Day by day program
Day 1: Arrive Arusha
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Meet our representative who will transfer you to Arusha, where you will spend a night at a beautiful lush garden lodge. The lodge is situated in a working coffee plantation. Overnight at Legendary Lodge on half board.
Day 2: Flight to Northern Serengeti
Depart Arusha by scheduled flight to the northern Serengeti. This flight is one of the most scenic in Tanzania, soaring past iconic landmarks like Ol Donyo Lengai and the Ngorongoro Crater. While flying over the Serengeti you will realize the sheer scale of the seemingly never-ending plains. On arrival at the airstrip the guide will meet you with a private vehicle transfer to the camp, en-route you will enjoy the game drive. Arrive at the camp in time for lunch. During the afternoon you will explore the wilderness and enjoy game viewing. Return to camp in time for sundowners and dinner.
Day 3-4 Northen Serengeti
This remote part of the Serengeti is bisected by the perilous Mara River, where once a year between July and October, over a million-strong wildebeest and zebra throw themselves across its crocodile-infested waters, heading for where the grass is greener. This makes for spectacular predator and prey viewing on the banks in the late dry season. Apart from the migration there is very good game where you will be able to see Leopard, Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, lots of action happens in the park. You will be able to enjoy morning and late afternoon game drive, bush lunch and sundowner around the campfire.
Day 5: Flight to Mahale National park
Early the morning after breakfast, a shared charter flight to Mahale will collect you from Kogatende Airstrip in Serengeti. The flight down to Mahale is a long journey, taking about four hours with a refuel stop in Tabora. The arrival into Mahale is pretty unforgettable as you fly low over the mountains and land on the airstrip that sits right on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. The view itself is quite breathtaking. On arrival at Mahale airstrip your wonderful guide will meet you and take you by boat to Greystoke. This journey takes about an hour and a half and skims along the banks of the impossibly clear lake with the Mahale Mountains rising dramatically from the beach.
Day 6 - 8: Mahale national park
Coming around the headland and catching sight of the iconic Greystoke mess sitting on its own patch of white sandy beach is always a memorable moment. In Greystoke you will share the mountains and the lake with so many animals, but it's the chimps that really inspire people. Time spent with them is time away from everything else that is ordinary. But, there's more. Hike the forest paths looking for all the other animals who quietly live here. Swim in pools up in mountain waterfalls, take a kayak out for a dawn paddle and enjoy the sunrise coming up over the mountains. Have sundowners in the old wooden dhow or just relax on the warm sands of the beach with a drink in hand.
Day 9: Flight to Pemba Island
You will bid farewell to the team at Greystoke and head back to the airstrip by boat in time to catch your scheduled shared charter flight. On your arrival to Pemba Island, you will be transferred to your hotel. At The Manta Resort you can feel the simplicity of a naturally evolved traditional Swahili Island culture – its timeless peace and quietness.
Day 10 - 17: Enjoy Pemba Island
At Manta you will be made to feel part of the Pemba family. A group of good people who proudly endeavor to make Manta the special place it is. From the moment you arrive, your every conceivable activity and service during your stay will be all inclusive and private (with the exception of diving and outside tours). You will have your own service fundi – a member of staff assigned to assist you personally – even perhaps to take you on visits to his village to meet relatives – if you so wish.
Day 18: Departure
Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to Pemba Island airport in time for your flight home.