From the Serengeti to Zanzibar: dream beaches and safari

Welcome to Tanzania - the favorite destination for safari connoisseurs. Here one sensation follows the next: the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, the Tarangire National Park and, finally, relaxation and regeneration on Zanzibar. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, your guide will welcome you. You will be transferred by car to your first accommodation - the Blues & Chutney Country B&B. The small and wonderfully charming country house is surrounded by green nature on the slopes of Mt. Meru. Here you can get in the mood for your vacation. Already on the way there, your guide will give you some interesting information about your upcoming trip.

Trip duration: 60 km / approx. 45 minutes

Best time to travel: Dry months are from December to March (hot) and from June to October (pleasant). The best time to travel is April, May and November. Big rainy season: Mid / End of March - End of May. Mild rainy season: Mid / End of October - Beginning of December

1 night at the Blues & Chutney Country B&B with breakfast and dinner in standard room, Arusha, Tanzania

This morning begins your drive to Tarangire National Park, where you will go on a safari. The park is a refuge for large herds of elephants, but also numerous other wild animals. If you are lucky, you will also see zebras, giraffes, ostriches, jackals, lions, leopards, kudus, oryx and other wildlife. Animals are often concentrated along the Tarangire River, the region's only permanent water source and a year-round water source. Thirsty elephants occasionally dig their own springs below the riverbed. Majestic baobab trees and elephants are the main attraction of this park - perfect photo opportunities and a typical African scenery are guaranteed. Established in 1970, the national park is home to the largest concentration of wild animals outside the Serengeti. With approximately 2,600 square meters, it is the fifth largest park in Tanzania. The landscape in the park is quite different from the other reserves in the country. Seasonal swamps, tree savannahs and baobabs dominate the picture. The sun burns here from the cloudless sky, often making any moisture disappear and leaving behind a dry landscape covered by dusty red earth.

Trip duration: 150 km / approx. 2.5 hours (without animal observation)

1 night at Sangaiwe Tented Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in a lodge room, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara, located in the middle of the game reserve named after it. Upon arrival, you will better understand why Ernest Hemingway once called it the most beautiful place in Africa he had ever seen. The lake is surrounded by the majestic stone walls of the Rift Valley. The landscape is characterized by ancient mahogany trees, streams, waterfalls and baboons lazing in the sun along the way. But of course there are more animals to see here. Numerous water birds such as flamingos, pelicans, ibises, etc., but also hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, numerous species of monkeys, white-bearded wildebeests and other antelopes feel at home in the adjacent swamp and savannah landscape. With a bit of luck you will see one of the rare tree lions snoozing in sprawling acacia trees, for which the park is also famous. Depending on the season, you can also see huge white and yellow-billed stork colonies here.

Among the park’s best attractions you will find the pink flamingos, which stop at the lake on their migration alongside pelicans and cormorants. The lake scenery then turns to pale pink when the flamingos are reflected in the azure Lake Manyara, creating a perfect color spectacle.

Duration of drive: 115 km / approx. 1 hour (without wildlife viewing)

1 night in Rift Valley Photographic Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner in double room, near Lake Manyara, Tanzania

Today you will drive from Lake Manyara towards the Serengeti. First you will stop in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and make short stops at the memorial and gravestone of Prof. Dr. Bernhard Grzimek. Then you will continue along the Olduvai Gorge into the Serengeti, surely one of the most famous animal sanctuaries in the world. You will reach it at the Naabi Hill Kopjes, where you can take a short walk through the large granite rocks. After lunch, you will embark on your first game drive through the wilderness of the Serengeti, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language and means "the endless land". Stamping hooves sound in the distance, a cloud of dust rises on the horizon - one of the greatest natural wonders in East Africa takes place in the Serengeti: the Great Migration. Tanzania's most popular and oldest park is world famous for its annual migration. This is when more than 200,000 zebras and 300,000 gazelles, antelopes and 1.3 million wildebeests roam the park's open plains. Depending on the month, the animal migration is in a different place in the Serengeti. But even at the places where the migration passes, a great spectacle opens up to you: thousands of antelopes, buffalos, elephants or giraffes can be seen live. The migration of zebras and buffalos naturally attracts many predators. What opens up to you then is the fight to survive between predator and prey. Lion prides hunt day and night as lonely leopards roam the banks of the Seronera River.

