[Tanzania] 8 Days Tanzania Migration Safari
DAY 01 ARRIVAL TARANGIRE
- Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and continue with a short flight to Tarangire and check into your safari lodge.
- Tarangire National Park, located in the northern region of Tanzania's safari circuit, is a hidden treasure. It boasts impressive herds of elephants and buffalo, often numbering in the hundreds, which is a remarkable sight to behold. Additionally, the park is home to a diverse array of plains game, such as giraffes, elands, impalas, and zebras, just to name a few.
- Overnight: Tarangire
- Meals: Dinner
DAY 03 TARANGIRE
- You have the day to enjoy safari activities in Tarangire.
- Depending on your chosen camp, you may also experience walking safaris and night drives and discover the privilege of encountering small and nocturnal animals.
- Overnight: Tarangire
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 04 TO NGORONGORO CRATER
- Enjoy a morning safari in Tarangire before departing to reach the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater.
- Emerging from a volcanic collapse, Ngorongoro Crater showcases an exceptional gathering of wildlife on its expansive floor, earning its reputation as one of Africa's most densely populated game areas. Within its boundaries, you'll encounter majestic beings such as lions, elephants, leopards, and rhinos, alongside elegant antelopes and gazelles, forming a remarkable tapestry of biodiversity. The crater also serves as a sanctuary for numerous bird species, further enriching its vibrant ecosystem. Enhanced by the striking backdrop of the crater wall, the entire scene unfolds in a breathtaking display of natural wonder.
- Overnight: Ngorongoro
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 05 NGORONGORO CRATER
- Today, enjoy a full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.
- Overnight: Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 06 TO SERENGETI
- Drive back to Manyara airstrip and fly to a remote camp in Serengeti.
- Return to Manyara airstrip and board a flight to a secluded camp in the Serengeti for the Great Migration.
- The renowned Great Migration marks the annual journey of two million wildebeests, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles. Following the rhythm of the rain patterns, this awe-inspiring movement stretches from the plains of Tanzania's Serengeti to the grasslands of Kenya's Masai Mara. This natural phenomenon is a testament to the enduring cycle of life and showcases the remarkable resilience and instinctual nature of these magnificent creatures.
- The Serengeti, unquestionably, stands out as the most mesmerizing park in all of Africa. Its vast and sweeping plains play host to an awe-inspiring sight: millions of hoofed animals, ranging from wildebeests to gazelles, zebras to buffaloes. Accompanying this remarkable gathering are abundant super predators, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards.
- We choose remote luxury camps accordingly and allow you to best catch the spectacle and enjoy the African wilderness:
Jun-Jul: The migration comes off the southern plains and heads through the western corridor on its way north to the Grumeti River.
Jul-Aug: This is the famous time of multiple river crossings at the Mara River and northern Serengeti.
Sep-Oct: The herds split into groups and re-enter from Mara to the Serengeti Plain.
- Check in to your safari camp, and enjoy an evening game drive after refreshments.
- Overnight: Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 06-07 SERENGETI
- This morning, soar over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon for an ultimate safari. Marvel at the African landscape, then celebrate with a champagne breakfast (with additional cost)
- Spend a full day to enjoy safari game drives in Serengeti.
- Overnight: Serengeti
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
DAY 08 RETURN KILIMANJARO - DEPART
- Transfer to the airstrip and fly back to Kilimanjaro via Arusha. If time permits, enjoy some shopping in town before returning to the airport for flight.
- Overnight: -
- Meals: Breakfast
[Japan] 7 Days Around Kyushu
DAY 01 ARRIVAL FUKUOKA – TO NAGASAKI
DAY 02 NAGASAKI
- Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Ground Zero, built on a hill to the north of the hypocenter of the atomic bomb blast. The park features the 9.7-meter-high Peace Statue symbolizing the Nagasaki citizens' wish for peace.
- Then the Bomb Museum, which covers the history of the 9 August1945 bombing as a story, showcasing related photographs, relics, and documents.
