Great Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater & Matemwe Zanzibar Luxury Safari Package

12 Days: Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Zanzibar

Combining 1 night Arumeru River Lodge, 2 nights Oliver’s, 2 nights
The Highlands, 3 nights Ubuntu Migration Camp and 3 Nights Matemwe Lodge

Day 1: Overnight at Arumeru River Lodge, Arusha

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by your private driver who will transfer you to Arumeru River Lodge for your overnight stay. Located just outside of Arusha, Arumeru River Lodge offers the ideal location from which to start your unique African Safari adventure.

Freshen up after your journey to Tanzania and unwind in the lush gardens before enjoying a delicious meal. The garden is home to many Dik-diks, the smallest antelopes in Africa. These cute little animals can be observed at close range. Enjoy your first “wildlife encounter” by just walking in the tropical garden.

Get an early nights rest before your safari itinerary kicks off in the morning!

Day 2: Overnight at Oliver’s, Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, pack your bags and depart with a personal safari guide for your transfer through Arusha town to Arusha Airport. You will then catch your connecting Air Excel flight to Kuro Airstrip in Tarangire National Park. On arrival at Kuro Airstrip, you will be met by a guide from Oliver’s. A welcome table will be set up either at the airstrip or a short distance away, with tea and coffee, cold drinks and snacks, allowing you to refresh while your guide briefs you on the surrounding area. A short game drive takes you to Oliver’s.

On arrival at Oliver’s, spend the afternoon settling into your stylish room and the beautiful surroundings before heading into the dining area for lunch. After tea, experience your first taste of the wild and beautiful Tarangire National Park on an afternoon game drive with one of the superb guides. Once back at camp you will have the opportunity to freshen up and relax. Once refreshed you either have the option of going on a night drive or heading straight to the dining area for dinner and a drink by the camp fire.

Oliver’s

In the southern reaches of the secluded Tarangire National Park, Oliver’s camp is an echo of the trailblazing camps that pioneered the early days of safari. Located in a spectacular location close to the animal dense Silale Swamps and overlooking a flood plain of the Minyonyo Pools, the camp offers a magnificent view and easy access to a dense concentration of wildlife year-round. With only ten beautifully appointed and stylish tents, intimacy is ensured and the world-class team of staff who have worked together for many years completes an experience that guests consistently rank amongst their best, and most inspiring, of all time.

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Day 3: Overnight at Oliver’s, Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast in camp, head to the lounge area where you will be met by your expert safari guide and head out into the bush on foot for a morning walking safari in the Tarangire National Park. There is no better way to experience the wilderness of East Africa up close and personal than on foot with the sun rising in the background. The morning walk will last for around 3-4 hours (temperature dependent). You stop in the shade where you will enjoy a delicious packed lunch from Oliver’s Camp before heading back to camp.

Once back at camp, there is a chance to relax and wash away the day’s activity before heading to the dining area to a delicious three-course home cooked meal. You will then make your way to the camp fire where you will enjoy a gin & tonic while listening to stories of old times.

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Day 4: Overnight at The Highlands, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast you will depart for your transfer to Kuro Airstrip, and from there you will catch your connecting Air Excel flight to Manyara Airstrip. On arrival at Lake Manyara you will be met by an Asilia representative guide.

In the afternoon, make your way up the Ngorongoro Conservation Area safari to The Highlands, one of the newest addition to Penwell’s safari portfolio. While en-route, don’t forget to admire the spectacular views of the ancient volcanoes that make up the landscape. You will also enjoy a delicious packed lunch from Oliver’s in the shade of the trees at Lake Manyara National Park while on the game drive to The Highlands.

Once in camp, relax and unwind after the adventure of the long day. Once refreshed make your way to the dining tent where you will enjoy a delicious three course meal prepared by the amazing chef. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a drink by the bar or relax by the indoor wood burning camp fire.

The Highlands

Set on the edge of the mountain forest hugging the Olmoti volcano, to the north of the Ngorongoro Crater, The Highlands camp strikes the perfect balance between a true wilderness experience and a stylish escape. The eight luxurious tented suites offer king size beds with bay windows and wood burning stoves keep the domed rooms warm throughout the night. The unique location offers an excellent base from which to explore these wild highlands, redefining the crater experience; climb to the summit of the Olmoti crater directly from camp, visit local communities to catch a glimpse of the traditional Maasai way of life, or simply explore the surrounding area, home to leopard, buffalo and elephant.

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Day 5: Overnight at The Highlands, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

An early start to the day is best in order to avoid the later influx of tourists into the Ngorongoro Crater. The park gate opens at 0600, so it is best to be there as close to this time as possible.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a large, unbroken, un-flooded caldera, formed when a giant volcano erupted and collapsed some three million years ago. Had it not become a caldera, it is possible that the volcanic mountain would be about the same height as Kilimanjaro. Down on the crater floor there is an abundance of wildlife including black rhino, wildebeest, zebra and eland. There are a number of lion which are typically larger in size than an average lion due the large amount of game in the area. The crater floor tends to get very busy, with there often being numerous vehicles at any wildlife sighting.

