Tanzania's Crater, Migration & Zanzibar

Your first glimpse of Tanzania will be as you jet into Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be collected for your transfer to Arusha Coffee Lodge. Depending on the cloud cover, you may be able to spot the distant peak of Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain – but if not, you will surely be able to smell the freshly roasted coffee fresh from the farmland at Arusha Coffee Lodge, where you will settle into a very comfortable Plantation Room.

Arusha is known as the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and the lodge is ideal stopover to rest after a long flight before you begin a week of dawn wake-up calls for early morning game drives.

After breakfast, it is time to get out your binoculars and make sure your camera is ready as you make your way from the Kuro airstrip to Oliver’s Camp in the southeast of Tarangire National Park. Be on the lookout for big herds of elephants and buffalo, not to mention about 550 different species of birds.

There are only 10 tents at Oliver’s, allowing you privacy and exclusivity. Wash off the dust under your open-air shower and enjoy a refreshing drink in the dining lapa before setting out on a guided nature walk or a classic 4x4 game drive – night drives to seek out nocturnal creatures like elusive leopards and owls are also on the cards. For two nights, you will drift off to sleep listening to the far-away calling of lions or the distinct whooping of hyenas.

Waving goodbye to the friendly staff at Oliver’s, you will be driven to Gibb’s Farm, another country-style homestead set on a lush coffee plantation just 30-minute drive from the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater. Settle into your spacious cottage to freshen up before enjoying a relaxing Maasai treatment in the African Living Spa, a walk in the traditional English garden or perhaps a guided walk to the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.

The crater is one of East Africa’s most famous places: formed millions of years ago, it is the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world and thousands of plains game thrive on the fertile grasses that grow from the mineral-rich crater floor. It is not uncommon to see all of the Big 5 here in a single game drive, which makes it an ideal spot for photographers.

There is also the possibility of a guided game drive to nearby Lake Manyara, which can appear pink at time from the millions of discarded feathers from flocks of indigenous flamingos.

It is time to head to the Manyara airstrip for the short hop to Kogatende in preparation for the Big One: the Serengeti. Probably the most famous safari region in the world, the Serengeti is where aspects of the Wildebeest Migration play out around mid-year. Your home for three nights will be Kimondo Migration Camp, a very comfortable tented camp that moves twice a year to be as close to the Migration action as possible.

Depending on the time of year, you may be lucky enough to see wildebeest on their way to crossing into Kenya – it is thrilling to be surrounded by thousands of animals all with the same focus in mind.

From the bush to the beach: after getting your fill of lions, elephants, buffalo and wildebeest, it is time to fly from Seronera to the Spice Island of Zanzibar, which lies off Tanzania’s coast in the warm Indian Ocean.

You are heading for Breezes Beach Club, a resort famous for its attention to detail, intimate and private dining, beautiful decor, elegant and unique atmosphere, and, above all, its award-winning Frangipani Spa. After the rigours of safari life, indulge yourself with late mornings, lazy lunches and sunset cocktails as your personal butler ensures you have all you need at your fingertips. If the beach seems too far to walk, a few steps will take you to your private plunge pool, which is invaluable on a tropical summer’s day.

For your last night in Africa, you will check into Jafferji House & Spa in vibrant Stone Town. A calm and cool haven amid the cobbled streets and imposing studded doors of this ancient city, Jafferji House effortlessly balances old and new aside views of traditional dhows out on the azure ocean.

After a delicious supper and a blissful night’s slept at Jafferji, pack your bags for the transfer to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and your connecting flight’s home. As you take off, take one last look down on the island and breathe in the sweet scent of crushed cloves.