Highlights of Tanzania by road – 9 days safari

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by our friendly representative, holding a personalized signboard for easy recognition. After a warm welcome, our representative will assist you with your luggage and escort you to your private transfer vehicle.
Enjoy a comfortable drive through the scenic foothills of Mount Meru as you make your way to Gran Meliá Arusha, a luxurious hotel nestled in a lush coffee and tea plantation, offering spectacular views of both Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.
Once at the hotel, check in and settle into your elegant room. Take some time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the hotel’s world-class facilities including a heated outdoor pool, spa, botanical gardens, and fine dining. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to explore the vibrant town of Arusha or simply rest in preparation for the adventure ahead.

Gran Meliá Arusha – A Five-Star Retreat with Views of Mount Meru
Set between the iconic Serengeti and Kilimanjaro National Parks, Gran Meliá Arusha is a luxurious five-star haven offering exclusive views of Mount Meru and surrounded by lush coffee and tea plantations. This elegant hotel is the perfect blend of African charm and modern sophistication—making it an ideal base for both safari adventures and high-end business travel.
Guests can indulge in world-class amenities, including:
• A serene infinity pool overlooking the gardens
• A fully equipped spa and wellness center
• A state-of-the-art fitness facility
• Gourmet international dining, featuring the acclaimed The Grill restaurant
• Spacious luxury suites with private balconies and mountain views

The hotel also boasts a modern conference center and offers the elevated service of the exclusive RedLevel experience, ensuring personalized attention and an enhanced stay.
Whether you’re embarking on a safari or attending an executive meeting, Gran Meliá Arusha promises a seamless blend of comfort, elegance, and warm Tanzanian hospitality.

After breakfast in Arusha, we set off on a scenic drive towards Tarangire National Park, a journey that offers a glimpse of rural Tanzania’s landscapes and culture. Arriving in time for lunch at our lodge, you’ll enjoy your first taste of the park’s tranquility before heading out on your afternoon game drive.

TARANGIRE KURO TREETOPS LODGE

This organic, light-footed bush camp, hidden deep within Tarangire, holds a special place in our hearts. Tarangire country is vast and dramatic, but our camp is its gentle counterpoint—a small, soulful gem. Tucked away in a quiet grove along the riverside, it blends so seamlessly with the wild that passing animals hardly pause to notice us. Elephants often amble right through camp, allowing us to witness their secret lives from the serene comfort of our sun-dappled lounge. Here, we are not just visitors—we are part of the rhythm of Tarangire itself.

The lodge itself is a masterpiece of design and comfort, featuring 25 luxurious safari tents elevated along the baobab tree line. Each tent offers plush bedding, an elegant en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, and a private veranda that provides the perfect vantage point for game viewing and soaking in the natural beauty of Tarangire.

Tarangire is famed for its permanent water source, drawing in vast numbers of wildlife year-round. This makes the park one of Tanzania’s most rewarding game-viewing destinations, particularly during the dry season when wildlife congregates in massive numbers along the Tarangire River. Here, you have an excellent chance of spotting cheetah, lion (some of which have developed the unusual habit of climbing trees), leopard, and hyena, as well as one of the largest elephant populations in Africa—an impressive herd of around 3,500 individuals.

Keep an eye out for rare antelope species such as eland, oryx, greater kudu, and the graceful gerenuk, which can stand upright on its hind legs to browse leaves. The park’s rolling savannahs, dramatic baobab trees, and riverine forests create a photographer’s paradise and a truly classic African safari setting.

After your afternoon’s adventures, we return to our accommodation inside or close to the park, where you can relax, enjoy dinner, and listen to the night sounds of the African bush under a star-filled sky.

Wake early to the soft sounds of the African bush and set out for your morning game drive. Tarangire’s diverse landscapes—ranging from open savannahs and rolling hills to riverine forest and ancient baobab groves—offer a constantly changing backdrop for wildlife encounters. This is prime elephant country, with large herds often seen making their way to the Tarangire River. Keep your eyes peeled for oryx and the graceful, long-necked gerenuk, as well as predators such as lion, cheetah, and leopard that stalk the plains.

