Bush to Beach

Duration: 6 nights

Combine an exciting safari at Sanctuary Swala in Tanzania's remote Tarangire National Park with a relaxing stay at Kilindi on Zanzibar Island for a truly luxurious bush to beach holiday.

Day 01 - ARRIVE ARUSHA, TANZANIA

Today depart Arusha at 8am for your light aircraft flight to Tarangire National Park.  Upon arrival at 8.25 am you will be met by a Sanctuary representative and transferred by open vehicle to your luxury tented camp, Sanctuary Swala.  The dive from the airstrip to camp is approximately 40 minutes with plenty of game viewing opportunities en route.

Tarangire is renowned for its elephant population that flood the park in their herds as they drink by the edge of the Tarangire River.

As you arrive at the camp you will be greeted by your personal tent attendant and taken to your tent to freshen up before lunch.

Each of the twelve tents is shaded by tall acacia tees and is within sight of the well-frequented water hole.  Furnished with campaign chairs, comfortable sofas, en-suite bathrooms and traditional materials, the tents at Sanctuary Swala are unashamedly luxurious but still close enough to nature to permit an exciting night under canvas.

The main dining area, deck and library are lifted on stilts around an enormous and ancient baobab tree, allowing guests a wide view of the grasslands of Tarangire.  Animals come right up to the camp to drink at the water hole and leopard is often spotted among the baobabs nearby.

In the afternoon there is time to relax before enjoying an exciting game drive by open four wheel drive vehicle.

Huge herds of elephant, greater kudu, impala and zebra are all easily spotted whilst leopard lurk in the trees. Due to the camp's secluded location you are unlikely to see many vehicles as you venture out into the national park.

As the sun fades return to camp for a sundowner.  Relax in a comfortable chair as you watch the game stroll through camp and carry on with their daily activities.

Meal Plan:  Lunch, dinner

Overnight: Sanctuary Swala

Day 02 - TARANGIRE

Start your day by leisurely watching the bush come to life from the private deck of your tent.  Impala and dik dik often wander through camp on their way to the water  ole before starting their day.

This morning you may like to visit the nearby Gijadebung School.  The school is an initiative developed by Sanctuary Swala to educate children from the surrounding rural areas.  Visit Gijadebung and learn about the curriculum at a rural African school as you interact with the children during their class.

Following lunch there is time to take a refreshing swim in the pool or relax on your private deck with a cool drink and gaze out of the water hole to watch as the game lazily congregates in the shade to escape the midday sun.

As the afternoon progresses you may like to return to the Tarangire on an afternoon game drive.

The beauty of Tarangire unfolds as you venture out into the baobab scattered landscape.  Migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland can all be seen in addition to lion and leopard.  During the dry season the concentration of wildlife in the Tarangire is second only to the Serengeti ecosystem.

Alternatively you may prefer a game drive by moonlight.  As dusk falls, venture into the park transformed by night.  Search for nocturnal animals rarely seen by visitors as this is one of only a few places in northern Tanzania where you can enjoy a safari by moonlight.  At night you may encounter an African wild cat, the elusive leopard or a bushbaby peering down at you.  With specialised lighting you can look for lion and hyena as well as smaller creatures such as spotted genet, serval, bat-eared foxes, owls and nightjars.

Meal Plan:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Sanctuary Swala

Day 03 - TARANGIRE

This morning awake to the sounds of the bush as a steaming hot cup of tea or coffee is served on your tent's private deck.

Put on your walking shoes for a safari on foot with an armed ranger and professional guide.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity for a walking safari, Sanctuary Swala is one of the few destinations in Tanzania where walking in such a pristine environment is possible.  Your qualified guide has a wealth of knowledge which he will share with you as he tracks animals and explains about  animal behaviour.  As he guides you through the park you may encounter zebra, waterbuck, impala, ostrich, elephant and a variety of birds.  You will be walking through uneven terrain so comfortable, supportive walking shoes are a must and a reasonable level of walking fitness is required.

Return to camp where your hosts will greet you with a refreshing drink and a well deserved lunch.

Following lunch your driver/guide will take you into the heart of the Tarangire in an open 4WD vehicle in search of buffalo, giraffe and elephant.  You will visit a swamp which attracts hundreds of elephants as they wallow in the shallow water that remains throughout the dry season.  A variety of bird species can be found around the edge of the swamp including lovebirds, Rufos-tailed weaver bird and ashy starling, all endemic to the area.  Kori Bustard, ostrich, hornbills and guniea fowl can all be found on drier land.  Enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the lounge or on the deck as the sun paints the camp's baobabs a dusty pink.

dinner tonight is enjoyed by lamplight as you listen to Tarangire's nocturnal animals stir and start their day.  Retire to the camp fire this evening to unwind under the starry night sky.

Meal Plan:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Sanctuary Swala

Day 04 - TARANGIRE - ARUSHA - ZANZIBAR

Today you may choose to relax at your camp or venture out for one last game drive in Tarangire before your mid-morning departure.  A Sanctuary representative will transfer you by private 4WD vehicle to the airstrip for your onward flight to Arusha departing at 11.35 am on Coastal Aviation.  Upon arrival at Arusha connect with your onward flight to Zanzibar departing at 12.15.  Arrive at Zanzibar Airport at 13.45 where you will be met by a representative and transferred by private vehicle to Sanctuary's partner resort, Kilindi, located on the northwest coast of Zanzibar.

The resort, fringed by casuarina trees and set on a magnificent beach, offers accommodation in 15 pavilions with unique domed roofs, spread across 54 acres of lush tropical gardens.  Each villa has two private plunge pools that are linked by water features and a waterfall.

The main building opens to a terrace overlooking the beach and T-shaped infinity swimming pool.  There is a spacious bar with water feature and an indoor/outdoor dining area.

This evening unwind with a sundowner and a delicious meal made with the freshest ingredients from the kitchen's organic garden.

Meal Plan:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Kilindi Zanzibar (partner hotel)

Day 05 - ZANZIBAR

Your day today is at leisure.  There are many options - both active and more leisurely.   You may choose to spend a day in Stone Town exploring the narrow alleyways and markets or visit Jozani Forest to see the red colobus monkey endemic to Zanzibar.  Alternatively, you may prefer to take advantage of your  peaceful surroundings and indulge in a treatment at Kilindi's uShawari spa or cool off in the infinity pool.

Meal Plan:  Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Kilindi Zanzibar (partner hotel)

Day 06 - ZANZIBAR

Another full day at leisure to explore Stone Town or  just relax at the beach.

In the evening you may choose to dine under the stars with Zanzibar's cool white sand under foot and the gentle lap of the ocean completing the setting for a romantic beach dinner.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Overnight: Kilindi Zanzibar (partner hotel)

Day 07 - ZANZIBAR - ARUSHA - DEPART

This morning enjoy a stroll along the beach before transferring by private vehicle to Zanzibar Airport for your international departure flight.

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