Southern Tanzania & Zanzibar Escape

Arrive at Tanzania to a warm A&K welcome and transfer privately to your hotel in the city centre. Once a sleepy fishing village, Dar es Salaam has grown into a thriving tropical metropolis that maintains its low-key, down-to-earth feel.

Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro

Fly south to Ruaha, one of Tanzania’s wildest parks, where you’ll spend three nights in the sophisticated Jabali Ridge, overlooking a landscape dotted with spiky palms and bulbous baobabs. Relax in the hammock on your wooden deck and unwind with a book enjoying the view. Cool off in the infinity pool, which overlooks the vast plains, or head to the spa to smooth out any tensions with a hot-stone massage.

Jabali Ridge | Meals: BLD

Ruaha offers the biggest variety of wildlife of any park on the continent. With over 10,000 elephant, 30,000 buffalo, 20,000 zebra and huge populations of lion and leopard (not to mention more than 400 bird species), Ruaha is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. Over the next two days, explore the territory with day and night game drives and guided walks, seeking out huge herds of buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, eland, hippo, lion and leopard, as well as some of the rarer creatures, including sable, African wild dogs and roan antelope. After a day spent walking through the bush or tracking lions in a game vehicle, pause for a refreshing sundowner as the sun sets over the mighty Ruaha River.

Jabali Ridge | Meals: BLD

Following a morning game viewing activity, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your onward flight to Nyerere National Park. Larger than Switzerland, and with only a few secluded camps, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best-kept-secrets of Tanzania. Feast your eyes on the miombo woodlands, open plains, wetlands, and the might Rufiji River. Spend three nights at the stylish Roho ya Selous, where giraffes wander past your room and impala graze quietly nearby.

Roho ya Selous | Meals: BLD

Spend two days exploring the savannah on twice-daily game drives. Roho ya Selous has seven-seater, open-sided game vehicles for getting up-close to large herbivores and predators. Perhaps head out on foot with your expert guide to examine the tiniest creatures such as ants and butterflies, and learn about tracking animals using their prints.

One of the things that separates Nyerere from other major Tanzanian parks is its boating safaris. Seasonal dependant, float past crocodiles on the sandbanks and hippos in the shallows, watching elephants come down to drink and birds nesting on the islands. Combine a boat safari with a spot of fishing. The rivers hold a good population of tiger fish and various types of catfish. This evening, gather around the campfire with fellow guests to share safari tales before dinner surrounded by the sounds of the bush.

Roho ya Selous | Meals: BLD

Fly to Zanzibar International Airport, where you are met and transferred privately to your hotel. Zanzibar is famous for pristine white beaches and turquoise blue water all around the island. Framed by swaying coconut palms and bougainvillea, prepare for some R&R alongside barefoot luxury in one of the most coveted locations on the island. At the centre of the property the cliff recedes, creating a beautiful cove of white powdery beach. Guests can enjoy swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean throughout the day regardless of tides and go snorkelling straight from the beach.

Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar | Meals: BLD

Spend two days lapping up some opulent beach luxury, with your pick of activities including snorkelling, swimming, nature safaris, island tours, and more. The water is crystal-clear and the coral gardens are filled with spectacular marine life. You might also choose to cruise the waters in a kayak, walk the pristine beaches, or simply sit back and enjoy the view with a cocktail.

Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar | Meals: BLD

Zanzibar is widely known as the Spice Island. Uncover what the spices look like before they are ground or crushed, learn how they are grown and harvested, and breath the fresh and exotic aromas on a fascinating Spice Tour.

This afternoon, explore the narrow, cobbled streets of Stone Town, a World Heritage site and former capital of the main island. There are several places of interest scattered around town, not least Beit el-Ajaib (House of Wonders), a former sultan's palace. Absorb the history, culture and cuisine of this former ivory port on an expertly guided tour, then relax back at the hotel, indulging the spa, the pool, and onsite restaurants. Your evening is at leisure.

Park Hyatt Zanzibar | Meals: B

Transfer privately to the Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: B