Sample itinerary - LUXURY RUAHA & ZANZIBAR

Discover urban living at its finest at Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, ideally located in the heart of the city's business district. This cosmopolitan gem offers a unique blend of pan-African style and professionalism, creating an oasis for both business and leisure travelers. It's just moments away from sandy Indian Ocean beaches, vibrant fish markets, craft bazaars, and delectable restaurants.

Amidst tropical gardens, this distinctive five-star hotel promises a warm welcome, vibrant experiences, and indelible memories. With a generous offering of 230 rooms, the hotel provides an abundance of options for your stay.

Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel is celebrated as one of Tanzania's most prestigious establishments, embodying the city's essence: diverse, stylish, yet remarkably relaxed and down-to-earth. It's a place where you can immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan charm of the city while enjoying the comforts and conveniences of a retreat, all set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean and the lively cityscape.

Perched on a dramatic escarpment in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, Ikuka Safari Camp offers commanding views and a sophisticated, organic design. Managed by experienced guide Mark Sheridan-Johnson, the camp features six open-sided rooms built from local white quartz and natural thatch, strategically positioned to capture either the sunrise or sunset. The interiors blend rustic elegance with comfort, featuring super king-size beds, leather sofas, and natural elements like quartz boulders and indoor greenery. While the spacious en-suite bathrooms offer rainfall showers and twin stone basins with stunning vistas, the open-plan layout prioritizes an airy, connected feel over total privacy.

View our own short video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8duKDHOFyQI&t=1s

The communal areas are equally stylish, featuring a wood-and-thatch mess tent built around existing trees and boulders. This central hub includes a sociable dining area for group meals, a library of field guides, and a viewing scope for spotting game on the plains below. For relaxation, guests can transition from the comfortable lounge to a raised wooden veranda, where an oval swimming pool and shaded loungers provide a cool retreat served by attentive staff. A new sleep-out deck located a short distance from the main camp offers an additional layer of adventure for those wishing to spend a night under the stars.

Safari activities at Ikuka focus on 4x4 game drives in the wildlife-rich Mwagusi River area, renowned for frequent sightings of elephants, lions, and leopards. For a more intimate perspective, guests can book guided walking safaris led by expert guides to track wildlife and discover the park’s smaller wonders. These morning treks typically conclude with a full breakfast served in the bush, offering a seamless blend of adventure and traditional safari hospitality.

Guided walks are also available for an extra cost of US$50 per person, and need at least 24 hours’ notice, so that the necessary park rangers can be arranged. The walks are usually led by Ikuka’s owner Mark, a highly experienced guide. You will typically head out early in the morning to learn about the tracks and signs of the bush and discover some of Ruaha's lesser-known birds and animals. You’ll then normally end with a full breakfast out in the bush.

Conservation Safari Company recommends Ikuka as a slick, personally managed lodge with good food and hospitality. The rooms are charming and original. The 20 minute drive up and down the ridge is a little tiresome after a while but all in all and fantastic camp. 

Rates include all meals, drinks and game drives - walks are additional.
 

Zuri Zanzibar is a luxurious, beach resort situated on Zanzibar's pretty north-west coast. This area of the island has a more steeply shelving coastline than Zanzibar's east coast, allowing you to swim in the sea throughout the day, and the west coast of Zanzibar also enjoys beautiful sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

The far north-west corner of Zanzibar has long had a reputation as a backpackers' hub, but this is changing, and Zuri is certainly far removed from the low-budget market.

The hotel was designed by award-winning architects Jestico and Whiles, and is a member of Design Hotels – their only property in Zanzibar. The hotel has been thoughtfully designed throughout, combining 21st-century elegance with environmentally friendly architecture, taking inspiration from Zanzibar’s landscapes and people. Zuri has been awarded a gold rating from EarthCheck which recognises the resort’s commitment to sustainability, and its work to reduce its environmental footprint and improve its social impact.

With 55 bungalows, two suites and two villas, the resort is relatively large, and though it was completely full when we visited it didn’t feel crowded.
 

• The 55 bungalows are split in to four different categories: Garden, Zuri, Ocean and Ocean Jacuzzi. These are then split into smaller groups, named after local spices, to help with orientation and to create a more exclusive experience. The bungalows, although set relatively close together, are surrounded by mature foliage and feel very private. There is an emphasis on wood and other natural materials, resulting in clean and fresh interiors.
  
  The Garden Bungalows are set in the tropical gardens; the Zuri Bungalows have partial ocean views; the Ocean Bungalows have full ocean views; and the Ocean Jacuzzi Bungalows have private whirlpool baths. In design terms, the bungalows share a similar style, with a wraparound veranda and en-suite bathroom with an outdoor rain shower. Inside are all amenities of a high-end resort, with an evening-breeze overbed air-conditioning system, tea- and coffee-making facilities, satellite TV, and WiFi throughout.
• The two suites offer an even higher level of luxury. In addition to the amenities found in the bungalows, both suites come with a separate living area, a large deck and a spa pool as standard. The Zuri Suite has a partial ocean view whereas the Ocean Suite directly overlooks the spectacular, palm-fringed beach.
• If you’re looking for a more exclusive experience then you might consider one of the villas: two-bedroom or three-bedroom. These offer space and privacy, with your own lounge, kitchen, outdoor space, and an area of private beach.

The focal point of Zuri Zanzibar is the 32-metre infinity pool, surrounded by a wooden deck dotted with sunloungers and overlooking the ocean. There’s a pool bar and a restaurant here serving European, Zanzibari and fusion cuisine.

Alternative dining options include the Beach Restaurant and Bar which is open all day for light meals and is also open to non-guests. The main Upendo Restaurant has live cooking demonstrations and is next to the Peponi Bar, which has plenty of soft seating. Near reception, the Zuri library has an impressive array of books and more than 500 DVDs available for loan.

For ultimate relaxation the Maua Wellness spa offers a wide range of treatments including facials and pedicures, from its three massage rooms. There’s even an in-house hairdresser. Group and private yoga and meditation sessions can be arranged on Zuri’s yoga deck, on the beach or in the garden. And if you’re feeling energetic, you can pay a visit to the outdoor fitness area.

The 300-metre white sand beach at Zuri shelves steeply enough to mean you can swim at all stages of the tide. There’s an on-site watersports and PADI diving centre, which hires out snorkelling equipment, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The centre also books sunset sailing excursions on the Zuri boat and snorkelling trips over the colourful coral reefs near Tumbatu Island.
 

It is great to see a high-quality resort hotel in this area of the island. With a stylish, contemporary design and relaxed beach vibe this is a good choice if you're looking for a larger hotel with plenty of on-site facilities and opportunities to swim at most stages of the tide.