Ultimate East African Luxury Safari

The best East African luxury safari itinerary for most travellers spends eight to twelve days in Tanzania, covering Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and two areas of the Serengeti chosen by season. Add a hot-air balloon flight over the plains and finish with beach days on Zanzibar. For a wider journey, combine the Serengeti with Kenya's Maasai Mara or add gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris tailors the route, lodges and flights around your dates and interests.

For many travellers, a Serengeti hot-air balloon safari is a highlight of the trip. You lift off at dawn, drift quietly above the plains for about an hour and watch wildlife from a unique angle as the sun rises. Flights end with a celebratory bush breakfast. Balloon safaris operate in the central, southern and western Serengeti, depending on the season, and should be booked early. Children usually need to meet a minimum age, and flights depend on weather.

Many luxury safaris in Tanzania include domestic light-aircraft flights between parks, especially for the Serengeti, Ruaha, Nyerere and Zanzibar. Flying saves long drives and adds dramatic aerial views of the landscape. Some itineraries mix road and air travel, driving through Tarangire and Ngorongoro before flying out of the Serengeti. International flights to Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam are normally booked separately. Your Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris quote clearly shows which flights, transfers and baggage allowances are included.

Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing in layers, since mornings and evenings can be cool, especially at Ngorongoro, while afternoons are warm. Include a warm fleece, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and comfortable closed shoes. Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens greatly improve game viewing. Use a soft duffel bag because light aircraft often limit luggage to around 15 kg. Most luxury lodges offer laundry, so fewer clothes are needed than you might expect.

Tanzania is widely regarded as a welcoming and safe destination for luxury safari travellers. Private guides, reputable lodges and pre-arranged transfers keep your journey well organised from arrival to departure. In parks, follow your guide's instructions and stay in the vehicle unless on a guided walk. In towns, take normal precautions with valuables. For health advice, consult your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations and malaria prevention. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for every trip.