Twelve-Day Tanzania Safari

As ever when traveling on a SmartFlyer planned trip, how you arrive to your destination is considered just as carefully as what you’ll do when you touch down. When it comes to traveling to East Africa, there are a handful of comfortable and efficient routes; our SmartFlyer Air Team can tailor options based on your gateway and alliance preference, and we can ensure you are booked on the most updated aircraft in your preferred class of service. Popular options to reach Tanzania include KLM via Amsterdam or Qatar and American Airlines which both include a stop in Doha.

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a VIP handler to help expedite your customs and immigration process. If you’re seeking a visa on arrival, this can be handled with the help of your VIP greeter to ensure you’re in and out in no time. From there, your transfer to Legendary Lodge will take approximately ninety minutes after which you’ll be enveloped in the tranquility of this oasis. Get acclimated to the new time zone with a walk through Legendary Lodge’s calming gardens and working coffee farm, or perhaps opt for a session at the fitness center if you’re craving more robust movement after your long journey. End the night with a cozy dinner by the roaring fire before tucking in early as you prepare for all that’s ahead.

Wake up refreshed and ready to dive into the safari portion of your trip! The hearty breakfast at Legendary Lodge makes for a well-balanced refuel for your travels to your next stop. If you prefer to take the long way, there is also the option to drive approximately two and a half hours from Legendary Lodge to Forest Chem Chem. Otherwise, it’s a short fifteen-minute drive to the Arusha Airport where you’ll catch your first of many bush planes on this trip. The Coastal Air flight takes approximately forty minutes from Arusha to the Chem Chem airstrip.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your guide in a game vehicle with a cooler box of refreshments for the forty-minute road transfer to Forest Chem Chem. There are three different properties on the private Chem Chem concession, but we’ve opted to highlight Forest Chem Chem in this itinerary for its ability to cater to small groups. The lodge is ideal for families or friend groups of up to ten adults. Use your first night here to settle into slow safari living which means that everything is customizable to the pace that feels right for you.

Upon landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a VIP handler to help expedite your customs and immigration process. If you’re seeking a visa on arrival, this can be handled with the help of your VIP greeter to ensure you’re in and out in no time. From there, your transfer to Legendary Lodge will take approximately ninety minutes after which you’ll be enveloped in the tranquility of this oasis. Get acclimated to the new time zone with a walk through Legendary Lodge’s calming gardens and working coffee farm, or perhaps opt for a session at the fitness center if you’re craving more robust movement after your long journey. End the night with a cozy dinner by the roaring fire before tucking in early as you prepare for all that’s ahead.

Today marks your last full day at Chem Chem and just may wind up being your most memorable. After another epic morning game drive, you’re going to take advantage of this lodge’s proximity to the Ngorongoro Crater, Ol Doinyo volcano, and Lake Empakaai with the help of our friends at Tropic Helicopters. Since the topography is completely flat on the Chem Chem reserve, the gradual elevation climb makes this helicopter experience all the more epic; depending on your comfort level, there are both doors-on and doors-off helicopters.

During this eight-hour experience, feel the thrill of viewing the vast East African wilderness from above as you take in the majestic Lake Empakaai from above. As opposed to the seven-hour hike up Ol Doinyo volcano, your private helicopter will drop you there directly.

This morning, relish your final bush breakfast with the Forest Chem Chem crew. Today, you’re headed to your next lodge: Mila Tented Camp. The Coastal Air flight will take you approximately fifty minutes to reach this part of the Serengeti. Upon arrival, take in the gorgeous views of Serengeti National Park directly from your fixed tent. We love the wide open spaces here, affording you the chance to see so much wildlife in one place.

Each booking at Mila is allocated a private guide and driver, ensuring that your game drives will be at your own pace, with each exploration of the Serengeti National Park granting you access to the magic of unscripted nature. During our stay, we barely saw any other game vehicles, instead feeling like we were living out our very own Circle of Life scene.

One of our favorite ways to switch it up on your Tanzania safari is to incorporate a walking safari.

Wake up before the sun in the western corner of the great Serengeti to take in the superb game on offer. Take your time sipping coffee in the bush as you let the serenity of this setting wash over you. With the help of your skilled guide, go beyond spotting the “Big 5” to begin searching for rare birds like the lilac-breasted bird, porcupines, warthog, mongoose, and more. One of our favorite ways to switch it up on your Tanzania safari is to incorporate a walking safari. With the protection of your guide and tracker, you’ll be able to have close-up sightings without the barrier of your game vehicle. End the evening as one does on safari: with a sundowner.

Today marks your last full day based at Mila Tented Lodge. Make the best of it with an early morning game drive where one of the highlights is likely to be lion prides en masse. Nicknamed “Simba’s Camp” by guides, Mila sits amidst one of the most abundant cat populations in the entire Serengeti. But don’t worry, you’ll be safe in your vehicle!

Every now and again, it does wind up raining while you’re on safari, so if today happens to be that day, embrace it. Turn on Toto’s “Africa” and maybe even dance a bit under the sky (we sure did). Games abound inside the lodge as your cozy backdrop to lifelong memories being made. Sip on afternoon tea paired with thoughtful light bites before transitioning into some wine, and ultimately, dinner.

Today marks your final transition to your last of four lodges. Say “Asante sana” to your friends at Mila and pack up those duffles for Mwiba Lodge. After a forty-minute bush plan on Coastal Air, you’ll arrive at one of Tanzania’s most sought-after lodges: Mwiba Lodge. Located just fifteen minutes from the airstrip, the journey here is breezy. Your arrival is sure to leave a striking impression thanks to the lodge’s positioning overlooking the rocky gorge of the Arugusinyai River. This tract of land is vibrantly lush with thirty-three freshwater springs and a diverse array of wildlife.

Design aficionados will appreciate how Mwiba’s interiors artfully integrate the natural surroundings with layer upon layer of textured creams paired with suede, tans, and accents of chocolate and charcoal. From the linen-dressed slope-armed sofas to ornately carved wooden leg tables and cascading lighting, the ten double suites all give way to a wide-open layout where each room flows to another. The lodge’s grey slate-lined infinity-edge pool overlooks three springs where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of a constant parade of wildlife.

Today you’ll have the opportunity to see how Mwiba’s conservation concession is dedicated to the balance between wildlife and communities. Go on an early morning nature walk with a Hadzabe guide and a visit to a Datoge village. During this time, you’ll be able to learn from the local hunter-gatherer community who lives off the land. They’ll take you to look for killer African bees in search of honeycomb and you’ll have the chance to see how deeply the Hadzabe tribe cares for the land.

Upon your return to the lodge, reflect on the eye-opening experience of connecting with the local community knowing that part of your stay is dedicated to powering the community. Perhaps have an afternoon massage after lunch. Then, grab your jacket and ready yourself for one of your final sundowners of the trip; as you sip your gin and tonic in the bush, know that this surely isn’t your last safari.

As you rise for your last full day in the bush, know that today is completely up to you. Perhaps make time to enjoy Mwiba’s stunning spa, or pack in long game drives both morning and night. Nocturnal game drives serve as a great opportunity to spot the wildlife that hides from the harsh heat of the day and comes out to play under the cover of nightfall. As you adjust to the darkness, enjoy the thrill of picking out predators with the help of your guide and the spotlight reflecting off their eyes.

Just as with your journey to Tanzania, your route home will be carefully considered. Travel in comfort knowing you have the support of your dedicated advisor and the SmartFlyer Air Team.