Private Air Safaris Tanzania
To get a true understanding of scale, one has to see it from the air and that’s certainly one of the joys that private air safaris in Tanzania bring.
Tanzania in East Africa has impressive landscapes that are wonderful to see from above. There are a number of famous national parks, which are divided into two circuits – North and South, plus hidden forests and lakes for primate trekking, and the spice islands of Zanzibar.
In the northern safari circuit there’s the Serengeti, known for the great wildebeest migration and its open plains and predator action, and the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Plus you’ll also find the Rift Valley lakes – Manyara, Natron and Eyasi. Then there’s the lesser known park yet hugely rewarding at the right time of year, Tarangire National Park.
The southern circuit takes in the Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha, Mikumi, and Udzungwa Mountains National Parks. This region is ideal for anyone wanting an adventure away from the crowds. The parks here are fantastically remote and massive, teeming with a spectacular diversity of wildlife. This is also one of the best regions for sightings of the endangered African wild dogs.
So let’s introduce you to some of our favourite properties for awesome private air safaris in Tanzania.
Arusha's Luxury Lodges and Villas
Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge is nestled among one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations, and is a haven of tranquillity and comfort. Enjoy the peace from your own private cottage, or head out for a tour of the working coffee plantation to discover how your coffee goes from bean to cup. Arusha town tours are also available, with visits to the Tanzanite museum and local Maasai markets.
Image courtesy of Elewana Collection
Legendary Lodge
Set on another working coffee estate, Legendary Lodge boasts breath taking views of near by Mount Meru. Here there are just twelve private cottages, each with private verandah and access to the lovely surrounding gardens. Located only a ten minute drive away from Arusha Airport, Legendary Lodge is a luxurious and convenient starting point for your northern Tanzania safari adventure.
While not traditional exclusive use properties, Arusha Coffee Lodge and Legendary Lodge both offer guests a wonderful stay at the beginning or end of a northern circuit safari. Service at both of these properties is discreet and accommodation is in individual rooms and cottages.
Image courtesy of Classic Portfolio
Lemala Hamerkop House
Located on a wildlife and golf estate half way between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha town, Lemala Hamerkop House is an exclusive use house that is perfect for families or couples seeking luxury, privacy, and a relaxing escape. Enjoy days spent exploring the estate, followed by sundowners around the pool or from the golf course with Mount Meru and Kilimanjaro towering in the distance. Excellent service is guaranteed from your exclusive team of friendly staff, along with scrumptious meals prepared by your private chef.
Image courtesy of Lemala Camps
Chem Chem Forest Lodge
Chem Chem as a company has provided one of the most exciting opportunities for wildlife, recreating the corridor between two wilderness areas. It allows safe passage for wildlife without harm or contact with humans other than the odd safari vehicle and visitor!
Their slow safari philosophy resonates with us here at Encompass Africa. It allows you to better connect with the wilderness, immersing yourself in spectacular landscape that hosts wildlife encounters you’ll never forget.
Their most recent property to the portfolio is Forest Lodge, a luxury exclusive use camp set in 16,000 acres of wilderness on the border of Tarangire National Park. With three luxury tents and one two-bedroom family tent, the camp sleeps up to eight adults and two children – making it perfect for groups of friends or multi-generational families. Activities here include day and night game drives, walking safaris, day trips into Tarangire National Park, a sunrise hill climb, child-friendly safaris, interactive cooking experience, and visits to the local Maasai village.
Image courtesy of Classic Portfolio
Legendary Expeditions
There is no better way to explore Tanzania than your very own private expedition. You’ll experience unforgettable cultural interactions with the Datoga or Hadza tribes, fly camp in private reserves, helicopter safari across the northern circuit, and stay in seasonal camps that move seamlessly with the great wildebeest migration. This adventure is less about the luxury accommodation (though it is excellent!) and more about the journey and the experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.
This is Africa. This is the joy of tailormade safaris to suit you, nobody else.
