11 Days Lake Chala & Mkomazi and Masai Visit
This trip can be done at any time of the year except April and May due to the rain at that time. Starting from Mkomazi National Park will take you very close to the Rhinos, where it will be difficult to see them in other national parks, and if you do, it may be at a distance. Lake Chala will take you away from thinking about animals and here you will focus on excursions and water sports. If you have dreamed of doing a day trip to Kilimanjaro Mountain, then this package will enable you to do so, combined with the Masai experience. You have heard about Lake Natron several times, we will take you to Lake Natron from West Kilimanjaro without taking you through the official road but beautiful Nature. By booking this package, you will travel differently than many who travel but with better quality. And great safari
experience.
- Duration 11 Days 10 Nights
- Type Mid-Range Safari
- Cost $3717
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL AT KIA/HALF-DAY GAME DRIVE IN MKOMAZI (4HRS 30 MINS)
We welcome you to Tanzania, one of the greatest destinations of the African continent! Nature Responsible Safari will be solely responsible for your journey and experience in Tanzania.
You will arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and your guide will be waiting for you with a banner of your name in the arrivals zone. After everything is settled and everyone is settled, you will start your journey towards Mkomazi National Park. Your driver will get your lunchbox before picking you up so that you can all have a picnic lunch at Mkomazi.
Mkomazi National Park is about 4 and a half hours away from the airport. On the way; you will be able to see the beautiful view of the mountains and hills at the comfort of your safari vehicle.
Once you arrive in Mkomazi, you will have your packed lunch with a splendid view of the Pare Mountains and the Tsavo Horizon that touches the Kenyan border. After lunch, have a short game drive towards your place of accommodation. Due to the long flight, the first day of the safari will be light, allowing you to have enough rest for the safari on the following day.
You will spend the night in African View Tented camp which is located outside the park. It sits between the Pare and Usambara mountains and gives the ultimate bush feeling that you would be looking for. Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay while preparing for the adventures ahead.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: African View Tented Camp
Day 2 : FULL DAY GAME DRIVE MKOMAZI (RHINO VIEW)
On this day, you will get ready for a full-day game drive in the morning. Have your breakfast at around 0730hrs and depart at 0800 hours with a packed lunch.
Mkomazi is a place full of splendour and surprises. Filled with thick vegetation, it allows for the existence of plenty of elephants.
Mkomazi National Park borders Tsavo West Park in Kenya, which allows the animals to migrate freely and it is located in the northern part of Tanzania.
On this day, you will visit the Rhino Sanctuary. Mkomazi is the first and only park that initiated the regeneration of the almost extinct black rhinos. You will be able to see the rhinos in very close range and get to understand how the program works.
Enjoy your packed lunch while enjoying the beautiful park and Usambara view and continue with the game drive.
In the evening, head back to your Tented Camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: African View Tented Camp
Day 3: DEPART TO LAKE CHALA (2 HRS DRIVE)
This is your last day in Mkomazi National Park. Opt to have a short morning game drive before leaving the park. Since you are going to a different destination, you can have breakfast at 0800 and 0830. Your guide will take lunchboxes for you to have on the way as you make your way from the park.
Have a short game drive before leaving, and enjoy the final moments within. You will have an early picnic lunch on this day and afterwards, you will start driving towards Lake Chala.
Lake Chala is a caldera lake that borders Kenya and Tanzania. It holds a beautiful vegetative cover and due to its natural underground draining system; it has a deep blue to turquoise-greenish colour. It is famous for the tilapia fish that can be seen in the clear waters.
You will arrive at Lake Chala Safari Lodge in the late afternoon—the perfect time before the sunset. Enjoy an easy evening walking by the lake shore as you take in the Tanzanian atmosphere.
Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in preparation for the following day’s activities.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Lake Chala Safari Lodge
Day 4 : LAKE CHALA ACTIVITIES
This will be a beautiful slow day with multiple activities. On this day; you will have breakfast at around 0800hrs to 0830hrs.
Lake Chala has an amazingly beautiful place and has so many activities that you could be interested in for your day.
i) Hiking: Enjoy the trail by the river bed and to the lake.
ii) Swimming by the lake: Enjoy the cool waters during the warm day and have a swim as you enjoy the beautiful view.
iii) Kayaking: Enjoy kayaking in the lake circled by the green vegetation in the lake.
iv) Bird watching: Don’t forget to bring the binoculars and have the time of your life sighting different bird species.
In the afternoon, you will have lunch, finish your activities, and drive back to your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: African View Lodge
Day 5 : WEST KILIMANJARO (2 AND A HALF HOUR DRIVE)
After a relaxing previous day along the calming lake shore; it is time to start heading up to the more Northern part of Tanzania. You will have breakfast at around 0800hrs in preparation for the journey to West Kilimanjaro. You will not carry lunchboxes on this day and will instead have lunch at the place of accommodation.
Western Kilimanjaro is a cool and vegetative place that allows you to have a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro. In two and a half hours; you will arrive in Osiligilai, where you will be staying for the night.
