It is difficult to find a country which can provide such an intense experience of land mammals and marine life than Tanzania when the Great Migration is in full flow. After a long dry season which runs from June to October, rain returns to the Serengeti and as the plains begin to turn green, more than 1 ½ million wildebeest, ½ million Grants and Thompsons gazelles and 300,000 zebra start to migrate in from Kenya's Maasai Mara Reserve.

At the same time, Tanzania's east coast experiences clearer calmer waters ideal for snorkelling and diving on its coral reefs. This period also marks a peak in the number of whale sharks found off the coast of Mafia Island.

The Serengeti plains are highly fertile, thanks to volcanic ash from the Kilimanjaro Volcano. During the long dry season, however, its vast plains dry so much that hundreds of thousands of grazing animals are forced to walk hundreds of miles into Kenya's Maasai Mara Reserve.  Predators such as lions are not migratory species, so whilst the game moves north, they stay behind and grow thin and many die.

The return of the rains turns the Serengeti into a vast feeding area for grazers who return in incredible numbers to breed. This is a time of plenty for lions and cheetahs, and hunts are a regular theme for safari viewing. An important consideration on seeing this wildlife spectacle is being in the right place at the right time - which means that a semi-permanent tented camp is ideal throughout the season, whilst selected permanent accommodation is ideal at certain times.

Expert safari guidance is another important factor, ensuring that you reach the best locations and take the opportunity to learn the most about African wildlife.

On the coast, October is when we usually begin to see growing numbers of whale sharks coming to feed on the western coast of Mafia Island. Whale sharks are one of the most impressive and beautiful marine species - the world's largest fish in fact. Mafia is a wonderful place to see them because they often appear on a shallow sand bank where the snorkelling is safe and visibility good.

There are some stunning corals reefs for snorkelling and diving on the east coast of Mafia, inside Chole Bay and beyond. There are some equally idyllic coral reef locations on Pemba Island, Chumbe and south eastern Zanzibar. To consider the options, please click on the images below which will take you to both an introduction to the marine life of Tanzania, and more detailed descriptions of each island.

Whilst the Serengeti is ideal for seeing wildlife by means of a classic 4WD game drive, its density of predators make it impossible to consider a walking safari. Walking safaris are, however, something which we can integrate into the experience in the neighbouring Loliondo Game Reserve. For this option we drive you from one reserve to the other, observing game as you go. We then conduct daily game walks and drives whilst being based in luxury Maasai 'bomas' (similar in shape to a Mongolian yurt).

This is undoubtedly one of the ultimate wildlife and marine life combinations you can find anywhere in the world.

Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell, Charlotte Caffrey, Gavin Parsons, Nomad, Massimo Lancelotti

Selous National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site  -  Chumbe Island Marine Park conservation  -  Indian Ocean islands  -  Udzungwa Mountains Rainforest  - Mkuzi - Olduvai Gorge - Lake Manyara - Maasai Mara - Tsavo East - Kenya - Kisite Marine Park - Selous - Ruaha - Katave - Semi Mobile Tented Camps - game lodges & hotels - big five safaris

There is no one itinerary for these tailor made trips, but here is a quick summary of the key options, followed by two sample itineraries. The first is an 8 days trip incorporating the Serengeti, Zanzibar and Chumbe Island. The second 12 days itinerary combines either luxury semi-mobile safari camping in the Serengeti, or a fixed lodge there in the north; walking safaris in the Loliondo Game Reserve; and a stay in Mafia Island in search of whale sharks and coral reefs.

Sample 8 days itinerary:  Serengeti - Zanzibar - Chumbe

Day 1
Arrive Kilimanjaro or Nairobi international airports.
If you arrive at Kilimanjaro then we will transfer you privately to your hotel in Arusha.
If you fly into Nairobi we will transfer you by means of a shared 'shuttle' to Arusha. Your flight times will need to fit in with this. We can make alternative arrangements if you need, such as a connecting flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam which will be where these trips end.

Day 2
(B,D)
We will collect you from your hotel and drive you to Arusha airport.
You will board a small plane and fly Arusha into the Serengeti.  Which airport will depend upon which part of the Serengeti you will be staying in.

Day 3 & 4
(B,L,D)
Morning and afternoon game viewing in the Serengeti National Park.  Same accommodation overnight.

Day 5
(B)
You will be driven to an airstrip in the Serengeti.
Fly Serengeti to Arusha.
Change planes.
Fly Arusha to Zanzibar.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Emerson & Green Hotel in Stone Town.
A chance to see something of the ancient capital of Zanzibar.

Day 6
(B,L,D)
Early morning you will be transferred to the coast of Zanzibar from where you will be taken by boat to Chumbe Island.
You will have most of the day on the island.

Day 7
(B,L,D)
Full day on Chumbe, free to snorkel its magnificent reefs and stroll in the coral rag forest.
Overnight on Chumbe.

Day 8
(B)
Early morning you will be transferred by boat back to Zanzibar and to the international airport for your flight home.  If your departure flight is from Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro or Nairobi then we can arrange connecting flights for you.

Sample 12 days itinerary: Serengeti - Loliondo - Mafia Island

Day 1
Arrive Kilimanjaro or Nairobi international airports.
If you arrive at Kilimanjaro then we will transfer you privately to your hotel in Arusha.
If you fly into Nairobi we will transfer you by means of a shared 'shuttle' to Arusha. Your flight times will need to fit in with this. We can make alternative arrangements if you need, such as a connecting flight from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam which will be where these trips end.

Day 2
(B,D)
We will collect you from your hotel and drive you to Arusha airport.
You will board a small plane and fly Arusha into the Serengeti.  Which airport will depend upon which part of the Serengeti you will be staying in. You will be met upon arrival and transferred either to a luxury semi-mobile tented camp, or a fixed lodge in the north of the Serengeti which is ideally located for seasonally high concentrations of mobile graxers.

Day 3 & 4
(B,L,D)
Morning and afternoon game viewing in the Serengeti National Park.  Same accommodation overnight.

Day 5
(B,L,D)
Your game drive today will take you from the Serengeti and into the neighbouring Loliondo Game Reserve. You baggage will be taken care of and you will switch to luxury yurt style accommodation.

Days 6 & 7
(B,L,D)
Walking and 4WD based safaris.

Day 8
(B,L,D)
You will fly from the far north of Tanzania to the country's southern most large island of Mafia.
You will be met upon arrival and taken about 1 hour in an open vehicle across to the eastern coast.

Days 9, 10 & 11
(B,L,D)
Enjoy the enchanting coast of Mafia Island. We can pre-arrange options to snorkel in search of whale sharks or the Chole Bay corals reefs if you wish. Diving options can also be incorporated.

Day 12
(B)
You will be transferred across Mafia Island to the air strip.
Fly Mafia - Dar.  Watch out below you for whale sharks which are often seen swimming on a shallow sand bank to the south! You will fly over many small mangrove islets and you are likely to see Tanzania's largest river as you come in to the mainland.
We recommend a safe period before taking a connecting flight … or consider an overnight stopover in Dar es Salaam.