Wildlife Safari and Beach Holiday in Zanzibar

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY

On arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and after customs and immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to Arusha City. Arusha is your gateway to the safari adventures that can be found on the famed northern circuit. The city is the capital of the East Africa Community and also houses the East Africa Court of Justice. Mount Meru is Tanzania’s second-highest peak and many travelers use it as a warm-up for scaling the mighty Kilimanjaro. Others, however, are happy to admire it from afar. If you fall into the latter category, you’ll be pleased to hear this dormant volcano provides a spectacular backdrop to Arusha. Anyone averse to exercise can also take a trip to its lower slopes and enjoy a far less strenuous camel safari or bathe beneath the waterfalls of Arusha National Park. Overnight at Kibo Palace Hotel.

DAY 2 – Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, drive west of Arusha city and on to Tarangire National Park with splendid views of the Great Rift Valley wall for game viewing drive. Herds of up to 300 elephants gather at river beds, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest, and eland crowd shrinking lagoons. The Park is known as a wonderful birding destination and also features large numbers of games, particularly during the dry season, when the Tarangire River is the only source of water in the area. The landscape is of particular interest too, due to the high number of scenic baobab trees. Tarangire National Park covers an undulating area of 2,600km2, between the plains of the Maasai Steppe to the south-east, and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley to the north and west. The northern part of Tarangire is dominated by the perennial Tarangire River, which flows through increasingly incised ravines until it leaves the north-western corner of the park to flow into Lake Burungi. A packed lunch will be served at a picnic site. Late afternoon drive to the Ngorongoro highlands. Dinner and overnight at Farm of Dreams Lodge.

DAY 3 – Serengeti National Park – The greatest wildlife spectacle on earth.

Breakfast. Morning drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and on to Serengeti National Park with game viewing drive en-route. Serengeti National Park is undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequaled for its natural beauty and scientific value, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. Serengeti National Park offers unparalleled wildlife viewing in a vast and un-spoilt environment with endless plains that stretch for hundreds of miles boasting huge herds of African wildlife. The Serengeti encompasses Serengeti National Park and several protected game reserves and conservation areas maintained by the governments of Tanzania. The region hosts the largest mammal migration in the world and is a popular destination for African safaris. A packed lunch will be served en-route. Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Heritage Camp.

DAY 4-Exploring Serengeti National Park.

You will have a full day exploring the vast Serengeti with its endless plains looking for the big cats. It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge, or crocodile infested river can hold them back. The Wildebeest travel through a variety of parks, reserves, and protected areas and a variety of habitat. Join us to explore the different forms of vegetation and landscapes of the Serengeti ecosystem and meet some of their most fascinating inhabitants. It is the migration for which Serengeti is perhaps most famous. Over a million wildebeest and about 200,000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge, or crocodile infested river can hold them back. Serengeti is truly home to the legendary Great Wildebeest Migration. Meals and overnight will be at a Serengeti Heritage Tented Camp.

Day-5-Ngorongoro Crater.

After an early breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Crater for game viewing drive. This will be a good opportunity to look for the big “5” lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and is said to have the highest density of wildlife in Africa. Sometimes described as an ‘eighth wonder of the world’, the Crater has achieved world renown, attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors each year. You are unlikely to escape other vehicles here, but you are guaranteed great wildlife viewing in a genuinely mind-blowing environment. There is nowhere else in Africa quite like Ngorongoro! Late afternoon drive to Ngorongoro highlands for dinner and overnight at a lodge.

Day-6-Lake Manyara National Park.

Breakfast. Drive to Lake Manyara for game viewing drive where your first encounter will be spotting large troupes of baboons. With luck, you might spot the tree-climbing lions. The alkaline soda of Lake Manyara is home to an incredible array of birdlife that thrives on its brackish waters. Pink flamingo stoops and graze by the thousands of colorful specks against the grey minerals of the lakeshore. Yellow-billed storks swoop and corkscrew on thermal winds rising from the escarpment, and herons flap their wings against the sun-drenched sky. Even reluctant bird-watchers will find something to watch and marvel at within the national park. Late afternoon drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 – Arusha Airport.

After breakfast drive back to Arusha and on to Arusha airport in time for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar Island. On arrival at Zanzibar Airport, you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to the north coast beach. Dinner and overnight at Amaan Beach Bungalows.

DAY 8 – 11 – North Coast Beach

You will spend 4 nights relaxing on the beach. Breakfast and Dinner are included. Overnight at Amaan Beach Bungalows.

DAY 12

Zanzibar/Homebound – After your memorable safari experience and relaxing beach holiday, you will be transferred to Zanzibar airport for a flight to Dar es Salaam for an onward connection to your homebound flight.