Luxus in Africa Blog

Experience the Magic of Serengeti in Ultimate Luxury

Imagine waking up to the sounds of the African wilderness, enjoying a gourmet breakfast overlooking the endless plains of the Serengeti. At Luxus in Africa, we transform this dream into reality.

Luxury Accommodations

Our lodges and camps offer:

• Private plunge pools with savannah views
• Personal butler service
• Gourmet dining under the stars
• Luxurious tented suites with king-sized beds
• Private safari vehicles for exclusive game drives

The Great Migration Experience

Witness the spectacular wildebeest migration from our exclusive viewing platforms. Our expert guides ensure you capture every moment of this natural wonder.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for luxury safaris in Serengeti is during the dry season (June to October) when wildlife congregates around water sources. For the river crossing, plan your visit between July and September.

More Wildlife, Less Driving

Tanzania is a vast country, with national parks spread across diverse landscapes. While road transfers offer their own experiences, flying between destinations can significantly enhance your safari by maximizing wildlife viewing time and reducing travel fatigue.

Advantages of Fly-In Safaris

Time Efficiency: Road transfers between parks can take 4-8 hours, consuming valuable safari time. A flight that takes 45-90 minutes replaces an entire day of driving, giving you more time for game drives and relaxation.

Reduced Fatigue: African roads can be bumpy and dusty. Flying eliminates hours of bumpy travel, keeping you fresh and energized for afternoon game drives.

Aerial Views: Flights over the Serengeti offer spectacular aerial perspectives of the landscape, wildlife, and even the Great Migration. These views are unforgettable additions to your safari experience.

Access to Remote Parks: Some of Tanzania's most spectacular parks - Mahale, Katavi, Ruaha - are only accessible by air for most travelers. Flying opens up these wilderness areas.

Flexibility: Charter flights allow you to create custom itineraries that maximize your time in each destination, with departures scheduled around your preferences.

Types of Safari Flights

Scheduled Flights: Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and other operators run scheduled flights between major parks and airstrips. These are cost-effective and reliable, with multiple departures daily on popular routes.

Private Charter: For ultimate flexibility and privacy, charter your own aircraft. Choose departure times, accommodate larger groups, and even modify flight paths for aerial photography.

Helicopter Transfers: For the ultimate luxury experience, helicopter transfers offer unparalleled views and access to remote locations with minimal environmental impact.

Popular Fly-In Routes

Northern Circuit: Arusha - Serengeti (various airstrips) - Ngorongoro (Manyara airstrip) - Zanzibar. This classic route covers highlights efficiently.

Southern Circuit: Dar es Salaam - Selous - Ruaha - Zanzibar. Access the remote southern parks comfortably.

Western Circuit: Arusha - Mahale - Gombe - Kigoma - Zanzibar. Reach Tanzania's most remote primate sanctuaries.

What to Expect

Safari aircraft are typically small Cessna Caravans or similar, carrying 8-12 passengers. Baggage is limited to 15-20 kg per person in soft-sided bags (no hard suitcases). Flights operate during daylight hours only, as airstrips are unlighted.

Upon landing, your lodge or camp will meet you at the airstrip for transfer to your accommodation, which may be a short game drive away - your safari begins the moment you land!

Sample Fly-In Itinerary

Day 1-3: Fly Arusha to Serengeti (Kogatende airstrip). Witness Mara River crossings.
Day 4: Fly Serengeti to Ngorongoro. Afternoon at crater rim lodge.
Day 5: Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 6: Fly Manyara to Zanzibar. Beach relaxation.
Day 7-9: Zanzibar beach stay.
Day 10: Fly Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam for international departure.

This itinerary covers highlights that would require 12+ days by road, giving you more time for the experiences that matter most.

Frame Your African Memories

A safari offers incredible photographic opportunities, from sweeping landscapes to intimate wildlife moments. Whether you're a beginner with a smartphone or a professional with advanced gear, these tips will help you capture stunning images.

Essential Equipment

Consider bringing:

• Camera body: DSLR or mirrorless with good low-light performance
• Lenses: 70-200mm or 100-400mm for wildlife, wide-angle for landscapes
• Extender/teleconverter: For extra reach with wildlife
• Extra batteries: Cold mornings drain batteries quickly
• Multiple memory cards: High-capacity, fast cards
• Bean bag: Essential for stabilizing on vehicle
• Lens cleaning kit: Dust is inevitable on safari
• Laptop/tablet: For backing up and reviewing images
• External hard drive: Backup your backups
• Smartphone: Modern phones take excellent photos too!

