Personalized 17 days Safari (you will see everything)
We are delighted to know you are considering to go on a safari with us. Below you will find the proposed itinerary, carefully selected to cover the best of what Tanzania has to offer.
ABOUT YOUR SAFARI
When going on game drivers, we want our clients to see as much as possible. At the same time, we need you to be safe, even when parking next to a lion. This is why we have special safari jeeps with open roofs and windows all around. The six laxurious window seats allow the passengers to have a great view all the time, while the open roof allows you to stand up and take amazing pictures.
With us, you always have a private vehicle and a guide. Make sure to ask your guide anything that come to mind. He will do his utmost best to answer your questions and follow up on your wishes. Furthermore the lodges mentioned in this itinerary are the best in their price range. We check the regularly because we want our clients to be as happy as possible.
YOUR DREAM SAFARI
You have an amazing trip ahead of you . In Tarangire National Park you will move amongst ancient baobab trees looking for big herds of elephants. In the famous crater of Ngorongoro.
Conservation Area, if you are lucky you will see the almost extinct black rhinos. Last but not least is the coffee tour and a nice relaxation at chemka hotspring. In Lake Manyara national prk you will be able to see the climbing lions, lots of animals and amazing riftvalley landscape. This area carries a lot of history too since the German colonial era. Get ready to get all this.
GOING ON GAME DRIVES, WHAT TO EXPECT
Ideally, a day of safari begins with an early morning rise at the sounds of the African savannah. After a healthy breakfast you head out in a safari vehicle with your personal guide. This is the best time to see animals, who are most active just after sunrise (and just before the sunset). You explore the savannah until it is the time for a packed lunch from the lodge, that you can enjoy at one of the picnic sites of the park. You continue exploring the savannah until just before sunset, when you stop near the hippo pool, what the sunset while you nurse your favorite drink (Twiga beer included) and reminisce about the day. There after we will go back to the lodge. The day ends with a lovely shower, a sumptuous dinner, a little Brandi dog game and an early night. Because at the sunrise the next morning it all starts again.
YOU DECIDE
Of course, the definition of ideal is different for everyone. The good thing is that with Zanzibar Holidays One both the car and the driver are at your disposal completely. This means you can adjust the above in anyway you like. Do you prefer to go back to the lodge early for a relaxation afternoon with a sundowner and view over the savannah?! By all means do so! There are chances you can spot some amazing wildlife from the comfort of your own tent. On the other hand, if you don’t like early mornings, you can decide to take it easy and start your game drives a bit later because also during the day there are plenty of animals to see. And also, if you prefer to have lunch in the lodge, you can just do so.
PARK CURFEW
the same goes once you are in the park. Whether you are fascinated by big cats, birds, photography or elephants, you can adjust the game drive to your liking. So, if you prefer to observe the same animals for hours on end, nobody will push you to drive on. To make the best use of this freedom, we advise you to discuss all your wishes with your guide during the first briefing and at anytime during your safari. He is the expert on game drives and might be able to come up with suggestions to make up your day even better. Together you can create a perfect safari day.
Just know that the only limit is the park curfew. National parks only allow game drives from 6am(sunrise) to 6pm(sunset) and expect guests to be back in the lodge outside of those hours.
EXAMPLES
Game drive days can be as packed or relaxed as you wish. Below I have made two examples.
The ultimate game drive day A relaxing day of game drives
06.00am~breakfast in the lodge 08.00am~breakfast in the lodge
07.00am~pick up from the lodge 09.00am~pick up from the lodge
07.00am to 12.00pm~game drives 09.00am to 01.00pm~game drives
12.00pm~ lunch in the park 01.00pm~lunch in the park
12.30pm to 05.30pm~game drives 02.00pm to 04.00pm~game drives
06.00pm~back in lodge 04.30pm~back in the lodge
07.00pm~dinner 07.00pm~dinner
WHAT DOES A FULL BOARD LOOK LIKE ON A SAFARI
When booking a safari, the meal plan will always be full board. Once you are on a safari, that looks like this:
Breakfast: mostly buffet and coffee, juice, water, tea.
Lunch: local cuisine will be served on the first day, and a packed lunch from the lodge will be served whilst in the park, snacks and drinks. (all drinks of your choice will be available)
Dinner: Buffet. Drinks are not included in the dinner price. Prices are usually 3 USD for soft drinks, 3 to 5 USD for beers and from 25 USD for a bottle of wine.
During the day: our jeeps always have few snacks and bottles of water in the fridge. Other drinks will be served during lunch time.
