Private Safari - Best of Tanzania ULEA12

Personal Highlights:

• Staying overnight in a working coffee plantation
• A crocodile viewing safari along the banks of the Grumeti River
• Relaxing by the Indian Ocean at Ras Kutani

Day 1 Depart USA

Your discovery of the best of Tanzania begins as you board your overnight flight to Europe where you connect to a flight to Tanzania's exotic coastal capital, Dar es Salaam.

Day 2 Welcome to Dar Es Salaam

You arrive in Dar Es Salaam in the afternoon and, after clearing arrival formalities you are me by our representative whho will escort you to your waiting car which will take you to your iconic hotel located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. You have a chance to relax and perhaps take a dip in the rooftop pool before having a light supper and a good night's rest.

Day 3 Flight to Selous Game Reserve

A morning flight takes you to Selous and its game preserve. Although only a small portion is currently available for tourism, the entire reserve is the size of Switzerland and represents 5% of all of Tanzanian land. Selous is a combination of open woodlands, plains and deep forests and since it is relatively unvisited, game abounds. It also has a large water component of lagoons, sandbanks and lakes all fed by the Rufiji River. Your luxury lodge is situated on the river. Each tent is fully equipped and built on stilts to enhance the game viewing.

Day 4 Selous Game Viewing by Boat and Vehicle

To those who know and love the African bush, the Selous is one of Africa's best kept secrets. It has hosted Prince Charles along with his two sons Princes William and Harry. As you begin your exploration you will see why. You may start out this morning with a boat ride to visit up close the many elephants, hippos and crocodiles that inhabit the river. After a break for lunch it may be good to take a vehicle to go in search of lion or the more illusive leopard. As you dine this evening don't be surprised to look out and see a nearby elephant enjoying its evening meal too.

Day 5 A Walking Safari in Search of the Long-Horned Eland

The Selous is home to a large herd of Eland reputedly with the longest horns in East Africa. Best seen on a walking safari you will set out with an armed ranger (just in case) to explore the reserve at eye level. A late afternoon game viewing ends your day. After dinner you turn out the light to listen to the lion's roar trying to judge how close...

Day 6 From Selous to the Serengeti

After a morning game viewing you head to the airstrip for a flight one of Tanzania's most well known areas, the Serengeti plain. Upon arrival your are met and driven to your charming lodge which abuts the Nrogorngoro conservation area. Often described as the "eighth wonder of the world" the Ngoorongoro crater is nearly three million years old. An extinct volcano measuring 100 square miles and with surrounding walls 1,800 feet it is the perfect caldera, the largest on earth. Fresh springs and a large soda lake quench the thirst of all the inhabitants. Giant tusked elephants wander the Savannah and the Lerai Forest, black-maned lions stalk the grasslands and Black Rhino are also to be found along with Flamingoes in the soda lake. you have a chance to view this during an evening game drive.

Day 7 A Full Day Game Drive in the Crater

This morning you head out with your guide for a full day game drive within the crater. A sanctuary for over 25,000 animals, the crater is also frequented by the Masai. Today you will search for lion, elephants, leopard, cheetah and plains game. You're sure to see most but the leopard can be elusive. After a day of game viewing relax after dinner in your lodge's piano lounge.

Day 8 Driving the Serengeti Plain

You awaken to the smells of freshly baked breads and begin your day with a visit to Olduvai Gorge where Dr. Leakey made his amazing and sometimes controversial discovery. One of the staff will give you a lecture on fossils of both our human ancestors and those of the animals alive in those times. Leaving the Gorge you proceed to the Serengeti National Park where you check into your lodge famous for its location on the main wildebeest migration route between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara, along the bank of the Grumeti River. You have time for a swim before embarking on an evening game drive.

Day 9 A Day on the Serengeti

An early morning bush walk has been arranged for you this morning accompanied by a special breakfast prepared and served in the bush. You have time to relax during the middle of the day before embarking on an evening game drive. A spectacular "sundowner" precedes dinner under the stars.

Day 10 The Road to Zanzibar

Since Zanzibar is an island, the "road" might make a good movie but more practically you will fly to this island portion of the country. In colonial times, Tanganyika and Zanzibar were administered separately but with the coming of independence, the names were merged to create the country of Tanzania. This magical island where the fusion of Arab, African and European cultures has created a pace of life, a style of cuisine, and a colourful tapestry of architecture, heritage, myth and magic that is found nowhere else in the world. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your deluxe resort made up of only six private villas and offering a sybaritic experience on an inclusive basis.

Days 11- 12 Days of Leisure

You have two days to enjoy the tranquility your resort has to offer including a spa and its own private beach complete with cabanas. If you feel the need for activity, take a trip into Stone Town, a quaint town that reached its peak in the 19th Century  when Arab traders vied with each other to show their wealth by creating elaborate doors to their homes. Over 500 of these doors still remain although many are in need of restoration. Sightseeing or sunbathing, the choice is yours.

Day 13 Fly to "Dar" with Dayroom at Hotel

Today you will fly to Dar Es Salaam where you will transfer to the Kempinski where a dayroom has been reserved. You have the chance to enjoy the hotel's facilities and the ocean views before having dinner and then heading to the airport for your flight to Europe which leaves late at night or early in the morning. You will connect in Europe for your return to the USA

Day 14 Arrive in USA

Your flight returns to the USA in the afternoon.

Services Included

• All air transportation as part of the program offered including private and charter aircraft. (On those programs requiring private aircraft flights, you will be limited to 33lbs of luggage which can be stored in the safari luggage which we provide to you. Additional luggage will be stored for you for the rest of your trip. In the private camps, daily laundry is available (and, in most cases included).
• Luxury rail travel as indicated
• Superior Rooms at the properties indicated in the accommodations area (We reserve the right to substitute a property of equal quality in advance of departure should the designated hotel be unavailable)
• On Safari, only private camps are used and include all meals and all game viewing in most camps, house beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks  ( indicated on itinerary)
• Private Transfers to and from the airport at destination
• All meals as indicated on the itinerary by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
• Private guides for city explorations and private driver/guide while traveling.
• Baggage handling at all hotels and camps
• All applicable taxes and service fees

Services Not Included

• International airfare (round-trip from hometown departure gateway to destination)
• Beverages with included meals (unless otherwise indicated on itinerary page)
• Any meals not indicated on the Itinerary page
• Items of a personal nature e.g. minibar, film, postcards etc.
• Gratuities to Guides and Driver/Guides (we provide suggested guidelines for your selected destination in your pre-departure material)
• Any passport or visa fees or government departure taxes (It is the traveler’s responsibility to secure the latest information regarding passports and visa requirements)

 

Available Year Round