DAY 1: LEMALA MPINGO RIDGE, 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
AMA Safaris representative will pick you upon arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer you to Arusha for breakfast.
After breakfast, depart for Tarangire National Park to arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Lemala Mpingo Ridge.
Overnight: Lemala Mpingo Ridge
Lemala Mpingo Ridge sits on top of an escarpment with sweeping views across the perennial Tarangire River and valley below, and matches the same outstanding standards of comfort and service as the other properties in Lemala’s collection.
Guests at Lemala Mpingo Ridge will enjoy a real sense of wilderness and excellent game viewing, and it’s both a relaxing standalone destination and a great place to start a safari that also combines Lemala properties in the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
Each of the 15 spacious tented suites has been carefully positioned to maximize the sensational views over Tarangire & take advantage of the cooling breezes during hot weather. They feature en-suite bathrooms, private decks, sunken outside lounges that convert to afternoon siesta beds and one of the suites has two bedrooms. A special feature is the private outside bathtub—perfect for soothing the soul and washing away the African dust after a day on safari.
The elevated main lodge has a lounge and bar, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a spa and swimming pool. Sundowners and game drives in new custom-designed vehicles accompanied by Lemala’s knowledgeable and experienced guides are activities guests can look forward to during their stay.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 2: ESCARPMENT LUXURY 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. Morning game drive. Drive to Lake Manyara to arrive in time for lunch at Escarpment Lodge. Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Dinner and overnight at Escarpment Luxury Lodge.
Overnight: Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Escarpment Luxury Lodge is situated just outside Lake Manyara National Park within a narrow corridor formed by the looming cliffs of the Great Rift Valley escarpment and the shores of the beautiful lake.
The lodge offers a spreading deck surrounding the main lodge, ensuring breath-taking views of the lake and the gorge upon which the lodge is perched. Watch pelicans sweep the skies as you enjoy sundowners and see the sun slip down into the hills while listening to the sounds of Africa.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 3: LEMALA NGORONGORO TENTED CAMP, NGORONGORO CRATER
Ngorongoro Crater
Located in Northern Tanzania, the Ngorongoro Crater is best known for its natural beauty and abundance of diverse wildlife; which makes it one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations. Surrounded by Tanzania’s highlands, this UNESCO-listed crater is said to be the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Visitors can look forward to spotting the world-renowned Big Five and a host of other wildlife species including large herds of zebra and wildebeest. It is famed as one of Tanzania’s best tourist attractions offering visitors an array of wonderful activities including excellent bird watching, trekking, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking and visiting a local Maasai village. Don’t miss the opportunity to jump on an excursion to the magnificent Olduvai Gorge.
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Depart for Ngorongoro to arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at Lemala Ngorongoro
Overnight: Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Lemala Ngorongoro is intimately set in a delightful ancient acacia forest close to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. As it is located next to the quiet Lemala crater access road on the eastern side, a key advantage of staying at Lemala Ngorongoro is the quick and easy drive down on to the crater floor in the morning; Lemala guests usually have an hour’s head start over others descending via the far busier Seneto crater access road on the western rim. Game drives from camp may start as early as 6.15am and guests can be down among Ngorongoro’s abundant wildlife on the floor within 10-15 minutes – crucial for photographers who demand the best light conditions. Escorted walks are also available into the forest and along the crater rim with an armed ranger and Maasai guide.
Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp has 9 spacious tents that are positioned carefully to provide privacy and with minimal impact on the pristine forest environment. They accommodate two queen-size beds, and as it can get cool on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at night, little luxuries like warm winter-weight duvets, hot water bottles and gas heaters ensure a cosy night’s sleep.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 4: LEMALA NGORONGORO TENTED CAMP, NGORONGORO CRATER
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Descend to the crater with picnic lunches for a full day crater tour.
Dinner and overnight at Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 5: LEMALA EWANJAN TENTED CAMP, CENTRAL SERENGETI
Central Serengeti
Situated in the heart of Tanzania, the Central Serengeti encompasses the world-famous Seronera Valley which is known for its prime wildlife-viewing opportunities. This picture-perfect landscape is characterised by endless stretches of savannah-covered open plains, interspersed by rocky outcrops of granite, scattered with acacia woodlands and covered in a network of rivers and streams.
