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From the Serengeti to Zanzibar beaches
During this Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday, our english speaking driver and guide will take you to the most famous wildlife parks in Tanzania, each with their own unique identity. In Tarangire National Park, you'll find elephants and unusual baobab trees, while Lake Manyara National Park is known for its tree-climbing lions, Lake Natron is filled with pink flamingos, and the Ngorongoro crater is known the Eighth Wonder of the World. It is the largest, intact crater with the largest concentration of wild animals in the world. |
| Duration |
15 days, 14 nights |
Accommodation |
Charming safari lodge/ tented camp, strategically located near the national parks. In Serengeti and Lake Natron (basic) camping or in lodges (for a surcharge). Zanzibar: 2 nights in authentic hotel in Stone Town and 3 nights in small-scale beach resort on the East Coast |
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Price |
Small group Safari from £1997 per person Private Safari from £2463 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
All accommodation - all meals (Half board at Zanzibar beach accomommodation) - transport - park entrance fees - game drives - English speaking driver/ guide - domestic flight to Zanzibar - airport transfers |
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4WD land cruiser with convertible roof, domestic flight to Zanzibar |
Excludes |
International flight and if flight departs from Zanzibar, departure tax is US$30 per person |
Day 1 – Kilimanjaro Airport, TanzaniaThe flight from London to Kilimanjara Airport in Tanzania will take approximately 9 hours. On your arrival, you'll be picked up by the Kilimanjaro Airport Lodge driver. This beautiful lodge is only five minutes away from the airport and is located in the middle of the vast African plain. So on the first day of your Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday you'll have a wide view of the savannah from the swimming pool. If the weather is clear you can even see the Kilimanjaro from here. The lodge is made up of separate cabins with spacious air-conditioned rooms. In the evening you'll be able to dine in the restaurant. Breakfast is included during your stay and you'll be picked up from or taken to the airport by the Kilimanjaro airport lodge's driver. This option allows you to save money, while staying in a luxurious lodge in a real safari atmosphere. We always consider this is a very pleasant start to a Tanzania trip. |
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Day 2 - Elephants, wild dogs and Boababs in Tarangire National ParkTravel time: Kilimanjaro - Tarangire/ Karatu approximately 3 hoursOur English speaking driver/guide will pick you up at Kilimanjaro Airport or from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. You'll travel by 4-wheel drive land cruiser in a small group of up to 6 people. The land cruiser's roof can be rolled back for a 360 degree view of your surroundings. As soon as you roll out of town you'll enter a completely different world. Before long you'll see the first African huts and you'll be waved after by friendly colourfully dressed Masai herders, in their typical red squared cloths. It's approximately a 2.5 to 3-hour drive to Tarangire. Many of our travellers were very enthusiastic about this national park. It differs quite a bit from the other wildlife parks in terms of the type of nature you'll encounter. Its most notable features are the lovely baobab trees that grow throughout the park and large herds of elephants that live here. There's also a very good chance that you'll see lions while you're here and it's one of the few parks in the world where you'll see wild dogs.Your driver will bring along a lunch bag for you so that you can spend as much time as possible on your game drive spotting wild animals. As the sun begins to set, you'll slowly begin to drive back to the park's exit all the whie enjoying the view. It's approximately a 1.5-hour drive to the town of Karatu. You'll spend the night here in our charming lodge or a tented camp, located just outside of the parks. This is much cheaper than staying at the expensive lodges in the parks themselves. If you prefer to stay in the park itself, we can arrange this for you. You'll spend the night in either a tidy bungalow or luxury tent with all the necessary facilities. As you freshen up, the camp chef will prepare dinner for you at the restaurant. |
Day 3 - Karatu - Lake ManyaraTravel time approximately 1 hourAfter breakfast in Karatu you'll drive towards the second wilderness reserve. It's approximately a 1 hour drive to Lake Manyara. This relatively small wilderness reserve was named after the alkaline lake filled with thousands of flamingos roaming the banks for food and hippos bathing in the waters. However the most famous inhabitants of this park are the tree-climbing lions. Of course this is nature and there are no guarantees; however, with a little luck you may see one of these cats lazing about on a thick branch. Additionally you'll see zebras, wildebeest, impalas and there is a very good chance that you'll see elephants and giraffes. At the end of Day 3 of the Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday you'll drive back to our lodge/tented camp in Karatu. |
