14 Day Classic Highlights of Tanzania

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to Arusha in approximately 45 minutes, where you will spend the night. Accommodation at Arusha Moivaro Lodge.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

Today your introduction to the African animal world begins at the start of your 14-day Classic Highlights of Tanzania.

Depart with your private vehicle and English-speaking driver/guide to Tarangire National Park. From a landscape point of view, this quiet park is completely different from the other parks that you will visit in the coming days. Here you will find the special baobab trees, which seem to be upside down.

After lunch, you will make a game drive in this special area. You can fully enjoy nature. Accommodation and Meals at Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Day 3: Tarangire – Game Safaris in the Park

The thrilling sounds of the animals and birds in the bush awaken you. Enjoy an early morning and afternoon game drive in beautiful Tarangire National Park. Accommodation and Meals at Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park – Mto wa Mbu Village

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara. You enter the park through the southern gate: the south of the park is much less visited than the somewhat busier northern part. On the way to the southern gate of Lake Manyara, you will drive through unspoiled villages and rice fields, giving you a good insight into local life.

You will make an extensive game drive in which you will discover Lake Manyara National Park from South to North in approximately four hours, enjoying a box lunch on the way.

Look out for the elephants and the tree-climbing lions! In the afternoon it is possible to visit the friendly village of Mto wa Mbu for an optional excursion of at least two hours, during which you will visit a farm, school, church, and market. Accommodation and Meals at Kirurumu Manyara Lodge

Day 5: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park

Breakfast and then head to Serengeti National Park, passing through the mist-shrouded rain forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you might be lucky enough to see baboons or even leopards and elephants in the dense undergrowth.

You will arrive in time for lunch and relaxation. The Serengeti National Park is the largest park in Tanzania with diverse landscapes and habitats, such as grassy plains, swamps, lakes, savannahs,  and mountains. After an extensive game drive, you will head back for relaxation at the Lodge.

Accommodation and Meals at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Day 6: Serengeti Game Safaris

After breakfast, you will spend the entire day set aside for game drives upon the Serengeti. The Serengeti, the habitat of an abundance of wildlife such as impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo, is more well-known for its great migrating herds of zebra, antelope, and wildebeest.

The animals’ trek is determined by the rainfall and varies yearly. In November and December, the animals move from the northern region, dominated by woodlands and hills, to the grassy plains of the south.

During the longer rainy season from April to June, they return to the north. Look out for the resident predators, leopards, cheetahs, and lions as well. Later in the evening, return to the camp.

Accommodation and Meals at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge

Optional Activity

Rise before dawn to head out for the Sunrise Balloon Safari — a truly memorable experience! Take off in a hot air balloon as the sun rises. Float softly over the tranquil landscape viewing wild game roaming the vast plains. A sumptuous champagne breakfast awaits you at the end of the journey.

Day 7: Serengeti – Ngorongoro High lands

This morning you leave the plains of the Serengeti and drive through a beautiful area full of game to the Ngorongoro crater. On the way, you can make an optional visit to Oldupai Gorge, where you will find a simple museum.

On the last part of the drive, you may encounter Maasai herding their herds. Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site formed millions of years ago is 600 m deep and covers roughly 260 square kilometers. You will arrive at the Crater rim before lunch.

You will descend into the Crater and have an entry game safari to see wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, elephants, and some of the more than 500 bird species in the area. Look out for the endangered black rhino through the grass. Accommodation and Meals at Ngorongoro Farm House.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Game Safari and Olmoti Crater Hike

Enjoy an early breakfast, and descend to the largest unbroken crater for s full day of game viewing on the crater floor. Enjoy your picnic lunches at the picnic site.

After lunch, head to Olmoti Crater for a hike to the floor of the Crater. Get to view some wildlife up close and look out for the Maasai and their cattle in the area. Later in the evening ascend the crater rim and transfer back to your lodge. Accommodation and Meals at Ngorongoro Farm House.

Day 9: Ngorongoro National Park – Arusha

After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge head back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, you may have to take a Moivaro Village Walk.

A unique opportunity to see everyday life in Tanzania and make closer contact with the local people. You can visit a local banana brewery and taste its beer, or hear the story of a local eccentric, and marvel at the tree house he fashioned for himself.

A walk is typically 2 hours long and can involve a climb up Oldonyo Maas Hill for those looking for a more demanding experience. Accommodation and meals at Arusha Moivaro Lodge.

Day 10: Arusha – Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha airport and flight via Dar Es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve. Transfer from the airstrip to your lodge for a meeting with the lodge manager to discuss your program for the following two days. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy some time at the poolside or a great sundown from the lodge’s unique lounge area.  Accommodation and Meals at Siwandu Camp.

Day 11: Nyerere National Park – game drive and boat safari

The day will be spent on game viewing in the Game Reserve and in the evening you will make a boat safari for 2 to 3 hours. The safari guide points out rare species of animals like Wild Dogs. Sable antelopes, black rhinoceros, Nile Crocodile, hippopotamus along the banks of the Rufiji River, Cape buffalo, hartebeest, and Eland. Picnic lunch and drinks will be served in the wilderness before heading back to camp for dinner and overnight to the gentle grunting of the Camp. Boat Safaris are also the best excursions for bird enthusiasts. The Selous has over 350 bird species, and the river is where they congregate in great numbers and are easily seen in the open environment.
You might also want to try your luck with the ferocious tigerfish, and weighty catfish that live in the waters in abundance. Accommodation and Meals at Siwandu Camp.

Day 12: Nyerere National Park – Flight- Zanzibar

After breakfast, head to Selous Airstrip for your connecting flight to Zanzibar around 10:30hrs. Transfer to the beautiful island of Zanzibar and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy an orientation walk with the site guide in the historic Stone Town, and opt to continue for a longer walking tour, or explore on your own. Accommodation and Meals at Ocean Paradise Resort & Spa.

Day 13. Stone Town Tour

After breakfast, you will head out to the historical Stone Town, and look out for the alleyways as they were walked upon by the inhabitants of the city hundreds of years ago. You will also see historical buildings and places such as the House of Wonders (Beit al ajaib), the Palace Museum (People’s Palace), the Arab Fort, and the Slave Chambers amongst many other attractions.

You will also visit crafts shops, coffee shops, and the central market. Late in the afternoon, you will be driven to Nungwi beach where the rest of the day will be spent leisurely on the beach. Accommodation and Meals at Ocean Paradise Resort & Spa.

Day 14: Zanzibar Airport

Your safari ends in Zanzibar where you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home at the end of the 14-day Classic Highlights of Tanzania.

 

Included in the 14-day Classic Highlights of Tanzania

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation and  Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees, All Activities,  Stone Town Tour,  Statutory Taxes where applicable and personal Medical emergency evacuation cover.

Excluded in the 14-day Classic Highlights of Tanzania

International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan Entry Visa Fees of USD 50 per person; fees for International travel Vaccinations and Inoculations;  Beverages, Tips, and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.