The Central Serengeti forms part of the great wildebeest and zebra migration and provides an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife such as giraffe, impala, waterbuck, hippo, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, serval and much more. Popular activities include: game viewing, cultural tours, horse riding safaris, and hot air ballooning over the spectacularly scenic terrain.
Day Itinerary
After breakfast. Depart for Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge to arrive in time for lunch at Lemala Ewanjan. Afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park. Dinner and overnight at Lemala Ewanjan
Overnight: Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp
Lemala Ewanjan is an authentic intimate tented camp set in a secluded part of the game-rich Seronera Valley in Central Serengeti and is renknowned for its year-round game viewing due to its abundance of water in the many rivers, as well as for its large populations of resident big cats. We have carefully positioned Lemala Ewanjan right at the end of a blind valley, so you can enjoy uninterrupted views.
The camp was replaced in july 2018 with brand new tents and now features 10 standard and 2 x 2 bedroom tents ideal for families, friends and groups travelling together.
The en-suite tents are spacious and comfortable, and have an outside deck offering beautiful views over the area. Each tent is fitted with two queen-size beds with warm duvets, a flush toilet, large safari-style shower, plentiful running water, wooden storage cabinets and flooring, 24-hour solar lighting and outside loungers from which to enjoy early morning teas and coffees and refreshing afternoon gin and tonics.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 6: LEMALA EWANJAN TENTED CAMP, CENTRAL SERENGETI
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Lemala Ewanjan
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 7: LEMALA EWANJAN TENTED CAMP, CENTRAL SERENGETI
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Lemala Ewanjan
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 8: RUAHA RIVER LODGE, RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Ruaha National Park
Following its recent expansion, Ruaha is currently East Africa’s biggest national park and the second-largest on the African continent. It is also Tanzania’s most sizeable elephant haven and home to a profusion of bird species, including kingfishers, plovers, egrets, hornbills and sunbirds.
Crocodiles and hippos thrive in the Great Ruaha River, which flows along the sanctuary’s eastern border and in the dry season between July and November, animals flock to the last remaining water sources, presenting an exceptional wildlife spectacle. There are a number of accommodation options available but some close for the wet season in March and April.
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Transfer to the airstrip to connect flight to Ruaha. You will be met upon arrival in Ruaha by Ruaha River Lodge who will transfer you to the Lodge for lunch. Late afternoon shared activities in Ruaha National Park. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha River Lodge.
Overnight: Ruaha River Lodge
Located along the banks of the Great Ruaha River in the Ruaha National Park, Ruaha River Lodge is an excellent option for a nature vacation. Accommodation options feature 24 chalets which are comfortably furnished to ensure guests enjoy a relaxing stay. The en-suite units are equipped with workspaces, sitting areas and verandas. Guests can enjoy meals at the on-site restaurant. The surrounding area offers activities such as embarking on game drives and guided walks.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 9: RUAHA RIVER LODGE, RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Morning and afternoon shared game drives in Ruaha National Park.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Ruaha River Lodge.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 10: RUFIJI RIVER CAMP, SELOUS GAME RESERVE
Selous Game Reserve
The remote and little-visited Selous Game Reserve covers more than 5% of Tanzania’s total area and is the largest of its kind in Africa. At an unbelievable 55,000sq km it is almost twice the size of Belgium and four times larger than the famous Serengeti in the North. The landscape here has remained almost as it was before tourism began and the massive park has only a few accommodation options.
The Great Rufiji River and its tributaries are the lifeblood of the reserve, creating a network of forests and woodlands around the lagoons, sandbanks and lakes with tall palm trees adding to the scenic splendour. Because of its size and remoteness, the reserve has over 2,100 species of plants, 350 species of birds, 60,000 elephant, 108,000 buffalos and an estimated 1,300 of the worlds’ roughly 4,000 remaining rare wild dogs, giving guests an opportunity to glimpse all of these exotic animals in true unspoilt wilderness. Boating, walking safaris and fly camping are all available in the Selous.
