The tour begins at Arumeru River Lodge, our home for the next two nights. Tucked away behind an old coffee plantation, close to the centre of Arusha, the lodge provides an ideal spot to begin our journey. Within the beautifully kept gardens you might spot monkeys, dik diks and many bird species, whilst the solar heated pool offers a chance to unwind from the flight.

Occupying the eastern edge of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, our lodge lies close to the Duluti Forestry Reserve affording an ideal opportunity for two very different excursions today. We will enjoy a guided walk through the nearby rainforest after breakfast today, before returning to the lodge for some downtime and lunch. The afternoon then provides us with a chance to explore something of the nearby crater lake by canoe. Surrounded by dense rainforest, Lake Duluti is home to a number of bird species, as well as impressive monitor lizards often found basking along the shores of the lake.

Departing Arusha this morning we take the road southwest, towards the breathtaking setting of the Tarangire National Park. Lying between the meadows of the Maasai Steppe and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley, Tarangire is home to large herds of elephants, as well as lions, hyenas and nearly 550 species of birds. After enjoying a game drive, followed by lunch at one of the park's lodges, we will continue this afternoon to our camp at Maweninga. Spectacularly located within the park itself, our overnight camp is perched on top of an imposing granite kopje overlooking Lake Manyara.

Covering an area of some 2,600 square kilometres, Tarangire is the sixth largest of Tanzania’s national parks. In spite of its vast array of wildlife though, it sits slightly apart from the more popular northern safari circuit, affording us a more authentic and less crowded experience. After an early morning game drive we continue on towards Karatu and the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater, where we break our journey with lunch at the historic sanctuary of Gibb’s Farm. Continuing on to our next lodge, we'll take some time to settle in, before visiting a nearby coffee plantation for a tour this afternoon.

Located on top of a steep hill in the heart of the fertile Karatu region, our lodge sits amongst beautiful terraces which offer views out over Lake Eyasi and the surrounding Rift Valley. Today has been set aside for optional activities and personal exploration, which might include mountain biking through the nearby villages or simply relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking panoramas from the lodge’s pool. The lodge also has its own farm, which provides it with everything from tea and coffee, to honey and fresh vegetables.

Our journey of superlatives continues today, as we head for the unparalleled spectacle of the Ngorongoro Crater. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remarkable volcanic caldera is home to a staggering array of wildlife that includes over 25,000 large animals, 26 black rhinos and Africa’s densest known population of lions. After a game drive and a private picnic lunch in the crater, we then head to our Maasai camp at Olduvai this afternoon, where a sunset walk out to a nearby kopje presents us with a unique opportunity to enjoy some interaction with our Maasai hosts.

The next three days sees us enjoying some truly unforgettable encounters amongst the vast and rich landscapes of the Serengeti National Park. This is wild Africa at its most majestic, where the Great Migration plays out against some 15,000 square kilometres of the Serengeti Plains. The specific day of our Great Migration experience will depend on the month of travel, but we can certainly be sure of some exceptional game drives, beginning today with a morning drive to lunch. Later we will drive on to the Togoro Plains, our tented lodge in the northern part of the Serengeti.

One of the first places in the world to be proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Serengeti National Park  provides the ultimate African safari experience. Aside from the unforgettable spectacle of the Great Migration and the iconic sightings of the Big Five, it also boasts over 500 species of birds, some 500-600 cheetahs, giant crocodiles and riverine forests. After an early morning game drive we will drive on to our final camp, located in the Grumeti Hills. This afternoon will then be at leisure to enjoy these beautiful surroundings, or perhaps partake in an optional game drive around the camp.

Venturing out in the company of experienced Wildlife Department rangers we begin the day with a unique walking safari down to the banks of the Grumeti River, where a delicious bush breakfast will be served. After lunch back at the lodge, the afternoon has again been set aside for some personal time, before we set out this evening on a night game drive. An opportunity to witness the nocturnal hunters and their prey against the backdrop of the sounds of an African night, a nighttime drive provides a completely different view of the bush and its inhabitants.

A morning transfer to the Ikoma Airstrip for the flight back to Arusha, where we will be met on arrival and transferred to a spot for lunch. For those on the group tour flight, they will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport.