or call us on 1800 804 006
Tanzania is perhaps the most beautiful country in Africa and this tour will show you the best this country has to offer and will leave you with memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. Follow the Great Migration on the ethereal planes of the majestic Serengeti, watch lions roam on the prehistoric Ngorongoro crater, relax by the mountain lakes of the Great Rift Valley and dance with Maasai warriors.
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Kilimanjaro international airport, via Nairobi.
On arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel just outside Arusha. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to settle in and relax.
Following breakfast, you will depart your hotel for your first taste of African safari in the beautiful Tarangire National Park. Open the roof of your jeep to view wild elephants marching across meandering rivers set against a background of grassy savannahs interspersed with the iconic Baobab tree, Africa's 'Tree of Life'. As well as reputedly home to the largest elephant population in the world, Tarangire is also thought to be Tanzania's premier bird watching destination. Following your game drive leave the park for your stylish accommodation on the shores of Lake Burunge.
Leave Tarangire and make your way up into highlands of the Great Rift valley for a relaxing stay overnight. Stop en route at the Mto Wa Mbu Village, where approximately 120 tribes reside. On arrival at your hotel spend the rest of your day relaxing by the pool or exploring the spectacular surroundings.
This morning you will drive into Ngorongoro National Park. This exhilarating journey climbs up to the rim of the crater into mist-shrouded mountain forests over 2300 metres above sea level and then down into the semi-arid planes of the park. You will then have an opportunity to visit a traditional Maasai village. Sit on cowhide beds inside a thatched hut as the village chief's son explains in English the way of life, history and proud traditions of his people as well as showing you around the Kraal - a truly amazing experience and a great privilege. After stopping for lunch then continue on to Africa's best and most famous wildlife reserve, the awe-inspiring Serengeti National Park. Enjoy an afternoon safari at one of the greatest wildlife-watching destinations on earth. Afterwards, arrive at your lodge for an unforgettable two-night stay in the heart of the wild Africa.
The Serengeti - meaning 'endless plains' in Maasai - stretches over 1.5 million hectares and is home to the annual Great Migration, in which over two million antelope travel north up to the Maasai Mara, following the ancient rhythms of the African seasons. This really is one of the greatest shows on earth. The Serengeti is also renowned for its predators, especially lions. Watch these majestic creatures in their natural habitat alongside leopards, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, giraffe, zebras, buffalo and much more against the spectacular backdrop of rolling grasslands dotted with flat-top acacia trees and rocky outcrops. Today's full day safari is a highlight of the tour and a once in a lifetime experience.
Today you will leave the Serengeti and travel to the Ngorongoro Crater. Over three million years old, this ancient crater is the largest caldera - collapsed volcano - in the world and home to the highest density of lions and predators on the planet. Endangered black rhino are protected within the crater, hippos cool themselves in the soda lakes whilst giant-tusked elephants roam the grasslands and leopards recline on acacia trees in the enchanting Lerai forest. A truly magical day of safari awaits. Afterwards, ascend the ridge to spend your last night up in the mountains.
This morning will be at leisure before departing for your overnight stay in Kilimanjaro at the Kia Lodge.
Depart early this morning for your return flight to the UK.
British citizens currently need a tourist visa to enter Tanzania. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. The cost of the visa is approximately £80 per person. The visa takes around 15 working days to issue. It is only valid for a 90 day single entry stay from the date of arrival. When calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of any changes to the fees or the procedure, they will also advise you of all information they will require in order to apply for the visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you are due to leave Tanzania. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of €300pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus one item of hand luggage not exceeding 25cm x 35cm x 56cm in size. You are also allowed one 'accessory' piece of luggage to take on board such as a handbag or camera back. Both carry on pieces should not exceed in weight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documents. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay an additional fee for this at check-in. Heathrow Airport advises that you should arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to your flight time for international departures.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot and includes some hiking, climbing of stairs and getting on and off 4X4 vehicles. Many of the roads in Tanzania are unpaved and so journeys can sometimes be long and bumpy. Please note that this tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 6, and the maximum will be 30. If in the unlikely event there are less than 6 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
In Tanzania, guests will be met by drivers who are fully trained as driver guides with a wide knowledge of each destination.
The currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh). You should be able to buy currency before you leave the UK or whilst away, however, US Dollars are also widely accepted. There will be access to ATMs in most major cities where you will be able to withdraw money in the local currency.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. We recommend you take a minimum of GBP £200 per person. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in either the local currency or US Dollars for tipping or small purchases.
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Dates | |||
| 08 May 2023 | 19 May 2023 | SOLD OUT | |
| 05 Jun 2023 | 16 Jun 2023 | €3807.00 | |
| 18 Sep 2023 | 29 Sep 2023 | SOLD OUT | |
| 23 Oct 2023 | 03 Nov 2023 | €3807.00 | |
| 13 Nov 2023 | 24 Nov 2023 | €3359.00 | |
| 2024 Dates | |||
| 19 Feb 2024 | 27 Feb 2024 | €3919.00 | |
| 22 Apr 2024 | 30 Apr 2024 | €3247.00 | |
| 06 May 2024 | 14 May 2024 | €3135.00 | |
| 03 Jun 2024 | 11 Jun 2024 | €4143.00 | |
| 10 Jun 2024 | 18 Jun 2024 | €4143.00 | |
| 16 Sep 2024 | 24 Sep 2024 | €4031.00 | |
| 21 Oct 2024 | 29 Oct 2024 | €4031.00 | |
| 11 Nov 2024 | 19 Nov 2024 | €3471.00 | |
The Government of Tanzania wishing to make an official note to travellers planning to visit Tanzania from 1st June 2019. All plastic carrier bags, regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in Mainland Tanzania. However, plastic or plastic packaging for medical services, industrial services, industrial products, construction industry, agricultural sector, foodstuff, sanitary and waste management are not prohibited. Visitors to Tanzania are advised to avoid carrying plastic carrier bags or packing plastic carrier bags in their suitcase or hand luggage before embarking on visit to Tanzania. Special desk will be designated at all entry points for surrender of plastic carrier bags that visitors may be bringing into Tanzania. Plastics carrier items known as "Ziploc" bags that are specifically used to carry toiletries will be permitted as they are expected to remain in the permanent possession of visitors and are not expected to be disposed of in the country.
Unfortunately, we do not have any places with no single supplements on this tour. However, if you are happy to share with another passenger of the same gender, then let us know at the time of booking and we will endeavour to find you a travelling partner. Alternatively, please ask about our single supplement prices in order to book your own room.
If the group departure dates are not suitable for you and you would prefer a more personal and flexible experience then you can choose to book a private guide for your tour at a reasonable supplement.
Please note the hotels given are a guidelines only and may change. If the hotels detailed are not available, alternatives will be used of a similar standard. Please refer to your final documentation for confirmation of your hotels. You will receive this between 7-10 days before departure.
Tanzanian Shilling
11 hours
13 °C / 24 °C
Swahili
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Kibo Palace was very good although we didn't have a meal after travelling.
Maramboi was excellent - accommodation and food was very good
Ngorongoro Farm House was very good - meal was good
Mbalageti Serengeti - location was excellent, food was adequate but not great, also not enough food at times for everyone, desserts poor. Lighting in rooms very low and power went out during the night.
Plantation Lodge - excellent - food fantastic
Kia Lodge - nice place but rooms and linens could do with upgrading - meal was awful
We stayed at 6 hotels.
Maramboi tented camp was excellent.
Mbalageti serengeti was wonderful.
Great trip.
Nice size group of 9 the driver and guide were excellent, hotels were fab.
No contact with rep in Zauzibar and also a bit confusing at the airport due to Mercury rep.
