Classic Tanzania Bush & Beach Safari
Destination
Tanzania
Travel Period
January – March, June – December
Duration
14 days | 13 nights
Arusha is located at the foothills of Mount Meru on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley. This is the gateway to the northern safari circuit, with easy access to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Meru. Its elevation of 1,400 m (4,600 ft) keeps temperatures relatively cool despite proximity to the equator; temperatures generally range between 10 and 30 C (50 and 86F), with little humidity due to the altitude.
Arusha is serviced by two airports, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) on the eastern side, and Arusha Airport, which primarily services domestic travel. The two airports are connected by the main road, which is notorious for traffic. There is some good shopping available, including the impressive Cultural Heritage, with curio shops, a jewellery boutique, a Tanzanite and precious stone counter, a bargain center, and an art gallery.
Siringit Villa is a luxury 6 bedroom villa which can be booked exclusively or individual rooms. The spacious and elegant property, overlooking the green, is meant to give friends or families that unique experience that can only be rivaled by the most secluded and high end tented camps.
This spacious and elegant property has been carefully created to provide an unrivalled guest experience, and the rest of the villa is true to form: whether it be in the gorgeous living room, the private dining room, the lush gardens, the relaxing terraces, or the invigorating lap pool.
Siringit Villa is located within the confines of the superb Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate on the edge of the 5th fairway of the 18 hole championship golf course just 30mins from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Villa Suites
The six spacious rooms in Siringit Villa are designed to create peace of mind and tranquillity. The poolside rooms open up to breezy balconies overlooking the golf course and grazing impala. The front-facing rooms open up to balconies overlooking the manicured garden and the magnificent mountains. Small details have been taken into consideration to value your need for privacy, personal service and comfort. The en-suite bathrooms are spacious, with a bathtub to fill with bubbles lit by candlelight, and steaming hot showers heated by solar heaters. His and her sinks have been designed for ultimate ease and comfort.
The golf course at Kilimanjaro Golf and Wildlife Estate is set amidst the natural beauty of Arusha with Mount Meru in the skyline and fairways manicured around streams and tended gardens. This is the first 18-hole championship golf course in Tanzania, and it is right on your doorstep when staying at Siringit Villa.
Tarangire National Park covers an undulating area of 2,850 km2 (1,100 mi2) and is an easy few hours drive from Arusha. Famous for its giant baobabs, savannahs with scattered termite mounds, and large elephant herds, this underrated park is dominated by the perennial Tarangire River.
In the middle of the park, the Silale swamp becomes the main source of water and attracts elephants and predators as the season gets drier and drier. There is a healthy lion population and the other predators are often spotted trailing the plains game as they head to water, or occasionally the cats can be spotted lounging in sausage trees.
Honeyguide Tarangire is a beautifully presented luxury tented safari camp set in the breathtaking wilderness of Tarangire National Park. The camp’s position in the north of the park places guests perfectly to enjoy an authentic African bush experience. The park is famed for its massive herds of elephants, vibrant birdlife, and distinctive baobab trees.
In a secluded corner of Tarangire National Park, the camp has a stylish and comfortable feel, as well as being unfenced, which allows the animals to pass through camp, making Honeyguide Tarangire ideal for all adventure-loving clients. Families with small kids will feel very well taken care of with super-spacious tents and staff that go above & beyond for each guest. Offering luxury in a secluded game-rich environment at exceptional value, this unique one-off camp is a must for any safari enthusiast’s itinerary.
Tents
Honeyguide Tarangire comprises ten large tents, each of which can accommodate three adults, or two adults plus two children. The camp is set in a grove of umbrella thorn trees, with panoramic views. Each of the tented suites looks directly onto the plains, with a generous veranda allowing incredible game viewing. Daybeds with scatter cushions provide the perfect spots for reading and afternoon naps.
Activities include daily safari game drives, bush walks, and night safari game drives. This property is also very child friendly.
Karatu is a ‘gateway’ town within easy reach of the iconic Ngorongoro Crater as well as the Lake Manyara National Park. The bustling town is a hub of activity in the fertile ‘Crater highlands,’ lush and verdant hillsides where tourists easily mingle with local artisans and tradespeople. Because of the volcanic soil the area is superb for agriculture, and as well as subsistence and commercial farmers there are a multitude of working coffee farms, some of which offer accommodation.
