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Highlights
- Tanzania’s top safari destinations
- Excellent year-round game viewing
- Recommended as a migration safari
- Fly-in itinerary and superb lodges
- Ideal for honeymoon or celebrations
This 9-day, fly-in itinerary takes you on a journey through Tanzania’s unrivalled wildlife destinations – Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the fabled Serengeti – to deliver a dramatic and diverse big game safari.
Begin with the beauty of Lake Manyara with its thousands of flamingos and famous tree-climbing lions before moving on to encounter the spectacle of the Ngorongoro Crater floor, home to Africa’s Big 5. The sweeping plains of the Serengeti provide a backdrop for the tour’s grand finale. Game viewing is superb all year round, but if you have timed your safari with the wildebeest migration, you can expect massed herds and plenty of predator action.
Accommodated in a series of elegant lodges, this journey is ideal for first-time travellers to Tanzania or for the return visitor whose heart has been captured by this incredible country. As part of a honeymoon itinerary, combine this tour with a getaway to the romantic spice island of Zanzibar for an ultimate beach and safari combination.
Day 1: A warm welcome to Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your guide for the drive to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Set on a picturesque coffee plantation, this charming lodge has beautiful views of Mount Meru and is the ideal place to acclimatise to Africa. After settling into your cottage, take a stroll through the plantations, visit the markets of nearby Arusha, or simply relax in the poolside gardens with a chilled drink. On cool winter evenings, get cosy next to a fireplace and sip one of the best coffees you will ever taste.
After a leisurely breakfast, depart for the airport where a charter plane waits to wing you to Lake Manyara. Meeting you at the airstrip, your guide drives into Lake Manyara National Park, whetting your appetite for the adventures to come. Before long, you arrive in the grove of mahogany trees that cradles Lake Manyara Tree Lodge.
Staying at the only lodge within the park creates an exclusive and intimate experience, perfectly complemented by the lodge’s relaxed ambience. Lake Manyara Tree Lodge consists of ten delightful tree-house suites radiating from an elegant central lounge, bar and dining area. Open up the sliding doors of your thatched chalet and let the African sunlight pour in as you soak up the views.
Settle in for two nights, enjoying morning and afternoon game drives plus exciting night drives. A spectacular part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara’s rich variety of natural habitats are set around the soda lake, itself a haven for clouds of flamingos and other waterbirds. This is a paradise for birding enthusiasts! The forested valleys and open savannah plains support a large elephant population as well as giraffe, buffalo and many antelope species. There are fewer predators but topping the list are Lake Manyara’s lions, famous for their habit of climbing trees.
Ranked as one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations on Earth, this long-extinct volcano is the world’s largest intact caldera. Sheltering within its steep-sided walls are diverse habitats, including permanent wetlands, which support astonishing numbers of animals. Ngorongoro has long protected a thriving population of big game species: great-tusked elephants, robust black rhinos and famous black-maned lions.
Arriving at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, you may feel as if you have arrived on the threshold of another world. Perched on the rim of the crater and sometimes shrouded in a fine veil of mist, the lodge looks out over what must be one of the most spectacular views in Africa. Settle into your lavishly decorated suite, marvelling at the panoramic vista from your private balcony. Meet your guide over a decadent high tea – an opportunity to discuss your special interests and the game viewing experience at Ngorongoro.
With a density of game rarely seen anywhere in Africa, combined with breathtaking scenery, the magic of Ngorongoro is evident long before you reach the crater floor. This is one of the few places in Africa where the Big 5 can be seen in a single game drive, and there is much more to observe. Herds of gazelle, wildebeest and zebra are resident here while smaller predators like caracal and serval cats are often seen along with lions and their eternal enemies, spotted hyena. The forests and marshes are the domain of elephants but the crater’s wetlands belong to hippos and thousands of flamingos.
After a full day of adventuring and a delicious picnic lunch on the crater plains, you return to the lodge’s elegant comforts with time to digest the wonders you have seen, and share anecdotes with fellow travellers over fireside cocktails. A sumptuous dinner is served in the glamorous dining room bringing the day to a delightfully decadent close.
