In Search of Tanzania’s Big Five
Overview
To give an insight into the types of luxury travel experiences we create, please view the sample itinerary below. It can either be treated as a standalone program, incorporated into a longer itinerary, or modified to match your particular interests and budget. Alternatively, you may wish for us to start with a blank canvas, to handcraft a personalised itinerary based on what you want and nothing more. Prices will fluctuate based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants and inclusions.
We pride ourselves in our ability to plan and execute every trip to perfection.
Contact us to request the itinerary in PDF format.
Itinerary
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Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet your Travulous guide and transfer to your accommodation for check-in. Spend the rest of your day at leisure.
Meals: All meals at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, meet your Travulous guide and drive Mto wa Mbu, a bustling farming community located between Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy a traditional Tanzanian meal, speak with knowledgeable local guides and discover a side of Tanzania that many visitors miss out on. Proceed to your accommodation and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Meserani Snake Park visit, coffee farm tour.
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Embark on morning and afternoon game drives in Lake Manyara National Park, one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in East Africa. Go in search of tree-climbing lions occasionally seen in the Acacia trees, in addition to buffalo, elephant, leopard, baboon, impala, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, hippo and over 400 bird species.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Manyara Treetop Walkway.
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After breakfast, depart for the Serengeti, the best-known national park in Tanzania. Called 'Siringet', by the Maasai people, meaning 'endless plains', this vast wilderness area does not disappoint. Enjoy a game drive as you make your way towards the camp, keeping a lookout for lion, wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, impala, hippo, waterbuck, elephant, cheetah and leopard. Consider a visit to Olduvai Gorge, a site famous for the earliest evidence of early humans, dating back 1.9 million years ago. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Olduvai Gorge visit.
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Spend the day enjoying morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti, or opt for a full-day game drive with picnic lunch boxes from the camp. Every year, enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra migrate across the plains following the rains for water and fresh grazing. There is always a great diversity of African wildlife and birdlife to spot in the Serengeti. Be sure to visit the Simba Kopjes, a group of rocky outcrops favoured by lions and cheetahs where they can often be seen basking in the sun.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Morning balloon safari with champagne-style breakfast.
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After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend down the crater floor, the largest, intact, unflooded caldera in the world. The crater basin is a naturally contained ecosystem covered by open grass plains, lakes, marshes, swamps, and acacia woodland. Keep a lookout for rhino, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, eland, and predators such as lion, hyena, jackal, cheetah and leopard. This World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve is also a perfect place for birding, with more than 500 resident and migratory species recorded. In the late afternoon, drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park, named after the Tarangire River which snakes its way through the park. After lunch, head out for a game drive to spot zebra, wildebeest, lion, leopard, waterbuck, giraffe, gazelle, impala, gerenuk, lesser kudu and the beautiful fringe-eared oryx. During the dry season large herds of elephant often congregate along the riverbanks. The park enjoys colourful birdlife, with over 300 species recorded.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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Depart for Arusha after breakfast. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward travel arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner at own arrangement.
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
General Info
Highlights
TREE-CLIMBING LIONS
Go in search of Lake Manyara’s tree-climbing lions, occasionally seen in the park’s Acacia Trees
SERENGETI’S BIG FIVE
Comprised of lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant, spot Tanzania's ‘Big Five’ in their natural habitat
NGORONGORO CRATER
Visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a World Heritage Site which is home to the Ngorongoro Crater
NIGHT GAME DRIVE
Enjoy a night game drive in Tarangire and see nocturnal animals which are hard to spot during the day
Accommodation Options
Click on each photo to learn more about the featured property, or click here to discover additional accommodations.
Map
Extension Ideas
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Visit world famous safari highlights including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Gorillas
BEHIND THE SCENES
Gain unique insights into Wildlife Conservation, Educational Experiences and History & Traditions
BEACH DESTINATIONS
Round-off your safari in East Africa with a great choice of world-class Indian Ocean beach destinations
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Visit a wildlife sanctuary and learn about the increadibe work they do to safeguard Africa’s wildlife
Climate
Tanzania is a year-round destination with the weather varying by location, altitude and season. Picking the 'best time' will depend on your interests, where you are travelling to and for what purpose. Visiting the Serengeti is popular in June and July to see migrating wildebeest and in January and February to see calving.
The approximate seasons are January to February, short dry season; March to May, long wet season; June to October, long dry season and November to December, short wet season. During the rainy seasons, the landscape is lush and green with fewer tourists around.
Visas
Most foreign nationals will require a visa for entry to Tanzania. Please check with your local Tanzanian Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visit visas can often be obtained, on arrival, at most ports of entry.
The Tanzanian government has introduced an online 'e-visa' application system for obtaining visas in advance of travel. Travellers who require a visa prior to arrival should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
Language & Currency
Kiswahili and English are the official languages of Tanzania. Kiswahili is spoken by most Tanzanians and Zanzibaris, with English fluency varying outside of major towns and tourist areas. In Zanzibar, many residents also speak Arabic. There are 126 languages spoken throughout Tanzania, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in East Africa.
The local currency is the Tanzanian shilling, which divides into 100 senti. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Larger hotels in tourist areas may accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Do not rely on using credit cards other than as a backup. Remote lodges often accept cash only. Access to cash machines is limited outside of major towns and cities. Exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
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