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FROM US$16,050-US$23,210

Marabou Stork Fly-in Safari

Four luxurious camps enable exploration of Tanzania’s north and southern regions. With a range of land- and water-based activities available throughout, decidedly comfortable accommodation and applicable long-stay discounts, this adventurous safari is excellent value.

Marabou Stork Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Marabou Stork Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: Kilimanjaro International Airport

On arrival at the airport, you will be greeted by a guide with a name board after you've collected your bags.

Day 1

Kilimanjaro to Tarangire by light aircraft & 4WD

At the domestic terminal, board a light aircraft for Tarangire, and keep an eye out for wildlife as you come into land after around 40 minutes. A guide from Oliver's Camp will meet you for the hour's game drive back to camp, shadowing the eastern edge of the Silale Swamp.

Oliver's Camp
Days 1-3

Oliver's Camp

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesTarangire National Park, Tanzania

In the quiet south-east of Tarangire National Park, beside Silale and Lormakau marshes, Oliver's Camp is a lovely tented camp set on a low, sandy ridge. It is particularly good for wildlife in the height of the dry season, when the marshes attract huge herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. It originally started off as a temporary camp, but was made permanent in 2008.

Oliver's Camp

In the quiet south-east of Tarangire National Park, beside Silale and Lormakau marshes, Oliver's Camp is a lovely tented camp set on a low, sandy ridge. It is particularly good for wildlife in the height of the dry season, when the marshes attract huge herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. It originally started off as a temporary camp, but was made permanent in 2008.

"we loved the camp and had such an unforgettable experience."

Gina DaifromNYC

Arrived 6 Oct 2023, 2 nights

Oliver's is a lovely tented camp with a great location in the far south of the park. Even though it is now a permanent camp with a luxurious edge, it still retains a real bush camp feel, and has a rustic charm. The food, service and guiding here are very good and the camp offers a great wilderness experience. See our full report on Oliver's Camp

96%
60 reviews of Oliver's Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Night drive

Day 3

Tarangire to Ngorongoro by light aircraft & 4WD

Departing Oliver's, board a spectacular flight of about 20 minutes to Lake Manyara, before continuing by road. After the bustling, dusty town of Karatu you'll be driven up the Ngorongoro Crater, around the rim and on through rugged but beautiful scenery to The Highlands, arriving within some 2½ hours.

The Highlands
Days 3-6

The Highlands

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesNgorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The Highlands is located north of the Ngorongoro Crater, far from other camps in a forested area near the Olmoti Volcano. The design is unique – you won't find another camp like this anywhere else in East Africa.

The Highlands

The Highlands is located north of the Ngorongoro Crater, far from other camps in a forested area near the Olmoti Volcano. The design is unique – you won't find another camp like this anywhere else in East Africa.

"The accommodation at The Highlands was beautiful."

Mr & Mrs EfromCroydon

Arrived 21 Sep 2023, 2 nights

The big draws of The Highlands are its location – far from other camps in the area and with beautiful views – and the opportunity to do some great walks and cultural activities, all from a stunning property with good food, service and guiding. Although this not one of the closest options for the Ngorongoro Crater, the drive there is beautifully scenic. If you can cope with a chilly start to the day, and are not looking for a typical safari camp, we think The Highlands is an inspired choice. See our full report on The Highlands

91%
25 reviews of The Highlands by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 4

Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

To drive into the Ngorongoro Crater is to immerse yourself in a renowned wildlife park. Prides of lion and clans of hyena patrol amongst herds of zebra, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle, whilst flocks of crowned cranes keep out the way of jackals. Come for elephants with big tusks, too. And then there are the rhino… Read all about Ngorongoro Crater safari

Day 6

Ngorongoro to Serengeti by light aircraft & 4WD

After breakfast, leave The Highlands by 4WD, descending the Ngorongoro Crater and on to Lake Manyara Airstrip for your short flight to the Serengeti. A guide will meet you at Seronera Airstrip for the game drive to Namiri, arriving in time for lunch. Watch out for big cats en route!

Namiri Plains Camp
Days 6-8

Namiri Plains Camp

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesSerengeti Migration Area, Tanzania

Elegant, eco-friendly and with exquisite food, Namiri is one of the best places to stay in the Serengeti. Namiri has undergone a radical transformation – for anyone who knew the camp in its first life, it would seem unrecognisable. A mix of stone walls, wood and creamy-coloured canvas, the main camp and spacious rooms are sophisticated but not at all stuffy, with a new swimming pool, sauna and 'den' housing a library and gift shop. The rooms have all the mod cons you could want – mini bar, hairdryer and even Wi-Fi – yet you'll still hear lions roaring at night and buffalo chomping grass, reminding you you're still deep in the bush. And dining here is a real pleasure, with plenty of variety, imagination and flavour in every meal.

