8 Days Northern Tanzania Safari

Upon arrival in Arusha, you’ll be met and transferred to the comfortable Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, a stylish retreat set amongst the sprawling grounds of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantation in the foothills of Mount Meru.

You can explore the Shanga Social Enterprise and mountain bike in Arusha National Park or spend the rest of the day relaxing. Enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty, tranquility and luxury of the lodge, as you get rejuvenated ahead of your safari adventure.

After a delightful breakfast, your next destination is the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater. You’ll be transferred on a scenic 2-hour drive to Gibb’s Farm, a peaceful retreat tucked away in a picturesque coffee estate just outside the town of Karatu in the rolling Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. This idyllic private country cottage is one of the oldest in Tanzania. It was originally a 1920s coffee farm, with lush floral gardens, coffee and vegetable fields, and sweeping views over the rolling hills.

Enjoy the luxury of staying in a rustic farm house during your three-night stay, where you’ll join the resident naturalists for morning bird walks, bread making and coffee roasting as well as take afternoon tea in the gardens.

You’ll also intimately explore the region in a 4×4 safari vehicle with your private guide. After sunset, relax around the Tembo fire for drinks as you share stories of Iraqw culture, Maasai legends and tribal folklore, before enjoying a wonderful night on the farm.

Savour breakfast prepared with the farm’s organic produce—fresh from its fields, gardens and on-site bakery and dairy—before heading out to explore Ngorongoro Crater, a breathtaking volcanic landscape and home to the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa.

You’ll take a spectacular 600-metre descent from the rim to the crater floor to spot elephants, lions, rhinos, and a rich array of wildlife on scintillating game drives. Then return to the farm and enjoy plenty of optional activities.

After a sumptuous breakfast, you can either return to the Ngorongoro Crater or explore nearby Lake Manyara for an optional game drive. Lake Manyara attracts plenty of wildlife and birds due to its several natural watering holes, making it an incredible place to add to your itinerary.

You can also take a two-hour walking safari through the forested slopes of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, departing directly from the farm or simply stay on the farm and help the staff with bread making, coffee roasting and the daily ritual of harvesting fresh organic produce from the vegetable garden.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the swimming pool or enjoying a revitalising wellness treatment, followed by a spectacular garden sunset.

After a delightful breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Serengeti National Park on a 5.5-hour drive keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. Spend the next two days staying at Serengeti Bushtops—an exclusive luxurious retreat that combines indulgence and adventure for an unforgettable experience. From here, explore the vast plains on thrilling game drives, or on foot during an immersive walking safari.

Unwind and enjoy sunset views over the Serengeti, savour gourmet meals served in the open-sided mess tent, or dine in the privacy of your own tent. After dark, spend time around the roaring fire sharing the day’s sightings with the rangers and your fellow travelers.

After breakfast, experience the Serengeti at its finest on a full day safari adventure with a bush picnic lunch in the plains, accompanied by the camp’s excellent guides and local Kuria tribe wildlife spotters. Look out for the park’s vast array of wildlife, including the Big Five, big cats and over 500 species of birds. In the evening, you may like to experience the Klipspringer dinner in an al fresco amphitheatre, or enjoy private sundowners served at Simba’s Rock.

Today, you’ll embark on a hot-air balloon safari (optional) revealing a whole new perspective of the Serengeti. Wake up early and watch as the balloon is prepared. Then take flight to drift high above the plains watching wildlife roam below as the sun rises over the vast savannah. After landing, you can keep exploring the region and spotting animals on a final game drive.

After a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll be airlifted by light aircraft from Kogatende Airstrip to Arusha, a thrilling 1.5-hour flight that offers breathtaking views of Tanzania’s landscape from above. After landing, you’ll have lunch and be transferred for your onward travel.

If you are looking for some post-safari relaxation, the alluring palm-fringed, powder-white beaches of Zanzibar offer the perfect getaway.