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East African Safari & Beach Bliss
pp
12,650
16 days, 15 nights
from US $
January - December
Safari
Or Choose Another
Expedition Overview
Discover the essence of Tanzania's untamed beauty and wildlife on this captivating safari expedition. Here are the key highlights that make this adventure a must-book experience:
Arusha Gateway: Start your journey in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania's safari destinations, offering a taste of vibrant culture and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon.
Tarangire National Park: Witness elephant families, iconic baobab trees, and diverse birdlife in Tarangire. Enjoy a night game drive to encounter the park's nocturnal wonders.
Ngorongoro Crater: Descend into the world's largest intact volcanic crater, home to the Big Five and a myriad of other wildlife species.
Ndutu's Calving Season: Experience the dramatic calving season in the Ndutu area, where a million wildebeest give birth and predators lurk in anticipation.
Southern Serengeti: Explore the vast, treeless plains of the southern Serengeti, where cheetahs, lions, and other wildlife thrive. Witness the captivating landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Central Serengeti: Immerse yourself in the central Serengeti's wilderness, known for its diversity of animals, including the Big Five.
Flight to Arusha: Enjoy a scenic flight from Seronera to Arusha, where you can relax at Gran Melia Hotel and savor a delicious lunch before departing.
Uncover the magic of Tanzania's wildlife and landscapes, from sweeping plains to vibrant ecosystems, on this remarkable safari adventure. Book now to embark on a journey of a lifetime.
When To Come
Embark on your Tanzanian Safari Expedition during the exclusive December to March period for a truly exceptional experience. Here's why this time frame is the perfect choice for your adventure:
Calving Season: This is the heart of the calving season in the Ndutu area, where an astonishing one million wildebeest give birth to around 8,000 calves daily. Witness the circle of life as predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas seize this opportunity for easy prey.
Migratory Herds: The Great Migration's vast herds are typically in the southern Serengeti during these months. Marvel at the spectacular sight of wildebeests and zebras grazing the lush plains, preparing for their arduous journey north.
Lush Greenery: Recent rains bring a vibrant green carpet to the landscape, creating a picturesque backdrop for your safari adventures. The lush vegetation offers a stunning contrast to the dry season's arid plains.
Fewer Crowds: Enjoy the privilege of fewer crowds and a more intimate safari experience. With this limited-time offering, you'll have the wilderness largely to yourself.
Photographic Opportunities: The green season provides unique photographic opportunities, capturing the beauty of the Serengeti in a different light. The rich colors and dramatic skies add depth to your safari memories.
Lower Prices: While this exclusive season offers incredible wildlife encounters, you may also benefit from reduced accommodation rates, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers.
Important Notes:
Limited Availability: This exclusive safari experience is only available from December to March, so plan ahead to secure your spot on this remarkable journey.
Rainfall: While there may be occasional rainfall during this time, it's typically not continuous, and the rewards of witnessing the calving season and the Great Migration far outweigh any minor inconvenience.
Don't miss the opportunity to witness the magic of the Tanzanian wilderness during the December to March period. Book your Tanzanian Safari Expedition now for a front-row seat to the incredible calving season and the awe-inspiring Great Migration.
If these dates don't work, please see our other trips or reach out to us and we'll be happy to help you organize an expedition that aligns well with your schedule and provides an exceptional safari experience.
Expedition Summary
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha
Day 2: Tarangire National Park
Day 3: Full Day in Tarangire
Day 4: Journey to Ngorongoro
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Exploration
Day 6: Ndutu's Wildlife & Calving Season
Day 7: Southern Serengeti Serenity
Day 8: Full Day in Southern Serengeti
Day 9: Central Serengeti Adventure
Day 10: Departure Day
Day 1 – Arrival in Arusha
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel for a stay on a half-board basis.
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It's a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa's highest peak, 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro laying some 100 kilometers northeast.
To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. The annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains.
Accommodation: Gran Melia Hotel, located in Arusha.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & dinner excluding drinks
Day 2 – Tarangire National Park
At 8:00am after breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel by your safari guide and driven to Tarangire National Park, (approximately 3 hours).
