Experience some of the most epic landscapes and wildlife on the planet – the Great Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the vast Serengeti, with your own private group of friends and family.

Any Tanzania safari must delve into the rich wildlife of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this private safari also takes you beyond these places, to discover the remarkable Loliondo game reserve and its local Maasai people, and the great elephant herds of Tarangire National Park. On this private safari you'll explore in comfort and style, from deluxe camps and well-located lodges, in the company of an expert private guide.

SAMPLE ITINERARY: Other private customized options are available.

Exact itinerary may vary to take best advantage of typical conditions and migration movements. The following itinerary-in-brief is an example:

Day 1: Evening arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha, Tanzania. Transfer to our beautiful lakeside lodge on the grounds of an old coffee plantation.

Days 2-4: Experience an incredible flight over the Great Rift Valley and Serengeti on our way into the bush. Explore the Loliondo game reserve bordering the northern Serengeti National Park (ideal June-October for the large herds in the area). Enjoy nature walks with Maasai trackers, night drives, and game drives within Serengeti Naitonal Park. If we are lucky, we may witness one of epic river crossings of the migrating herds of wildebeest on the Mara River.

Day 5: Hike into the Olduvai Gorge, known to the world as the cradle of humanity, where the Leakeys made their incredible discoveries of remains of the earliest humans. Known to the Maasai as Oltupai, for a flower that grows abundantly here, the gorge is steeped in history. Continue to the Ngorongoro crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Days 6-7: Arise early to be the first on the crater floor as the sun comes up and while the wildlife is most active. Enjoy extended game drives, taking time to observe the interactions of the lions, cheetah, hyena, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, buffalo and black rhino. Explore the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara National Park, known for its beautiful soda lake often full of flamingos, hippo pools, and tree-climbing lions.

Days 8-9: Game drive to our permanent luxury tented camp, home for the next two nights. Located in a remote area of Tarangire National Park, Swala Camp attracts large herds of elephants to its nearby watering holes during the months of June-October. Early in the morning, sip coffee on your tent's porch as elephants quench their thirst nearby.

Day 10: Return to Arusha, where we say goodbye before your evening flight, or extend your tour on the exotic island of Zanzibar.

• Our fleet of custom built, 4WD extended cab Land Rovers and Land Cruisers are the best safari vehicles in Tanzania. We limit passengers in each vehicle so everyone has a window seat and plenty of space, and fully retractable roofs allow 360-degree wildlife observation.
• Our Tanzanian guides are experienced naturalists. They know the park rangers and keep in touch with them regularly, so they always have the inside track on where to find the most exciting wildlife.
• Three nights of deluxe tented camping allow us to be close to the action in privacy and in comfort. Hotel quality linens, full-sized beds (not cots), individual bathroom facilities attached to each tent (including warm showers!), a professional camp staff, and indulgent touches like French-press coffee in the morning make Boundless Journeys’ mobile tented camp an experience not to be missed.
• Our flight over the Serengeti allows you to maximize your vacation time – and not spend it on long drives as some others do. Our flight also provides an unforgettable element to your journey, seeing the plains from above.

THE PRIVATE COLLECTION ADVANTAGE

• Independent travel at its best. With your own exclusive party of family or friends, you'll enjoy itineraries developed from our years of experience.
• Your dates, your friends. You chose your dates and traveling companions, and let us do the rest!
• Reconnect in remarkable places. What better way to celebrate important milestones than with family and friends in amazing places, with all of the details handled for you so you can simply relax and enjoy each other’s company?
• Do your own thing. Customize your journey to indulge your most amazing travel fantasies.
• Travel with Trusted Leaders in Adventure Travel. Recognized by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine as a Top 10 "World's Best Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter".

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SAFARIS

Traveling with the kids or grandkids? Many of our Private Collection journeys can be customized with fun activities for the entire family. Perhaps your safari will include tracking lessons with an experienced ranger, or maybe you will visit a local school and make friends with the kids. Wherever your destination, you can be sure your Boundless Journeys private family adventure will include activities that encourage discovery, days that are active and engaging, and plenty of options and flexibility – all with the best kid-friendly guides who are enthusiastic and inspiring. Traveling with Boundless Journeys makes it easy to enjoy what a family vacation should be all about – quality time and a whole lot of fun and adventure. For more information call 1-800-941-8010, or e-mail info@boundlessjourneys.com. Our trip specialists are happy to help you plan the perfect trip for your family!

Most Convenient Airport:
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha, Tanzania (JRO).

Meeting Time and Place:
Upon arrival of your international flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha on Day 1 of the trip.