No comments
No comments
Kia was on eye opener. Accommodation was not very good.
Please see comments sent to African Eagle Tours, below. The pleasure of the trip was slightly diminished by two ladies, who constantly complained and joked about some of their companions. I would hate for there to be any comeback on the guides who were first class.
We have recently returned from a safari tour with Mercury Holidays reference 1437843.
The two tour guides Jacob and William were excellent and I cant praise them enough.
Towards the end of the tour some of the guests were complaining that an afternoon tour had been cancelled. However that day Jacob had explained that we could go no further in the planned direction as the river was flooded. He did offer to take us back along the route we would be travelling the following morning, but everyone agreed to spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge.
In fact Jacob also offered to provide a sunset tour which only one person wished to do and later declined.
Please pass this e-mail on to Jacob with our thanks for an unforgettable experience.
Please feel free to contact me on 07834 275118
Gary & Julie Derraven
All very good and staff wonderful and motivated.
There was some confusion over final night at Kia Lodge hotel if dinner was included, between the group we were traveling with. In the end the hotel agreed no charge.
African Tulip-Arusha:
EXCELLENT
Maramboi Tented Camp-Lake Manyara:
EXCELLENT
Ngorongoro Farm House-Karatu:
VERY GOOD
Mbalagetti Serengetti-Serengetti:
VERY GOOD
Kitela Lodge-Karatu:
EXCELLENT
Kia Lodge-Kilamanjaro:
ADEQUATE FOR OVERNIGHT STAY NEXT TO AIRPORT
5* treatment everywhere
The week on safari could not have been better. It was our best holiday yet. This was due in large part to Zablon our guide who found so much wildlife fir us. The lodges overall were very good. The Blue Bay hotel was excellent and the staff so friendly and helpful.
Fantastic safari holiday and the highlight was the Elephant chasing after our 4x4 jeep and to see a Fully grown Leopard walking across our path.
We have just returned from the most amazing holiday on safari to Tanzania. Our guide Zablon was amazing. There is nothing we could fault on this holiday. Even the weather although the tail end of the wet season was perfect. We did fill in a questionnaire before we left. Our stay in Zanzibar while at a lovely hotel, The Sultan Sands, where the staff could not do enough for us. We were met at the airport and transferred. Arranging to meet the rep the following day. Unfortunately all the information was in French and he seemed very surprised that we did not speak French in England. We arranged a taxi through the hotel to take us out. While none of this spoilt our holiday in any way, we have travelled with you many times and thought this was not up to your usual standard.
I was absolutely thrilled with the holiday. It was a dream come true and far better than I had dared to hope. Everything in Tanzania was wonderful, all the hotels were superb, the food was fantastic (and I am a fussy vegetarian), the organisation marvellous and the guides truly lovely – helpful, informative, nothing too much trouble and great fun. Tanzania is a lovely country and the safari ‘parks’ utterly unbelievable both in the amazing amount of wildlife and the glorious vistas which the best camera in the world would have difficulty in photographing. The standard of the hotels was truly astonishing, the food and service excellent and overall made the holiday – especially as a single traveller – amazing value for money. The overall holiday was wonderful and my thanks to absolutely everybody concerned for making my dream come true. I am definitely thinking of doing Costa Rica next year.
Dotted with small fishing villages, deserted islands and home to historic Stone town, the Zanzibar archipelago evokes tales of myth and romance filled with Swahili princes, Omani Sultans and Shirazi merchants - the paradisal 'Spice Islands' offer the perfect relaxing end to your adventure.
View Tour + Extension
Dotted with small fishing villages, deserted islands and home to historic Stone town, the Zanzibar archipelago evokes tales of myth and romance filled with Swahili princes, Omani Sultans and Shirazi merchants - the paradisal 'Spice Islands' offer the perfect relaxing end to your Tanzanian adventure. Please speak to our reservation team for further details.
View Tour + Extension
