the first fossils and artefacts of the early man. Continue to Olduvai Museum; the Museum exhibits numerous fossils, stone tools of our hominid ancestors and skeletons of many extinct animals excavated in the gorge. It was founded by Mary Leakey in 1970 and later redeveloped to its present look in 2017.
Safari in Ndutu Plains; situated on the outskirts of the Southern Serengeti plains – the plains are enriched with tremendous acacia trees, providing a panoramic view across Lake Ndutu and Masek. Reaching Ndutu means being in a calving ground for migratory animals, specifically the wildebeest; it is composed of vast savannah grasslands, soda-lake Masek, marshes, and woodland vegetation which offers a conducive atmosphere for calving. Thousands of calves are born here every calving season, making Ndutu a home for new creatures on Earth. Giraffe, impala, elephant, dik dik, lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, bat-eared fox, genet, jackal, wildcat, and many other animals call Ndutu home.
From Ndutu Plains, transfer to the lodge to check-in and refresh for dinner.
Overnight: The Retreat at Ngorongoro – or similar Meal Plan: Full Board