Namiri Plains Camp

Elegant, eco-friendly and with exquisite food, Namiri is one of the best places to stay in the Serengeti. Namiri has undergone a radical transformation – for anyone who knew the camp in its first life, it would seem unrecognisable. A mix of stone walls, wood and creamy-coloured canvas, the main camp and spacious rooms are sophisticated but not at all stuffy, with a new swimming pool, sauna and 'den' housing a library and gift shop. The rooms have all the mod cons you could want – mini bar, hairdryer and even Wi-Fi – yet you'll still hear lions roaring at night and buffalo chomping grass, reminding you you're still deep in the bush. And dining here is a real pleasure, with plenty of variety, imagination and flavour in every meal.

"A high level of accommodation throughout"

Mr & Mrs KfromMaidstone

Arrived 5 Mar 2024, 3 nights

The friendliness of the team and the location of course haven't changed. Still miles away from its nearest neighbour (about an hour's drive), you're far away from the madness of the Seronera region and can enjoy fabulous big cat sightings all to yourself. The guides are excellent and know all the histories of the lion and cheetah families. The rare melanistic serval that prowls the plains here is named Manja, after the Namiri guide who first spotted him. See our full report on Namiri Plains Camp

98%
43 reviews of Namiri Plains Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Hot air ballooning

Day 8

Serengeti to Ruaha by light aircraft & 4WD

Following a relaxed 1½-hour drive to Seronera Airstrip, board your light aircraft for the 2-hour flight over rural Tanzania to Msembe Airstrip. You'll then have a 1½-hour game drive to camp with your guide from Jabali, on the alert for elephants and prides of lion around the Mwagusi River.

Jabali Ridge
Days 8-11

Jabali Ridge

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesRuaha National Park, Tanzania

Jabali Ridge is an exciting new luxury addition to Ruaha National Park. It opened in September 2017, in a prime game viewing area with commanding views over the park and the Mwagusi River.

Jabali Ridge

Jabali Ridge is an exciting new luxury addition to Ruaha National Park. It opened in September 2017, in a prime game viewing area with commanding views over the park and the Mwagusi River.

"The experience far, far exceeded my expectations."

Mr & Mrs BHfromW Sussex

Arrived 24 Sep 2017, 3 nights

Jabali Ridge aims to offer one of the most luxurious stays in Ruaha National Park and is really unique and striking in its design. The guiding, food and service are befitting of a truly high-end, well-run and stylish lodge. Initially there were few cases of 'style over substance' that did somewhat detract from the overall quality of the stay. On our previous visit we did not stay, and as such can not guarantee that these problems have been completely ironed out, however we did not experience any issues with privacy and noise as previously reported. The management were aware of previous criticisms and seem to be actively addressing them to improve guest experience. Jabali is a stunning addition to Ruaha, and certainly a highly luxurious option, but we would highly suggest discussing this lodge in more detail with us to see if it will be the right fit for your stay. See our full report on Jabali Ridge

100%
4 reviews of Jabali Ridge by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Hot air ballooning

Night drive

Day 11

Ruaha to Nyerere by air & 4WD

This morning, enjoy a leisurely 45-minute drive to the airstrip before your 1½-hour flight to Nyerere National Park; you should have plenty of time to observe the changing landscape before landing. During the drive of ½–1 hour to Roho ya Selous, you may spot hippos and crocodiles on the lake shore.

Roho ya Selous
Days 11-14

Roho ya Selous

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesNyerere National Park, Tanzania

Aptly named ‘the heart of the Selous’ Roho ya Selous is both central and managed by a friendly team with a lot of heart. Roho ya Selous was designed and built with care, complementing the landscape, yet disturbing it in the most minimal way. Leafy, floral woodlands reach right up to the living spaces and animals feel comfortable browsing by tents or walking through on their way to water. Birdlife is abundant and hippos call from nearby waterways glimpsed through trees on either side of the headland the camp sits upon.

Roho ya Selous

Aptly named ‘the heart of the Selous’ Roho ya Selous is both central and managed by a friendly team with a lot of heart. Roho ya Selous was designed and built with care, complementing the landscape, yet disturbing it in the most minimal way. Leafy, floral woodlands reach right up to the living spaces and animals feel comfortable browsing by tents or walking through on their way to water. Birdlife is abundant and hippos call from nearby waterways glimpsed through trees on either side of the headland the camp sits upon.

