Spend Thanksgiving in the Wild
Embark on an Adventure
This Thanksgiving, leave the traditional holiday behind and embark on an extraordinary safari through Tanzania. From witnessing the Great Migration to encountering diverse wildlife in their natural habitats, this safari offers an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, awe and the spirit of exploration. Celebrate Thanksgiving in the heart of Africa, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Itinerary
Days of Adventure
DAY 1 – NOVEMBER 24
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania
Your guide will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport via your Delta/KLM flight and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Arusha.
As local Tanzanians, our guides know the country with unrivaled familiarity, so you’ll be in good hands from the moment you land.
OVERNIGHT
Rivertrees Country Inn
Reminiscent of its legacy as a former German colonial farm and coffee estate, Rivertrees Country Inn blends simple elegance and modern convenience. Wake up in your farmhouse-style room to the sound of the rushing Usa River, and enjoy a hearty breakfast in an open-air, thatched-roof dining area.
DAYS 2–3 – NOVEMBER 26–27
Eastern Serengeti Nature Refuge
Take a short, scenic flight to a private nature refuge in the Eastern Serengeti.
Hike through the refuge by day to experience the land as it was thousands of years ago, listen to a Maasai storyteller share the legends of her people and spot nocturnal wildlife by moonlight on a night drive.
OVERNIGHT
Eastern Serengeti Nyumba
Wake up to the sweeping views of the eastern Serengeti ecosystem’s remote savanna. After a day of adventure, you’ll appreciate the comforts of the camp—and a hot shower in your en suite bathroom. Enjoy a hearty dinner prepared fresh from local ingredients, and discuss the day’s excitement with your fellow travelers and attentive staff.
DAYS 4–6 – NOVEMBER 27–29
Serengeti National Park
Head for the iconic Serengeti, where acacia trees and granite kopjes dot the seas of waving grass.
The Serengeti offers everyday opportunities to spot Tanzania’s most impressive wildlife—including big cats—and witness dramatic moments in the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.
OVERNIGHT
Central Serengeti Nyumba
Strategically located in the Serengeti to place you at the center of migrating wildlife. Relax with spacious tents, comfortable beds and en suite bathrooms, as sounds of the surrounding wildlife fill your ears. And no need to worry—with eco-friendly features like solar lighting, your stay won’t harm the landscape.
DAYS 7–8 – NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 1
Ngorongoro Crater & Highlands
A short flight brings you to Ngorongoro and its famed crater.
Just 10 miles wide, Ngorongoro Crater was formed from a collapsed volcano; it’s now a self-sustaining ecosystem with the densest predator population in all of Africa. Explore the floor of this UNESCO site for a day and relax at an award-winning coffee estate offering farm-to-table dining, luxurious rooms with private verandas and optional spa services by night.
OVERNIGHT
Gibb’s Farm
Fresh food, fresh air and fresh perspectives abound at Gibb’s Farm (a three-time Travel + Leisure Top Safari Lodge in Africa). After full days of exploration, relax in your eco-friendly cottage, set amidst the farm’s lush gardens. Enjoy an outdoor shower, in-room spa treatment, farm-to-table dining, and learn about local culture from the attentive staff.
DAY 9 – DECEMBER 2
Depart Tanzania
Head to Arusha, where you’ll enjoy a farewell lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge. Relax in a day room at Arusha Hotel before your flight home.
Add-On
Fly over the Serengeti
Prepare for Takeoff
Enjoy a bird’s eye view, a hearty breakfast and a glass of champagne during a morning hot air balloon tour. Your entire trip will be unforgettable, but this will bring it to new heights.
Call for current pricing. Advanced reservations required.
Trip Extensions
Enhance Your Safari
Zanzibar
From $2,000 per person
Zanzibar invites you to turquoise waters, white sands, and vibrant culture. Explore Stone Town’s lively markets, unwind on serene beaches, and uncover the island’s rich history.
Zanzibar
Indulge in Relaxation
Snorkel or dive in the clear blue Indian Ocean, or sunbathe for days on the pristine white-sand beaches of your resort. Spend a colorful day amidst the island’s bustling markets in the eclectic capital city of Stone Town, and visit historical sites from the centuries-old slave and spice trades.
Recommended Stay: 5 days, including 3 nights on the beach and 1 night in iconic Stone Town
From: $2,000 per person
Rwanda
From: $6,500 per person
Travel to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park to trek through rugged terrain in search of endangered mountain gorillas. In Kigali, visit the city’s highlights, including the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Rwanda
Spot Endangered Gorillas
Fly to Kigali, Rwanda and drive north to Volcanoes National Park. Journey on foot over wild, ungroomed mountain terrain in search of endangered mountain gorillas, of which only 1000 survive worldwide. After your arrival, tour Kigali, including the world-renowned Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Recommended Stay: 5 days
From: $6,500 per person
Cape Town
Call for current pricing.
With Table Mountain as its backdrop, Cape Town offers stunning vineyards, fine dining, penguin sightings at Boulders Beach, and a visit to historic Robben Island. This vibrant city is sure to inspire.
Cape Town
Vineyards, Views and Fine Dining
Table Mountain National Park provides the dramatic backdrop to this vibrant, colorful city. Explore South Africa’s best vineyards, enjoy fine dining in town, observe penguins at the famous Boulders Beach, and visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela’s—and South Africa’s—struggles echo poignantly. A visit to Cape Town is sure to inspire and delight.
Call for current pricing.
Ruaha National Park
From: $4,500 per person
Journey to the remote Ruaha National Park, a hidden gem in East Africa. Track elusive wildlife by day and enjoy torch-lit dinners by the river at night.
Ruaha National Park
Track African Wildlife
Fly to the remote wilderness of Ruaha National Park, one of the least explored parks in East Africa, where tracking is as much an art form as a practical pursuit. Explore uncharted territory by day, spotting leopard, cheetah and wild dog, and savor torch-lit dinners on the banks of the river by night.
Recommended Stay: 4–5 days
From: $4,500 per person
Nyerere National Park
From: $4,500 per person
Explore the Rufiji River’s wildlife by boat, and on foot. Spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and rare species like Greater Kudu on the plains.
Nyerere National Park
Traverse Vast Wilderness
Take a scenic flight to one of Africa’s largest national parks (formerly Selous Game Reserve), where you’ll view the Rufiji River’s wildlife. Travel by 4-wheel drive, boat and foot and spot elephants, hippos, and crocodiles in the riverine environment, while rare species like Greater Kudu can be spotted on the plains.
Recommended Stay: 4 days
From: $4,500 per person
Mahale Mtn. National Park
From: $6,000 per person
Fly to Lake Tanganyika’s shores and take a boat to your secluded camp. Hike the Mahale Mountains to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Mahale Mtn. National Park
Encounter Playful Chimps
Fly to the shores of Lake Tanganyika, along the westernmost border of Tanzania, and take a short boat ride to your exclusive camp, a luxurious hideaway tucked along the shore. Hike the misty slopes of the Mahale Mountains in search of free-roaming chimpanzees, grooming, feeding and playing.
Recommended Stay: 4 to 5 days
From: $6,000 per person
