Big 5 Safaris & Zanzibar Beach Holiday

• Duration:8 Days
• Location:Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar.

Highlight

This itinerary takes you from outstanding wildlife areas to the tropical white sandy beaches of Zanzibar. Explore three famous parks in northern Tanzania, like the beautiful Ngorongoro Crater, which is home to almost 30,000 animals, including the Big 5. Or Tarangire National Park: the kingdom of elephants, birds and baobabs. Four of the Big 5 reside within this lovely park (only no rhino’s). Enjoy a village walk in Mto wa Mbu where you can see the traditional way of life of the villagers and interact with them. From the north of Tanzania you travel to the exotic island Zanzibar where you can wash off your safari dust with a dip in the Indian Ocean and enjoy laid-back beach life.

Day 1: Arrival – Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Venus Hotel in Arusha. Settle into your accommodation, ready to start your safari proper in the morning. If time allows, a complimentary town tour to explore Arusha town and visit a local market can be arranged.

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, you drive to Tarangire National Park where your safari starts. This lovely park has the largest concentrations of elephants in the world and the highest number of breeding bird species. Especially during the dry season, Tarangire National park is packed with wildlife. Big cats like lions, cheetahs and leopards, but also the seldom seen Kudu, Oryx and Gerenuk. If you are lucky you can even spot the tree-climbing python. The Tarangire River draws huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, as well as predators who prey upon them. Later in the afternoon you drive for dinner and overnight to Sangaiwe Tented Lodge, a peaceful setting with great views over Lake Burunge.

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park

Today starts, after breakfast, with a walking tour in farming town Mto wa Mbu. This village is unique in Tanzania since it is home to over 120 different tribes from across Africa and forms a colourful mix of languages and customs. Your walking guide will take you to rice and banana plantations, a local beer factory, a school and a carving factory. Discover the traditional way of life of the villagers. Continue to Lake Manyara National park, which is only a few minutes’ drives from Mto wa Mbu. Lake Manyara is known for its huge soda lake filled with pink-hued flamingos, large population of baboons, incredible birdlife and breathtaking views. You can see giraffes, elephants, hippos, buffaloes, zebras, flamingos and if you are lucky you spot a tree-climbing lion.

Day 4: Ngorongoro crater

Discover today one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, called the Ngorongoro Crater. It shelters close to 30.000 animals including the Big 5. The crater teems with zebras, buffaloes, lions, wildebeest, elephants, flamingos, ostriches, hippos, cheetahs and a small population of the rare black rhino. In the late afternoon you visit a traditional Maasai village to get an insight in the lifestyle of these graceful warriors. After an exhilarating day on safari, you will return to Eileen’s Trees Inn for dinner and overnight. For those who have still energy left, you can visit a night club, dance and have some drinks.

Day 5: Zanzibar beach

In the morning your driver transfers you to Arusha for lunch. After lunch you head off to Arusha airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to Warere Beach Hotel for dinner and overnight. This hotel lies in Nungwi, a lovely fishing village in the north of Zanzibar, which offers one of the best beaches on the island.

Day 6: Zanzibar beach

Enjoy laid-back beach life on this tropical island. You can spend the entire day at the beach, since the beaches in this northern part of the island are not as tidal. The village has a nature reserve for turtles where you can feed the turtles and even swim with them. The hotel also organizes activities like a village walk, scuba diving, snorkeling, jet skiing and fishing that you can book and pay directly. All meals and overnight will be at Warere Beach Hotel.

Day 7: Stone town, Spice tour

After breakfast you drive to Stone town, where you go on a spice tour. After this you visit the lively Stone Town, which is the cultural and historical heart of Zanzibar. Stone Town is a melting pot of Arab, Persian, Indian and European cultures which makes Stone Town so unique. In the late afternoon you return to Warere beach hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Departure

You will wake up and have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast your private driver transfers you to Zanzibar Airport for your international flight.

Price include

• All meals and accommodations during the entire safari
• A very high quality safari land cruiser with pop-up roof (and WiFi)
• A highly experienced English speaking safari guide
• Unlimited mineral water during the entire safari
• Kilimanjaro tea/coffee during game drive
• All park fees for all the national parks
• Unlimited game drives
• All transfers
• Flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
• Zanzibar activities as in the itinerary
• Maasai village visit
• Mto wa mbu cultural walk
• AMREF flying doctors rescue cover

Price exclude

• International flights