Tanzania’s 14-day Grand Safari Expedition

Mto wa Mbu is a bustling farming village at the gateway to Lake Manyara National Park, unique for its incredible cultural diversity – with over 120 Tanzanian tribes living together in harmony. The lush, irrigated fields yield an abundance of fruit and grain, whilst the lively local market offers an authentic glimpse into Tanzanian rural life.

Lake Manyara: where water and wilderness meet
At the foot of the imposing western slope of the Great Rift Valley lies Lake Manyara National Park – a compact yet extraordinarily diverse safari destination. The park is world-famous for its unique population of tree-climbing lions, which are often spotted relaxing in the branches of acacia trees. At the heart of the park lies the vast, shallow soda lake, which glows with the pink flamingos that gather there in huge flocks – a breathtaking spectacle. Despite its modest size, Manyara offers a stunningly varied landscape: from dense groundwater forests teeming with baboons to open woodland and grassy plains. This mosaic-like environment is home to a high concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo and over 400 species of birds. A true gem within Tanzania’s Northern Safari Route.

Ololosokwan is a vibrant Maasai village and community area on the north-eastern border of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park, often situated within the Loliondo Game Controlled Area. The village is renowned for its pioneering form of community-based conservation, in which the local Maasai actively contribute to the protection of wildlife whilst upholding their traditional, pastoral way of life. Visitors can take part in authentic cultural experiences here, such as visiting a traditional boma, learning about Maasai customs and beadwork, and experiencing daily life – all within a unique setting where people and wildlife coexist in this vital buffer zone.

Serengeti – The Soul of Africa
Discover the Serengeti National Park – a breathtaking haven in northern Tanzania, where nature flourishes in its purest form. Famous for its vast golden plains, impressive seasonal migrations and exceptional wildlife, the Serengeti offers a first-class view of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Here, thundering herds of wildebeest and zebras race across the horizon, whilst lions, cheetahs and other stealthy predators move silently through the tall grass. From the glow of a sunrise over the endless savannah to the silhouettes of ancient acacia trees at sunset – every moment in the Serengeti is an enchanting encounter with the wild. More than just a destination, it is a powerful, unforgettable journey to the soul of Africa.

Pololeti Game Reserve – A Hidden Paradise for Wildlife
An exploration of the Pololeti Game Reserve offers the chance to experience the magnificent Serengeti ecosystem from an exclusive and intimate perspective – far removed from the hustle and bustle of the main park. As a crucial, unfenced buffer zone on the eastern edge of the Serengeti, this vast wilderness area serves as a transit route for the Great Migration at various stages of its annual cycle, and is home to an impressive population of permanent residents throughout the year. Safaris across the vast plains reveal prides of lions, elusive leopards, cheetahs, elephants and giraffes. As a private reserve, Pololeti often offers a more flexible safari experience, with opportunities for off-road driving and night safaris – an ideal destination for the discerning safari enthusiast seeking tranquillity, exclusivity and an authentic connection with the wild heart of the Serengeti.

Ikoma is situated just outside the north-western boundary of the Serengeti National Park, near the Grumeti River and the Ikoma Gate. This area serves as an important buffer zone and is renowned for unique safari experiences such as night safaris and guided walking safaris – activities that are often not permitted within the park itself. Ikoma offers access to the rich ecosystem of the Serengeti and reveals a different perspective on the African bush, with a mix of migratory species and permanent residents.

Serengeti National Park – Africa’s ultimate safari destination
A visit to the Serengeti National Park is an immersion in one of the most iconic and breathtaking wildlife areas in the world. The name ‘Serengeti’ means ‘endless plains’, and the park more than lives up to this: vast, golden-yellow savannahs stretch to the horizon, interspersed with acacia trees and granite rock formations. The Serengeti is world-famous for its incredible wildlife density, including the “Big Five”, and offers one of the best places in Africa to observe big cats. The absolute highlight is the Great Wildebeest Migration, and right now – mid-June – is the perfect time to witness the spectacular river crossings. The immense herds are usually found in the Western Corridor, where they brave the perilous crossing of the crocodile-filled Grumeti River on their way north. Even outside the migration period, the Serengeti offers exceptional wildlife viewing all year round, and the park evokes a timeless sense of deep connection with the pure, untamed soul of Africa.

Serengeti – Walking amongst the wildlife, enjoying the sunset views
Embark on an intimate exploration of the Ikona Wilderness area during a guided walking safari that brings you face to face with the unspoilt beauty of the bush. Accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed ranger, you’ll connect deeply with nature as you follow wildlife tracks on foot and develop an eye for the subtle details of flora and fauna that often go unnoticed from a vehicle. This immersive experience flows seamlessly into a beloved safari tradition: the sundowner. As the afternoon light softens, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the plains, refreshing drinks and tasty snacks at a carefully chosen location. Meanwhile, the African sun paints the sky in warm hues and the sounds of the day slowly give way to the evening concert of the wilderness.

Ikona Night Safari – The wilderness after sunset
Experience how the African bush comes to life after sunset during an Ikona Night Safari – an exciting adventure not permitted in the neighbouring Serengeti National Park. Under a starry sky, a powerful spotlight reveals a hidden world of nocturnal animals such as the genet, civet and galago (bush baby). Predators are also at their most active at this time, giving you the rare chance to see a lion on the hunt or follow a leopard silently through the undergrowth. A sensory safari full of excitement, in which the wild reveals its 24-hour rhythm.

Seronera Airstrip (SEU) is the bustling aviation hub at the heart of Tanzania’s iconic Serengeti National Park. Strategically situated in the Seronera Valley, this airstrip serves as the main air gateway for travellers on fly-in safaris. It offers direct and easy access to the central part of the Serengeti, famous for its exceptional year-round wildlife concentrations – particularly its impressive populations of big cats. Thanks to its central location, the airstrip is essential for exploring this wildlife-rich heart of the Serengeti.

Arusha Airport (ARK) serves as the bustling domestic gateway to unforgettable adventures in Tanzania. The airport takes travellers directly to the heart of East Africa’s most beloved wildlife destinations in the north of the country. From this strategically located airport, just outside the city of Arusha, countless safaris depart daily via charter flights or domestic connections to iconic locations such as the vast plains of the Serengeti, the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater, and the varied landscapes of Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks.

Arusha Airport offers direct access to the northern safari route, making it the ideal starting point for any safari. Work is currently underway to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure in order to better serve the steady stream of international visitors – and thus further cement its reputation as the gateway to the northern safari experience.