Since the town is only 140 kms from Arusha, the area makes a great stop over for guests on the way to the crater, which is only some 20kms away on decent roads.
Day 5 – Ngorongoro Crater
A veritable Garden of Eden, the Ngorongoro Crater is only 260 km2 (100mi2) in size yet has some of the highest densities of lion and spotted hyena found anywhere in the world. The view from the crater rim at 2,000 feet above the floor is nothing short of breathtaking. The thick mountain forests of the crater highlands strike a sharp contrast with the short grass plains of the crater floor with its yellow fever Acacia woodlands and streams. The soda lake Magadi in the center of the crater floor sometimes attracts lesser flamingos, and the area is known for very large tusked elephants, black rhino, and great predator action.
Easily accessible from Arusha, the three million year old Ngorongoro Crater was once a gigantic volcano that some suggest was even higher than Mt Kilimanjaro. It is the largest intact caldera in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walks are available on the rim in certain areas, but game viewing on the crater floor is strictly by vehicle and on designated game drive routes. Local Maasai pastoralists and their villages surround the western side of the crater whilst the eastern side is heavily forested up to the farming town of Karatu.
Acacia Farm Lodge is an eco-friendly boutique country retreat set on a 25-acre working farm along the Great Rift Valley escarpment, offering panoramic views of Karatu’s farmlands and the nearby Ngorongoro forest. The lodge features 32 spacious suites in charming cottages, along with elegant public spaces, including a luxury lounge, a bar, dining areas, and a coffee shop. Guests can enjoy diverse dining experiences with farm-to-table ingredients, a swimming pool with a poolside bar, a fully equipped gym, a rejuvenating spa, and a curio shop, all complemented by attentive, personalized service.
Double Suite
The Double Suite offers a similarly generous layout with a 26 m² bedroom, a 16 m² lounge, and an 11 m² private balcony showcasing scenic farm views. Ideal for couples or shared stays, it also offers the option of connecting to another room. Guests benefit from a full range of amenities, including air conditioning, a minibar with a coffee kettle, a TV, wifi, a safe, a hair dryer, and added comforts such as extra blankets and a torch, with breakfast included.
Guests at Acacia Farm Lodge can enjoy a variety of relaxed and immersive activities both within the property and in the surrounding region. On-site experiences include guided farm tours and nature walks through coffee plantations and gardens, cycling around the scenic grounds, and birdwatching. The lodge’s prime location between major safari destinations—Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti National Park—also makes it an ideal base for wildlife safaris and excursions, offering guests opportunities to explore Tanzania’s iconic landscapes and diverse ecosystems.
Day 4 – Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk
Mto Wa Mbu, or “the river of mosquitoes” in Swahili, is a small village located on the road between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Visit Mto Wa Mbu village for a great cultural experience with an experienced, English-speaking guide who grew up in the village. The attraction of this village lies in its ethnic and cultural diversity with more than 20 different ethnic groups living together in harmony. As you walk along, guests will discover a local farms, food markets, rice paddies, banana beer bar and local activities.
This photographer’s paradise is one of the best places in Africa to view the big cats as well as an amazing array of plains game. The northern Serengeti has the classic big open plains of the African savannah, sprawling views, and consistently delivers excellent wildlife sightings. It is one of the best places in East Africa for leopards, and the kopje strewn hillsides that are home to these elusive creatures are in themselves stunningly beautiful. A few days here can be very action packed and there’s even chances to see black rhinos in some areas.
The Serengeti is perhaps the most famous African wilderness area, its name synonymous with the notion of safari for nearly a hundred years. This UNESCO World Heritage site covers 14,750 km2 (5,700 mi2) of premiere game viewing in Acacia woodlands, open grasslands, and undulating savannahs interspersed with seasonal rivers. The park on the northern side borders the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and, together with several other smaller reserves and conservation areas, forms the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
Located in the remote northern Serengeti beneath shady trees, the camp includes a central mess tent with lounge, dining, and bar areas where guests can unwind after game drives. Facilities include complimentary wifi in communal spaces, charging stations, laundry services, and attentive, personalized service. The camp’s discreet setup allows guests to enjoy the surrounding wilderness with minimal impact on wildlife.
