FLOAT ABOVE THE SERENGETI, TANZANIA

Experience the breath-taking beauty of the Serengeti National Park on a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon flight. At dawn, rise as the sun greets the day and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take you. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below. At other times you will probably ascend to 1000′ or more to see the vast magnificence and spectacular panorama of the Serengeti. At intervals the pilot will put more heat into the balloon with the powerful whisper burners. In between these burns, there is a tranquil silence apart from the natural sounds below.

A Serengeti balloon safari is an extraordinary opportunity to relish a bird’s eye-view of the phenomenal sweeping plains below. Tiny little dots rove across the diverse landscape and as you get closer you are spectator to the most magnificent view of dramatically striped black and white zebra, sashaying enormous grey elephants meandering to a waterhole, wiry warthogs foraging in the grassy scrub and subtle swishes of puffed golden tails reveal lions lolling under shady trees.

Gently bob through the air and your eye darts to every possible corner, euphoric on adrenalin this stunning approach to absorbing the home of the wild things is truly an overwhelming experience, where very little can hide from you here.

TANZANIAN ROMANTIC EAST AFRICA SAFARI ITINERARY:
Sleep in the boughs of an ancient forest, camp on the Serengeti plains, bathe in rose petals at the Ngorongoro Crater and relax on a private island.

Your journey at a glance
Indulge in the drama of East Africa’s most beautiful landscapes, from the romance of classical safari to the wonder of breath-taking landscapes and the barefoot luxury of a private island. At Lake Manyara you will share a cosy tree house in the heart of a scenic landscape, where lions lounge in the forks of trees and pink flamingo wade near the lakeshore.
Enjoy a taste of adventure combined with the ultimate luxury on the open plains of the Serengeti, where Persian carpets and fully sized beds are separated from the African night by only a thin sheet of canvas and the light of lanterns sparkles on silver and crystal as your private feast is served in the open air.

Transfer to Lake Manyara Day 1
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by your transfer team who will assist you to your scheduled flight to Manyara Airstrip. On arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by a representative from Lake Manyara Tree Lodge for your first game drive to the lodge.

Overnight in Lake Manyara Day 1-3
Spend two nights at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge. Accommodation is in an elegant, stilted treehouse, which is cradled in the boughs of mahogany trees. Your room is built of timber and makuti (palm fronds) and has a spacious sitting area, viewing deck and a lovely ensuite bathroom.

Find tree-climbing lions Day 2
Game drives from Lake Manyara Tree Lodge explore areas of the park that cannot be reached by day visitors and are undisturbed by others. Each morning and afternoon set off in the company of your guide and tracker in an open 4×4 safari vehicle with a canvas canopy. Together you will explore the diverse habitats of the park, stopping on the lakeshore to admire the different bird species and look for pink flamingo. You will traverse a mosaic of acacia woodlands, grassy floodplains and tall forest in search of wildlife, including Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions and family herds of elephant.

Bicycle ride through Mayoka village Day 2 - afternoon
Guests at Lake Manyara Tree Lodge can enjoy a scenic guided bike ride through the Mayoka community. Drive to Mayoka to collect your bicycle and begin. Cycle through this bustling village and interact with the friendly people, including the nomadic Mang’ati tribe, adorned with traditional animal skin cloaks, skirts and colourful beads. A picturesque bike ride brings you to the lakeshore, where you can admire bright pink flocks of flamingos. If the birds are close enough, put on some gumboots and walk out to observe and photograph them. All proceeds go directly to the Mayoka community.

Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Day 3
Enjoy an early morning breakfast before a safari vehicle drive back to the Manyara airstrip, where you will be met by a representative from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge who will drive you to the lodge.

Overnight in Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Day 3 - 5
The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, within the Serengeti, is home to more than 30 000 protected animals. It is an area of spectacular beauty and excellent game viewing, a truly unique safari destination in Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Some maintain that before it erupted, it would have been higher than Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Today, long since having collapsed and eroded, it is an extensive highland area with the famous 600 metre deep Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth. Fresh springs and a large soda lake quench the thirst of all the inhabitants. Black rhino are protected within its rim, giant tusked elephants wander the forests, black-maned lions stalk the grasslands, and flamingos crowd the soda lakes.

Spend two nights at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Accommodation is in a suite with ensuite bathroom with bath and shower.

Dine in an ancient volcano Day 4
Indulge in a gourmet feast served in one of the most unique settings in Africa. Descend into the scenic landscape of the Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy the incredible density of wildlife before making your way to a private picnic spot on the Crater floor. Tables set with snowy tablecloths and sparkling silver cutlery are laden with the most delectable of dishes. An army of butler’s spring into action to attend to your every wish as you indulge in a mouth-watering meal served against the backdrop of groups of zebra strolling along the Crater floor.

