Tanzania’s Iconic North plus Zanzibar
Tour Introduction
The north of Tanzania holds more than its fair share of Africa’s natural wonders: the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro, the vast extinct volcanic crater of Ngorongoro and the vast open plains of the Serengeti. Add in some of the highest carnivore concentrations on the planet and the epic annual migration of over two million animals and you have one of the world’s great scenic wildlife regions. Our tailor-made itinerary takes you to the very best of Tanzania’s north, staying at top notch wildlife lodges and finishing with a few nights of well-earned relaxation at one of the best seaside lodges on the beautiful island of Zanzibar.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Kilimanjaro (Arusha). Met on arrival with private guide and vehicle. Transfer to Tarangire National Park with a picnic lunch en route. Rest of the day free to relax and explore.
Staying at Oliver’s Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy a full day of game drives in Tarangire National Park, outstanding for elephants – large herds sometimes numbering 50 or 60 animals are not uncommon. The park is also home to buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, greater kudu, eland and the rare fringe-eared oryx. There is a small population of tree-climbing lion and African wild dog here and leopards are widespread throughout the park. The normally rarely seen African rock python is often found resting in acacia trees close to wetlands near Silale in the park.
Staying at Oliver’s Camp. Includes All Meals.
In the morning drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive. Hippo can be found in the Simba River, there are large numbers of elephants and a resident herd of Cape buffalo on the open plains at Mahali Pa Nyati, which means, 'the place of the buffalo' in Swahili. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing the drive to the renowned Ngorongoro Crater.
Staying at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Early departure for a full day’s game drive in the crater. Often proclaimed as one of the wonders of the natural world, it is difficult to give a fair description to the enormity and beauty of Ngorongoro Crater. There are open grasslands which are home to wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah and black rhino. Acacia woodland provides cover for leopards and swamps provide food for elephants and buffalos. Fresh water pools harbour hippos and a small soda lake is home to flamingos. Indeed, the crater can be seen as a microcosm of Africa’s diverse habitats.
Staying at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Morning departure from lodge and drive to Olduvai Gorge - an archaeological site located in the eastern Serengeti Plains. The gorge is a very steep-sided ravine roughly 30 miles long and 295 feet deep. Exposed deposits show rich fossil fauna, many hominid remains and some of the oldest stone tool technologies, called Olduwan. Continue the drive into Serengeti National Park.
Staying at Serengeti Safari Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy morning and afternoon games drives in the world famous Serengeti National Park. The annual migration of over two million animals through the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem is one of the world’s great wildlife spectacles. Dominated by wildebeest but also containing large numbers of zebra, gazelles and, of course, many expectant carnivores, the migration is largely controlled by the rains and its timing varies accordingly. The plains here support an exceptional diversity of large game throughout the year with elephant, hippo, black rhino, giraffe, buffalo, eland, Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelles, Burchell’s zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and many more.
Staying at Serengeti Safari Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy morning and afternoon games drives in the Serengeti National Park.
Staying at Serengeti Safari Camp. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to the local Ndutu airstrip and take a flight via Arusha to Zanzibar. Met on arrival and transfer to Zanzibar’s beautiful east coast and check in to your boutique hotel.
Staying at Matemwe Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Full day at leisure in your suite with private plunge pool. The beautiful white sand beach at the lodge has plenty of shade and offers good swimming at high tide. A short walk away is a small fishing village, and the sight of the small fleet of traditional sailing dhows departing at sunrise and returning at sunset makes for a wonderful start and end to your day.
Staying at Matemwe Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Full day at leisure. OPTIONAL activities available including snorkelling and diving boat trips.
Staying at Matemwe Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Full day at leisure on full board basis in a suite with private plunge pool. OPTIONAL activities available.
Staying at Matemwe Lodge. Includes All Meals.
Check out and transfer to Zanzibar airport for flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Oliver’s Camp
Overview
A small, intimate camp with just ten large, comfortable safari cabins offering high standards of accommodation and service, Oliver’s Camp is located in the quiet, animal-rich eastern sector of Tarangire National Park. The camp is uniquely licensed to offer walking tours and night game drives (both at additional cost) within the national park for the opportunity of incredible encounters with elephants and other big game as well as the smaller creatures.
The spacious guest tents are furnished in a traditional African style and raised on wooden platforms sheltered under thatch roofs. There are mosquito nets and spray, a radio (to contact reception), a torch, digital safe, solar powered lights and a large canvas wardrobe. Each tent has a private deck with sun loungers and a private bathroom. There is also a special honeymoon and family cabin available. There are no power sockets in the tents: batteries can be charged in the main tent.
Inside the main communal tent is a communal dining table and comfortable lounge area. Meals are delicious and mainly a mix of African and continental dishes.
The lodge also provides a complimentary laundry service and local drinks.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, lounge, private bathrooms, solar-powered lighting, digital safe, mosquito net and spray.
Local Wildlife
The park is famous for its large numbers of elephant, particularly in the dry season. Buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, greater kudu and eland can also be easily seen here. There is a small population of tree-climbing lion and African wild dog. Leopards are widespread throughout the park. The very rare fringe-eared oryx can be seen on occasion. African rock python is often found resting in acacia trees close to wetlands near Silale: other reptiles include puff adders, Speke’s hinged and pancake tortoises. Birdlife is also impressive and includes secretary bird, martial and crested eagles and the endemic yellow-collared lovebird.