Tent
Lemala Mara offers 10 standard en-suite mobile tents, each thoughtfully designed to balance comfort with an authentic wilderness experience. The tents feature twin or double beds with warm duvets, solid wooden floors, generous storage, and reliable solar-powered lighting. En-suite bathrooms include flush toilets and spacious safari-style showers, while private decks allow guests to relax and enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding northern Serengeti landscape.
Operating between June and October, Lemala Mara offers exceptional access to the Great Migration’s dramatic Mara River crossings. Expertly guided game drives showcase massive herds, resident predators, and sweeping landscapes with very few other vehicles in the area. Guests can also enjoy extended game drives and optional hot-air balloon safaris, offering unforgettable views of the northern Serengeti at the height of the migration.
Day 8 – Optional Activity: Hot Air Balloon
A balloon flight over the Serengeti is widely considered a bucketlist activity that offers a serene and spectacular experience floating over the vast, lush, and game filled plains.
A lift off at dawn means you watch the sun rise as you head in a generally western direction. Flights usually last close to an hour and depending on the take off spot you float over riverine woodlands, watching hippos return to their daytime refuges and crocodiles basking on sandbanks. Sometimes predators and large antelope herds can be spotted below, pointed out by your experienced captain.
After the flight you will be met by the trailing transfer vehicles and taken to a pre-prepared picnic breakfast, beautifully set up in an idyllic spot on the plains.
Just a short flight from the Tanzania mainland lies the idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago of Zanzibar. Famous for intoxicating aromas of spices, beautiful white sand beaches, and warm turquoise waters, the heart of the island is undoubtedly Stone Town, a fascinating step back in time with narrow winding streets, Swahili traders and local fisherman, and the daily call to prayer in this predominantly muslim town.
In addition to its fascinating Swahili and Arab history, Zanzibar offers world class scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and, at certain times of year, kitesurfing. There is also endemic wildlife in the Johazi Forest.
Nicknamed “Spice Island,” Zanzibar was an important part of the slave and ivory trade as a connecting point between the mainland interior and the Middle East. This made the likes of some slave traders, like Tippu Tip, very rich men. A walk around the Sultan’s Palace is reminiscent of this dark past. More recent pop culture will undoubtedly lead to the doorway of Zanzibar’s most famous son, Queen’s iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury.
Pongwe Beach Hotel is a premier beach resort located on the stunning shores of Zanzibar, welcoming guests to a tranquil haven marked by powdery white sands, azure waters, and swaying palm trees. With an intimate setting featuring only 22 rooms and suites, the hotel offers a blend of luxury and local charm, ensuring personalized service that enhances the peaceful atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a culinary journey at the hotel’s restaurant while the bar serves various local and imported drinks. Guests can indulge in relaxation at the infinity pool or unwind with therapeutic treatments at the on-site spa. Pongwe Beach Hotel aims to create unforgettable experiences for each guest, making it the ideal destination for those seeking both adventure and tranquility in a picturesque setting.
Sea View Suite
The Sea View Suite offers a luxurious seaside retreat designed for comfort and style. It features a spacious double bed made from rich coconut wood, a roomy storage wardrobe, and an en-suite shower for a refreshing start to the day. Guests can enjoy restful slumber under mosquito netting, aided by a gentle fan breeze. The suite includes a private terrace with sun beds for soaking in the coastal ambiance and a private plunge pool for a refreshing dip. Located just a 30-second stroll from the beach, this suite provides easy access to the soothing embrace of the sea.
Pongwe Beach is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Zanzibar, featuring soft white sand fringed with coconut trees and ample space for relaxation. Nestled in a private cove with a stunning coral lagoon, it offers a tranquil setting protected by an offshore reef, ensuring calm waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and other water activities.
Since its establishment in the late 90s, Pongwe Beach has fostered strong ties with the local community by sourcing food and building materials from nearby villages. This collaboration has also led to various excursions, including snorkeling adventures on the private house reef, and visits to local spice plantations, enriching the overall guest experience.
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