Roho means heart or soul in Swahili and this camp is certainly located in the middle of the park's best wildlife viewing area. It was named for the Selous Game Reserve, the former name for Nyerere National Park, and despite the subsequent change Roho ya Selous has retained its original name. Game drive amongst palm trees, marshes, woodlands and along rivers, boat or try a spot of fishing on Lake Nzerakera, or learn to read the signs of the bush on a walking safari.

"Our whole experience was excellent.. we saw every animal we could imagine."

Flying DutchmenfromNL

Arrived 22 Oct 2021, 3 nights

Back at camp the team also live up to the name through their heart-felt friendly demeanour and warm welcome. They work hard to make every guests’ stay a truly memorable one. Eight stylish tents include extra attention to detail and open sided, specially designed main area canvas structures allow for 360 degree views. Varied dining locations make for magical experiences and the soft lighting of solar lamps hung in trees around the dinner table add to the romance. See our full report on Roho ya Selous

100%
10 reviews of Roho ya Selous by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Fishing

Fly-camping

Guided walking safari

Day 14

Nyerere to Dar by 4WD & air

Make the most of wildlife watching during your final half-hour game drive from Roho ya Selous to Siwandu Airstrip, skirting the edge of Lake Nzerakera. Then settle down on board your light aircraft as it heads over Nyerere National Park to Dar es Salaam, landing after about 45 minutes.

Day 14

Ends: Dar es Salaam International Airport

On arrival at the Domestic Terminal, you’ll be escorted to a shuttle for the International Terminal, taking just five minutes.

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Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Mto Wa Mbu Village Walk

Two to three hours

Discover the nuances of day-to-day life in the large Tanzanian village of Mto Wa Mbu with a knowledgeable local guide. This is not a village set up for tourists – Mto Wa Mbu is a real community and offers a chance to see a side of Tanzania that many visitors pass by.

More about Village Walk
90% (6 reviews)
Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Three hours - approx. one hour flight

As the sun rises over the Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania, climb aboard for an extraordinary adventure. For an hour you’ll float in a hot air balloon over beautiful savannah and woodland and a diversity of plains wildlife.

More about Balloon Safari
100% (17 reviews)
Empakaai Crater Hike

Empakaai Crater Hike

Half day, two - three hour walk

Spend a half day hiking through the Empakaai Crater, in the Highlands area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), led by an experienced guide and accompanied by a ranger.

More about Empakaai Crater Hike
100% (1 reviews)
Olmoti Crater walk

Olmoti Crater walk

Half day - two to three hour walk

Follow an ancient Maasai cattle trail on this private hike up the Olmoti Crater, led by an experienced guide and accompanied by an armed ranger. The crater may not compete in size with the neighbouring Ngorongoro Crater, but the birding is good, the mountain views wonderful, and the array of ferns is a botanist’s dream.

More about Olmoti Crater walk
90% (2 reviews)
Lake Manyara Safari

Lake Manyara Safari

Half-day or full-day

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park makes a great safari destination. Here, along with elephant herds and plains game, you’ll find jungle-like forests that are home to blue monkeys, a soda lake tinged pink by flamingos and some of Tanzania’s best birding.

More about Lake Manyara Safari
85% (48 reviews)
Crater Rim Walk

Crater Rim Walk

Half day - two hour walk

For some fantastic views, and the chance to see flora and fauna up close, take a walk along the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Led by an experienced safari guide and accompanied by an armed ranger, you will be able to take in the scale and beauty of the landscape from a different perspective.

More about Crater Rim Walk
100% (3 reviews)
Olduvai Gorge visit

Olduvai Gorge visit

One - two hours

See for yourself the renowned archaeological site of Olduvai (or Oldupai) Gorge, which lies en route between the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. Famed for the discoveries of early hominin remains as well as the Laetoli Footprints, the site offers beautiful views, an engaging museum and potentially the opportunity to visit an active dig.

More about Olduvai Gorge visit
93% (15 reviews)
Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

Lake Manyara Treetop Walkway

Usually one hour

Experience the forest of Lake Manyara National Park from a whole new perspective – high up in the trees. The first suspended walkway in Tanzania, it stretches underneath the canopy for 370m between the mahogany and fig trees, giving intrepid visitors a unique view of the surrounding flora and fauna.

More about Manyara Treetop Walk
75% (4 reviews)
Balloon Safari over Ruaha

Balloon Safari over Ruaha

Three hours - one hour flight

Varied and scenically stunning, Ruaha National Park features rolling hills, woodlands, open plains and two wide meandering rivers: the Ruaha and the Mwagusi. What better way to view it than from the air, at sunrise? A balloon safari offers just this, the landscape unfolding below your basket as you float almost silently above.

More about Ballooning in Ruaha

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