Itinerary

Days 1-3

Klein’s Camp, Serengeti

The vast grasslands of the renowned Serengeti National Park provide what many consider to be the quintessential African game viewing experience. Meaning ‘endless plains’ in the language of the Maasai, this land of immense open spaces is home to literally millions of large herbivores, as well as the accompanying carnivores. The Serengeti is renowned for having the largest concentration of migratory animals in the world, and is also famous for its large lion population.

The Serengeti National Park forms part of a huge conservation area, encompassing the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area, as well as the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. With no fences or man-made barriers, huge numbers of wildlife move freely throughout this area.

The Serengeti and the adjacent Masai Mara are best known for hosting the annual Great Migration of wildebeest, during which almost two million animals move across the plains and woodlands. Often called the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, this dramatic event is triggered by annual rainfall patterns that determine the availability of grazing. Tens of thousands of animals follow the seasonal rains, fording both the Grumeti and Mara Rivers in their search for fresh pastures, giving birth to their young en route.

Perched on the edge of the Kuka Hills, ten thatched cottages with whitewashed walls and rich wooden floors look down to the valleys below. The stone interiors of the guest areas open up to breathtaking panoramas and deep leather armchairs invite you to while away the midday hours. In the evening, guests gather around blazing fireplaces to share the adventures of the day. Fine linen, silver and china sparkle in the candlelight of the open dining areas, while mouth-watering aromas drift through from the camp kitchen.

Days 4-5

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater


The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is an extensive highland area along the eastern arm of the Rift Valley, with the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point.

Not a national park in the strict sense of the word, the NCA was established to conserve wildlife and other natural resources, as well as to safeguard the interests of indigenous people and promote tourism. Thus, guests on safari have the unique experience of seeing Maasai herdsmen whose cattle graze side by side with the tremendous variety of wildlife found in the area. Unmatched for its natural variety, there are few places on earth where such a tremendous diversity of landscapes exist inside a region this size. Apart from its wildlife riches, the NCA is also of great archaeological importance, with the remains of some of mankind’s earliest ancestors discovered in the area. The largest intact caldera in the world, the Ngorongoro Crater shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens anywhere. A permanent population of more than 30,000 animals inhabit a mere 260 km² (100 square miles) in the 600 m (2,000 ft) deep crater, making this one of the few places in Africa where guests stand a great chance of seeing the entire Big Five in the course of a single game drive.It has been called the game lodge at the end of the world and, between the spectacular views swirling through mists around the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and its somewhat unexpected architecture, it is easy to believe that you have entered a realm of pure fantasy. Steeped in romance, each stilted, handcrafted mud and thatch suite is adorned with graceful antiques. Ensuite bathrooms, with a centrepiece of fresh roses, feature huge showers and chandelier-lit bathtubs, while floor-to-ceiling windows ensure breathtaking views from everywhere.

Days 6-7

Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Lake Manyara

Although it is one of Tanzania’s smaller wildlife enclaves, Lake Manyara National Park is a spectacular reserve that boasts an incredible diversity of terrain, as well as plant and animal species. Established specifically to protect the elephant herds that have made this area world renowned, the park provides an excellent and varied wildlife experience. An incredible array of habitats, as well as a wealth of biodiversity, is crammed into a relatively small area in Lake Manyara National Park.

Apart from the elephants, Lake Manyara is famous for tree-climbing lions, as well as the thousands of flamingos that inhabit the lake shore. Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, Maasai giraffe, hippo and impala can be encountered. The lake supports an incredible diversity of birds, particularly water fowl and migrants. Lake Manyara is generally warm to hot throughout the year, with temperatures rising to above 35°C/95°F during the warmest months (September, October and January). The rainfall is seasonal, with two dry periods and two rainy periods during the year. Short, late-afternoon or evening thunderstorms occur in November and December, as well as from March to May. The dry periods last from June to October, as well as during January and February. This remote lodge blends intimacy and romance in cool, leafy surrounds. Spacious bedrooms float in a sea of green, with generous decks and massive windows opening up to the lush forest. Blow bubbles while contemplating the forest from your bath or soak under the steaming hot water of an outdoor shower. An interactive kitchen brings a touch of theatre to breakfast and lunch. Dinner each night is prepared and served in the open dining boma, encircled by a tall fence of gnarled wood.

Days 8-10

Optional Extension: Mnemba Island Lodge, Zanzibar

The pristine white beaches of Mnemba, surrounded by deep blue ocean, combine to make this intimate island your own private tropical paradise. Mnemba is inhabited only by guests and the staff taking care of them. While the dazzling sands and brilliant sunshine invite you to spend idle hours on shore, magnificent coral reefs create an underwater wonderland that lures you to explore the warm, crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Scores of snorkelling and diving sites form a gateway to a world of incredible sea creatures.

This exquisite private island with its white coral sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs is renowned as one of the world’s most romantic ocean destinations, offering a seclusion and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline. Set off the northeastern tip of Zanzibar and surrounded by a coral atoll, Mnemba is home to a staggering diversity of marine life. In an effort to protect and preserve these precious ecosystems, Mnemba has partnered with the Zanzibar government and the local fishing communities to have the atoll and its surroundings proclaimed the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area.Mnemba Island Lodge is a barefoot paradise on a private island, where just ten simple but luxurious palm-frond bandas lie hidden in a tropical beach forest fringed by a white beach. Midway between the bandas and the Indian Ocean are shaded traditional Zanzibari ‘beach’ beds, perfect for reading, sleeping, gazing at dhows or doing nothing at all. Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the beach with the waves gently lapping a few meters away.Note: Mnemba Island Lodge is closed annually from 01 April to 31 May.

More information from Elevate Destinations:

• View trip on provider's website
  elevatedestinations.com/itineraries/tanzania-eco-luxury-safar…
• Company profile, experience, and history
• View all of their trips