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14 days - Ngorongoro, Mwiba Reserve and the Serengeti

The crater, the reserve and the Serengeti

Fourteen days by private jet and helicopter from Ngorongoro to Mwiba Reserve and the Serengeti National Park, with a Rift Valley helicopter day and a sunrise balloon flight.

1 Country
3 Stops
13 Nights
Luxury to Ultra Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Ngorongoro Crater
Mwiba Reserve
Serengeti game viewing
Ngorongoro Crater Mwiba Reserve Serengeti game viewing Avoid
June Primary window

Mwiba dries out and game begins to concentrate near water. The Serengeti is drying out and resident cats are easy to find, with the herds heading north and west. The floor dries out and the resident game is easy to find.

Dry season Cool mornings

The route

Ngorongoro Mwiba Reserve Serengeti
01

Tanzania

Ngorongoro, Mwiba Reserve and the Serengeti National Park, with private flights between camps.

Arrival to DAR International Airport, VIP airport meet & greet assistance services. Airport staff will help to pass through the passport control hassle-free & collect the luggage. The guests will be escorted to their private jet, which will fly them to the Lake Manyara airstrip. Aircraft Beechcraft 1900D, flight time 45 minutes. Upon arrival, you'll be met by our Iconic team safari driver-guide & safari butler. Welcome drinks & snacks will be served. Then transfer to the lodge.
After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation. From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces.
Day at your choice, you can choose to go for a game drive inside of the Crater or you can rest at your gorgeous lodge with a spectacular view, and your butler will serve you a picnic lunch at the most picturesque place ever. Then you can enjoy beautiful sundowners.

After breakfast, our team will transfer you to Lake Manyara airstrip for the short flight to the private Mwiba Reserve—the most secluded, gorgeous place with high standards. You'll be able to experience all the beauty of African nature with no hassle, & rush.

Aircraft Beechcraft 1900D, flight time 30 minutes.

You can experience this beautiful private game reserve whenever you are ready! Here you will have an open vehicle for the game drives, and it's allowed to go off-road to get to animals like really close. As well, you can experience a night game drive. Animals are more active when the sun goes down, so you might spot some really cool actions!
Today, we prepared for you the most memorable journey! Helicopter excursion over the Rift Valley. This tour will take 3 hours. A light breakfast or snack is served before flying through the Rift Valley on an incredible journey, with brunch and coffee stops along the way. Fly over Lake Natron to see the flamingos, Lengai (an active volcano), and waterfalls with swimming pools before flying past the famous Ngorongoro Crater and Embakai Crater. Upon return to Mwiba Lodge for a late lunch, the pilot will fly down towards Lake Eyasi where you can marvel at the shimmering water and striking escarpment. TIP: The great thing about this trip is that we break the journey into 30-40min flights. We have short breaks to soak in the view and a couple of longer stops for brunch and coffee/drinks.
Take this day as leisure. You may visit SPA, as every member will have a 45-minute complimentary full-body massage. As well, you can spot elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and many other animals right from your terrace or swimming pool.
Mwiba Lodge is situated on community-owned land, leased to Mwiba Holdings Ltd in partnership with Makao Village. Every guest contributes to the surrounding community when staying at Mwiba Lodge. A visit to Mwiba Wildlife Reserve, Makao WMA, and Maswa Kimali Reserve affords guests the unique opportunity to spend time with two of our four neighbouring tribes as they go about their daily lives. These cultural interactions are done within mutually beneficial and agreed-upon partnerships with the communities to benefit the guests and people of the area. We work alongside the community, which comprises four tribes, Hadza, Datoga, Maasai, and Sukuma, who welcome guests to the region, creating an honest and humbling experience within these wilderness regions that is often eye-opening for guests.
On this day you can go for a game drive or visit the village of the tribes, as per your choice. Our butler will be at your service 24 hours, so you can always inform our team what's your wish for today!
After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to this gorgeous place and proceed to another location where you'll spend the rest of your trip—the true Tanzania pearl, home to the Great Migration Serengeti National Park. Aircraft Beechcraft 1900D, flight time 30 minutes.
After breakfast, get ready to explore this huge park! You'll chase zebras and wildebeest, look for lions sunning themselves on rocks, spy shy leopards in acacia trees, and marvel at the majesty of elephants and giraffes as they graze. During the day, you'll enjoy a luxury picnic lunch while out on safari, before returning to your lodge for the evening.

Wake up before sunrise, take your cup of coffee, and let's get started!

