In the morning you will be collected from your lodgings in Arusha by our personal safari guide. We set out for Tarangire National Park across gently rolling Masai plains with scattered acacia trees. As we zip along we pass many Masai in their colorful dress walking on the roadside, riding bicycles, herding cattle, and driving donkeys carts. Tarangire National Park, well known for its large elephant herds, is also host to a multitude of other creatures. From the open roof of our safari jeep, we experience the seasonal swamps, savanna, and life-giving Tarangire River endeavoring to encounter a multitude of creatures from zebra to wildebeest, buffalo, elephant, and giraffe, to name but a few. It is possible we will glimpse lions stalking prey or leopards relaxing in the trees above. After our extensive game drive, we depart to drive to one of our midrange partner lodges for dinner in a tasteful restaurant and a most capacious room to harbor our ease and dreams of wild cats!

Main destinations: Tarangire NP

Accommodations: Ngare lodge

Rise and shine! It’s an early departure for us today to the lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This morning’s destination is the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, one of the seven wonders of Africa, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once we have reached the crater rim, we descend the steep track into the 600m deep caldera to see a range of animals, grasslands, birds, and a lake. The massive collapsed volcano is home to over 25,000 mammals ranging from the “Big Five” to spotted hyenas and some of the more than 500 bird species of the area. After an extensive game drive and a picnic lunch in the crater, we will head to your hotel in Karatu where you will have dinner and overnight.

Main destinations: Ngorongoro crater

Accommodations: Omega view lodge

After breakfast, you will drive to your final destination on this epic safari – Lake Manyara National Park. This is a relatively small but diverse park, 120km west of Arusha. The park’s namesake is a shallow, salt lake. It covers a large area of the park, flooding and drying with the seasons, and is home to thousands of flamingos and over 500 other bird species. On your exploration of the park, you will see monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, elephants, and with some luck, lions lounging in the trees. The park is known for its diverse landscapes; not only open grassy plains but also primate-filled woodlands and baobab dotted cliffs. After lunch, you will head back to Arusha, where you will arrive in the late afternoon where you will take your flight to Zanzibar.

Main destinations: Lake Manyara

Accommodations: The retreat hotel Zanzibar

You will transfer to Nungwi. This large village at Zanzibar Island’s northernmost tip was once best known as a dhow-building center. Today it’s a major tourist destination, thanks in part to the beautiful beach and stunning sunsets. The result: a place where traditional and modern knocks against each other with full force. Diving, snorkeling, fishing, and other water sports are the main attraction here. From Nungwi, frequented dive sites are mainly down the east coast or to Mnemba Island and reefs near Tumbatu Island. For swimmers, Nungwi’s local geography and tidal pattern mean swimming is possible at any time. Other activities available include yoga, cycling, and guided tours of the village.

Main destinations: Zanzibar

Accommodations: Matemwe resort

Today is the final day of our adventure. Breakfast is served and savored at our hotel. Transfer to the airport or seaport according to the time of your departure back home or onwards replete with images and memories of our magical adventure.

Main destinations: None (departure day)