We Love —
- Visit some of Tanzania's most famous National Parks on this varied Safari
- Stay in a range of luxury camps, surrounded by stunning scenery
- If you wish, choose to end with a relaxing beach break on Zanzibar's spectacular coast
Here to Help —
Are you booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply).
For any additional information on this offer or assistance in making your reservation please call one of our dedicated team on 0844 8262098 or email [email protected].
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 08:00 - 22:00 and Saturdays & Sundays from 10:00 - 18:00.
The National Parks —
From whichever direction you approach Manyara, the first view is spectacular. From the east, the Rift Valley wall rises several hundred metres to form an impressive backdrop to the lake. From the west, if one is perched at the top of the escarpment, the park lies far below, with a long green strip of water that glistens in the sunlight. The vegetation around the lake’s shores is surprisingly varied and comprises mostly forest, acacia woodland and open grassland. The park covers an area of 330 sq km of which about 230 sq km is the lake itself. You can always find hippo in the Simba River, elephant in the forests and a resident herd of Cape buffalo on the open plains at Mahali Pa Nyati, which means, ‘the place of the buffalo’ in Swahili. In addition, there are approximately 400 species of birds and with some luck you might see tree-climbing lions.
Often called the eight wonder of the world, it is difficult to give a fair description to the enormity and beauty of the Crater. A steep wall of thick forest surrounds the circumference, which looks into a natural amphitheatre, 260 sq km in size. Here, a complete eco-system unfolds, consisting of grasslands, swamps, lakes, rivers, woodlands, forest and an arid area of shifting dunes. Thus the Crater is able to sustain a vast resident population of game, including elephant, buffalo, hippo, wildebeest, gazelle, monkeys, black rhino, leopard and a huge concentration of lion and hyena. The surrounding conservation area is also home to the legendary Maasai tribe. These unique people are seen high on the Crater rim, where young warriors (or children) tend the cattle, armed with nothing but a short spear.
In the local vernacular, Serengeti means ‘the endless plains that go up to the sky’. And they do just that. It is therefore easy to understand why this is the most popular and spectacular of all game parks in East Africa. Covering 14,765 sq km, one of the striking features of this park is the series of large granite outcrops that dominate the vast plains, making it very different to the Masai Mara. Life in the park centres on the triangular trek of several million hooves. This movement never stops, as the animals constantly seek out new grazing pastures. Every year, after the south’s short November rains, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, eland, topi and hartebeest gather in their thousands on the Serengeti’s southern plains and the Ngorongoro Highlands. Then, around April, they head towards the western corridor of the Serengeti, where many overflow into the Masai Mara around July/August. They remain here until late October/November, when Tanzania’s new rains prompt the move south again, towards Lake Ndutu and Lagaja. This yearly phenomenon also affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of other species, who rely on the migratory herds for their survival. These include predators, gazelles, birds and lowly insects, not to mention the grasses and trees that are fertilised by droppings.
Itinerary —
Sunday: Arusha
Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel located a short distance from Arusha Town Centre.
Overnight Lake Duluti Serena Hotel on bed and breakfast basis
Monday: Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park
Morning at leisure and safari briefing followed by lunch. Afternoon join seat in vehicle safari and you depart Arusha passing through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni you turn North West and continue the journey up through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.
Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena on full board basis
Tuesday: Lake Manyara National Park - Serengeti National Park
After breakfast there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park that returns to the lodge for lunch. Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Wednesday: Serengeti National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Thursday: Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains stopping for a picnic lunch and you continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Friday: Ngorongoro Crater
A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. A picnic lunch is served overlooking a small lake populated with hippos. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Saturday: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha
Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east en route to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu village and Tarangire beyond. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn north on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and head to Arusha. On arrival in Arusha you will be provided lunch followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport to connect international departure flight or onward flight to Zanzibar
Accommodation —
Our members will stay in Standard Rooms at the following hotels. Meals are as shown on itinerary.
Lake Duluti Serena Hotel - 1 night
Nestled at the foot of the wooded slopes of Mount Meru, this unique hotel stands amid coffee plantations on the shores of tranquil Lake Duluti. Designed to echo the traditional style of the colonial coffee farm, which originally stood on this site, Lake Duluti Serena Hotel offers a range of tastefully presented cottage-styled rooms set amid extensive landscaped grounds.
Standing at the gateway to the famous Tanzanian ‘Northern Safari Circuit', the hotel offers a broad range of attractions, which include: walking, mountain biking, canoeing on the lake, and trips to the nearby Arusha and Mount Meru national parks.
