Grand Tanzania (Dec-Jun)

12 days, 11 nights
Price Range: $19,126 – $42,163
(all-inclusive price per person, depending on dates & camps selected)

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For the safari-goer in search of a mix of landscapes and wildlife encounters, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than this immersion in the diversity of Tanzania. Begin with a journey into Ngorongoro Crater, famed for its dense concentration of varied animals in an ancient volcanic bowl. In the Serengeti, experience Africa’s endless savanna, with its massive herds and avid predators. Conclude with the chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains—few safaris offer a more well-rounded wildlife survey.

Photo of Melissa Scott

Our Expert Says

For those who want to experience the highlights of Tanzania with the luxury of settling into a few camps for several relaxed days, this is the ideal itinerary. While plenty wildlife-intensive, the pacing of this route offers the opportunity to spend unhurried time around camp and get to know some of the local people. I find that such relational encounters add richness and depth to the overall experience. Sometimes the less we move . . . the more we see!

– Melissa Scott


Photo: Arusha view image gallery

Day 1: Arusha

Arusha is the safari capital of the world, the jumping-off point for the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro. In the shadow of Mount Meru, where lush forest intersects grassy savanna, Arusha sits within an agricultural region famed for coffee and tea. Originally a German settlement, Arusha today is a lively city with an international flair. Arusha is noted for handcrafts, and the Cultural Heritage Center boasts an array of carvings, paintings, batiks and baskets.


Photo: Ngorongoro Crater view image gallery

Days 2-3: Ngorongoro Crater

Within the walls of the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera is the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. The crater floor, 12 miles across, is a wonder of the natural world. More than 30,000 animals live in this primeval Eden, including huge herds of gazelle and the lion and hyena that prey upon them. Wildebeest, zebra, eland and giraffe are abundant, with leopard and cheetah in pursuit. The very fortunate may also spot the endangered black rhino.


Photo: Serengeti Nat'l Park view image gallery

Days 4-7: Serengeti Nat'l Park

The Serengeti is legendary. Here on Africa’s Great Plains, where the blue sky arcs over shimmering gold grasslands, the number of animals is staggering. Buffalo, elephant and giraffe roam the savanna. Leopards rest in acacia trees, pursuing prey with lion, cheetah, jackal and hyena. While the Serengeti is riveting year-round, nothing matches the phenomenon of the migration, when 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra traverse the plains in endless columns of thundering hoofbeats.


Photo: Arusha view image gallery

Day 8: Arusha

Return to Arusha to spend the night before continuing westward in the morning to Mahale Mountains National Park.


Photo: Mahale Mountains view image gallery

Days 9-11: Mahale Mountains

Deep in the African interior, accessible only by boat, lies a range of jungle-cloaked peaks overlooking Lake Tanganyika. These mountains shelter about 800 of Africa’s last remaining wild chimpanzees. Some have been habituated to human contact, providing one of Africa’s most magical wildlife adventures — tracking and watching chimps in their natural habitat. The rainforest is also home to easily observed troops of monkeys and a kaleidoscopic array of birds.


Photo: Arusha/Home view image gallery

Day 12: Arusha/Home

Your safari adventure ends today in Arusha, Tanzania.


Notes

  • iSafari.com's Africa safari planner cannot precisely calculate the costs of air and land transfers to all camps and lodges as the locations and travel distances vary slightly. With this in mind, your final quote may increase or decrease by a small amount.
  • The estimated rates given for these itineraries are adult rates, but many properties offer reduced rates for children. Please contact our office for more information.
  • Holiday surcharges may apply for travel in late December and early January, and occasionally over the Easter holiday.
  • The authorities at Mahale are considering the implementation of a permit system for chimp trekking. Whether or not the system will be implemented is currently unconfirmed, but trekking permits are estimated to cost $150 per person per trek. The cost of permits has not been included in estimated pricing.
  • A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the trip fee per person is required upon booking to confirm your reservation.

Inclusions

  • All accommodation on a double occupancy basis
  • Meals at camps and lodges
  • Excursions and transfers unless listed as optional
  • Services of an NHA Safari Expedition Leader (except for Mahale portion) and lodge staff
  • Relevant park fees
  • Alcoholic and soft drink beverages are included at some camps and lodges
  • Laundry service is available at most permanent camps/lodges and hotels; in some cases this service is included in the tariff quoted
  • Air transfers within countries as specified
  • Accommodation taxes, the applicable Tourism Levies and all relevant Value Added Tax (VAT) or Government Sales Tax (GST)

Exclusions

  • Travel to the start and end point of the route
  • Generally lunch and dinner in city hotels
  • Any items of a personal nature
  • Cancellation, baggage and medical insurance
  • Staff gratuities
  • Any newly-implemented government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
  • Visa fees where relevant
  • International airport departure taxes applicable from manned airports only, which is to be paid in US$ cash on departure unless included in your ticket cost
  • Any items of a personal nature
  • Chimp trekking permits if necessary (approximately $150 per person per trek) - please see notes for more details