Tanzania & Zanzibar Ultimate Adventure Safari with helicopter

Day notes

Arrive in Kilimanjaro International airport ( details to be advised or commercial flight - TBA)

Please aim to arrive in the morning of Day 1 to ensure we can cover all parts of this first day to the maximum.

VIP Customs and immigration arranged. After finishing passport control and custom procedures (visas possible on arrival US$50 per person in cash, or can be arranged in advance in Tanzania Consulate in country of origin)

Met by your private guide, along with any pilots for helicopter(s) etc.
Note: helicopter to be used is Eurocopter AS 350 B3, 2009 model

Note: If 4/5 persons then 1 helicopter is fine, BUT if 6+ passengers on this trip then 2 helicopters needed.

This high performance light single engine helicopter is particularly suited to operating at high altitudes and warm climates. It is the same model that landed on the summit of Mt. Everest!

This helicopter seats 5 passengers in extreme comfort.

Depart from Kilimanjaro Airport in 2 x Eurocopter AS 350 B3 for scenic flights around Mount Kilimanjaro. Usually the cloud and weather conditions are better early morning, so hence why we suggest including the scenic flights to view Kilimanjaro on this arrival day, as we have time to use before taking them to first safari lodge. .

Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania rising 4,600 m (15,092 ft) from its base (and approximately 5,100 m/16,732 ft from the plains near Moshi), and is additionally the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 metres (19,341 ft)

Mount Kilimanjaro lies on the border of Tanzania and Kenya, just south of the Equator. To the west lies the Great African Rift Valley, created by tremendous tectonic forces which also gave birth to a string of other volcanoes. One of these, Mount Kenya, was originally much higher than Mount Kilimanjaro
The three summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi are all of very recent origin. Shira and Mawenzi both have suffered considerable erosion and only jagged peaks remain. Kibo, the central, youngest and highest peak has survived as an almost perfect cone.

After flight around Kilimanjaro the helicopters will land at a location and lodge that we have selected for a lovely scenic brunch mid-morning in the foothills of Kilimanjaro with great views and setting. ( Lodge for brunch will be Shumata Lodge or Ndarakwai Camp TBA)

After brunch continue with helicopters to Lake Manyara Airstrip to rendezvous with your 4x4 Lancruiser (s). From here the 4x4 vehicle(s) take approx 30mins to Ngorongoro Crater Park entrance, and thereafter begin the climb up in the vehicle(s) to Ngorongoro Crater rim to your lodge for next 2 nights on safari.

Note: If the weather conditions are not good for visibility then we will arrange to take clients to Lake Manyara Airstrip by helicopters, and in to Lake Manyara National park first to start safari, and then arrange a lunch en route at Gibb’s Farm by the river at private venue, and after lunch continue with drive to Crater Lodge

Note: Luggage vehicle will be on hand for any access luggage transfer requirements needed on this day, if not all going in the helicopters. Remember soft bags for the helicopters preferable and max 20kgs of luggage per person for helicopters, so hence why we have arranged extra vehicle in case of access luggage to take to Crater Lodge

Arrive at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for check in and lunch if required, given they would have had brunch during Kilimanjaro arrangements.
Afternoon if time allows set out for a Maasai village visit or optional afternoon crater floor safari, depending on client’s requirements after consultation with their private guide, or if they prefer to relax then this is possible and enjoys the wonderful views and suites at Crater Lodge

Note: for 4-6 persons ( 6 clients and private guide) will be 2 x 4x4 landcruiser safari style vehicles for these arrangements, if less persons then 1 x 4x4 landcruiser will work.

2 overnights in Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Suites

A luxury lodge, divided in the sake of intimacy and quality to 3 separate little lodges ( We will ensure private use of Tree Lodge at Ngorongoro Crater lodge subject to dates and availability)

Based on full board basis, 3 meals a day, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas, coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry and safari activities in the Crater in private vehicle(s)

Day notes

Depart after breakfast, with scenic drive down to Malanja depression to endless plains in to Serengeti for safari in your 4x4 vehicles – The game drive / safari if you drive direct is approx 2-3hrs, but really depends on the location of the Wildebeest migration herds, as of course to locate the big herds on the migration routes. Picnic lunches will be arranged to take with the vehicle for this section to enjoy lunch in nice location close to the wildlife action! Back-up plan for lunch if required at Lake Masek Camp if needed

The annual movement of wildebeest across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world. Originating on Tanzania’s short grass plains of the southeastern Serengeti, the dwindling of the available grass is the impetus for this primal trek. The horizon fills with 1.5 million wildebeest, 200 000 zebra, 18 000 eland and 500 000 Thompson’s gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators.

