Arusha National Park encompasses the wilderness savannah, swamplands and lakes surrounding Mt. Meru, a 4,562m dormant volcano just north-east of Arusha town in northenTanzania. Her stunning and varied landscapes include the Meru Crater, Ngurdoto Crater and the beautiful Momella Lakes as well as a rich variety of wildlife from giraffe, buffalo, zebra, warthog, hippo, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, elephants and the elusive Leopard as well as over 400 species of birds including aquatics like flamingo and forest types. Formed milions of years ago, latter eruptions blasted off Mt. Meru's cone into a rugged east leaning caldera ringed by steep and sheer cliffs that now form her peaks as well as several cones and other calderas the most magnificent of which is the Ngurdotto Crater; a 3.6 km wide crater ringed by beautiful forest vegetable whose walls drop 100m down to a swampy floor. Activies in the park include game viewing drives, hiking to the Meru Crater and Ngurdotto Crater, Canoeing on the small Momella Lake with sightings of hippo and water-birds as well as mountain climbing to the summit of Mt. Meru, Africa’s 5th highest peak;without a doubt one of East Africa’s most scenic national parks but rarely ever properly enjoyed.

Tarangire is one of Tanzania’s finest and most unique yet less crowded national parks; her 2,850km² of baobab studded granite ridges, river valleys, and swamps interspersed with acacia woodland and grassland is most famous for her gigantic baobabs and towering elephants as well as arguably the largest buffalo herds found anywhere in East Africa. Every year in the dry season, thousands of wild animals, especially elephants, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest congregate on the banks of the Tarangire River, the then only remaining source of water, causing a mini migration of elephants. But the park is also home to lions, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, giraffes, Dikdiks, Grants Gazelles, Thompsons Gazelles, Impala, Eland, warthogs, monkeys, baboons, waterbucks, kudu as well as over 550 species of birds including the ostrich. At barely 135kms/2½hrs from Arusha, it is also one of the most accessible parks in Tanzania beckoning a visit all year round; scheduled as well as charter flights are also available.

The small but very beautiful Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s popular northern safari circuit parks and popular as the original home of the tree climbing lions and for the thousands of greater and lesser flamingos which feed on the shallow lake’s algae. Situated 125km/1½hrs drive south west of Arusha between the golden Rift Valley escarpment and the shimmering alkaline (soda) Lake Manyara, her 330km² of semi-arid land, forested grounds, acacia woodland and grass plains are home to many species of mammals including the earliest known tree climbing lions, elephants, herds of buffalo, giraffes, zebra, antelopes like dik-dik, wildebeest, gazelles, cheetahs, impala, incredibly large troops of baboons, bushbucks, water bucks, schools if hippopotami on the lakes edge, leopard and many more. Her prolific birdlife of over 400 species of birds includes ostriches, flamingos, pelicans and other water birds.Activities in and on the edge of this under-rated gem include regular game viewing drives, canoeing, night game drives, mountain biking as well as fantastic nature walking and hiking trails accompanied by a Naturalist/Guide or Maasai Moran. Visitors also enjoy the opportunity to step out of the vehicle on the shores of the lake and at the hot water geysers. It is also one of the closest and most accessible parks and definitely a popular night stop en-route to and fro between Arusha and Serengeti.

Ngorongoro Crater, the most dominant feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania, is reminiscent of a modern day garden of Eden or a real life Disneyland of surprising features, creatures and stunning beauty. Part of the famous ‘northern-circuit’ parks, her 21km wide by 610m deep crater formed millions of years ago from the collapse of what was supposedly a volcanic mountain almost as tall as Kilimanjaro, is considered the world's largest intact and un-flooded caldera and one of the 7 natural wonders of Africa. Within her 259km² crater floor are found numerous species of wild mammals from lions, rhinos, elephants, hyenas, topi, wildebeest, hyenas, leopard (elusive), wild dogs and hippos (no less than 25,000 individuals in all) as well as many species of birds including the pink flamingoes.A wide array of activities from game viewing drives on the crater floor (only allowed using a 4WD vehicle), visits to a Maasai manyatta or a bush walk in the company of Maasai morans, hiking on the Olmoti or Empakai craters, or trips to the Olduvai Gorge pre-historic site can be organized. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most popular attractions in Tanzania and the easiest place to see rhino in East Africa. Every year between December and March, Ngorongoro western slopes called Ndutu and adjoining the Serengeti are scene of one of the most magnificent wildlife spectacles on earth, the Great wildebeest Migration when over two million wildebeest congregate here on their annual birthing ritual accompanied by thousands of zebra and opportunistic predators; magical.

