Avocet Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Avocet Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Kilimanjaro International Airport
On arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by a guide with a name board after you've collected your bags.
Kilimanjaro to Lake Manyara NP by light aircraft & 4WD
Your adventure begins with a light-aircraft flight over Lake Manyara National Park, landing after around 35 minutes close to the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment. A guide from Lake Manyara Tree Lodge will meet you for the 2–4-hour game drive to camp, perhaps including a packed lunch; look out for flamingos!
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Of the many lodges that focus their activities on Tanzania's Lake Manyara National Park, only one stands inside the park: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. Opened in 2002, it is located in the far south of the park, in a forest of mahogany, wild mango and fig trees. The lodge has a long-standing reputation for its excellent location and high standards.
Of the many lodges that focus their activities on Tanzania's Lake Manyara National Park, only one stands inside the park: Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. Opened in 2002, it is located in the far south of the park, in a forest of mahogany, wild mango and fig trees. The lodge has a long-standing reputation for its excellent location and high standards.
"This was our favourite lodge on holiday. Lake Manyara is a very special place"
Mr & Mrs DfromHertsArrived 9 Oct 2017, 2 nights
Stylish and luxurious, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge has the best location of any lodge in the area (with a price tag to match), and thanks to clever design it still feels surprisingly connected to its patch of dense forest. Every time we have visited in recent years, we have found a very warm welcome from its experienced team of friendly staff. That said, although the food, service and guiding have been consistently top-notch, on our last visit we felt that things had slipped a little. See our full report on Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Mountain biking
Night drive
Game drive from Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro
Today's journey is a relaxed game drive of around three hours along the shore of Lake Manyara before meeting up with a driver-guide from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, usually at the airstrip. It's then a further 90 minutes to the lodge, often taking in the main viewing point into the Crater.
Crater Lodge
Occupying a spectacular spot right on the rim of the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is undoubtedly one of the most opulent lodges in Tanzania. Combining architectural hints of traditional Maasai homesteads with interior styles borrowed from European stately homes, the present lodge was built in 1995.
Occupying a spectacular spot right on the rim of the Crater, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is undoubtedly one of the most opulent lodges in Tanzania. Combining architectural hints of traditional Maasai homesteads with interior styles borrowed from European stately homes, the present lodge was built in 1995.
"Luxury on the edge of a caldera... wonderful food and beautiful room"
Miss P & Mr LfromSurreyArrived 13 Oct 2018, 2 nights
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is a unique property. For some it is completely over the top and out of place; for others it's the height of luxury. The whole Maasai-meets-baronial-manor concept is extraordinary; the food, service, rooms and general facilities are excellent; and the location is outstanding, with stunning views over what many regard as the world's top wildlife area. But it's also one of the most costly lodges in Africa. See our full report on Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
To drive into the Ngorongoro Crater is to immerse yourself in a renowned wildlife park. Prides of lion and clans of hyena patrol amongst herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle, whilst flocks of crowned cranes keep out the way of jackals. Come for elephants with big tusks, too. And then there are the rhino… Read all about Ngorongoro Crater safari
Ngorongoro to the Serengeti by light aircraft & 4WD
After a 90-minute 4WD transfer, leave the Rift Valley behind as your light aircraft soars across the escarpment and north-west to the Serengeti. Watch out for wildlife during the 60–90-minute flight (depending on stops). A guide from Klein's will meet you at their airstrip for the 1½-hour game drive to camp.
Klein's Camp
Klein's Camp is a small, luxury lodge that was originally built as a hunting camp. It sits in its own 10,000 hectare private concession area in Loliondo. Klein's leases this land from the Maasai and is for the exclusive use of the guests who stay here.
Klein's Camp is a small, luxury lodge that was originally built as a hunting camp. It sits in its own 10,000 hectare private concession area in Loliondo. Klein's leases this land from the Maasai and is for the exclusive use of the guests who stay here.
" The hospitality at Klein's far exceeded our wildest expectations."
AvafromNYCArrived 24 Oct 2023, 4 nights
On our last trip to Klein's we also visited two other &Beyond properties, and we found Klein's to have the most relaxed feel to it. Having said that, it certainly doesn't lack any of the professionalism or luxury of the other properties. See our full report on Klein's Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Night drive
Serengeti to Kilimanjaro by 4WD & air
Following a last drive of around 90 minutes through the Serengeti, settle back and enjoy your light-aircraft flight over the rolling hills of northern Tanzania. Depending on stops, the trip takes about two hours, usually crossing the Ngorongoro Highlands and possibly the Ngorongoro Crater itself before landing at Kilimanjaro Airport.
Ends: Kilimanjaro International Airport
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro in time to catch your onward flight.
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk
Two to three hours
Discover the nuances of day-to-day life in the large Tanzanian village of Mto Wa Mbu with a knowledgeable local guide. This is not a village set up for tourists – Mto Wa Mbu is a real community and offers a chance to see a side of Tanzania that many visitors pass by.
More about Village Walk
Balloon Safari over the Serengeti
Three hours - approx. one hour flight
As the sun rises over the Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania, climb aboard for an extraordinary adventure. For an hour you’ll float in a hot air balloon over beautiful savannah and woodland and a diversity of plains wildlife.
More about Balloon Safari
Empakaai Crater Hike
Half day, two - three hour walk
Spend a half day hiking through the Empakaai Crater, in the Highlands area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), led by an experienced guide and accompanied by a ranger.
More about Empakaai Crater Hike
Olmoti Crater walk
Half day - two to three hour walk
Follow an ancient Maasai cattle trail on this private hike up the Olmoti Crater, led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an armed ranger. The crater may not compete in size with the neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, but the birding is good, the mountain views wonderful, and the array of ferns is a botanist’s dream.
More about Olmoti Crater walk
Lake Manyara Safari
Half-day or full-day
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park makes a great safari destination. Here, along with elephant herds and plains game, you’ll find jungle-like forests that are home to blue monkeys, a soda lake tinged pink by flamingos and some of Tanzania’s best birding.
More about Lake Manyara Safari
Olduvai Gorge visit
One - two hours
See for yourself the renowned archaeological site of Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge, which lies en route between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. Famed for the discoveries of early hominin remains as well as the Laetoli Footprints, the site offers beautiful views, an engaging museum and potentially the opportunity to visit an active dig.
More about Olduvai Gorge visit
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway
Usually one hour
Experience the forest of Lake Manyara National Park from a whole new perspective – high up in the trees. The first suspended walkway in Tanzania, it stretches underneath the canopy for 370m between the mahogany and fig trees, giving intrepid visitors a unique view of the surrounding flora and fauna.
More about Manyara Treetop Walk