Enjoy a packed lunch under the trees on the crater floor, but keep an eye out for the monkey’s which are always keen to take advantage of an opportunistic moment. In the afternoon, drive up and out of the crater, and back down the road towards camp.

Day 6: Overnight at Ubuntu Migration Camp, Serengeti National Park (South, West & North)

Ubuntu South

After an early breakfast, pack your bags and depart with your driver to Manyara Airstrip. You will then catch your connecting flight to Kusini Airstrip in the Southern Serengeti. On arrival at Kusini you will be met by a resident guide from Ubuntu Migration Camp. A welcome table will be set up either at the airstrip or a short distance away, with tea & coffee, cold drinks and snacks allowing you to refresh while your guide briefs you on the surrounding area. Depending on your preference, you may enjoy a short game drive or head directly for camp. You will enjoy a delicious packed lunch from Plantation Lodge / The Highlands.

Ubuntu West

After an early breakfast, pack your bags and depart with your driver to Manyara Airstrip. You will then catch your connecting flight to Grumeti Airstrip in the Western Serengeti. On arrival at Grumeti you will be met by a resident guide from Ubuntu Migration Camp. A welcome table will be set up either at the airstrip or a short distance away, with tea & coffee, cold drinks and snacks allowing you to refresh while your guide briefs you on the surrounding area. Depending on your preference, you may enjoy a short game drive or head directly for camp. You will enjoy a delicious packed lunch from Plantation Lodge / The Highlands.

Ubuntu North

After an early breakfast, pack your bags and depart with your driver to Manyara Airstrip. You will then catch your connecting flight to Kogatende Airstrip in the Northern Serengeti. On arrival at Kogatende you will be met by a resident guide from Ubuntu Migration Camp. A welcome table will be set up either at the airstrip or a short distance away, with tea & coffee, cold drinks and snacks allowing you to refresh while your guide briefs you on the surrounding area. Depending on your preference, you may enjoy a short game drive or head directly for camp. You will enjoy a delicious packed lunch from Plantation Lodge / The Highlands.

Ubuntu Migration Camp

Ubuntu Migration Camp is an intimate and traditional 8-roomed safari camp that moves with the Great Wildebeest Migration across the Serengeti to consistently offer spectacular game viewing opportunities. Each tent has flush toilets, running water and safari showers in en-suite bathrooms, and beautiful verandas to take in the view of the endless plains. “Ubuntu” refers to the human characteristics of generosity and consideration of others, and the hospitality of the friendly staff, great food and a wonderfully relaxed environment ensure the camp lives up to its name.

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Day 7 & 8: Overnight at Ubuntu Migration Camp, Serengeti National Park (South, West & North)

Depending on your preference, there are a couple of options with regards to how your day is structured. One option is to break camp early and head out with a picnic breakfast on a morning game drive, returning to camp in time for lunch. Alternatively, you can eat breakfast in camp and head out with a picnic lunch on an afternoon game drive, returning in the mid-afternoon. Despite sharing vehicles on a Game Package basis, the camp will do everything it can to ensure that your ideal structure is met.

Day 9: Overnight at Matemwe Lodge, Zanzibar

After breakfast, depart camp and make your way to the relevant airstrip (Kusini, Grumeti or Kogatende). Here you will bid your guide farewell as you board your Coastal Aviation flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at Zanzibar Airport you will be met by a representative and transferred by road to Matemwe Lodge in the north east of the island.

One of only a handful of boutique lodges in Zanzibar, Matemwe is perched on a coral rock outcrop overlooking a sandy beach gently sloping into the Indian Ocean. Adjacent to the lodge, the corals surrounding the Mnemba Atoll offer superb diving and snorkelling. Fresh seafood, refreshing cocktails and relaxing massages are just some elements of the laid-back daily routines of Matemwe’s guests. Matemwe is made up of only twelve beach chalets all overlooking the Indian Ocean. Each of the private verandas is furnished with large hammocks and sofas, perfect for whiling away the time as the occasional dhow drifts past in the distance.

Day 10 & 11: Overnight at Matemwe Lodge, Zanzibar

There are a variety of activities available either at Matemwe Lodge, or that can be arranged through reception. Activities outside of the resort can usually be booked at 24 hours’ notice, so it is best to arrange these on arrival at the lodge. Your days are therefore open to be structured as you choose, with either as much relaxing by the pool, or as many activities as you wish.

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Day 12: Departure

After breakfast you will depart for Zanzibar Airport for your Coastal Aviation flight to Dar es Salaam Airport. You will then catch your connecting flight and bid farewell to your guide for your onward journey.