DAY 1 
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro you will be met by our  Representative and transferred by private vehicle to your lodge on the outskirts of Arusha. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Serena Mountain Village Lodge is nestled in the heart of a coffee estate 15 minutes away from Arusha, with a view of Lake Duluti and Mount Meru, Serena Mountain Village is an imaginative recreation of a traditional African village. The accommodation, thatched with banana stems, is made of 42 rondavels, including 4 suites. Each room has a private bathroom with shower.

Meal Plan: Dinner 
Overnight: Serena Mountain Village Lodge

DAY 2 
This Morning you will be met at the lodge by your specialist birding guide and taken to Lake Duluti where you will hike under the forest canopy on the shores of the Lake. From this location you have the perfect opportunity to view both forest and water birds. Keep those binoculars well focused in case of spotting a Maccoa Duck on the water’s edge and a Peters’ Twinspot, a Black throated Apalis, or a Bar Tailed Trogon in amongst the canopy. 
The hike usually takes up to 3 hours reasonable level of walking fitness is required.

DAY 2 CONTINUED
After you have been captivated by the beauty, take a break, sit by the water’s edge and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.

As you leave Arusha behind you enjoy the drive and get a chance to compare your life list on the way. You will be taken to Tarangire National Park where your luxury tented camp, Sanctuary Swala, awaits you. The drive from Arusha to Tarangire is approximately 1 ½ hours followed by a further 1 ½ hours drive from the entrance of the park to the camp with plenty of game viewing opportunities en route.

Tarangire National Park with all its varied habitats, offers you an endless selection of species to be spotted, from possible sighting of a Long-crested Eagle to a Van der Deckens Hornbill. This Park is renowned for its Elephant population that flood the park in their herds as they drink by the edge of the Tarangire River. 

The Park is home to approximately 550 bird species making it the ideal location for a birding safari in Tanzania. Specialities include Northern Pied Babler, Slender Tailed Night jar, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Black faced Sand grouse, Coqui Francolin, Magpie shrike and the d’Arnaud’s Barbet.

As you arrive at your camp you will be greeted by your butler and taken to your tent to freshen up before you get ready for your first Safari sun downer. 


DAY 2 CONTINUED
Each of the twelve tents is shaded by tall Acacia trees and is within sight of the well-frequented waterhole. Furnished with campaign chairs, comfortable sofas & en-suite bathrooms, the tents at Sanctuary Swala are unashamedly luxurious but still close enough to nature to permit an exciting night under canvas. 

The main dining area, deck and library are lifted on stilts around an enormous and ancient baobab tree, allowing guests a wide view of the grasslands of Tarangire. Animals come right up to the camp to drink at the water hole, in front of camp, and leopard is often spotted among the baobabs nearby. 

As the sun fades, relax in your comfortable sofa with a sundowner in hand as you watch the game stroll through camp and carry on with their daily activities. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sanctuary Swala Tented Camp

DAY 3 
This morning, awake to the sounds of the bush as a steaming hot cup of tea or coffee is served on your tents’ private deck. 

Venture into the interior of the park, through Acacia woodland, to Silale swamp and beyond for a full day of birding and game viewing. 

The swamp usually attracts hundreds of elephants as they wallow in the shallow water that remains throughout the dry season. If it has been a dry season the swamp will attract a large concentration of water birds and possibly vultures in search of a meal.

DAY 3 CONTINUED
A variety of endemic bird species can be found around the edge of the swamp including the Yellow Collared Love bird and the Rufous Tailed Weaver and Long-toed Lapwing.

Following your picnic lunch continue through the park looking for a Kori Bustard, ostriches, hornbills and the 3 species of guinea fowl. An avid birder can easily see at least 50-100 new species on your first full day game viewing.

Return to your lodge to freshen up before meeting around the camp fire for a pre dinner drink as you discuss the day's adventures. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sanctuary Swala Tented Camp


DAY 4
This morning, you may like to put on your walking shoes for a safari on foot with an armed ranger and professional walking guide. Walking through the bush provides you with a chance to experience the beauty of the park from a different perspective. Sanctuary Swala is one of the few destinations in Tanzania where walking in such a pristine environment is possible. You will be walking through uneven terrain so comfortable, supportive walking shoes are a must and a reasonable level of walking fitness is required. 


DAY 4 CONTINUED
Return to your camp where your hosts will greet you with a refreshing drink and a well deserved lunch.


This afternoon you have time to take a refreshing swim in the pool or relax on your private deck with a cool drink and gaze out to the waterhole and watch as the game lazily congregates in the shade to escape the midday sun.


As the afternoon progresses you may like to do an afternoon game drive.

The beauty of Tarangire will continue to unfold as you venture out into a Landscape scattered with thousands of baobab trees - also known as the “upside down tree”. Migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland can all be seen in addition to lion and leopard. During the dry season the concentration of wildlife in Tarangire is second only to the Serengeti ecosystem.

After dinner retire to the camp fire this evening as you unwind under the starry night sky.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sanctuary Swala Tented Camp


DAY 5
Start your day leisurely watching the bush come to life from the private deck of your tent. Impala and dik dik wonder through camp on their way to the waterhole before starting their day.

This morning you may like to visit the nearby Gijadebung School. The school is an initiative developed by Sanctuary Swala camp to educate children from the surrounding rural areas. Visit the school and learn about the curriculum at a rural African school as you interact with the children during their class. 


Return to your camp where another lovely lunch awaits you.

You may like to spend your last afternoon in search of raptors. Over 50 species of raptors have been recorded both resident and migrant, from the majestic Short tailed Eagle to the double jointed African Harrier Hawk. Other interesting species that might be seen are African Hawk Eagle, Black Breasted snake eagle and possibly the Rupell’s Griffon.

Enjoy a sundowner and snacks in the lounge or on the deck as the sun paints the camps baobab’s a dusty pink. 

On your last evening under African skies, experience the wonders of a safari at night within the park. As dusk falls, relax in the comfort of Sanctuary Swala’s customised safari vehicle as you venture into the park transformed by night. Search for nocturnal animals rarely seen by visitors as this is one of a few places in northern Tanzania where you can enjoy a safari by moonlight. At night you may encounter an African Wild cat, the elusive Leopard or feel the round eyes of a bushbaby peering down at you as the moon rises into the sky. With specialised lighting look for Lion and Hyena and smaller creatures such as spotted genet, Serval, Bat Eared Foxes, Owls and nightjars. 

This will be followed by a late dinner enjoyed by lamplight. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sanctuary Swala Tented Camp


DAY 6

Today you may choose to relax at your camp or venture out for one last game drive in the Tarangire before your departure at mid morning. A Sanctuary representative will transfer you by private 4WD vehicle to Arusha and onto Kilimanjaro International airport for your departure flight. 

Meal Plan: Breakfast 

End of arrangements with Adams & Butler.

Planning your safari holiday with Adams & Butler ensures a truly personal and intimate experience - a totally hassle free process from beginning to end.