Tanzania – 12 Days Luxury Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Island Holiday

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you’ll be met and transferred to Arusha Coffee Lodge (around a 1 to 1.5-hour drive). Set on one of Tanzania’s largest working coffee estates, this historic lodge dates back to the early 1900’s, and is housed in the original landowner’s home with wooden chalets tucked away on tree-filled grounds.

Depending on the time you arrive, you could go on a guided tour of the estate to find out how coffee is grown, harvested and roasted. Or you might prefer to recover from your international flight on your private deck with its Mount Meru views. Plantation House (the main lodge) has a welcoming atmosphere, and the lounge with its leather couches and log fire is great for a pre-dinner drink.

An early breakfast sets you up for your short flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip, where you’ll be met and transferred to Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (about a 1.5-hour drive). You arrive before lunch with the option of a guided walk in the late afternoon or time to simply relax at this award-winning lodge perched on the rim of the crater. In the evening dinner is served in the opulent dining room where sparkling silver and crystal vie for attention with the spectacular crater views.

The next day your guide drives you down to the crater floor for a full day of game viewing, including a picnic lunch next to the crater lake. Ngorongoro Crater is said to have the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa with regular sightings of prides of lion, spotted hyena, cheetah, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and the highly endangered black rhino. After an exciting day on safari, look forward to relaxing in a rose-petal strewn bath drawn by your personal butler.

A scheduled flight whisks you from Lake Manyara Airstrip to Singita Grumeti Reserve (Sasakwa Airstrip), a vast private concession bordering the Serengeti National Park. Here you’ll be staying at Singita Faru Faru in one of eight elegant suites with floor-to-ceiling windows. Overlooking a busy waterhole, Faru Faru has all the extras you’d expect from Singita including five-star service, fine cuisine, a spa, health club and two swimming pools (one with a small beach).

Set off on morning and afternoon game drives in this private reserve which, while similar in size to the Masai Mara, has just a handful of lodges allowing for a wonderfully exclusive safari experience. Not only is Singita Grumeti Reserve known for excellent year-round game viewing, but it is also on the migratory route so if your timing’s right you could find yourself amongst huge herds of wildebeest or (if you travel in June or July) even see the dramatic crossing of the Grumeti River.

From Sasakwa Airstrip you fly to Arusha, where you’ll connect with a flight to Zanzibar. Here you’ll be met and transferred to Kilindi Zanzibar, on the north-west coast of the island. This wonderfully private and romantic beach retreat has just 15 white-domed suites secreted away in lush tropical gardens with mango and papaya trees. Fling your wooden shutters open to the ocean views, relax at your private plunge pool or stroll down to the white sand beach.

Zanzibar’s north-west coast is exclusive and uncrowded. There are daybeds on the beach, the ocean is a wonderful shade of aquamarine, you can go kayaking and snorkel or dive the colourful coral reefs (additional cost). Spend a day exploring historic Stone Town with its tangle of alleyways, interesting shops, and market stalls piled high with seafood and spices. In the evenings set sail on a traditional dhow, and toast the sunset in true Zanzibar style.

Enjoy a final breakfast overlooking the tropical Indian Ocean, before you’re transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam. You touch down in good time for your onward travel arrangements.

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You’ll be dropped off at the airport (or hotel).