TANZANIA ROYAL SAFARI – 9 DAYS

Sundowners are more than just happy hour! The sundowner is a cherished African tradition and forms an integral part of your experience. It is a time to relax, reminisce about your day, and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine and if you are lucky, Mt Kilimanjaro might show up in all her glory.

After breakfast, you depart for a short drive to the main gate of Arusha National Park located on the slopes of Mount Meru. This unique walking safari promises an up-close encounter with nature's wonders, making it the perfect start to your Safari Experience. The adventure begins with a short 30-minute drive from Arusha to Arusha National Park, where you'll be mesmerized by the park's lush green surroundings and picturesque lakes, all framed by the awe-inspiring backdrop of Mount Meru. Once inside the park, a local safari ranger will lead you on an exhilarating walking safari. This immersive experience provides an entirely new perspective of the national park, allowing you to feel the scents and sounds of the African bush underfoot. As you stroll through the wilderness, you'll have the rare opportunity to walk freely alongside wild animals in their natural habitat. Your experienced ranger will ensure your safety and guide you on what to do or avoid when near these magnificent creatures. Their knowledge of the animals and the park will enrich your journey as they share fascinating insights into the wildlife you encounter, as well as the unique flora and fauna that thrives within Arusha National Park. Arusha National Park is known for its elusive colobus monkey, and your walking safari presents an excellent opportunity to catch a glimpse of these enchanting creatures. As you traverse the landscape, you may encounter the graceful giraffes, the mighty buffalo, the majestic zebras, the curious warthogs, and the playful blue monkeys. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted by the diverse array of avian life, including trogons, starlings, turacos, and the magnificent migrating flamingos.

There is something special about enjoying a personalized walk around the estate with your very own Maasai Guide. Moi is a fountain of information and knowledge and will keep you entertained with stories of his culture, of himself and share with you his passion for life.

Enjoy a peaceful and scenic canoeing safari following the shorelines of small Momella Lake inside Arusha National Park. On this 2-3-hour canoe safari you can expect to see buffaloes, bushbuck, giraffes, hippos, water birds and beautiful views of Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro. A well-trained guide will accompany the safari. He will tell you about the natural world in and around this lake.

You will enjoy a short game drive through the park en-route to the starting point of the Mbega cycling route. Other animals likely to be seen are Colobus Monkeys, giraffes and various birds species. The ride is partly on a gravel track and partly on a small animals track that can allow for some muddy riding. There are steep up and steep down parts during this ride.

Golf with a view. Just walking distance from the house this beautifully landscaped championship golf course with challenging water hazards, including the resident crocodile, offers an amazing golf experience.

Cultural Heritage is a unique cultural centre on the outskirts of Arusha. We have curio shops, a jewellery boutique, a tanzanite and precious stone counter, a restaurant, bargain centre and outstanding commercial art gallery. We have a vast array of ornaments, jewellery, antiques and local crafts to cater for any budget. High quality clothing, textiles, accessories, books and spices can also be found onsite at One-way and the Spice Centre. Our exquisite collection of precious and semi-precious stones – including rubies, emeralds, tsavorite, diamonds, sapphires and opals - is unrivalled across the continent. Of these our most highly treasured is tanzanite - a rare blue/violet stone found only in Tanzania, for which we have an international reputation.

Purchase loose stones, select from our ranges of handmade jewellery or work with our jewellers and designers to create your own unique piece. The only collection of its kind in the world, ranging from African antiques to contemporary painting and sculpture you will be dazzled by our assembly of art and artefacts. Find some of our collections in the central store or come and experience the Gallery; a breath-taking feat of engineering and artful display that will leave you awe-struck. Expert assistants are on hand to help you purchase art by emerging African artists or fascinating antiques form across the continent.