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Transfer to the airstrip to connect your flight to Selous Game Reserve. Upon arrival in Selous Game Reserve, you will be met by Rufiji River Camp driver guide who will transfer you to the camp for lunch.
Afternoon game drive in Selous Game Reserve. Dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp.
Overnight: Rufiji River Camp
Rufiji River Camp is located on the banks of the Rufiji river, in a point where the ample and tranquil river is animated by many and different species of animals. The tented camp, situated in the heart of the reserve, is environmentally friendly and each tent is equipped with private bathroom and a veranda facing the river.
There is a constant flow of animals coming down to drink at the river offering a permanent show to visitors of the camp. The water is usually full of hundreds of hippos as well as groups of crocodiles that laze in the sun on the sandbanks in the river.
A structure in the central part of the camp hosts the restaurant, bar and library, all with a view of the river and the sunset.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 11: RUFIJI RIVER CAMP, SELOUS GAME RESERVE
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Morning and afternoon shared activities in Selous Game Reserve.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 12: RUFIJI RIVER CAMP, SELOUS GAME RESERVE
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Morning and afternoon shared activities in Selous Game Reserve.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp.
Basis
Full Board Plus – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
DAY 13: HOTEL RIU PALACE ZANZIBAR, NUNGWI
Nungwi
Once little more than a ramshackle fishing village, Nungwi has been transformed into one of Unguja island’s busiest beach destinations and its second most populated village after its capital, Stone Town. Situated at the island’s northernmost tip, Nungwi is blessed with some of Zanzibar’s most idyllic swimming beaches as the water surrounding this section of the island is fairly deep and mostly unaffected by the change of tides.
The village is also renowned as a party hotspot with plenty of boisterous nightlife and a thriving social scene hosted by the village’s slew of hotels, bars, shops and restaurants. Spend your days lazing on the spectacular beaches, floating in the idyllic turquoise waters or indulging in a massage. Then, as the sun sets, join the revellers as the town comes alive, cocktails flow freely and the beach bonfires begin to blaze. Daily itineraries tend to be gloriously simple: sunbathe, swim, party, and repeat!
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Transfer to the airstrip to connect flight to Zanzibar.
Upon arrival in Zanzibar, you will be met by our Zanzibar representative who will transfer you to Riu Palace Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Lunch not included.
Overnight: Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
The Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar is located on Nungwi Beach, a beautiful white-sand beach with crystalline waters that will make you feel like you’re truly in paradise. This resort in Zanzibar, Tanzania, offers free WiFi and the exclusive amenities of RIU Hotels & Resorts to make your holiday an unforgettable experience.
The rooms at this hotel in Zanzibar are notable for their design and spaciousness. In all of them, you’ll have free WiFi, air conditioning, satellite TV, a minibar, and a balcony or terrace. Plus, the hotel has villas with private pools for those who want a stay in total luxury. At the Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool with sea views, relax under the sun in a lounge chair, or go to the beach thanks to the direct access from the hotel.
When it comes to gastronomy, you have the main restaurant for enjoying buffet breakfasts with show-cooking stations and two theme restaurants that serve exquisite dishes. And if you want to sample the best snacks and appetisers, in the bars of this resort in Zanzibar the staff will be happy to serve you. Fun and relaxation are guaranteed during your holiday in this paradise.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 14: HOTEL RIU PALACE ZANZIBAR, NUNGWI
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Full day at leisure.
All meals and overnight at Riu Palace Zanzibar
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 15, 16 , 17 & 18: HOTEL RIU PALACE ZANZIBAR, NUNGWI
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Full day at leisure.
All meals and overnight at Riu Palace Zanzibar
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 19: HOTEL RIU PALACE ZANZIBAR, NUNGWI
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Full day at leisure.
All meals and overnight at Riu Palace Zanzibar
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 20: END OF ITINERARY
Day Itinerary
Breakfast. Check out at 1000hrs. Thereafter drop off Zanzibar International Airport to connect your flight departing at 2130hrs back home.
Basis
Breakfast