Essentially, the wildebeest are taking advantage of the strongly seasonal conditions, spending the wet season on the southeastern plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania, and the dry season in the woodlands of the Masai Mara. The wildebeest give birth between January and March on the short-grass plains.

The Migration is rarely the same in terms of precise timing and direction, as local conditions influence grass growth. The wildebeest may therefore move off the open plains earlier in some years, and remain in the northern woodlands for longer in others. Typically, they head slowly northwest towards the western corridor of the Serengeti and the Grumeti River. From there, the herds move north before crossing into the Masai Mara. Here, they must ford another river, this time the Mara. The Migration remains on the productive Mara grasslands until the storm clouds gather in the south, and they return to their breeding grounds.

Serengeti National Park The name Serengeti stems from the Maasai word "Siring" referring to "endless plains", and that’s really what it is. The Serengeti National Park is vast, stretching from the endless grass plains in the South to the woodlands in the north up to the Kenyan border. The size of the Park – close to 15,000 square kilometers - covers a half of Belgium and the Serengeti eco-system as a whole is virtually the same size as Belgium. The Serengeti hosts the largest concentration of wildlife in the world, thought to be more than 3 million, and is home to one of the great wonders in the world, the Great Migration. Over a million of Wildebeest move annually from the southern plains, where they give birth in January - March, to the north and the Mara River, and back, accompanied by Zebra and other migratory mammals. Lion, cheetah, hyena, hunting dog and crocodiles make sure only the strongest survive.

After the safari the vehicle(s) will arrange to rendezvous again with the Eurocopter AS 350 B3 for scenic transfer and trip, to include brief scenic flying over Serengeti and hopefully the herds from the air, landing for Champagne etc ( time permitting) in unique location, before continue on to Sasakwa Lodge for your next 2 nights at this luxury lodge with amazing views.

Arrive for check in at Sasakwa Lodge, part of Singita Grumeti Reserves property comprises of 400 000 acres of private concession land bordering the Serengeti National Park.

2 overnights SASAKWA LODGE in luxury cottages (suites), based on fully inclusive basis on a full board . basis, including transfers between Lodges and Sasakwa airstrips, accommodation, morning tea, three meals per day served in a variety of locations, game drive snacks, high tea, bush snacks and canapés, laundry and valet services. All drinks, fine wines, sparkling wines and selected champagnes and cognacs, cigars and cigarettes, Activities including: game drives in open vehicles, walks, night drives, horse riding at the Equestrian Centre and horseback out rides on the plains, mountain biking and archery all of which are facilitated with highly experienced guides. Tennis, badminton, lawn croquet, billiards, gymnasium and swimming pools. Wireless internet access in all cottages, PC services in library, direct dial telephones, fax facilities, satellite television and DVD players, play station. All local taxes. Emergency evacuation insurance.
Guaranteed private game drive vehicles secured for the clients at Sasakwa Lodge

Alternatively they also have their sister properties of Sabora Plains Tented Camp and Faru Faru River Lodge in the same concession offering different style of accommodation but still top luxury level.

Day notes

Suggest early morning final experience in private hot air balloon over the serengeti plains and spectacular champagne breakfast

or

Enjoy final safari in 4x4 vehicles (if required) followed by breakfast at the lodge.

Depart down to the airstrip to waiting Pilatus PC12 (newest and most comfortable one) or Cessna F406 Twin engine aircraft for onward flight to Zanzibar Airport.

Note: If clients come with private jet they may prefer to fly back to Kilimanjaro on light aircraft then take private jet to Zanzibar. We can also get a Citation Excel 560 to collect from Kilimanjaro for flight +_ 50mins to Zanzibar for final section.

On arrival Zanzibar Airport VIP meet and greet will be arranged.

Met by drivers with 1 or 2 Landcruiser 4x4 V8 and for the 50mins transfer to the chosen resort.

The Residence Zanzibar - 5* luxury villa resort top management and food/ services. Member of Leading Hotels

Star of the East - Private villas with services and top level accommodation - Small Luxury Hotels

Mnemba Private Island - private island amazing fishing, diving and privacy as only private island close to Zanzibar. Accommodation is rustic luxury, but it is the most expensive as it is private and they may choose to prefer this idea

Overnight all inclusive basis as per choice of property preferred.

Day notes

Breakfast and time to relax in resort.

If late departure required to enjoy longer in resort / private island then we can secure this late checkout to enable flexibility before transfer back to Zanzibar Airport for onward departure arrangements

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