Itinerary
Day One: Arrival in Tanzania
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you’ll be met and transferred to Arusha, the lively town that’s the gateway to Tanzania’s top safari spots. The rest of the day is yours to relax: perhaps you’ll eat at one of its great restaurants, haggle for souvenirs among the Technicolour stalls of the Maasai Market, or simply take in the incredible views of Mount Meru (the country’s second highest peak) rising above the town.
Overnight in Arusha
Classic - Outpost Lodge Arusha
Premium - The African Tulip Lodge
Deluxe - Rivertrees Country Inn
Meals included: None
Day Two: Surrounded by Elephants
After breakfast, you’ll make the two-hour journey to the Tarangire National Park, and elephant country. Here, among a scorched landscape dotted with Baobab trees, thousands of these great animals come to drink at the Tarangire River, the only source of water in the area. During your private afternoon game drive, you’ll spot plenty of them, alongside other wildlife including lion, cheetah and leopard. Then you’ll overnight in a camp or lodge within the park, with all the sounds and smells of this incredible place for company.
Overnight in Tarangire
Classic - Whistling Thorn Tented Camp
Premium - Tarangire Safari Lodge
Deluxe - Sanctuary Swala Camp
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; dinner
Day Three: Spectacular Serengeti
Time to head to one of Africa’s most beautiful National Parks, the Serengeti, a protected area that’s home to the oldest ecosystem in the world. Famous for its wildebeest and zebra migrations, it’s also home to a huge array of other wildlife, including lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena and a plethora of rainbow-coloured birds. You’ll make the four-hour drive during the morning, so you can spend your afternoon on a private game drive between high grass and skittish gazelle before a night in one of the park’s atmospheric camps.
Overnight in Serengeti National Park
Classic - Kati Kati Tented Camp
Premium - Angata Serengeti Camp
Deluxe - Kubu Kubu Tented Camp
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; dinner
Day Four: Dawn Searches
You’ll wake early today, to try and catch a glimpse of the Serengeti’s big cats before they retreat from the blazing African sun. You’ll spend a few hours driving around the incredible landscape in the peace and gentle light of the morning, before making the three-hour journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, where you will find your accommodation for the night. Formed from an ancient volcanic caldera, its lush, fertile plains are the best place in Tanzania to see the Big Five, and also home to some of the country’s most incredible scenery – expect dazzling purple sunsets over its glittering lake and green and gold plains.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Crater
Classic - Rhino Lodge Ngorongoro
Premium - Sopa Lodge Ngorongoro
Deluxe - Serena Safari Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; dinner
Day Five: Into the Crater
Start your day by descending into the crater, formed three million years ago by a volcanic explosion. Its lush, fertile landscape is a haven for many types of wildlife – rhino, prides of lion and cheetah are regularly spotted. After your private drive, you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the hippo pond, where you can spot these gigantic animals as their heads bob above the water. Then you’ll begin the two-hour drive to Lake Eyasi, a lesser-visited and strikingly beautiful lake, filled with flamingos from June to November, and eerily empty for the rest of the year. This afternoon is for settling in to your camp here ready for exploration tomorrow.
For an even more unforgettable adventure, Awesome Experiences can arrange two optional activities for Day Five. The first is a balloon ride over the Serengeti – one of the most incredible experiences we’ve had. With no power lines or fences, you have an unobstructed view of this vast area and can spot hyenas, hippos and elephants from high above, savouring absolute peace. Another option is to make a stop off at Olduvai Gorge, a deep ravine that offers an incredible insight into human development. Here, hominid footprints were found embedded in rock that’s 3.6 million years old. Wander the museum, with its hominid replicas, and listen museum staff explain the challenging years of earliest man, on this very spot. For the costs of these optional excursions, please see the Extras tab.
Overnight at Lake Eyasi
Classic - Tindiga Tented Camp
Premium - Kisema Ngeda Tented Camp
Deluxe - Ziwani Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; dinner
Day Six: Tribe Life
This morning you’ll spend time with the Hadzabe Bushmen who call Lake Eyasi their home. Living entirely in harmony with their natural surroundings, they communicate using a clicking language and are one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes left on earth. Join them as they hunt through the bush with traditional bows and arrows and you’ll gain a once in a lifetime insight into their culture and ways. After this fascinating experience, you’ll have lunch before being driven back to Arusha, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight in Arusha
Classic - Outpost Lodge Arusha
Premium - The African Tulip Lodge
Deluxe - Rivertrees Country Inn
Meals included: Breakfast; lunch; dinner
Day Seven: Home Time
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport, ready for your flight back to the UK.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 6 Breakfasts; 5 lunches; 5 dinners
What's included:
- Private English-speaking guides unless stated otherwise
- Private transfers unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- All game drives and park entry fees
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
What's not included:
- International flights to/from experience: call 0208 432 0885 for AX specially negotiated flight rates
- Tips for guides, drivers and other staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the holiday
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
What to pack:
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- A fleece or jacket for the early morning at Ngorongoro Crater
- Cool, comfortable clothes
GETTING THERE
Typical return Economy flights from London cost around £500 per person and take approximately 16 hours depending on exact flight configurations and layover times.
Experience start point: Kilimanjaro (JRO). Arrive any time.
End point: Kilimanjaro (JRO). The trip finishes in the afternoon on day seven, and we suggest an evening departure.
All holiday departures up to 30th June 2019 are part of our Pioneers Club promotion. Click here for more information about the Pioneers Club.
Ready to book