Tanzania

Tanzania

One of the iconic safari destinations, Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s largest, and most famous, game reserves and offers wonderful safari experiences.
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will always deliver amazing game viewing, although at times they can feel a bit crowded. If you prefer a quieter safari experience then check out Selous and Ruaha National Parks; wildlife is still excellent but you’ll encounter few other vehicles.
Travel further west and you’ll encounter the massive gatherings of buffaloes and hippos that make Katavi NP so special and the chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains NP.
Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro, is a magnet for those seeking to challenge themselves while the sandy beaches of Zanzibar offer a perfect escape for those who’d rather not.

Tanzania has international airports at Dar es Salaam,  Arusha (Mt Kilimanjaro International) and on the island of Zanzibar.

black rhino, ngorongoro crater

Note: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Although our ‘Best places to see’ chart shows that there are no giraffes present, this refers to the Ngorongoro Crater itself; where there are no giraffes. However, within the greater Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) there are giraffes in abundance. 
If you are visiting Ndutu ( an area of the NCA) to witness the annual wildebeest migration you will almost certainly see plenty of giraffes.

Tanzania National Parks

Safari Ideas

Here are just a few suggestions, based on safaris that have worked well for past clients. They are not set in stone and can be easily amended to suit your requirements; changing lodges or duration. Or we can just start with a clean sheet pf paper.

Why not get in touch to discuss your ideas with us, there’s nothing we enjoy more than talking about Africa.
Then we can get to work on designing a very special safari just for you.

Private Safaris in Northern Tanzania

Our suggested itineraries in northern Tanzania are season dependent, so the places we recommend are determined by the time of year you are planning to travel. Conversely, if you want to visit a particular park, it is important to pick the right time of year to see it at its magnificent best.

In the early part of the year the main focus is the Ndutu area of southern Serengeti where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest gather before beginning their migration north to Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Later in the year, our time in Serengeti is spent further north, as the herds cross back and forth over the Mara river, braving crocodile infested waters. At this time we also recommend spending time in Tarangire National Park, renowned for one of the densest concentrations of wildlife outside the Ngorongoro Crater and also for an amazing variety of bird species.

Whichever season you choose for your visit to Tanzania, you’re assured of a safari to remember.

These suggested itineraries are priced on the basis of 2 people travelling together with a private vehicle and guide.

January, February, March

The beginning of the year, just before the rainy season gets under way, is the time when huge numbers of wildebeest gather on the plains of southern Serengeti and Ndutu in preparation for their migration north to Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Here you will find yourself surrounded by wildlife; with thousands – hundreds of thousands actually – of wildebeest and zebra milling around.
For wildebeest, zebra as well as gazelles and other animals  it is the time when they give birth, so it is a wonderful time to see young and new born animals.

With so many animals congregated here it is hardly surprising that this is also a prime time for sighting predators as they follow the herds in search of an easy meal and the nights are filled with the roar of lions.

Our suggested itinerary for this time of year will put you right in the thick of the action, visiting Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Ndutu plains.
You can choose whether to stay in tented camps throughout or swap our camp in Ndutu for a few nights in the stone cottages at Ndutu Safari Lodge.

Arusha NP - Lake Manyara NP - Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti

Suggested Itinerary 
8 nights / 9 days

Day 1 – Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport (JRO) you will be met and transferred the short distance to Mt Meru Game Lodge, where you can relax and recover from your long flight.
Day 2 – After breakfast visit Arusha NP, then transfer to Lake Manyara.
Day 3 – Visit Lake Manyara NP, famous for its abundant bird life and tree climbing lions. After picnic lunch transfer to our camp, right on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 4 – An early breakfast before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater. After a picnic lunch, drive to Ndutu.
Days 5 & 6 – 2 full days to immerse your self in the vast herds of wildebeest gathering here. With so many animals giving birth the area is a magnet for predators and you can expect to see lions and cheetahs; often with young of their own.
Day 7 – After breakfast leave Ndutu to explore the spectacular Gol Kopjies, before ending the day at our camp in Serengeti.
Day 8 – Game drives in central Serengeti.
Day 9 – After breakfast in camp, transfer to the to airstrip for flight a to Arusha

Price includes:
  • All accommodation and meals
  • Private vehicle and guide
  • AMREF flying doctors insurance
  • All current government Taxes relevant to the itinerary All entry fees for national parks, conservation fees, reserve fees relevant to this itinerary
  • Flight from Serengeti to Arusha on Day 9
  • Specially adapted 4×4 game drive vehicle with window seats for all passengers, reference books (flora / fauna / avifauna)
  • Bottled water in vehicle during game drives
Accommodation:

1 night – Mt Meru Game Lodge
1 night – Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Lake Manyara
1 night – Pakulala Tented Camp, Ngorongoro Crater
3 nights Ndutu – either Kirurumu Ndutu Tented Lodge or Ndutu Safari Lodge
2 nights Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Central Serengeti