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Day 4 - Karatu - NgorongoroTravel time approximately 1 hourEarly in the morning of day 4 of your Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday you'll head towards the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', the Ngorongoro crater. The Ngorongoro crater is, without exaggerating, an absolutely spectacular natural phenomenon and very rightfully a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest, intact crater with the highest density of wild animals in the world and is therefore also known as Noah's Ark. It's about an hour drive from Karatu to the entrance of the park where driver has to sign in. Before reaching the crater you'll drive through a type of tropical rain forest where you'll catch a glimpse of the crater every now and then between the leaves. When we first arrived at the edge of the crater, we were stunned and humbled, what a view..... The land cruiser will take you down into the crater for a game drive; however you won't have to look for animals for long. The crater is filled with wild animals: (many) lions, hundreds of wildebeest and zebras, a watering hole filled with grunting hippos, cheetahs, leopards, ostriches, jackhals and in the middle of the crater a lake filled with flamingos. The high walls of the crater edge loom in the distance. Before the sun sets and the casts an orange glow on the crater you'll have to be back at the gate and you'll drive to your lodge/ tented camp for dinner. |
Day 5 - Karatu - SerengetiTravel time approximately 6 hoursAfter breakfast you'll travel towards one of the most famous wildlife parks. Considering the length of the drive to the Serengeti, you won't drive in stretch. Just after Karatu you'll take an exit and drive straight through Masai country across bumpy roads on your way to the surreal volcano scenery surrounding Lake Natron.The drive is quite long and the roads are poor on Day 5 of the Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday; however your reward is a wide view of endless landscape with huts scattered here and there with little children enthusiastically greeting you. Sometime late afternoon you'll arrive at the Serengeti National Park gate. While you keep an eye out for wild animals you'll drive towards the campsite (or lodge/tented camp) in the middle of the park. You'll arrive close to sunset. |
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Day 6 - Game drives in the SerengetiAfter an early morning wake-up call, a cup of coffee and some biscuits, you'll set out for an early morning game drive. The Serengeti is located at an altitude of approximately 1200m and can be quite chilly in the morning. A warm sweater and a cap can be very welcome. You'll travel straight through the endless plains towards the Masai heads. In the distance you may see one or two lonely acacia braving the elements. It's as if you've driven onto a National Geographic documentary.If you can afford it, don't miss an early morning hot air balloon ride on your Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday. The view of the Serengeti from high in the sky is spectacular. The price starts at approximately £360 per person. Reservations in advance are necessary and we can make them for you. Afternoon temperatures can soar and most animals will seek shelter in the shadows. Once temperatures drop somewhat you'll head out for the afternoon game drive in search of wild animals. At dusk you'll return to camp (or your lodge). After dinner you'll sit down by a crackling campfire. In the distance you'll hear lions roaring and the starry sky above you is immense. Spending time in the rugged outdoors is such an exhilarating experience; you may have watch out that it doesn't become addictive. |
Day 7 - Serengeti - Lake NatronTravel time approximately 6 hours
After a few days of safari in our land cruiser, many travellers enjoy an opportunity to stretch their legs. After lunch you'll be able to go for a walk with your guide to one of the nearby waterfalls. You'll walk through a kind of lunar scenery, past coloured rocks and sulphur lakes. In the distance you'll see the lake that you'll be visiting the following morning. Generally you'll spend the night in lightweight tents beneath the stars at a basic campsite without warm water. We consider this to be the real Africa, especially when you're sitting by the campfire and your driver is preparing a tasty meal for you while the setting sun makes way for an immense starry sky. If you prefer a more comfortable accommodation, you can also stay out our tented camp (spacious, permanent safari tents). You'll pay an additional charge; however you'll stay in a three star lodge in the Serengeti instead of at a campsite. Although we consider camping to be the ultimate safari experience. |
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Day 8 - Lake NatronAfter breakfast you'll drive towards Lake Natron where thousands of flamingos march proudly along the shores. The lake is filled with minerals, the ideal food for crawfish, which in turn is the favourite food for flamingos and the reason for their pink feathers. If you enjoy photography, this is an excellent place to take pictures. The vast lake is located at the foot of the active volcano, Oldonyo Lengai, which is Masai for 'Mountain of God'. You'll have the entire morning to enjoy the view, and after lunch you can head for camp at your own pace. Once you reach the camp you'll be able to enjoy African nature while having a warm meal. Once you start to feel your eyelids getting heavy, you can duck into your tent for your last night in the bush. |
Day 9 - Lake Natron - KaratuTravel time approximately 6 hoursYou'll wake up peacefully at your camp at Lake Natron and from that point on the rest of the day will be dedicated to experiencing African culture. During your Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday you'll meet many Masai who have successfully managed to live according to their traditions in harmony with nature. Additionally they maintain their traditions and dress and herd cattle on the plains in North Tanzania. Today you'll visit a Masai village near your campsite and you'll get to experience their culture and way of life. For just a little while you'll leave modern life behind you and you'll be as close as you can be to nature. Take a peak at their lives and let these friendly, welcoming people surprise you. The Masai enjoy telling you about the hunting stories of their ancestors and will show you the most beautiful spots in the area. In the afternoon you'll drive slowly towards Karatu for your last night and dinner there. We'll make reservations for you to spend this last night in a luxury safari tented camp so that you can end your safari in style. The following day you'll drive to Arusha or Moshi. |
