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
Arusha, Tanzania
Little Chem Chem
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Serengeti under Canvas
Serengeti Migration Area, Tanzania
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
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.
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
90% chance
71% chance
56% chance
37% chance
37% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
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
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 HikePlan and book your trip with Expert Africa
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