Dik Dik Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Dik Dik 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.
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.
Kilimanjaro to Tarangire by light aircraft & 4WD
It's a short walk to the domestic terminal, where you'll board your light aircraft for the 35-minute flight to Tarangire; look out for elephants as you descend over the plains. On arrival, enjoy a game drive to Lemala Mpingo Ridge, taking around 45 minutes depending on wildlife spotted en route.
Lemala Mpingo Ridge
High upon a ridge above the Tarangire valley, Lemala Mpingo Ridge offers peace, comfort and excellent service. The lofty location of Lemala Mpingo Ridge means a commanding view over Tarangire National Park. Cooling breezes blow up from the savannah by day whilst the haunting call of the hyena echoes out at night.
High upon a ridge above the Tarangire valley, Lemala Mpingo Ridge offers peace, comfort and excellent service. The lofty location of Lemala Mpingo Ridge means a commanding view over Tarangire National Park. Cooling breezes blow up from the savannah by day whilst the haunting call of the hyena echoes out at night.
One of the few lodges where space, comfort, attention to detail and delicious fare combines to tear you away from Tarangire’s rich wildlife to just savour the experience. Float at the edge of the infinity pool and survey the scene below, linger over a delicious meal, luxuriate in the bath on your private deck, curl up with a holiday read on your sunken sofa or work out the knots with a massage in the spa atop a rocky outcrop – all good reasons to stay an extra day!
"Superb views looking out from the tented lodges"
Mr & Mrs SfromPeyia,Arrived 10 Jul 2023, 2 nights
15 expansive tented suites laid out on either side of the ridge face sunrise or sunset. A modern safari style offers understated luxury and gently billowing curtains enclose large beds. Maximising natural light and air flow, the main building offers a variety of seating areas. Take an expertly mixed cocktail, select your spot and relax as the sun sets behind you, throwing a glow over the valley below. See our full report on Lemala Mpingo Ridge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Night drive
Tarangire to Ngorongoro by 4WD & light aircraft
Typically it's a relaxed game drive to Kuro Airstrip for the 20-minute flight over Lake Manyara. On arrival, on the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment, travel through rural Tanzania to Lemala Ngorongoro, on the rim of the crater, arriving after about 90 minutes. When flights are not possible, the journey will be a 3–4-hour drive.
Lemala Ngorongoro
Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the quiet, eastern side of the crater rim, a short drive past the Lemala Gate. Set in a grove of red-thorn acacia trees, the camp has more of a bush feel than many camps in this area of Tanzania, with plenty of birdlife and frequent visits by buffalo and elephant at night. Although Lemala doesn't have direct views over the crater, it does have views – mist and clouds permitting – through the forests in the opposite direction.
Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the quiet, eastern side of the crater rim, a short drive past the Lemala Gate. Set in a grove of red-thorn acacia trees, the camp has more of a bush feel than many camps in this area of Tanzania, with plenty of birdlife and frequent visits by buffalo and elephant at night. Although Lemala doesn't have direct views over the crater, it does have views – mist and clouds permitting – through the forests in the opposite direction.
"The crater was beautiful and we saw a lot of animals. "
KrisfromArizonaArrived 22 Oct 2023, 2 nights
Lemala Ngorongoro has very easy access to the crater floor; it's close to the 'Sopa' descent road on the eastern side of the crater and is actually inside the park gate. This makes it very convenient for getting into the crater as early as possible. While it lacks views of the crater floor, it’s a good spot to go walking amongst the forests and the hills of the crater rim, or to visit a Maasai village. See our full report on Lemala Ngorongoro
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Ngorongoro to the Serengeti by 4WD & light aircraft
After a 90-minute 4WD transfer, leave the Rift Valley behind as your light aircraft soars across the escarpment and north-west to the Serengeti. Watch out for wildlife during the 60–90-minute flight (depending on stops). A guide from Lemala will meet you for the leisurely 1½-hour game drive to camp.
Lemala Nanyukie
Lemala’s latest offering, Lemala Nanyukie, opened in 2018. The camp is located in the central Serengeti, just outside of the busy Seronera area. The region is known for its high numbers of big cats and is typically home to the wildebeest migration between November and January.
Lemala’s latest offering, Lemala Nanyukie, opened in 2018. The camp is located in the central Serengeti, just outside of the busy Seronera area. The region is known for its high numbers of big cats and is typically home to the wildebeest migration between November and January.
"This camp was the jewel in our trip, I cannot rate this highly enough"
Mr & Mrs SfromE SussexArrived 10 Feb 2022, 2 nights
Based on our experience of Lemala’s other high end camp, we have high expectations for Lemala Nanyukie. The camp seems to be stylish and well run, with a high-end finish. We believe it's in one of the better central Serengeti locations, in terms of the wildlife and relative number of other visitors. Please ask your Expert Africa specialist for the latest on this new camp. See our full report on Lemala Nanyukie
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Serengeti to Zanzibar by light aircraft & road
After a final game drive to the airstrip, hop on board a flight south-east to Zanzibar, either direct (1½ hours) or via Arusha (2½ hours). From the airport, it's a 60–90-minute drive to Qambani on the east coast, passing through villages and the Jozani Forest; watch out for monkeys.
Qambani
Qambani is a luxurious property on the tip of Zanzibar’s beautiful Michamvi Peninsula. Set on a low cliff above a white sandy beach, it has 270m of seafront and stunning ocean views. Originally built as a family home, it has now opened its doors to the public and offers high quality accommodation with a very personalised service.
Qambani is a luxurious property on the tip of Zanzibar’s beautiful Michamvi Peninsula. Set on a low cliff above a white sandy beach, it has 270m of seafront and stunning ocean views. Originally built as a family home, it has now opened its doors to the public and offers high quality accommodation with a very personalised service.
"Very enjoyable stay at Qambani"
J+GfromPortstewartArrived 9 Dec 2023, 6 nights
Qambani provides a fresh, modern beach retreat with plenty of style and character. The luxurious villas are very spacious and provide plenty of privacy, while attentive staff gives the property a welcoming, homely atmosphere. See our full report on Qambani
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam by road & air
Leaving Qambani and the Michamvi Peninsula, enjoy the 60–90-minute drive back across the interior of the "spice island" to the airport. You may have time for an excursion en route before checking in for your scheduled flight, which touches down at Dar es Salaam after about half an hour.
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.
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
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
Jozani Forest Tour
Half-day or combine with other tours
For nature lovers, Jozani Forest is a must. One of the last sanctuaries of the red colobus monkey, it features a diverse range of habitats, from mangrove forests to salt marshes. Keep your eyes peeled for other forest residents, including Sykes’ monkey, bushbabies, duikers and more than 40 species of bird.
More about Jozani Forest
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
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
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
Safari in Ngorongoro Crater
Typically a full day
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…
More about Ngorongoro Crater 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
Jambiani Village Tour
Half-day - mornings
Tear yourself away from the soft white sands of Zanzibar to get under the skin of the history and culture of Jambiani village. Join a knowledgeable local guide to discover the intricacies of day-to-day life in this traditional coastal village, with much of the profits being ploughed back into the community.
More about Village Tour
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
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