Authentic northern Tanzania and Zanzibar

The best way to start a safari in Tanzania is with a one-night stopover in Arusha, as this allows guests to relax after the long journey. Having arrived into Arusha, you’ll stay in Rivertrees Country Inn. A YZ favorite for offering a comfortable pitstop, it has a good location and decent standards throughout. The rooms are stylish and have pleasant views over the area. You can make use of the facilities, including the spa, swimming pool, and extensive gardens – the estate is made up of 10 hectares.

From Arusha, you’ll travel to Karatu, one of Tanzania’s market towns. Here, you’ll stay at the Plantation Lodge, a great base from which to explore both the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. The gate into the Ngorongoro region is only half an hour by road from the lodge, so you’ll be perfectly placed for an early morning game drive to the Crater floor, involving chances to spot all Big Five – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – as well as numerous smaller mammals and ample birdlife. Plantation Lodge also offers guided walks around the plantation, a stroll amidst the coffee plantations, and visits to the nearby farm to gain insights into the working lives of the local people.

From Karatu, your next leg of the trip is to travel to the Serengeti, where you’ll stay four nights at the Wayo Serengeti Green Camp. This adventurous property follows the Great Migration and gets you close to the action during the river crossing and calving seasons in particular. There are just ten mobile tents, all with attached washrooms, and there are four private dining areas each with a campfire and butler. Wayo's activities focus on vehicle safaris in both locations and walking safaris when the camp is located in the northern Serengeti (between July and November). Both activities are in the company of knowledgeable and experienced guides. As well as witnessing the mega herds of the wildebeest migration, guests can see plenty of predators, not least the lion, leopard, and cheetah that pursue the herbivores along their way. Elephant and buffalo abound, and you can also expect to see a fine assortment of antelopes. Pay a little extra, and you can embark on a hot air balloon safari, for the ultimate bird’s-eye view.

Lastly, you’ll head to Zanzibar for five nights on the beach. One of our favorite things to do at Pongwe Beach Hotel is simply walk along the white sands, or swing in one of the hotel’s hammocks, as the hotel is located on one of the best beaches on the island. However, if you are feeling adventurous, the hotel also has a long list of water and land activities to take part in, including snorkeling, diving, motorbike hires, motorboat cruises, fishing, and trips to Stone Town. The marine life of Zanzibar includes whales, dolphins, turtles, and an astonishing diversity of fish species!