12 Days Intimate Safari and Secluded Island
Wake up with the birds; hear the bush come alive as the sun warms up the wildlife-rich plains of Tanzania. Now here else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of elegant baroque châteaux that transports you into one of the most famous African landscapes? An eclectic blend of teak paneling, Victorian furnishings and whimsical African touches creates a sumptuous atmosphere that is as elegant and unique as the Crater itself.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Price
- Before You Go
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrival & Fly to Serengeti National Park
Day 2 & 3 : Game Drives and Scenic Safari over Southern Serengeti
Transfer To Ngorongoro Crater
Day 5&6 : Explore Ngorongoro
Fly To Mnemba Island
Day 8 & 11 : Mnemba Private Island
Departure
Arrival & Fly to Serengeti National Park
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.
Day 2 & 3 : Game Drives and Scenic Safari over Southern Serengeti
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.
Transfer To Ngorongoro Crater
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.
Day 5&6 : Explore Ngorongoro
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.
Fly To Mnemba Island
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).
Day 8 & 11 : Mnemba Private Island
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.
Departure
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.
Tour Includes
Tour Excludes
Getting here
There are three major international airports in Tanzania and all have good international connections from most major cities in Europe and North America.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): common entry point into the country for those exploring the Northern Safari Circuit that includes the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara.
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR): for those visiting Dar es Salaam or the Southern Safari Circuit that includes Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park.
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ): for those heading straight to Zanzibar
Passport and Visas
Applicants must ensure that their passports have a validity of at least six months and at least two unused visa pages before submitting their application. You can now apply for an Online Visa to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar). Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website (www.immigration.go.tz) ONLY and Not through any other links
Note: Visas can be bought on arrival in Tanzania at all international airports and overland borders.
Climate
Tanzania has a tropical climate but has regional variations due to topography. In the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F) during cold and hot seasons respectively. The rest of the country has temperatures rarely falling lower than 20 °C (68 °F). The hottest period extends between November and February (25–31 °C or 77.0–87.8 °F) while the coldest period occurs between May and August (15–20 °C or 59–68 °F).
Health
Malaria is usually top on the list of visitors’ worries, and prevention goes a long way towards keeping you protected. Make sure to visit your doctor to get a prescription for the anti-malarial drug the best suit you. The yellow fever vaccination is no longer officially required when entering Tanzania; however, this is still a requirement if you wish to visit Zanzibar.
Vaccination
The best choice of vaccines for your trip depends on many individual factors, including your precise travel plans. Vaccines commonly recommended for travelers to Africa include those against Health Effects Such as Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Rabies and Meningitis. Certificate required for entry into, or travel between, some African countries. Several of these vaccines require more than one dose or take time to become effective. It is always best to seek advice on immunization well in advance, if possible, around 6 weeks before departure.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/220/tanzania, each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.
COVID-19 requirement
All travelers must provide printed, documented proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the past 72 hours immediately upon arrival in Tanzania. Any person failing to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will not be allowed to enter the country.
Each passenger is also required to complete an individual form. Children traveling with a guardian/parent will also need to complete their own form. To complete the Travelers Surveillance Form you will need your passport information, your travel details, including times and dates. Upon Submission of the form, travelers will receive a confirmation notification that will contain their Unique Health Code (UHC) which they will present upon arriving in Tanzania at health desk. Please note that this form can only be submitted within 24 hours before arrival. To access this form, please visit. https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz/#/home
Note: COVID rules and regulations are subject to change from time to time. Get in touch with us for accurate new rules before travel.
Language
English is widely spoken but few words of Swahili can be useful and will be appreciated greatly by locals.
Money
Major foreign currencies, particularly-US$, and travelers cheques are accepted and are convertible at banks and bureau de changes in the main town and tourist areas. Credit cards are not widely accepted and carry poor exchange rates. Some banks in Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam offer ATM facilities against international credit cards, but ATMs are not widely available elsewhere
Time: 3hrs + GMT
Electricity: 230V, but power failures, surges and troughs are common. Bring a universal adaptor and a torch (flashlight) or headlamp.
Telephone: International telephone code +255
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