Serengeti to Zanzibar Safari
An exceptional luxury safari that visits the best of Tanzania's national parks and explores the beautiful island of Zanzibar, offering guests an idyllic mix of a bush and beach getaway. Discover the famous Serengeti and its vast open plains filled with migrating herds of wildebeest and descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for the chance to see Africa's big five in a lush wildlife haven encircled by volcanic walls. Float through the skies and witness a breathtaking sunrise followed by a champagne breakfast and sail between islands on a traditional wooden dhow. Stay in luxury lodges, eat delicious meals and experience the best of Tanzania on a safari like no other.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival Tanzania
You will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and be taken to your hotel in Arusha, overlooking Lake Duluti. Although most flights land after the sun has set, delaying your view until morning, you can hold onto the thoughts of Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak in the meantime.
Overnight at Arusha Serena Hotel
Arusha Serena Hotel is unlike any other hotel in Tanzania with authentic, bespoke experiences that stir the traveller’s soul while showcasing the breathtaking tranquillity of our surroundings. Set among the woodland slopes of Mount Meru at the edge of Lake Duluti. The ambience of Arusha hotel is warmly reminiscent of our origins as a colonial era coffee farm, beginning with the welcoming stone-built reception area and extending to cottage-style rooms neatly arranged among landscaped lawns and the colourful banks of Bougainvillea. Traces of our heritage present themselves in elegant, country-manor interiors featuring unique artefacts, leaded windows and French doors opening to extensive lake view gardens. Social areas within our Arusha hotel include a library, a lounge and a restaurant offering an enchanting wood fireplace and lake and garden views.
Meals: Bed, Dinner & Breakfast
DAY 2: Lake Manyara National Park & Ngorongoro Crater
In the morning you will leave Arusha and make your way to Lake Manyara National Park, arriving at Serena Lodge in time for a lunch overlooking the lake. After lunch you can explore the bird-lovers paradise, enjoying your first game viewing opportunity as you head towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to Ngorongoro Crater, a wildlife mecca. Continue to your lodge that rests on the dormant volcano’s rim walls, providing stunning views of the diverse natural world below. Enjoy some dinner and relax for the remainder of the evening.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Nestled high above the plains into the Crater’s jagged rim, cloaked in river stone and indigenous vines, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is barely visible to the naked eye. Rooms are looped around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock-enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below. Our Ngorongoro hotel lodge is a place that feels as ancient as the Crater itself, yet no modern comfort has been spared in an effort to bring you the best safari adventure in Africa and one of the most unique travel experiences in the world.
Explore the Cradle of Mankind at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3:Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive & Picnic Lunch
Spend the day exploring the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, long regarded as Africa’s 'Garden of Eden'. Within the crater walls lie grasslands, forests and a freshwater lake, attracting numerous animal species on their annual migration journeys. Make your way across this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site as you search for Africa’s big five with the main attractions being the notorious black-maned lions and the rare black rhinoceros. Enjoy a hot picnic in the heart of the crater, sure to be a highlight of your safari and your wildest meal yet.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Oldupai Gorge & Serengeti National Park
Set off in the morning for the Oldupai Gorge for a chance to explore the area where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of some of the earliest known human ancestors, estimated to be 1.8 million years old. Learn more about the site’s significance on a guided tour before continuing your journey, driving along the dusty roads that take you across the grasslands to the famous Serengeti National Park. Arrive at your safari lodge, inspired by Maasai tribal dwellings and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is an award-winning gem of a hotel in one of the most beautiful settings in Tanzania. Seamlessly blended high into an acacia-lined ridge, our African-style lodge and infinity pool offer panoramic views across the Serengeti’s vast, endless grasslands, where lions and cheetahs stalk their prey and massive migrating wildebeest herds darken the landscape in a relentless search for fresh grazing grounds. Here, you will savour the ancient stillness and serenity of one of the most magnificent destinations on earth. Discover the warmth and cosiness of stone-built, traditionally thatched “rondavel” lodging. Dine under an indigo blanket of stars and enjoy unforgettable adventures and experiences ranging from Swahili lessons, guided nature walks and massage treatments.Take pleasure in a Serengeti safari destination where time seemingly stands still and your room remains at the threshold of undisturbed, untamed Africa.
