Luxury East Africa Safari

Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1: Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your elegant lodge in Arusha, where a spacious cottage and serene views of Mount Meru welcome you into East Africa’s highlands. The lodge serves as an exceptional starting point to any luxury safari, offering refined comfort surrounded by lush, beautifully landscaped grounds that create a sense of privacy and exclusivity.

Guests can unwind with soothing wellness treatments, explore the neighbouring coffee estate with a guided tasting, or simply relax on the veranda as the afternoon light settles over the gardens.

As evening sets in, gather for a gourmet welcome dinner, followed by a personalised safari briefing paired with a curated wine tasting—an intimate and indulgent introduction to your journey through East Africa.

DAY 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park

After a private charter flight to Tarangire, you arrive at a lodge perfectly positioned between shimmering watering holes, expansive savannah grasslands, and a vast salt pan—where the sense of space is matched only by exquisite privacy and sophisticated comforts. The lodge and its airy suites are adorned with handcrafted furniture and bespoke artworks, each element carefully curated to reflect the remarkable landscapes and cultures of the region.

Tarangire National Park delivers one of Tanzania’s most atmospheric safari settings, defined by sculpted baobabs, sweeping savannas, and the life-giving Tarangire River that draws animals in impressive numbers during the dry season. Large Elephant herds dominate the landscape, joined by Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra, and an excellent selection of predators. For birders, Tarangire is exceptional, with more than 500 recorded species and reliable sightings of specialties such as Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, and the striking Von der Decken’s Hornbill. Quiet, scenic, and rich in wildlife, it is a superb complement to the Serengeti–Ngorongoro circuit.

For discerning travellers, the lodge offers a seamless blend of indulgence and authentic African experience. Experience the richness of Maasai culture by joining warriors on a morning run, visiting a local village, or simply listening to their stories as the sun rises over the plains. Days can be savoured at your own pace: observe wildlife from your private patio, toast the sunset over the salt pan from a roaring campfire, or enjoy intimate, gourmet dining in a setting that feels both personal and extraordinary. Whether gazing across palm-fringed plains or toward the serene shores of Lake Manyara, every moment is designed to delight the senses and inspire awe.

Accommodation is tailored for luxury and comfort, with suites featuring indoor and outdoor showers, fans, mosquito nets, in-room safes, hairdryers, telephones, a “gym-in-a-basket,” and dedicated butler service. Wi-Fi is available throughout the lodge and suites. Guests can also enjoy the swimming pool, gym, spa treatments, and boutique shopping, all within the lodge’s serene environment. The lodge remains unfenced to maximise the feeling of connection to nature, with 24-hour Askari guides patrolling to ensure safety. Here, the ethos of a slow safari encourages deep reflection, tranquillity, and an unparalleled appreciation of one of Africa’s most iconic wildernesses.

DAY 3: Tarangire National Park

Begin your morning with a private game drive through the exclusive wildlife area around your lodge, where your expert guide will tailor the route to find the region’s iconic species. Tarangire is renowned for its large herds of African Elephant, often congregating near rivers, as well as Plains Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, African Buffalo, Giraffe, Impala, Eland, and rarer antelope species such as Lesser Kudu and Fringe-eared Oryx. Predators you may encounter include African Lion, Spotted Hyena, Cheetah and Leopard all supported by the abundant prey base in the area.

For an unforgettable perspective on these sweeping landscapes and diverse wildlife, consider a scenic helicopter excursion. From the air, you will see the vast savannah, winding rivers, and, in season, flocks of Flamingos dusting the lakes with pink. For active adventurers, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise offers ethereal light and elevated views of animals moving below, ending with a rustic bush breakfast in the heart of the wilderness.

Return to camp in the late afternoon for spa treatments or a leisurely swim, followed by an intimate bush dinner beneath the stars, where gourmet cuisine is served by lantern light around the campfire.

DAY 4: Tarangire National Park

Rise with an energising power walk alongside a Maasai warrior, traversing open plains and riverine corridors of your private wildlife area. Along the way, look for groups of Impala and Eland, graceful Giraffe browsing acacia trees, and, with good fortune, swift Cheetah stalking across open grasslands. Birdwatchers will enjoy sightings of species such as Yellow-collared Lovebird, Kori Bustard, Ostrich, and numerous raptors feeding over the plains.  

Later, join a Maasai blessing ceremony, a celebration of local heritage where guests are welcomed through traditional song, dance, and prayer led by Maasai elders. This moving cultural exchange provides a deeper appreciation of the landscape through the eyes of those who have called it home for generations. Families can also choose interactive bush skills sessions, from marshmallow-toasting to wildlife games that bring the safari experience to life for younger travellers.

In the afternoon, relax with personalised spa treatments or a refreshing dip in the pool, or take another private drive in pursuit of wildlife, from stealthy Leopard in shaded riverine woodlands to majestic Elephant moving in family groups. As the sun dips below the horizon, toast the day from your suite’s private terrace or beside a glowing campfire, celebrating the extraordinary diversity and elegance of East Africa’s wildlife and culture.

