Essence of Tanzania: Small Group

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Arusha hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight at Forest Hill Lodge (or similar) including breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning with optional activities available (paid locally).

Following a safari briefing and lunch at the hotel, depart towards Tarangire National Park.

Exiting Arusha, the bustling city fades away, revealing expansive plains adorned with grass-thatched huts. It's a common sight to witness young children overseeing herds of cattle and sheep. In the distance, the majestic Great Rift Valley forms an imposing wall on the horizon. Arrive in the afternoon at the tented lodge situated near the park for a delightful dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight at Burunge Tented Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

About the Lodge
Nestled on the shores of Lake Burunge and positioned within the migratory corridor of Manyara and Tarangire, Burunge Tented Lodge is conveniently located just a 10-minute drive from Tarangire National Park, approximately a 2-hour journey by road from Arusha.

The lodge features twenty thatched guest rooms and elevated public areas with breathtaking views. Comprising 30 Luxury Tents and 10 Lodge Rooms set in a shady bush land grove, the lodge provides stunning vistas of Lake Burunge, a mere 10 minutes from Tarangire National Park. Each room boasts spacious beds with mosquito netting, en-suite bathrooms featuring built-in showers, private verandas, and panoramas of Tarangire National Park and Burunge Lake. Furnished with bedside tables, bedside lights, luggage racks, dressing tables, and safari chairs, the rooms are illuminated by solar power.

Burunge Tented Lodge offers the choice of refreshing outdoor or cosy indoor dining. The main building houses a central lounge and bar/dining area situated on a raised wooden deck. This elevated platform serves as an ideal spot for guests to unwind, savor a sundowner as the sun sets over the lake, or simply enjoy the warmth of the fireplace.

Today enjoy a morning game drive exploring Tarangire National Park before returning to the lodge for lunch. Afterwards depart for Lake Manyara National Park arriving at
your lodge located adjacent to the park for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Manyara Lakeview Oasis on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

About the lodge
The camp provides a variety of accommodations, including lakeview tents and cottages offering either a lake or garden view. Each tent and cottage shares an identical design and amenities. Featuring a traditional roofing of "Nyasi," these structures maintain a cultural touch.

Embark on a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, capturing the vibrant wildlife in action.

Return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch before setting off for the renowned Serengeti National Park.

As you traverse the landscape and pass through the Naabi Gate, the official entry point to Serengeti National Park, enjoy continuous game viewing on your journey to the lodge. Arrive in time for a sumptuous dinner and settle in for an overnight stay, surrounded by the captivating beauty of the Serengeti.

Overnight at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

About the camp
Serengeti Kati Kati is a strategically positioned mobile camp in the heart of Serengeti, offering an ideal base for exploring the vast Serengeti plains. The camp provides not only comfortable accommodation but also a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a genuine safari experience under canvas. The well-appointed tents create a sense of complete immersion in the surroundings, allowing guests to appreciate the abundant animal life and vegetation of the area.

Designed in homage to the original camps of Africa's early explorers, Serengeti Kati Kati combines the charm of a bygone era with all the expected amenities of the modern-day traveler. The camp is carefully crafted to have minimal impact on the environment, with all infrastructure being mobile and the commitment to leaving no trace behind.

The tents are situated at ground level, each featuring a private verandah overlooking the savannah. Spacious and comfortable, guests have the choice of one double bed or two twin beds. The tents come equipped with en suite bathrooms featuring a bucket shower. For families, there's a specially designed family tent consisting of two interconnected tents with a shared bathroom and private verandah, providing a comfortable and immersive experience for all.

Enjoy your scheduled game activities.

Consider the optional shared hot air balloon safari for a unique and breathtaking experience. In the early morning, enjoy a shared transfer to the balloon staging site in the company's vehicle. Upon arrival, meet the pilot who will provide a safety briefing while the crew inflates the hot air balloon. As the sun rises, embark on a shared hot air balloon adventure over the African plains. The pilot may ascend to higher altitudes to provide an overview of the ecosystem before descending to treetop level, allowing for a serene observation of wildlife from above. After approximately 50 minutes, land and be greeted by the balloon staff who will transport you to a shared bush breakfast.
This amazing activity is not included - please enquire for the supplement.

Overnight at Serengeti Kati Kati on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Leave the lodge behind and embark on a game-viewing journey towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy a picnic lunch box en route. Travel along the rim of the crater, and then descend to the village of Karatu. Arrive at your lodge for a leisurely afternoon, followed by a delightful dinner and an overnight stay.

Overnight at Tloma Lodge on full board basis (with picnic lunch box) (excludes laundry and drinks)

About the lodge
Nestled in the foothills of the Ngorongoro highlands, Tloma Lodge is a quaint and exclusive retreat. The lodge features 24 small cottages in colonial style and 12 rooms overlooking the garden in the main building. The design of the entire complex aims to evoke the ambiance of colonial plantations and farms portrayed in literature and film.

Tloma's exceptional location atop a valley provides breathtaking views of a coffee plantation and the walls of the Ngorongoro Crater, which guests can savor from the private terraces of their rooms. The gardens, brimming with flowers and bushes, add to the charm, leaving guests torn between strolling through the lush surroundings or unwinding by the heated pool.

Today rise early for a thrilling game drive within the wildlife paradise of Ngorongoro Crater.

This volcanic caldera provides an awe-inspiring setting for game viewing, where you can expect to encounter four of the Big Five and a diverse array of bird species against the backdrop of the crater walls. With its varied terrains and dramatic landscapes encompassing forests, grasslands, and lakes, the Ngorongoro Crater showcases the remarkable beauty of nature.

Despite its compact size of 102 square miles, the crater hosts a resident wildlife population exceeding 30,000 mammals, offering an excellent opportunity to encounter the entirety of the big five. Enjoy a picnic lunch box at a picturesque location within the crater's floor. In the afternoon, ascend to the crater rim and proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Tloma Lodge on full board basis (with picnic lunch box) (excludes laundry and drinks)

After a satisfying breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to the captivating landscapes of Tanzania's wilderness. The return journey to Arusha or Kilimanjaro awaits, offering you the opportunity to reflect on the incredible experiences you've had during your safari.

On arrival in Arusha, enjoy lunch before a transfer to the airport.