Arusha, Tanzania
Day 1
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where I will meet you and welcome you to Tanzania.
From the airport, we will embark on a scenic, 45-minute drive to the vibrant city of Arusha, nestled at the base of Mount Meru. Along the way, you will get your first taste of the picturesque landscapes, local villages, and colorful culture of Tanzania.
I will help you check in to Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa, where you can enjoy dinner and spend the evening relaxing and anticipating the exciting adventure ahead.
Tulia Boutique Hotel and Spa
TRANSFER: Arusha airport to accommodation
ACCOMMODATIONS: Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa
MEALS: Dinner (included). Wine, beer and alcoholic beverages (optional).
OPTIONS: Spa treatments (costs vary)
Tarangire National Park
Day 2
After an early morning breakfast we will journey to Tarangire National Park, a hidden gem known for its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. As we enter the park, you will be greeted by the iconic baobab trees that dot the horizon, creating a surreal backdrop for your safari. Tarangire is home to large herds of elephants, wildebeest, zebras, and giraffes, offering you the opportunity to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. You may also encounter big predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs. After a lovely picnic lunch, you will resume your exploration and wildlife drive.
Your day concludes as you are welcomed at your reserved accommodation Sangaiwe Tented Lodge located in a special reserved buffer zone located just outside of Tarangire National Park. Animals freely roam between the park and the lodge zone, so tonight you will fall asleep to the hypnotic song of African wildlife.
Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
ACTIVITIES: Drive to Tarangire National Park, wildlife viewing in Tarangire
ACCOMMODATION: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included). Wine and beer (included). Other alcoholic beverages (optional).
Tarangire National Park and Maasai community experience
Day 3
After breakfast, we return to Tarangire National Park for an early morning game drive. You are likely to see herds of elephant heading towards the river and giraffes feeding on acacia trees as bird songs celebrate the sun rising behind the silhouette of giant baobabs. These morning hours will inspire you with the serenity and majesty of Africa. You can choose to spend the morning exploring the wonders of Tarangire’s wildlife on a game drive or take advantage of the unique opportunity of an optional guided walking safari, to immerse yourself in the wonder of Tarangire’s flora and fauna.
Following an early lunch we will drive to a Maasai community where you will experience African culture as it has been practiced for generations. Tanzania has over 100 different tribes, each with their own language and traditional practices. We work closely with local villages to empower Maasai people who want to share their proud traditions in an authentic and meaningful way. You will never forget this one-of-a-kind, personal experience and the invaluable insights you gain about this uniquely African community.
You can reflect on your visit as we drive through Tanzanian countryside and villages to the Ngorongoro region, where you will be welcomed at the lovely Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge, on the slopes of Ngorongoro just five minutes outside the park gate.
Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
ACTIVITIES: Wildlife viewing in Tarangire, visit to Maasai community, drive to Ngorongoro region
ACCOMMODATION: Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included). Wine, beer, alcoholic beverages (optional).
OPTIONS: Guided walking safari
Ngorongoro Crater
Day 4
After an early breakfast, we will depart for Ngorongoro crater and descend to the crater floor. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera of Ngorongoro shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on Earth. Within its rim, giant tusked elephant wander the forests, male lion stalk the grasslands, population of herbivores crowds the crater floor, and endangered black rhino enjoy a protected sanctuary.
We will explore the crater, seeking out wildlife and observing their behavior. Ngorongoro crater is a unique ecosystem inhabited by more than 25,000 resident animals. In the acacia forest and grass plains, you can encounter almost every animal species of the East African savanna, including the “Big Five” (rhino, elephant, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard).
We will pause to enjoy a picnic lunch and, later in the afternoon, ascend the crater and drive two hours north to the southern plains of the Serengeti. Before the sun sets, you will arrive at Kati Kati Tented Camp, where you can enjoy a sumptuous dinner, a hot water shower, and comfy tents that will immerse you in the sights, scents and sounds of the Serengeti.
Kati Kati Tented Camp
ACTIVITIES: Wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater, drive to Serengeti
ACCOMMODATIONS: Kati Kati Tented Camp
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included). Wine, beer, alcoholic beverages (optional).
