- Tanzania Multi-Centres
- Treasures of Tanzania Safari and 5* Zanzibar Beach Stay
Embark on a Tanzanian adventure that combines awe-inspiring wildlife encounters with rich cultural experiences. This carefully crafted safari takes you through some of the country’s most iconic destinations, starting with a warm welcome in Arusha and continuing on to the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire National Park, lush scenery of Lake Manyara, and vibrant Mto Wa Mbu Village. Experience the unparalleled beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater, witness the majesty of the Big Five and immerse yourself in the traditions of Tanzania’s local communities. This unforgettable journey culminates with a stay on the pristine beaches of Zanzibar, where the turquoise waters and soft white sands offer a tranquil finale to your East African escape.
Depart the UK on your overnight flight.
Meet your guide at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Enjoy a restful evening and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Breakfast & Dinner
Pass the striking Monduli Mountains and stunning Lake Manyara in the Great Rift Valley en route to Tarangire National Park. This former hunting ground was declared a National Park in 1970 and is the sixth largest park in the country. Home to an amazing diversity of plants it is best known for the huge baobab trees dotting its rocky slopes. Many birds have been identified in the park, including lapwings, kingfishers, ostriches, vultures, and marabou storks, and the sprawling savannah plays host to a large concentration of African elephants alongside impala, buffalo, lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a lodge before setting off on your first game drive; create magical wildlife memories on your afternoon 4x4 safari in the Tarangire National Park. As the sun begins to set, watch the iconic silhouettes of giant baobab trees against the glowing African sky, enjoying unforgettable moments in this remarkable wilderness. Return to your lodge for dinner and a night under canvas, surrounded by the sounds of the wild.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Embark on a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania’s oldest nature reserves. Africa’s densest concentration of baboons inhabits the park, alongside tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, giraffes, elephants and flocks of pink flamingoes. Continue to Mto Wa Mbu Village: a melting pot of cultures, the village is home to approximately 120 different tribal groups retaining their individual traditions while living in harmony, promoting tourism and income generation. Learn about Tanzania’s politics, wildlife and history or enjoy a hiking or biking tour in the scenic village surrounds. Savour a unique lunch of wholesome sweet potato, vegetables, meat stew and more exotic specialties such as a local variety of spinach and maize meal, provided by your welcoming hosts. Dinner will be at your lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A full day 4x4 safari in the Ngorongoro Crater concludes your tour. This region is one of the best places in the world to view African wildlife in their natural environment. You’ll have plenty of time to seek out the Big Five, many varieties of antelope and hundreds of bird species, as well as witnessing some of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet. The Ngorongoro Crater is the star of the show, while two nearby volcanic craters of Olmoti and Empakai showcase stunning waterfalls and sparkling lakes. Stop at the Olduvai Gorge archaeological site, widely regarded as the cradle of mankind and the most important prehistoric site in the world, where some of the earliest human fossils have been discovered. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch amid the spectacular surroundings, soaking in the views and sounds of the wild. After a day filled with adventure, return to your lodge for your farewell dinner.
Breakfast & Lunch
Begin your final day with breakfast at the lodge before driving from Ngorongoro back to Arusha.
Enjoy a relaxing lunch, reflecting on the incredible experiences of your Tanzanian journey, before transferring to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight to Zanzibar.
Upon arrival in Zanzibar, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
After breakfast, enjoy your time at leisure to relax or explore the island at your own pace. Zanzibar, known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage, offers a variety of experiences. You can unwind on the pristine sands, swim in the turquoise waters, or take a leisurely stroll along the shore.
Transfer back to the airport in order to catch your return flight to the UK.
Set on the soft white sands of Kiwengwa Beach, Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa offers a tranquil retreat on the east coast of Zanzibar. Surrounded by tropical gardens and shaded by swaying palm trees, this resort blends relaxed island living with a touch of Swahili elegance.
The resort’s rooms and suites are spacious and designed to reflect the warmth of the island, with handcrafted furniture, rich textiles, and private balconies or terraces overlooking the ocean or gardens. All accommodations include air conditioning, satellite TV, a minibar, a safe, and tea and coffee-making facilities to ensure comfort throughout your stay.
