Following the recent launch of The Asilia Edit you may find yourself looking at these carefully curated Small Group Tours and wondering which one you are best suited to. Each of the four editions has been crafted to offer the best possible safari experience; however, each edition is also very different to the next.
The Classic Edition
Northern Tanzania is home to some of East Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. As its name suggests, The Classic Edition has been crafted to incorporate these destinations and the remarkable experiences they offer, into one easily accessible itinerary.
Combining Arusha, Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the award winning Namiri Plains in the eastern Serengeti, this is an itinerary that is both timeless and perfectly suited to a first-time safari goer or safari enthusiast alike. The itinerary features some of the most wildlife-rich locations within the fabled “Northern Circuit”, offering a unique blend of traditional game drives, thrilling walking safaris, night drives under the cover of darkness, and a balloon safari over the Serengeti plains.
A cultural excursion to a nearby Maasai village in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area brings an immersive educational element to the itinerary, alongside additional opportunities to explore on foot and escape the confines of a vehicle. In-between the array of activities, there is time to relax and enjoy the comfort of our camps, from swimming pools and spas to the quiet vantage point of your private veranda with a cold drink, a good book, and binoculars close at hand.
Irrespective of how many times you have been on safari in other countries, The Classic Edition offers the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s most famous icons, making it a perfect fit for all levels of safari experience.
The Untamed Edition
If you are looking for an adventurous safari experience, then The Untamed Edition should be at the top of your list. Southern Tanzania is raw and authentic, far removed from bustling tourist hotspots, whilst offering beautiful landscape and thrilling wildlife encounters to be enjoyed in near exclusivity.
After a night in Dar es Salaam, the itinerary takes in the Usangu Wetlands in the far south of Ruaha National Park, before driving northwards to the intimate 3-tent camp of Kokoko on the banks of the dry Mwagusi River. From there, it’s a short flight to Nyerere National Park, where the adventure culminates at Roho ya Selous. The Usangu Wetlands represent pure exclusivity, where it is highly unlikely that you will encounter a guest from a different camp. The emphasis here is on walking safaris, boating the narrow waterways, and night game drives using non-invasive, cutting-edge thermal imaging technology to locate wildlife in the darkness.
The spirit of exploration continues at Kokoko Camp, with its expedition style offering focussed on creating genuine connection with the Ruaha landscape. At Roho ya Selous, the focus shifts to the wetland environment and the waterways that connect it. When not exploring by boat, consider a walking safari along the shoreline or onto the open plains, or enjoy a traditional game drive to explore further afield.
Southern Tanzania receives a fraction of the visitors that the northern parks receive, making it feel remote and exclusive even during the busiest periods of the year. Coupled with adventurous activities and the vast open spaces that the southern parks offer, The Untamed Edition creates an immersive experience perfect for the traveller that has either already experienced the northern parks or is looking for an activity-rich adventure in a more exclusive environment.
The Primate Edition
As the name suggests, The Primate Edition is not your typical East Africa safari experience. Despite there being a firm focus on chimpanzees and gorillas, this itinerary provides a wealth of additional options, allowing you to dictate the pace of your remaining time outside of these core activities.
Starting from Nairobi, a private charter flies to Rubondo Island National Park in the southwestern corner of Lake Victoria for a unique chimpanzee adventure. Trekking through the forested island is an adventure in itself, but when the calls of the chimpanzees become audible, the excitement levels begin to climb. On the water, boating safaris explore the shoreline in search of kingfishers, African fish eagles, and spotted-neck otters darting through the shallows. Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing for the Nile perch that dwell in the deeper waters or enjoy a drive across the island in search of white colobus monkeys, elephants, giraffe, sitatunga, and bush pigs. Alternatively, take in the view across the water from your chalet and relax to the sound of the lake lapping the sandy beach, recline by the swimming pool, or treat yourself to an in-room massage.
The private charter continues to Uganda, making your way to Erebero Hills overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Home to half the world’s population of mountain gorillas, Bwindi is an ancient rainforest and a haven of biodiversity. After a day spent gorilla trekking, enjoy a restorative massage or relax in the heated swimming pool. There are a variety of community focussed projects to interact with, from basket weaving and tea cultivation to a reforestation program creating access to traditional plants and trees for the surrounding Batwa community.
This unique, primate-focussed adventure provides unrivalled access to two key areas through the use of a private charter, creating a simple solution to the usual logistical hassle. Both trekking excursions require a good level of mobility and moderate fitness, especially as the terrain in Bwindi can be challenging after the rains. For the traveller with gorilla trekking marked as a bucket-list item, this itinerary provides the ultimate primate adventure.
The Signature Edition
Incorporating some of our most remarkable and beautiful lodges in Kenya and Tanzania, The Signature Edition lives up to its name and provides a unique safari experience across three exceptional wildlife destinations.
From Nairobi, it’s a short flight into the exclusive Mara Naboisho Conservancy, an access-controlled wilderness haven founded and developed for conservation and community empowerment. The elegant Naboisho Camp provides the perfect base from which to explore this spectacular environment, through walking safaris, game drives, and night drives. The strong wildlife offering continues at Namiri Plains, in the eastern corner of the Serengeti National Park. This is big cat country, home to an exceptional density of both lion and cheetah. Explore the surrounding plains through walking safaris and game drives, and enjoy a hot air balloon safari over the Seronera valley as sunrise bursts across the Serengeti. The swimming pool, the spa, and the outdoor bathtubs located on each private veranda, make this a perfect camp in which to slow down, soak up your surroundings and simply take in the moment.
The theme of luxurious accommodation surrounded by a rich wildlife offering continues as the itinerary moves south to Ruaha National Park and Jabali Ridge. Game drives, night drives, and walking safaris are all on offer here to ensure the best possible exploration of this raw and rugged national park. However, the infinity pool offers some of the best views across the park and can be difficult to tear yourself away from in the mid-afternoon sun.
If ever there was an itinerary built around balance, where there is consistently the option to enjoy the moment of where you are and the amenities available to you (often with a beautiful view), or the option to choose to explore and see more through a variety of activities, this would be it. For the traveller who appreciates the finer touches but still wants the opportunity to extract the full safari experience from an itinerary, The Signature Edition is the perfect fit.
Crafted for the curious, our Small Group Tours have been meticulously designed to ensure the best possible safari experience from each itinerary. If you’re still wondering which itinerary is best suited to your needs, let one of our experienced consultants talk you through the options and align an itinerary that works for you.