Departure Time and Place:
Kilimanjaro International Airport by 4 p.m. To accommodate our return from the Serengeti and afternoon activities in Arusha, please schedule your departing flight after 6 p.m.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Beyond the Serengeti is rated 1, easy, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). We combine camping and lodges as the base for our primary activity – game-viewing drives by 4WD vehicle. Some itineraries include optional guided bush walks, which can be enjoyed by anyone who is in reasonably good health.  

Preparing for this Trip
If you would like to take advantage of the optional walks, you may wish to engage in easy to moderate aerobic activities (walking, jogging, cycling) for 30-45 minutes a few times a week for several weeks before the trip. Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program. 

The Luxury Camp Experience
Buffalo Luxury Camp and Swala Camp allow us to be close to the action in relative privacy and in comfort. Nearly all the amenities you would expect of a lodge are available – from comfortable, en suite rooms with flush toilets and electricity, to a fine dining area –  complemented by incredible locations.

The small size of a permanent luxury camp – usually under 20 tents – also allows you to experience the grandeur of your surroundings in a much more accessible way, far from the crowds that occur at many of the national park lodges.

Camp life is relaxed and comfortable. Upon returning from the day’s game drive in the afternoon, there is time to wash up, rest, read, write, or chat with your guides and each other over a drink. As evening falls a campfire is lit, and the camp chef prepares dinner. If the weather is particularly fine we may dine al fresco, surrounded by torches, or we may dine in the dining tent. Either way, our table is set with linens, restaurant quality dinnerware, silverware, and glasses.

Game Drives
Unforgettable full and half-day game drives make game-driving the primary activity of Boundless Journeys’ Tanzania safari. On most days, we will depart our lodge or camp early and spend the morning tracking various animals in our custom-built, 4WD safari vehicles. Each day is unique and unpredictable – which is why our guides say never put away your camera, even on the way to the airport!

Drives may last from a few morning hours to a full day. Sometimes we will take a picnic lunch, and other days we will return to the lodge or camp for our midday meal. As we come upon groups of animals, we allow plenty of time to simply observe and also take photographs. Our guides are experienced naturalists and will add greatly to your understanding of the animals. We keep a respectful distance – although the same cannot always be said about the animals, and it is not unusual to come nose-to-car with baboons, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, and elephants.

Weather
The weather in Arusha and the national parks is generally pleasant though the equatorial sun is strong. It can also rain at any time, but chances are higher during the months of April, May, June, November, and December. In the Ngorongoro area, evenings and early mornings can be chilly, and dressing in layers is a good strategy, so that you can shed or add layers as the day heats and cools.

The following are average temperatures in Arusha:
                     high          low

February:     84°F        51°F
March:          81°F        53°F
July:              69°F        49°F
December:    81°F        50°F

You may obtain more detailed weather information at www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
Our Tanzania safaris coincide with important times in the annual migrations, as well as take advantage of other significant animal activities and weather patterns. There are great reasons to visit Tanzania at any time of year, and no matter when you choose to go, you will see more elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, buffalos, hippos, ostriches, baboons, and lions than you can keep track of. Every safari is a little different in terms of order of sites visited and lodges/camp locations, but each offers the same quality of experience.

February/March: Nearly two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle are in the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. This is calving season for the wildebeest and predators lurk nearby. This is a great time of year if you are interested in seeing the young wildebeest and there may be a good chance of observing a hunt in action. Choose Tanzania: Migration Safari for a group safari, or Tanzania: The Best of East Africa from our Private Collection for a private safari.

July: Dry season has arrived and the herd splits as they continue their northward trek. During July, large herds of elephants gather in Tarangire National Park, and we spend a few nights there to observe these remarkable animals in Tarangire’s beautiful setting. July is a good choice for those with a special interest in elephants, and who will appreciate the diversity of landscapes offered by including an additional park. Choose Tanzania: Beyond the Serengeti for a group safari, or Tanzania: The Best of East Africa from our Private Collection for a private safari.

December: The migration is heading south again to the short grass plains, and many zebras give birth around this time. Predators trail behind the herds. Being with your family in Tanzania is a memorable way to spend the holidays, and a great reason to consider a December departure. Plan ahead, however, as airfare can sell out well in advance! Choose Tanzania: Migration Safari for a group safari, or Tanzania: The Best of East Africa from our Private Collection for a private safari.

Other times: The only months to really avoid are November and April, when the rains come in and can make driving very difficult. If you prefer to avoid peak travel times, consider a private safari in May, when the landscape is lush from the recently ended rains. Ask about Tanzania: The Best of East Africa from our Private Collection for a private safari.

