The Big 5 & Zanzibar

Fly into the Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Arusha Legendary Lodge in Arusha. Take time to settle into your accommodation and overcome any jet lag, then enjoy dinner at the lodge’s restaurant. If you arrive in the morning, why not organise a tour of Arusha town or visit a local market in the afternoon.

After breakfast at your hotel, begin the drive to Tarangire National Park where your safari adventure will begin. Boasting the largest concentration of elephants in the world, Tarangire is packed with wildlife, including plenty of big cats such as lions, cheetahs and leopards. It also has a staggering population of breeding bird species, with more than 550 having been recorded here. Witness little-seen kudu, oryx and gerenuk or maybe even one of the park’s elusive tree-climbing pythons. After watching all the wildlife action along the Tarangire River, you’ll continue to the Tarangire Treetops Tented Lodge where dinner will be served amidst its peaceful setting. 

Begin the day with a walking tour through the rural town of Mto wa Mbu, which is home to more than 120 different tribal groups. Learn about the diverse cultures that co-exist here as you explore the town’s banana plantations and rice fields, with the opportunity to chat with locals as you visit the brewery, a school and a carving workshop. 

Continue driving to Lake Manyara National Park, which centres around a large soda lake that’s populated by pink-hued flamingos. See the park’s boisterous troupe of baboons and experience its incredible birdlife on an afternoon game drive. Giraffes, elephants, hippos and zebras are among the park’s resident species, as are unique tree-climbing lions. In the late afternoon, you’ll continue driving to the Gibbs Farm Lodge where you’ll have time to freshen up before dinner is served.

Get ready for an unforgettable day experiencing one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders - the Ngorongoro Crater. Its crater walls create a natural enclosure for around 30,000 animals, including the Big 5, zebras, flamingos, ostriches and hippos. Aside from its wildlife richness, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is renowned for its natural beauty and an essential stop on any Northern Circuit itinerary. In the late afternoon, you’ll continue to a traditional Maasai village to learn about the traditional lifestyle of these iconic warriors. Then freshen up and relax at Gibbs Farm Lodge before dinner is served. 

After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to Arusha in time for lunch before continuing to the Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival at the Zanzibar International Airport, you’ll be transferred to the resort, which is situated in the charming fishing village of Nungwi. 

Spend a day relaxing on the idyllic beaches of northern Zanzibar, doing as much or as little as you desire. Hand-feed turtles at the small nature reserve in Nungwi or take advantage of the superb snorkelling and diving on the nearby coral reefs. Fishing, jet skiing and a village visit are also possible, with delicious meals served throughout your stay. 

After breakfast at the resort, begin the drive to Stone Town, stopping to tour a spice plantation along the way. Learn about the importance of spices to Zanzibar’s trade history, then continue to the history-drenched streets of Stone Town. Discover this melting pot of Arab, Persian, Indian and European cultures as you visit its museums or shop for souvenirs in the handicraft markets. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to the resort in time for dinner.