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 5:Serengeti Balloon Safari & Game Drive
In the morning you will have the opportunity to float over the reserve on an exciting hot air balloon flight for an amazing game viewing experience as dawn breaks over the vast Serengeti plains. After seeing the world through new eyes you will land and enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush. Later you will head out on an afternoon game drive in search of the numerous wildlife species in the park before heading back to camp after a beautiful sunset.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: The Western Serengeti
In the morning you will travel to the Serengeti’s remote western corridor, known for the massive migrating herds that trek across the plains. Arrive at your luxurious tented camp in the remote Grumeti River region and enjoy another unique African safari experience. Search for the big cats that pursue the herds and if you are lucky, you may see a hunt.
Overnight at Kirawira Tented Camp
Escape to the Africa of legend and myth with endless plains surrounding our luxury tented safari camp in the Serengeti. Kirawira Serena Camp welcomes you to a destination where unforgettable safari adventures are complemented by crisp, professional services and five-star amenities. As the finest and most exclusive of the Serena Group's we offer an experience beyond compare surrounded by the majesty of Serengeti National Park’s famous Western Corridor. Kirawira Serena Camp features 25 beautifully appointed luxury tents with spectacular views of the plains. It also includes elegant dining tents featuring Edwardian-styled dining furniture and staff attired in the classical Colonial ‘mess' uniform of white Swahili robes. In addition, there’s a central meeting tent evocatively furnished with a tasteful selection of chintz-covered chaise lounges, Persian rugs, antique escritoire, wind-up phonograms and leather-bound travelling cases.
An abundance of discoveries awaits. Partake in Swahili lessons or a cooking class or indulge yourself with a massage. Toast the end of another glorious day with sundowner cocktails and canapés in the bush. Then repair to the dining tent for a gourmet meal paired with world-class wines.
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 7: The Great Serengeti Plains
Wake up in the heart of the African wilderness, in your luxurious tent, surrounded by Edwardian-era accents that evoke images of the classic safari camps of the previous century and head out for an early morning game drive. Learn about the bush from your guide as he shares fascinating insights about the world you are exploring. Make your way back to camp for lunch and some relaxing beside the pool before heading out for another game drive and a spectacular sunset.
Overnight at Kirawira Tented Camp
Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 8:Zanzibar & Stone Town Your
Rise early for your final game drive in the Serengeti before catching your midday flight to Zanzibar with its stunning white sand beaches, once a wealthy spice trading center. Upon your arrival, you will set off on a guided tour of Stone Town in the main port of Zanzibar City. Later you will head to your beautiful hotel overlooking the turquoise sea and white sand beaches.
Overnight at Zanzibar Serena Hotel:
Located on the sea-front of ancient Stone Town, Zanzibar Serena Inn offers 5-star accommodation with a view of the Indian Ocean. There is an outdoor pool with sun loungers, a café and 2 restaurants. All rooms are decorated with traditional furnishings and feature a satellite TV, mini bar and a tea and coffee maker. Each has a private bathroom with a bath and shower with free toiletries. There is 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi.
The Terrace Seafood Restaurant features an open-air rooftop terrace and has ocean views. International and Swahili dishes are available at the Baharia Restaurant. The Pool Terrace Bar and coffee shop serve a wide selection of drinks, snacks and traditional pastries.Guests can relax and sunbathe poolside or on the beach. Other activities include swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and diving.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and Dinner
DAY 9: Traditional Dhow Sailing & Indian Ocean Safari
Today you will enjoy a traditional Arabian sailing experience on a wooden dhow, making your way along the coast as these boats have done for decades, gliding between their trading and fishing spots, hoping from one island port to the next. Search for the dolphins that inhabit the surrounding waters and drop anchor on a sandy beach for some swimming and snorkeling over the beautiful coral reefs. Make your way back to your hotel after a full day in the sun.
Overnight at Park Zanzibar Serena Hotel: breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 10: Spice Tour & Homeward Bound
Enjoy your final breakfast and choose to relax at the hotel or join a guided spice tour of Stone Town. In the afternoon you will be taken to the airport for your flight home after an amazing safari experience filled with memories you will cherish forever.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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