Inspiration
Refined Wilderness: The Best of Tanzanian Lodges
An extraordinary adventure for anyone who dreams of life on safari, this unforgettable journey has been carefully designed by our safari expert Kim to showcase the very best this incredible country has to offer.
Wild landscapes, untamed luxury
You’ll begin in Arusha, then head off to a hand-picked collection of world-class lodges, including the peaceful beauty of Gibb’s Farm, perched above the Great Rift Valley, to the remote reaches of the Serengeti. Along the way, you’ll explore the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater, a vast volcanic caldera that’s home to over 25,000 animals, including the rarely seen black rhino.
Drift over the Central and Northern Serengeti in a hot air balloon and, if the timing’s right, you might just witness the Great Migration in full swing, as thousands of wildebeest and zebra cross the plains in search of greener pastures. This itinerary takes you through some of the best spots along the migration route, so you’ll be perfectly placed for unforgettable sightings.
- Arusha
- Ngorongoro Crater
- The Central Serengeti
- The Northern Serengeti
Kim Hart
An expert in the ultra luxurious, Kim is your go-to for superyachts, exclusive-use villas and the kind of experiences that don’t appear on websites. She has an extensive understanding of the world’s finest hotels and a personal in-depth knowledge of Africa, Australia, New Zealand, USA & Canada, shaped around her own worldwide adventures. Kim also has a passion for the iconic wildlife viewing experiences both above and below the water.
Arusha & the Highlands
Your journey begins in Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Set at the foot of Mount Meru, this atmospheric city is the gateway to some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, from the foothills of Kilimanjaro to the wildlife-rich escarpments of Tarangire and the volcanic highlands of Ngorongoro.
After your international flight, this is a chance to pause and reset. Settle in to your lodge, with mountain views and peaceful gardens, and enjoy a slower pace before the safari begins. If you feel like exploring, Arusha has plenty of local craft studios, wellness spaces and cultural experiences that give a flavour of Tanzanian creativity and warmth.
There’s also time to explore nearby initiatives like SANAA, a creative arts space supporting disabled and marginalised artisans who transform recycled materials into beautiful crafts.
From here, you’ll travel by road into the northern highlands. This green, fertile region is home to colourful markets and coffee farms with views across the Great Rift Valley. Explore Arusha National Park’s forested trails, waterfalls and wildlife sightings or take on the challenge of climbing Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth-highest peak.
Take a peaceful forest walk, join in with farm life or just enjoy the stillness of the landscape.
After soaking up the peaceful rhythms of Gibb’s Farm, you’ll continue to a lodge perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater itself. With sweeping views into the caldera and front-row access for your safari, this extraordinary lodge sets the stage for one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences.
Ngorongoro Crater
Perched right on the rim of the vast Ngorongoro Crater, &Beyond Crater Lodge is a destination in itself. Completely over-the-top, delightfully kitsch and unlike anywhere else in Africa, this luxurious lodge offers jaw-dropping views directly into the caldera below.
From here, descend into the Crater for a game drive through one of the most unique and concentrated wildlife habitats on Earth. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Crater is home to more than 25,000 animals – all packed into one vast, lush amphitheatre. The result? Some of the most spectacular game viewing you’ll ever encounter, from huge elephant bulls and wallowing hippos to flocks of flamingos and elusive black rhinos.
With its mix of habitats, from forests and grasslands to lakes and swamps, and resident wildlife, the Crater offers an unmatched safari experience. If you’re only going to do one safari in your life, this is the place to do it.
The Central Serengeti
From the highlands, your journey continues west into the heart of the Serengeti. This is the Africa of legend: endless golden plains dotted with flat-topped acacia trees, winding river valleys and sunbaked granite kopjes. The Central Serengeti is one of the best places in Tanzania for year-round wildlife sightings, and the starting point for the next chapter of your safari.
Stay at an elegant tented camp set in the wilderness. This region is rich with wildlife: lion prides laze in the grass, elephants meander along the riverbanks and leopard sightings are not uncommon in the rocky outcrops.
Your days here are filled with adventure. Explore the vast Seronera Valley with your expert guide, tracking herds of giraffe, buffalo, zebra and antelope, and keeping watch for predators close behind. In the evenings, return to camp for drinks around the fire and dinner beneath the stars.
One morning, wake before dawn for an unforgettable experience: a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti. Drift silently above the plains as the sun rises, casting a golden glow over the landscape and revealing the movement of wildlife below. After landing, celebrate with a champagne breakfast served in the bush – a true safari highlight.
Between game drives, there’s plenty of time to relax at camp and unwind by the pool. This is safari at its most serene: immersive, unhurried and deeply moving.
Drift above the Serengeti in a hot air balloon
There’s nothing quite like seeing the Serengeti from above. As dawn breaks, you’ll lift gently into the sky, rising over golden plains, winding rivers and acacia-dotted savannah. From this peaceful vantage point, you’ll watch herds of giraffe stretch into the distance, elephants moving slowly below and – if you’re lucky – the first stirrings of the Great Migration. It’s a rare moment of stillness in a land alive with movement. After landing, you’ll celebrate with a champagne breakfast in the bush, surrounded by birdsong and morning light. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments: timeless, cinematic and utterly unforgettable.
The Northern Serengeti
Your journey continues north, deeper into the wilderness and closer to the banks of the Mara River. The landscape begins to shift with wide open grasslands giving way to sweeping valleys, acacia woodlands and snaking rivers. This remote corner of the Serengeti feels wonderfully wild and untouched.
The Great Migration is a year-round phenomenon, with vast herds moving in a circular route through the Serengeti and beyond in search of fresh grazing.
Watch in awe as thousands of wildebeest and zebra thunder across the plains and brave the crocodile-infested waters of the Mara River. The game viewing here is extraordinary, with lion, leopard, giraffe, elephant and countless antelope species all calling this region home.
From July to October, the action typically centres around the Northern Serengeti, where the drama peaks with river crossings and predator encounters near the Mara River.
Spend your days exploring on open 4×4 drives with expert naturalist guides who know the landscape inside out. With fewer camps in the area, you’ll often have the savannah all to yourself.
At your luxurious tented camp, everything is designed to make the most of the setting. Take a dip in the infinity pool as the sun sets across the plains, sip a drink at the swim-up bar or settle in to the outdoor cinema for a film beneath the stars.
When the time comes to leave, enjoy one final game drive en route to the airstrip. Not ready to venture home yet? Why not extend your trip with a beautiful beach island stay before venturing home? We’ve got plenty of recommendations to share and inspire.
Talk to our specialists to start planning your trip
