Classic Tanzania & Zanzibar

Tanzania, 13 Nights

Day 1 - London/Dar Es Salaam
Depart from London-Heathrow with British Airways for your overnight flight to Dar Es Salaam, landing early the next morning.

Day 2 - Dar Es Salaam/Arusha
A&K ground staff will be on hand to meet you and assist you to your scheduled flight to Arusha. The town of Arusha in northern Tanzania is the access point for most of the northern safari circuit and the official start of your Tanzania adventure. A private transfer will whisk you from Arusha airport to the charming Arusha Coffee Lodge for an overnight stay. Set within a coffee plantation, the spacious suites offer private verandas and en suite bathrooms, a relaxing swimming pool and enjoyable environment.

Day 3 - Arusha/Tarangire
This morning you will fly from Arusha to Tarangire airstrip, Swala Camp staff will be waiting at the airstrip to lead you on your first game drive through the Tarangire National Park en route to the camp. Located on the edge of the Gurusi wetlands, much favoured by elephant and nestled within a copse of acacia trees. Nine luxury tents are set on wooden decks with polished floors, each with en suite facilities and secluded game viewing verandas. Relax before an afternoon game drive through the wooded savannahs and the permanent waters of the Tarangire River.

Day 4 - Tarangire
The morning starts with an early cup of tea or coffee. Game drives are conducted in open-sided Landcruisers driven by knowledgeable and experienced rangers. Conservation is taken seriously at Swala and an active programme has recently led to the building of a school for children of a village that borders Tarangire. There is the opportunity to become involved and learn more about the pioneering project during your stay.

Day 5 - Tarangire/Ngorongoro
There is time for a morning game drive before flying to Lake Manyara. Your A&K driver guide will meet and drive you to Gibbs Farm for lunch. On route there is the opportunity to stretch your legs and enjoy a forest walk, or take a tour of a working coffee farm. Following a hearty lunch proceed to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you may visit an authentic Maasai village. Your home for the next two nights will be the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, an iconic, quirky, but most definitely five star property that provides the most incredible views of the crater.

Day 6 - Ngorongoro Crater
Explore the marvel of the crater, less than ten miles in diameter, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a natural wildlife theatre. At this spectacular World Heritage site, highland forest covers the sheer sides. Awake early and drive down onto the crater floor and enter a world of grasslands, acacia, copses, pools and streams. A lunchtime picnic on the crater floor will leave you with memories of a lifetime.

Day 7 - Ngorongoro/Serengeti
Following breakfast, transfer to Lake Manyara airstrip for a shared flight to the Serengeti and Kusini Camp. The journey to Kusini Camp is also an ideal game viewing opportunity. Once night has brought game activities to a close, drinks and dinner are shared with your hosts and the other guests. Accommodation is in the style of luxury walk-in East African tents, set on individual wooden platforms with private verandas.

Day 8 - Serengeti
In the immediate area of the camp, short grass plains, rocky outcrops and tortilis woodland offer conditions to suit every type of animal, so the game viewing experience is especially varied. The exact schedule is very much up to you: arrange a picnic lunch and stay out exploring the Serengeti all day, or simply relax in camp.

Days 9 to 12 - Serengeti/Zanzibar
Following your safari experience today you will leave the bush behind you as you fly via Arusha to Zanzibar. Matemwe Bungalows is located on the eastern coast and directly opposite the Mnemba Atoll which offers spectacular diving and snorkelling. One of the 12 bungalows will be your home for the following four nights as you unwind on the Indian Ocean coast of this magical spice island.

Day 13 - Zanzibar/Dar Es Salaam/London
Transfer to Zanzibar airport for your scheduled flight to Dar Es Salaam and connect on to your British Airways flight to London.

Click here to download our Classic Tanzania & Zanzibar itinerary