DAY TO DAY PROGRAM
Day 1: Arrival at Arusha airport
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide who will be waiting for you, our jeep will be ready for you. On this day you will drive to Arusha town. A gateway to many ational parks. We will get to visit Arusha shopping mall and central Arusha where it is believed that the equidistant between Cairo, Egypt and Cape Town, South Africa, Arusha is estimated to be at the center of East Africa. The clock tower of Arusha marks the exact central point. THE ARUSHA CLOCK TOWER. This landmark was built by a wealthy Greek man just after WW2. Recalled his name Galanos, the same man who contributed the building in Dar es salaam. Arusha is also known to be called “The Geneva of Africa” since it’s the de facto capital of the East African Community, hosting it as well.
We will stay at Planet Lodge for one night.
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Our guide will be there waiting for you. Today you will drive to Tarangire National Park (appr 2.5 hours from Arusha Airport). Established in 1970 and covering a large area of 2,850 km², Tarangire is Tanzania’s sixth-largest park. Named after the Tarangire River, which meanders through the park, Tarangire’s population of wildlife rely on this water source for survival during the dry season. This park is well known for its big groups of elephants and huge amount of giant baobab trees that can live for hundred years. February is a short dry season. it’s possible to see a lot of animals and groups of up to 250 elephants here! They can weigh up to 6000 kilos and have special techniques of drawing water from baobab trees. Your private guide can tell you everything about this. Apart from that there are plenty of animals and bird species found in this amazing park. Tarangire NP also offers the possibility of hot air balloon safari or visit a traditional Maasai village people, who prefer to live a in small huts I the middle of the savannah. After a full day in the park, we will start our journey to Karatu. (Karatu is a small gateway town to Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti National Park.)
Overnight at Karatu town “FARM OF DREAMS LODGE”
Day 3: Drive to Serengeti National Park
On day 3 we will depart Karatu very early in the morning to Serengeti, entering through Loduare Gate in Ngorongoro. During this time of the year the wildebeest are found in Southern part, so this is the best time to see this big herds. The highlight of the safari awaits you, Serengeti National Park, widely known as a place to go on safari, mainly because of the Great migration. It’s a home to many animals. Our Guides are knowledgeable enough to explain to you any behavior that the animals will show.
Serengeti stems from Maasai language and means endless plains. Besides the herds, many predators roam vast grasslands, over four thousand lions, 225 cheetahs, 1000 leopards, 3500
hyenas and hundreds of wild dogs! And of course, there is plenty of other beautiful animals and many bird species to witness. Your guide will be delighted to point out to you. Are you ready for this?
Overnight at “MOYO TENTED CAMPS”.
Day 4: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, transfer to Serengeti national park through Ngorongoro area. Who doesn’t heard of Serengeti? It’s the most desirable and ultimate safari experience. The “land of endless plains”, since it covers an area of 14,760 sq km, divided roughly into short grass and woodland area. It’s the land of the nomadic Masaai tribe and also known for its wildlife density and the annual wildebeest migration. Don’t miss the opportunity to live this experience. Lunch inside the park and afternoon game drive. Evening return to the lodge.
MOYO TENTED CAMPS”.
Day 5: Drive Ndutu area in South
This is the calving season, between January and March, the wildebeest give birth to their young in the vast plains of Ndutu. This is an important time for wildebeest, as they need to finish the birthing process and nurse their young before the long annual journey resumes. This place is very plain and is rich of short grass. Predator actions is at its peak, you will not only be able to witness big predators, but also seeing them being in action of hunting and displaying different behaviors.
Remember despite being in South Serengeti, this place is controlled by Ngorongoro conservation area.
Two nights at “Kirurumu Migration Camp”.
Day 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area (crater)
On this day you will visit one of the Africa’s seven wonders, the famous Ngorongoro crater, formed two million years ago when the huge volcano erupted. The fertile lava has created a unique ecosystem, which is now home to the highest concentration of animals found anywhere in Africa! While descending 600 meters from the rim onto the crater floor, you will be surrounded by thousands of animals. The views are outstanding. You won’t know where to look first.
Ngorongoro crater is home to many lions’ prides, herds of buffalos, zebras, wildebeest and many more species. And nowhere else you have a better chance of spotting the rare endangered black rhinos. Established in 1959, the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World heritage site, is the only conservation in Tanzania which allows the coexistence of wildlife with semi- nomadic Maasai pastoralists.
However, no one is allowed to live inside the crater itself which is a massive caldera formed millions of years ago by the collapse of a volcano.
The Maasai Tribe named the crater after the sound created by the cowbell, known as “ngoro ngoro,” echoing as their cattle moved about the crater. In the evening, we will drive back to Arusha town.