Return to camp for a leisurely lunch and a short rest, enjoying the views and perhaps spotting wildlife from your veranda.

In the late afternoon, set out on a guided walking safari, an experience that brings you even closer to nature. Led by an expert guide, you’ll learn how to read the bush—identifying animal tracks, understanding the behaviour of insects and birds, and discovering the medicinal uses of native plants. The thrill of being on foot, following the same paths as elephants and antelope, is an unforgettable way to connect with Tarangire’s wild heart.

As the sun dips towards the horizon, return to camp for sundowners and dinner under the star-filled African sky.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we set out by road for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most spectacular safari destinations. The drive takes you through the sweeping landscapes of northern Tanzania, with dramatic views of the Great Rift Valley and its diverse terrain unfolding along the way.

As we ascend into the highlands, the scenery transforms into fertile farmland and lush, mist-kissed forests. Arriving at the Ngorongoro Crater rim, you’ll be welcomed at your lodge and shown to your room.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure—breathing in the crisp highland air, soaking in panoramic crater views, or relaxing by the fireplace. Dinner and overnight at the lodge, as you prepare for the thrilling crater exploration that awaits tomorrow.

OLDEANI MOUNTAIN LODGE –

Luxury Redefined on the Edge of the Ngorongoro Crater

Perched on a scenic hilltop with sweeping 360-degree views, Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge is a five-star colonial-style retreat offering breathtaking vistas of Oldeani Mountain, the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, and even as far as Lake Eyasi and Lake Manyara.

Set on 40 acres of lush gardens and indigenous vegetation, the lodge is a haven for nature lovers — home to over 130 species of birds and surrounded by the tranquility of northern Tanzania’s highlands.

Elegant Accommodation
The lodge features 50 beautifully appointed Deluxe Rooms and the exclusive Livingstone Suite, each designed with classic charm and equipped with modern luxury amenities. All rooms offer expansive views of the surrounding landscape from private verandas, inviting you to soak in the peace and beauty of the region.

World-Class Facilities
The magnificent stone-built main house is the heart of the lodge, offering a blend of timeless elegance and contemporary comfort. Guests can enjoy a grand lounge, formal dining room, spa, boutique, conference room, media/TV lounge, children’s activity room, and an internet café. Outdoors, relax by the rim-flow pool, enjoy the billiards room, or gather around the fireplace under the stars.

Whether you’re beginning your Ngorongoro safari adventure or winding down after a day of exploration, Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge offers the perfect balance of sophistication, serenity, and warm hospitality.

After an early breakfast at the lodge, depart with your packed lunch boxes for a full-day adventure in the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater — one of Africa’s most spectacular and wildlife-rich safari destinations.

Descend approximately 600 meters to the crater floor and begin exploring this vast natural amphitheatre. Often referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world,” the Ngorongoro Crater is home to an incredible density of wildlife, set against a backdrop of diverse and dramatic landscapes. Spend the day tracking a wide range of species across the crater’s varied habitats — from open grasslands to swamps and acacia forests. Highlights include:

• Big Cats & Predators: Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas
• Large Mammals: Elephants, buffalos, wildebeests, zebras, elands, gazelles, giraffes, antelopes
• Rare Species: A chance to spot the endangered black rhino
• Birdlife: Flamingos and other waterbirds around Lake Magadi

Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the scenic, designated sites within the crater, surrounded by nature and sweeping views. After a full day of exceptional game viewing and photography, ascend back to the crater rim and return to the lodge by late afternoon.

Scenic Drive & Game Drives in the Iconic Savannah

After an early breakfast at your lodge, we set off by road for the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. The journey takes you through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, past volcanic highlands, shimmering lakes, and vast plains that seem to stretch forever. Leaving behind the foothills of Mount Meru, you’ll travel deep into the heart of one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations.

As you enter the park, your first game drive begins right away. This initial introduction to the Serengeti offers a taste of its incredible biodiversity—keep your eyes peeled for herds of zebra and wildebeest, majestic elephants, towering giraffes, and perhaps your first glimpse of lions, leopards, or cheetahs.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a little relaxation, soaking in the serene surroundings before your next adventure.