Traveler’s Responsibility
Trip participants have certain responsibilities to both Boundless Journeys and your fellow travelers. This includes understanding the conditions described in the trip itinerary and making sure it is appropriate for your interests and abilities, based on a review of the trip ratings, consultation with Boundless Journeys’ staff, and perhaps your doctor. In addition, trip participants are responsible for preparing for a trip by undertaking the proper fitness training. At the guide’s discretion, a participant may be asked to leave the trip if the guide feels that the person’s further participation may be detrimental to the individual or to other trip participants. If you have any questions about the difficulty level of the trip you have chosen, please contact Boundless Journeys to speak with one of our Destination Managers.

Small group travel affords us the opportunity to seek out the most remote and exotic destinations on the planet. Often we are exploring these locales with just 6-12 guests. The nature of active group travel is such that not all participants have the same ability level or interests. Traveling at a pace that is comfortable for the entire group, with a spirit of flexibility and adventure are all part of this intimate experience.

Overview:  First-class hotels and lodges, private camp, and comfortable permanent camp; all private baths. Please note that these are sample accommodations and others of similar quality may be substituted based on availability.

MAY-OCTOBER DEPARTURES:

Night 1: Mountain Village
Arusha, Tanzania
               
Nestled at the foot of the wooded slopes of Mount Meru, this unique hotel stands amid coffee plantations on the shores of tranquil Lake Duluti. Designed to echo the traditional style of the colonial coffee farm, which originally stood on this site, Mountain Village offers a range of tastefully presented cottage-styled rooms set amid extensive landscaped grounds.

Nights 2 & 3:  Buffalo Luxury Camp
Loliondo Reserve bordering Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Buffalo Luxury Camp allows us to be close to the action in privacy and in style. This small, luxury permanent tented camp consists of 20 spacious (250-500’ square) tents, all with outstanding views of the Serengeti National Park. There is electricity, running water, and flush toilets in all tents. There is a main lodge building as well, which offers dining, a bar and lounge, and a spacious deck.

Night 4:  Serengeti Sopa Lodge
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Tucked among the Niariboro hills of the southwestern Serengeti, Sopa Lodge offers magnificent views, spacious rooms, well-appointed facilities, and exceptional wildlife viewing. Its proximity to the Seronera River Valley in particular, with its abundance of resident animals including all the big carnivores, is a highlight at any time of year.

Nights 5 & 6:  Sopa Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The only lodge on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Sopa Lodge allows easy access to the crater floor, beautiful sunsets, and a private solarium for each room.

Night 7:  Bougainvillea Lodge
Karatu, Tanzania

In the center of the bustling village of Karatu, Bougainvillea Lodge was built in 2004 and is in a great location for exploring the Great Rift Valley. Comfortable individual cottages are complemented by a restaurant whose chef is locally renowned as the best in the region.

Nights 8 & 9: Swala Camp
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Part of the Sanctuary collection of properties, Swala is beautiful permanent tented camp in the remote heart of Tarangire National Park. Ample water supply during the dry season attracts varied wildlife right to the camp, for amazing game viewing even from the porch of your individual platform tent.

Day 10 (day-use only): Kia Lodge
Arusha, Tanzania
               
Beautifully situated with views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, day-use rooms are provided for resting and repacking before your international flight, if you have not reserved the Zanzibar: The Spice Island trip extension.

SAMPLE ITINERARY: Other private customized options are available.

Each Private Collection safari departure is unique, based on the typical conditions for each time of year. Please note that this is a typical itinerary for May-October, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Suggested accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

DAY 1  
Arrival to Arusha, Tanzania

Upon arrival of your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are met by a Boundless Journeys representative who will transfer you to our lodge, set quietly aside Lake Duluti on the grounds of a former coffee plantation on the outskirts of Arusha.

Upon arrival to the lodge, you are greeted by a friendly staff, offering refreshments before turning in to rest after your travels.
Mountain Village, Arusha, Tanzania

DAY 2 
Flight into the Serengeti

Half-day Serengeti game drive.

This morning we depart our lodge early for the Arusha domestic airport, where we have our pre-safari briefing and board our flight into the Serengeti. Seeing the Serengeti from above is an experience few others will ever have, and it is unforgettable. We pass over the Great Rift Valley, and the land flattens out beneath us. Known as Siringitu to the Maasai, a word meaning “where the land goes on forever,” the Serengeti covers 5,700 square miles of open grassland, acacia dotted rolling hills, and rocky outcrops known as kopjes. It is home to millions of earth’s most impressive land animals and one of the last great migratory ecosystems on the planet. Throughout the year, huge herds of wildebeest and zebra make their way from the southern plains, through the grassy woodlands, and into Kenya’s Masai Mara, before returning to the south to begin the cycle again.