You will have hot lunch and proceed with the different activities that the accommodation offers.
i) Spear Throwing
Test out your skills by throwing the spear the farthest with the Maasai warriors.
ii) Small Mountain Hiking
Have a beautiful view of Meru and Kilimanjaro just beyond as you enjoy the hike.
iii) Maasai festival and Dance
Familiarize yourself with the Maasai culture by watching and listening to their songs and dances.
iv) Walking with Traditional Maasai.
Get to take a walk with the Maasai and understand their culture in depth. Learn about the medicinal values of herbs and wild plants they use in their healing.
v) Visit Maasai Projects.
Explore and understand the Maasai projects that are being put in place by NGOs and the government.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Osiligilai Masai Lodge
Day 6 : KILI DAY TRIP
Being close to the Kilimanjaro gate allows you to have an easy morning start. Because you will be going for a hike; we suggest having a light breakfast on that day. Depart at around 0630 hrs. towards the gate of your hike; Lemosho Gate with your guide. You will leave with a packed lunch because you will have a picnic lunch at the end of the hike. At the gate; you will meet the ranger who will be your guide in this beautiful landscape.
The Lemosho gate leads you to Shira Plateau. On the way; you will see the beautiful, untouched landscape across the horizon. The plateau holds glaciers that have been formed due to erosion and volcanic activities in the past. You will be able to see the black colobus monkey and Amboseli National Park from the distance.
The Shira plateau takes up to 3,500m above sea level hence making the air a bit thin. Because of this, we advise you to go at your own pace and enjoy everything that unfolds.
Have picnic lunch at one of the stops as you watch Africa unfold from a distance. The hike could take about 4 to 6 hours depending on your pace but Hakuna Matata Enjoy every step!
After hiking, head back to your Osiligilai lodge for an overnight stay and dinner as you prepare for the following day’s activity.
(The hike does not require any hiking equipment, but trainers and comfortable hiking shoes are recommended.)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Osiligilai Masai Lodge
Day 7: DRIVE TO LAKE NATRON ( 5 HOUR DRIVE)
This is a different day to try something new. You will depart earlier with a packed lunch and have breakfast at around 0700hrs in preparation for the drive to Lake Natron.
Lake Natron is a soda lake that is located along Rift Valley Lane. It is estimated to be around 57km long and 22km wide. The temperatures are usually really high so we suggest wearing light clothing on that day.
Lake Natron has a lot of myths in the internet for instance it is deadly due to its pinkish/ reddish color. The color is brought about by the microorganisms existing inside the lake. Lake Natron is known to be a perfect breeding place for flamingoes and by luck; you might get to see a group of flamingoes fly away as a group by the lake.
When you arrive at Lake Natron, explore the lake shore at the comfort of your car while you get to see different bird species
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Lake Natron Maasai Giraffe Lodge
Day 9: FULL DAY LAKE MANYARA (3 HOUR DRIVE)
On this day after breakfast, we will take you to Lake Manyara National Park, an ever-green park nestled at the base of the Great East African Rift Valley with overlapping habitats that support a large number of animal species, including the famous Lake Manyara tree-climbing lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, buffalo, leopards, hyenas, and many more. You will have lunch and finish your game drive lake afternoon transfer to your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Pamoja Farm lodge
DAY 10: FULL TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK (2 HOUR DRIVE)
This will be the last day of your safari and it will be a polepole day. Have breakfast at around 8:00 a.m. and depart with all your luggage by 8:30 a.m. On this day, you will head to Tarangire National Park. If you are a fan of elephants, then Tarangire is the place for you. Known as the ‘home of elephants’, Tarangire is famous for holding a large number of elephant herds. It was named after the Tarangire River, which crosses the park. Tarangire is a vast park that holds almost all of the big five except the rhino. It is rich in vegetation and wildlife. You will have your packed lunch for you to enjoy later while you enjoy the splendid connection with nature. After the long day, you will drive to Haradali Home, where we will be waiting for you to give us a summary of all you saw and all you did. Based on contemporary designs and love, Haradali Home brings oneness under the same roof with the help of Nature Responsible safari owners. Enjoy the last night under the African sky with a Tanzanian family that is a home away from home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Haradali Home
Day 11: DEPARTURE FROM TANZANIA.
You will have breakfast while time is dependent on your flight. Today marks the end of your 10 Nights and 11 Days safari. We sincerely hope that we have been the best of service to you in this beautiful journey. You will be taken to the airport with your guide. We hope you leave with the best African memories imprinted in your mind.
- Specialized Safari guide
- Private Transport
- Entrance Park Fees
- Meals as per itinerary
- All airport Transfers
- Coffee and Tea in the car
- International and domestic flights
- Any item for personal use such us telephone bills
- Tips to safari guides and porters
- Health / travel insurance
- Masai boma visit and Olduvai Visit
- Laundry services.
- Any local or international flight and departure taxes.
