"Sable Itinerary" Firelight Safaris

North and West Tanzania

12days, 11 nights 2017-18 season 

Arrival Day 1 - Thursday:

Collection from Kilimanjaro Airport by our representative and transfer by road to Rivertrees Country Inn on the outskirts of Arusha. Once a thriving coffee plantation it has now opened its doors to visitors from all corners of the world. It maintains its old-world charm and is surrounded by beautiful gardens established over many years. Set on the banks of the fast-flowing Usa river, the garden cottages are scattered along the banks under ancient indigenous trees, just a short stroll from the main areas where the thatched bar and dining room are set up al fresco.

Overnight Rivertrees Country Inn, Arusha

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Day 2 - 4 (3 nights) Friday – Sunday:

Early morning departure to Arusha airport for the scheduled flight into Serengeti where guests will be met on arrival by a new guide and 4 x 4 vehicle. Drive to Chaka Camp, game viewing along the way as you head towards the Mara River. Arrive at camp to unpack and settle in, a delicious lunch awaits. Siesta, afternoon game drive, evening showers and cocktails under the stars.

Private en suite tents with a shaded verandah overlooking the Serengeti will be home for 4 days. Early morning tea or coffee is brought to the tent on request each morning before the start of each day.
Each day will be a new experience. Experienced guides know where the best places are to follow and watch the game. Choose between buffet lunch on the savannah or a delicious lunch in camp. Ice cold drinks are served as the guide stops each evening to let you watch the sun sink below the horizon, the final glow of another incredible day on the Serengeti Plains. Evenings around the fire are followed by a sumptuous dinner and fine wines.

From late May through October, Chaka Camp is located in Northern Serengeti. The camp is close to the Mara River, allowing easy access to several river crossing points in the area. During this time of year, the wildebeest migration is crossing the Mara River back and forth from Tanzania to Kenya. River crossings are common with crocodiles, hippos and large cats scattered throughout the area. Spot herds of wildebeest and plains game as far as the eye can see. Huge herds of zebra following the great migration. 

Maybe choose to do a balloon trip over the Serengeti one morning, followed by a champagne breakfast on the banks of the Mara River. (at extra cost)

Overnight Chaka Camp Serengeti (3 nights)

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Day 5 - 7 (3 nights) Monday – Wednesday:

Your scheduled flight will be waiting to take you from Serengeti to Katavi, where you will be collected from the airport by an experienced driver guide and 4 x 4 safari vehicle and transferred to Katavi wildlife camp on the edge of the Chada plains.

Katavi is the fourth largest park in Tanzania. Little visited and remote, it is a haven for animals. Thick bush and open grassy plains, a diverse and unique park. Famous for its hippos and crocodiles as they lie in the marshy swamps or along the many river banks Katavi is known for. Western Tanzania is unspoilt and ready to be discovered.

3 wonderful nights in Katavi Wildlife camp, which has views as far as the eye can see, animals lazing in the sun or drinking at the water holes. Spend a full day in the bush with lunch and cold drinks, or lunch in camp, depending on the order of the day. Evenings restfully spent around a roaring fire, followed by dinner and bed in a luxury en suite tent. Rarely visited by tourists, Katavi National Park is a fantastic haven for spotting animals whilst alone and undisturbed.

Overnight Katavi Wildlife Camp (3 nights)

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Days 8 to 11 (4 nights) Thursday – Sunday:

Early morning breakfast and a leisurely three hour drive to Kipili and to Lupita island and your grand finale to your wonderful African experience.              

Transfer by boat to the Island only 10 minutes away. Relaxation and plenty of activities await you.

Lupita Island rises up out of the pristine sapphire waters of historic Lake Tanganyika in the remote southwestern region of Tanzania. The island is prehistorically lush, extraordinarily private. On our 110 acres of privacy you feel free to rediscover yourselves.

Laze by the pool and order your favourite cocktail with a good book from our library. Visit the spa, have a private massage with your partner in our spa with a view.

Snorkel, swim or take out a kayak alone or with our water guide, into the pristine waters. Join us on one of our boats for sundowners and observe the most spectacular sunsets. Swim in a mile of water, still one of the cleanest lakes in the world.

Each breath-taking villa is one of just 10 sumptuous open air suites perched high on the hillside, delivering peace and ultra comfort. Meditate by the stream that runs through your suite or wade into your personal plunge pool.

Enjoy water-sports, swimming or a village visit, visit an old derelict monastery on the mainland full of history, work out in the gym, a game of pool, relaxing on our own private beach with an ice cold drink from our “Beach Shack” bar on the water’s edge. All are a preface to fine dining and blissful evenings under the stars in our boma around the fire, or in the dhow bar sipping your favourite cocktail. Join us for a fun filled afternoon on a deserted beach with a sumtious cold buffet, ice cold drinks and delicious wines. Beach games and snorkeling around the fascinating rocks found just below the surface, crowded with beautiful colourful fish; many only exclusively found around our island.

Climb among groups of huge boulders, or walk down to our beach for a swim and a refreshing drink at our beach bar. Skip stones from the sand. Let your guide escort you on a wonderful invigorating kayak or snorkelling excursion around the island and beyond. 

Lupita island is an experience that will stay with you forever... rustic luxury and unadulterated pleasure.

Overnight Lupita Island Resort (4 nights)

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Day 12 Monday:

Scheduled Flight from Lupita to Dar es Salaam and your onward journey.

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Price: from US$ 9500 Gross (High Season) per person sharing a double or twin room/tent

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Peak season is June – October and January to mid March in northern Tanzania
And July-Oct and 21 Dec to 10 Jan in southern Tanzania
Prices may vary by season – please enquire

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Includes:

• Full board accommodation at all properties stated

• All park and concession fees.

• Services of a driver guide and 4 x 4 safari vehicle

• Daily laundry services

• Flights and Transfers as per itinerary, by air and road

• Meet and greet at all destinations

• Plus on Lupita. Non-motorised water sports. Fully catered beach buffet, sundowner cruise with snacks and cocktails. Standard alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Fully equipped gym and games room. Return Airstrip transfers. Packed Lunch on day of departure. Includes all land transfers.  

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Excludes:

• Balloon ride (Extra $550 pp)

• Alcoholic beverages at all destinations except Lupita

• Spa treatments, boutique wines and spirits on Lupita

• Hotels before or after itineraries.

• Any extras requested in all destinations not mentioned on itinerary.

• International Flights

• Medical Evacuation, Travel Insurance, we advise you to take out fully comprehensive travel insurance

• Visas, there is an additional visa cost of US$ 50 (EU and UK) or US$100 (USA) per person which is payable on arrival in Tanzania.

• Tips, we recommend $12 to $20 USD per guest per day in camps, off course depending on the quality of the service you receive

• Items of a personal nature

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Terms and Conditions:

 

Children

Please ask for child rates

 

Bookings & cancellations:

·       30% deposit required for confirmation of all bookings

·       Balance to be paid 60 days or more prior to arrival.

·       60 days or more notice: forfeit deposit only

·       Less than 60 days’ notice: forfeit deposit + 30%

·       Less than 30 days’ notice: forfeit deposit + 100%

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PLEASE NOTE ALL RATES AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. This would only be due to a change in government taxes or flight price fluctuations which would be beyond our control.

If the properties in the itinerary are not available at time of booking, we may change to items of a similar quality and standard, with suitable adjustment in cost.