Secretary Bird Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Secretary Bird 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 Legendary Lodge by road
Once you and your luggage are settled into a waiting vehicle, it's time to relax in air-conditioned comfort for the drive to Legendary Lodge. The journey takes you through the bustling town of Arusha, affording your first glimpses of daily life in Tanzania before arriving in around an hour.
Legendary Lodge
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.
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.
"Wonderful start to the holiday. The service was first class."
Mrs AfromEast LothianArrived 3 Aug 2019, 1 night
We think Legendary Lodge is a brilliant option for travellers who need to spend a night or two in Arusha. It's well run, small, welcoming, and certainly of a very good quality. Its price tag means that it will appeal more to those with a slightly higher budget, but as it's one of Arusha's best options, Legendary Lodge would be a great beginning or end to a luxurious safari itinerary. See our full report on Legendary Lodge
Legendary Lodge to Tarangire
It's just a five-minute drive to the airport for your light-aircraft flight of around 40 minutes to Tarangire. Here you'll be met by your guide from Little Chem Chem for the 4WD trip of 1½–2½ hours through the national park and into the lodge's private wildlife concession, watching for wildlife throughout.
Little Chem Chem
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.
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.
Little Chem Chem is a good option for those seeking a relaxing safari, perhaps at the beginning or end of a trip. The high levels of luxury and excellent service make for a wonderfully pampered stay, with the bonus of some good wildlife experiences. See our full report on Little Chem Chem
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Night drive
Tarangire to Ngorongoro by 4WD
Today's journey is normally 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 two hours up onto the crater rim to the lodge, with spectacular views over 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 Serengeti by 4WD & light aircraft
After a two-hour 4WD transfer, leave the Rift Valley behind as your light aircraft soars across the escarpment to the Serengeti, a flight of some 60 minutes depending on stops. It's normally about an hour's drive from the airstrip to camp, longer if you stop to watch the migration.
Serengeti under Canvas
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.
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.
"The camp is perfectly located in migration area"
A&L PolofromUSAArrived 1 Jan 2024, 3 nights
Serengeti Under Canvas provides a relatively traditional safari experience, under canvas, without losing out on the luxuries for which &Beyond lodges are known. So you are camping – but probably not as you know it. The food and service are fantastic but we do feel, however, that relative to some of the other tented camps we know in the Serengeti region, the overall look here needs some refreshment. See our full report on Serengeti under Canvas
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Serengeti to Kilimanjaro by 4WD & light aircraft
Start the last day of your safari with a game drive of an hour or more through the Serengeti to the airstrip. Once on board your light aircraft, relax and take in the views as you traverse the Ngorongoro Highlands, before landing at Kilimanjaro after around 1¾ hours.
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
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
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
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