Countries: South Africa , Tanzania
Destinations: Johannesburg , Arusha , Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , Serengeti National Park , Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Islands , Cape Town
Group Size: 2
Duration (days): 18
Number of Adults: 2
Number of Children: 0
Enjoy some of the iconic African national parks in Tanzania, followed by down time on Zanzibar and the beautiful Cape Town
Itinerary Outline
Day 1 : Johannesburg
After landing at O R Tambo International Airport (arrival flight not included in quotation) you make your way to City Lodge O R Tambo within the airport precinct to spend 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis.
For a varied, diverse, exciting and fulfilling holiday, one would be hard pressed to find a country in Africa, or the world, which offers more. South Africa has it all, including wildlife, mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, numerous cultures, first world cities, untouched landscapes, casinos, amusement parks, exciting activities, excellent roads and infrastructure, off road 4 x 4 routes, fantastic food, good wine, great sports stadiums, incredible people and a triumphant history.
Although usually only used for quick stopovers by most travellers, Joburg is an exciting and vibrant city, with some excellent hotels, fantastic shopping facilities, loads of historic signifcance, and a flourishing sporting culture.
With the launch of the Gautrain in 2010, the Sandton district is now only 10 minutes from the airport, and this places one in a position to easily access most of the city's highlights.
City Lodge Hotel at O R Tambo International Airport
Conveniently located at Africa’s busiest airport, the 365-room City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport, allows both business and leisure travellers a convenient and comfortable place to rest at the end of a flight.
The hotel is walking distance to and from the airport terminal buildings and is adjacent to the Gautrain Airport Station.
Business travellers will appreciate the simplicity of staying at the airport for short visits, while leisure travellers won’t have to worry about where to stay for that one night between flights to their final destination.
The expansive lobby lounge, displaying flight information boards; uncapped WiFi; three boardrooms and conference facilities for 46 guests and fitness room are just some of the services on offer.
The #Café restaurant and bar are complemented by a sparkling swimming pool with deck, ideal for a refreshing swim in the sunshine before or after the next stage of travel.
Access to a wide variety of retailers, restaurants and banking facilities within the airport building completes the package.
Day 2 : Arusha
This morning you will walk back into the airport in time for your flight KQ761 to Nairobi, departing at 12h10 and landing at 17h15. You will connect onto flight KQ6720 departing at 20h00 and landing at Kilmanjaro International at 21h00, where you will be met and transferred in a private vehicle to Onsea House in Arusha to spend .2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
A land full of icons, with the names Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar immediately evoking images of exotic locations and abundant wildlife. A Tanzanian safari is an experience for all of the senses, and caters for every kind of traveller.
Tanzania is a country which was seemingly designed with the word "safari" in mind. There are enough national parks and different safari activities to keep travellers coming back year on year, with the added benefit of easily combining beautiful tropical beaches with the wildlife rich plains.
A Tanzanian safari is a journey in the true sense of the word, with each itinerary feeling like an exploration out into the wilderness. Moving from park to park, either by road or air, the countryside offers something new at each stop.
The plains of the Serengeti have become synonomous with an African safari, and by visiting the right areas and camps, you will be able to see the legendary wildebeest migration as it moves across the grasslands in constant search of fresh grazing and water.
To the south of the country are the remote reserves of Selous and Ruaha, while in the west you can trek into the mountains to witness chimpanzees along the shores of the mystical Lake Tanganyika.
Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, the city is the country’s safari capital located close to some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks, which are Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire, Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) as well as Mt Kilimanjaro - Africa’s highest mountain.
Since 2006, Onsea House has been a synonym for charming comfort in a picturesque setting, which is unique in Arusha. With more personal approach than in a hotel and more privacy than a lodge resort, we aim to be your preferred luxury Bed & Breakfast.
This award winning, charming boutique hotel is the perfect place to begin your travels in Tanzania, and is known for having one of the best restaurants in Tanzania!
Onsea House has bars, breakfast areas and a swimming pool in a garden area with views across the Masai steppe, the Monduli Mountains and the spectacle of Mount Meru.
This hotel is a base for activities offered in and around Arusha, such as safaris, hikes, mountain climbing, bird watching or village visits.
Day 3 : Arusha
You have the day with a private guide and vehicle at your disposal to explore Arusha and visit any sites you are keen on seeing.
Day 4 : Tarangire National Park
After breakfast you set out with your private guide and 4x4 vehicle on the drive Tarangire National Park to spend 2 nights on a fully inclusive basis at Oliver’s Camp. After lunch you will head out on game drive, before enjoying dinner back at camp.
In the past, Tarangire National Park was often overlooked by visitors to Tanzania, however it is now holding its own as one of the best dry season parks in the region.
During the dry months of July through to October, an enormous amount of wildlife is drawn inside Tarangire to access the water from the Tarangire River and the Silale Swamps, allowing for very rewarding game viewing experiences.
The park is home to some of the largest elephant herds of East Africa, and the scenery is particularly popular for the wide open, Serengeti-like plains, decorated with enormous and commanding Baobab trees.
