great lodge safari & zanzibar

Safari Code: TTSAZA11

2 – 6 people per group in one safari 4×4

 Lodge Safari: Enchanting landscapes, the snow-capped Kilimanjaro and the almost indescribable magnificence of the abundance of animals inspire every visitor again and again. Whether you’re admiring the colorful bird life at Lake Manyara, watching the kings of animals at the bottom of the Ngorongoro Crater, watching the lions, marveling at the concert of thousands of colorful flamingos or encountering huge herds of wildebeest in the legendary Serengeti, there are great spectacles everywhere in a wide variety of abundance. Experience the most diverse animal worlds in the national parks. Here you will most likely encounter the “Big Five”.

Zanzibar: Zanzibar, originally called Unguja is the main island in the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar. Zanzibar lies 45 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania mainland and it is still a paradise.  It is one of the most historic Indian Ocean islands, awash with atmosphere, intrigue, and idyllic beach experiences. Zanzibar is conveniently located on the shores of Tanzania and exceptionally well placed to enjoyably let the safari of a lifetime end. Here you will find many white sandy beaches with turquoise waters. Your sense of smell will be put to a test by the most exotic spices in the world. Zanzibar boasts of Stone town, an old trade center, with mosques and winding lanes. The stone town is an outstanding example of a Swahili trading town.  This Island has everything you need for an eventful holiday: culture, beaches, adventure and pure relaxation.

Accommodation thoughts: This tour is designed for individuals who would like to combine the wildlife safari with bathing holidays at the beach in the isles. The overnights will take place in carefully chosen midrange beautiful hotels/lodges/tented camps. With the experience of 25 years, we were always in a position to combine enough opinions of ourselves and those of our Guests, who did book with us.  These are our basic choices, but off course everyone with an ambition to travel to Tanzania, can suggest to us the accommodation preferred. We will then consider the wish and put the suggested hotels on the offer we make. This is possible for the mainland as well as for Zanzibar

Day 1: Kilimanjaro-Arusha

You are already in Arusha or Moshi, or you are landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport today. You will be picked up and driven to your lodge (about 45 minutes). Only 4 km from Arusha center away, you find the eco-friendly, artistic, chic, relaxing Karama Lodge, at the upper forests of Suye – Hills. Enjoy a tranquil setting with great views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and the Maasai Steppe. Overnight at Karama Lodge (B)

Day 2: Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

Early morning drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Go for a Game drive in the park with picnic lunch. This small but important park is incredibly diverse in habitat, making it home to a great variety of species and famous for its tree-climbing lions. Within the park there is a groundwater forest with 30 different tree species and a wide variety of soil plants, which ensure a tropical atmosphere and prevent the area from drying out. About 20 to 30 tree lions, some leopards and monkeys of different species live in the park. Giraffes, impalas, wildebeests, zebras, hippos and large herds of buffalo predominate there. The birdlife on the lake is spectacularly prolific and sometimes huge flocks of flamingos turn the shores pink with their plumage. Continue to a small lodge with good food, beautiful gardens and family atmosphere. Each cozy room has mosquito-netted king or twin beds, dressing area, a fireplace, large bathroom with shower and a veranda from which to enjoy the views of our lush tropical gardens. The Swimming pool is just a few steps away. Overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (B, PL, D)

Day 3: Manyara – Serengeti National Park

Early in the morning we continue through the Ngorongoro mountain range to the legendary Serengeti. If you like and time permits, you can visit a Maasai village. You can get to know the Maasai way of life and culture better. The landscapes in the Serengeti alternate between short and long grass areas, acacia savannas and hilly, lightly forested areas. Almost all large animal species in East Africa (except for rhinos) are at home here in large populations. One of the largest populations of hyenas and cheetahs reside here. Special feature: the migration, a gigantic migration cycle in which approx. 2 million animals search for their annual way in a more than 300 km long march depending on the dry and rainy season. Continue to your camp. You spend the night in a traditional tented camp, from where you can experience the beautiful landscapes of the Serengeti with its wildlife very closely. The annual migration of around 2 million animals runs past the camp between June and August. Enjoy beautiful evenings around the campfire under a starry sky. Overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp (B, PL, D)