The proverbial, kopje studded endless plains of Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania, 14,763km² are the world’s largest wildlife protected area. They are especially famous for her large prides of lion as well as cheetahs, hyenas, zebra, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, schools of hippos and crocodiles in several rivers and many different species of antelopes including gazelles, gnus, topi and elands. Every year between December and June, they are also scene of the phenomenal Annual Wildebeest Migration, when over two million wildebeest and over two hundred thousand Zebra as well as many other grazers and opportunistic predators make their annual sojourn from Ngorongoro’s southern Ndutu plains through the Serengeti to Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of food. It is a magical time not to be missed. But the Serengeti is an all year destination and any time home to thousands of wild mammals attracting many tourists to her plains teeming with wild animals. Activities in the park include morning and afternoon game viewing drives, early morning drives in search of the nocturnal animals, all day game drives with picnics in the middle of ‘nowhere’ and hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti plains.

The 1700km² Lake Natron West Game Controlled Area in northern Tanzania, stretching from Engaruka in the south to the Kenyan border in the North is surrounded by wide open Maasai plains and 7 small but very impressive volcanic craters; it is close to the recently active Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, the Rift Valley escarpment, Kitumbeine, Gelai and Kerimasi Mountains in the distance, as well as the Empakai crater which forms part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Remote, wild and romantic with amazing sun rises and sunsets in the midst of such a varied topography; lakes, hills, mountains, rivers, valleys and beautiful water-falls in some of really, the most beautiful Maasai savannah wilderness, this area is totally photogenic - an Africa that has not changed any bit for hundreds of years.. Wildlife too, although it can be seasonal (the best time is in the green season), is plentiful with lots of zebra, giraffe, gazelles, eland, baboons, ostrich, hyena, the occasional cheetah as well as a mini wildebeest migration that moves up from the south and stays around Lengai camp from January to June. But her biggest attraction remains the alkaline Lake Natron that is the regular breeding grounds for over 2.5m lesser flamingos from all over East Africa.

Ruaha National Park is remote, wild, off the beaten track and definitely one of Tanzania’s grandest parks. Part of the 45000km²Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem and itself the largest national park in East Africa with an area of 20,226km², it is home to fascinating landscapes, many plant species and all manner of wildlife from elephants, buffalo, hippos, fishes and crocodiles in the Ruaha, Mwagusi, Jongomero and Mzombe rivers, many species of antelopes, some rare and endangered species like wild dogs and the Greater Kudu which is not found in any other Tanzania park) as well as over 571 species of birds.

The 50,000 km² Selous Game Reserve is Africa's largest and oldest game reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Africa as well as one of its most stunning. Situated in central/southern Serengeti close to Dar es Salaam, this beautiful gem is home to incomparable nature and wildlife including the hippo and croc infested Rufiji River which is the main life blood of large herds of elephants, large prides of lion, leopard, some of Africa’s largest herds of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, many species of antelope, hyenas, African wild dogs, jackals and many other species of wild game. Activities in the park include regular game viewing drives, walking safaris, boat rodes on the Rufiji as well as camping tours.