Tanzanite, Experience Tanzanite in Arusha; Its history, mystery, and rarity. Embark upon a journey that started over 585 million years ago, culminating in the discovery of one of the rarest gemstones on the planet. Only found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, this vibrant gemstone is totally unique to Tanzania. Displaying incredible blue and violet hues, it was first discovered in 1967. The famous New York jewellers “Tiffany & Co” gave it its name, declaring it to be, “the most beautiful blue stone to be discovered in 2,000 years”. At the Tanzanite Experience, we strive to honour this exceptional stone as part of our African heritage. Through our museums, we are committed to education, and through both our physical and online stores, we guarantee to provide you with the highest-quality, fully-certified Tanzanite on earth.

Shanga is a successful social enterprise which employs people with disabilities to create unique, high-quality, handmade jewelry, glassware and homewares using recycled materials. These products are sold in Tanzania and all over the world, with profits being reinvested back into development of new products and further employment of disabled people. Combining an uplifting local community project with unique artistic activities and an opportunity to purchase handmade gifts, Shanga has been a favorite Arusha tourist destination since its inception in 2007.

Although Maasai Market in Arusha is just theoretically a market, it is fairly organized place with stands where souvenir shopping experience. From Maasai jewelry, leather handmade flip flops, key chains, fabrics, small figurines, coconut wood carvings...shop till you drop. Practice your bargaining skills at this market!

The ride takes place on Dolly Estate, and whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced rider, there is an opportunity and experience for everyone. Those with little riding experience can enjoy a gentle hack along dusty tracks where wildebeest and antelopes graze contentedly. Led by experienced guides, one can explore the meandering paths, spotting a rich array of wildlife along your way. Regularly seen on Dolly estate is one of the most elegant mammals found in Tanzania, the Gerenuk. We offer morning and afternoon rides, 2-hour ride (depending on pace). The morning rides departs at. 0800am and the afternoon rides departs at 1430pm. We are flexible with time however these are the best hours of the day to be out in the bush on horseback.

After breakfast, you depart for a short drive to Arusha National Park on the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha National Park is a great experience for those that have additional time and want to experience this park before they proceed to Tarangire. This is a perfect opportunity to test your cameras and begin identifying birds. You can enjoy an option of a half-day tour, returning to your accommodation for lunch, or going for the day and carrying a picnic lunch with you. Although the park lacks predators, it is unquestionably beautiful. It is very quiet and has a wide variety of animals and superb birdlife. You can also spend an afternoon canoeing on the lake - a great thing to do if you have a late flight home! Your day trip to Arusha National Park will include a visit to the Ngurdoto Crater. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra and baboons can be seen all year round, as well as many different bird species.

Each booking includes a private guide and an open safari vehicle (up to 8 seats).

Set off on game drives to explore our exclusive-use protected wildlife area or Tarangire National Park with your private guide and vehicle. Night game drives are only available in our exclusive-use protected wildlife area.

Day trips to Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks as well as the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area are available at an additional cost (closed vehicle). Pre-booking is required.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

End your day on a high note with sundowners on the shore of Lake Manyara. Take a moment to reminisce about your time in the Tanzanian wilderness as you sit, drink in hand, and watch the sun paint the sky shades of pinks and oranges as it sinks behind the escarpment.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Foster a deeper connection with the land on a silent walk through the wilderness, letting your senses take control as you soak up the sights, smells and sounds of nature. Break the silence over a traditional baobab drink with your Maasai guide.

Set off on a morning or late afternoon walk with your Maasai guide, tapping into their endless knowledge of the landscape and wildlife, before ending with a delicious bush breakfast or sundowners on the shores of Lake Manyara.

Invigorate yourself with a revitalising 6-10km walk through the wilderness with your Maasai guide.

Get blood pumping as you join a Maasai warrior on an invigorating run across the plains for a one-of-a-kind fitness experience.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Witness the delicate balance between local communities and our protected wildlife area with a sunrise hike up the nearby Vilimia Vitatu Hill. Set out at dawn to scale the hill before stopping at the top to survey the vastness of the land we work to protect while sipping on a steaming hot drink.