Wildebeest calving in southern Serengeti
Day 5
Today on the vast plains of the southern Serengeti, you will serve witness to a truly remarkable event: the annual calving of the wildebeest. Each year, over a few short weeks, hundreds of thousands of wildebeests give birth to their young, thereby attracting attention of lion, cheetah, hyena and more.
We will depart the camp before sunrise and enjoy a packed breakfast amongst the herds of the migration to maximize the chances to observe predators’ activities before midday heat. After the morning’s drive, we will return to camp for lunch and a short break followed by late afternoon exploration and wildlife viewing until the sun sets over the Serengeti.
The expanse of the plains and the sheer number of animals is a sight to behold. I’ll navigate the terrain and ensure you have the best opportunities to immerse yourself in this spectacle of nature. And, I’ll leverage my experience hosting photographers and film crews to help you view the experience up close, from unique perspectives, whether you wish to capture it in photos, video, or phenomenal memories.
ACTIVITIES: Wildlife viewing and wildebeest calving in Serengeti
ACCOMMODATION: Kati Kati Tented Camp
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included). Wine, beer, alcoholic beverages (optional).
Wildlife of central Serengeti
Day 6
Today, you will venture to the heart of the central Serengeti, exploring the central region of this world‑renowned national park. Here, you will encounter an astounding array of wildlife from antelopes to zebras, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and diverse species of birds. The Central Serengeti also provides opportunities to spot predators—lions, leopards, and cheetahs—as they prowl the savannah in search of their next meal.
A full day of wildlife exploration in this remarkable ecosystem will leave you in awe of the beauty and interconnectedness of nature. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and will arrive at Into Wild Africa Luxury Tented Safari Camp Serengeti in time for dinner.
Into Wild Africa Luxury Tented Safari Camp Serengeti
ACTIVITIES: Wildlife viewing in Serengeti
ACCOMMODATIONS: Into Wild Africa Luxury Tented Safari Camp Serengeti
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included). Wine, beer, alcoholic beverages (optional).
Relaxation and adventure in Zanzibar
Days 7-8
After breakfast we will have one more opportunity to observe the wildlife of Serengeti National Park as we drive to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. I will say farewell as you board, and as you step out of the plane, you will be met and driven to Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel.
Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel
Spend these days exploring Zanzibar, a beautiful island off the coast of Tanzania known for its rich history, culture, and natural wonders.
You can relax on some of the most stunning and pristine beaches in the world, with white sand lined with palm trees.
You swim, snorkel, or dive in the turquoise Indian Ocean surrounded with colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life.
You can explore Stone Town, the historic and cultural heart of Zanzibar, with its narrow streets, old buildings, and markets. You can also visit the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, and the Palace Museum to learn more about the island’s history and heritage.
Zanzibar is famous for its spices, such as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. You can take a spice tour and see how they are grown, harvested, and used in cooking. You can also taste some of the delicious dishes that are influenced by Arabic, Indian, and African cuisines.
Zanzibar is also home to many unique and endangered animals, such as the red colobus monkey, the Zanzibar leopard, and the giant Aldabra tortoise. You can visit the Jozani Forest Reserve to see the monkeys in their natural habitat, or go to Prison Island to see the tortoises.
And Zanzibar has a diverse and vibrant culture that reflects its history as a trading hub and a melting pot of different peoples. You can experience the music, dance, and art of Zanzibar. You can also interact with the friendly and hospitable locals and learn about their traditions and beliefs.
Dolphin excursion and Zanzibar
Day 9
On Day 9, after breakfast, you’ll enjoy a snorkeling and dolphin excursion to Mnemba Atoll, the most famous conservation area in Zanzibar with exceptional underwater visibility.
On return, you can continue exploring and enjoying Zanzibar.
TRANSFER: Zanzibar airport to Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel
ACTIVITIES: Snorkeling and dolphin tour of Mnemba Atoll (included).
ACCOMMODATIONS: Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (included). Wine, beer, alcoholic beverages (optional).
OPTIONS: Tour of Stone Town and entrance to sites, spice tour, excursions to Jozani Forest Reserve or Prison Island, spa treatments (costs vary)
Farewell Tanzania
Day 10
After breakfast, your hotel driver will take you to the airport to begin your flight home from the Zanzibar International Airport.
TRANSFER: Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel to Zanzibar International Airport
MEALS: Breakfast (included).