Optional Activities
Game drives and walking safaris, plus optional night drives (at an additional cost)
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Overview
Perched on the rim and affording spectacular views of the world famous Ngorongoro crater floor below, the ivy-clad Ngorongoro Serena Lodge offers good rooms, friendly service, well run facilities and delicious food.
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is actually built into the rim of the crater itself, with the foliage-covered native stone of the lodge blending into the surrounding hillside. The views of the crater will certainly take your breath away: the 75 rooms, bar and restaurant all overlook the picturesque valley below. The rooms have attractive wooden floors and are decorated with ancient cave art. Each features modern en suite bathrooms, patios and heating as the temperatures can significantly drop here at night.
The main building contains a large restaurant, bar, gift shop, TV area and an attractive outside decking area, perfect for relaxing while admiring the view. There are buffets for breakfast and lunch but an a la carte menu is available for dinner.
Beside the exciting safaris within the crater, there are numerous walks and activities one can do from the lodge including visits to local tribal villages.
Within Ngorongoro crater is a diverse ecosystem representing nearly every habitat found in East Africa. Open grasslands are inhabited by wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah and black rhino; acacia woodland provides cover for leopards; swamps supply the food for elephants and buffalos; freshwater pools harbour hippos; and a small soda lake is a feeding ground for flocks of flamingos. In addition there are small outcrops of rocks which give shade for lions and even an highly arid area of shifting sand dunes.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, TV room, gift shop, heating and private bathrooms.
Local Wildlife
Large game is abundant and includes elephant, black rhino, buffalo, zebra, gazelle, impala, eland, waterbuck, lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena. Smaller species often seen in the crater include serval, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, dwarf and slender mongooses and olive baboons. The crater is regarded as one of the best places in all Africa to see the highly endangered black rhinoceros.
Optional Activities
Game drives within the crater and guided walks along the rim. Cultural activities are also available including visits to local tribal villages.
Serengeti Safari Camp
Overview
Embodying all that is great in East Africa bush camping, Serengeti Safari Camp is a gem of a lodge. Six beautifully equipped safari tents provide accommodation for just 12 guests creating an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Candlelit bush dinners, good standards of service and some of the best guides in Africa all go to complete the safari experience. The lodge switches its location throughout the year putting it in the very best position for the migration. For this reason the camp is one of the best options for those hoping to view some of the most spectacular events of the migration such as river crossings.
The camp itself is actually quite simple but the quality of food and service is first class. There are two communal tents, one is a comfortable lounge and the second is the dining tent where delicious and well-presented dinners are taken. Breakfast and lunch are usually taken out in the field. There are six private and spacious guest tents, each with a table and chairs and large double bed. Behind the beds is a changing area, sink, towel rack and bucket shower with hot water available on request. Storm lanterns powered by solar power provide lighting and there is a torch and alarm for emergency attention.
The locations of the camp around the park have to be agreed well in advance with the park authorities – thus the unpredictable route of the migration means that sometimes a drive is necessary to reach the best spots for wildlife observation.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Dining room, lounge, private bucket shower (hot water available on request), solar powered lighting and laundry service.
Local Wildlife
Serengeti Safari Camp aims to position itself in the best locations to witness the wildebeest migration during its peak times. The plains of the Serengeti also support an exceptional diversity of other large game throughout the year with elephant, hippo, black rhino, giraffe, buffalo, eland, Thompson’s and grant’s gazelles, Burchell’s zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and many more frequently seen.
Optional Activities
Game drives directly from the camp.
Matemwe Lodge
Overview
With a stunning position on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Indian Ocean and one of the best beaches on the island of Zanzibar, Matemwe Lodge provides exceptionally stylish accommodation and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Each of the twelve large, detached bungalows is exquisitely furnished with local fabrics, wooden floors, king-size beds and handmade furniture. Each has private facilities and a large balcony overlooking the sea with hammocks and wooden chairs. Other room facilities include free Wi-Fi, ceiling fans, tea and coffee facilities, and room and laundry service.
Service is relaxed but efficient and the restaurant serves excellent fresh seafood dishes. There are two swimming pools, a small bar built around an old dhow and well maintained gardens which attract bush babies and many birds. There is also a full service spa on site as well as an array of optional activities. Swimming is good off the lodge’s beach at high tide.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, swimming pool, private bathroom, laundry service, free Wi-Fi, spa, gift shop and room service.
Local Wildlife
Zanzibar bush babies visit the gardens after dark and a wide variety of birds and colourful butterflies can be seen during the day. Mnembe Atoll offers outstanding snorkelling and diving with a plethora of hard and soft corals, numerous reef fish, eels, reef sharks and green and hawksbill turtles.
Optional Activities
Excursions to Mnembe Atoll. Cultural activities including visits to local villages, historic Stone Town, the Jozani forest and prison island.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights within Tanzania are included.
Best Visited:
June to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If not a beach person, then drop Zanzibar and add another lodge in the Serengeti – the park is vast and there is a huge range of topography, habitat, wildlife and experience. Lodges located just outside the park boundary also allow additional activities like walking safaris and night drives, not allowed in the park itself.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We had a wonderful holiday and the arrangements were excellent. We have almost 2000 digital photographs plus a video and no complaints. Thank you.
