After breakfast, you'll leave Arusha with your guide and drive to the endless plains of Serengeti via Ngorongoro crater, where you'll enjoy a half-day of wildlife and migration viewing. Serengeti is the oldest and most popular national park, particularly for its annual wildebeest migration, but zebra and Thomson gazelle also join the trek looking for fresh grazing. Some of the animals are found in Serengeti are buffalo, giraffe, eland, topi, kongoni, impala, Grant's gazelle, lion, cheetah, leopard, and African Jackal. Today, we'll take a packed lunch to maximize our game viewing time.
Dinner and overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Days 2 & 3: Explore Serengeti National Park
You'll spend two full days exploring the Serengeti, creating unforgettable memories of your safari adventure. The great migration on the Serengeti is world-renowned, and you'll be ideally placed to watch more than two million animals, mainly wildebeest, move across the plains in search of fresh grass and water. You'll have the option of taking a hot air balloon ride if you'd like to get a bird' eye view of the migration. Please note the hot air balloon and wilderness champagne breakfast incurs an additional cost of $539 per person and is subject to availability.
Accommodation: Lemala Mara Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided each day.
Day 4: Venture to Ngorongoro with Discoveries En Route
After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the Serengeti and begin the long drive to the Ngorongoro Crater. En route, you will stop for a packed lunch at Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site made famous by Louis and Mary Leakey when they uncovered the remains of Zinjathropus. These early hominid species roamed the planet some 2.7 million years ago. After lunch, you'll be taken to the Ngorongoro Serena Wildlife Lodge inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Accommodation & Meals at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Explore the Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, you'll descend into the famed Ngorongoro Crater for wildlife viewing. A large caldera, the crater formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed on itself some two to three million years ago. It is 610 m (2,000 ft) deep, and its floor covers 260 km² (100miles²). The crater has some of the highest densities of wildlife on the planet, including lions, elephants, zebra, rhino, leopard, buffalo, gazelle, wildebeest, hippo, and many different bird species. The Ngorongoro Crater is well-deserving of its UN World Heritage Site status, and this experience will be a highlight of your tour.
Accommodation & Meal at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: Head to Lake Manyara National Park (The Park That Hemingway Loved)
After breakfast, leave for Lake Manyara National Park. The great American writer and adventurer Ernest Hemingway once described Manyara as one of his favorites. Some 231km² out of the park's total 329km² is covered by the water of Lake Manyara, an alkaline water body that attracts flamingos and many migratory birds. Giant fig and mahogany trees tower above the trails near the park's entrance, where baboons and blue monkeys often gather. You might see buffalo, elephants, warthog, and giraffes in the plains and near the lake. Although small, Lake Manyara has much to offer regarding different habitats and wildlife. You will stay and have dinner at the nearby Lake Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp, fabulous lake views, and a national park.
Accommodation and Meals at Lake Manyara Wildlife Camp.
Meals: Breakfasts, packed lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Lake Manyara- Drive to Tarangire National Park
Leaving Lake Manyara behind, you'll travel to the nearby Tarangire National Park, known for its large population of elephants. Large herds of wildlife often congregate around the Tarangire River, attracting a great diversity of birdlife, but the elephants usually steal the show!
Accommodation and Meals: at Loika Tented Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 8: Final Day on Safari & Your Departure to Zanzibar
Enjoy one final morning of wildlife viewing and the stunning African landscapes as you make you leave Tarangire and return to Arusha town. You'll have lunch at a tranquil hideaway in the Shanga Shangaa arts center, where disabled artisans make exceptional jewelry and glassware, and they also serve a delicious meal! After picking up some souvenirs and gifts, you'll have an opportunity to visit the Cultural Heritage Centre, with a gift shop, art gallery, and tanzanite display – a stone more precious than diamonds! You will be transferred to Arusha airport for your flight to Zanzibar in the afternoon. On arrival in Zanzibar, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.
Accommodation and Meals at Sea Cliff Hotel Resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9 – 12: Zanzibar Beach Relaxation
Relax at the Hotel. The beautiful coastlines with palm-fringed beaches create an image of a forgotten paradise. Most are protected by coral reefs and are made of white coral sand. Here you can relax on the balmy, tropical shores of the Indian Ocean. It may be possible to see some of the local fishermen bringing in their catch of the day in their traditional dhows in the morning. Spend your day relaxing on the beach or snorkeling in crystal-clear water. Several optional excursions can be arranged through the hotel, such as scuba diving, boat excursions, or fishing trips.
Accommodation and Meals at Sea Cliff Hotel Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13: Departure Day
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the port for your boat ride to Dar es Salaam. On arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
No accommodation
Meals: Breakfast
The package cost includes:
All park entry fees
Transport in 4x4 WD land cruiser with pop up roof
Accommodation as per the itinerary
All meals as per the itinerary
Crater service fees
Service of a professional English speaking driver-guide
Bottled drinking water while on Safari
Flights from Arusha to Zanzibar;
Boat Ride from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam.
Package cost excludes:
Travel insurance;
International flights;
Tips;
Excursions in Zanzibar;
Tourist visas;
Alcoholic beverages;
All items of a personal nature