Camera Settings for Wildlife

Shutter speed: For moving animals, use at least 1/500s. For running animals or birds in flight, 1/1000s or faster.
Aperture: Use wider apertures (f/2.8-f/5.6) for isolating subjects, smaller apertures (f/8-f/11) for group shots and landscapes.
ISO: Keep as low as possible, but don't be afraid to increase in low light. Modern cameras handle higher ISOs well.
Focus mode: Continuous/AI Servo mode for moving subjects.

Composition Techniques

• Rule of thirds: Place subjects off-center for more dynamic images
• Eye contact: Focus on the eyes – they should be sharp
• Leading lines: Use roads, rivers, or tree lines to draw viewers in
• Background: Watch for distracting elements behind your subject
• Eye level: Shoot at the animal's eye level when possible
• Environmental portraits: Include habitat to tell the full story
• Behavior shots: Capture animals interacting, feeding, or hunting

Golden Hour Magic

The hour after sunrise and before sunset offers the most beautiful light for photography. Plan to be out during these times, when wildlife is also most active. The warm, soft light creates stunning images with rich colors and long shadows.

Smartphone Photography

No DSLR? No problem! Modern smartphones take excellent photos:

• Use portrait mode for subject isolation
• Tap to focus and adjust exposure
• Shoot in HDR for high-contrast scenes
• Use burst mode for action sequences
• Clean your lens regularly (dust accumulates quickly)
• Consider clip-on telephoto lenses for extra reach
• Edit with apps like Lightroom Mobile

Respect Wildlife While Photographing

Never prioritize a photo over animal welfare. Maintain distance, never use flash at night (it can temporarily blind animals), and follow your guide's instructions. The best wildlife photographers are patient and ethical.

Our Photography Safaris

For serious photographers, we offer specialized photographic safaris with professional guides who understand both wildlife behavior and camera gear. These small-group experiences ensure prime positioning and expert instruction. Contact us for details.

Creating Lifelong Memories for Young Explorers

A family safari in Tanzania is an educational adventure that children will remember forever. Our family-friendly luxury camps and lodges offer specialized programs designed to engage young minds.

Junior Ranger Programs

Many of our partner properties offer certified Junior Ranger programs where children can:

• Learn to track animals with experienced guides
• Identify animal footprints and droppings
• Understand animal behavior through fun games
• Earn a Junior Ranger certificate at the end
• Participate in bush walks (age-appropriate)
• Learn about conservation efforts

Family-Friendly Accommodations

Our luxury camps and lodges offer interconnected rooms, family suites, and even private villas perfect for families. Many provide:

• Kids' menus and flexible meal times
• Babysitting services for parents' evening time
• Swimming pools for afternoon relaxation
• Board games and educational materials
• Early child-friendly dinner options

Best Parks for Family Safaris

Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, and the Ngorongoro Crater are excellent choices for families due to their high wildlife density and shorter game drives. The Serengeti offers incredible experiences but consider the central Seronera area for shorter drives between sightings.

Age Recommendations

Most luxury camps welcome children aged 6 and above, though some offer family-friendly accommodations for younger children. Private family villas are ideal for families with very young children, offering complete flexibility.

Surreal Landscapes and Pink Birds

Lake Natron's caustic waters create a surreal landscape where millions of flamingos come to breed, set against the backdrop of Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Lake Natron Experience

Our Lake Natron package includes:

• Private guided walks to flamingo colonies
• Visit to Engero Sero waterfalls
• Luxury tented camp accommodations
• Guided walks along the lake shore
• Bird watching for specialized species
• Photography at golden hour
• Cultural visit to Maasai bomas

Best Time to Visit

The best time for flamingo viewing is during the breeding season (August to October) when hundreds of thousands of chicks are raised.

Wilderness Within Reach

Mikumi National Park offers a convenient luxury safari experience without the long journey, perfect for those short on time but seeking quality.

Luxury Mikumi Experience

Our Mikumi packages include:

• Private transfers from Dar es Salaam
• Luxury lodge accommodations with pool
• Game drives in the Mkata Floodplain
• Walking safaris in the foothills
• Night drives for nocturnal wildlife
• Visit to nearby Uluguru Mountains

Wildlife Highlights

Mikumi is home to lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a diverse array of birdlife. The Mkata Floodplain rivals the Serengeti in wildlife density.