Your safari adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Arusha around 8:00 am. After a briefing with your guide, you'll embark on a scenic drive towards the Great Rift Valley. Your first destination is the lush Lake Manyara National Park. In the afternoon enter the park for a game drive. This compact gem is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions, vast elephant herds, and flamingos that seasonally paint the lakeshore pink. The groundwater forest, fed by underground springs, provides a beautiful and contrasting entrance to your safari. After your game drive, you'll ascend the Rift Valley wall to the fertile highlands of Karatu. You'll check into the Marera Valley Lodge, which offers stunning views over a coffee plantation and the surrounding valleys. Enjoy a relaxing evening, a delicious dinner and a good night's rest in preparation for the journey to the Serengeti.