Classic Discover Northern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

CLASSIC DISCOVER NORTHERN TANZANIA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

SUMMARY ITINERARY:

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1

ARRIVAL /ARUSHA

JAMBO! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met by our Customer Care Representative who will assist you with the transfer to Zawadi House. Before checking in at hotel, he will brief you on your program ahead and introduce the Driver Guide who will be with you throughout the safari.

This delightful Spanish tile-roofed hotel set back from the main road with paved pathways through manicured lawns shaded by tall trees opened in November 2011 and has already become our favourite mid-range accommodation option.

The owners are a Tanzanian family of executives and philanthropists who enjoy a great deal of international travel and have evidently aimed to incorporate smart features from many hotels worldwide into their own creation. There are several superior and unique features at Zawadi not generally seen in Tanzania.

Accommodation: Zawadi House

Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

DAY 2

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

This morning after breakfast drive to the famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (NCCA), which features rolling plains, lakes, craters, mountains and dormant volcanoes. Journey up the side of the vast Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, which is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometers wide, 610-760 metres deep and covering a total area of 264 sq km).Arrive at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge in time for hot lunch and relaxation. If you wish you can visit a Masai village at a nominal fee. Your lodge is strategically perched on the rim of this ‘Garden of Eden’, affording unbelievable views plunging down over the crater floor, 7,500 feet above sea level. The Lodge is elegantly built mainly from natural stone and local wood, harmoniously merging with its natural surroundings, and it is provided with panoramic windows that encompass superb views of the Crater’s great bowl.

From its privileged position, all the Lodge’s 80 rooms afford breathtaking uninterrupted views, and the open–air terrace of the Rhino Lounge Bar offers superb panoramic views of the whole Crater.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge        

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 3

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, descend into the ‘8th Wonder of the World’, a unique biosphere that has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. Enclosed within its towering walls are grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife. Here too are all the members of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as a large cast of plains game and one of Africa’s densest populations of predators. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before climbing back up to the lodge in time for relaxation before dinner.

DAY 4

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you will drive to the famous Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch boxes stopping en route at Ol Duvai Gorge. Known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, this is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Pioneered by famous paleontologists Louis and Mary Leakey in the 1950s it offers a glimpse into life two million years ago. Arrive in the early afternoon for a classic safari supper.

Accommodation: Serengeti Osupuko Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Your day will be spent at Serengeti, enjoying full day game viewing drive with meals being taken in the true safari style ‘in the vast and sensational Serengeti, which covers 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah. Venue for ‘the greatest wildlife show on Earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest, the park is also renowned for its lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and plains game.

Accommodation: Serengeti Osupuko Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board 

DAY 6

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, drive to beautiful Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that shimmers in a cleft in the Great Rift Valley with picnic lunch boxes. Arrive for an afternoon game viewing at the Lake Manyara. Manyara is home to the world-famous tree-climbing lions, thousands of flamingoes and nearly 500 species of birds. Return to the lodge in time for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Country Lodge        

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 7

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

This morning depart for Tarangire National Park which Tanzania’s best-kept secret on the northern safari circuit. Named after a nearby river called Tarangire, it has the same attractions as the parks up-north- the only difference is that this place is not usually as crowded as the other ones.

Hot lunch will be served at Tarangire Osupuko Lodge following check in, depart for an afternoon game viewing drive in the park returning later as the sun sets.

This is a year-round park with distinct seasons offering different experiences, from dusty, dry and baking with animals clustered around the rapidly reducing river, to the fecund green season full of new-born animals and chattering birds.

Overnight: Tarangire Osupuko Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 8

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Today you will enjoy a morning game viewing drive then breakfast and relaxation. Followed by lunch and an afternoon game viewing drive in the park. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

A lot of migratory animals aim to reside here during the dry season. You can see groups and herds of animals like 600 elephants followed by zebras, buffalos and oryxes who ventured from the Maasai to the Tarangire in search for water. There are also a few lions prowling around and looking for unsuspecting preys around the jungle. Some of the other animals that you may see here are antelopes, warthogs, hippos, cheetahs, leopards, foxes, jackals and waterbucks.

Overnight: Tarangire Osupuko Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 9 TO 13

ZANZIBAR

Drive to Arusha. Following lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge, spend time doing last minute shopping then later you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar

Your 5 days will be at the Uroa Bay Beach Resort which is located on the East coast of Zanzibar. Situated directly on a beautiful 400 meter long private white powder sand beach overlooking the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, the resort is newly constructed, taking its name from the local village in the same area. The private beach of the resort is raised and equipped with umbrellas and sun beds in local style and during low tide; a sandbar emerges just outside the village. The resort as a whole is atmospheric, intimate and simply stunning.

Spend time at the beach or set off and explore the tropical island of Zanzibar – a true old-world paradise with its eclectic African style, long white beaches, heady spice plantations and rich cultural heritage.

Also on offer are a wide variety of tours and excursions which are part of the Bluebay Beach Resort and Spa experience, with each one of them being an adventure to relish.

The land excursions will acquaint you with the history, culture, fauna and flora of this pristine Island whilst the Indian Ocean presents a wonderful opportunity for sea-excursions.

For ocean lovers, the choices range from diving to snorkeling, fishing and sailing trips. Some of these are provided in traditional Dhows and powerful speed boats.  Sea-excursions can take place from just about anywhere on the Island.
The most popular excursions which can be arranged for you at an extra cost are:

The Spice Tour: – Zanzibar, for centuries famed for its cloves, is still the pre-eminent spice market of eastern Africa. This tour enables guests to touch, smell and tastes a whole world of spices.

Stone Town Tour:  This tour takes you to the historical Stone Town, famous for its intricate architecture and rich history. The excursion includes visits to the town market, the Tipu Tip House (where once lived one of  Africa’s most colorful buccaneer), the Slave Market  (that was the centre of east Africa’s slave trade) the unforgettable Slave Chambers, the National Museum, the High Court of Zanzibar, the Sultans Palace, the House of Wonders and the Old Fort.

Jozani Forest Tour: This tour will take you tothe south east of Zanzibar, right at the heart a beautiful green mangroves forest. The forest is home to a number of endemic species, including the rare Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey.

Dolphin Adventure:  This excursion diverts to the southern tip of the Island where Bottlenose and Spinner Dolphins are frequently seen. The trip doubles as an exceptional opportunity to snorkel or just swim in the Indian Ocean. Lunch of a variety of local and seafood dishes is served in one of the many small restaurants on the beach.

The Blue Safaris:  This adventurous excursion will take you in a motorized dhow to the south west of the Island.  The trip will take you to the mangroves forest, then on to one of the many sand banks for snorkeling before making a stop on the famous Kwale Island where your chance of making new acquaintances with Dolphins is a remarkable 85%.

Lunch on the Island is a sumptuous BBQ affair with local specialties and a choice of homemade local sauces. Late afternoon offers a choice of further snorkeling, swimming or just relaxing.

Overnight: Uroa Bay        

Meal Plan: Half Board

DAY 14

DEPARTURE

Today you will spend the day at leisure enjoying the facilities at the hotel. Later you will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your flight Zan Air flight to Dar Es Salaam , departing Zanzibar at 1720hrs to arrive Dar Es Salaam at 1740hrs for flight back home.

Say good bye to the wonderful country and promise to join us on another expedition.