14 days, 13 nights – Northern Circuit & Zanzibar

Day 1: Arrival

You will be met at the International Airport of Kilimanjaro by your driver/guide and our representative We will take you to the River trees Country Inn, a charming lodge situated at the banks of picturesque Usa River on an old German coffee estate, offering stunning views towards Mt. Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro. Children can roam around in the park style garden and watch naughty vervet monkeys and wise owls in the old trees along the river. A small pool is very inviting during the warmer months of the year. Alternative accommodation is at Mount Meru Game Lodge, a fantastic and atmospheric lodge with its own adjacent wildlife sanctuary. Animals such as zebra, ostrich and various antelope can be seen wandering by whilst you enjoy a tea or a soda on the lawn. Our safari manager will come to meet you and to provide you with a briefing on your Family Safari Tanzania North.

Accommodation will be in a family room where 3-4 persons can comfortably sleep.

Dinner included.

Day 2: Arusha

Today you will take an excursion in the nearby surroundings of your lodge, meaning you can relax a little, sleep in a bit if you want, and stay in your lodge without having to pack up again after just one night.

You have the choice between three different options. Please choose the one suiting the needs of your family best:

Arusha National Park

After breakfast drive to Arusha National Park, once the site of the action packed Hollywood movie Hatari, starring John Wayne and Hardy Kruger. You pass by herds of zebra, buffalo, and giraffe on the savannah. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Momella Lake, famous for huge flocks of colourful flamingos and its views at majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. You continue in the afternoon with a game drive around the different habitats in this truly beautiful national park. There are black and white colobus monkeys (unique to this location northern Tanzania), Sykes’s and vervet monkeys, shy forest duikers, elusive leopards and substantial herds of antelope.

If you wish, you can hike at the slopes of Mt Meru in dense forest or at the Crater rim while an armed ranger escorts you to protect you from some of the larger animals.

Alternatively, you could do some cultural visits instead of visiting Arusha National Park. We offer as follows:

Mulala

Full day excursion to Mulala, a picturesque village located of the slopes of Mt Meru, to visit the people living here and to get a glimpse of the daily life of Meru farmers growing vegetables and crops. Together with a local guide you walk from Mama Anna’s farm, crisscrossing coffee plantations and banana farms to the top of Lemeka Hill, and back down to the Marisha River, which is home of colorful birds and playful monkey. The village women will prepare some simple but tasty lunch for you before you return to Arusha.

Nkoaranga Village

Full day excursion to the small village of Nkoaranga. This is home to a local fair-trade coffee growers’ cooperative, made up of a group of small-farm coffee growers working together to build a sustainable, naturally grown, fair trade coffee business. Visit the coffee plantations and see the different steps of coffee growing. Learn about how coffee beans are collected, processed, roasted, ground and carefully packed. All proceeds from coffee sales return to the local farmers for reinvestment in the project, and to build their burgeoning organic farming project – with the first organic bean harvest scheduled within the next two years. Lunch is taken in the village before you return to Arusha. A walk through the village and at the local school or an orphanage is also included if desired.

Overnight at River trees Country Inn or Mount Meru Game Lodge. All meals included.

Day 3: Lake Manyara

After breakfast we depart for Lake Manyara (driving time some 2.5 – 3 hours). Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is recognized for its incredible beauty. You can see many game animals such as Buffalo, Elephant, Giraffe, Impala, hippo and others. After spending most of the day in the car you might enjoy a leisurely stroll along Kirurumu River which has to be crossed on large rocks a couple of times. This is a great chance to get out your vehicle and explore this beautiful area on foot. Note that wet muddy feet cannot entirely be avoided…!

You will make the short journey towards Ngorongoro directly after your day of game driving at Lake Manyara, meaning you can make it down to the crater floor early morning the following day.

Spend the evening at Ngorongoro Farmhouse, a rustic old farmhouse at the outskirts of Ngorongoro Conservation Area with large rooms which comfortably sleep a family of four.

All meals included.

Day 4: Ngorongoro

After breakfast you pass into Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend into the crater for a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater often described as one of the wonders of the world. It is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest animal populations. It is one of the few places where the rare black rhino can be observed in their natural setting. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species. With a bit of luck the ‘Big Five’ can be spotted during one game drive only.