Trip duration: 240 km / approx. 4 hours (without game viewing)

2 nights at Thorntree Camp with breakfast, lunch and dinner and safari activities in the tent, Serengeti, Seronera Valley, Tanzania

Safari means "journey" in Swahili and today you will start your day with a sunrise game drive. The morning is a wonderful time to see nocturnal animals return from night hunting.

At the Seronera Visitor Center, you can enjoy a delicious bush breakfast followed by a tour. The rest of the day is spent on game drives through the wilderness - there are plenty of animals to spot in the park. The Serengeti is home to the world's largest wild herds of ungulates. The migration of about one million blue wildebeests, white-bearded wildebeests and zebras has made the park particularly famous. Depending on the season, one can enjoy this spectacle in all its glory. But also apart from the classic animal migration seasons you will see numerous animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, elephants, jackals, hyenas, numerous monkey and bird species, large ratites, crocodiles, hippos etc. While in the north of the Serengeti large, hilly and sparsely forested plains dominate the landscape, flat grassy steppes are found in the south of the park.

After breakfast, return to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a visit to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater. You will descend the 600 vertical meters into the crater for an extended game drive on the crater floor. Since only a few animals leave the crater, you will see a large number of elephants, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, jackals, antelopes, lions, buffalos with some luck also cheetahs or one of the rare rhinos. And why should the animals leave the crater? Here they have everything they need: Water, grass, and salt to lick. Zebras graze comfortably by the road, cranes fly past their heads - let yourself be carried away into the wild animal world of Tanzania. The eighth wonder of the world - that's what Bernhard Grzimek called the crater, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. Since the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was separated from the Serengeti National Park in 1959, the Maasai are once again allowed to live here with their herds. The Conservation Area includes different habitats, such as open grassland, mountain forest, bush land or heathland. But the region is dominated by the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest crater basin in the world. All year round about 25 000 animals live here, such as lions, wildebeests, elephants or zebras. Lake Magadi lies in the middle of the crater. On its shores, thousands of animals and birds, including numerous pink flamingos, cavort during the rainy season. Your safari guide is in constant contact with other guides in the crater to track animals and interesting moments. Here in the Ngorongoro Crater you have a good chance of seeing the 'Big 5' in the wild.

Drive duration: 200 km / approx. 3 hours (without wildlife viewing)

1 night at Bougainvillea Safari Lodge or Country Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner in cottage / standard room, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

After breakfast, visit the lively farmers' market of Karatu or drive to Mto Wa Mbu, a village at the foot of the East African Rift Valley, known for banana and rice cultivation. With a local guide you will walk a bit through the banana plantations and learn all kinds of interesting facts about the cultivation of this important fruit. If possible and depending on the schedule, you will also see how banana beer is produced. Afterwards, your guide will take you back to Arusha for your flight to Zanzibar. There you will again be picked up and transferred to your beach hotel.

There are places in the world whose name alone makes us dream. Zanzibar is such a place. Enjoy a paradisiacal vacation amidst coconut palms on the turquoise blue sea, fine white beaches and exotic spices in the air. Islanders greet the tourists. with a friendly "Jambo" (hello in Swahili) or “Karibu” (“welcome”).

On Zanzibar, almost every cliché of a dreamy beach comes true. Parts of the coast are still hardly developed for tourism. The island is also a hotspot for divers or kite surfers. To make the postcard picture perfect, you can see fishermen sailing across the sea in their dhows (traditional wooden boats). Relax and enjoy the beaches and your time in Zanzibar.

