DAY 1: KIA LODGE, ARUSHA      

Arusha

Resting at the foot of Mount Meru, the sprawling city of Arusha is known as the safari capital of northern Tanzania. It serves as an excellent base from which to explore the remarkably scenic surrounding area which includes majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as the Manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro National Parks. Arusha is a good spot to take a day or two off from the safari circuit as it features a temperate climate and lush surrounds. Visitors can look forward to exploring the wildlife-abundant Serengeti National Park; the magnificent Arusha National Park; and taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest mountain.

Day Itinerary

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport ex international flight ETA … you will be met outside the International arrivals hall by AMA Safaris Tanzania representative. After introduction you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.  Overnight at Kia Lodge – BB

Overnight: Kia Lodge           

Welcome to KIA Lodge, “your door to Tanzania”, at less than 5 minutes drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The lodge is situated on a secluded hill in the heart of beautiful savannah scenery that is so typical for East Africa. Guests can admire the vast views of the African plains and of course the grand Kilimanjaro Mountain that shows her snowy top mostly in the morning and at sundown.

Because of its location, the KIA Lodge is an ideal safe haven for arriving and departing Tanzania, climbing the Kilimanjaro or travelling on to the northern safari destinations. The friendly service, Zanzibar style reception, typical African decorations, and tropical restaurant offer a warm welcome to into the Tanzanian culture. Drink a Kilimanjaro beer in the open bar, enjoy over a hundred species of birds in the savannah garden, or relax at our hilltop swimming pool with great views of Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, the Blue Mountains and the Maasai plains all around.

At KIA lodge we will ensure that you are looked after in a unique friendly and peaceful environment, helping you to prepare for your safaris or climbs and cosseting you on your arrival or return home. With our beautiful gardens we can honestly boast the fact that we are not just an airport hotel but also a true lodge where you can immediately get a real taste of Africa!

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

DAY 2: SANCTUARY SWALA CAMP, TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK       

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park, situated within Tanzania’s spectacular Manyara Region, is an awe-inspiring national park comprising of granite ridges, river valleys, mixed vegetative landscapes, and free-roaming wildlife. During the annual dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. With lion being among the most commonly spotted animal, it is a rare day that a visitor does not spot this majestic animal prowling or grazing. Tarangire is also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are seen regularly. This expansive area is also known for its spectacular baobab trees, its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the wondrous mountains to the south.

Day Itinerary

Breakfast at the hotel followed by check out. 0730hrs: Depart Arusha and drive to the Tarangire National Park, game drive enroute. Arrive at your lodge well in time for lunch and check in. Afternoon game drives in Tarangire National Park. Meals and overnight at Sanctuary Swala Camp – LDBB

Overnight: Sanctuary Swala Camp

In the heart of Maasai country and a remote corner of the Tarangire, in total seclusion amongst giant acacia trees and looking out beyond the flat savannah, Sanctuary Swala offers a very exclusive safari experience. The picturesque landscape is filled with ancient baobab trees, ambling elephants and birds in flight. Built to the highest eco-friendly standards, this camp has a particularly low-carbon footprint.

Sanctuary Swala’s welcoming communal spaces blend chic style with relaxed open-air living. Traditional peaked thatch roofs harmonise beautifully with the surroundings bush and keep these areas cool in the hot months. Set on stilts around ancient towering baobab trees, the elevated dining area, lounge and library, are sound-tracked by the sing-song of the hundreds of species of birds that have their home in the mature acacia trees’ canopy. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the main area and in guests’ tents.

Twelve spacious canvas pavilions ensure unrivalled tranquillity, overlooking a popular watering hole. King-size beds swathed in neutral linens mingle fresh design with a new take on safari living. Indoor and outdoor bush-view showers ensure more magical moments because connecting with wildlife is key: the floor-to-ceiling 180° views, and the pavilions’ private decks, mean you won’t miss a sight.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 3: ANDBEYOND LAKE MANYARA TREE LODGE, LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Lake Manyara National Park

Situated in Tanzania’s central-northern region with the Lake Manyara on its east and the Manyara Escarpment to its west, the Lake Manyara National Park offers breathtaking views and a large variety of habitats supporting an array of wildlife. This small park is home to surprising biodiversity and features a magnificent landscape of acacia woodlands, water forests, baobab strewn cliffs, algae-streaked hot springs, swamps and the lake itself. The park supports 400 species of bird, and the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world. Other species include giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, warthog, the Cape clawless otter, and Egyptian mongoose. Don’t miss the opportunity to see thousands of flamingos on the lake, the renowned tree-climbing lions, and large families of elephants strolling through the forest.

Day Itinerary

After breakfast at the camp followed by check out. Leave Tarangire National Park and drive to Lake Manyara National Park, which apart from its abundant bird life, is known for its tree-climbing lions. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive.

Meals and overnight at andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge – LDBB

Overnight: andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge           

Set in a mahogany forest, andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only permanent lodge in the Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park. Ten stilted treehouse suites, crafted from local timber and makuti palm fronds, offer privacy and exclusivity in cool, leafy surroundings. Each treehouse suite features generous decks suspended above the forest floor and large windows invite the lush forest inside. While the bedrooms are fitted with contemporary furnishing and billowing mosquito nets, the bathrooms feature freestanding baths and an outdoor shower. A central interactive kitchen allows guests to observe the preparation of delicious dishes that are enjoyed in the theatrical boma or on the open dining decks, with spectacular forest views.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 4: NEPTUNE NGORONGORO LODGE, KARATU   

Karatu

Travellers heading for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will inevitably pass through the town of Karatu in the green hills of Tanzania’s northern highlands. Presided over by the towering Ol Deani Volcano, this small, colourful town serves as a popular overnight stop for visitors exploring the area’s many game parks. The town offers a variety of activities including browsing the bustling marketplace, sampling beer at a local brewery, visiting a traditional Iraqw homestead, or taking a guided walk through the Ngorongoro Forest in search of waterfalls and elephants caves. Whether you are looking for cultural tours, hiking and biking opportunities, a chance to enjoy an authentic rural Tanzania experience, or simply a break between safari game drives, this underrated town has plenty to offer.