- Explore the Glover Garden, an open-air museum with mansions of former Western merchants who settled down in Nagasaki after the end of Japan's era of seclusion in the second half of the 19th century. Enjoy a panorama of the city from the garden.
- After lunch, visit Nagasaki’s new Megami Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, a remarkable engineering feat and today, a new symbol of the Nagasaki Port.
- Overnight: Nagasaki
DAY 03 TO KUMAMOTO - KUROKAWA ONSEN
- Today we will transfer to Shimbara Port for your car ferry transfer to Kumamoto (approx. 30 minutes).
- Upon arrival, visit the Kumamoto Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Japan. This is one of only a few structures have survived the centuries since the castle's construction in 1607.
- We head on another 2 hours to your ryokan amidst beautiful mountains and lush gorges in Kurakawa Onsen, near the foot of Mt Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano.
- Overnight: Kurokawa Onsen
DAY 04 TO MOUNT ASO
- Morning, drive to Kusasenri where we can see the Mt Aso Crater. This active volcano has one of the largest caldera as well, which is said to have resulted from an explosion roughly 100,000 years ago, spanning a circumference of around 75 miles.
- Then, take a walk across the Kokonoe Yume Ootsuribashi, the suspension footbridge, at 173 meters tall and 375 meters across, is the longest and highest of its kind in the world.
- Stop at in Yufuin town, a hot-spring resort with a wealth of inns, unique art museums, galleries and shops, restaurants and coffee shops with an attractive atmosphere.
- Return to your ryokan this evening and relax.
- Overnight: Kurokawa Onsen
DAY 05 TO TAKACHIHO
- Drive approx. 1.5 hours to Takachiho, a town steeped in Japanese mythology. It is the site of legend where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess, hid herself in a cave, prompting the other gods and goddesses to try and lure her out.
- Visit Takachiho Shrine nestled in a grove of tall cedars. Also the Amanoiwato Shrine, built near the cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself away.
- After lunch, take a leisurely self-rowing boat trip down the Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. Along the gorge, you will find the 17m high Minainotaki waterfall.
- Check into your ryokan tonight. In the evening, you may enjoy a Yokagura Night Dance, which reenacts a few scenes from the legend, performed by masked dancers with traditional instrument accompaniment.
- Overnight: Takachiho
DAY 06 TO KAGOSHIMA
- Today continue to Kirishima, an active volcanic mountain range of stunning highlands, volcanic lakes, hot springs and numerous hiking trails.
- Go on a 2-3 hours easy trek (can be tailored to your fitness) to immerse in the otherworldly beauty of this area. We end off in the small town of Ebino Kogen, nestled in the mountains. It is best known for the pampas grass that blankets the ground in summer, giving it a pinkish hue.
- Drive further 1 hour to Kagoshima and check in to your hotel.
- Overnight: Kirishima or Kagoshima
- Meals: Breakfast
DAY 07 DEPART KAGOSHIMA
- Today, visit Mt Sakurajima via Ferry to see the symbol of Kagoshima and one of the most active volcanoes in Japan which smokes constantly.
- Return to Kagoshima and spend some free time for shopping before your flight home or return to Fukuka.
- Meals: Breakfast
EXTENSION - 3 DAYS YAKUSHIMA ISLAND ADVENTURE
Go off the beaten track into Yakushima, a pristine subtropical island off the southern coast of Kyushu and covered by an extensive cedar forest that contains some of Japan's oldest living trees, the most ancient of which over 7000 years old. Enjoy the unspoiled richness of nature on a mysterious island where time stands still. For the rich flora and fauna, parts of the island is declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Stay in resort renowned for serving delightful epicurean cuisine.
DAY 07 KAGOSHIMA/ YAKUSHIMA ISLAND
- Transfer by express ferry (approximately 2hours to) Yakushima island. Visit the Senpiro Fall – in the middle reaches of the Anbou River and where the water falls approx. 66 m on to a gigantic granite monolith.
