5 Days Safari - Central Serengeti

5 Days / 4 Nights, Usa River - Central Serengeti National Park

Introduction

Start : Day 1

Accommodation : Mount Meru Game Lodge

Destination : Usa River

Basis : B&B

Duration : 1 Night

Start : Day 2

Accommodation : Moyo Tented Camp Warangi

Destination : Central Serengeti

Basis : FB

Duration : 3 Nights

Key

B&B : Bed and Breakfast FB : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

    • Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Arusha

    • Full Board Accommodation while on Safari

    • Airport Transfers as stated

    • A Safari Briefing at the start

    • All Game Drives in a custom-built 4x4 Land Cruiser driven by an English-speaking guide

    • Excursions and Scheduled Activities as per the itinerary

    • Park Entrance Fees Throughout

    • 2 litres of water per person per day while in an our safari Vehicle

    • Schedule Domestic Flights Arusha - Serengeti - Arusha (15 Kg) per person

    • All Government taxes

    • International Airfares

    • International & Domestic Departure Tax

    • Entry Visa into the Country

    • All alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks

    • Laundry Services at extra cost 

    • Meals & Excursions not described in the itinerary

    • Any Optional Tours not mentioned in the itinerary

    • Travel & Health Insurance

    • Hot air balloon in the Serengeti $550 per person 

    • Gratuities to your guide, hotel staff, and porters

    • Any other item of a personal nature, such as a telephone, postage 

Day 1 • Mount Meru Game Lodge, Usa River

Day Itinerary

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your lodge for an overnight stay.

Set 23 kilometres east of Arusha, Usa River is the capital of Tanzania’s Meru District and lies between the Ndurdoto Crater and Arusha National Park. Dotted with numerous eco-lodges and other accommodation options, the town provides an ideal base for exploring the magnificent surrounding natural landscapes. Visit the seven Momela Lakes to see vast swathes of pink flamingos, and look out for buffalos and waterbuck. The park offers an array of safari tours and the chance to see unique primates such as blue monkeys, albino baboons, and colobus monkeys (this is the only place in Tanzania’s northern safari circuit where they can be found). The spectacular Mount Meru is a fantastic achievement to climb and provides unparalleled vistas of Kilimanjaro. At Usa River’s Cultural Arts Centre, take part in drum-making and Tanzanian cooking classes or visit traditional Maasai and Meru bomas.

Overnight : Mount Meru Game Lodge

Set in beautiful surroundings, Mount Meru Game Lodge overlooks an expansive Garden Sanctuary, home to water buffalo, peacocks, yellow-billed storks, ibis and a variety of monkeys, including the elusive white-tailed Colobus. All can be viewed at your leisure from the vantage point of our alfresco restaurant shaded by giant mature mango trees. Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), the Lodge is the ideal start (or end) point for your northern circuit safari. The original farmhouse in which now stands our bar, lounge and dining room, was originally established as a family holiday home in 1959. The past three years have seen extensive renovations to the property: 4 new ensuite guest rooms built to bring our total to 24; a series of accessible walkways added; the installation of a view deck under the shade of a magnificent cactus tree overlooking the Usa river; and the complete overhaul of 20 existing rooms to reveal new bathrooms, heightened ceilings and refreshed decor. All while maintaining the historical feeling of our special property, and its hospitable heart. We are a family friendly (and family run) home away from home, where the comfort and happiness of our valued guests comes first.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Day 2 • Moyo Tented Camp, Warangi, Central Serengeti

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Arusha airport for your scheduled flight to the Central  Serengeti (Seronera airstrip). On arrival, meet your safari guide and enjoy your first game drive en route to camp in time for lunch and check in.

After lunch, afternoon at leisure, then a sunset game drive in the central Serengeti. Evening return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval, and much more. Popular activities include: game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.

Overnight : Moyo Tented Camp Warangi

Moyo Tented Camp Warangi is located in the Central Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, offering an authentic safari experience in one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife regions. The camp features 10 standard tents and 4 family tents, each equipped with en-suite bathrooms, solar-powered lighting, private verandas with scenic views, and locally crafted furnishings. Guests can enjoy hearty meals at the on-site restaurant and a selection of local beers, wines, and spirits at the bar, with dietary needs catered to upon request. Activities include bush breakfasts and dinners, sundowners, campfire storytelling, and hot air balloon safaris. With a mission to support local communities through employment and partnerships with nearby farmers and artisans, Moyo Tented Camp Warangi blends comfort, culture, and conservation. Additional amenities include a reception and lounge area, free Wi-Fi in common areas, laundry service, 24/7 security, and first-aid support - making it a perfect base for exploring the Serengeti’s rich wildlife and landscapes.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, and Lunch

Day 3 • Moyo Tented Camp, Warangi, Central Serengeti

Day Itinerary

This morning, wake to the sounds of the African bush, and head out on an early morning game drive to catch the animals at their most active. On return to your camp, enjoy a typical safari breakfast surrounded by local wildlife. Later, on your afternoon game drive, the chances to spot Africa’s famous Big Five abound, thanks to the park’s density of both predators and prey.

Optional : Serengeti Balloon Safaris

This morning, you will be transferred early in the morning to the balloon launch site. Take off at 6:30 am and float over the famous Serengeti National Park with its enchanting scenery and vistas.This may be the most beautiful area in the world for a balloon flight. There are no power lines, fences, and few roads. Our capacity is limited, making this experience a special and exclusive one.Each balloon flight is different and therefore an adventure. For many, this is one of the high points of a safari and an experience that you will remember always.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 • Moyo Tented Camp, Warangi, Central Serengeti

Day Itinerary

As the sun rises on your third day in the Central Serengeti, make the most of the game viewing. Order a picnic breakfast or lunch and head out into the bush, and spend the day looking for game while enjoying the magic that this park has to offer. Later back at camp, dinner is served, and evening drinks by the campfire is the perfect way to discuss the day’s events.

