11 DAYS TANZANIA SAFARI & BEACH HOLIDAY

Depending on the season your game drive will be in either Tarangire National Park or Lake Manyara National Park. Below are your options for the day, depending on the season:

Tarangire National Park
The better part of today is spent on a Game drive in the Tarangire National Park. The park is known for its enormous herds of elephants, ancient baobab trees, and having the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti. During the dry season (June-Sept), animals flock from hundreds of miles to drink from the Tarangire River. Arrive at the Lodge in time for dinner. (Best option between June and November)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Whistling Thorn Tented Camp & Spa Mid-range: Sangaiwe Tented Lodge Luxury: Tarangire Treetops 

OR

The better part of the day is spent on a Game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. With luck, you will spot one of the famous tree-climbing lions while you traverse this unique habitat. Watch for the nearly 400 different species of birds and enjoy the dramatic landscape of the Rift Valley wall. (Best option between December and March) 

Optional excursions here include; 

• Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway The walkway is set high among the trees in the north of the park, close to the entrance gates, and is the first suspended walkway in Tanzania, as well as – at 370m in total – one of the longest in Africa. Being so high up in the trees offers a unique perspective from which to observe the wildlife. Lake Manyara is known for its great variety of birdlife, along with blue and vervet monkeys, and huge troops of baboons, there’s plenty to look out for with the help of your guide.

• Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk, located between Manyara and Ngorongoro, is home to around 18,000 people. Spend half a day here with a knowledgeable local guide and you’ll discover a side of Tanzania that many visitors miss. Mto Wa Mbu is thought to be one of the only places in Tanzania where there are representatives from all 120 tribes living happily side by side. Although the name translates as ‘Mosquito River, due to the permanent water source in the village. Tour lasts between 2 -3 hours 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Haven Nature Camp Mid-range: Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp Luxury: Escarpment Luxury Lodge

After breakfast take a game drive en route to Serengeti National Park, a world heritage site, stopping along the way to watch animals you may encounter. Renowned for its wealth of lions and leopards, the Serengeti is the quintessential safari destination. Derived from the Maasai word ‘sirinetu’ meaning ‘endless plains’, the Serengeti plays host to more than a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebras, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle during the annual migration.

Journey:  + 3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Seronera Campsite Mid-range: Simba Serengeti Camp Luxury: Serengeti Migration Camp

Today head back out for a full day of game drives, examining one of the oldest ecosystems on earth. Little has changed in the Serengeti over the past million or so years, you will still find the renowned plains intermingled with wooded hills, massive termite mounds, rocky kopjes, and acacia tree-lined rivers. Depending on the time of year you will be able to witness the Wildebeest Migration (Dec-July), or an abundance of predators (June-Oct). Settle in for an evening under the vast Serengeti sky.

Today`s optional excursion is the hot air balloon. This is the ultimate way to experience the vastness of the national park. Just imagine floating above the Serengeti plains skimming treetops in complete silence whilst seeing wildlife on the ground below. Balloon flights are run daily at 06h00 from four launch sites within Serengeti National Park: one throughout the year close to Seronera, and others in the Ndutu area (from 25 December to 15 March), in the Western Corridor (from June to October), and in northern Serengeti (from July to October).

The second optional excursion is the private bush dinner at any one of the lodges of your choice. This takes place at a scenic location on the plains. Timed to coincide with the setting of the sun, which on the Equator is around 6:00 p.m. Arriving at the chosen location with fabulous views across the plains, you will find that tables and chairs have already been set up. In addition, a campfire, lanterns, and a bush kitchen await you. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Seronera Campsite Mid-range: Simba Serengeti Camp Luxury: Serengeti Migration Camp

Take an early morning game drive and return to camp in time for breakfast. Proceed with another game drive until lunch and then head to the Ngorongoro Crater. You may also opt for an optional tour en route to Oldupai Gorge. This site provides evidence of the earliest signs of mankind, showcasing hominid footprints preserved in volcanic rock that date back 3.6 million years.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Rhino Lodge Mid-range: Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp Luxury: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Today descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a six-hour tour. As the world’s largest caldera (nearly 100 square miles), Ngorongoro boasts over 20,000 large animals, including Tanzania’s remaining black rhino. Living alongside the abundance of wildlife you will find 40,000 Maasai pastoralists with their cattle, goats, and sheep. The conservation gives you a rare look into how people harmoniously lived with nature and wildlife in ancient times. 

We can add an extra day to the itinerary and experience the following optional excursions in Ngorongoro Crater before we proceed to Zanzibar. 

These include:

• Crater Rim Walk: Marvel at the spectacular views down into the mighty Ngorongoro Crater on this walk to a seldom-visited section of the Crater rim – and watch out for any number of forest birds, animals, and indigenous plants. (2 -3 hours)

• Empakaai Crater Hike: The Empakaai Crater lies some 40km northeast of its famous neighbor, the Ngorongoro Crater. From the moment you arrive at Empakaai, you will be treated to splendid views of the Empakaai Crater as well as a glimpse of Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania’s most active volcano. Then, accompanied by an experienced guide and an NCA ranger, you’ll begin the 30–45-minute descent into the crater through the thick, mountainous forest. Down on the crater floor, there’s superb birding around the lake, and the chance to see flamingos as well as some big game like buffalo, hyena, and elephant.

Arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel of choice in Stone Town. Early arrivals can go for the Stone Town Tour.

Journey: 5 hrs drive & 45 mins flight 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Emerson on Hurumzi Mid-range: Tembo House Hotel Luxury: Serena Zanzibar Inn

Exploring Stone Town and all the attractions around will not be possible in a day or two, kindly check out any of the optional excursions below and we shall make arrangements.