Visit a Maasai village for an interactive and engaging glimpse into this proud culture. Learn about the Maasai way of life and share experiences and stories.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Explore Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage through an interactive visit to a nearby Barabaig boma. Immerse yourself in the Barabaig’s pastoral way of life, learning about their vibrant traditions and culture.

Be united in a traditional Maasai ‘celebration of togetherness’. Dress in traditional clothing and experience a moving ceremony led by Maasai elders who perform ancestral prayers and songs. Available at an additional cost. For more information, please enquire with our reservations team.

Intimate Maasai Blessing
Includes roses, prosecco, and a Maasai choir of 15.
Grand Maasai Blessing
Includes roses, French Champagne, and a Maasai choir of 40.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Whether a child's birth, a wedding, or a rite of passage, traditional celebrations with song and dance are integral to Maasai culture. Join us for a vibrant Maasai celebration and listen in awe as the community choir brings their rich culture and stories to life through song.

Rise with the dawn and glide over the tops of acacias and ancient baobabs as the sun climbs the sky. Available at an additional cost. Enquire for more information.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Chem Chem Lodge offers a selection of interactive and engaging activities to keep your children entertained.

Learn age-old survival techniques from a Maasai warrior. Identify bush food and learn how to make and use a fire, spear, bow, and arrow.

Beading and making a bracelet with Maasai women.

Decorate safari-themed biscuits.

Arts and crafts.

Board games.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Take to the skies to explore the Tanzanian wilderness from above. Enquire for more information on trips and rates. Booking prior to arrival is essential.

The spa facilities comprise a treatment room and shower. A range of treatments are available at an additional cost.

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Credit: Chem Chem Lodge

Journeying into the heart of Africa’s most untouched and remote wilderness areas, Singita’s twice-daily game drives present the opportunity for intimate connections with nature and discovering the raw beauty of the continent’s most magnificent creatures up close.

Each tailormade exploration with your personal Field Guide celebrates the freedom to spend unfiltered time in wide-open spaces and while no two Singita game drives are ever the same, you are bound to be enchanted by vivid encounters with Africa’s most iconic wildlife – which flourish and thrive through the tireless efforts of Singita’s non-profit conservation Funds & Trusts.

From rolling grasslands where giraffe and elephant meander in peace to riverine woodlands where shy creatures suddenly appear from lush foliage; and from rocky outcrops favoured by big cats to hidden valleys where large herds of antelope roam and graze, each game drive traverses landscapes that are as rich in scenery as they are in wildlife.

As the warmth of the African sun slowly starts to light up the treetops and grasslands, our early morning game drives are filled with an energy that’s simultaneously exciting and soothing. Never knowing what’s around the next corner, the sense of adventure for what lies ahead for the rest of the day welcomes a continuous unfolding of magic as the bush wakes up to reveal its secrets.

And when the sun dips on the horizon, bringing the day to a close with a brightly painted sky, idyllic sundowner stops in exclusive settings encapsulate the romance of safaris deep into the bush. Accompanied by a cool evening breeze and the beauty of the clear night sky above, the tranquil journey back to the lodge often reveals the elusive magic of nocturnal Africa, making for a fitting finale.

Warmth & wisdom

Imparting a wealth of knowledge and intuitively responding to each guest and group’s interests, Singita’s expert Field Guides and Trackers exude an unlimited passion for Africa’s wildlife and wilderness. Their in-depth knowledge of the area – and the inherent role of every plant, insect, bird, mammal, predator and season in its unique ecology – makes every encounter and sighting all the more meaningful, and elevates each connection with nature.

Key Species You Are Likely to See

During your stay at Singita, you are likely to spot a great variety of wildlife, including cheetah, bearded wildebeest, Bat Eared fox, Maasai giraffe, lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and the rare Colobus monkey.

When Is the Peak Time to See the Wildebeest Migration?

There is no real beginning or end to the wildebeest’s constant search for food and water. The only beginning is when calves are born – almost 400,000 wildebeest calves are born during a 6-week period usually between late January and mid-March. The migration path varies from year to year depending on weather and other environmental factors.

