Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater

Morning drive to the fabled Ngorongoro Crater with its truly breathtaking views. Continue round the rim, where a crew of guides, a ranger and Maasai and donkeys will be waiting. Begin a marvelous walk in this pristine Maasai land. The track takes you part way around the rim of the crater through open woodland and acacia forests.

To your right are the remarkably spectacular views of the crater floor below, and to your left are the endless plains of the Serengeti. A very simple camp is set in a remote location where one of the important rivers off the highland volcanoes enters the crater.

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast camp is packed up and the morning trek continues along the crater rim traversing the Olmoti slopes. The trail leaves the rainforest and cuts through grassland and open woodlands inhabited by local Maasai. In the late afternoon the tour reaches a vehicle track that winds out of Ngorongoro crater towards Empakai crater. Landrovers will be waiting with refreshments to take us back to Ngorongoro.

Day 10: Serengeti

Your Tanzania safari tour leaves at dawn to enjoy further game viewing on the crater floor. This unique hundred-square mile wildlife paradise has a greater density of wildlife than practically any other protected wilderness in Africa. It's the last place to see relatively easily free-ranging Black Rhino. There are numerous Lions, and large families of Buffalo. The plains gazelle seem innumerable. The crater provides a scenic wonderland distinguished by its central lake and many shore birds including at times large numbers of flamingo.

By late morning you ascend the opposite side of the crater and head into the Serengeti plains, stopping en-route at Olduvai Gorge, the cradle of mankind. The Serengeti - undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world -- is the fitting climax for our exciting safari. In the Serengeti your adventure camp will be placed seasonally to optimize game viewing.

Day 11: Serengeti

The day is spent exploring the wide-open spaces of the Serengeti, visiting different habitats and following the ebb and flow of life in its seasonal movements. In addition to the abundant game, there may be opportunities to visit sacred Maasai sites and cave paintings. The Serengeti satisfies the most demanding imaginations of what Africa is, with its endless grassland plains filled with wildlife.

Your last night in camp will be a celebrated one, as you review the wonderful days you've spent learning about this magnificent land. Enjoying sundowners around the fire before dinner, you'll undoubtedly be blessed by one of the Serengeti's unrivaled sunsets, bringing to a spectacular end this remarkable journey.

Day 12: Arusha - Departure

Morning game drive to the nearest airstrip, where you take a quick flight back to Arusha. You'll be met by new vehicles that will take you around to shop and sightsee, and for another local lunch before continuing to the hotel adjacent Kilimanjaro airport. You'll have a private room before the evening departures.