Most flights leave early in the morning and arrive in Tanzania in the evening. When you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a private shuttle will pick you up and take you to your accommodation in Arusha. This laid-back city lies between the slopes of Mount Meru and the first hills of the north.

Your first night is all about catching your breath after the journey, before the real adventure begins.

In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Arusha and get a short briefing. Roadbook in hand, you’ll set off towards your first park: Tarangire, a lesser-known but seriously impressive wildlife park.

The park is known for its giant baobab trees, sprawling savannahs and, above all, its huge population of elephants. During the dry season, sometimes hundreds of elephants gather here at once, often in large family groups of 20 to 50 animals. It’s quite a sight when they make their way to the river together or cool off in the mud baths.

Explore the park at your own pace, or opt for an optional guided safari with a local guide who knows the region inside out.

You’ll spend the night in an atmospheric lodge with a swimming pool, close to Lake Manyara.

Start the day in the lively surroundings of Mto wa Mbu, on the edge of Lake Manyara National Park. This colorful village offers a glimpse of the real Tanzania.

Today, you’ll head towards Ndutu, the rugged gateway to the Serengeti.

Along the way, you’ll climb the steep escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. The landscape around you changes quickly. The lush, tropical oasis gradually gives way to the vast, golden savannas of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

After several hours on bumpy, dusty roads, the ultimate African massage, you’ll arrive in the wilderness of the Ndutu region. From here, the beaten track disappears. You’ll drive off-road among the acacia trees, with the endless plains of the legendary Serengeti stretching out before you.

Tonight, you’ll fall asleep beneath a sky full of stars, wondering what the bush will bring tomorrow.

You wake today to the sounds of the Ndutu wilderness, ready for one of the absolute highlights of the trip. Today is all about a full day on safari as you explore the heart of the iconic Serengeti National Park.

The view stretches all the way to the horizon. For hours, you scan the tall grass and distinctive granite rock formations where lions often lie basking in the sun. Keep an eye out for:

• Leopards resting in the branches of acacia trees.
• Large herds of elephants, zebras and wildebeest moving across the plains.
• Cheetahs using the open savannah as their hunting ground.

After an intense day, you head towards Ikoma in the late afternoon. This region lies just beyond the northwestern borders of the Serengeti. Here, you can brush off the dust and enjoy an ice-cold drink as the sun sets over the savannah and the sounds of the African night take over once again.

Day two in the Serengeti brings another classic safari scene. Nature takes center stage here, with endless grasslands, hunts in action and waterholes buzzing with wildlife.

These landscapes inspired The Lion King. Once you’re driving through them, you’ll immediately understand why.

A great opportunity to:

• increase your chances of spotting predators or the migration
• learn to recognize tracks and better understand animal behavior
• learn more about the land, nature and culture

End the day with an overnight stay in a comfortable lodge with a swimming pool, on the edge of the northern Serengeti.

Today you’ll leave the dusty plains of the Serengeti behind and head for one of the world’s great natural wonders: the Ngorongoro Crater. As soon as you reach the lush rim of this extinct volcano, you’ll gaze more than 600 metres down into its depths.

You’ll begin a steep, spectacular descent to the crater floor, where a secluded and unique ecosystem awaits. After an incredible safari in this African “Garden of Eden”, you’ll climb back out of the crater in the late afternoon, leaving the true wilderness behind. A short drive takes you to the fertile highlands of Karatu, where you can enjoy a well-deserved, comfortable night’s stay.

Today, sadly, marks the final leg of your unforgettable Tanzanian adventure. After a relaxed morning and a good breakfast in the green hills of Karatu, you’ll set off for the last time.

As you travel, you’ll slowly descend from the fertile highlands. You’ll pass sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley and head back through the lively streets of familiar places such as Mto wa Mbu, where the adventure began a few days ago. As the vast wilderness and red dirt roads fade behind you, you’ll trade the quiet of the bush for the lively buzz of Arusha. This is where your mainland journey comes to an end, with dust-covered shoes and a head full of incredible memories.

Most return flights leave in the evening, giving you almost a full day to relax by the pool or explore Arusha.

A shuttle will get you back to Kilimanjaro Airport in plenty of time.