GRAND CIRCUIT OF TANZANIA
Trip Overview
Travel Route: Kilimanjaro - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro – Serengeti – Mahale – Katavi – Ruaha – Selous – Dar es Salaam
Duration 18 days 17 nights
Ideal For Guests interested in experiencing the spectacular diversity of wildlife encounters and stunning landscapes in Tanzania.
Summary An amazing journey combining the fantastic wildlife and iconic African landscapes of Northern Tanzania with memorable Chimpanzee encounters in the remote Mahale Mountains and diverse safari experiences in the stunning and rarely visited parks of Southern Tanzania where in addition to game drives you can get close to animals on wonderful bush walks and boat safaris.
Services Included 17 nights with Fullboard accommodation, Top quality 4x4 safari vehicle and qualified English speaking driver guide, Game drives, Bush walks, Boat safaris, Chimpanzee trekking, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Fishing, Village visits, All national park and conservation fees, All flights and transfers in Tanzania, Flying Doctor emergency evacuation cover, 24-hour point of contact in Africa.
Cost per Person:
From US$ 16,530
The price quoted above is an approximate price based on 2 people shairing a double or twin and traveling during high season (July to Oct).
Start your journey with a magnificent drive through the Rift Valley to Lake Manyara (2-3 hours)
Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is stunningly beautiful and contains diverse habitats. In the heat of the day, the famous tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara can be seen stretched on the branches of trees.
Travelling around the park, there is often a lovely view of the large lake, which attracts more than 400 species of birds, including flamingos and pelicans.
Watching elephants, buffalo, and hippo in one of the mud pools provides for some wonderful safari moments, and the backdrop of the escarpment adds a spectacular component to the scenery.
Accommodation: Tloma Lodge or Plantation Lodge
Take a short one hour drive through dense forest to the rim of Ngorongoro Crater from where you have stunning views into the breathtaking crater.
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the natural wonders of the world with one of the highest wildlife densities on earth. In addition to large herds of antelopes, wildebeest and zebra, sightings of the Big Five, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard, are frequent and the natural beauty of the crater adds a grandeur to your safari experience that is unrivalled anywhere in Africa.
The conservation area is also home to Maasai people and their cattle which co-exist with the existing wildlife in a unique ecosystem. The foothills between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara offer beautiful lush green landscapes dotted with small villages and picturesque coffee and tea plantation which you can explore on bicycle horseback or on wonderful walks.
Accommodation: Tloma Lodge or Plantation Lodge
Enjoy a scenic flight over the spectacular Ngorongoro Highlands into the Serengeti (1 hour)
The Serengeti is the jewel in the crown of Tanzania's parks and undoubtedly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. With countless predators including lion, cheetah and leopard, more than two million wildebeest, half a million Thomson's gazelle, and a quarter of a million zebra, it has the greatest concentration of wildlife on our planet.
The wildebeest and zebra moreover form the star cast of a unique spectacular - the annual migration.
Between late December and March, you will be able to witness the great migration of more than 1 million wildebeest and zebra during the spectacular calving season.
Between May and July you might be lucky to witness the fascinating spectacle of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebras crossing the crocodile infested Grumeti River together with their new born.
From August to October, they move to the remote Northern Serengeti crossing the Mara River which is equally populated with giant Nile crocodiles.
Accommodation: Serengeti Safari Camp or Sayari Camp
Experience a breathtaking flight to the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania (ca. 2 hours).
Mahale Mountains National Park lies on the shores of Africa's deepest and longest freshwater lake, Tanganyika. The remote rain forests of the Mahale Mountains are home to groups of chimpanzee which feed and play amongst the luxuriant vegetation on the forest floor. They have been the focus of much research by scientists around the world and there are an estimated 1,000 in the Park divided into 20 family troupes of about 50 each.
By contrast, colourful exotic tropical fish swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika and a spectacular variety of birds are found along the lake shore. Often spotted in the park are roan antelopes, buffaloes, zebras and some lions.
The park also has stunning scenery at the lakeshore with white sand beaches and clear water.
Trek chimpanzees, snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the lake, enjoy kayaking or a boat cruise on the lake or simply relax at the beach with stunning views of the Congolese mountains.
Accommodation: Greystoke
Take a short and convenient flight eastwards to the remote and rarely visited Katavi National Park (45 min)
Katavi National Park is located in the remote west of Tanzania and is the perfect place to witness an abundance of animals in the wildest possible setting. In this untouched wilderness there are no humans for hundreds of miles and apart from one lodge and its staff, you will encounter no other people.
The park's main features are the enormous floodplains around Lake Katavi in the north and palm-fringed Lake Chada and Katuma River with scattered woodland in the south.
The lakes support enormous groups of hippos, crocodiles and over 400 species of birds but it is the dry season that brings Katavi to life - great clouds of dust rise from the feet of over 3,000 buffaloes moving across the short grass plains and woodlands of Katavi. An estimated 4,000 elephants also converge on the park when the floodwaters retreat. Herds of impala, reedbuck, lions, zebras and giraffes can be seen at the remaining pools and streams.
Accommodation: Chada Katavi Camp
Enjoy a beautiful flight to the rarely visited Ruaha National Park in Southern Tanzania (1.5 hours).
Ruaha National Park is a remote bastion of true wilderness, undisturbed wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. With large herds of elephants, vast concentrations of buffalo, gazelle, and over 400 bird species.
Due to its remote location, Ruaha National Park is largely unexplored and a safari there often has the feel of a private adventure and a unique experience.
Enjoy game drives with rarely seeing any other vehicles and explore the rugged landscapes of Ruaha on beautiful bush walks.
Accommodation: Jongomero
Take a flight over spectacularly mountainous landscape to Africa’s largest wildlife reserve, the Selous Game Reserve (1.5 hours).
Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve, and due to its remote location, it has remained one of the untouched gems of Tanzania’s parks. Boating safaris offer visitors a chance to see the diverse life along the Rufiji river up close and walking safaris and fly camping add a sense of adventure to the African experience.
Decide each day whether you prefer an early bush walk followed by a game drive and a romantic sundowner, would you rather have a sumptuous breakfast and go for a full day game drive or would like to rest and only enjoy a leisurely boat safari and watch a spectacular sunset with your favourite drink next to a noisy hippo family?
Accommodation: Selous Safari Camp or Sand Rivers Selous
Enjoy a last morning in the African bush, viewing game or just relaxing before taking a flight to Dar es Salaam (45 minutes) for your onward journey or for your flight back home.
Booking & Itinerary Customization
We at Enchanting-Africa have one main goal: To help you achieve authentic, individual travels to Africa.
Please contact us if you want to book this trip or have it adapted to your individual needs.
Your first step to creating unique, customized travel experiences.
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