Regions: Tanzania,
East Africa

Vast plains of rippling golden grasses scattered with thorny, splayed acacia trees against a backdrop of far-flung hazy blue hills create the picture-perfect ‘Out of Africa’ image. Mega herds of wildebeest sweep majestically across the savannah, stately giraffes lope between them, and zebra spar energetically with each other, while prides of lion lay hidden in the long grass and crocodiles sun themselves on the bank of watering holes. Known as 'The Land that Moves on Forever', the Serengeti is Africa.

Supporting the world's greatest concentration of wildlife, this rich region also plays host to the greatest migration on earth as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra, as well as buffalo, elephant, giraffe and many gazelle and antelope species begin their annual trek across the land towards greener pastures.

December sees the arrival of millions of wildebeest to the grassy plains in what has been called ‘One of the Seven Wonders of the World’ – The Great Migration – and with the wildebeest come the predators, for a few months of easy pickings. Inspiration for Disney’s The Lion King, the Serengeti epitomises all that is Africa and will leave an enduring impression.

In a majestic display of nature’s incredible power and beauty, Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater is simply breathtaking. Formed three million years ago and spanning twenty kilometres across, the massive natural caldera encompasses one of the most beautiful and richly diverse wildlife oases on earth.

Join Africa Exclusive on a journey into this wildlife paradise where ethereal blue-green vistas greet you on arrival at the edge of the 2,400-metre-high crater rim, before descending into this utopian ‘Garden of Eden.’

Lush swamplands are created from permanent springs that bubble up from the crater floor and teem with game and birds that come to drink and bathe. Hippos wallow in the shallows of the beautiful Ngoitoktok Springs and Lake Magadi turns pink during the rainy season when thousands of flamingos descend to the lake to feed.

The deep depression forms a naturally protected environment where wildlife can prosper - black rhino roam safely within its rim, giant tusked elephant wander the thick forests and black-maned lions stalk the grasslands. Cheetah visit the crater to feed on the thousands of resident wildebeest that live here, while leopard stay hidden in the shadows of the Lerai Forest.

This untouched wilderness in northern Tanzania is a slave to the seasons, where wildlife ebbs and flows like the tides. Teeming with game in the dry season and emptying out in the wet season, Tarangire tunes into the seasonal rhythms of wild Africa like nowhere else on earth.

Clear blue cloudless skies, sun-baked dusty red earth and brittle, yellow grass create a parched oasis during the dry season. The shrivelled Tarangire River is a shadow of its former ‘wet season’ self, however it still teems with wandering nomads who have come in search of water.

Large herds of elephant search for water in the dry riverbeds, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and antelope jostle for space at the edges of shrinking lagoons. Myriad species of birds flit around the water’s edge and the usual gang of predators keep a watchful eye in the distance. Evocative baobab-studded landscapes are dotted with disused termite mounds, and lion and leopard share shady tree branches with fat pythons.

Come the short rainy season and they’re gone… scattering across the plains to pastures green in the ever-changing seasonal tune of Tarangire.

Lying at the base of the towering Rift Valley escarpment, Lake Manyara National Park is a melting pot of diverse habitats that teem with a variety of fauna and flora.

Ancient mahogany trees play host to troops of monkeys that command the canopy, while the lush rainforest floor stirs with the wary movements of smaller creatures trying to keep out of sight. Colourful forest hornbills honk their opinions loudly, and dainty bushbuck make their way through the dark, dense undergrowth of the forest.

Conversely, the vast grassy floodplains swarm with buffalo, wildebeest and zebra herds, and offer spectacular views across the lake to the jagged volcanic peaks that rise from the endless Maasai Steppes.

The shores of Lake Manyara are crowded with pink flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, and storks, while bloats of hippo snort and yawn in the shallows, while a narrow strip of dense acacia woodland is home to Manyara’s legendary tree-climbing lions and impressively tusked elephants.

Venture into this wildlife wonderland with Africa Exclusive, on a tailor-made safari adventure, to experience Kenya as never before.

Vast grassy plains, open thickets of woodland and dense forests teeming with game make up the untamed wilderness of the Selous one of Tanzania's three World Heritage Sites. Dominated by the Selous Game Reserve, Africa's largest game reserve, this is one of the best places to enjoy a wide variety of different game viewing activities.

