The Helicopter Horizon6 Days • Beach Holiday
The Helicopter Horizon package elevates your arrival into an event in itself. From the tarmac of Julius Nyerere International Airport, a VIP-configured Airbus EC155B twin-engine helicopter sweeps you southward on a breathtaking 25-minute flight across the shimmering Indian Ocean to Thanda Island. Ideal for groups of up to eight guests, this five-night exclusive experience marries the drama of helicopter arrival with five languid days of island indulgence. Each morning breaks differently — whale shark encounters, coral reef dives, sunset sailing — while every evening returns you to the Villa's five-star comfort and your personal team's attentive hospitality. This is Tanzania's Indian Ocean at its most spectacular.
The Safari Experience
A meticulously planned adventure through the heart of the wild.
The Ultimate Island Collection is Thanda Island's most complete expression of luxury — seven peak-season nights that fuse the drama of helicopter arrival, the freedom of overnight sailing aboard the private catamaran Umoja, and the full breadth of every experience the island offers. Reserved exclusively for peak season (14 December 2026 – 10 January 2027), this defining package accommodates up to 16 guests across the Villa, the Tanzanian Bandas, and Umoja's three private suites. Whether celebrating the festive season above the Indian Ocean, counting down to a New Year beneath a blaze of island stars, or immersing an extended family or private group in Africa's finest luxury, this is the package that holds nothing back. Every experience is included. Every indulgence anticipated. Every moment is yours.
Key Expedition Advantages
Exceptional encounters and exclusive services provided on this journey.
Inclusions & Logistics
What's Included
- •VIP helicopter transfers: Dar es Salaam ↔ Thanda Island (Airbus EC155B, up to 8 passengers)
- •Exclusive use of Thanda Island Private Villa — 5 suites, configured for up to 8 guests
- •All meals and premium drinks including wines, spirits, sparkling wines & signature cocktails
- •All water activities: snorkelling, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, water skiing
- •Unlimited spa treatments, floodlit tennis court & fully equipped gym
- •Swimming with whale sharks (October – March, subject to season)
- •High-speed Wi-Fi & full laundry service
- •Dedicated personal island team throughout the stay
- •Local VAT at 18%
Safari Exclusions
- •Conservation Levy: USD $150 per person per stay
- •Marine Park Levy: USD $23.60 per person per day
- •Private dive charters (outsourced — available at additional cost)
- •Deep-sea fishing charters (available at additional cost)
- •Curios and gratuities
- •International airfares to/from Dar es Salaam
- •Mandatory Travel Insurance – Tanzania & Zanzibar: Adults USD $44 per person | Children (3–17) USD $22
- •Passengers Facilitation Fee (PFF) / VI-Tax for international air travel: USD $90 per person
Daily Safari Experience
Explore the vast landscapes from sunrise to sunset as we take you through our exclusive paths.
VIP Helicopter Arrival & Island Welcome
Your Maasa African Guides DMC team meets you at Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport and escorts you by luxury SUV to the private helipad. The iconic 25-minute Airbus EC155B flight delivers panoramic Indian Ocean vistas before landing directly on the island. A cooling welcome ceremony awaits — tropical refreshments, cool towels, and a personal tour of the Villa's five magnificent suites. Spend the late afternoon exploring the powder-sand beach and the living house reef before a private sunset cocktail hour and a welcome dinner conceived exclusively for your group.
Daily Highlights
Dining & Meals
All Inclusive
Days 2 - 5: Island Adventures & Indulgence.
he island's tender carries you into a glassy lagoon to swim alongside whale sharks in warm, unhurried water. White linen, bare feet, sea breeze — lunch set at the water's edge with the day's freshest catch. The spa pavilion awaits: deep-tissue work or a Tanzanian aromatherapy ritual, unhurried and restorative. A candlelit table beyond the treeline, where the Indian Ocean horizon dissolves into the Milky Way. Morning brings a sailing circumnavigation of hidden coves and pristine sandbanks, followed by snorkelling the outer reef — lionfish, turtles, Napoleon wrasse. A gourmet picnic on a secluded sandbank. Seven Swahili courses paired with wines from the private cellar. Days close at the waterline — cocktails, canapés, and a horizon ablaze in amber and gold.
Daily Highlights
Dining & Meals
All Inclusive
Sunrise Kayak, Final Indulgences & Helicopter Departure
Rise before the island fully wakes for a sunrise kayak along the shoreline — the light extraordinary, the sea glassy and still. Return for a final leisurely breakfast before one last spa session, a final swim in the infinity pool, or a quiet barefoot walk on the beach collecting memories. A farewell lunch is served on the terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean before the helicopter lifts your group back to Dar es Salaam carrying five extraordinary nights.
Daily Highlights
Dining & Meals
Lunch • Breakfast
Safari Navigation
A visual representation of your journey across the majestic African landscapes.
Captured Moments
Verified Reviews
"A truly magnificent experience. The tour showed us parts of the wild we never expected to see."
Luxury Traveler
Verified Traveler
"Professionalism at its peak. The guides were exceptionally knowledgeable about the heritage of the plains."
Global Explorer
Verified Traveler
"Hands down the best tour company. They respect the wildlife while providing an intimate view."
Wildlife Enthusiast
Verified Traveler
Guest Satisfaction Rating
"Our service is defined by the stories told after the sun has set. We are proud to maintain a 98% satisfaction rate."
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Safari Details
Adventure Information
Have questions about this tour?
+255 787 MAASAI-1Essential Safari FAQ
What makes the helicopter arrival special?
The Airbus EC155B twin-engine helicopter provides a VIP-configured, 25-minute flight from Dar es Salaam directly to the island's helipad. The aerial views of the Tanzanian coastline and the turquoise Indian Ocean are a dramatic and unforgettable opening to your island journey.
When is the best time to swim with whale sharks?
Whale shark season at Thanda runs October through March, coinciding with the southern hemisphere summer. During this period, these magnificent gentle giants congregate in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Outside season, alternative marine adventures — reef dives, manta ray encounters — are arranged instead.
Is the sandbank picnic included?
Yes. The gourmet sandbank picnic on Day 4 is a signature highlight of this package — a private lunch prepared by the island's chef team and served on a secluded, uninhabited sandbank accessible only by boat. No other guests. Just your group, the Indian Ocean, and perfection.
How many guests can this package accommodate?
The Helicopter Horizon is configured for up to 8 guests. The villa's five suites provide ample space, and the single helicopter rotation accommodates all guests comfortably in one VIP flight.
Can we extend the stay beyond 5 nights?
Absolutely. Charles Ole Sipitiek will design a fully bespoke extension to your stay, with additional nights priced at the applicable nightly rate. Additional catamaran experiences, island-hopping days, or a Zanzibar cultural extension can be incorporated.
What dining experience can we expect?
Your dedicated personal chef team creates bespoke menus inspired by East African coastal cuisine — Swahili spices, fresh Indian Ocean seafood, tropical fruits — paired with premium wines from the island's curated cellar. Every meal is positioned to maximise the island's extraordinary settings.
What is the booking and payment process?
Contact Charles Ole Sipitiek directly for availability and a personalised quotation. A 25% deposit is required within 21 days of confirmation, with 100% of the total value due 60 days prior to arrival. Mandatory travel insurance must be secured for all guests.
Still Have Questions?
Our guides are available to answer your questions and help you plan your journey.