Travel through the Serengeti National Park on game drives, during which you will observe many of Africa’s most iconic animals in their natural habitats. The vast plains of the Serengeti are so spectacular – especially during the annual migration of its vast herds, followed by their predators – that UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage site. Few experiences can rival the thrill of encountering such a variety of animals undisturbed by the presence of humans. The Four Seasons Safari Lodge will provide the ideal setting for relaxing between game drives.
Special Note: Guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
DAY 1
Upon docking Dar Es Salaam port, you will be picked up and transferred to Julius Nyerere International Airport, from which you will fly to Serengeti (approximately flying time: 2 hours if using Dash 8, and 3 hours if using Caravan Cessna.)
On arrival at Seronera airstrip, you will be met and transferred through the Serengeti National Park for a game drive and lunch in the bush.
The Serengeti is arguably the most famous national park in the world; it perhaps defines the safari experience as surely as the wildlife that inhabits it. Established in 1951, and covering an area comparable to the state of Connecticut or Northern Ireland, the Serengeti hosts a fantastically diverse eco-system.
The short and long grass plains of the south slowly unfurl into the Acacia Savannah of the central area, the hilly, more densely wooded areas of the north, and the extensive woodland in the western corridor, each with its own resident variations of African wildlife. The Serengeti promises all that the first-time and even experienced game-viewers could ever hope to witness.
Later in the afternoon, you will ride into the bush on a longer game before checking into the Four Seasons Safari Lodge. Nestled within the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, in the vicinity of the great annual migration, the lodge is a dream African hideaway offering spectacular views of wildlife roaming over miles of bush, an active waterhole and magical sunsets over the African savannah. Enter your spacious room and it will feel like home. Step out onto your private terrace and gaze out over the endless plains of the Serengeti. Sip champagne in your bath and take pleasure in the continuous views of the African wilderness.
Following dinner in the lodge, you will spend a delightful evening.
DAY 2
After an early breakfast and check out, you will depart for a morning game drive in the park. You will then transfer to the Seronera airstrip for the flight back to Dar Es Salaam. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred back to cruise ship.
Land Program Step by Step
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1
From 08:00am Pick up from the port and transfer to Dar Es Salaam Airport
09:00am Check in for charter flight to Serengeti
09:30am Board charter flight and fly to Serengeti National Park
11:30am Arrive at Seronera airstrip, met by your driver and vehicle.
Short game drive en route to a bush lunch special site
12:30pm Bush lunch (subject to weather)
2:00pm Afternoon game drive
5:00pm Drive to Four Seasons Safari Lodge with game drive en route
6:00pm Check in to your rooms
From 7:30pm Dinner at your lodge
Overnight Four Seasons Safari Lodge
DAY 2
From 06:30am Breakfast followed by check out
08:00am Depart for morning game drive in the park
10:30am Drive to Seronera Airstrip
11:00am Check in for your charter flight to Dar Es Salaam
12:00pm Fly to Dar Es Salaam
2:00pm Arrive Dar Es Salaam Airport, board your vehicle
2:30pm Transfer back to the port
3:30pm Arrive port, re-join your vessel
Expected Weather: Generally, Tanzania has a comfortable climate year-round. The coastal areas have a tropical and humid climate, the highlands regions in the north have a temperate climate due to altitude and the vast central plateau is hot and arid. While Tanzania does not have distinct seasonal changes due to its proximity to the equator, there are some subtle climatic variations at different times of the year.
December, January and February are the warmest months of Tanzania's summer. Temperatures do not often exceed 90°F or 32°C and morning and evening temperatures are refreshingly cool with low humidity.
What to Bring: Light cotton tops, cotton trousers and shorts. Trousers and warm fleece tops for evenings and cooler days. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, swimsuit, camera, film and batteries.
Local Currency: In Tanzania, the unit of currency is the Tanzania Shilling, which is divided into 100 Shillings. Notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 Shillings. Coins are issued in denominations of 50, 100 and 200 Shillings.
Electricity: Tanzania electricity is based on English standards and is usually supplied at 230 volts, 50Hz. This means that all European electrical equipment should work, from laptop power supplies to mobile phone chargers. Wall sockets use an English 3-pin fused plug, which requires the use of travel adapters for those from other countries.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Passports are required to be with guests. Guests must have at least two consecutive double-blank pages in their passports, or entry to the country may be denied. Passports should also be valid for more than 6 months at the time of travel. Please consult your local embassy for all visa requirements pertaining to Tanzania.
Luggage information:
CHECKED LUGGAGE
• Passengers are permitted to check-in one piece of luggage at a maximum of 20 kg (44lbs) and maximum dimension of 158 cm (62 inches)
• Any excess or overweight baggage fees incurred are the responsibility of the guests
HAND LUGGAGE
• Passengers are permitted to travel with one piece of hand luggage not exceeding 7 kg (15 lbs) and a dimension of 115 cm.
• Please note that if the hand luggage does not conform to the size specified, passengers may be denied entry into the departure area or sent back to the check-in counter.
• All hand luggage must be of a size that fits under the seat in front of you or in one of the overhead lockers.
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle, and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at OCI at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Oceania Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Hotel
Four Seasons Safari Lodge
Central Serengeti, National Park
P.O.BOX 14321, Arusha, Tanzania
Phone: +255 768 981 981
Please Note:
• The contents and order of activities in this program are subject to change by the lodge management without prior notice, due to the prevailing weather conditions and movement of dangerous wildlife on the game reserve.
• During early-morning game drives in open vehicles it can be a little cool. We recommend that guests take along a windbreaker.
• Bring sunhats, sun block, sunglasses, cameras and binoculars on game drives.
• Game drive vehicles traverse uneven terrain and the ride can be bumpy. This tour is therefore not recommended for guests with back problems.
• Tour not recommended for guests with wheelchairs or walking difficulties.
• Passports are required to be with guests.
• Two consecutive blank pages are compulsory for entry into South Africa.
• Please consultant your embassy regarding visa requirements.
• Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Program Includes for guests:
• 1 night at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti on a Full Board basis
• Game drives as stated above in open 4x4 vehicles safari vehicles
• Park entrances fees to Serengeti
• Drinks at Four Seasons Safari Lodge (except premium brands/wines)
• Transfers as stated above
• Mineral water during game drives (2 x 500 ml bottles per person per day)
• Porterage for maximum 1 piece of luggage per person
Program Excludes for guests:
• All other accommodations
• Personal expenses hotel such as telephone calls; curio shop purchases
• All other meals
• All other drinks including champagne and premium brand spirits and liquor
• Gratuities to drivers, guides, game rangers and trackers, lodge staff etc.
• All services not mentioned
• Visa fees
• Excess or overweight luggage fees
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
