Tanzania, Botswana & Zambia: From Kilimanjaro to the Falls

With commanding views of magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is nestled in the shadow of Mount Meru, and an ideal launchpad to reach the country’s most renowned game reserves. Looming over Arusha, the dramatic 4556 meters peak of Mount Meru is a great alternative to Mount Kilimanjaro for fit hikers as it is less crowded and less likely to engender altitude sickness.

Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is stunningly beautiful. You might spot a famous tree-climbing lion stretched on the branches of a flat-topped acacia tree, whilst lake views are made lovelier with a 400-strong bird species, including pelicans. Journey further to the Ngorongoro Crater, which has one of the highest wildlife densities on earth with antelopes, wildebeest, zebra and the Big Five. One of the natural wonders of the world, the wildlife of Ngorongoro co-exists peacefully with the local Maasai people and their cattle. Surrounding foothills offer lush green landscapes dotted with small villages and picturesque coffee and tea plantations that you can explore by bicycle or on foot.

The Central Serengeti is the heart of the sprawling Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the world’s best-known wildlife sanctuary. A prime wildlife viewing spot, this area is packed with predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The Seronera River carves out a verdant valley here, making it one of the richest ecosystems in the Serengeti. See the rocky granite outcrops known as kopjes, a favorite hideout of the Big Cats. At Moru Kopjes, you might chance upon the last of the elusive black rhinos in their natural habitat. The ancient rock art paintings of Gong Rock and Lake Magadi with its pink flamingos are nearby. Don’t miss the Retina Hippo Pool located at the confluence of two rivers. The Serengeti is best known for the unique annual spectacle known as the Great Migration, where vast numbers of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles travel across the park in a pattern. In April and November, the Central Serengeti turns into a hotspot of wildebeest sightings. Hot air balloon safaris are an excellent way to view wildlife here.

Located in a quiet bay off the Indian Ocean coast, Dar es Salaam is the main port in Tanzania and has a bustling harbor. A visit to the daily fish market is a memorable experience! Remnants of British and German colonial presence can still be seen in the landmarks and architecture around the city. The National Museum, the Village Museum, and many colorful markets are well worth a visit. Numerous historical landmarks, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the White Father’s Mission House, the Botanical Gardens, and the old State House make for an interesting walking tour around the waterfront and city center.

Witness a world of glittering water! The Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas on earth. Each summer, floods pour through a vast network of narrow waterways, lagoons until they are soaked up by the sands. Expect diverse wildlife and birdlife – impala, tsessebe, sable and the elegant kudu, or thirsty buffalo, wildebeest and zebra in the dry season. Lions, cheetahs and wild dogs hunt in the open grassland! Experience game drives and safari walks on land, while boat or mokoru (a dugout canoe) rides allow you to silently glide pass crocodiles! {Please note that due to fluctuating weather conditions and decreased rainfall, water levels at the Okavango Delta may be lower than usual at the time of your visit. Our team will be happy to provide further updates closer to your travel dates and plan alternate activities if required}

Explore Botswana’s first national park! Once inhabited by the San bushmen, Chobe National Park is unique with its San paintings that were carved into the rocks. Today, Chobe is a haven for many animal species including impala, giraffe and a wide variety of birds, and is most renowned for the multitude of elephants that concentrate on the Chobe River during the dry season. It is estimated 50,000 pachyderms have made Chobe their home! There is also a large concentration of predators such as lions and leopards. Experience the wildlife diversity for yourself with wonderful game drives and boat safaris

Smoke that thunders! That is what the Kolobo tribe who lived by the Victoria Falls two centuries ago once called this seventh wonder of the world. The spray can be seen from miles away. The wide basalt cliff, over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a wide placid river into a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges. A path along the edge of the surrounding rainforest provides you with unparalleled views from various special vantage points. Enjoy diverse activities, from helicopter rides to gentle boat cruises on the Zambezi.