Winding through the heart of the Selous Game Reserve is the glistening Rufiji River, from which spreads a spidery network of channels, lakes and swamps that create one of the most diverse ecological systems in East Africa.

Explore this incredible region by boat, vehicle or on foot – drift languidly around the lakes and watery networks of streams and channels to encounter hippo, crocodile and prolific bird life, or follow experienced guides into the bush on foot to get up close to elephant, buffalo and lion. Head further afield on day and night game drives as you track herds of elephant or the elusive leopard through the wilderness, or experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of sleeping in the middle of the bush on an exclusive fly camping trip.

Sprawling plains and undulating plateaus punctuated by occasional rocky outcrops and stands of baobabs create the wild and striking topography of the Ruaha.

Surrounding the beating heart of the Great Ruaha River and her spiderlike network of streams and channels, this region is home to Tanzania’s largest elephant population, as well as large herds of plains game and myriad bird species.

Forming the core of this wild and extended terrain is the almost untouched and rarely explored Ruaha National Park. Crossed by the Great Rift Valley, the park spreads out over a diverse landscape of river systems, natural springs, wetlands, hot water springs, and kopjes to the beautiful rolling hills and mountains, forming a wildlife haven.

Join Africa Exclusive on a unique adventure into this remote and alluring wilderness. Experience the wild like never before on guided day and night game drives or track game on foot as they follow the ancient paths of migration towards greener pastures and water.

Nestled in the far west of Tanzania, Katavi is about as remote as you can get. Wide flood plains connected by a fragile network of rivers and streams transform from being blonde with waist high grass in the early dry season to a flooded, virulent green wetland after the rains, creating an oasis for wildlife and birds.

Spectacular natural scenery and game viewing abound in both the dry and wet season. Huge herds of buffalo, zebra, and impalas gather with elephant, waterbuck, and duikers around the drying water reserves of Lakes Katavi and Chada, while vultures stand guard watchfully as predators search for prey. Hippo in their thousands cram the remaining pools, crocodile retire to caves in the mud walls of the riverbanks and wait for the rains.

With the rain comes transformation and Katavi literally blossoms into a flowering paradise with enormous swamps, lakes, rivers and waterfalls, attracting a plethora of incredible diversity of bird life.

Head to this remote and untouched wilderness with us and take in the beauty and power of Africa as it was centuries ago.

Rough, remote and untamed, the Mahale Mountains are the best place to experience the timeless wilderness of Tanzania as it was in the early days of exploration.

Thick, lush forests cascade down the mountainsides toward Lake Tanganyika, whose crystal clear waters lap against secluded shade-dappled, sandy coves. The majestic peak of Mount Nkungwe rises up in the background and The Congo Mountains stand sentry in the far distance, creating breathtakingly beautiful vistas.

The verdant, untouched forests of this region are home to the chimpanzee and Mahale Mountains Park is one of the best places in the world to see human’s closest relatives. Offering unrivalled remoteness and spectacular scenery, the park is a chimpanzee sanctuary and spending a few days searching the dense vegetation for these remarkable creatures is a captivating experience.

Lake Tanganyika offers an excellent array of water based activities to enjoy, such as snorkelling, kayaking, and hippo and crocodile spotting forays, while the surrounding forests are crammed with an array of bird species. Climbers will find the brooding peak of Mount Nkungwe an attraction, which is eminently climbable and makes for an exhilarating adventure.

Undoubtedly, one of the jewels in East Africa’s crown, Zanzibar can only be described as a slice of tropical heaven. Turquoise blue waters gently lap palm-fringed beaches, which stretch for miles; white-sailed dhows sail on warm sea breezes against the golden orb of a setting sun; bustling spice markets fill the air with a heady mix of Middle Eastern and African scents that leave you breathless. This alluring island off the coast of Kenya is the stuff dreams are made of.

Home to some of the world’s most magnificent beaches, gin clear waters teem with myriad marine life, colourful, pristine reefs offer excellent snorkelling and diving, and a network of small, nearly deserted islands promise secluded retreats to hide away from the world.

Also known as the ‘Spice Island’, Zanzibar’s rich history and alluring mix of cultures add to the flavour of the island, from the ancient Persian caliphs that dot the island, to the heavily laden scents of India that float in the air above the vibrant markets. Add to this uniquely East African flavours of Swahili and Arabic and you have an exotic melting pot of distinct and undeniably ‘Zanzibarian’ charm that can only be found in this magical East African archipelago.