Vistas of Plains and Spice

The best of northern and southern Tanzania as well as Zanzibar

Vistas of Plains and Spice offers a wonderful mixture of wildlife and cultural exploration through northern Tanzania and the great Selous Game Reserve. And after all that effort, you have four days of complete relaxation on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar.

NB: This is a scheduled tour so contact us for dates and departures. And you can extend or shorten this tour to suit your exact needs.

Contact us and we can tailormake your ideal itinerary!

• Spot tree-climbing lions & flamingos at Lake Manyara
  
• Witness the Annual Great Migration in the Serengeti
  
• See the Big Five in Africa's Eden - Ngorongoro Crater
  
• Get off the beaten track in Tarangire & Selous Reserve
  
• Stay in luxurious lodges with all the creature comforts
  
• Relax on the picture perfect island paradise of Zanzibar
  
  

Day 1: Arusha to Lake Manyara
Travel by road from Arusha to Lake Manyara, passing through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni you turn North West and continue the journey up through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge Arrive at the 5-star Lake Manyara Serena Lodge in the evening just in time for supper.

Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Meals: Full Board

Day 2: Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast spend the morning exploring and driving through Lake Manyara National Park. About midday return to the lodge for lunch and then depart past Ngorongoro Crater and stop at Olduvai Gorge for a short excursion around the museum. You then continue into the Serengeti National Park with some game viewing en route arriving at your lodge as the sun begins to set.

Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Meals: Full Board

Day 3: Serengeti National Park
Enjoy your full day game drive in the Serengeti National Park with a choice of cooked lunch at the lodge or picnic lunch. The Serengeti contains the largest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, on a scale which has no parallel anywhere else in the world. The abundance of herbivores includes wildebeest, Zebra, Gazelle, Topi, Buffalo, and Hartebeest, to name but a few. Serengeti is also famous for predators e.g. Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena and contains a wide variety of birdlife, believed to be in the region of 500 species.

Accommodation: Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Meals: Full Board

Day 4: Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater
Depart after an early breakfast and drive back across the Serengeti plains and onto Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch. On arrival immediately descend into the crater for game viewing. Late afternoon ascend the crater wall and continue to your lodge which is perched on the rim of this world renowned caldera.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Meals: Full Board

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire National Park

After breakfast you depart Ngorongoro and drive to Mto Wa Mbu Village arriving in time for an excursion of the local village. Lunch is provided by Serena Active followed by a real cultural experience, feeling the heartbeat of an authentic African homestead with every step you take. A leisurely stroll with a village guide will take you through local homes, farmlands, resident bars, a kindergarten and a church. After the walk we gather at a private, local banana-leaf bar to taste a wide variety of local fruits. Afterwards we continue to Tarangire National Park with a game drive enroute to your lodge deep in the park.

Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Meals: Full board

Day 6: Tarangire National Park

You have the full day to explore the majestic Tarangire National Park which is less crowded and more off-the-beaten-track than Ngorongoro or the Serengeti. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in this delightful, untamed gem of the Northern Circuit. Tarangire is at its finest during the dry seasons, from June to October and December to March, when the Tarangire River and the various swamps attract the highest concentrations of game.

Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Meals: Full board

Day 7: Tarangire to Selous Game Reserve
Depart after breakfast and head north east to Arusha. Upon arrival in Arusha, you’ll be dropped off at the airport after lunch to connect with the midday flight to the Selous. This flight is approximately three hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a guide and transferred to the camp to freshen up.

Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp
Meals: Full board

Day 8-10: Selous Game Reserve
The following three days will be filled with morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris and boat trips on a shared basis, on the Rufiji River and its picturesque lagoons. The Selous must be the largest unspoilt game reserve in Africa, immense, remote and wild and no human habitation is allowed within its boundaries, apart from within camps and lodges. You will be staying at Rufiji River Camp in palm leafed comfortable tents that are simple, with verandas and en suite facilities and have views facing the river.

Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp
Meals: Full board

Day 10: Selous Game Reserve to Zanzibar
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to Tembo House Hotel right in the heart of Stone Town, around ten minutes from the airport. Overlooking a busy working beach, it captures perfectly the style, décor and flair of Zanzibar.

Accommodation: Tembo House Hotel
Meals: Full board

Day 11-14: Mapenzi Beach Club, Zanzibar Island
This morning you are transferred to Mapenzi Beach Club, your Beach Hotel on the coast of Zanzibar. You have the next few days at leisure at one of the most popular resorts in Zanzibar. Spend your time enjoying the exotic and unspoiled island with a choice of various excursions e.g. Spice Tour, Stone Town Tour, Dolphin tour, Village Walking, Traditional Boat Factory, Scuba Diving, Water sports etc. Or just simply laze around on the beach, catch a tan and have a holiday - that's why you came here after all!

Accommodation: Mapenzi Beach Club
Meals: Full board

Day 14: Zanzibar Island to Zanzibar Airport
Spend the day at leisure before being transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your onward arrangements. This is the end of services, though our consultants can organise your accommodation, flights, transfers and more!

Contact us and we can book your spot or design your ideal tour!

Includes:

Meet and greet services
Assistance at the airport
Seat in vehicle safari
Depart by 4x4 vehicle (maximum 7 clients per vehicle)
Services of an English speaking driver-guide
Open vehicles, walking safaris and boat trips in the Selous
Game drives and crater tour
All accommodation and meals as specified
All park fees and government taxes

Excludes:

International flights
Visas and Airport tax (pay direct)
Driver guide or local escort gratuities
Drinks (unless specified), tips, porterage,
Personal travel and baggage insurance
Telephone bill, laundry
Any items of a personal nature

Contact us and we can book your spot or design your ideal tour!