Flight duration: approx. 1,5 hours (without transfer time)

3 nights at Kichanga Lodge**** or similar beach hotel with 3x breakfast, 1x lunch and 3x dinner in bungalow garden view/standard room, Michamvi, Zanzibar, Tanzania

After breakfast, you will drive to Stonetown. On the way there, you will visit the spice plantations for the famous spice tour. Learn exciting and thrilling facts about the island's many spices, fruits and herbs and get a detailed description of their traditional uses in medicine, cosmetics and cooking.

After the tour, we invite you to a sumptuous lunch where you can sample the spices and fruits you learned about on the tour. The spices are still exported to the rest of the world. In the afternoon, experience the Stone City on a historic city tour. The city is full of contrasts and exciting stories to tell. Since 2000, the old town with its houses made of coral stone has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour takes you through the mysterious Stonetown, where time seems to have stopped. You will visit the Arab Fort and the Anglican Church with the former slave catacombs. Of course, you will also stroll through the lively market, through the narrow streets, past numerous mosques and proud merchant houses with richly carved doors. Here numerous stores are lined up in which spices, African handicrafts or colorful textiles are sold. At the Darajani market, fruits and vegetables as well as fresh fish and meat are sold daily. In the evening, the Forodhani Food Market becomes a real meeting place, wafting the scent of grilled meat and fish as well as exotic spices. Our tip: Be sure to try the famous Zanzibar pizza! The history of the island and the influences that come with it are present in the local food. Stews, rice, fish, curries with all variations, spiced with cardamom or even coffee are the order of the day here.

1 night at Maru Maru Hotel*** or Kholle House with breakfast and lunch at Spice Farm in standard room, Stonetown, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Today you will start the day with your last breakfast before departure. Depending on the flight time, you will have a moment for experiences on your own before your guide will take you from the hotel to Zanzibar airport. We hope you had a wonderful time in eastern Africa, experienced many unforgettable things on safari and enjoyed relaxing on dreamy Zanzibar. If you would like to customize any details of the trip according to your personal wishes, just contact us.

itravel - for that moment.

Blues & Chutney Country B&B, Arusha, Tanzania (1 night)

The charming Blues & Chutney is a converted farmhouse on a former coffee farm right on the Usa River. You can relax with a delicious tea or coffee in the sprawling garden of the beautiful property. The house consists of only 6 rooms - family atmosphere guaranteed. The kitchen is equipped and designed with attention to detail. In the lounge you can review the day by the fireplace.

Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, Tarangire, Tanzania (1 night)

The lodge is located in close proximity to the Sangaiwe Gate to the Tarangire National Park. A total of 8 beautifully furnished en-suite tents with terraces and views of Lake Burungi or the Rift Valley await you. Treat yourself to a cool cocktail and watch the beautiful sunset from your terrace. The tents are made of canvas fabric, wood and thatch and have solar powered water heating. Each room has a double bed or 2 single beds and a bathroom. Enjoy delicious, typical Tanzanian food and relax by the attractively designed pool. In the main area you will find a restaurant, bar, lounge and reception, with the swimming pool adjacent.

Rift Valley Lodge Photographic Lodge, Lake Manyara, Tanzania (1 night)

The lodge is located on a hill of the Rift Valley directly above Lake Manyara. The lodge is reminiscent of a typical Masai village. A total of 10 chalets have a private veranda and en-suite bathroom. Enjoy a fantastic view of the surroundings from here. The main lodge is surrounded by ancient baobab trees and houses the restaurant, a bar and a deck with a small swimming pool. Here you can relax with a sundowner in hand and reflect on the day.

Thorntree Camp, Serengeti, Seronera Valley, Tanzania (2 nights)

This camp is located about 20 minutes from the Seronera airstrip and is open all year round. Look forward to 10 tents, built with a solid construction and convincing with a private bathroom and a private veranda with a view of nature. Elephants, leopards and even lions can be seen walking by if you are lucky. Other amenities include a closet, desk, chairs, and complimentary bottled water. The camp is powered by solar energy and delicious meals are served in the dining room. At the campfire, you can reflect on the day under the starry African sky.

