13-Day Luxury Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Central Serengeti & Rubondo

Itinerary information

Following your flight into Tanzania, venture to the foothills of Mount Meru for your first night away at Rivertrees Country Inn. As a former coffee farm, the estate exudes tranquillity and offers a peaceful, lush retreat on the banks of the Usa River.

Depending on the amount of time you have following arrival, explore the craterous lake and verdant forests of Lake Duluti Forest Reserve. Set out for a gentle canoe on the lake or simply admire the budding birdlife. For those arriving a little later, or simply wanting to relax, settle in next to the swimming pool at the Inn and admire the nature around you.

Itinerary information

The next part of your adventure begins the following morning with a journey to Tarangire National Park. Spend the road transfer admiring Tanzania's scenery before arriving at your new home-away-from-home, Oliver's Camp. Located in the exclusive south-east region of the park, expect an authentic safari experience that offers superlative service and guiding.

Daily game drives offer the opportunity to discover the infamous big cats and elephants the area is known for, as well as a host of other safari heavyweights. Aviary enthusiasts are also in for a treat with fantastic bird sightings thanks to the camps' wetland locale. Immerse yourself in the bush with a guided walking safari accompanied by expert guides and a ranger for an entirely different perspective; admire minute details and witness wildlife up-close, while maintaining a respectful distance. When you're not exploring your surroundings, spend time on your tent's private veranda admiring the scenery or sink into a leather armchair in the lounge with a good book. To close the day, watch one of Africa's famed sunsets with a sundowner before dining under the stars.

Itinerary information

Today, you'll transfer to Tanzania's iconic Ngorongoro Crater, the only intact volcanic caldera in the world. Found within its walls is essentially a world if its own – diverse landscapes from wetlands to forests and sprawling grasslands brimming with 30,000 odd animals. Located under 10 minutes from the entrance to the crater lies the intimate and secluded Lemala Ngorongoro, your base for the next 2 nights. For avid photographers, this is where you'll always want your camera to hand.

Thanks to the camp's proximity to the entrance, you'll enjoy early morning game drives in the crater when it's less busy for the best game viewing experience. Thanks to its size, and the sheer numbers of wildlife within its walls, the Ngorongoro Crater offers fantastic sightings and is one of the best places to view the infamous Big 5. After your drive, one of the incredible Maasai warriors will take you on a guided walk through the forest along the crater rim for stunning views and the wildlife who call that area home.

Back at camp, allow yourself to relax into the embrace of the acacia grove and make yourself at home in one of the large sofas in the lounge. Dining is a communal experience where there will never be a shortage of stories to share. In the evening, enjoy various performances and sharing of culture and traditions from the local Maasai community.

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The next leg of your adventure takes you a remote section of the eastern Serengeti, an area that closed its doors to tourists for 20 years in aid of cheetah conservation in the area. Now, the region not only offers a haven for these big cats, but some of the top sightings in East Africa. With a remote locale found over an hour away from other camps, Namiri Plains offers a truly exclusive experience.

Game drives are spent seeking the area's predator population while also enjoying other local wild- and birdlife. Venture out with incredibly skilled guides who have an enviable ability to spot wildlife at a seemingly impossible level. Allow yourself to be escorted through the wilderness and see your surroundings through a local's eyes.

Lounge in the lap of luxury and soak in every simple pleasure from a bush breakfast to sundowners overlooking a sunset that seems to set the sky on fire. Book an indulgent spa treatment for the ultimate relaxation or boost your adrenaline with an optional hot-air ballooning experience. Relish dining experiences set under the star-studded African night sky.

Itinerary information

Leave the Serengeti behind with a flight to Lake Victoria for the next part of your journey, the exceptional, unspoilt paradise of Rubondo Island. Expect the stunningly beautiful natural scenery that earned this island its status as a national park. As the only accommodation found here, Rubondo Island Camp offers unparalleled exclusivity while also being a comfortable base from which to explore all the area has to offer.

Discover every unique inch of the land and water in the area on guided nature walks, safari-style game drives, and dhow cruises along the lake. Anglers will enjoy game fishing expeditions in search of the area's legendary Nile perch. Inland, you'll find the island's true gem, a papyrus swamp that around 200 bird species, 70 species of butterfly, and even 40 species of orchid thrive in. Take some time to uncover all the intricacies of this unique environment.

When you're not embarking on explorative outings, spend time lazing on a lounger by the pool or along a stretch of pristine beach. Retreat to your private veranda and listen to the water wash up on the shore while vervet monkeys make ad hoc additions to the soundtrack. Dine al fresco on the beach as the sun sets over the horizon.

Itinerary information

After 3 nights of island bliss, it's back to the mainland where your journey comes to a close just as it began, in Arusha in the hospitable arms of Rivertrees Country Inn. This is the perfect chance to reminisce about every incredible moment and experience so far, while allowing yourself to relax, unwind, and reset before thinking about your journey home.

Itinerary information

Today, following a delicious breakfast, you'll bid Africa a fond farewell having experienced a sensational 13-day luxury Tanzania itinerary. A transfer sees you safely to one of the two international airports nearby, ready for your flight home.