SAFARI TO KITULO & MATEMA BEACH

Kitulo National Park

Locals refer to the Kitulo Plateau as Bustani ya Mungu – The Garden of God – whereas botanists have dubbed it the Serengeti of Flowers, host to ‘one of the great floral spectacles of the world’.
Kitulo is indeed a rare botanical marvel, home to a full 350 species of vascular plants, including 45 varieties of terrestrial orchids, which erupt into a riotous wildflower display of breathtaking scale and diversity during the main rainy season of late November to April. Perched at around 2,600 meters (8,500 ft) between the rugged peaks of the Kipengere, Poroto and Livingstone Mountains, the well-watered volcanic soils of Kitulo support the largest and the most important montane grassland community in Tanzania. Having its unique flower species remained wild, with birds singing and migrating to the highland forests, Kitulo Plateau National Park is latest and a new comer to Tanzania’s tourist attractive sites. Bustani ya Mungu (God’s Garden) is the visitors name given to this new park, the only of its kind in Africa where wild flowers, birds and harmonious grass eating mammals are dominating. Kitulo Plateau is perched between the rugged peaks of the Kipengere, Livingstone and Poroto Mountains in Southern Highlands of Tanzania. It is the site of one of the world’s great floral spectacles. The eminently hike-able park is carpeted in wildflowers for six months of the year, from November to April. There is a documented 350 species of wild flowers including lilies and fields of daisies.

Lake Manyara National Park

Located around 130km and a 2,5 hour drive from Arusha, Lake Manyara was registered as a national park in 1960. It’s about 335 square kilometers large, 200 of which are being taken up by the actual lake. Day trips from Arusha are possible, but from Moshi it might be a bit far as the one-way drive alone takes 4 to 4, 5 hours. No worries though, it’s perfect for a 2-day visit, combined with Ngorongoro conservation area or Tarangire national park, for example. The amount of animals you’ll be able to see inside the park is phenomenal. Large groups of elephants, zebras and giraffes as well as buffalos, impalas, hippos, to name just a few. But that’s not all! Lake Manyara national park also hosts the largest population of baboons and is famous for its tree climbing lions. Yep, you read that right, lions sitting in a tree. Bird life is also very interesting inside the park, with more than 400 species being present, including sacred ibis, flamingo, lesser flamingo, pelican, Egyptian geese and many more. Lake Manyara National Park also offers the opportunity to do a walking safari, or how about the treetop walk? This is a walk over bridges that are suspended in between the trees, and that allows you to see the park from a completely different angle!
The best time to visit this park depends hugely on your interests. The dry season (July – October) is the best time to see the larger animals, while the wet season (November to June) is ideal for spotting birds. As it’s a small park you’re unlikely to spend more than 1 day in it, so you will probably overnight outside of the park, in the nearby town of Mto wa Mbu or Karatu.

Lake Natron

Lake Natron is a soda lake in the north of Tanzania, located close to Ngorongoro conservation area. Due to its high alkalinity (pH 12 and more), salt content and high temperature (60°C), not many animals live in and around the lake. But the few species that do are worth the trip! Lake Natron is home to around 2.5 million flamingos, and with a little bit of effort you can get quite close to them if you’re lucky.

Other highlights of the – very remote – area are the Maasai families who inhabit it, and who are more than happy to welcome you during your journey, and Ol Doinyo Lengai, which means ‘mountain of God’ in Maasai language, and is actually an active volcano. You can admire it from far as it’s a lovely sight, or climb it for stunning views over the lake. Lake Natron is located about 7 hours from Moshi and 5 hours from Arusha. We either offer it as a separate trip, or in combination with a safari in the same area. Camping is possible in the area, but there’s also rooms and simple lodges you can stay in. Visit one of the most fascinating sections of the Africa Rift Valley on this hiking & wildlife safari. You spend some time at the soda lake Natron with its flamingoes, climb the active volcano Lengai, hike into the deeply eroded escarpment to a fresh waterfall, and visit the varied Lake Manyara Natl. Park with its abundant wildlife.

ITINERARY SAFARI TO KITULO & MATEMA BEACH.

