Tanzania
Tanzania is an ideal destination for the first-time safari traveller. The Serengeti provides a vast background to the Great Migration, where wildebeest gather in huge herds, moving north to south in search of greener pastures and attracting a host of predators along the way. Tarangire, Ruaha, and Selous offer unique opportunities for relatively quiet game viewing, and Mahale is home to a large group of habituated chimps.
This itinerary uses an easy pace to allow you to fully engage with the wildlife yet enjoy the full spectrum of diverse landscapes in Tanzania.
Day 1: On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, a private driver will collect you and take you in a Landcruiser to a charming boutique hotel in a leafy suburb of Arusha. Dinner at your hotel and rest for the evening.
Day 2: After breakfast, your guide collects you for your first game drive in Tarangire NP. In dry season, huge herds of elephant pass through the park and lions roam along the semi-arid riverbeds dotted with unusual Baobob trees. You have the option of doing an afternoon walking safari or enjoy another afternoon game drive after a picnic lunch in the park. Overnight at a small luxury tented camp.
Day 3: Early this morning, your private driver takes you on a lush ascent towards the Ngorongoro Crater rim, where you stop to take in the incredible views. Enjoy a full day game driving in the diverse landscape on the crater floor, where you will see most of the Big 5. Stay overnight near the crater rim on a coffee plantation.
Day 4-6: Today, you will fly into the Serengeti on a small caravan. On arrival at the small airstrip, a driver from your camp will meet you and take you on your first game drive en route to your luxury tented lodge. The wildlife in the Serengeti is very diverse, roaming amidst Acacia trees on the open savannah – the typical African scene you would imagine. Settle in for lunch at camp after your drive, then head out for another afternoon game drive. Over the next three days, you can enjoy game drives and activities from the camp, witnessing the great migration or general resident wildlife in proximity to camp.
Day 7-9: After your last breakfast in the Serengeti, take a flight to Ruaha NP where a driver/guide from camp will be waiting to take you game driving towards the impressive kopjes and along riverbeds where elephant and buffalo roam. The lion populations are excellent in dry season, and elephant herds are abundant. Do a walking safari, a hike, or a night drive or just enjoy game drives in relative solitude in this less explored park.
Day 10-11: Your guide will take you this morning on a final drive in Ruaha NP en route to the airport. You take a brief flight into Selous GR, where you have a short game drive on your way to camp. After lunch, you board a small boat on the Rufiji River for a sunset cruise to see hippos, crocodile, and diverse bird life up close. The next two days, you can do walking safaris and game drives in addition to boating. Stay on the banks of the river in an exclusive tented lodge.
Day 12-14: One last breakfast in the wilderness, and you will be taken to the Selous Airstrip for your fight to Zanzibar for a relaxing few days at the beach! Upon arrival in Zanzibar, a private driver will collect you and take you to your seaside boutique hotel where you have three days to windsurf, sail, walk on the beach, or just relax with a good book.
Day 15: After a leisurely morning on the beach, a private driver will transfer you to the Zanzibar Airport in time for your international flight home. Alternatively, we will fly you to Dar es Salaam for your flight out.