Today you'll experience Hot Air Balloon Safari. This is a 1-hour flight over savannah with sunrise — a trip you will long remember. You'll be able to spot animals from a bird's eye view.

After the flight, you'll be served a champagne breakfast under the acacia trees. As well, all of you will get a certificate about today's flight!

Today you have a completely free day and you can spend it the way you want. You might want to go to the savannah again. Or your choice would be to stay at the lodge and enjoy the terrace of your luxurious room or the pool.
It's time to say goodbye... Accordingly to your international flight, we'll arrange your private jet schedule to make sure you are on time at the airport. You'll be fully assisted at the terminal for your onward travel. Aircraft Beechcraft 1900D, flight time 60 minutes.

Your free days

Day 3 at Ngorongoro · Crater or lodgeGo down for a game drive in the crater, or stay at your lodge, where your butler serves a picnic lunch at a viewpoint and sundowners follow.

The detail

About this trip

Experience the magic of a Wanderlust Safari, where adventure meets exclusivity! This VIP Tanzanian Holiday offers the highest level of comfort and service, and you'll have the opportunity to witness some of the most impressive wildlife sightings in the world. We invite you to visit the most famous parks of Tanzania, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. And also to visit the secret park of Tanzania, where only a few tourists come, so only a few people know how magical it is here!

In addition, we have prepared a great option for you to move comfortably between the parks. So, travelling by private jet will save you a lot of time, which you can enjoy spending on wanderlust safari or relaxing in a luxury lodge. 

What is included

  • Wanderlust Safari – a luxury adventure filled with exclusive experiences and memorable wildlife encounters.
  • Ngorongoro Crater – the spectacular volcanic caldera, home to diverse wildlife.
  • Serengeti National Park – witness the incredible Great Migration and iconic wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • Mwiba Reserve – discover a secluded reserve offering peaceful surroundings and rare wildlife sightings away from the crowds.
  • Private Jet Travel – travel in style and comfort, saving time to enjoy your safari to the fullest.

What is not included

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to take the Wanderlust Safari?
June to October score highest on this route. Mwiba dries out and game gathers near water, the Serengeti is excellent for lions and leopards with the herds in the north and west, and the crater floor is dry. April is the wettest month, when some Mwiba drives are limited by mud.
How do we travel between Ngorongoro, Mwiba and the Serengeti?
You fly between stays in a Beechcraft 1900D, with flights of 30 to 60 minutes. Charter aircraft favour soft-sided bags, so pack light. On day 14 we arrange your flight schedule around your international departure.
What happens on the helicopter and balloon days?
Day 6 is a three-hour Rift Valley helicopter excursion in flights of 30 to 40 minutes, passing Lake Natron, Lengai and the Ngorongoro and Embakai craters, with brunch and coffee stops. Day 12 starts before dawn with a one-hour balloon flight and a champagne breakfast. Helicopter flights depend on the weather.
Is the Wanderlust Safari itinerary fixed?
It is a starting point that we tailor. We hold the lodges, the Beechcraft flights and the Rift Valley helicopter day together, so give us your dates as early as you can. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.
What is a typical day on safari?
A safari day usually has an early game drive, time to rest at camp in the heat of the day, and an afternoon activity before sundowners and dinner. Some camps add walks, boat trips or cultural visits. Your itinerary sets out the plan for each day.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Giraffe standing beside a waterhole at sunset with its reflection in the water

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

Private flights between camps

You fly between stays in a Beechcraft 1900D, with flights of 30 to 60 minutes. Charter aircraft favour soft-sided bags, so pack light.

The Rift Valley by helicopter

Day 6 is a three-hour helicopter excursion in flights of 30 to 40 minutes, with brunch and coffee stops. The route passes Lake Natron, the volcano Lengai and the Ngorongoro and Embakai craters. Helicopter flights depend on the weather.

Mwiba, on community land

Mwiba Lodge sits on community-owned land leased in partnership with Makao Village. Off-road driving and night drives are permitted, and you can visit neighbouring communities, including the Hadza, Datoga, Maasai and Sukuma.

Spa time

Every guest at Mwiba has a 45-minute full-body massage included, and several days are left unhurried.

A sunrise balloon

Day 12 begins before dawn with a one-hour balloon flight over the Serengeti, then a champagne breakfast under the acacias.

The crater in the morning

The Ngorongoro rim is high, so mornings are cold and often misty. Bring a fleece and a windproof layer for the crater descent.

Tipping

Tipping is customary for guides, pilots, your butler and lodge staff. We brief you on typical amounts at booking.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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