SERENGETI, LAKES & VOLCANOES

Your safari starts in Arusha, driving to Lake Manyara national park which is located between the Great Rift Valley's cliff escarpment and the shallow alkaline lake, Lake Manyara. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, Manyara features nearly 400 different species of bird, red-billed quelea, pelicans, cormorants and thousands of flamingos.

Your next destination will be the stunning Ngorongoro Crater, 12.4 miles (20 km) wide, 1968ft (600m) deep, makes it the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. It is home to a permanent population of more than 30,000 animals including The Big 5. Masai tribesman have grazing rights in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so it is not unusual to see Maasai cattle and buffalo grazing together, with a lion kill just a few hundred meters away.

You will continue your travel to Serengeti National park [an endless savannah that sprawls across 5757 square miles (that’s 14,763 square km!)], which will be your home for the next three nights. 35 species of plains dwelling animals are found here, including wildebeest and zebra, which feature in the spectacular wildebeest migration. Serengeti is also famous for its lion, cheetah and giraffe populations. It is one of the most incredible wildlife sights you will ever encounter.

Travel towards Lake Natron. Wild and remote Lake Natron lies in the northeast of Tanzania in between the Ngorongoro Highlands and Serengeti plains. It is situated at the base of Africa's only active volcano Oldonyo L'Engai (Mountain of God). Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline lakes in the world. Home to millions of tiny crustaceans, the lake is a haven for literally thousands of lesser flamingo's and it is one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds on earth. Here it is the landscape rather than the animals that is the attraction - the area around the lake inhabited by Masai is dry, desolate and hauntingly beautiful.

ZANZIBAR HOTELS