Dining at Bluebay is a vibrant experience, offering a mix of local Zanzibari flavours and international cuisine. Guests can enjoy laid-back beachside meals, fresh seafood, or elegant evening dining under the stars. The bars offer a variety of refreshing drinks, from tropical cocktails to rich Tanzanian coffee.
For relaxation, the spa provides a calm oasis with a range of treatments using natural products. There’s also a large swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, and opportunities for water sports, such as snorkelling and diving, to explore the nearby reef. Families are welcomed with dedicated children's facilities, and entertainment includes cultural performances that reflect the spirit of Zanzibar.
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
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Our intention is to adhere to the day to day itinerary as printed here. However, the order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are made aware of them and keep you updated as much as possible. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Tanzania requirements
To enter Tanzania, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least one blank page.
You will require a tourist visa to enter Tanzania, apply for an “e-visa” online before you travel or on arrival. The visa may take a while to be issued and there are certain requirements that must be completed so please make sure if you choose this option you do it well in advance of your travel date, it is valid for a 90 day single entry stay from the date of arrival in to Tanzania.
Upon arrival, you will also be asked to fill in a declaration form before going through customs.
Zanzibar requirements
British citizens currently need a tourist visa to enter the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar).
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.
We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding these.
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: 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. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
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, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. 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.
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 currency in Tanzania and Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (Tsh) but USD ($) is also widely accepted. Credit cards are not widely accepted and some establishments only accept Tanzanian Shillings, so it is advisable to have cash in both currencies. There will be access to ATMs in most major cities (not available in the reserves) where you will be able to withdraw money in the local currency.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
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.
Tipping
It is at your discretion to tip your driver/guide, waiters, porters, and housekeepers. We recommend tipping approximately $2 per person per day for waiters, porters, and housekeepers and $7 per person per day for your driver/guide.
There is no minimum number of passengers required to run this trip, as the safari portion is shared with other travellers, not exclusive to Mercury Holidays customers. If we are not able to operate your departure date for any other reason, 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.
For your safari portion, guests will be met by drivers who are fully trained as driver guides with a wide knowledge of each destination.
For the beach portion of your holiday, you will not be escorted by a tour guide. Your time here will be free to do as you wish. Details of your departure transfer will be confirmed by your guide at the end of your safari or by a representative in the hotel.
Throughout your tour, you will travel in a 7 seater vehicle that is adapted for both open road driving as well as safaris.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to camps. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Tanzania. All group tour hotels have private bathroom facilities, other facilities differ depending on the accommodation. The safari lodges may also have restrictions on electricity accessibility at certain times of the day. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Western and international food will be served however some establishments will serve traditional meals giving you a chance to experience local flavours. Vegetarian and Vegan options available, please request prior to departure. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
Please note that on some days, lunch will be a packed lunch to enjoy whilst on safari.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. Bottled water will be available at shops and hotels/lodges.
Zanzibar is a predominantly Muslim Island and very conservative. Beach wear is acceptable at the beach or the pool, but modest dress is encouraged elsewhere. Woman – cover shoulders, midriff and legs to below the knees. Men – shorts are acceptable but walking around shirtless is not. During Ramadan, both men and woman need to keep legs completely covered while in public. Due to the weather in Zanzibar, lightweight clothing is essential.
The Government of Tanzania has banned all plastic carrier bags from being brought into, used, or sold in Mainland Tanzania. Visitors should not pack or carry plastic bags in their luggage. Disposal desks are available at all entry points for any bags brought inadvertently.
Exceptions include plastic packaging used for medical, industrial, construction, agricultural, food, sanitary, and waste‑management purposes. Zip‑lock toiletry bags are allowed, as they stay in the traveller’s possession and are not disposed of in the country.
For more information, contact: ps@vpo.go.tz / +255 685 333 444 / +255 743 715 62.
On your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport youll be met by a representative from our local agent in Tanzania holding a sign displaying ‘Mercury Holidays’. The representative will transfer you to your hotel on arrival where you will spend your first night. There will be a guide with you throughout the tour and will be able to answer any queries you may have.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
African Eagle: P.O box 7268 Uhuru Rd, Arusha – Tanzania Telephone Number 00255-679-737 609 E-mail: operations@ae.co.tz
Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details 24 hour: +254 733 603 500