Upon landing we board our safari vehicle, open the roof, and begin our first unforgettable game drive on our way to our camp. During July, our camp lies on a private game reserve bordering Serengeti National Park. Boundless Journeys guests have exclusive use of this camp, and we have the opportunity for tracking walks, night game drives, and interaction with the Maasai who live here.

Our days are filled with wildlife, and even during moments when we are not in the midst of the migrating wildebeest and zebra, we will be getting to know the Serengeti’s other resident wildlife, including giraffe, buffalo, topi, hartebeest, waterbuck, impala, hippopotamus, elephant, crocodile, warthog, hyena, lion, cheetah, and leopard (to name a few).

This evening, after a cocktail by the campfire while the sun sets, we enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the camp chef.
Buffalo Luxury Camp, Loliondo Reserve bordering Serengeti National Park

DAY 3 
The Serengeti and Maasai Village

Half-day game drive through the Serengeti plains; walking safari – easy, about 2 hours.

Using our camp as our base, we spend this morning on a game drive, waking early to find the animals at their most active, and to take advantage of the optimal morning light for photography. As the bush is always changing, we make our plans the night before based on information gained as to where the best wildlife viewing will be. Depending on the day’s plans, we may take a picnic breakfast, lunch or both.

This afternoon we find ourselves at a local Maasai village near our camp, where we are greeted warmly and shown around the village to get a glimpse inside the traditions of these people living so close to the land. Next, we join one of the Maasai youths on a walking safari across the open savannah. The opportunity to walk in a region populated by impressive wildlife in the company of a knowledgeable tracker is very special, and if we are very lucky, we may come across the pack of rare African wild dogs that lives in the area.

This evening we drift off to sleep in the comfort of our safari tents, in full-size beds with hotel quality linens, soaking in the Serengeti – distant roars of lions and a sky full of stars.
Buffalo Luxury Camp, Loliondo Reserve bordering Serengeti National Park
 

DAY 4
Serengeti National Park

Full-day game drive through Serengeti National Park.

This morning we say goodbye to our Serengeti camp staff and make our way through the plains. Although we are likely leaving the largest herds of the migration behind, there are many resident animals we are likely to encounter along the way. Even when not surrounded by animals, the epic wilderness is awe-inspiring to take in.

Later this afternoon we arrive at Serengeti Sopa Lodge, located in the Niariboro hills of the southwestern Serengeti.
Serengeti Sopa Lodge, Serengeti National Park
 

DAY 5
Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater

Walks – easy to moderate, 1-2 hours on dirt tracks; afternoon game drive through the Ngorongoro Crater.

This morning we make our way through the “short grass” plains in the southern Serengeti, game driving along the way. As we leave the park, we come to the famous Olduvai Gorge, known to the world as the cradle of humanity, where the Leakeys made their incredible discoveries of remains of the earliest humans. Known to the Maasai as Oltupai, for a flower that grows abundantly here, we enjoy a short walk exploring the area, literally in the footsteps of history.

Later this afternoon we reach the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a protected area nearly the size of the Serengeti itself, whose most distinctive feature is the Ngorongoro Crater. We arrive in time for afternoon tea at our lodge, where we watch the sun set over an incredible scene. From our vantage point at 7,500 feet, we can look down into the crater – a 100-square-mile caldera that is home to a huge concentration of wildlife – ncluding the "big five" – elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, and rhino.

One of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites designated in Tanzania, Ngorongoro is the world’s largest unflooded caldera. While only 100 square miles in area, the crater is home to six distinct habitats: acacia forest, swamp, short grass plains, long grass plains, rivers, and woodland. Each habitat attracts a variety of animals. The rim of the crater reaches 7,800 feet in altitude and the crater floor rests at 5,000 feet. Home to almost 30,000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano, this is the best location forviewing black rhino and huge, old bull elephants. There is not enough vegetation to support the large cow and calf herds, but the old males “retire” to the crater for the wonderful swamp grass and acacia forest. The only animals we will not see in the crater are the impala and giraffe. It is not known why impala do not inhabit the crater, but giraffe are unable to descend the steep grade without lowering their heads, which raises their blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Our lodge for the next two nights is set in a private location on the eastern rim of the crater.
Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater


DAY 6
Ngorongoro Crater

Full day game drive on the crater floor.