Image courtesy of Classic Portfolio
Kiba Point Camp
The Selous Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in Africa, boasting eleven million acres of remote wilderness and diverse ecosystems. The Selous is an essential part of any southern Tanzania safari circuit, with spectacular wildlife and a wide range of exciting safari activities.
One of the best places from which to explore the Selous is Nomad Tanzania’s Kiba Point Camp. This exclusive use camp is located in the heart of the Selous and is unique with its spacious, open-fronted suites facing out over the Rufiji River. Each of the four suites has its own private deck and plunge pool, and the family suite has an additional closed in room for children. Though children from five years and up are welcome at Kiba Point, the open nature of the camp makes it best suited to families with older children and groups of friends.
Activities at Kiba Point Camp are extensive and impressive. They range from 4×4 game drives in open sided vehicles, walking safaris, boating along the Rufiji River, fishing, birding, visits to the hot springs, picnics in the treetop hide, bush breakfasts and sundowners to sleeping out under the stars on a fly camping adventure.
Image courtesy of Nomad Tanzania
Kichaka Expeditions
For those craving a completely immersed safari experience, look no further than Kichaka Expeditions in Ruaha National Park. Along with day and night game drives, wildlife photography, birding, and star gazing activities, Kichaka’s real specialty is walking safaris. With incredible expert guides leading the way, head out and explore the wild landscapes of Ruaha National Park and get up close with wildlife big and small. Kichaka offers a number of walking safari itineraries that take you between their two camps, Frontier and Untamed.
Frontier Camp is Kichaka Expeditions’ main camp and boasts three spacious and luxurious ensuite tents overlooking the Ruaha bush. With bucket showers and solar power, Frontier operates on a ‘leave no trace’ principle that ensures the camp leaves no impact on the environment when it relocates on a seasonal basis. Untamed Camp is Kichaka’s mobile fly camp, and allows guests to explore the breadth of Ruaha without having to return to Frontier camp every night. With just three lightweight yet comfortable mobile tents, Untamed Camp can be set up anywhere in Ruaha’s rugged wilderness. Enjoy nights around the campfire or gazing up at the stars, before falling asleep to the sound of wildlife.
Both Frontier and Untamed Camps can be booked on an exclusive use basis, and are perfect for groups of friends or families with older children.
Image courtesy of Kichaka Expeditions
Greystoke Mahale
While not an exclusive use property, social distancing is easy at Greystoke Mahale and it’s one of Jono’s all time favourites. You stay on the edge of Lake Tanganyika with mountains and forests knocking on your door. Each of the property’s six thatched, dhow wood bandas comes with an ensuite, mezzanine relaxation balcony, and uninterrupted views of the stunning Lake Tanganyika.
After arriving by boat, you settle into your beachfront accommodation and then spend time getting to know the guiding team! IT’s a real barefoot casual chic property and here the highlight is getting up close to wild chimpanzees in the forests beyond. Guests head out with a chimpanzee expert, trekking through lush rainforests before arriving at the troupe. It really is an impressive primate safari. Staying here, you can also see the work of the Nomad Trust, visiting the local Tanganyika village, primary school, and community clinic. And no visit to Greystoke is complete without heading out on the Lake for boating and swimming. It’s the perfect way to end another day in Africa!
Image courtesy of Nomad Tanzania
Chada Katavi Camp
Welcome to one of Jono’s top safari camps. A charter plane gets you into Katavi National Park and you’ll then be whisked away in 4×4 to the spectacular Chada Katavi Camp.
“The experience at Chada Katavi is unlike anything else. A brilliant camp set up and friendly team welcomes you on arrival. It keeps getting better as your safari rewards you with cave digging crocodiles, large hippo pods, and wide open spaces. The bonus is it’s relatively unknown and difficult to reach unless you’re on a private air safari. So that means few tourists are around – just the way I like it.”
Nomad Tanzania’s Chada Katavi is a truly authentic safari camp, with canvas tents, bucket shower, and a central fire pit to relax around. Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, sundowners, and adventurous fly camping excursions.