Zanzibar is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the Tanzania coast comprising 2 major islands, Unguja (the one mostly referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba, and about 50 other smaller islands. It is popular for her long white sandy beaches, over 25 fabulous beach fronts, great weather all year round and warm Indian Ocean waters creating a ‘heaven on earth’ for romance and relaxation; the perfect holiday get away for beach and ocean enthusiasts. It is also home to a wide array of international standard tourism facilities. Stone Town, the oldest city and now the ‘capital’ is a town of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and Arab-influenced houses most of them dating back to the 19th Century, when Zanzibar was occupied by the Omani Arabs. Then, it was an important trading center in the Indian Ocean. To date, Zanzibar remains an enigma in the Indian Ocean with its long history of slave trade, war and strife, spice and coconut plantations and a predominantly Islamic culture and religion; and life continues as it always has, still governed by the ocean and its winds, little, almost not at all changed over two centuries and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Popular activities in Zanzibar include walks on the beach, swimming in the ocean, milliard water-sports, excursions to some of the satellite islands like Prison Island, Bawe and Chapwani as well as sight-seeing tours in and around stone town including the Anglican Church (built in 1874 by Bishop Steer on the site of the old slave market, the underground chambers where slaves were kept before sale at the market), Dr. David Livingstone’s house where he planned his explorations, the Zanzibar museum, the Sultan’s Palace Museum, the Ithnasheri Dispensary, Jozani Forest (home to colobus monkeys), Nungwi (the busiest dhow building centre in Zanzibar where one can see traditional dhows being built), RasNungwi (un-spoilt beach popular for relaxation, waters sports and diving), Mangapwani (for relaxation and sea food barbeque) as well as Matemwe, PwaniMchangani, Kiwengwa, Uroa, Bwejuu and Jambiani beaches.

Lake Eyasi is a shallow and seasonal endorheic salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley just south of Serengeti National Park and immediately southwest of Ngorongoro Crater. Remote and totally off the beaten track, it is home of the Hadzabe bushmen, a cultural hunter/gatherer community who have inhabited and eked a living on her shores for hundreds of years eking a living and practicing an ancient culture and customs they hold dear to this day. It is one of Tanzania’s most popular cultural tourism attractions with guests having the opportunity to spend a day with the Hadzabe as they go about their daily life; learn about their ancient culture and traditions, enjoy their enigmatic music and accompany a band on a hiking/hunting expedition with traditional bows and arrows. The lake is also a seasonal stop for migrating flamingos. The Mumba Cave, on the lake shores is a renowned archaeological site. Other communities living around the lake include the Datooga, a nomadic pastoralist community considered distant cousins of the Maasai, the Isanzu, the Sukuma and the beautiful Iraqw.

The annual wildebeest migration is a natural phenomenon where over two million wildebeest, two hundred thousand Zebra, thousands of eland and Thompson’s gazelle’s as well as opportunistic predators make a yearly sojourn from southern Serengeti in Tanzania to Maasai Mara in search of food. The trek begins when incredible herds of wildebeest gather in the southern Serengeti Ndutu area between December and March where there are nutritious and mineral rich grasses for their annual bathing ritual. Having exhausted the short grasses, they embark on a natural, instinct guided movement due northwest to reach western Serengeti/grumeti area in June then further north to enter Kenya’s Maasai Mara from mid-July where they stay until September. Depending on the rains and grasses the animals scatter and start their southerly return journey any time from mid-September to mid-October. They may be seen in the Serengeti’s Mara and Seronera area between October and November before congregating again in the southern Serengeti Ndutu area from December to March for a repeat performance. NB: it is not a strictly predictable path and minor or substantial variations may be experienced every year but not the drama; their most incredible moments remain the Mara river crossings where columns upon columns scamper into the river to satisfy this genetically controlled hibernation. Massive Nile crocodiles lie in their wait craving a feast felling many a victim, and others drown. It is a magical time to be there, one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles on earth and considered the 8th wonder of the natural world.

The 5.895m snow capped Mt. Kilimanjaro is the undisputed roof top of Africa! Situated in northern Tanzania near the border with Kenya, it is the country's and Africa's tallest mountain, and the world's second tallest free standing mountain. It is also one of the easiest major mountains to summit, with a 65% success rate, owing to her rather even gradient all the way to the top. With several different access routes to Uhuru, her highest peak, namely Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Marangu, Rongai and Umbwe, her summit can often be reached via a six to nine days hike depending on one's physical fitness and the time of year/climate. Our standard recommendation is seven or eight days with options for a regular package joining a set departure group or a luxury-class private climb with own porters, guides and extra enhancements. Each option however includes the standard necessary climbing equipment and safety gear. A climb on Mt. Kilimanjaro can be included as a stand alone experience or in conjunction with your wildlife safari to Tanzania or other East Africa destination. Summiting and standing atop Africa's tallest mountain is an exhilarating and unforgettable once in a life time experience.