What Time of Year Can We See the Wildebeest Migration and in Which Area?

It's difficult to predict exactly where the migrating wildebeest will be in a given month because movements depend so much on weather patterns. Generally over the year the animals move from the wet southern and eastern plains of the Serengeti from November to March through the western and central region to the dryer north of the Serengeti National Park, both north and south of the Mara River, from the end of May through October.

Guests at Singita Grumeti have the opportunity to visit the Environmental Education Centre, which was developed for the young people of the local communities, to meet the students and learn about the programme. The Centre is dedicated to instilling in its students an understanding of the Serengeti Ecosystem and provides education on the rationale behind “protected areas” and on general, local and global environmental issues.

Not your regular curio shop, you will find original treasures that have been gathered from all corners of the African continent. A range of collectable sculptures, home-ware and furnishings will allow you to recreate ‘the safari dream’ within your own home. Artefacts, as well as authentic carvings and jewellery created by local craftsmen are just a few of the treasures you may find to take home as gifts. Amongst beautiful museum quality, fine-art prints and works by some of the most respected artists on the continent, there are many pieces especially designed for Singita. Here too you can find a range of quality branded Singita safari wear.

We offer a worldwide shipping service so you may make your purchases at the lodges with the option to send them straight home.

As one of Africa’s most influential buyers of wine, Singita’s cellars are home to some of the most sought-after private reserves and vintage wines the continent has to offer. Whether you are a connoisseur or just enjoy the occasional glass of wine, our experienced sommeliers delight in introducing guests to a vast selection of varietals from all over the world.

Through Singita Premier Wine Direct guests may purchase wines from our cellars: either to be taken home at the end of their trip or conveniently delivered to their door. As an addition to cellar purchases, we have secured allocations of highly limited, sought-after wines, including ‘Icons’, ‘Single Vineyard’ and ‘Limited Release’ wines, directly from leading wineries in South Africa. Stored in temperature-controlled cellars, these wines are unlikely to be available anywhere else.

Offering the luxury of unfiltered time and space, the African wilderness is the ultimate setting for complete unwinding, while the continent’s healing energies are encapsulated in rituals that nourish and nurture.

At Singita, our enduring purpose to restore the land and its wildlife extends to offering healing experiences to our guests at every touchpoint. The dedicated treatments in our massage spaces tap into the profound benefits of indigenous wisdoms and essential oils that relax, replenish and revive. Each tailor-made therapy can be customised and timed to preference, ensuring a completely personalised experience.

The massage menu has been designed to immerse guests into their beautiful surroundings, and all treatments incorporate that peace and vibrant energy to revitalise and nourish the soul.

Fully equipped fitness centres are available for guests’ convenience. Each facility provides picturesque views of the bush, allowing you to keep an eye on the action outside while you work out.

There are two pools at the main lodge area at Singita Faru Faru Lodge as well as a private infinity pool at the lodge’s private villa suite.

Visitors to Singita Grumeti in Tanzania have the unique opportunity of chartering a hot air balloon for an unforgettable ride over the treetops of the Serengeti. This once-in-a-lifetime experience takes game viewing to new heights and gives photography buffs an amazing new perspective on the world below. You’ll skim above the grasslands and acacia forests, and at other times ascend to 1 000 feet to see the enormity of the reserve. The Singita Balloon Safari is a romantic and evocative way of experiencing the wilderness as you gracefully and silently glide over the plains, observing the wide variety of wildlife below.

Visit the SGF Canine Unit to meet the handlers and learn more about how this specialized anti-poaching unit works to protect this iconic region in the Serengeti. Watch as the dogs use their skills to detect a piece of wildlife contraband hidden for the demonstration. If the dogs are working on tracking you may be able to experience their ability to track a person through the bush. These are pre-organized training sessions and no guest will experience any law enforcement operations for legal and safety reasons. Due to the sensitive and costly nature of the program, a donation amount of $500 per person has been set. A minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 guests is allowed per demonstration.