Transfer to your flight to the Serengeti Day 5
Tuck into a sensational breakfast feast before your drive back to the Manyara airstrip for your scheduled flight to Serengeti Under Canvas.

Overnight in the Serengeti Day 5 - 8
Spend three nights at Under Canvas in an ensuite tent. Your stay includes accommodation, meals, scheduled activities, laundry, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and return airstrip transfers.

Float above the Serengeti Day 6
Experience the breath-taking beauty of the Serengeti National Park on a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon flight. At dawn, rise as the sun greets the day and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take you. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below. At other times you will probably ascend to 1000m or more to see the enormity and wonderful panorama of the Serengeti. From time to time the pilot must put more heat into the balloon with the powerful whisper burners. In between these burns, there is silence apart from the natural sounds below.

Get front row seats to the Great Migration Day 7
Game drives are tailored to suit your preference, with a choice between shorter, twice-daily drives or one full-day game drive, with a stop for a picnic lunch. The game drives are carefully planned to anticipate the progress of the Great Migration, so you should not have to travel too far to see the vast herds. However, if the Migration has moved off, or the dramatic river crossings are in progress, you may choose to spend more time on the vehicle in order to maximise your chances of seeing this incredible phenomenon. When the Migration herds are not within easy reach, the properties are perfectly situated in some of the most remote and beautiful corners of the Serengeti, with game drives setting off in search of the exceptional resident game. Game drives are conducted in the Serengeti National Park, so off-roading and night drives are not permitted.

Flight to Zanzibar Day 8
Depart by road to the Airstrip, where you will board your scheduled flight to Zanzibar Airport.

Transfer to Mnemba Island Day 8
On arrival in Zanzibar you will be met by a representative who will assist with your road transfer to the crossing point for Mnemba Island. Here you will be met by a boat for your transfer to Mnemba Island Lodge.

Overnight on &Beyond Mnemba Island Day 8 – 11
Spend three nights at Mnemba Island Lodge in a Banda. Your stay includes accommodation, meals, soft drinks, house wines, local beer, local brand spirits, snorkelling, kayaking, salt water fly-fishing, windsurfing and scuba diving (guests must provide proof that they hold a valid diving certificate, alternatively diving courses are available at an additional cost.

Immerse yourself in a world beneath Day 9

Zanzibar boasts a variety of pristine coral reefs, particularly off Unguja Island, the main island of Zanzibar, as well as Pemba Island and Mnemba Atoll. Boasting calm waters and a wide variety of colourful marine species, these are some of the top dive sites in the world. Keen divers will find diving off Zanzibar an absolutely breath-taking experience, with some of the healthiest reefs in the Indian Ocean. An average water temperature of 26ºC / 79º and visibility of 30 to 40 metres / 100 to 130 feet, as well as truly staggering range of marine wildlife, make this an unforgettable diving destination.

Paddle along the beach Day 10 - morning
Explore the warm Indian Ocean waves in utter tranquillity in a deep sea kayak built for two. Ask one of Mnemba’s Dive Instructors for a quick tutorial session or set off with your partner on the quiet waters protected by the island’s surrounding reefs. Paddle along the beach to admire the changing features of the shoreline or head out into deeper waters in the hope of encountering a pod of dolphin or some sea turtles.

Reawaken your soul and relax your body Day 10 - afternoon
Seize the wonderful opportunity to rejuvenate and heal in true African style. Embrace wide ranging wellness and spiritually awakening activities that draw inspiration from the breath-taking scenery of this unique and colourful island.

Delight in massages and wellness treatments by professional masseurs and therapists from East Africa, Thailand, Bali, and India. Be sure to try traditional cures and reflexologies, as well as an island inspired henna tattoo.

In addition to wonderful wellness treatments, indulge in a spiritual based activity from India. Channel your energy and increase your self-awareness with a yoga class placed against the background of a clear ocean. Classes are plentiful and can be accommodated to fit all levels of experiences and preferred styles.

Transfer from Mnemba Island to Zanzibar Airport Day
Depart by boat to the crossing point, where a member of the &Beyond team will meet and transfer you to Zanzibar International Airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam Domestic Airport. On arrival at the Domestic Terminal of Dar es Salaam International Airport you will be met by a representative and transferred to the International Terminal for your outbound flight.

Rates:    11 Days, 10 Nights  From USD 10 365 per person sharing.

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