Day 1. Arrival, Dar es Salaam International Airport:

Pick-up from the Dar es salaam International Airport and connecting to the Local flight to Songwe Airport, We stay a beautiful Utengule Coffee Lodge,located on nicely views of Mbeya, and is a perfect place to prepare you for adventure.

Day 2. Kitulo NP

You will have early breakfast in the morning 06:30, we pack everything ready to go to the starting point. After breakfast we shall go for morning game drive in this beautiful park of diversity of FLORA and FAUNA. Enjoying the beautiful landscape and Waterfalls of the area in this park. During the late afternoon will departure Matema Lake shore Resort, Dinner and overnight outside the park.

Day 3. Lake Malawi.

Early morning after breakfast, then will continue heading to Matema beach for variety of optional activities; The clean beach, swimming, boat safaris, canoeing,Snorkeling, villagers activities like pottery visit.

Dinner and overnight at Matema Lake shore Resort.

Day 4. Livingstone

Visit to the fish market with a great view of the Livingstone start hiking to Mwalalo beautiful waterfalls with option of swimming on the base of the falls, there after back to Matema beach for resting on the beach. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Matema Lake shore Resort

Day 5 Matema Beach

Witness the sunrise and calm lake waves and experience the Pottery business nearby village.Then back to Matema beach, pack and leave the shore at 10am heading to Songwe airport for departure in the same days you will arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport, and pick-up to Arusha, for your Dinner and Overnight.

Day 6: Arusha – Lake Natron

Your driver / guide will pick you up at your hotel in Arusha in the morning and drive for about 4 hours before leaving the main road. There’s 2 roads that lead from Arusha to Lake Natron, and we will pick the best one according to accessibility. The ride will take you over bumpy paths, through remote Maasai areas with stunning views of the ‘mountain of God’ Ol Doinyo Lengai, and the way, you might even see some zebra’s or other wildlife. The drive takes around 7 hours in total (you’ll stop for lunch) and once you arrive at the entrance gate of Lake Natron area, a local Maasai guide will escort you to your accommodation. Visiting this whole area without a local guide is not allowed, so any excursion you do will be in his presence. You’ll check in and have time to freshen up, after which you’ll head to the lake.

Accompanied by your local guide, you’ll explore the lake on foot. The ground is quite slippery and muddy, so be prepared to slowly slide over it in order to avoid falling. It’s very shallow for quite some time though, so it’s up to you to see how far you want to go to get close to the flamingos. We’ll stay until sunset, as this is the time when the flamingos are most active, looking for food. After the visit, you’ll return to your accommodation, where dinner will be served.

Day 7: Waterfall hike – Arusha

The days starts early today, as we want to hike to a nearby waterfall before it gets to warm, and leave enough time to comfortably get back to Moshi before it gets too dark. The hike takes about 1, 5 to 2 hours and takes you through the beautiful landscapes surrounding Lake Natron. Get ready to get wet, as you’ll have to cross the river a few times!

Once you finish your hike, you’ll start heading back to Moshi for another 7 hours. Lunch will be provided on the way.

Day 8 Departure day:
After saying bye to our team in operation then you need a Private departure transfer which is included from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight

OUR OFFER – PRICES AND SERVICES

Packages Price 5,100$ per two persons all included:

End of the Safari tour.

Package includes:

• Full board tented camps / Lodges accommodation while on Safari

• All Transfers to and from Airport

• Accommodation before and after safari (double rooms, breakfast);

• Meal plan as described, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner.

• Services of English speaking skilled and experienced driver/guide

• All park entrance fees to include government taxes

• Extensive Game Drives in the National Parks

• Walking safari at Kitulo Np

• 24/7 phone support;

• Concession fees tour services
• Snorkeling and Boat Tour

• Canoeing and local visit fees.

• 4WD transportation with a pop-up roof while on Safari

• Staff fees and staffs salaries

• Drinking water on a daily bases

• Safari transport by 4 x 4 (5/7 seats) with a pops up- ideal for game viewing and photography.

Prices not included:

• International Flights ticket, or Local flight ticket

• International Travel insurance

• Tanzania Visa: $50/$100 per person on arrival.

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

• Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);

• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

• Meals not listed above on those arrival and departures days

• Tips for guides 100$ cooks 85$ and porters 50$ per entire-trip and any items of personal nature