Thank you, thank you, thank you. OMG what a trip. My body is back in Australia but my head is still in Africa.... This was like two dreams come true. For so long I wanted to see the wildebeest migration but I never expected that I’d wake up in the morning to find dozens of them milling around our camp, grunting and snorting. Wildebeest were everywhere.... Talk about the circle of life, we saw a baby wildebeest being born in the morning and then 2 hours later we saw another new born being killed by a cheetah. Heartbreaking but gripping. There was always something going on. And how cute were those baby lions? I just wanted to pick them up and cuddle them.... And the Ngorongoro Crater, wow! I’d seen it so many times on National Geographic but to actually be there was unreal, way better. Our camp was incredible, right on the rim of the crater, but even that didn’t prepare me for just how amazing it would be, right from the first moments of our drive down into the crater.... I think my friends are getting sick of me going on and on about how great it was but I can’t stop. I just told them that if they don’t want to hear about it any more they can club together and pay for me to go back. Ha Ha, I wish.
Melanie Beresford
Melbourne, Aus. February 2019

July, August, September, October, November

At this time of year Tarangire NP is one of the prime game viewing areas in the country; with herds of elephants roaming the landscape amid towering Baobab trees. The density of game here is second only to the Ngorongoro Crater and the bird life is spectacular.

From Tarangire we move north to Lake Manyara and then the unique wildlife habitat that is the Ngorongoro Crater, before entering the Serengeti where the rains have finished and the wildebeest herds have migrated north to the banks of the Mara river. 
Here they can be seen braving crocodile infested waters as they cross the river, often multiple times, in search of the best grazing. 

Arusha NP - Tarangire NP - Lake Manyara NP - Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti

Suggested Itinerary 
10 nights / 11 days

Day 1 – Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International airport (JRO) you will be met and transferred the short distance to Mt Meru Game Lodge, where you can relax and recover from your long flight.
Day 2 – After a morning visit to Arusha NP, transfer to Tarangire NP. 
Days 3 & 4 – 2 days to discover for yourself what makes Tarangire so special. Abundant Baobab trees create a wonderful landscape and the plentiful wildlife includes large herds of elephants.
Day 5 – A final morning game drive before departing for Lake Manyara.
Day 6 – A morning safari in Lake Manyara NP then depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Tonight’s accommodation is in a tented camp right on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, with spectacular views over the plains below.
Day 7 – After breakfast descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to Africa’s densest concentration of wildlife. Take a picnic lunch before driving to Serengeti NP.
Day 8 – A full day game drive to the imposing Gol Kopjies.
Day 9 – Make your way through the park to the northern section of Serengeti where wildebeest herds should be massing around the Mara river.
Day 10 – Game drives in Serengeti north.
Day 11 – After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for a flight back to Arusha

Price includes:
  • All accommodation and meals
  • Private vehicle and guide
  • AMREF flying doctors insurance
  • All current government Taxes relevant to the itinerary All entry fees for national parks, conservation fees, reserve fees relevant to this itinerary
  • Flight from Serengeti to Arusha on Day 11
  • Specially adapted 4×4 game drive vehicle with window seats for all passengers, reference books (flora / fauna / avifauna)
  • Bottled water in vehicle during game drives
Accommodation:

1 night – Mt Meru Game Lodge
1 night – Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Lake Manyara
1 night – Pakulala Tented Camp, Ngorongoro Crater
3 nights Ndutu – either Kirurumu Ndutu Tented Lodge or Ndutu Safari Lodge
2 nights Kirurumu Tented Lodge, Central Serengeti

trek in Ngorongoro conservation area

Empakai to Lake Natron Trek

5 nights / 6 days
starts and ends in Arusha

Why not extend your safari in Tanzania with a trek beyond the main tourist areas.
Setting out from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater you’ll trek to Empakai Crater in the Ngorongoro highlands. You then trek down the rift valley with stunning views throughout then transfer to Lake Natron Camp (Ngare Sero) and use this as a base for activities such as seeing the flamingoes on Lake Natron, visiting the hominid footprints, delving deep into the Ngare Sero gorge or even just relaxing in camp and enjoying the natural plunge pools.

1 night – Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
1 night – Empakai Private Campsite
1 night – Lerai Camp
2 nights – Lake Natron Camp

Zanzibar

Extend your stay with a few days on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar for the ultimate Bush & Beach combination.

Whether you choose to stay by one of the island’s stunning beaches or place yourself in the heart of old Stone Town, Zanzibar has plenty to offer.

Pongwe Beach Hotel

Pongwe Beach Hotel is situated on a picture perfect beach with white powdery sands, turquoise waters and shady palm trees – the perfect holiday destination!
Renowned as one of the most laid back hotels on the island, Pongwe Beach has a wonderfully stress free ambiance in a stunning location.

The restaurant offers a variety of meals with fresh seafood and fish available daily; while still being small enough to cater for all dietary requirements. Our bar stocks local and imported drinks as well as making daily fresh juices and cocktails.

Stone Town is 1 hour away by taxi.

Dhow Palace Hotel – Stone Town

The Dhow Palace serves as a meeting point for people and cultures from all over the world amidst a decor and artefacts from a time gone by.
Dhow Palace was originally the home of a rich merchant, Sheikh bin Mujbia. Bin Mujbia and his descendants kept the building for more than three centuries before it was sold. In 1993 it was transformed from a family mansion to this elegant hotel, with a new wing being added in 2005.

The Dhow Palace has been described by some as a living museum dedicated to furniture, art and oriental ornaments which have found their way to the shores of Zanzibar over the past centuries.

Get in touch

If any of our suggestions or itineraries stimulate the travel bug in you and get your feet itching then just drop us an email or give us a call.  We look forward to hearing from you.