10 Days Ruaha + Seaside Expedition

Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and assisted transfer to Arusha Coffee Lodge.

The aptly named Arusha Coffee Lodge lies hidden amongst the sprawling grounds of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantation, set below the rugged peaks of Mt Meru. Guests can unwind in one of the lodge’s exclusive Plantation Suites, which each boast a romantic four-poster bed draped in Egyptian cotton linen, a split-level sitting area, ensuite bathroom, an open fireplace, a personal bar and a private veranda that looks out onto rows and rows of berry-laden coffee bushes.

Guests can enjoy scrumptious meals in the Coffee Lodge lounge or sip on their favourite drinks in the bar area. A boutique store, swimming pool and garden terrace add to guest delight. Other adventures include a tour of the Shanga social enterprise as well as visits to the Museum of Natural History, the Maasai market on Faya Road and the Tanzanite Experience. A game drive in Arusha National Park, accompanied by a delicious picnic lunch, makes for a wonderful outing.

Beneath the soaring peaks of Mount Meru, Arusha’s lush forest-green landscapes and golden plateaus unroll towards the horizon in all directions. A wilderness paradise rich with vegetation, idyllic environments, flourishing ecosystems, and breathtaking landscapes, Arusha is arguably Tanzania’s safari capital.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your safari guide and transfer to the airstrip for your schedule flight to Ruaha National Park. Upon arrival you will check in at the luxurious Kwihala Camp - An intimate and luxurious frontier-style camp set amidst spectacular, game-rich scenery.

Set deep in the bush, on a hillside with magnificent views of the Ruaha National Park, Kwihala Camp offers stylish luxury in an area known for its remarkable concentration of wildlife. This elegant and intimate camp offers just six Art Deco-style canvas tents, furnished in a simple yet sophisticated safari style, with comfortable ensuite bathrooms, flushing toilets and safari bucket showers. Large gauze-screened windows allow the beauty of the surroundings to take centre stage, and shaded private verandas provide the perfect spot to watch the game passing through the camp.

Exceptionally guided game drives, walking safaris and night drives offer guests the perfect opportunity to spot lion, leopard, cheetah, kudu, elephant, impala, giraffe, antelope and over 500 bird species. After a day of unforgettable game viewing, guests can gather in the tented lounge and al fresco dining area to talk about their adventures, and enjoy delicious gourmet food, accompanied by the crackle of the campfire and the stirring night sounds of the African bush.

Ruaha is East Africa’s biggest national park, a gateway to Tanzania’s safari, entering the gates of the reserve, dense grasslands and rolling bushveld will seduce you, while images of East Africa’s indigenous wildlife will stretch towards the horizon. Ruaha is one of the least busy places to visit in Tanzania, so safaris here feel remote and exclusive. In the dry season, visitors can expect to see golden savannah studded with baobabs and misty hills stretching along the horizon. With the annual rains, the grasslands become a lush green and the baobabs bloom. Waterbuck, impala and gazelle come to the river to drink and predators are never far behind. You may spot lion or leopard prowling watchfully along the banks, or cheetah lying in wait on the plains, while skulking jackal and hyena are on the lookout for an opportunity to catch their next meal.

Ruaha National Park is renowned for its excellent wildlife-sighting opportunities. Combined with the low numbers of visitors, this makes it a spectacular destination. The wider Ruaha area hosts 10% of the world’s lion population and has been a Lion Conservation Unit since 2005. It’s not uncommon to find prides of more than 20 lion in the park. Leopard stalk the thicker woodland areas, while cheetah can be found scanning the plains for prey. The wild dog is endangered, but Ruaha is home to almost 100 of them. There are healthy populations of hyena and black-backed jackal too.

Elephant are seen in high densities during the dry season, when they gather around the dry riverbed to dig for water with their trunks and front feet. The park is also home to plentiful buffalo, zebra, giraffe, greater and lesser kudu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, waterbuck, bushbuck, and impala. There are more than 570 species of birds, including the eponymous Ruaha red-billed hornbill. Migrant birds from Europe, Asia, Australia and Madagascar arrive during the rainy season between February and April.

After a quick early morning game drive and a sumptous breakfast, today you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your schedule flight to Zanzibar Island. You will be assisted to transfer to Matemwe Beach House - This traditional three-room residence is the perfect escape for families or groups looking for a private slice of Zanzibar’s beautiful coastline. The warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean are on your doorstep, which means snorkelling, kayaking, boat trips and diving excursions are easy to arrange – although you may find lazy days relaxing in the private swimming pool and soaking up the tranquil surroundings equally appealing. A team of staff – including a private chef and butler – is dedicated to looking after your every need, so you have the freedom to relax completely.

Secluded Matemwe Beach on the northeastern coast of Zanzibar Island is perfectly situated opposite the spectacular diving and snorkelling reefs of the Mnemba Atoll and surrounded by some of the best beaches in Zanzibar. Privacy and exclusivity are paramount at Matemwe, where the beach is still one of the quieter and more exclusive locations on the island.

Matemwe Beach House is situated slightly south of Matemwe Lodge, right on the beachfront. A short walk across the beach provides access to the lodge and all its facilities, including the spa and open-air restaurant. A 30-minute boat ride away is Mnemba Island and the world-renowned coral reef that provides some of the most spectacular diving and snorkelling in the world.

The sunrise over Matemwe will dance off the glassy sea, and you will catch the chorus of waves crashing against the shore from your suite as you wake up to view the scenes. The wind will blow against the palm trees, and the fresh sea breeze will fill your lungs as you gaze upon Zanzibar’s picturesque coastline. Heading down to the restaurant for breakfast, you will think back to the moment you arrived in East Africa and first admired the continent’s immaculate scenery. After breakfast, you will grab your things and transfer to the airport to board your flight home