Being only an hour and a half's drive from Arusha, Tarangire is easily accessible, and a great option to start or finish a road safari.
Oliver’s Camp, located in Tarangire National Park, is a place for those who want to experience an adventurous safari with ample comforts.
Join our knowledgeable guides for a walking safari, soar over the plains in a hot-air balloon or examine leopard tracks along a dusty road. At Oliver’s, you can get to know the landscape from all angles.
Our 15-tent camp is relaxed and comfy, imitating the original safari camps. The team at Oliver’s have worked together for years, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Small groups may want to consider booking out a 5-tent area of the camp offset about a kilometer away from the main area and which can be operated as an exclusive use option.
Day 5 : Tarangire National Park
Today will be spent on morning and afternoon game drives. At Oliver’s, you also have the option of a walking safaris (charged at US$75 per person) and / or a night game drive (charged at US$110 per person). Please let us know if you are interested in either of those.
Day 6 : Ngorongoro Crater
You game drive out of the park this morning and make your way up the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, and all the way to the wilderness area to the north of Ngorongoro Crater to spend 2 nights at The Highlands Ngorongoro on a fully inclusive basis. After arrival you visit a neighbouring Masai village to learn about the traditional way of life that has defined this corner of Africa for centuries. You also have the opportunity for a walk in the wilderness area before dinner.
A unique and fascinating game viewing destination in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see on any Tanzania safari.
Being the world's largest intact caldera, and the result of a collapsed volcano thousands of years ago, the 260 square kilometres of crater floor hosts up to 25 000 animals at all times of year. This makes it one of the most dense wildlife areas in Africa, and allows for many memorable sightings.
Driving down the steep walls of the Crater early in the morning is an experience in itself, and you can always sense the excitement of heading deep into one of the world's natural wonders.
With lodges perched directly on the rim, hundreds of metres above the Crater floor, Ngorongoro accommodation provides you with some of the most incredible views, and the location will surely be a highlight of your holiday.
While being criticised at times for the number of vehicles on drives along the Crater floor, it is necessary to expect that tourist numbers here will be quite high, and be prepared to share this phenomenon with other travellers. Once your mind is not concerned with other vehicles, you can enjoy the Ngorongoro Crater for what it is; one of the world's truly remarkable wildlife areas.
The Highlands has redefined the Ngorongoro Crater experience, offering an array of activities afforded by the camp’s exclusive location and a combination of comfort and contemporary style.
The award-winning camp with its eight domed canvas and glass suites is situated on the edge of a forest that skirts Olmoti Volcano. The surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The camp feels remote, but is within easy reach of Ngorongoro, where guests can go on day-long game drives to spot lions, elephants and giraffes, with a midday picnic break under a shady tree. From camp, hike up to the top of Olmoti for staggering views, or take a half-day trip to the soda lake in Empakaai Crater, where thousands of pink flamingos congregate. Guests can also interact with the local community, learning about Maasai culture and walk the cattle back to the boma at the end of the day.
At night, gather around a crackling fire with a glass of wine or whiskey before sitting down to a delicious three-course dinner.
Day 7 : Ngorongoro Crater
Early this morning you descend 600m through the morning mists to the crater floor for a 6 hour tour to view the amazingly diverse an abundant wildlife that populates the ancient caldera. You have a picnic lunch at the hippo pool and later this afternoon you head back out of the crater to return to camp for dinner.
Day 8 : Serengeti National Park
You will be driven to Manyara airstrip and assisted on to a light aircraft flying to Lamai airstrip in the northern Serengeti. You will be met on landing and driven by camp guides to Ubuntu Migration Camp to spend 3 nights on a fully inclusive basis. This afternoon after settling into the camp you have a game drive.
The word "Siringit" means "endless plains," and this is understandably from where the Serengeti National Park takes its name. The iconic, endless, golden plains of Africa are nowhere more evident than within this national park, as they stretch off into eternity, dotted throughout with thousands of animals.
Located in the north-west corner of Tanzania, alongside Lake Victoria, the Serengeti has earned its place as one of the world's most famous wildlife areas. While best known for the enormous herds of the wildebeest migration, there is far more to the Serengeti than this, and the national park can be enjoyed even when you are not in the vicinity of this spectacle.
The national park itself is roughly 14 500 square kilometres, but it forms part of the greater Serengeti eco-system, which comprises the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the bordering Masai Mara, in Kenya, with the country boundary between Kenya and Tanzania seperating the two.
The Serengeti can be accessed on a road safari, usually in combination with the Ngorongoro Crater, or there are regular daily flights into the park from Arusha.
Ubuntu Migration Camp follows the colossal herds of wildebeest as they journey around the Serengeti. From the dramatic river crossings in the north to the fertile grasslands in the south where the wildebeest give birth, we set up camp nearby to ensure you’re always close to the action.