Get ready to enjoy!
Night at “Suricata Lodge” in Mto wa mbu.
Day 7: Driving to Lake Manyara National Park
After a nice relaxation at Suricata Lodge, we will drive direct to Lake Manyara National Park. This amazing place lies on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, the rift valley escarpment wall gives the park a spectacular view, famous for its tree climbing lions, the park with its underground water forest supporting many lives especially the primates. For birdwatchers, the park is a paradise with more than 350 species of birds identified. An opportunity to walk on canopy is also available giving a bird eye view of the ground water forest. After an amazing trip we will drive back to Arusha town and stay at our favourite Lodge.
• Planet Lodge
DAY 8: ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast you will drive to Arusha National Park for game drive. It’s about 1- hrs drive from Arusha Town.
We depart from Karama Lodge, we go through Arusha National Park, where we view the herds of buffalo in the spectacular Ngurdoto Crater, the flamingos of the Momela Lakes, and the imposing peak of rugged Mount Meru. Arusha National park houses a variety of wildlife, including giraffe, zebra, colobus monkeys, leopards and hyenas, in the park’s small but bustling 53 square miles of natural habitats. Enjoy a picnic lunch while gazing at the rolling hills and wooded savannahs of this national treasure. Dinner and overnight (FB)
• Kibo Lodge Moshi
Day 9: Moshi to Mkomazi National Park
Today early morning we will pick you up from the hotel in Arusha or Moshi and drive to Mkomazi national park with picnic lunch. As we arrive we will continue with game drives into different areas of the park exploring its beauty and wilderness. Mkomazi Park shares its ecosystem with Tsavo national park which forms the largest and important ecosystem on Earth. Animals tend to migrate between the two parks at different season of the year triggered by the rainfalls and draught. The river umber which flows into the park is the main source of water for the animals in dry season. Game viewing experience in this season is easy and spectacular as it done along the river banks where animal use to graze. It is common to see herds of animals move down and up from the river to drink. However during wet season game viewing experience is still good as the park
receives little rainfalls which don’t allow grass to grow taller to the extent of blocking the sightings. Common animals that you can see during game drives in Mkomazi safari include buffalos, eland, zebra, elephant, hartebeest and more. Predators such as lions, hyenas, leopard and cheetah can also be spotted hunting or lying under shade during the day as the temperature is high. In the evening you will drive to the campsite for dinner and overnight.
• Babus Lodge
Day 10: Mkomazi to Saadan
Breakfast and after that departs to Rhino sanctuary tour where you will get the chance watch this strong and endangered creature at a close range. The rhino are restricted in a fenced area of 55 square kilometers inside the park. This is the only rhino sanctuary in the country with 13 individual black rhino which you can see them easily than those which move freely in the wilderness like in Ngorongoro and Serengeti national par. Afternoon return to the camp for lunch and after lunch pack your luggage ready to depart to Saadani National Park for evening gae drive and overnight
• Saadan River lodge
Day 11: Saadani Mkomazi National Park – Dar es salaam
A morning game drive in the park you may spot various wildlife including the big four such as lions, African bush Elephants, Cape Buffaloes and Leopards as well as many other animals, you can decide to have a picnic lunch at the beach relaxing at the fresh breath from the ocean or return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon undertake a boat safari along Wami River which empties into the Indian Ocean with its waters and swamplands being home to a large population of hippos, crocodiles and numerous water birds great ideal for avid bird watchers.
Thereafter your boat safari, you will leave the park to Dar es Salaam hotel
• Transit Motel
DAY 12: DAR ES SALAAM TO RUAHA
Pick up from your hotel in Dar es Salaam and drive with packed lunch to Ruaha, one of Tanzania’s best kept secrets. The drive to Ruaha is a long stretch, about 9 hours, but is truly fascinating and gives you a real feel of the African country side. Overnight at Ruaha Luxury Cottage inside the park
• Ruaha Luxury Cottage
DAY 13: RUAHA
Enjoy two full day safari drives within Ruaha National Park with packed lunches. The remoteness of Ruaha gives you the perfect impression of a real safari in wild Africa. Return to the camp in the evenings for overnight at Ruaha Cottage
• Ruaha Luxury Cottage
DAY 14: RUAHA – MIKUMI
After breakfast drive to Mikumi with packed lunch. Early afternoon arrival at Mikumi National Park. After lunch and freshening up, set off for a glimpse of Mikumi with a late afternoon safari drive in Mikumi National Park.Overnight at Mikumi Luxury Cottage
• Mikumi Luxury Cottage
DAY 15: MIKUMI – SELOUS
Wake up early and delve into an early morning safari drive in Mikumi National Park. Return to lodge for breakfast and depart with packed lunch for the Selous Game Reserve. The journey will take you approximately 7 hrs through the most amazing and truly wild and untouched areas of Tanzania.
