17 days, 16 nights – Serengeti, Selous, 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. This charming Lodge is situated at the banks of picturesque Usa River on an old German coffee estate and offers stunning views towards Mt. Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro. Alternative accommodation is at Mount Meru Game Lodge with an animal sanctuary attached. Our safari manager will come to meet you and to provide you with a briefing on your Serengeti, Selous and Zanzibar combination.

NB –if you arrive into another airport than Kilimanjaro we’ll arrange a connection flight to Arusha either on arrival or the following day (at extra cost). From Nairobi also road transfers in private or shared vehicles possible.

Day 2: Lake Manyara

After breakfast we depart to Lake Manyara. 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.

Overnight at Rift Valley Lodge at Lake Manyara .

All meals included.

Day 3: Lake Manyara – Olduvai Gorge – Serengeti

After breakfast you start on your way to Serengeti National Park. A picnic lunch will be provided. On the way you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa. 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.

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

Accommodation at a lodge at Serengeti with some supplement (on request).

Day 4: Serengeti

A full day of game drives around Serengeti. 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. As in Ngorongoro your Driver/Guide will be in contact with other safari drivers and will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals.

Day 5: Ngorongoro

In the morning drive to Ngorongoro Crater. After arrival in Ngorongoro you will descend into the crater for a wonderful game drive (with a picnic lunch) inside the Ngorongoro Crater. 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. Your Driver/Guide will amaze you with his skill at locating the hidden animals.

Overnight in one of the lodges in Karatu nearby (Farmhouse, Endoro Lodge, etc).

All meals included.

Day 6: Ngorongoro – Arusha

After breakfast you go on a Nature Walk at the forest of the other Ngorongoro Crater Rim inhabited by buffaloes, elephants, baboons, monkeys and different species of birds. Escorted by a ranger or Maasai Guide you follow animal paths on the so called Endoro Trail.

Afterwards, you return to Arusha for a good lunch at a nice restaurant some shopping/sightseeing in Arusha Town. Relax the afternoon at your nice lodge.

Overnight in River trees Country Inn or Mount Meru Game Lodge in Arusha.

All meals included.

Day 7: Arusha – Dar Es Salaam – Selous

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha airport and flight via DarEs Salaam to Selous Game Reserve. Transfer from the airstrip to your lodge for a meeting with the lodge manager to discuss your program for the following two days. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy some time at the poolside or a great sundown from the lodge’s unique lounge area. Your lodge consists of stone cottages and luxury tented bandassuituated over BehoBeho Hillside of Sable Mountain.

Overnight at Sable Mountain Lodge.

Day 8 – 9: Selous Game Reserve

Two full of game drives at Selous Game Reserve named after the explorer Frederick Selous. The Selous Game Reserve is the largest protected wildlife reserve, a UN World Heritage site and a pristine uninhabited area larger than Switzerland. The topography of the park varies from rolling savannah woodland, grassland plain and rocky outcrops cut by the Rufiji River and its tributaries. Activities are game drives, a walking safari and a boat trip at Lake Tagalala where crocodiles, hippos and grazing game can be seen.

2 x Overnight at Sable Mountain Lodge. All meals included

NB – Fly camping’ can be arranged on request. This is a wonderful way to sleep under the stars and enjoy the pure tranquility and raw excitement of the bush. Large tents made of heavy duty mosquito mesh ensure that you are close to nature but apart from only bugs. Fly camping in the wilderness perfectly compliments is a perfect compliments your safari to Selous.

Day 10: Selous – Zanzibar

After breakfast, transfer to one of Selous Airstrip for your connecting flight to Zanzibar around 10:30.

Accommodation at The Zanzibari Hotel, Matemwe Beach Village or Zanzibar Retreat Hotel (other beach resorts as per your choice)

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 11 – 15: Beach Extension

Relax and enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 16: Spice Tour & Stone town

After breakfast transfer to Stone town. On the way we will do the famous Spice Tour. We have developed a special Spice Tour with in depth 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 opulent lunch at the Spice Restaurant where you can taste the spices and fruits.

In the afternoon we shhow you Stone Town on our Historical Stone Town Tour. This tour takes you through fabled Stone Town, 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!

Overnight at Dhow Palace Hotel (or similar hotel).