Best of Tanzania & Zanzibar
12 Days / 11 Nights
Arusha / Lake Manyara / Ngorongoro / Serengeti / Western Corridor / Selous / Zanzibar
Day 1: JRO / Arusha / Lake Manyara National Park
This morning we drive to the Lake Manyara National Park, home to the huge migratory pink flamingos. After checking into your lodge, enjoy an afternoon game drive by Lake Manyara National Park. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (BLD)
Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park / Ngorongoro Crater
Enjoy a morning game drive through Lake Manyara National Park Return to your lodge for breakfast, followed by a moment of relaxation and lunch before departing to the highlands. Arrive at your well-placed lodge on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, with grand views of the ancient volcanic basin 2,000 feet below this afternoon.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (BLD)
Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater
Spend a full day exploring the woodlands, lakes and wide-open plains of the Crater floor and enjoy a wonderful picnic lunch during your safari. Ngorongoro offers unsurpassed viewing of rare black rhinoceros, which are undisturbed by vehicles and allow viewing at close range. Some of its other 25,000 residents include lion, elephant, hyena, wildebeest, buffalo, hippo, ostrich and an abundance of pink flamingos on Lake Magadi. Return to your lodge this afternoon and take in more wonderful views from your private terrace, excellent meals around a glowing fire, and cultural programs with local Maasai people.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (BLD)
Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park
The legendary Serengeti Plain is your destination today, a vast rolling plain whose sparse vegetation allows for some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. The annual migration of wildebeest and zebra is one of the park’s great attractions, but throughout the year the Serengeti is excellent for seeing predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah, along with elephant, giraffe, hyena, hippo, rhino, and many varieties of antelopes and birds. Enjoy en-route game viewing as you travel to your lodge with a short visit to Olduvai Gorge. Arrive to your lodge this afternoon in time for lunch and in the evening, embark on your first game drive through the unforgettable Serengeti
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge (BLD)
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
A thrilling day of game viewing will take you to prime areas for seeing the fullest possible variety of animals. Visit hippo pools in the Seronera Valley, forests where leopard and monkeys live in the treetops, kopjes where lions laze in the shade, and riversides where large animals congregate to drink. Return to your lodge for excellent meals, time for relaxation, enjoy a dip in the pool, and perhaps enjoy a drink with your travel companions and share stories of your experiences in the Serengeti.
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge (BLD)
Day 6: Serengeti National Park - Western Corridor
After breakfast you drive to the Western Serengeti while enjoying en-route game viewing. In the magnificent area of over 6,000 square miles, the variety of wildlife is endless. You will arrive to your luxurious tented camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy another exciting round of game viewing.
Overnight: Kirawira Serena Camp (BLD)
Day 7: Western Serengeti / Arusha / Dar Es Salaam / Selous
After an early morning game drive and breakfast, you will be transferred to the Grumeli Airstrip for your flight to Arusha and connect flight to Dar Es Slaam. Upon arrival to Dar Es Slaam, you will board your connecting flight to the Selous Game Reserve. On arrival in Selous, you will be met by a camp vehicle and transfer to your camp with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Selous Serena Camp (BD)
Day 8: Selous Game Reserve
You will have 2 full days in the Selous Game Reserve staying at the tented lodge overlooking the gorge of Rufiji River Camp. Enjoy exploration of the reserve in 4x4 vehicles, boat, and on foot. The Selous is famous for its elephants, and was originally set aside as a hunting area. Today, the reserve is abundant with wildlife, but due to past generations of unfavorable encounters with humans, they are shyer than the wildlife found in the northern parks.
Overnight: Selous Serena Camp (BLD)
Day 9: Selous Game Reserve
Enjoy your 2nd day at Selous Game Reserve. During your foot safari, you will gain a particularly intimate feel for the African wilds, while air excursions by landrover will permit you to have good photographic opportunities and the chance to explore different sections of vast park. You will discover the Rufiji river by boat and encounter hippos and crocodiles in good numbers. Some 350 bird species have been recorded in the Selous Game Reserve. After a full day of touring, enjoy a relaxing evening in your luxury tented camp.
Overnight: Selous Serena Camp (BLD)
Day 10: Selous Game Reserve / Zanzibar Island
Today you will have your last game drive at Selous Game Reserve and proceed to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival to Zanzibar, you will be transferred to your hotel with the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy your moment at leisure at the poolside and relax with the gentle breeze of the Indian Ocean.
Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Inn (BD)
Day 11: Zanzibar Island
This morning, enjoy a tour of Stone Town. You will walk through the narrow streets and experience the Arabian culture of Zanzibar. As you walk through this town, you will see the former slave market, Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders, the Sultans Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort and the Dispensary. Explore the markets, sea food, and fish filed in the market, fresh loaves of bread in wicker baskets and the neat stacks of fruit and vegetables as traders sell their wares from their stalls. After your tour, enjoy an afternoon of rest and relaxation or exploration at your own pace.
Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Inn. (B,D)
Day 12: Zanzibar Island / Dar Es Slaam / Departure
This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your return flight to Dar Es Salaam. Upon arrival, you will board your connecting flight returning back to home.