100% customisable travel idea
Tanzania in the Green Season Conscious Safaris and Sustainable Lodges
Arusha - Tarangire - Ngorongoro - Olduvai - Serengeti
When Tanzania Goes Green
Your Travel Booklet
After arriving in Arusha/Kilimanjaro (where else?) we head towards Tarangire National Park. Needless to say, wherever you go, Tanzania’s wildlife commands respect and admiration, from the Big Five to the tiniest creatures. Next, head up towards the fabulous Ngorongoro Crater. There will be a stop on either side: at Karatu and Olduvai. The Olduvai Gorge, in the Great Rift Valley, is famous for giving up Homo habilis to science. This is also the heart of Maasai land. The hiking here is like nowhere else in the world. Your final destination is the vast Serengeti National Park. After an introductory visit, explore the Grumeti Game Reserve, a large private estate that helps expand and maintain the protected area. The Serengeti, together with Kenya’s Maasai Mara, is the setting for the epic migration of zebras and wildebeest, and is one of Africa’s most remarkable natural sanctuaries. The paradox is that, overwhelmed by the vastness of this seemingly endless savannah, you actually feel at ease here. Paradox, or well-planned logistics?Your Trip
Your driver-guide is a valuable asset who will take you from Arusha to Grumeti and assist you along the way. They will take care of you and act as a ranger during self-guided visits to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti Parks. Travel in an off-road vehicle fitted out for wildlife observation and photography. It’s well-suited to African conditions and is as comfortable as possible, so you can enjoy the journey and focus on spotting wildlife. One of the many delights along the way is how perfectly your lodges and camps fit the safari aesthetic. Located in remote, exclusive areas, their location always offers something to see, right from the doorstep of your room or tent. Facilities everywhere may be rustic - keeping with the safari spirit - but they are still elegant. The savannah does not exclude comfort and style. Using recycled water, solar panels and short supply chains, and working with local communities, your accommodation on this trip is committed to sustainability. Swimming pools evoke the shape of waterholes. And the cuisine will surprise you with its quality and cleverness. Outings into nature are planned throughout your itinerary. Whether in classic vehicles or adapted EVs, the advantages that this approach offers to a safari are clear from the outset. When explorations take place on foot or at night, it’s a whole different adventure! A hike through Olduvai Gorge, which is very accessible, takes you deep into the past. And if, along the way, you have any concerns or last-minute requests, you’ll have the contact details of our on-site Concierge to assist you.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
Meet & greet and assistance with formalities. Transfer to Arusha. The night is framed by Kilimanjaro to the east and Mount Meru to the west. Your accommodation is in one of the bungalows scattered throughout a fenced park over several hectares. Vivid blooms stand out against the lush vegetation. This managed environment suits dik-dik dwarf antelopes. The buildings are beautifully crafted, clean, and fit harmoniously into their surroundings. In your own private space, you’ll enjoy top-quality amenities and level of comfort. The decor includes local, handcrafted elements, with no hint of witchcraft. The colour scheme is comprised of shades of ochre. The restaurant serves contemporary African cuisine while the large bar is in the best tradition of safari, with a certain cachet and a smart, pleasantly rustic feel.
Meet your driver-guide and travel to Tarangire National Park. Lunch in the park at a restaurant with a beautiful panoramic terrace.
Already included - evening safari in the park. It is a gently undulating wooded savannah, where you can easily observe rich and thriving wildlife from your vehicle. Look out for tree-climbing lions, bush elephants, plains zebras, Masai giraffes, impalas, blue wildebeest, buffalo, bushpigs, Cape elands, waterbucks, and more. In the northern part of the park, majestic baobabs manifest the symbolic importance of this species.
Spend the night on a granite hill. From the camp’s elevated position, the views stretch far across the savannah, Lake Burungi and Lake Manyara. Facing west means spectacular sunsets are guaranteed - the colours, vibrancy and atmosphere at dusk are an experience in themselves. Your tent is erected on a platform, sheltered by a large palm-thatched roof. The magical essence of safari reigns here, in surroundings that are comfortable, without diminishing the ‘bush spirit’. The main dining hall and small bar are very pleasant (and the latter is well stocked). Seen from the inner shade, the outside is a bright, limitless spectacle. In the evening, around the campfire, guests share their impressions of the bush.
Optional - night safari.
Included - morning safari. In conditions similar to the previous day, watch the birds gather in large numbers along the humid banks of the Tarangire River. Spot the brilliantly coloured parakeets called lovebirds, the white-faced whistling duck, the red-billed hornbill, the African marsh harrier, and the black-headed heron, among others.
Drive to Karatu and Ngorongoro. Spend the night at new heights. The unfolding views here are of farmland, and you’ll be staying on a property that produces coffee, vegetables, poultry and honey. These supply most of the ingredients to the kitchen, and that is certainly a good thing! Otherwise, your accommodation has a modern Africa vibe, skilfully incorporating traditional designs. You’ll find the iconic red ochre, crisp leather, high ceilings, and light (but effective) mosquito nets. In the garden there is an infinity pool.