Depending on the time you spend on the crater floor you might like to go on another bush walk at the rim of the crater, inhabited by playful monkeys and different species of birds, and occasionally bigger animals like buffalo and elephant! Escorted by a ranger or Maasai Guide you follow animal paths through dense bush. Alternatively, you can return early to you lodge and attend a coffee grinding ceremony in the lodge’s own coffee factory.

2nd overnight at Ngorongoro Farmhouse. All meals included.

Day 5: Ngorongoro – Serengeti

After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National Park (driving time some 4 hours, but with plenty to see on the way!) En route you will see grazing zebras, antelopes and giraffes and sometimes some buffalos hiding in the bush. You will visit a MaasaiBoma (traditional village) where some Maasai Warriors will welcome you, show you around and explain their traditional life. They will also show you their famous jumping dance and invite you to join in if you like! You can also see inside houses, meet children, ask questions and take photos!

After stopping for your picnic lunch on a kopje (rock outcropping) in Serengeti you will continue further into the park and go on a game drive in the afternoon. Depending on the time of year and the migration of the herds you can expect to see wildebeest, lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, baboons, hippos, rhinos, antelopes and many birds and other species.

Tonight and the following night you spend in a comfortable tented camp at the edge of the famous Serengeti, with views over the endless savannah with some animals and typically African acacia trees. Enjoy some relaxing hours at the camp fire under open sky after dinner, chatting with other guests and the charismatic security guards.

Overnight at Ikoma Tented Camp at Ikoma, Northern Serengeti. All meals included.

Day 6: Serengeti

Early start today for an early morning game drive to see also nocturnal predators returning from hunting and animals waking up in early morning light. You can take breakfast boxes with you and have a bush breakfast when the sun is up before you visit the interesting documentation center about Serengeti at Seronera. Return to your lodge for a relaxed lunch under the shade of an old acacia tree.

In the afternoon you can go out again on game drives or undertake a nature walk around the camp with some resident tribesmen. They are happy to share their knowledge of plants and animals surrounding them and introduce you into their use of traditional bow and arrow for hunting.

2nd overnight at Ikoma Tented Camp at Ikoma, Northern Serengeti. All meals included.

Day 7: Serengeti – Zanzibar

After last bush breakfast at your camp we take you to Seronera Airstrip in the Serengeti, for your flight to Zanzibar (departure at around 11:05 with arrival around 14:30).

Transfer to Matemwe Beach Village at Matemwe Beach.

All meals included.

Accommodation at a family villa like Milele Villas on request.

Day 8 – 11: Beach Extension

Relax and enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar.

Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 12: Spice Tour

After breakfast transfer to Stone Town. On the way we will do the famous Spice Tour. We have developed a special Spice Tour with information not only about spices, but also organically grown herbs and a detailed description about their traditional uses in medicine cosmetics and cooking. After the tour we invite for an sumptuous and filling lunch at the Spice Restaurant, where you can taste the spices and fruits you have just learned about and seen growing fresh.

In the afternoon you have some time at leisure. Your hotel is conveniently located at Stone Town’s beautiful waterfront where in the afternoon the locals gather together for some football, gymnastics or just some relaxed socializing on the sand. A turquoise blue pool ensures refreshment from the heat of the day.

Overnight at Tembo Hotel. Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 13: Zanzibar Town

In the morning we will show you Zanzibar’s fabled old town on our Historical Stone Town Tour. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a beautiful and interesting place where history appears to stand still. With visits to the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People’s Palace) and the Arab Fort amongst others, it is a fascinating look at the essence of Zanzibar. You will see Zanzibar’s bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques! Rest in the afternoon, explore the many curio shops at leisure, enjoy a cold drinks at a beachside bar, or go on a boat trip to the neighboring islands (extra cost).

2nd Overnight at Tembo Hotel. Breakfast included.

Day 14: Departure

End of your Family Safari Tanzania North with Zanzibar extension. Departure transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your departure.

NB –if you depart from another airport than Zanzibar we’ll arrange flight connections to your departure airport (to Dar Es Salaam also ferry boats possible).