Bid the crater farewell and board your charter flight to the Serengeti. From the air, the legendary reserve unfolds below you, its vast open plains stretching towards a distant horizon. This is where the famed Great Migration takes place at certain times of year – over a million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrate a vast circular route, following the rains to fresh pastures and the soft grass shoots that nurture their new born calves and foals. Driven by instincts as ancient as the Serengeti itself, the herds brave strong currents and lurking crocodiles to cross the treacherous rivers and face hoards of magnificent predators on the open plains.
Your home in this legendary place is Serengeti Under Canvas, a mobile tented camp that follows the migration. Traditionally elegant and as comfortable as any permanent lodge, Serengeti Under Canvas makes the most of its prime location on the Serengeti plains to deliver some of the best migration sightings in the region and excellent year-round Big 5 game viewing.
The three days at Serengeti Under Canvas provide plenty of opportunities to see why Tanzania is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. Morning and afternoon game drives – led by specialist guides – are the primary focus of your daily activities while night drives, guided nature walks and hot-air ballooning (optional extra) add new perspectives to your Serengeti experience.
After an early morning game drive and last delicious brunch in camp, you embark on the journey home. Flying over this ancient landscape, you reflect on the spectacles you have witnessed: the humbling courage of wildebeest crossing a crocodile-infested river, the dreamy serenity of hot-air ballooning, the thrill of witnessing a hunting lion pride, and the joyful antics of zebra foals at play. All the sights and sounds of the Serengeti remain in your heart, transporting you back to the wide open sky and endless savannah.
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Meet and Greet service at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Park fees as per itinerary
- Scheduled flights as specified in the itinerary including applicable taxes
- Scheduled road transfers as specified in the itinerary
- International flights
- Airport taxes
- All meals and drinks not specified
- Tips and gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
Embark on an Unforgettable Luxury Safari in Tanzania: Discover Manyara, Crater & Migration Wonders
Tanzania, a country renowned for its diverse wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rich culture, offers an exceptional opportunity for adventure enthusiasts to embark on an unforgettable luxury safari. With its stunning national parks and conservation areas, Tanzania provides an extraordinary experience to witness the wonders of nature up close. Travelers can explore the famous Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and witness the Great Migration, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Located in the northern part of Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is a true gem. Known for its abundance of birdlife and diverse ecosystem, it offers a remarkable safari experience. Embarking on a luxury safari here allows visitors to witness large flocks of flamingos wading in the shallow waters of the lake, along with tree-climbing lions that rest upon the ancient mahogany branches. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and baboons. The scenic beauty of the park is further enhanced by the stunning backdrop of the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Moving on to the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, visitors are greeted with one of the most unique landscapes in the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater is a haven for wildlife and offers awe-inspiring panoramic views. By partaking in a luxury safari here, travelers can witness the impressive sight of approximately 30,000 animals residing within the crater’s confines. From the rare black rhinoceros to prides of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, the crater offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
One of the most astonishing spectacles that Tanzania boasts is the Great Migration. Every year, thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles migrate across the Serengeti in search of fresh grazing lands, creating an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. By joining a luxury safari during this period, visitors have the rare chance to witness the sheer magnitude of this event. The Migration often includes dramatic river crossings, where crocodiles lie in wait for their next meal. These thrilling moments serve as a reminder of the circle of life and the resilience of these remarkable animals.
Luxury safari operators in Tanzania offer a range of bespoke experiences, ensuring that visitors experience the utmost comfort and exclusivity. From lavish accommodations situated in the heart of the national parks to private game drives with experienced guides, every aspect of the safari is meticulously arranged to provide an unforgettable journey. With state-of-the-art vehicles equipped with amenities and expert guides who offer in-depth knowledge about the flora and fauna, travelers can delve deep into the wonders of Tanzania’s natural treasures.
In conclusion, embarking on a luxury safari in Tanzania provides an unforgettable experience to discover the wonders of Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Great Migration. From observing the surreal landscapes to witnessing incredible wildlife in their natural habitat, Tanzania offers a truly unique opportunity for adventure and exploration. With luxury safari operators ensuring the utmost comfort and exclusivity, travelers can immerse themselves in the beauty of Tanzania’s national parks, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey through Tanzania’s remarkable wilderness.