Tarangire is best known for its elephant families, savannah, iconic baobab trees, seasonal swamps, and the life-giving Tarangire River. With its varied habitats and permanent water in the Tarangire River, the park is home to over 2000 elephants and 500 bird species. The park is also home to buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest. These animals are closely followed by predators such as lions and leopards and rarely cheetahs.
From the open roof of the safari vehicle, you will be able to absorb the landscape and watch the wildlife while in the trucks.
After a full day in the park, you will drive to your accommodation where you will be able to relax and enjoy dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Tarangire Mpingo Ridge, located in Tarangire NP
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 3 – Full Day in Tarangire
Today you will have an early breakfast and morning drive, in the park, and return to the lodge for a hot lunch and rest. Later in the evening at around 06:00 pm go for a night game drive in the park, done in an open safari vehicle with spotlight torches and with the company of an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger.
During the Night Game Drives, you will get an opportunity to enjoy the park’s nightlife with great views of nocturnal animals that become active at night such as lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, genet cats, bush babies, bat-eared foxes, aardvark, caracal, hippos grazing, views of the stars, view other animals like elephants, buffaloes among others resting under the iconic baobab trees.
The game drive is approximately 2 hours, thereafter drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Tarangire Mpingo Ridge lodge
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 4 – Journey to Ngorongoro
Today after breakfast, depart from Tarangire and drive to the Ngorongoro conservation area. You'll arrive at the tented camp in time for lunch. Day at leisure, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Lemala Ngorongoro tented camp.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 5 - Ngorongoro Crater Exploration
Today we will wake up early in the morning and after breakfast we will descend into the amazing Ngorongoro Crater floor for a game view.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact crater in the world. The crater is home to an estimated 30,000 large mammals. Due to its natural borders, there is an abundance of wildlife throughout the conservation area which is home to the Big Five including the African black rhino as well as hyenas, zebras, and elephants to name a few.
Accommodation: Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 6 – Ndutu's Wildlife & Calving Season
You'll start your day with an early morning game drive. The prime game viewing spot in the Ndutu Region is around Lake Ndutu, where enormous herds assemble between December and April to graze and calve. The forests and granite kopjes around Lake Ndutu are the year around home to a tremendous number of animals.
After the morning drive you'll have an opportunity to enjoy some leisure time in camp before your afternoon game drive.
Calving season is particularly dramatic: a million wildebeest give birth to 8000 babies every day, and as these newborns take their first steps, they’re targeted by lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Enjoy your evening drive and a breathtaking sundowner before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Lake Masek tented lodge
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 7 – Southern Serengeti Serenity
The landscape of the southern Serengeti is characterized by treeless plains where the eye can see for miles to the Ngorongoro crater rising from the horizon in the distance. The plains are dotted with rocky outcrops known as kopje’s where lions often laze the day away.
Cheetahs favor this landscape and can often be seen sitting atop an old termite mound, scanning for their next meal. Spend your day exploring the extensive plains in search of the big cats and other plains game including Thomson gazelle, zebra, and wildebeest.
If you would like to maximize your time game viewing you can take a picnic lunch out into the park and enjoy a meal out in the vast savannah before proceeding to your next lodge, located in a private game reserve in South Serengeti, where you'll overnight.
Accommodation: Lemala Ndutu tented Camp in Southern Serengeti.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner excluding drinks
Day 8 – Full Day in Southern Serengeti
You will spend a full day in these incredible endless plains, exploring the park, its animals and its incredible landscapes. The Serengeti is the habitat for an abundance of wildlife, such as impala, buffalo, crocodile, and hippo, but is more well-known for its great migrating herds of zebras and wildebeest (depending on their location and time of your trip).
The animals’ trek is determined by the rainfall and varies from year to year. Apart from the migrating herds, you may see predators, such as leopards, cheetahs, and lions.
After further exploration of the park, you will drive straight to your next camp where you'll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 9 – Central Serengeti Adventure
After breakfast you'll enjoy a game drive en route to Central Serengeti/Seronera.