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Day 10 – Karatu - Kilimanjaro airport - Zanzibar Travel time approximately 5 hoursAfter breakfast you'll drive from Karatu towards Kilimanjaro airport; the drive will take approximately 1.5 hour. Once you reach the airport, you'll say goodbye to your chef and your driver/ guide. It's customary to give them a tip; generally US$ 20 per day is given to the driver. This tip can be shared by the number of travellers in your party. A domestic flight (included in the price) will fly you to the tropical island of Zanzibar in an hour and the second part of your Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday begins. You'll arrive in the early evening and a transfer will take you to a hotel with a very pleasant atmosphere in Stone Town. In the evening you can choose to either have a bite to eat at the hotel or at one of the restaurants by the waterfront. We recommend visiting the Monsoon Restaurant, where you can dine on local delicacies either inside or out on the terrace. |
Day 11 – Stone Town
Today you'll have time to adjust to being back in the populated world. However, this is far from what you're accustomed to. Zanzibar and Stone Town are simply magical. Hundreds of years ago, Stone Town was a booming centre of trade between Asia, the middle East and Africa. There's a bit of a mystical Arabian atmosphere and the locals are very friendly and hospitable. Even today, you'll get a taste of what it was like to live here all those years ago and the scents, sounds and tastes of those times are still very much alive. We have quite a beautiful and authentic hotel for you to stay at here in the historic part of town. You'll be able to spend hours strolling through the small winding alleyways and there are so many souvenirs you could buy you won't know where to look. Feel like having a cup of fresh coffee? Ask around until you find the Zanzibar Coffee House, where you'll also delight in their delicious brownies. Chances are you may get a bit lost in one of the many alleyways; however the friendly locals will gladly help you find your way. You can also choose to take a guided tour along all of the historic attractions the area has to offer and tip the veil shrouding the mystical past of this place. The hotel's reception area can make the necessary arrangements for you. |
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Day 12 – Stone Town - Zanzibar Beach East CoastTravel time approximately 1.5 hourAfter breakfast your driver will be waiting to take you to the east coast. The east coast of Zanzibar is, without exaggerating, one of the most beautiful tropical coasts in the world. You'll walk straight into a tropical bounty commercial: pearly white beaches, swaying palms and an azure blue sea. But before you can dive into one of the hammocks at the beach, you'll have another hour and a half drive straight through the green interior of the island, past villages with thatched roofs and waving children ahead of you.During our search for the most beautiful locations in the area, we sort of stumbled on a number of small scale beach resorts on the East Coast. You'll not only find fishing villages here, but also the most beautiful beaches. We've selected the three most enjoyable and charming resorts for you to stay at. The staff at these resorts is extremely friendly and helpful. On this Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday you'll stay at one of the resorts; each of the resorts are located straight on the beach (see pictures at the bottom of the page). They each also have a swimming pool, where you won't mind splashing around from time to time. We believe that these are the most extraordinary places to end your trip. |
Day 13 and 14 – Zanzibar Beach East CoastThe next two days can be spent entirely as you wish. For instance you can choose to spend your days lounging in a hammock with a few good books and a dip or two in the sea. However, there's much more to do here. The reception area can tell you all about it and make any necessary arrangements for you. If you like you can even rent a jeep for the day (if available, approximately US$50 per day) and go out and explore the island on your own or go on a spicy tour with a guide (approximately US$90 per day).You certainly won't want to miss a snorkelling trip.... and there are plenty of options to do so. For approximately US$15 a boat will take you to a nearby reef or for approximately US$80 a boat will take you to the tropical islands of Memba or Fumba where you can go on fantastic dives. One thing is certain, there's no need to be bored during your stay..... unless complete tranquillity is what you're looking for. |
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Day 15 – Zanzibar - NairobiAfter breakfast you'll be picked up by our driver and you'll say goodbye to this very special place as it's the end of your Tanzania and Zanzibar holiday. Naturally you can extend your stay with one or more nights. You'll drive back through the green interior of the island, towards the airport near Stone Town.Sometime in the afternoon your Kenya Airways flight will depart to Nairobi where you'll catch a connecting flight to the UK. This is the end of your unforgettable journey through some of the most beautiful locations in east Africa. |
Tanzania Zanzibar holiday |
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