Experience the magic of staying in a tented camp, the unforgettable wildebeest and zebra migration in the Serengeti, the ancient Baobabs of Tarangire, the flamingoes of Lake Manyara and the mystery of the Ngorongoro Carter. If that is not enough discover the mysteries of Zanzibar, the mystical spice Island of the Indian Ocean, explore the history of Old Stone Town and relax on white sandy beaches.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Depart on KLM from your gateway city.
Day 2 Arusha: Onsea House
Arrive into Amsterdam and connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival into Kilimanjaro, you will be met by an AfricaTours representative and escorted to the hotel. Arusha derives its name from the Warusha people, a tribe of Masai who settled around the base of Mount Meru in order to cultivate the land. Guest’s en-route to the adventurous Tanzanian Northern Circuit can look forward to a luxurious East of Arusha, a line of hills covered in lush, subtropical vegetation run up towards the towering cone of Mount Meru. Onsea House grabs a perch on the first of these green ridges, with soaring views out to the town and to the distant flank of the Rift Valley: sunsets seen from here are simply phenomenal. Onsea House bills itself as a 'home from home', and from the moment that you're greeted it feels good to be here. The relaxed mood flows over into the bar and sitting room: the deeply cushioned sofas, bright Tinga Tinga artwork, angular lamps and light slanting in from high, valley-facing windows impart a feel that's bright and uplifting. Bedrooms have the same cared-for feel and the restaurant's gourmet cuisine further gilds this remarkable African lily.
Day 3 Tarangire National Park: Oliver's Camp (BLD)
After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel and driven to Tarangire. Enjoy a game drive en-route to the lodge. Tarangire is one of the largest national parks in Tanzania, measuring some 1,000 square miles. The first thing to capture the eye as you enter Tarangire is the vast numbers of Baobab trees, which dwarf the animals feeding beneath them. Masai giraffe, Grant's and Thompson's gazelle, hartebeest, impala, kudu, reedbuck, gerenuk, klipspringer, fox and the usual collections of baboons, warthog and ostrich abound. During the dry season from June to November, animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in Masai land. Located in the middle of the Tarangire wilderness, Oliver’s Camp has one of the most wonderful settings one could imagine and offers an unparalleled bush experience. The camp features only 8 beautifully furnished guest tents. Solid wooden furniture, beautiful cloth and gorgeous warm showers that can be taken under the Tarangire sky. Every evening, guests relax or read in the lounge and library tent, or drink sundowners at the fireplace, from which superb views of landscape and sunset can be enjoyed. state.
Day 4 Tarangire National Park: Oliver's Camp (BLD)
Enjpy a morning and afternoon game drive.
Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater: Plantation Lodge (BLD)
After breakfast you will be driven to Lake Manyara National Park for a full day and a picnic lunch. Although it covers a relatively small area, it contains five distinct vegetation zones ranging from an area of ground water forest to characteristic scrubland on the precipitous face of the Rift Valley wall. A variety of wildlife such as buffalo, elephant, leopard, lions (sometimes seen on trees), giraffe and pink flamingoes on the lakeshore, are abundant. The Plantation Lodge is surrounded by coffee plantations and the famous “Green hills of Africa” that already Hemingway found so inspiring; the Lodge is located on the outskirts of Karatu on the lower slopes of the Ngorongoro. Walk underneath the avocado and eucalyptus trees and listen to the various voices of over 40 different kinds of domestic birds. Observe the snuggling geckos doing their mating dance or the cackling geese on their way to the morning bath. Every room has its own style. African safari-antiques and Tanzanian arts and crafts dominate the room, without neglecting the modern European comfort. Bedroom, veranda, or bathroom - all rooms and facilities are designed with love for the detail and convey a very special way of living. Let your soul be free, be safe and relaxed amidst the incomparable and unforgettable ambient atmosphere of the Plantation Lodge in the middle of the African bush or enjoy a guided walk through the park-like gardens and coffee plantations, where you can learn and see how coffee is processed.
Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater: Plantation Lodge (BLD)
Enjoy a magical full day crater tour. As you descend into the 100 square mile crater, the inert dots viewed from the top come to life and animals appear in small groups, like actors on a sunken stage of staggering and relentless beauty. Soon you are eye to eye with the animals, the beloved little "Tommie" with ever-flagging black tail, buffalo, rhino, lion, zebra, giraffe and elephant —acting out a drama of life or death on an epic scale. There are birds too, in abundance - vultures, hideous pink-necked marabou storks and thousands upon thousands of greater and lesser flamingos wading carefully through the shallow waters of the crater's small soda lake.
Day 7 Serengeti National Park: Dunia Camp (BLD)
After breakfast you will be driven to the Serengeti. Enjoy a game drive en-route and a afternoon game drive. The Serengeti National Park, a 12,800 square mile wilderness of semi-arid grasslands and woodlands in Tanzania's northwestern corner is the pulsating heart of East Africa. Its immense grass oceans and riverine forests are home to the largest concentration of large predators and plains game in Africa. The Serengeti's pulse beats to the migration cycle. In the spring, the bright green of the grass gives the Serengeti an air of sparkling freshness. Then, the meadows reverberate with the thunder of millions of hooves — with the snarls of hyenas and hunting dogs in hot pursuit — as vast hordes of wildebeest and zebra begin their great annual migration: the most impressive wildlife pageant on earth. Dunia Camp is a seasonal camp based in the Piaya region of the southern Serengeti, from December to March. Dunia Camp was designed to strike the perfect balance between luxury and immersion in the extensive Serengeti. Dunia Camp comprises just six large, comfortable tents with a dining area and fire place. The tents have private verandas overlooking the expansive Serengeti, and the en suite bathrooms feature flush toilets and a safari shower. Your private veranda is the perfect place to watch game and discover the magnificent vistas of the Serengeti while relaxing in camp. An intimate restaurant tent serving top food and drinks and a cozy fire place and lounge/mess tent and an opportunity to meet other guests and talk about the day’s game viewing.
Day 8 Serengeti National Park: Dunia Camp (BLD)
Enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive on the Serengeti.
Day 9 Zanzibar: Matemwe Bungalows (BLD)
Fly After breakfast and a morning game drive, you will be driven to the Seronera airstrip.
10:00 am: Depart Seronera on Regional Air (this flight can make several stops).
2:35 pm: Arrive into Zanzibar, where you will be met by an AfricaTours representative and driven to the hotel. Matemwe lies perched on a coral rock, surrounded by the best beaches and right opposite the Mnemba Atoll, which offers spectacular diving and snorkeling. The friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere, lush tropical gardens, fine white sand, intimate swimming pools, massages, and magnificent food specializing in fresh seafood make Matemwe the ultimate tropical paradise on the intriguing island of Zanzibar. The lodge consists of 12 beautiful bungalows, built from local materials and surrounded by beautiful garden. Each suite has a private veranda with hammocks and couches overlooking the Indian Ocean. Inside the room, you'll find a grand, king-size bed, an extra single bed, plenty of space and personal touches. The bathrooms are large and have deep bathtubs and walk-in showers. Although mosquitoes are rare in Matemwe, all rooms are equipped with a large mosquito net. The open-air restaurant overlooks the ocean and has a tranquil area to lounge in as well. Seafood is the specialty of the house, with all produce bought daily from the local markets.
