Plains of Tanzania Tour, Tanzania departing from Quebec

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The “Les plaines de Tanzanie” tour at a glance

Les plaines de Tanzanie (The Plains of Tanzania) is an 8-day, 7-night Club Med Discovery safari in Tanzania, in the Nature Escape theme. It starts and ends in Arusha, after a loop through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara and the village of Mto wa Mbu, two full days in the Serengeti and a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, home to some 20,000 animals of 55 mammal species. Safaris are in 4x4s with 6 participants at most per vehicle, with a French-speaking driver-tracker and tour guide. You stay at the Gran Meliá Arusha, in two lodges and for two nights in a luxury camp in the heart of the Serengeti. The package includes full board, safaris and visits. A 3-night extension in Zanzibar, bar included, ends the trip on the beach.

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How do the first days unfold, from Arusha to Lake Manyara?

On the first day, you settle in at the Gran Meliá Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru. On the second day, you head for Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobabs and elephant herds, then reach the Lake Manyara area after 4 to 5 hours of road and track. On the third day, you explore Lake Manyara National Park, between forest and shore, watching for birds and monkeys. In the afternoon, a visit to the village of Mto wa Mbu reveals the life of a community where more than a hundred ethnic groups live side by side, among banana groves.

And what happens in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro?

On the fourth day, 5 hours of track lead to the Serengeti, the vast plain whose name means “endless land” in the Maasai language. On the fifth day, you go on safari at sunrise and again at sunset, when the big cats are most active. On the sixth day, you climb to the Ngorongoro highlands, in 3 to 5 hours. On the seventh day, the 4x4s descend into the crater, a closed world where lions, buffalo, zebras and wildebeest live side by side. On the eighth day, you return to Arusha in 3 hours, or fly off to Zanzibar.

Which animals can you see on the plains of Tanzania?

The tour crosses four environments, each with its stars. In Tarangire, it is the elephants under the baobabs. At Lake Manyara, the birds and forest monkeys. In the Serengeti, the open savannah reveals lions, cheetahs, giraffes and huge herds of grazers. In the Ngorongoro Crater, some 20,000 animals of 55 mammal species live in a space sheltered by the volcano's walls: it is one of the best places in Africa to see a wide variety of wildlife in a single day.

Which lodges and camps do you stay in?

In Arusha, the Gran Meliá welcomes the group at the start and end of the safari. Near Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge overlooks the Rift Valley. In the Serengeti, you spend two nights at Ole Serai Luxury Camps, a luxury tented camp in the heart of the plain: at night, you sometimes hear lions in the distance. Near the crater, Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge enjoys the cool of the highlands, with evenings by the fire. Each stage is chosen to be close to the parks and start early.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes transport and safaris by 4x4, accommodation, full board, the visits on the programme and the French-speaking guide. With the extension, the flight from Arusha to Zanzibar and the bar at the Zanzibar hotel are included. The international flight, transfers between the airport and the hotel, the visa, the Zanzibar tourist tax and insurance are booked separately. Your advisor gathers all this in one file, so all you have to prepare are your binoculars.

How many travellers per vehicle and who guides the safari?

Each 4x4 carries 6 participants at most, which guarantees everyone a seat by a window. A French-speaking driver-tracker drives and spots the animals, and a French-speaking tour guide travels with the group throughout the tour. Departures are guaranteed from the first booking. Days on the track are long, 3 to 5 hours between parks, and every drive becomes a safari in itself: a pace designed for curious, active travellers.

When should you go to Tanzania and how do you get there from Quebec?

The dry seasons, from June to October and from January to February, are the most sought after for wildlife viewing. From December to March, wildebeest herds often gather in the southern Serengeti for calving, a striking sight. Your advisor tells you which departures are available. From Montreal, you reach Kilimanjaro airport, which serves Arusha, with a connection. Our Tanzania travel page helps you prepare your stay.

What travel documents do you need for Tanzania?

You need a Canadian passport valid for several months after your return, with blank pages, and a visa for Tanzania. Your advisor checks the requirements at the time of booking and guides you through the process. They also remind you to consult a travel health clinic several weeks before departure about vaccines and malaria prevention. For Zanzibar, plan for the tourist tax paid on site.

How do you end the safari on the beach?

The 3-day, 3-night Zanzibar extension is the logical follow-up: a flight from Arusha drops you on the island, and you stay at the Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa, bar included. White sand, turquoise water and fishing dhows offshore, after a week on the tracks. If you prefer a Club Med resort, Club Med Seychelles is the other lovely Indian Ocean option. And for another great safari, see the Kenya, terre sauvage tour.

Who is this tour made for?

It is made for travellers who want to see Tanzania's great parks in one week, with the comfort of chosen camps and lodges, then rest on the beach. Couples, friends and families with teenagers all find what they are looking for. Compare it with our other Club Med tours in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including Merveilles australes.

Why book this tour with AquaTerra?

A safari in Tanzania takes preparation: connecting flights, a visa, health advice, the Zanzibar extension. At Voyages AquaTerra, our advisors arrange each piece, check the travel documents and stay reachable throughout the trip. All our itineraries are gathered on the Club Med Tours page.

Call 1-866-628-6241. You will reach someone who knows this tour and has time for you. We look together at what is available on your dates, we choose the right departure, and we stay on the line throughout your trip. That is the difference between booking alone in front of a screen and travelling with someone behind you.