The Central Serengeti is celebrated for its abundance of wildlife. One of the greatest wilderness areas in the world, it supports a magnificent diversity and abundance of animals, from the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino (although these are rarely spotted) – to giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, impala, kongoni, topi and eland.
Enjoy your bush picnic lunch before continuing with your game drive, enjoying the endless plains of the central Serengeti National Park. In the evening you'll arrive at the lodge in time for dinner and overnight while celebrating your day and preparing for tomorrow’s expedition into the bush.
Accommodation: Melia Serengeti Lodge, located in Central Serengeti.
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, excluding drinks
Day 10 – Departure Day
Today after breakfast you'll leave camp and head to the Seronera Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Arusha airport.
Upon arrival at Arusha airport, you'll be met by your driver and transfered to the Gran Melia hotel in Arusha town where you'll have a chance to get freshened up and enjoy lunch. Later in the evening you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.
Accommodation: Gran Meli Hotel for day use and lunch
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast, and Lunch
Every Day for the Rest of Your Life - Amazing Memories!
Expedition Rates & Inclusions
Rates are quoted in US$ per person, based on double occupancy (two guests traveling together, sharing accommodations). If you're traveling alone, or if there are more than 2 guests in your party we will work with you to ensure you get the best rates for whatever your group may require.
December 15, 2023 - March 31, 2024
$8750
Rates are quoted in US$ and may fluctuate. Additionally, our hotel and lodging partners are wonderful, and as a result availability can change quickly. The rates above are accurate as of the time published, and are intended to help you easily choose a trip that fits within your budget.
Quoted or advertised rates are not guaranteed until our expert expedition planners have prepared your customized expedition proposal, you've agreed to the booking terms and conditions, and you have confirmed your chosen expedition with a deposit. We make the process very easy, and accept many credit cards.
Unlike many operators, we include those items that you're most likely to want or need, while attempting to give you the flexibility of choosing those optional activities or services that may be of particular interest to you. If you have any questions, or would like to modify your trip to include or exclude anything, just let us know and we'll be happy to work with you to create a customized Betheli Expedition that is the perfect fit.
Included
Personalized trip planning assistance and comprehensive planning materials, including detailed packing lists
Round trip transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Internatonal Airport (JRO)
Accommodation, meals as indicated on the above itinerary
Game drives and transfers with English-speaking driver guides in private 4x4 Landcruiser accommodating no more than 6 guests
Park entrance fees, Safari briefing
Unlimited Mineral water, soft drinks, and coffee in the vehicle.
Hand sanitizer, insect repellents, sunscreen lotion
Binoculars
Flight Serengeti to Arusha
Not Included
International Airfare: Arrange your international flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Premium drinks
Visas
Items of personal nature (drinks that are not mentioned, Telephone calls, Laundry, and postage,) etc.
Step 3 - Experience
We've worked with you in Step #2 to plan the perfect itinerary and have collected everything we need to ensure a smooth arrival here in Tanzania. Now it's time for you to sit back and relax while we do the work (unless you're climbing Kilimanjaro with us, in which case you still have some work to do). Regardless, we'll be with you every step of the way to ensure that the only surprises will be the kind you want to have. We'll be here waiting for you, and look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful Tanzania.
Step 2 - Customize
Connect with us to plan the perfect adventure. Since we own the company, and manage every detail of your itinerary, we are able to accommodate many special requests. We don't like cookie-cutter experiences any more than you do, and that's why we will work directly with you to craft an Africa trip that is truly special. Once you're completely satisfied with your custom itinerary we make it safe and easy to confirm your reservation. Now it's time to move on to the last, and arguably the most important step, the experience.
Step 1 - Discover
Take a look at our expertly designed trips on the website and narrow it down to your favorite, or contact us and let us suggest an itinerary if you prefer. Don't forget to look at our most popular extensions to get some ideas for other activities you can experience while you're here. Our "pre-designed" trips are wonderful trips that have become client and guide favorites because they include many of the highlights you might expect to see while you are in Tanzania. It's likely that one of these trips will catch your attention, and get you excited about taking the next step.
Africa Is Only Three Easy Steps Away With A Betheli Expedition