This morning we rise early to be the first on the crater floor. This is a magical time with the sun rising above the rim of the crater and the animals still active, and the sheer number of wild animals living in such close proximity is amazing. We enjoy an extended game drive, with plenty of time for photography and to simply  observe the interactions of the lion, cheetah, hyena, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, buffalo, and black rhino.

Making our way slowly across the caldera floor, which contains sweeping grasslands, lerai forest, a soda lake, and marshy wetlands, people often have the sense of being in another time. The landscape is so primitive, the ecosystems so intact, that it is like taking a trip to pre-history. Coming upon a lone elephant, a beautiful giant with gracefully curving tusks quietly munching on the soft grasses, just listening to him breathe, is something one won’t soon forget.

Tonight when we are back at the lodge, sitting comfortably by a crackling fire, our thoughts will be on the crater and the unseen drama unfolding in the darkness below, on the hunters and the hunted, completing life’s circle, as they have been for thousands of years.
Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater


DAY 7 
Lake Manyara

Game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, half day.

After breakfast we depart the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, entering the Great Rift Valley, where the Earth’s plates are separating, allowing for the formation of the volcanoes in the region – one reason the Serengeti supports this unique ecosystem. On the far side of the valley we reach Lake Manyara National Park. Even though Lake Manyara is one of Tanzania's smaller national parks, its jungle-like forest and immense “soda lake” support a great variety of wildlife.As we slowly make our way along a dirt track through the park, we may encounter pools of water full of hippos, see countless pink flamingos, dainty gazelles, and graceful giraffes meandering through tall grass. We enjoy lunch at a viewpoint overlooking the lake, spying on animals through binoculars and scanning the trees for elusive tree-climbing lions.

This afternoon we arrive at our comfortable accommodations for the evening in Karatu.
Bougainvillea Lodge, Karatu


DAY 8 
Tarangire National Park

This morning we drive to Tarangire National Park, and begin our game drive immediately upon arrival. Tarangire is best known for its large herds of elephants and the unique baobab trees that dot the landscape. We will also see a wide range of other animals, from the diminutive dik dik and rock hyrax to the majestic giraffe.

After spending much of the day observing the wildlife, we arrive at our home for the next two nights. Swala Camp looks east over the Gursi Swamp, which acts as a giant sponge, soaking up water in the green season and then slowly releasing it during the dry season. The Gursi Swamp is one of the few sources of permanent water in the Tarangire ecosystem other than the Tarangire River, Silale Swamp and Lormakau Swamp. Massive concentrations of wildlife migrate to these few water sources during the dry season allowing for spectacular game viewing. It is a treat to shake off the dust after a day of game viewing, and sit on the terrace overlooking the park, enjoying a cool drink before an excellent dinner. Staff rangers escort us to our platform tents in the evening, in the event that some of the local animals may have come in close for a look.
Swala Camp, Tarangire National Park

DAY 9 
Tarangire National Park

Full day game drive.

Today we continue our exploration of the vast wilderness of Tarangire. By now we each have favorite animals – for some it is the unflappable giraffe, standing with noble grace at up to 18 feet tall. For others it will be the herds of elephants, always protective of their young. Of course, for many it is the lions, confidently gazing from their sun-warmed kopjes, quietly planning what will be on the menu tonight. 

This evening we enjoy in a final celebratory dinner, toasting the wonders of Tanzania.
Swala Camp, Tarangire National Park


DAY 10 
Departure from Arusha

After breakfast we begin our return trip to Arusha, slowly returning to civilization. If you have reserved Boundless Journeys’ Zanzibar: The Spice Island trip extension, you will be met upon arrival to Arusha’s domestic airport, and assisted with checking-in for your flight to Zanzibar. If you have not reserved the trip extension, you will continue to KIA Lodge, just a few minutes from Arusha International Airport, where you will have a day-use room to rest and prepare for your evening international flight. On the way to the hotel, we will stop at an indoor market, where artisans from throughout Tanzania sell their work. This is a great place to purchase batik fabric, fine wood carvings, and even tanzanite. A transfer to the airport in time for your flight will be provided by the hotel.
KIA Lodge, Arusha (day-use), Tanzania

From $6,195 per person

2-3 Guests: $6,995 per person
4+ Guests: $6,195 per person

*Children 11 and under save $1,000 when sharing a room with two adults! Pricing is based on the suggested itinerary; if the itinerary is customized, Boundless Journeys reserves the right to adjust pricing accordingly.

• Expert leadership and services of safari camp staff
• All accommodations
• All meals
• Guaranteed window seating in safari vehicles
• Membership in Flying Doctor Society
• All activities as noted in the itinerary