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FROM US$12,110-US$16,740

Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari

Chosen for comfort and relaxation as much as for its range of activities, this safari makes for a leisurely trip featuring stunning accommodation and swift access to many of northern Tanzania’s best wildlife regions.

Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari: Summary

Secretary Bird Safari in a nutshell

This safari encompasses contrasting regions within Tanzania’s famous "northern circuit", exploring varied landscapes from four smart, luxurious bases.

The tone is set at Legendary Lodge, an elegant guesthouse set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Meru (visible on a clear day). Well-equipped with a spa, gym, pool, squash and tennis courts, the guesthouse also invites relaxation.

Continuing the gentle introduction to safari, Little Chem Chem is in a protected wildlife corridor adjoining Tarangire National Park. This private concession allows a range of activities, from day and night game drives to off-road driving and walking safaris. The focus here is as much on relaxation as it is on activities, and a high level of luxury allows for a peaceful stay in stunning surroundings.

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge takes the decadence a step further with an opulent design and outstanding views across the crater’s rim. Discrete personal butlers attend to each room, ensuring all is in order following your return from a day’s activities. These might include safari on the crater floor, visits to local Maasai villages or hikes to the nearby Olmoti and Empakaai craters.

The safari concludes with a more traditional camp based in the Serengeti National Park. Whilst the infrastructure is certainly more basic, a personal butler is also assigned to each tent and the stay is far from uncomfortable. Here, balloon flights over the Serengeti are possible and the camp’s location is chosen to optimise the chances of sighting the great migration.

At a glance

Starts: Kilimanjaro International Airport
1 night Legendary Lodge - Arusha, Tanzania Full Board
2 nights Little Chem Chem - Tarangire National Park, Tanzania Full Board
2 nights Crater Lodge - Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania Full Board
3 nights Serengeti under Canvas - Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania Full Board
Ends: Kilimanjaro International Airport

Legendary Lodge

Day 1

Situated a short distance from Arusha airport, Legendary Lodge is a small guesthouse set in lush green gardens on a working coffee plantation that opened in 2005. On a clear day there are magnificent views of Mount Meru. It offers a luxurious and comfortable place to overnight at the beginning or end of your safari.

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Little Chem Chem

Days 2-4

Little Chem Chem is situated in the eastern part of the 200 km² Chem Chem Concession which has protected an important wildlife corridor adjoining Tanzania's Tarangire National Park. The area is dotted with baobab trees and overlooks Lake Burunge. Guests can experience a variety of safari activities here, including game drives, walking and night drives.

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Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Days 4-6

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.

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Serengeti under Canvas

Days 6-9

Serengeti under Canvas is made up of three semi-permanent camps, which move from site to site in Tanzania to keep close to the migrating wildebeest herds. All are simple bushcamps that aim to maintain a level of luxury.

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Legendary Lodge

Legendary Lodge

Arusha, Tanzania

Little Chem Chem

Little Chem Chem

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Crater Lodge

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Serengeti under Canvas

Serengeti under Canvas

Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari.

  • Enjoying superb crater views over a cool drink
  • Relaxing through yoga at Legendary Lodge
  • Watching birds drink from the waterhole in Tarangire
  • Walking with our guide through the Serengeti
  • Revelling in aerial views from a balloon flight

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

  • Hot air ballooning

  • Night drive

About image

Key species to see on the Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Lion

100% chance

Black Rhino

100% chance

Buffalo

100% chance

Eland

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

90% chance

Leopard

71% chance

Oryx

56% chance

Cheetah

37% chance

Striped Hyena

37% chance

Wild dog

0% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Roan antelope

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

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
90% (6 reviews)
Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

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
100% (17 reviews)
Safari in Arusha National Park

Safari in Arusha National Park

Half day or full day

Arusha National Park offers some lovely walking in the foothills of Mount Meru and canoeing on the Momela Lakes, plus gentle game drives.

More about Safari in Arusha NP
77% (7 reviews)
Empakaai Crater Hike

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
100% (1 reviews)
Olmoti Crater walk

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
90% (2 reviews)
Lake Manyara Safari

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
85% (48 reviews)
Olduvai Gorge visit

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
93% (14 reviews)
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

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
75% (4 reviews)
Day Hike on Mount Kilimanjaro

Day Hike on Mount Kilimanjaro

Full day

Experience Africa’s highest mountain – in just a day. In the company of a private guide, hike through the forests of Mount Kilimanjaro’s western side to an altitude of 3,400m. From here, explore the Shira Plateau and its surroundings, perhaps spotting wildlife along the way.

More about Kilimanjaro Day Hike

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