Bougainvillea Safari Lodge or County Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania (1 night)

Bougainvillea Safari Lodge is the perfect base for drives to the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. It is about 20 min to the gate of the Ngoronogoro Conservation Area. There are a total of 24 cottages on the premises. King-size or queen-size beds with mosquito nets are included, along with a refrigerator and bathroom and shower and toilet. Your veranda overlooks the lush green garden. The swimming pool, reception, lodge and dining area are located in the main area of the lodge.

Between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, Country Lodge awaits you on the outskirts of Karatu in a verdant garden. Each of the 22 rooms is equipped with a private bathroom, a fireplace and four-poster beds with mosquito nets. The private veranda with seating invites you to linger. In the main building, you'll find a lounge and dining area that tempts you with local dishes and homegrown fruits and vegetables.

Kichanga Lodge****, Zanzibar, Tanzania (3 nights)

Kichanga Lodge awaits you on the southeast coast of Zanzibar with magnificent views of the white sandy beach and the Indian Ocean. The lodge's cottages are surrounded by tropical gardens. The charming bungalows overlook, from a hillside, the azure sea - the perfect combination of romance and relaxation. Amenities in each include a fan, a bed with a mosquito net and a private bathroom with a shower. The restaurant serves typical local cuisine. In the pool you can relax with a refreshing drink. A beach volleyball court is available on the beach and mountain bikes can also be rented on site.

Maru Maru Hotel*** or Kholle House, Stonetown, Zanzibar, Tanzania (1 night)

Maru Maru Hotel is located right in the heart of Stonetown. The special feature: A cocktail bar with 360-degree views over the town. The rooms have a cozy four-poster bed and are decorated in Arabian-African style. The Fountain Restaurant is lovingly designed with chandeliers and stained glass windows, and serves a delicious breakfast buffet and sumptuous dinner.

Situated in the heart of the city, Kholle House is an oasis of calm. Renovated in 2011, the hotel's Zanzibari style is captivating. You will stay in one of the 10 rooms, which have air conditioning, mosquito nets, WiFi and a private Swahili-style bathroom. The in-house restaurant serves breakfast, and from the rooftop terrace you can enjoy a cup of tea while taking in the magnificent views of the city. Unwind by the outdoor pool. You can reach the beach in about 15 minutes on foot.

Duration of the trip: 11 days / 10 nights

Included

• 10 overnight stays in lodges and hotels according to the program
• Meals according to the program
• Private airport transfers
• Transport during the safaris in a four-wheel drive vehicle (Land cruiser or Land rover) with elevating roof
• Experienced English-speaking guide (German-speaking guide available on request)
• All entrance fees
• Game drives according to the program
• Encounters with the Datoga and Hadzabe people
• 2 l mineral water per person/day during the safari
• Coffee/tea with lunch packages
• Domestic flight Arusha - Zanzibar
• Private guided tour through the spice plantations with lunch
• Private guided Stonetown tour
• Wildlife Management Area Fees
• Tourism Development Tax
• Taxes and fees

Not included

• International flights
• Visa fee (currently approx. USD 50 per person, available upon entry)
• Tips
• Optional entrance fees to national parks or the like
• Prices for optional tours
• Meals not included
• Personal expenses
• Laundry service

Services & Notes

• Please note that full board does not include drinks, except coffee and tea. Water is also served at Mapito Tented Camp.
• As of 01/06/2019, the use of single-use plastic bags is banned in Tanzania and will be punishable by law. The ban will also apply to arriving passengers at airports and land borders, both for common duty free bags, as plastic bags in hand or checked luggage. Strict controls on hand and checked baggage entering the country must be expected. Also the so-called Ziplock bags, which are used primarily for carried cosmetics, are subject to this ban. Recommended are transparent bags, e.g. with zipper, which are clearly not 'disposable items', but are designed for longer use. The use of plastic bags for shopping in the country is also prohibited.