Tanzania Highlights

12 Days | Starting at approx. $32,000

• Dec 27: Depart Houston
• Dec 28: Arrive at Kilimanjaro at 8pm – Transfer to hotel in Arusha
• Dec 29: Flight from Arusha to Chem Chem (3nt)
• Dec 30: Chem Chem
• Dec 31: Chem Chem
• Jan 1: Flight to Serengeti Songa South (4nt)
• Jan 2: Serengeti
• Jan 3: Serengeti
• Jan 4: Serengeti
• Jan 5: Leave safari in the AM for flight 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.

Chem Chem, Tanzania (3nt)

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.

• Little Chem Chem: $4,080/nt
  • A stylish tented camp in the wildest part of the reserve. Part of the “slow safari” movement.

Serengeti, Tanzania (4nt)

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.

• Serian’s Serengeti South: $3,530/nt
  • An authentic tented camp in the South.
• Olakira Migration Camp: $3,100/nt
  • A more affordable yet well done camp.
• Songa Migrational Camp: $3,980/nt
  • A stylish canvas camp in the South.
• Mwiba Lodge: $6,160/nt
  • The most luxurious camp in the South.

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.
• Karen Blixen Cottages: $400/nt
  • This is a nice mid-range hotel in Nairobi if you don’t overnight at the Manor.