Compare Luxury Tanzania African Safari by Wild About Africa vs 7-day Vacation in Tanzania for families (2 adults and 2 children) by Ker & Downey Africa

Day 1: Arusha

Meals: Dinner

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be personally met and driven to the Arusha Hotel - right in the bustling centre of town. You are likely to arrive at the hotel around mid-morning so there is plenty of time to freshen up and head out to explore the town. There are a number of interesting curio shops nearby, as well as some charming little cafés. Or you might prefer to relax by the pool before your Tanzania safari begins. Your lunch is not included today so this gives you the freedom to sample some Tanzanian cuisine at one of Arusha's restaurants; ask the concierge to recommend a nearby place.

Day 2: Lake Manyara National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a two-hour drive through rural Tanzania, to Lake Manyara National Park. The drive in itself is fascinating, passing by rural homesteads, Maasai herding their cattle, and local people carrying produce to market or selling food on the side of the road. Your guide will be a local Tanzanian so ask him questions about life in this area.

Spend a short time at the gate investigating the visitors' centre before carrying on into the park itself. Drive through lush tropical forest, looking out for troops of baboons and blue monkeys, before reaching the more open plains around the lake. The diverse habitat is home to many animals including giraffe, buffalo, zebra, lion, elephant and leopard, as well as an impressive variety of birds.

After a picnic lunch and full afternoon of game viewing, leave the park and drive up on to the Rift Valley Escarpment and your accommodation at Kirurumu Manyara Lodge. The large tented rooms are comfortable with a rustic natural style, and each has en-suite facilities, hot water and 24-hour electricity. The bar has a stunning view over Lake Manyara and the restaurant serves tasty food.

Days 3 to 5: Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Leave for the Serengeti National Park in the morning, first passing through the lush rolling hills of the Rift Valley Escarpment and the Ngorongoro Highlands. Drive around the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater (you will not be going in just yet!) before descending down onto the Serengeti plains.

Make a stop at Tanzania's fascinating Olduvai Gorge, an archaeological site of huge importance where fossils dating back two million years have been found. Look around the small and very interesting museum that explains the dedication and findings of Lois and Mary Leakey, the archaeologists who began Olduvai's excavation in 1931. Some of the extraordinary discoveries are showcased here, including the skeletons of a number of extinct animals, stone tools and the unearthing of Homo habilis, arguably the first species of Homo genus. Subsequently Olduvai Gorge has been nicknamed 'the cradle of mankind'.

The gorge is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where wildlife lives alongside Maasai herdsman. A little while after departing Olduvai you'll cross into the Serengeti National Park, stopping briefly for a picnic lunch near the gate. Take your time this afternoon, game driving your way slowly to your luxury tented camp.

The Serengeti is famous for its diverse habitats, concentrations of game and abundance of predators. During your daily game drives you'll explore different areas with your guide: the banks of the Seronera River which is the lifeline of the park, supporting vast numbers of animals; the Maasai Kopjes where imposing rocks are dotted across vast open plains - an area well-known for cheetah sightings; and the Moru Kopjes where you can see examples of early Maasai rock art. Then retire to your stylish camp at the end of the day to enjoy a drink around the campfire whilst swapping stories of your Tanzania safari adventure thus far.

Day 6:  Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today you will leave the Serengeti behind you and head back towards the Ngorongoro Crater. Ten miles across at its widest point, this is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and the views from the top are breathtaking! Drive down onto the Crater floor and, after a picnic lunch, spend the afternoon game driving. There are often quite a few safari vehicles here, but the volume of game more than makes up for that. Sometimes you'll stop in one spot and see zebra, wildebeest, hippo, hyena and lion all at the same time! You should also keep your eyes peeled for rhino sightings.

The varying environments of the Crater floor are fascinating - with open savannah, forest, streams and a large soda lake in the middle which is often teeming with flamingos.