Already included - tour of the estate. Set out with an English-speaking guide to explore the coffee plantation, organic vegetable garden and aromatic herb garden. Get into the nitty-gritty of the estate’s thoughtful and sustainable approach
Optional - one-hour massage.
Included - Ngorongoro Crater safari. The UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the wonders of the African continent. And the highlight is the volcano’s caldera. Almost perfectly round and spanning 20 km (12 miles) across, Ngorongoro Crater is home to remarkable flora and fauna. Both African rhinoceroses are to be found here: the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Could it be because Tanzania was once part of Deutsch-Ostafrika that the German names Spitzmaulnashor (pointed-mouth) and Breitmaulnashor (wide-mouth) capture the difference between the two animals better than black and white?
Next stop Olduvai, halfway between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Spend one night at the foot of a kopje, an isolated rocky outcrop on the plain. The natural tones and the public areas built directly into the rock create a discreet, welcoming camp with a distinctive atmosphere. The tents, covered with a thatched roof, offer simple yet remarkable comfort in this solitude that also creates unique sensations. Each tent has its own shaded veranda.
On your itinerary - sunset over the savannah. At the top of the kopje, a small belvedere has been built. Climb up to it on a short walk with a ranger, to enjoy a sunset like no other.
Included - safari in the Serengeti . This vast park is famous for the massive migrations of wildebeest and zebras, which take place across the plains of Tanzania and Kenya in November and July-August. It’s also renowned for the thriving population of Nile crocodiles that make use of the resources of the Grumeti River. The Big Five are here as well: simba (lion), tembo (elephant), nyati (buffalo), chui (leopard) and nyeusi kifaru (black rhinoceros). Chui is elusive, but the Serengeti is one of the best reserves to spot it. This is also true for the duma (cheetah) and mbwa mwitu (African wild dog). An abundance of antelope is prey for these predators. Next come hyenas, various vultures, marabou storks, etc. - the indispensable cleaners. From the top of your all-terrain vehicle, you discover a world that is very well organised. In the eastern part of the park, Olduvai Gorge is an exceptional place, where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered Homo habilis, probably the predecessor to Homo ergaster. Walk in the footsteps of these distant ancestors accompanied by a Maasai guide.
Drive to the private Singita Grumeti Concession. Stay two nights on a green hill of Africa. The campsite’s tents are spacious, well-thatched, and equipped with particularly well-designed bathrooms. They are furnished in a contemporary style that suits them perfectly. Yet the bush is never far away - just step out onto your private terrace. The public areas are all in one beautiful building, which also has a green roof. At the end of the journey, there is certainly no deterioration in the quality of your meals - and the dining room is also very pleasant. The outdoor pool is a tireless source of enjoyment, and massage treatments give a revitalising boost.
Included - alternative safaris. Private reserves like this one are an opportunity to experience safari differently. They are something of a testing ground for national parks, which face different constraints. Here, the wildlife is the same as in the Serengeti and is remarkably dense. Expeditions take place at night (which is ideal for observation and the accompanying emotions). Or on foot: distances are more limited, but your attention is more focused; it’s an opportunity for personal stealth and unfiltered contact with your surroundings. You can also spot smaller, but no less spectacular, wildlife and plants. Or by electric off-road vehicle: quiet running, less pollution, and very comfortable - these vehicles offer many advantages. Your stay at Grumeti Game Reserve opens the door to a new adventure.
Transfer to Ikoma aerodrome. Flight to Arusha. Lunch and transfer to the international airport. Return flight; night on board, arrival the following day.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Night Safari in Tarangire
Some animals such as leopards and porcupines are active only at night. Not in the evening but actually after nightfall! To have a chance of spotting them, you need to be as much of a night owl as they are. Plus, the African night is filled with stars, echoing calls, crackling sounds, and presences suddenly felt. There is a striking intimacy with nature here and unique sensory excitement. All you need is a driver, a vehicle and a discreet ranger.Karatu - One-Hour Massage
Your hotel in Karatu offers massage treatments. It does wonders for travellers’ bodies. Tanzanian hotels meet international standards, and so do their massage therapists. This guarantees you a quality service. So, a deep massage to relieve tension, a Swedish massage that’s both soothing and invigorating, or hot stones for a long-lasting, relaxing effect? The choice is yours! Let yourself be pampered.Add a few more days to visit Zanzibar
Chic Robinson-Crusoe spirit, the aroma of spices, palm trees, sunshine, soft sand and turquoise water… welcome to the iconic island. Perhaps you will opt for a cultural experience with a city stop in Stone Town, a Swahili lesson, an introduction to cooking, or weaving workshop on the beach; or maybe you’ll prefer to walk the coral reefs at low tide with a local fisherman or put on a mask and fins to explore the underwater world. In the evening, return to your bungalow on stilts or canopy bed after sipping a cocktail at sunset and enjoying the catch of the day with your feet in the sand.
Why visit Tanzania with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Tanzania
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