Day 10 Zanzibar: Matemwe Bungalows (BLD)
After breakfast, transfer to the Breezes Beach Club located on the North Coast of Zanzibar. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. On the northernmost peninsula of Zanzibar Island, Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel overlooks a sparkling expanse of iridescent Indian Ocean. The lush gardens drop down onto one of the finest and most unspoilt beaches on the island, which in turn is fringed by a wide and thriving coral reef. All 32 rooms are tastefully furnished, with hand-crafted four poster beds and indigenous decor, and all have balconies, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, hair-dryers, electronic safes and en suite facilities with deluxe bathroom amenities. Mosquito nets over all beds ensure a peaceful night's sleep, with the sound of the ocean rounding off a relaxing day in paradise. Lodge rooms have a garden view and both types of chalet room (superior and superior deluxe) have a sea view, with proximity to the ocean being closer the higher the category. Superior deluxe chalet rooms also have a mini-bar, CD-player and other special extras. The surrounding reefs create one of the most exciting areas to dive and snorkel, and are home to flourishing populations of dolphin, turtles, and countless other marine species. The hotel has an on-site fully equipped PADI Gold Palm 5 Star dive centre and dive adventures are available for all experience levels including beginners. A wide range of other watersports is also available.
Day 11 Zanzibar: Matemwe Bungalows (BD)
Enjoy a full day at leisure to laze on the beach or use the amenities of the hotel.
Day 12 Departure (B)
After breakfast and some leisure time, you will be met at the hotel and driven to the airport.
2:30 pm: Depart Zanzibar on Regional Air.
2:50 pm: Arrive into in Dar Es Salaam where you will be met and taken for a visit to the Local market at Kariokor. You will also be able to see the Tinga Tinga or Slipway paintings. Enjoy dinner before being driven to the International airport for your departure flight.
Day 13 Arrive into Amsterdam in the morning and connect with your flight to the USA.
Rates for the Tanzania Explorer - Semi Customized
Land, per person double occupancy
| 20 Dec ’08 – 31 Jan ’09 | $4,375 |
|---|---|
| 01 Feb '09 - 31 Mar '09 | $4,445 |
| 01 Apr '09 - 31 May '09 | $3,245 |
| 01 Jun ' 09 - 30 Jun '09 | $4,605 |
| 01 Jul '09 - 31 Oct '09 | $4,375 |
| 01 Nov '09 - 19 Dec '09 | $3,915 |
| 20 Dec ’09 – 03 Jan ’10 | $4,375 |
| Single Supplement | $195 - 445 |
Land and Air from New York, per person double occupancy
| 24Dec '08 - 28 Feb '09 | $5,440 |
|---|---|
| 29 Feb '09 - 20 Mar '09 | $5,510 |
| 21 Mar '09 - 03 Apr '09 | $5,985 |
| 04 Apr '09 - 29 May '09 | $4,785 |
| 30 May '09 - 12 Jun '09 | $6,875 |
| 13 Jun '09 - 03 Jul '09 | $6,645 |
| 04 Jul '09 - 04 Sep '09 | $6,185 |
| 03 Sep '09 - 30 Oct '09 | $5,420 |
| 31 Oct '09 - 18 Dec '09 | $5,470 |
Christmas Supplement, per person double occupancy
| 24, 25, 26 Dec; 31 Dec & 01 Jan '09 | $50 |
|---|
Easter Supplement, per person double occupancy
| 10 Apr '09 - 13 Apr '09 | $50 |
|---|
Price Includes:
- Accommodation for 10 nights,
- Meals as mentioned
- Transport & Transfers
- Game drives with a guaranteed window seat & Game park fees
- Professional driver/guides
- FLIGHTS: Serengeti - Zanzibar (via Arusha) - Dar Es Salaam
- Flying Doctors Service
- Travel Protection Plan ($25,000 Emergency Assistance, $50,000 Accidental death & dismemberment; $5,000 Medical Expenses; $1,000 Baggage & travel documents; $400 Baggage delay; $500 Travel delay - $100 per day maximum; TRAVEL GUARD Assistance)
Price Excludes:
- Beverages
- Gratuities
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
- Airline Taxes
- Tanzania Visa
- Tanzania departure taxes (approximately $30 per person, to be paid locally in US$)