Day Itinerary

After breakfast at your lodge. Check out then proceed for morning game drive in Manyara National Park, then drive to Karatu to arrive for lunch and check in at your lodge. Afternoon will be at leisure at your lodge.

Overnight: Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge  

Set in 50 acres of virgin Tanzanian bush in the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, this all suites wood log cabin style retreat is located a few steps from the Game Reserve Gate and 20 minutes drive away from the Ngorongoro Crater that is said to have the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. This all inclusive property features 20 spacious private log cabins with fire place, a restaurant, a bar and conference facilities. Indulge in moments of relaxation at the swimming pool or at the Mvua African Rain Spa after a full-day game drive.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 5: NEPTUNE NGORONGORO LODGE, KARATU   

Day Itinerary

After breakfast at the lodge. Full day Crater tour, you will depart after Breakfast with picnic lunch boxes for a full game drive in the crater, and later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 6: ANDBEYOND KLEIN’S CAMP, NORTHERN SERENGETI

Northern Serengeti

The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterised by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife include: a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, giraffe as well as lion and leopard. Visitors can look forward to bird watching, hot air ballooning, game safaris and guided bush walks.

Day Itinerary

Check out after breakfast.0630hrs. Drive to Manyara airstrip for morning scheduled flight Serengeti. The Coastal Aviation/Auric air flight departs at 0820hrs and arrives at Lobo Airstrip at approximately 0945hrs.

Up on arrival at Lobo airstrip, you will be met by a Siente Africa driver guide for your transfer to the camp with a game drive enroute. Arrive in time for lunch and settle in. Later proceed for an afternoon game drive before returning to the camp.

Meals and overnight at andBeyond Klein’s Camp – LDBB

Overnight: andBeyond Klein’s Camp         

Deep in a remote corner of the game-rich Serengeti National Park, andBeyond Klein’s Camp consists of ten cottages made of local stone and thatch, with wooden floors and classic interiors. Each cottage has an ensuite bathroom and private veranda with breathtaking views over the surrounding hills and the valley below. A diversity of resident wildlife can be viewed from everywhere in camp – even the kitchen boasts unforgettable views. Camp facilities include a large bar and sitting area, a sparkling pool and a Safari Shop featuring locally-made Maasai crafts. Fresh vegetables picked from the camp’s organic African garden are used to create wholesome dishes. Dinners are served in the main dining area, which is graced by a large open fireplace.

Basis

Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities

DAY 7: ANDBEYOND KLEIN’S CAMP, NORTHERN SERENGETI        

Day Itinerary

Full day spent in the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives.

Meals and overnight at andBeyond Klein’s Camp – LDBB

Basis

Fully Inclusive – Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities

DAY 8 – 13: KINASI LODGE, UTENDE MAFIA ISLAND MARINE PARK

Utende

Situated just off the coast of Tanzania, in the heart of the Mafia Island Marine Park on Mafia Island, Utende serves as an excellent base from which to explore the scenic surrounds. The shores of Utende Beach boast white sand lapped by crystalline turquoise waters. Visitors can relax on pristine beaches, soak up the laid-back island-style atmosphere and enjoy world-class snorkelling through abundant coral reefs. Other popular activities include: deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and hiking. Don’t miss the opportunity to spot a variety of marine life in the protected waters surrounding the island including whale sharks, humpback whales, sea turtles and even dugongs.

Day Itinerary

After breakfast at the camp, you will be transferred to a local airstrip for your Coastal Aviation flight to Mafia via Seronera and Zanzibar. The flight departs at 0945hrs and arrives in Mafia at approximately 1600hrs.

You will be met up on arrival and transferred to your beach resort where you will spend the next 6 Nights. Meals and accommodation at Kinasi Lodge.

Overnight: Kinasi Lodge Mafia Island

This intimate and lovely resort, situated in an old cashew and coconut plantation provides a luxury stay in modernised en-suite bungalows with large verandas, stylish decor and magnificent natural surroundings of the protected Mafia Island Marine Park. A choice of two family rooms, two suites and double and twin standard rooms provides flexibility and seafront or garden options.

Kinasi has a PADI dive and snorkel school, excursion boats, fibreglass diving and fishing boats, a full spa operated by an experienced Thai therapist, a swimming pool and private beach. Cultural, historic and bird-watching tours are operated by Mzee Kirobo, famous for his knowledge and gently manner. With excellent cuisine and long-time staff dedicated to guests and loyal to Kinasi’s family principles there is little that has not been thought of to provide comfort and a great experience.

Kinasi was built from 1993-95 and opened in early 1995 with six rooms. It was based on a dream of providing a personalised stay in East Africa’s best marine park in an “Island Life” manner with everything at one’s fingertips, including excellent fresh seafood, good wines and fresh fruits and vegetables; just the way Peter Byrne (Kinasi’s creator) had grown up in Papua New Guinea.

Basis

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 14: END OF ITINERARY      

Day Itinerary

After breakfast at the lodge, later, transfer to Mafia Airport for your Coastal Aviation flight departing at 1730hrs to Dar es Salaam. Up on arrival in Dar es Salaam at approximately at 1800hrs, you will connect International flight departing at 2220hrs back home. End of our services.

Basis

Breakfast