Suggested Holiday Itinerary
Summary Of The Route and Costs
For the wildlife-mad family, this safari holiday gives you the chance to explore Tanzania's Northern Circuit with a private driver-guide, taking in 3 different National Parks, before heading to Zanzibar for some R&R at the end of the holiday. If you are looking for a family holiday which gives you some of the best wildlife viewing imaginable, then this is the one for you.
Your wildlife encounters begin as soon as you arrive. Mount Meru Game Lodge is set on a nature sanctuary, and as you fall asleep on your first night in Tanzania, you can listen to the exotic night sounds - a great way to get you into the holiday spirit.
The next morning, you will meet your driver-guide, and your family will be whisked off in your private 4x4 safari vehicle to start your safari adventure at Lake Manyara with a game drive - making sure you keep a careful watch for the elusive tree-climbing lions. Hidden in the leafy trees, spotting them is difficult but very rewarding!
You then head to Karatu late afternoon, a small farming community just outside the Ngorongoro Crater main gates where you spend two nights. On your full day here, head into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. Over 30,000 animals live within this enormous natural bowl, the most densely packed concentration of wildlife in Africa. Watch out for wildebeest, elephant, lion, zebra and hyena to name a few of the species that can be found here. The crater is also home to black rhino - a rare sighting in Tanzania! Around the lake you may find flocks of pelican, ibis and flamingos.
Knowing how most teenagers can get bored with long journeys, you will then fly up to the Serengeti where your new driver-guide will keep you amused and busy for the next 3 nights. Probably one of the most famous safari destinations in the world, the vast plains here offer what many people consider to be some of the best game viewing in Africa.
Finally, you end with a few nights on the exotic 'spice island' of Zanzibar. Bluebay Beach Resort has a range of water sports and activities to keep everyone happy, including big game fishing, boat trips and dhow cruises, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling, beach sports, table tennis and pool tables, and even a gym. And while the kids are busy with all this, the parents can head to the spa, situated idyllically on the beach, for a well-deserved and relaxing pampering treatment.
Summary Of The Itinerary
Holiday Title: Tanzania Family Safari of a Lifetime
Countries Visited: Tanzania
Arrive into Kilimanjaro Airport. Go through Immigration, collect your luggage and clear Customs, then make your way to the Arrivals Hall where you will be met by your transfer driver who will be holding a sign board with your name on it. You will then be transferred to just outside of Arusha. Depending on the time your flight lands, this first night is either a necessity as you will be arriving late at night OR included so that you can relax and rest after an overnight flight, ready to start your safari adventure fresh the next morning.
Set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, the Mount Meru Game Lodge is nestled between the Usa river and a wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to zebra, ostrich, water buffalo, mongoose, duiker and a wide array of birds and monkeys, including the elusive Colobus monkey.
This morning you will be met by your driver-guide and driven in your private 4x4 safari vehicle to the Lake Manyara National Park.
The Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its excellent bird-watching opportunities, as more than 400 different bird species have been recorded. Other wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, cheetah, hippo, Masai giraffe, wildebeest, impala, zebra, warthogs, large troops of baboons and the legendary but rarely seen tree-climbing lions. You will stop at the picnic area for a packed lunch midway through the day before continuing with your game drive to see what else you may spot amongst the trees.
Mid-afternoon, you will depart the Park and drive to Ngorongoro Farm House. Ngorongoro Farm House is only 4 km from the entrance gate to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and is reminiscent of the atmosphere of the old days.
Ngorongoro Crater
Depart after an early breakfast for the 20-30 minute drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Main Gate. Your driver will need to fill in some paperwork, so while you wait for him you can visit the small information centre. You then drive up the narrow, winding road through magnificent trees and foliage to the crater rim itself, stopping at the view point to take in the most amazing view across the entire crater. The road continues around the crater rim to the descent road down into the crater and within 90 minutes you will be on the Crater floor itself. Over 30,000 animals live within this enormous natural bowl, making this the most densely packed concentration of wildlife in Africa. Watch out for wildebeest, elephant, lion, zebra and hyena to name a few of the species that can be found here. The crater is also home to black rhino - a rare sighting in Tanzania! Around the lake you may find flocks of pelican, ibis and flamingos. Explore every inch of the caldera floor, with a break to enjoy a picnic lunch, before heading back to your accommodation mid to late afternoon.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Manyara Airstrip where you will board your flight to the Serengeti National Park.
Light Aircraft Transfer Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Manyara Airstrip to Seronera Airstrip - arrival and departure times to be confirmed
You will be met at the airstrip by a new driver-guide and taken to your camp for lunch in your private 4x4 safari vehicle.
The Serengeti is probably one of the most famous safari destinations in the world and offers what many people consider to be some of the best game viewing in Africa. Large herds of wildebeest and buffalo, impala, gazelles and topi, as well as family groups of zebra and giraffe wander across the vast plains. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena may be spotted lazing under trees to escape the hot sun, waiting for the right opportunity to hunt. Rhino, elephant, jackal, aardwolf, porcupine, warthogs, baboons, vervet monkeys, serval cats and hippo are also just some of the other 70 mammal species that can be found here on your daily game drives.
The Serengeti
After breakfast, you will be taken back to the airstrip where you will check in for your flight to Zanzibar.
Light Aircraft Transfer Seat in Plane Rate (Light Aircraft): Fly from Seronera Airstrip to Zanzibar (ZNZ) - arrival and departure times to be confirmed
Upon arrival into Zanzibar Airport and having collected your luggage, make your way through the Arrivals Hall and exit the terminal building. You will be met outside by your driver holding a sign with your name - there is normally a mass of drivers waiting so be prepared to search for the right sign board. You will then be transferred to your beach hotel.
Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa is situated on the finest white, sandy beach on the east coast of the island of Zanzibar. Set in 30 acres of tropical gardens with over 1,000 palm trees, the resort offers excellent accommodation, fine wining and dining, a host of sports and leisure facilities including a spa, as well as award-winning service.
You will need to check out of your room this morning but you can remain at the hotel and use all the facilities until you are collected for your transfer back to the airport. Alternatively, if you have an evening flight, the hotel may be able to arrange a late check out for you (additional cost and payable directly to the hotel) subject to the availability of the room.
Example Cost
Holiday Title: Tanzania Family Safari of a Lifetime
Holiday Destination: Holiday to Tanzania for 12 nights
Passengers: 2 Adults and 2 Children
Example Cost for 2 Adults and 2 Children: * per person sharing.
*Excludes international flights from your home country - please ask us if you would like us to include these for you.
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