Best of Northern Tanzania

Mwiba Lodge / Courtesy of Legendary Expeditions

14 Days | Starting at approx. $28,000

  • Dec 25: Depart Houston
  • Dec 26: Arrive at Kilimanjaro at 8pm – Transfer to hotel in Arusha
  • Dec 27: Flight to Serians Serengeti South (3nt)
  • Dec 28: Serians Serengeti South
  • Dec 29: Serians Serengeti South
  • Dec 30: Drive to Gibbs Farm (2nt)
  • Dec 31: Gibbs Farm
  • Jan 1: Drive to Chem Chem (4nt)
  • Jan 2: Chem Chem
  • Jan 3: Chem Chem
  • Jan 4: Chem Chem
  • Jan 5: Leave safari in the AM and fly to Nairobi – Giraffe Manor, Garden Room
  • Jan 6: Giraffe Manor day room. Depart Nairobi late evening.
  • Jan 7: Arrive in Houston

Arusha & Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (1nt)

Tanzania itineraries often start at Kilimanjaro airport and sometimes require a layover in Arusha. There are many charming hotels for an overnight stay or longer.

  • Legendary Lodge: $1,220/nt
    • There are many nice places to stay in Arusha, but Legendary is one of the best. You can sometimes get specials when paired with Mwiba, Chem Chem, and Songa.

Serengeti, Tanzania (3nt)

Songa Migrational Camp / Courtesy of Legendary Expeditions

The Serengeti National Park lies across the border from the Maasai Mara and is quite a bit larger. It’s the furthest from Nairobi on this list, but it will be your best chance of seeing the Great Migration if you are interested. In December, the herds should be calving in the south, and I would focus on the nearby camps.

Ngorongoro and Chem Chem, Tanzania (6nt)

Walking safari at Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris luxury Tanzania safari
Walking safari at Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris

Chem Chem is a private reserve I would love to use on a Tanzania itinerary instead of Ngorongoro Crater, which has gotten overcrowded. Chem Chem is located between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. It is a conservation success story and has great wildlife and cultural opportunities. There are a couple of interesting properties I like in Ngorongro like Gibb’s Farm for food and hiking.

  • Little Chem Chem: $4,080/nt
    • A stylish tented camp in the wildest part of the reserve. Part of the “slow safari” movement.
  • Gibb’s Farm: $1,160/nt
    • This property is a fun break from safaris if you are interested in staying at a Tanzanian farm and eating well for a couple of days.

Nairobi (1nt)

I’ve built the itinerary around Giraffe Manor, which is only available on January 5th unless you book another Safari Collection camp. If you book one of those, it is also available on December 28th. If you don’t stay overnight at Giraffe Manor, you can always visit the adjacent Giraffe Centre to feed the giraffes and/or get a day room at the retreat at Giraffe Manor.

Accommodation:

  • Giraffe Manor (Garden Room): $2,568/nt +
    • This is what it’s all about 🙂
  • Retreat at Giraffe Manor (Day Room): $880/day +
    • These are the day rooms you can have for the afternoon for late flights. Giraffes only have access to the pool, but you can also visit the Giraffe Centre nearby.
    • This is a nice mid-range hotel in Nairobi if you don’t overnight at the Manor.