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge - 1 night
Standing high on the edge of a towering terracotta escarpment with panoramic views over the glittering alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of tranquillity, wildlife discovery, and ornithological richness.
Serengeti Serena Lodge - 2 nights
Set high on the saddle of a tree-clad ridge, commanding panoramic views across the Serengeti, this lodge is the ultimate fusion of traditional African architecture and world-class style. Winner of numerous awards from the world travel press, it is perhaps the finest venue the Serengeti has to offer.
Centrally located adjacent to the famous Western Corridor and Grumeti River, the lodge has been designed to blend completely into the living landscape. A series of traditional domed ‘rondavels' are widely spaced throughout the grounds, which are cooled by groves of acacia trees and watered by sparkling streams. On the very edge of the ridge is a ‘vanishing horizon' pool, which looks out over the ‘endless plains' after which the Serengeti is named.
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge - 2 nights
Regularly voted one of the best hotels in the world, this unique lodge clings to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, the largest and most perfect volcanic crater on Earth. Long and low, the lodge is built from local river stone and camouflaged with indigenous vines. Designed to blend completely into the landscape, it is entirely invisible from the floor of the Crater 600 metres below.
Hugging the contours of the jagged Crater rim, the lodge takes its inspiration from the so-called ‘Cradle of Mankind', the prehistoric site of Olduvai Gorge, which lies close by. Linked by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its walls are decorated with stylized prehistoric cave paintings and lit by flaring torches. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Decorated with cave paintings, the rooms are strung around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock- enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below.
Beach Extension —
You may choose to include a 4 or 8 night beach extension at Breezes Beach Club, Zanzibar. (Offers 2 and 3). You will stay in a Deluxe Room on a Half Board basis.
Breezes lies along a pristine and untouched beach on the South East coast of Zanzibar island, which is the most quiet and untouched part of the Island, voted by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the top 30 beaches in the world.
Hotel Description
This family run, luxury hotel is the result of over 20 years of dedication and exploration on the part of the owners. Eager to open a luxury hotel away from the main resort areas, and one which truly reflected the wonderful sense of mysticism and culture of the island.
Every furniture item was painstakingly hand carved by the dedicated team of 50 carpenters, the exotic silks and fabrics were hand sewn by their diligent tailors and the owners personally visited shops, museums and houses trying to find the right pieces of antique furniture to showcase the magnificent designs of Zanzibar’s bygone days.
Deluxe Rooms are located on the ground floor, with a spacious terrace. This rooms is tastefully decorated in ivory tones, with cotton throws, teak wood finishes and Zanzibar carvings. Fully air-conditioned with en-suite bathroom, refrigerator, personal electronic safe box, hairdryer, and a full third bed functioning as a sofa.
Dining
With choice of 4 restaurants, a chai room and whisky and cigar lounge, your tastebuds will be spoiled for choice. For a special occasion, don't miss The Tide's - private beachfront dining for two in an intimate setting overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The Swahili style Frangipani Spa, East Africa’s only National Geographic affiliated dive centre, water sports and local excursions, you can experience all that makes Zanzibar so beguiling.
Your Journey —
6 and 14 night option (Offers 1 and 3)
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
10 night option (Offer 2) Flights with: Qatar Airways
Outbound Itinerary
Depart Heathrow 15.05
Arrive Doha 23.50
Connecting time in Doha 02.00
Depart Doha 01.50
Arrive Kilimanjaro 09.50
Inbound Itinerary
Depart Dar Es Salaam 18.25
Arrive Doha 23.59
Connecting time in Doha 02.16
Depart Doha 02.15
Arrive Heathrow 06.55
OR
Outbound itinerary
Depart Manchester 14.45
Arrive Doha 23.45
Connecting time in Doha 02.05
Depart Doha 01.50
Arrive Kilimanjaro 09.25
Inbound Itinerary
Depart Dar Es Salaam 18.25
Arrive Doha 23.59
Connecting time in Doha 02.26
Depart Doha 02.25
Arrive Heathrow 07.05
Connecting time in Heathrow 03.10
Depart Heathrow 10.15
Arrive Manchester 11.20
Transfers: Are provided throughout, as per itinerary
Please note: flight details are given as a guide only and may change. We will however notify you in advance if flights are more than 2 hours outside the time range given. Flights are non-changeable and non-refundable at time of booking.