Activities : Central Serengeti

Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterized by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. Popular activities include: game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 • End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Seronera airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha. On Arrival at Arusha airport, depending on your International flight details, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International airport for your departure flight back home - end of our Service.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Travel Information

Tanzania

The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!

Banking & Currency

In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling, which is divided into 100 Cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 Shillings. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 Shillings.

Banks are open from 9:00am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Many banks are equipped with 24 hour ATM machines.

Credit cards and travellers checks are not widely accepted in Tanzania. Where they are accepted can high service fees and poor exchange rates be expected. Major foreign currencies - particularly US $ - are accepted in Tanzania and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main towns and tourist areas. If bringing cash in US $, please make sure bank notes are in good condition, with no cuts or damage and are not older than 2006. Most banks offer higher exchange rates for US $ 100 / US $ 50 bank notes compared to US $ 20 / US $ 10 or US $ 5 bank notes.

Travel, Transport and Getting Around

If you are visiting a number of parks and reserves in Tanzania, you can either drive or fly between them. Roads in most of the wilderness areas are in poor condition and unmarked, and self-driving is not recommended. Operators will supply you with a driver who doubles as an informal guide; alternatively, you can arrange to fly to your destination and utilize a car and driver supplied by the lodgings. Elsewhere in Tanzania, towns and cities are linked by a steady stream of buses and dala-dalas (minibuses), and in the cities, there is public transport in the way of buses, dala-dalas, taxis, and, in some places, bicycles or tuk-tuks.

Precision Air run regular services, mostly via Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar, to all main towns and other destinations in East Africa and beyond. All national parks and some of the top-end luxury lodges have airstrips and Coastal Air operates between these and the main airports on the mainland and the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. ZanAir has frequent connections between Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland.

Driving is on the left hand side of the road.

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Most camps, lodges or hotels cater specifically to tourists and serve Western-style food, ranging in standard, but generally are excellent. Game lodges tend to offer a daily set menu with a limited selection, so it is advisable to have your tour operator specify in advance if you are a vegetarian or have other specific dietary requirements. First-time visitors to Africa might take note that most game lodges in and around the national parks have isolated locations, and driving within the parks is neither permitted nor advisable after dark, so that there is no realistic alternative to eating at your lodge.

Tap water in Tanzania is generally not safe to drink, and most travellers try to stick to mineral water. Filtered and bottled water can be difficult to find you are travelling outside of main town and so it is advisable to stock up. Most camps, lodges and hotels have bottled water readily available.

Please note that, as of 2016, Tanzania has banned the use of plastic bags in a bid to tackle pollution and protect the environment. Travellers' to Tanzania will no longer be allowed to bring plastic carrier bags into the country. This ban targets all plastic bags that are imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used.

Climate and Weather

Just south of the equator, Tanzania is huge and its sheer size means that the climate varies considerably within it. However, generally the main rainy season, or the 'long rains', lasts during about March, April and May. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm – which are heavier and more predictable beside the coast and on the islands. The humidity is high and daily temperatures reach the low-mid 30°s.

The long dry season lasts throughout June, July, August, September and October is when rainfall is unusual, even on the islands. Temperatures vary hugely with altitude and location, but it's usually a fine, clear sky and sunny weather – it's a great time to visit Tanzania. During November and December there's another rainy season: the 'short rains'. These are much lighter than the main rains and less reliable.

If it has rained during the short rains, then it normally dries up for a few months, January and February, which is Tanzania's 'short dry season', before starting to rain again in earnest in March.

Clothing and Dress Recommendations

It never gets really cold in Tanzania so lightweight clothing, preferably cotton or linen, is recommended. While on a game viewing safari, avoid brightly coloured clothing, stick to whites, beiges, khakis and browns. There may be long days sitting in safari vehicles, so it is advisable to wear light comfortable clothing such as short sleeved shirts and cotton/linen trousers or shorts. Denim will become too hot and extremely uncomfortable. Walking shoes and socks will be required.

The evenings will be chilly, so long sleeved shirts and trousers should be worn. A sweater may be needed. These will also prevent you being bitten by insects. A hat should be worn at all times outside. The sun may sometimes not feel hot, but it can still easily burn, especially if it is cloudy and overcast.

If visiting Zanzibar or any coastal town don't forget to take a swimsuit, as it is invariably warm. Ladies are recommended to take cotton skirts, blouses and dresses. Sandals are a must for this environment! On the beaches and within the confines of hotels, normal swimwear is acceptable but nudity is not.As over a third of the population in Tanzania is Muslim, it is therefore not etiquette for ladies to walk around in public displaying their legs and shoulders. Remember to dress modestly as short shorts, miniskirts, vests and tank tops will be frowned upon.

Internet Availability

Tanzania has good Internet Service Providers with email and internet services offered by many hotels and lodges (free / paid). In most towns there are plenty of private business centres and cyber cafes offering email and internet access, although the speeds might be somewhat slower than what you are used to.

Electricity and Plug Standards

Electrical sockets in Tanzania are one of three: Type G (BS-1363) and Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type D (BS-546) electrical socket types: If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Tanzania usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.