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – the whole day

Early in the morning drive for animal watching. After breakfast at the camp, embark on a full day game drive in the Serengeti. The Serengeti is scattered with woodlands, plains, hills and famous granite Kopjes. The Central Serengeti offers super game viewing all year round due to its abundance of resident animals. Specifically, the Seronera River Valley in the Central Serengeti is a ‘must see’ on every safari, regardless of the specific month of travel. Marvel at the endless plains as you enjoy peace and tranquility of the wilderness. Drive back to your camp. The camp offers comfortable accommodation together with the unique opportunity to enjoy a real safari experience on a camp. In its comfortable tents one will feel completely immersed in the surroundings and can enjoy the rich animal life and vegetation of the area. Overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp (B, PL, D)

Day 5: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater (Karatu)

After Breakfast go for a Morning game drive in Serengeti. Enjoy your lunch on a chosen spot. Leave the Serengeti behind and drive back through the Ngorongoro Conservancy, viewing the game as you go. Continue towards Ngorongoro. Visit the Olduvai Gorge, the “cradle of mankind” where the earliest prehistoric finds were discovered ($35 pp. it is optional). Copies can be seen in a nearby small museum. Continue to your lodge in Karatu for dinner. Overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (B, PL, D)

 Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Drive into the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy wildlife viewing in the crater with picnic lunch. The crater is home to almost all East African big game animals in large concentrations. This long-extinct volcano is the world’s largest intact caldera and its walls contain an incredible array of habitats, which in turn support an astonishing population of game. It is therefore correctly called the animal paradise and it is as well as UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the exception of giraffes, which cannot climb the steep rims of the crater, every animal that is famous in East Africa is represented here: lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalo, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, flamingos, hippos, etc. Depending on the season 15,000 – 30,000 animals cavort here. Exiting the crater on a different ascent road, you will drive to Karatu to your Lodge for dinner. Overnight at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (B, PL, D)

Day 7: Ngorongoro – Tarangire National Park

After breakfast drive to Tarangire National Park for wildlife viewing. In between enjoy your picnic lunch at a chosen place. The name Tarangire came from its river, which meanders through the entire park. The Tarangire National Park is very famous and special for its diverse landscape and vegetation zones. While you drive north through a rolling hilly landscape in which the huge baobab trees have developed a mighty population, you continue through a dry savannah with umbrella acacias. Also impressive are the candelabra trees, a cactus-like milkweed plant whose “candles” fan out into the sky. The river attracts a lot of diverse animals and you should be able to spot a lot of elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes and zebras. Elephants moving toward the water take on a dreamlike quality as they shift in and out of focus in the distance. Moving closer, you watch as they plunge into the water to drink and bathe. Their sense of enjoyment is almost palpable as they splash water over their huge bodies, slurp up great trunks to drink, and watch the youngsters cavorting in the shallows. Continue to a small lodge on the shores of Lake Tarangire with good food, beautiful gardens and family atmosphere for Dinner.  Overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge (B, PL, D)

Day 8: Tarangire National Park – Arusha

Early morning enjoy the game drive in the park. Leaving Tarangire National Park in a distance, wend your way back to Arusha to spend the night under the soaring peak of Mount Meru. Clean-lined and contemporary, Karama Lodge is the perfect place to unwind after your exciting Safari tour. Here you can relax, dine out in Arusha, or simply enjoy a sundowner by the pool. Overnight at Karama Lodge (B, PL)

 Day 9: Arusha – Zanzibar Beach & Culture

Transfer to the airport, flight to Zanzibar. You will be picked up and driven to your beach hotel on the coast.

Day 9 – 13: 5 days beach holiday in Zanzibar in the beach hotel of your choice:

Day 14: Zanzibar – Airport

After breakfast at the lodge you will be picked by our guide. He will drive you to the airport to catch your flight towards your hometown. In case you have another individual program, you can start with it as well today

 ACCOMMODATION ON SAFARI

Standard Accommodation Includes: www.karama-lodge.com, www.bougainvilleasafarilodge.com,

Katikati Tented Camp: www.twctanzania.com, www.countrlodgekaratu.com, www.mareravalley.com, www.tarangiresafarilodge.com