Tanzania Untamed: Crater, Plains & Chimpanzees

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Arusha for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha (1 night, including breakfast)

This modern and welcoming hotel sits in the heart of Arusha, offering a perfect place to rest after your journey. Relax in comfortable rooms, enjoy the pool and gardens, or unwind with a meal at the restaurant and bar before your adventure begins.

After breakfast, transfer to Arusha Airport for your light aircraft flight via Lake Manyara Airstrip to the Ngorongoro Highlands. On arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your expert safari guide, Charles Matara, who will accompany you through the safari portion of your journey. You’ll then continue to The Highlands, your base for the next three nights.

Accommodation: The Highlands for 3 nights  

Perched high on the slopes of Olmoti Volcano, The Highlands features striking glass-fronted domes with sweeping views of the Ngorongoro ecosystem. This intimate and stylish camp combines exclusivity with unique access to iconic landscapes and remote wilderness.

Your stay Includes: Full board accommodation, all house drinks (except premium wines and champagne), scheduled game drives, Olmoti Crater hike (minimum age 12 years), Empakaai Crater hike (minimum age 12 years), transfers to/from Manyara Airstrip and limited laundry service.

Today, enjoy a full-day safari inside the legendary Ngorongoro Crater. Often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the crater shelters one of the richest concentrations of wildlife on earth. Lions patrol the grasslands, elephants and buffalo roam the forests, and endangered black rhinos graze the open plains. Pause for a scenic picnic lunch on the crater floor before continuing your game viewing — an unforgettable highlight of the journey.

Set out this morning for a guided hike into the spectacular Empakaai Crater, accessible only to guests of The Highlands. Descend to the crater floor where flocks of flamingos gather along the shimmering lake and soak in panoramic vistas of untouched wilderness. In the afternoon, visit a nearby Maasai village to learn about their traditional way of life — a cultural exchange that offers insight into one of Africa’s most iconic communities.

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Kogatende in the northern Serengeti. On arrival, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Sayari Camp, your home for the next three nights.

Greet the day with a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti (weather permitting), followed by a champagne breakfast on the open plains. Later, enjoy game drives in the northern Serengeti, where wildebeest and zebra gather in vast numbers, predators lie in wait, and elephants, giraffes, and abundant birdlife add to the spectacle.

Spend another day immersed in the wonders of the Serengeti. Depending on the season, you may witness the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration at the Mara River, or focus on the Serengeti’s superb resident wildlife — including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and more. Between June and January, short walking safaris are also available for a deeper, more intimate experience of the bush.

Transfer to Kogatende Airstrip for your flight to Rubondo Island National Park on Lake Victoria. On arrival, transfer to your secluded camp nestled along the shores of the lake.

Accommodation: Rubondo Island Camp for 3 nights  

This unique camp combines barefoot luxury with raw adventure. Set in pristine wilderness where rainforest meets sandy beaches, it offers extraordinary opportunities to encounter wildlife both on land and water.

Your stay includes : Full board accommodation, all house drinks (except champagne), game drives, boating safaris, swamp excursions, nature walks (min. age 12 yrs), chimpanzee habituation trek (min. stay 2 nights in camp, depending on weather, min. age 12 yrs), fishing & fishing permits, transfers to/from Rubondo airstrip and limited laundry service

Join expert guides for a chimpanzee habituation trek, one of Africa’s rarest and most rewarding wildlife experiences. Walk through dense rainforest as you track these fascinating primates and spend time observing their behavior — a deeply moving opportunity to support conservation efforts while witnessing the chimps in their natural habitat.

Visit a local fishing village, where conservation tourism supports livelihoods and helps preserve Lake Victoria’s ecosystems. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore: unwind by the pool, enjoy boating safaris, try your hand at fishing, or simply soak in the serene beauty of the island.

After breakfast, say goodbye to Charles and transfer to the airstrip for your indirect flight back to Arusha. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for your final overnight stay.

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha (1 night) including breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight.