Ultra-Luxury Tanzania Lodge Safari

Discover Tanzania’s northern circuit on this luxury 2-week journey combining premium accommodations, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes. Start at the elegant Legendary Lodge, nestled within the gardens of a fragrant coffee plantation homestead. It’s a perfect overnight retreat to rest up before heading on safari. Your first safari stop takes you to Chem Chem Lodge, where the motto is ‘pole, pole’ (slowly, slowly). Experience a ‘slow safari’ and indulge in guided walks and 4×4 safaris in the Tarangire and Lake Manyara parks.

At The Highlands, situated on the slopes of the extinct Olmoti volcano, embark on game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater, hike to the Empakaai Crater Lake, and discover the unique Maasai culture. You then continue to the iconic Serengeti, where Sayari Camp awaits with incredible game viewing and the possibility of witnessing the Great Migration (in season). Conclude your journey at Singita Sasakwa, an opulent hilltop lodge offering panoramic views and unforgettable game drives in the Grumeti region of the Serengeti.

This tour is perfect for those looking for the ultimate quintessential African safari while indulging in exceptional luxury accommodation throughout. Should you have the time, consider combining this remarkable journey with a visit to the island of Zanzibar for an idyllic beach extension. Plan your trip during the Great Migration season for an exceptional bucket-list experience.

Day 1: Overnight in Arusha | 1 Nights

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to a manor on a working coffee plantation on the outskirts of Arusha. This is where you will spend the night before embarking on your exciting safari. On arrival at Legendary Lodge, admire the elegant gardens as your luggage is collected and taken to your cottage. Once you’ve settled comfortably in your garden cottage, head to the restaurant for a leisurely lunch.

Your afternoon can be spent enjoying the scenic gardens and coffee plantation, relaxing on a sun lounger and enjoying a refreshing dip in the pool, or indulging in a spa treatment. If you prefer to explore, the staff can help arrange an excursion to the nearby Arusha National Park and Ngurdoto Crater. Return to a scrumptious dinner and a good night’s rest before the start of your safari in the morning!

Day 2-4: A ‘Slow’ Safari in Tarangire | 3 Nights

Enjoy a freshly ground coffee with your breakfast, after which your driver and guide will arrive to collect you. You will be in the expert hands of your guide for the next six days as you explore Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Enjoy the scenic rural Tanzania landscapes as you make your way to a private concession between Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, where you will spend the next three days at the beautiful Chem Chem Lodge. An elegant and intimate lodge, Chem Chem offers spectacular views over a waterhole and sweeping plains with Lake Manyara in the distance. It is here where you will truly feel like you’re far away from all the stressors of daily life and sink into Chem Chem’s slower pace, which in Swahili is referred to as ‘pole, pole’, meaning ‘slowly, slowly’. There is no rush here, but there is plenty to see and do.

Go on a ‘slow safari’ or guided bush walk in the concession, observe thousands of flamingos and other water birds on the lake in season, or take a private guided game drive in Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Parks. For an entirely different perspective, take a hot-air balloon safari and float over the mesmerizing landscape of the Great Rift Valley. In between safari activities, indulge your senses with a treatment in the Amani Spa or laze by the secluded pool terrace—glass in hand—watching animals and birds at the waterhole.

Day 5-7: Spot the Big-5 in an Ancient Volcanic Caldera | 3 Nights

Enjoy a last morning at Chem Chem Lodge before continuing the journey north to the captivating Ngorongoro Conservation Area, spotting wildlife on the way, as well as Maasai cattle herders in their traditional red robes. Your accommodation for three nights is an utterly unique one—The Highlands Ngorongoro, nestled on the extinct Olmoti volcano slopes. After a warm welcome from the Highlands staff, settle into your spacious suite. With a wood-burning stove to ward off the high-altitude chill and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, you can stay warm and cozy while enjoying the 180-degree views.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a must-see stop on any Tanzanian circuit. The region is renowned for being home to vast herds of wildebeest, the endangered white and black rhino, and the world’s largest volcanic caldera—the Ngorongoro Crater. Here, the pace picks up with day-long game drives in search of the Big-5 in the Ngorongoro Crater; hikes up to the top of the Olmoti volcano; visits to the local village; and treks to the glistening Empakaai Crater Lake.

Along the way, enjoy delicious picnic lunches, snack stops, and sundowners. Each evening, return to camp to a roaring fire and a hearty dinner in the cozy dining room. Retreat to your domed suite to enjoy a relaxing hot bath and a nightcap next to the wood-burning stove as you recount your day’s adventures.

Day 8-10: The Serengeti Beckons! | 3 Nights

Depending on your flight time, your last morning at The Highlands may be an early one, as you hop back into the vehicle with your guide for the last time on this trip. An approximately three-hour drive brings you to Lake Manyara Airstrip, where you’ll wave goodbye to your guide and board a light aircraft flight to the Serengeti!

The Serengeti is vast and there is much to see and experience. As three nights are only recommended as the bare minimum, this trip extends your stay to three nights in two distinct regions of the park. Beginning in the northern Serengeti, Sayari Camp awaits as the ideal base for witnessing the Great Migration during its peak season. The camp’s proximity to the Mara River offers easy access to multiple Wildebeest Migration crossing points.

A typical day on safari at Sayari begins with a steaming cup of coffee before a morning game drive, followed by a scrumptious breakfast. Afternoon leisure time offers nature walks and some time to relax, enjoy the lodge pool, or indulge in a massage. Witness the stunning sunset on a thrilling game drive, concluding with a memorable dinner under the stars. For an extra touch of adventure, Sayari’s proximity to a launch site makes it the ideal place to add on a hot-air balloon experience over the Serengeti plains.

Day 11-13: The Serengeti Safari Continues… | 3 Nights

Savor your final morning at Sayari before departing to Kogatende Airstrip for a flight to Sasakwa Airstrip in the renowned Grumeti Reserve. The next phase of your journey brings you to this exclusive conservancy in the iconic Grumeti region. Prepare for a remarkable stay at Singita Sasakwa, an exquisite and opulent lodge perched on a hilltop, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the vast and untouched wilderness for miles on end.

After settling into your luxurious hilltop suite and taking the time to unwind and make yourself at home, enjoy a mouthwatering lunch with sweeping views of the plains below. The afternoon holds even more excitement as you embark on thrilling safari activities. Being in a private conservancy allows for extended game drives, allowing you to witness nocturnal wildlife. As you return to the lodge, a warm welcome awaits, and a chance to freshen up before indulging in an exquisite candle-lit dinner meticulously prepared by one of Singita’s renowned chefs.

Your time at Singita Sasakwa will undoubtedly be the perfect last stop on your journey through Tanzania. This exceptional camp is renowned for its bygone-era grandeur, exquisite decor, and top-notch facilities. Your days will be filled with an array of activities. From day-long game drives in search of big cats, elephants, and giraffes, to guided bush walks immersing you in the wilderness, to refreshing sundowners and fine dining.

Day 14: Your Safari Comes to an End

Savor a final breakfast at Singita Sasakwa Lodge, soaking in the Serengeti views one last time. Bid farewell as you make your way to Sasakwa Airstrip for your return flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport to continue your onward journey, with 14 days of fantastic safari experiences to look back on.