The Prison Island tour is one of the best day tours on Zanzibar Island. The tour consists of three main attractions including snorkeling, taking photos with giant tortoises, and a historical tour of the prison island, also known as Changuu Island. 

Stone Town Tour: Stone Town, also known as Mji Mkongwe (Swahili for "old town"), is the old part of Zanzibar City, the main city of Zanzibar. This is an enchanting place where you’ll find a mixture of Arabic, African, Indian and European cultures as you walk through the labyrinth of streets. 

Spice Tour: Zanzibar was one of the world’s leading producers of spices such as clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Tour takes you to an organic farm with a wide variety of plants around the year. You don’t just see, you also touch, smell, and taste. After lunch here, we head to the beautiful beaches in the North.

Jozani Forest is best known for its red colobus monkeys, which are endemic to Zanzibar. There are about 6000 red colobus monkeys residing in Jozani Forest. After visiting the red colobus, you will walk across to the Pete-Jozani Mangrove Boardwalk.

The Chumbe Island Coral Park is an award-winning private nature reserve and one of the last pristine coral islands around. It is the home of many rare and endangered animals that are protected here. The park includes a fully protected coral reef sanctuary and forest reserve, a visitor and education center, nature trails, historical ruins, and eco-bungalows for overnight guests.

Dolphin safari offers you the experience of a lifetime, a chance to see the dolphins and even swim with them if the environment allows. The seashore of the fishing village Kizimkazi is the home of several pods of humpback and bottlenose dolphins

Sunset Cruise: A beautiful sunset from an authentic Dhow boat like you have never seen before. Feel the warm breeze going through your hair and watch the day turn into night. Snacks and sodas are provided, alcohol on request for an extra fee. Full-day cruises are available too.

Masingini Forest Hike: Take a day off and enjoy 3 hours of healthy hiking in Masingini Forest, just 20 minutes from Stone Town. This natural forest covers over 566 hectares of abundant flora and fauna.

Village Tours: Going on an organized village tour with a guide is a good way to get an insight into daily life whilst contributing to the local economy. Jambiani and Matemwe on the east coast are great villages to visit and the people are very welcoming. 

Dine at one of the Rooftop restaurants: Eating at a rooftop restaurant is one of the most romantic things to do in Stone Town and they are the perfect place to relax for the evening, enjoy the call to prayer and watch the sun as it sets over copper-colored rooftops. The best restaurants are The Tea House Restaurant, The Beach House Restaurant, and 6 Degrees South.

Cycling Tour: If you would like to take a ride around the island, we offer day tours, cycling holidays (including women-only trips), bike rental, and tailor-made trips. See the best of stone Town on two wheels.

Safari Blue:  This is a full day`s trip. Start in the small village of Fumba on the south coast, sailing on a traditional dhow to Menai Bay where dolphins you have the chance to see and swim with dolphins. Lunch is a seafood buffet that includes fresh lobster, fish, calamari, chicken, and veggie options served on a sandbank. Drinks are also included! In the afternoon you sail to Kwale Island take a ride on a Ngalawa canoe, explore the mangroves, see an ancient baobab tree and relax on the beach before sailing back to Zanzibar at sunset.

Cheetah`s Rock: Founded in 2014, Cheetah’s Rock started as a small rescue center for wild animals and has grown ever since. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Emerson on Hurumzi Mid-range: Tembo House Hotel Luxury: Serena Zanzibar Inn

After breakfast, you still have the opportunity to experience one or two optional excursions that you may have missed out on the day before, or just stay at the hotel room to swim or read a book by the balcony. Today is also the perfect opportunity to head to the streets and pick up a souvenir or two at the various craft shops. There is lots of beautiful African fabric and art being sold. In the afternoon, we head to one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. 

Journey: +2 hrs 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Sunset Kendwa Mid-range: Kendwa Rocks Luxury: Zuri Zanzibar 

Nungwi and especially Kendwa remain two of the best destinations on Zanzibar Island. Kendwa has the better beach, and the deeper water on the north-western strip means swimming is possible throughout the day; the island’s eastern beaches are almost all tide dependent.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Sunset Kendwa Mid-range: Kendwa Rocks Luxury: Zuri Zanzibar 

Relax at the beautiful beach or explore the following optional excursions include the following;

Dhow building and village tour: Nungwi beach remains a focal point for Zanzibari shipbuilding where skilled shipwrights use age-old methods and tools to turn rough timber planks into ocean-going dhows. Village tours can also be arranged for those interested in discovering the cultural side of dhow building and how the tradition persists through the centuries.

Full moon beach parties: Although relatively quiet for the rest of the month, Kendwa pumps up the volume of each full moon with a lively beach party that draws visitors from around the island. Kendwa’s full moon parties remain one of Zanzibar’s favorite attractions.

Skydive Zanzibar offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to people of all ages. Skydive over the most beautiful island in the world.

Quad Bike: Self-drive a quad bike for 4 hours; this off-road adventure through remote African villages, farmlands, and plantations, lets you view Baobabs and spice trees, taste excellent tropical fruits, and stop on the beach. 

Today is our last opportunity for the optional Island excursions, if you are on a honeymoon, this is the best day for romantic excursions like dining at the popular Rock Restaurant in Michamvi, sunset dhow cruise or visiting one of the nearby islands such as Mafia, Pemba, Mnemba, Chumbe and so much more.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Accommodation: Budget: Sunset Kendwa Mid-range: Kendwa Rocks Luxury: Zuri Zanzibar 

Today you say goodbye to Tanzania. Depending on your time of flight, you can still explore optional excursions in Stone Town before departure such as: 

Journey:  + 2hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch  

Accommodation: Not Included