Arrive at Selous Game Reserve and overnight at Selous River Camp.
• Selous River Camp
DAY 16: SELOUS
Wake up for a very early breakfast and indulge yourself into a very adventurous activity – A walking safari! You will join a professional guide and an armed ranger for a walking safari into the wilderness and experience the wilderness on foot. This is a very enlightening trip where you will learn a lot about the flora and fauna of the reserve and its inhabitants. Return to lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, experience a boat safari on the mighty Rufiji River. You will glide through groups of hippos, crocodiles, villages and see amazing bird life along the way.
• Selous River Camp
DAY 17: SELOUS – DAR ES SALAAM
After breakfast drive back to Dar es salaam with packed lunch. Early afternoon arrival in Dar es salaam and drop off at hotel or Airport for onward journey.
DISTANCES IN TANZANIA
Tanzania is 945,000 sq km, therefore almost 23 times the size of Switzerland. The country consists of 38% National parks and you can imagine how endless some plains area.
The roads in the National parks are unpaved. This sometimes makes it look like a short distance on a map, but the journeys take longer than expected.
When booking a trip to Tanzania from home, it is sometimes difficult to imagine how big the country and what the distances to be covered are. Even Google Maps sometime misses the mark completely. To give you more insight into this, we have indicated what the distances are between the most visited National parks in Tanzania.
• Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha (1h 15min, 50km)
• Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi (1h 15min, 50km)
• Arusha – Kilimanjaro (2h 30min, 100km)
• Arusha – Lake Manyara (2h, 115km)
• Arusha – Tarangire entrance north (2h, 105km)
• South Tarangire – Ngorongoro (2h 15min, 135km)
• South Tarangire (Sangaiwe) – Central Serengeti (5h, 285km)
• Tarangire – Lake Manyara (50min, 60km)
• Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater (1h, 50km)
• Ngorongoro Crater – Ndutu Area (2h 30min, 100km)
• Ngorongoro Crater – Central Serengeti (3h 30min, 135km)
• Central Serengeti – North Serengeti (4h game drive pace, 90km)
• Lake Manyara – Lake Natron (3h, 100km)
• Arusha – mkomazi (3h 10min, 140km)
• Mkomazi – Saadani (4h 20min, 230km)
• Saadani – Dar es salaam 3, 30 min 180km
• Dar es Salaam – Nyerere 4,10 min
• Nyerere – Ruaha
• Ruaha – Mikumi
• Mikumi – Dar es salaam
IT IS ESSESNTIAL TO BE AWARE OF THESE DISTANCES BEFORE YOUR
SAFARI BEACAUSE, the aim of a safari is to have as many game drives as possible. We know all distances and challenges that might occur and plan your safari accordingly while ensuring enough time for high quality game drives without mileage limits.
This might seem obvious, but we know of many commonly offered routes that are almost impossible to carry out. And this can happen because tour operators know that most visitors have no clue about the reality on the ground.
BE AWARE OF DRIVING TIMES WHEN BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS
If you plan to book your own domestic or international flights, it’s important to be aware of these distances and driving times and to realize that it’s not allowed for tourists to be on the highway outside of the cities at night.
If, for example, you plan to go straight on your safari after arriving at the airport, it’s important your flight arrives in the morning (not at night) and BEFORE 1:00 PM, to allow for enough driving time to the National Park.
Similarly, if you sleep in or near a National Park the night before your departure, it’s important to book a flight that departs AFTER 1:00 PM.
This goes for flights arriving or departing from Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport (for safaris in the northern part of the country) as well as for flights to and from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam (for safaris in the southern part of the country).
Flights arriving or departing at other than recommended times might lead to extra costs to you as we will have to make changes to your program.
Includes
• Safari vehicle for pick up, all transfers and all game drives
• Services of English-speaking driver
• Accommodation on full board
• All park entry fees
• Walking safari
• All activities as detailed on this itinerary
• All meals
• Government taxes
• Armed Rangers
• Boat safari
Price Excludes
• Travel, Health and personal accidents insurance Items of personal nature (Alcohol drinks, cigarettes, phone calls) Visa fees,
• Departure tax (If any)
• Laundry services
• Tip for the driver/guide (recommended)
• Any extra activities not included on the itinerary
