Overview
The name Tanzania conjures up images of wildebeest stampeding across vast savannah, rain forests teeming with monkeys and birdlife, and great plains brimming with legions of game. All of these natural wonders and more are on offer in this exceptionally diverse African nation. Visitors typically visit Tanzania to partake in at least one of the four well-known Tanzanian tourist experiences: a relaxing seaside vacation on the picturesque island paradise of Zanzibar, an underwater tour of some of the world’s most renowned dive sites around the gorgeous Spice Islands, a safari adventure in some of Africa’s most impressive game reserves, or a hiking excursion around Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Whichever of these incredible holidays you choose, you will undoubtedly be welcomed by some fabulously friendly and peaceful inhabitants who, despite being divided into 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, live in harmony with one another and provide some of the most wonderfully exotic local cuisine you could imagine. With all of this diversity on offer, the most difficult part of your Tanzanian holiday experience is likely to be deciding where to go!
Itinerary
Day Itinerary;
On arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport, you'll be personally met and escorted by our driver-guide to the stylish Gran Melia in the heart of Tanzania’s safari centre where you’ll spend the night. Activities, including swimming, shopping, or visiting local markets.
Day Itinerary;
Breakfast. After a safari briefing in the morning and an approximate 2 hour drive you will arrive at the Tarangire National Park. Giant baobab trees, bush savannah and the seasonal marshes add to the wonder of this nature reserve. The Tarangire National Park is considered as one of the best places to view elephants up close. The Park is also home to buffaloes, zebras and wildebeests which are always closely followed by a range of predators such as lions. Leopards are seen now and then but cheetahs are rarely spotted. From the open roof of the safari vehicle, you will be able to absorb the landscape and watch the animals. In the late afternoon you will leave the park and drive to Tarangire Sopa Lodge for Dinner and Overnight.
Day Itinerary;
Breakfast. A full day of game drives in the park. Meals and Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
Day Itinerary;
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a full day’s game drive with a picnic lunch, ranging far and wide. Among many aspects of animal behavior, your Guide will point out the fascinating way elephants have of communicating with subtle interactions.
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, passing through the cool shade of the groundwater forest before reaching the lakeshore. The Park is best known for its tree-climbing lions, but you are more likely to encounter elephants, buffalo, primates, and astounding bird life. After a picnic lunch, you continue game-viewing. Return as the sun sets behind the distant highlands and climb the Great Rift Valley escarpment to Escarpment Luxury Lodge on its edge for a relaxing dinner and overnight.
Ndutu
Set in the Arusha Region, Ndutu is situated in the northern part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area within the magnificent Serengeti. The surrounding landscapes are covered in sweeping grasslands which provide the perfect habitat for the migratory route for hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, antelope and zebra. Visitors can look forward to exploring the forest around Lake Ndutu, spotting an array of wildlife, and visiting the fascinating archaeological site at the Olduvai Gorge. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on a game drive to view the spectacular herds of the annual Great Migration, enjoy a scenic hot air balloon ride over the plains and take a guided tour with the local Maasai and learn about culture and traditions. Other commonly spotted species include: leopard, lion, cheetah, caracal, serval, African wildcat, and a variety of prolific birdlife.
Southern Serengeti
Northern Tanzania's Southern Serengeti, together with Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Park, form Africa’s most famous wildlife park. The image of acacia trees on an endless grass plain epitomises Africa for many. The annual wildebeest migration through the Serengeti and the Masai Mara is the largest mass movement of land mammals on the planet – with more than a million animals following the rains. Large prides of lions, and herds of elephants, giraffes, gazelles, and eland can be seen, making for some phenomenal photography opportunities. Hot air balloon rides provide further inspiration. Visitors can also look forward to cultural tours to delve into the rich heritage of the Masai people.
The Serengeti Migration
The greatest movement of land mammals on the planet. Click on the Guide Wildebeest Migration to see where is best to see this phenomenon at what times of year.
Central Serengeti
Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite and scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams. The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. Popular activities include: game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.
Seronera
The Seronera region, in the central Serengeti, is set directly on the Great Migration route and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual phenomenon, when countless wildebeest flood the area and move across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. A number of small campsites provide accommodation and visitors can enjoy hot air balloon trips and walking safaris as well as guided game drives.
Seronera
The Seronera region, in the central Serengeti, is set directly on the Great Migration route and offers excellent viewing of this incredible annual phenomenon, when countless wildebeest flood the area and move across the plains. While migratory game populations fluctuate seasonally, Seronera is still a wildlife hotspot at other times of the year, sheltering the Big Five, among many other species. A number of small campsites provide accommodation and visitors can enjoy hot air balloon trips and walking safaris as well as guided game drives.
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is a paleoanthropological site of major significance, where an old river has carved away the rock to expose layer upon layer of volcanic soil. This is where Dr Louis and Mary Leakey found the remains of hominids "Nutcracker Man", "Tool Making Man" and "Lucy", discoveries that have helped to fill some of the missing links in the chain of human evolution and added more evidence to the theory of modern man’s emergence in Africa.
The "Cradle of Mankind" now has a visitor centre where you may hear a short lecture on the work of the Leakey’s and their successors and a small museum where you may see some of their finds, including a giant giraffe - it is hard to believe that they were once even taller!
Ngorongoro Crater
Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking and visiting a local Maasai village. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.
After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart for Kilimanjaro airport for your flight out back home.
THE COST INCLUDES
- Full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, water, coffee and tea
- Game drives in 4x4 safari vehicles
- Accommodation
- Certified driver/guide
- Roundtrip airport/hotel pick up & drop off
- Park fees
- All Taxes/VAT
- Airport transfer
THE COST EXCLUDES
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips/gratuities
- Personal items (travel insurance, visas, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Extra activities such as: horseback riding,