In the late afternoon you head back up the ascent road, climbing 2,000 feet out of the Crater and onto the eastern side of its rim. Spend tonight at the large, comfortable and spectacularly located Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge; getting back in time to watch the sun set over the Crater floor.

Day 7: Rift Valley Escarpment

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Spend the morning exploring the Crater floor, visiting any areas that you did not have time to see the day before. After a picnic lunch, leave the Crater and drive for about two hours through forest and by coffee plantations to get to Plantation Lodge. This is a stunning old farmstead that has been renovated into a charming plantation-style lodge. You will have some of that late afternoon at leisure - relax by the pool or wander around the lovely gardens before a hearty dinner.

Day 8: Flight home

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Depart after breakfast and drive for three hours back to Arusha, where you will stop for lunch at a popular local restaurant if time allows. Carry on to the conveniently located Kilimanjaro Airport Hotel, where you have access to a day room and the hotel's facilities for the afternoon. When it is time to check in for your international flight from Tanzania, you will be transferred to the airport by the hotel shuttle.

Alternatively, instead of returning straight home after your luxury camping and lodge safari, you may wish to relax on the beach for a bit. If so, then add one of our tailor-made Expert Africa beach add-on holidays to Zanzibar, Pemba, Ras Kutani or the Mafia Archipelago. Call us to ask about this and to get a possible quote.

Day 1: Arusha

Touch down in Kilimanjaro International Airport where a Ker & Downey Africa representative will collect and transfer you to your hotel called African Tulip where we have arranged a 2 bedroom apartment suitable for 2 adults and 2 children. We have arranged a VIP meet and greet for you at the airport. You have the rest of the afternoon to relax and explore Arusha at your leisure.

The hotel has lots of offer including a bar, pool and restaurant.

Days 2 to 3: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, your driver will collect you and have with a game drive into the famous Lake Manyara National Park with a packed picnic lunch. It is famous due to the number of pink Flamingos. This is an integral part of any Tanzanian safari experience so we have ensured you get to experience this early on and it is a good introduction to your safari with its scenic beauty.

In the afternoon you will arrive at your camp called Lemala Ngorongoro which has one of the best locations on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. We have chosen this property as it has quick and easy access to the Crater floor and game drives from the camp ensure you are at Ngorongoro in 10 to 15 minutes maximum and you usually get there 1 hour prior to other guests ensuring exclusivity in the early morning. They can also offer guided walks into the forest and along the crater rim.

The accommodation is in luxury tents set in an ancient forest. For children, they offer lots of activities to keep the children happy.

Activities And Services

• COVID-19 document(s) included.
• Crater Floor Experience
• Crater Floor "Out of Africa" Hot Lunch
• Sundowners
• Maasai Boma Experience
• Nature Walk
• Tuk Tuk Cultural Experience
• Ngorongoro Main Dining Area

Optional

• Lemala Cubs Kids Activities

Days 4 - 6: Northern Serengeti

After your breakfast and check out, the driver will collect you and transfer you to the Manyara Airstrip and you will receive a packed picnic lunch. Check-in for your 1-hour 25-minute flight to your next safari destination Serengeti. From the airstrip, you will be transferred to your lodge for next 3 nights called Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge.

The lodge has a wonderful location as it is within the main corridor of the world-famous wildebeest migration. The tents are all glass-fronted and there is a Spa on-site as well. Kids can join the Lemala Cubs program which has activities for the children. Luxurious tents as all have private plunge pools. Laundry is also included.

In the afternoon you have a game drive in the Serengeti National Park. During the other days as well, there is a game drive during the day into the Serengeti. You can also explore the surroundings on a guided walk.

Activities And Services

• COVID-19 document(s) included.
• Game Drives
• Outdoor Dining
• Sundowners
• Kuria Main Dining Area
• Kuria Outside Dining

Optional

• Balloon Safaris
• Lemala Cubs Kids Activities

Recommended

• COVID-19 document(s) included.
• Spa

Day 7: End Of Itinerary