Our traditional tented camp is designed to leave no trace. We can quickly disassemble it and move with the herds to new pastures. Every day, we’re out in the bush looking for wildlife such as lions or cheetahs attracted by the huge gatherings of prey. Over morning coffee, watch wildebeest males chasing each other or zebras tussling. For a sunrise to remember, start the day by gliding above the plains in a hot-air balloon. In the evening, look up as the stars reveal themselves.
Day 9 - 10 : Serengeti National Park
You have morning and afternoon game drives or a full day game drive with a picnic lunch, searching for the best vantage points to view the herds of the wildebeest migration that are likely to be in the area.
Day 11 : Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Islands
After a morning of game viewing you will be driven to Lamai airstrip and assisted on to a light aircraft flight to Arusha Airport and then connect with a light aircraft flight to Zanzibar. You will be met at Zanzibar Airport and transferred to Zanzibar Palace to spend 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Islands
The Zanzibar Archipelago has lured travellers to its pristine, white beaches for centuries, and continues to be the drawcard for sun-seeking, beach-loving tourists from all over the world.
The main island of Zanzibar (correctly named Unguja), has a plethora of accommodation options, ranging from rustic beach bungalows to large and glitzy resorts, and can offer something to everyone's taste. Sandy beaches run the length of the coast, shaded by green palm trees, and caressed by turquoise waters.
The lesser-known islands of Pemba and Mafia, north and south respectively of Zanzibar, are still able to offer the quieter, and less touristed options, with fewer resorts, and far less infrastructure.
These islands contribute to the many assets Tanzania owns as a safari destination, as they create the easy "bush and beach" combination so sought after by modern travellers.
After the rigours of safari, flights to Zanzibar direct from most national parks make it simple to add on a tropical beach break, and allow some total relaxation before the return journey home.
Zanzibar Palace Hotel is an exclusive boutique hotel located right in the heart of Stone Town in Zanzibar. Come to experience the authentic Zanzibar atmosphere!
We offer a unique style with strong focus on high quality service and modern comfort.
We have three rooms on each of the three floors. Above all, our nine rooms are all different from each other, and in each of them our guests find traces of the Zanzibar’s rich history echoed into their mix of Arabian, Indian and English design.
Our unique atmosphere makes it a perfect place to unwind. In addition, our location makes it an ideal base to explore and experience all the beauties of this magical town and Island.
Day 12 : Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Islands
This morning you will be taken on a guided tour of Stone Town. After lunch you will be transferred to Pongwe Beach Hotel on the east coast of the island to spend 2 nights on a half board basis.
Pongwe Beach Hotel first opened its doors over 15 years ago and has had the pleasure to welcome a huge variety of international travellers. We have always prided ourselves on offering a 4* experience at the price of a 3* hotel – something which all our guests have appreciated.
One of the ways we have kept our service levels so high is by having a large workforce of over 85 staff many of whom are employed from the local area.
Zanzibar is reopening to tourists at the end of June and we know we need to work together to get out of this hard time. Keep your eye on our website and social media for special offers.
Day 13 : Zanzibar, Pemba, Mafia Islands
You will have the full day to relax on the beach and in the languid waters of the Indian Ocean and to enjoy all the leisure activities and excursions available at the lodge.
Day 14 : Cape Town
You will be transferred back to Zanzibar International Airport in time for flight KQ6731 departing at 11h05 and landing in Nairobi at 12h45, where you will connect onto flight KQ784 departing at 16h55 and landing in Cape Town at 21h40. You will be met at Cape Town Airport and transferred to The Commodore Hotel to spend 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Scenically spectacular, with an array of activities on offer, Cape Town is great for an extended holiday on its own, or for an add on to a safari in South Africa, or any other countries.
As an easy 2 hour hop from Johannesburg, with numerous daily flights, as well as some international flights from and to various countries, Cape Town is easily accessible, and an enjoyable way to ease into, or wind down, an African itinerary.
Cape Town has regularly been voted amongst the world's most popular holiday destinations, with many visitors returning year after year.
There are many reasons why Cape Town is regularly selected as one of the top tourist destinations in the world for location, sight-seeing and dining. Experience everything special that Cape Town has to offer while staying in this stylish and elegant setting.
Located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The Commodore Hotel provides sweeping views of Table Mountain, Cape Town Harbour and Robben Island.
With all of the services that you require, The Commodore is the perfect hotel, in the perfect city.
Day 15 : Cape Town
After checking out of The Commodore this morning, you will make your way across the Waterfront to The Victoria & Alfred Hotel, where you will spend the next 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
History and modern luxury merge to create ageless beauty at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, which was built in 1904 as the North Quay Warehouse. This iconic establishment was named after Queen Victoria and her son, Prince Alfred who played an intrinsic role in the establishment of the Breakwater Basin, now the V&A Waterfront.
The hotel is located in the very heart of this internationally acclaimed destination and is a sophisticated retreat amid the buzz. It offers some of the most enviable views of Cape Town Harbour, Table Mountain and the slick city that stretches out at the foot of this Natural Wonder.
Timeless elegance and personalised luxury are found at the award-winning Victoria & Alfred Hotel.
