12 Days Intimate Safari and Secluded Island

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a Luxury Africa representative who will drive you to Arusha Airport and assist you to connect with a scheduled flight to direct to Serengeti National Park. Upon arrival at Mwimba Airstrip, our guide will brief you about the Safari and The Serengeti ecosystem in general followed by short drive to Mwimba Lodge; A secluded haven set atop massive stone boulders, surrounded by ancient coral trees and acacias, overlooking a rocky gorge on the Arugusinyai River.

In contrast, Mwiba Private Wildlife Reserve has 50,000 hectares of wonderful wilderness, sandwiched between the southern tip of the Serengeti and the remote escarpment above Lake Eyasi, one of the soda lakes of the Great Rift Valley.  It is a concession dedicated to the balance between wildlife and communities. Being part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, the Mwiba Wildlife Reserve offers exception game viewing through its varied habitats. Woodlands, grasslands, mountains, valleys and springs means the game experience is varied. The numerous springs on Mwiba’s reserve sustain a healthy population of amazing elephant, buffalo, greater kudu, eland, giraffe, and predators. On the northern border of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater lie the vast open plains, which host the Great Migration of the Serengeti ecosystem when the animals are calving. Being private means you will enjoy morning, afternoon and night game drives as well as walking safaris.

Go for afternoon scenic flight to view the Southern Serengeti from a new perspective. Scout for wildlife from above and stop for coffee atop a beautiful ‘koppie’ with unrivalled views of the rolling savannah landscape. Then head south over the lush Mwiba conservancy and east towards the Great Rift Valley, plunging 3,000 feet toward Lake Eyasi. Swoop low over the mirror-like surface of the soda lake reflecting pink with thousands of flamingos before toasting to your day’s adventure with a delicious bunch or dazzling sundowners on top of the escarpment.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World. The stunning crater of Ngorongoro is a unique home for many, many species of Tanzania’s wildlife.

After an incomparable breakfast, you will be driven to Ngorongoro Crater. The Adventure from the Great Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area is filled with great game viewing of different animals. En-route you’ll visit Oldevai Gorge Museum. The Gorge is one of the most important archaeological sites on earth. The geological strata exposed in the gorge reveal a remarkable record of animal and human evolution from about two million until fifteen thousand years ago. Among the significant finds from Olduvai is the range of stone tool types, the thousands of animal fossils – both extinct and extant species – and the fossil bones of hominids (pre-Homo Sapiens) and early Homo sapiens. And what better way to enjoy the Crater honeymoon than in the knowledge that at the end of the day you will return to enjoy an incomparable dinner in The Manor’s restaurant followed by a deeply restful night in a cottage that has been designed both with your comfort solely in mind.

Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Endangered black rhino are protected within its rim, giant tusked elephant wander the forests, male lion stalk the grasslands and flamingo crowd the soda lakes. After breakfast, you’ll be taken 2000ft down the crater.  At one side there’s the Lerai Forest, classic mountain forest landscape with almost tropical characteristics. This is a good elephant country, so keep your eyes peeled. By the side of the nearby swampland is what is sometimes called the ‘elephant graveyard’ as the mighty male tuskers at the end of their lives come to chew on the soft, swampland grasses once their teeth have failed them. Watch and listen to the chant of Maasai warriors, overlooking the game-rich Crater as the sun goes down, or enjoy a wine tasting in the wine store.

Interact with the KopeLion conservation team to get a deeper understanding of their day to day operations and what it is really like for the Maasai to live side by side with wildlife. Discover how these conservationists are fostering lion-people coexistence. Unwind after a thrilling experience of game viewing with a bottle some French champagne, and share some time with the KopeLion conservationists.

After breakfast, you will drive to Lake manyara airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. You’ll be met by our representative and be driven to the Mnemba crossing point (approximately 1 hour) to meet your onward boat transfer to a secluded Island ( Journey Time :approximately 25 minutes).

A romantic paradise of palm trees and white sand, surrounded by coral reefs and the bath-warm waters of the Indian Ocean; the island is just a few kilometers in circumference and easy to walk around. It is very private and you can always find a deserted beach to sit on or lose yourselves in tranquility on long romantic beach walks on powdery sand and simply unwind. You’ll dine on fresh caught and gathered lobster, fish, and fruit, and sleep in one of Mnemba Island Lodge’s 10 woven-palm-mat bandas. Each is tucked away in a private patch of tropical foliage, complete with a veranda and ocean view.

More Romance at the Lodge

From Late breakfast trays teeming with tropical fruit, freshly-squeezed juice and Tanzanian coffee can be delivered to the beach banda for those wanting to indulge in a lie-in. Fresh sushi and chilled champagne can appear discreetly at the guests’ beach loungers should they wish to celebrate the magnificent sunset in privacy. Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the beach, with the waves lapping gently at guests’ feet. Allow yourself to relax and take a break with yoga and massages in the tranquil retreat of your Banda.

After your Tanzanian cup of coffee , you’ll be transferred by boat from Mnemba Island to the crossing point (approximately 25 minutes). Here you will be met by a driver and be driven to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar Airport (approximately 1 hour) for your connecting return flight home.