- Take a walk in Yakusugi Land, a nature park populated by cedar trees over 1000 of years old. Walk 1-hour along well developed trails to enjoy this stunning setting. See Kigen-sugi, a 3000 year old, cedar 6km west of Yakusugi Land.
- Check into your resort this evening.
- Overnight: Yakushima Island
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 08 YAKUSHIMA ISLAND
- Take on a beautiful 4- hours hike along the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine through the mist-cloacked emerald forests full of ancient tress. (Depending on your fitness, we can recommend a hike ranging from 10- 12 hours)
- Return to your resort and enjoy fine-cuisine from top quality local ingredients grown in the natural abundance of Yakushima. Rejuvenate in the resort’s spa – which offersThai treatment methods and organic herbs.
- Overnight: Yakushima Island
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 09 YAKUSHIMA ISLAND /KAGOSHIMA / HONG KONG
- This morning at 1045hrs, transfer for your ferry to Kagoshima (2 hours approximately) and continue your exploration of the city.
- Overnight: Kagoshima
- Meals: Breakfast
In Nagasaki
- Ryokan Sanga: Situated among tranquil Japanese gardens, Ryokan Sanga boasts spacious open-air hot spring baths and classic Japanese-style guest rooms with a relaxing ambience. Offering a historic charm, each room is fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, and features a low table and chairs for guests to unwind with. 16 rooms only, free wifi. sanga-ryokan.com/
In Kurokawa Onsen
- Ryokan Sanga: Situated among tranquil Japanese gardens, Ryokan Sanga boasts spacious open-air hot spring baths and classic Japanese-style guest rooms with a relaxing ambience. Offering a historic charm, each room is fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, and features a low table and chairs for guests to unwind with. 16 rooms only, free wifi. sanga-ryokan.com/
- Ryokan Takefue (Ryokan Collection member): maintains a refined rustic style, the farm-type buildings all black beams and straw-and-plaster stucco. Interiors are likewise rustic, but with modern amenities and huge windows giving access to the lovely surrounding forest. The onsen hot springs are generated by the same geological processes that keep nearby Mt. Aso rumbling. takefue.com/
In Takachiho
- Hanare no yado Kamigakure: this ryokan features spacious guest rooms surrounded by tranquil mountains. It is a 7-minute walk to Takachiho Shrine and a 6-minute drive to Takachiho-kyo Gorge. Guests can use WiFi property-wide for free. 8 rooms only.
- Ryokan Shinsen: A 5-minute drive from the spectacular Takachiho Gorge, Ryokan Shinsen offers rooms with a Japanese-style decor and free Wi-Fi, some of which have open-air baths. Rooms boast a Japanese-style living area with a tatami (woven mat) floor and a low table with seating cushions. takachiho-shinsen.co.jp
In Kagoshima
- Nishitetsu Solaria Kagoshima: Opened in 2012, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kagoshima is just a 2-minute walk from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Train Station and features a French restaurant and massage services. Its modern rooms impress with a 4-star decor, free wired internet and a spacious shower room with a bathtub. solaria-hotels.jp/kagoshima/english/
In Kirishima :
- Wasurenosato Gajoen: Member of Relais & Chateaux. Wasureno Sato Gajoen is located a 15-minute drive from Kagoshima Airport and a 20-minute drive from JR Hayato Train Station. Japanese-style guest rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. Discover the exceptional recipes of the Relais & Châteaux in a renowned gourmet restaurant. http://gajoen.jp/
In Yakushima Island
- Sakara Hotel and Spa (a Small Luxury Hotel): sits upon elevated ground on the southeastern side of Yakushima, set against the mountains looking out to the sea with 29 rooms only. The restaurants are run by the noted French chef, Chiharu Takei who selects produce, marine products, and other ingredients himself grown here and on the Kyushu mainland. sankarahotel-spa.com/en/