In the late afternoon, set out again for another game drive, venturing deeper into the Serengeti’s pristine wilderness. The park’s open savannahs host some of the most dramatic wildlife scenes on the planet, with predator-prey encounters playing out in the golden light of dusk.

Return to your lodge in the early evening for dinner under the stars, followed by a fireside drink as the sounds of the African night echo across the plains. Your unforgettable Serengeti journey has truly begun.

FOUR SEASONS LODGE

Your Sanctuary in the Savannah – Venture deep into the heart of one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife reserves, where the legendary Big Five—lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros—roam freely across an endless, untamed landscape. Elevated on a network of wooden platforms and walkways, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti offers uninterrupted views over the savannah and a nearby watering hole, where you might watch a family of elephants pause for a morning drink as you enjoy your own from the privacy of your balcony.

Under the watchful protection of local Maasai tribespeople, set out on exhilarating game drives through the Serengeti or take to the skies on a hot-air balloon safari for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the plains. After a day of adventure, unwind in the luxurious spa, where treatments are designed to rehydrate, restore, and re-energize.

The lodge’s elegant, air-conditioned rooms are adorned with authentic African décor and feature plush sofas, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Each offers a private bathroom with both a bath and shower.

Dining is an experience in itself. The Boma Grill invites you to enjoy an authentic African feast accompanied by Maasai dancing beneath the stars. Kula’s Restaurant serves a fusion of local flavours and international wines against a backdrop of spectacular views, while the wine cellar offers curated food and wine pairings for a truly indulgent evening.

With panoramic landscapes, world-class service, and the wild Serengeti right at your doorstep, your safari sanctuary awaits.

Full Days in Serengeti National Park

Game Drives, Bush Picnics & Optional Adventures
Spend your days immersed in the breathtaking beauty and abundant wildlife of the Serengeti. With flexible schedules and tailored experiences, each day is yours to explore this iconic park in the way that suits you best.

Early Morning Game Drives & Champagne Breakfasts
Begin your day with an early morning game drive in a custom 4×4 safari vehicle, when wildlife is most active. Set off at first light, enjoying the golden hues of the savannah as the day comes to life. Spot large herds of elephants, prides of lions, and possibly elusive leopards or cheetahs on the move.

Day-Long Exploration with Picnic Lunches
Choose to stay out for a full-day game drive, taking along a delectable picnic lunch to enjoy in the bush. The Serengeti’s open plains are home to awe-inspiring numbers of wildlife, including the Big Five, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and countless bird species. Your guide will tailor routes to match seasonal movement and wildlife concentrations.

Private Bush Picnics
Enjoy exclusive access to a private picnic site perched atop a hill, offering panoramic views over the Serengeti plains. Enjoy lunch in total privacy, surrounded only by nature — an unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path experience. Advance booking is essential for this special location.

Afternoon Game Drives & Sundowners
As the day cools, head out again to witness animals preparing for nightfall. Cap off the day with sundowners on the camp’s sunset deck — a spectacular setting to enjoy a cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in rich, fiery tones.

Optional Activity: Balloon Safari
For a truly unforgettable perspective, opt for a Serengeti Balloon Safari — an early morning hot air balloon flight over the plains, followed by a bush breakfast with sparkling wine. This once-in-a-lifetime experience must be arranged in advance, so be sure to request it when confirming your safari.

After an early breakfast at your lodge, we bid farewell to the majestic Serengeti. You’ll be transferred to the nearby airstrip for your scenic scheduled flight to Arusha. As you soar over the endless plains, take in the last unforgettable aerial views of the Serengeti’s iconic landscape.

Upon arrival at Arusha Airport, you’ll be warmly met by our representative and transferred to a nearby hotel, lodge, or restaurant depending on your onward travel plans. Enjoy some time to relax, refresh, or shop for souvenirs before your departure.

Later in the day, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in good time for your international flight — marking the close of an extraordinary East African safari experience.