DAY 5: Tarangire National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, journey from Tarangire toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, travelling by luxury road transfer or a short scenic flight. The route climbs steadily into the highlands, passing traditional Maasai grazing lands and offering sweeping views over volcanic peaks and rolling montane forests. As you ascend the rim, the landscape opens dramatically, revealing the immense Ngorongoro Crater on one side and the boundless Serengeti plains on the other — a rare vantage point where both UNESCO World Heritage landscapes can be seen from the same stretch of wilderness.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and one of Africa’s richest wildlife sanctuaries. Its fertile floor supports exceptional densities of herbivores — including Blue Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Buffalo, Thomson’s Gazelle, and Eland — and predators such as Lion, Spotted Hyena, and Serval. The crater is also one of the most reliable places in East Africa to see the critically endangered Black Rhinoceros. Birdlife flourishes as well, with species like Kori Bustard, Grey Crowned Crane, Abdim’s Stork, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill  and, at times, thousands of Lesser Flamingos gathering on the shallow lake.

Your highland retreat sits in Maasai territory on the remote rim, designed with comfort, warmth, and privacy in mind. Here you can slow the pace, enjoy the cooler high-altitude air, and settle into elegant suites crafted to withstand the powerful elements that sweep across the crater edge. After arrival, choose between a guided highland walk with a Maasai scout, a relaxed afternoon on your veranda watching shifting cloudscapes over the caldera, or a cultural visit to a neighbouring Maasai boma for an authentic look at pastoral life in this ancient landscape.

As evening falls, enjoy a fireside dinner accompanied by fine wines while the crater rim glows gold in the last light. Nights here are crisp and atmospheric, with sweeping views that remind you why Ngorongoro is one of Africa’s most remarkable natural wonders.

DAY 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Rise before dawn for early access into the Ngorongoro Crater, taking advantage of your rim-side location to enter before most vehicles arrive. The morning light in the Ngorongoro Crater sets a perfect scene for photography and wildlife viewing, as Lions remain active, Hyenas return from a night of foraging, and soft mist rolls across the grasslands. With your private guide, explore the crater floor in search of Elephants with impressive tusks, Black Rhinos grazing near the marshes, seasonal gatherings of Flamingos on the lake, and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife, from Augur Buzzards soaring above and elegant Secretarybirds striding across the plains to African Fish Eagles by the water, Saddle-billed Storks, Red-billed Hornbills, Kori Bustards, and colourful Long-tailed Paradise Whydahs. Large herds of Blue Wildebeest and Zebra, Buffalo, Warthogs, and Thompson’s and Grant’s Gazelles complete this extraordinary tapestry of wildlife in one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes.

As midday nears, leave the crater and settle into a private viewpoint on the rim for an unhurried picnic lunch overlooking the vast caldera. Cold drinks, gourmet dishes, and complete stillness make this one of the most memorable dining settings in the region.

The afternoon offers several options tailored to your preferences. You may choose a guided highland walk through the grassland, rocky outcrops, and acacia woodlands with a Maasai scout and ranger, gaining insight into local ecology and traditional land practices. Another option is a visit to a nearby Maasai homestead for a thoughtful look at cattle culture, beadwork traditions, and the rhythms of everyday pastoral life. For those seeking an elevated perspective, an optional helicopter experience provides a dramatic aerial view of the Ngorongoro Crater, Empakaai Crater, or the Rift Valley. Alternatively, you may prefer to relax at the camp with a spa treatment, time by the fire, or quiet moments taking in the changing light over the caldera.

As evening approaches, return to your camp for a refined dinner and a peaceful night beneath the clear highland skies.

DAY 7: Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Serengeti

Today begins with a private charter flight into either the Serengeti, selected according to the current position of the Great Migration. During this period, more than a million Wildebeest, accompanied by vast herds of Zebra and Thomson’s Gazelles, move across the plains in search of fresh grazing. Their shifting columns often attract predators such as Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, and, in some areas, Leopard resting in acacia trees—creating one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on earth.

Upon landing, you continue to your elegant manor-style accommodation perched on the elevated slopes of the Grumeti Reserve. From this commanding location, the Serengeti stretches to the horizon in all directions, offering a remarkable sense of space that complements the lodge’s classic design. Wraparound verandas, curated antiques, silver accents, and thoughtfully placed African art create a refined yet grounded atmosphere. Each private cottage has its own infinity pool overlooking the plains, along with spacious interiors, fireplaces, and sweeping views that change with the shifting light.

A leisurely lunch on the lawn, followed by time at the spa or a moment to unwind by your pool, sets a wonderfully relaxed rhythm for the afternoon. As the day cools, embark on a private game drive through the Grumeti Reserve, where expansive savannahs and woodlands reveal some of East Africa’s most iconic wildlife. Witness Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Black Rhino in their natural habitats, alongside graceful herds of Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe, Eland, Topi, Impala, and Waterbuck. Keep an eye out for Cheetah, Spotted yena, Jackals, Serval, and occasionally African Wild Dog as they patrol the plains. Birdlife is exceptional, from Kori bustards and Secretarybirds striding across the grasslands to Fischer’s Lovebirds flitting near woodland edges, African Fish Eagles patrolling waterways, Saddle-billed Storks, Grey-crowned Cranes, and soaring raptors such as Bateleur and Rüppell’s Griffon. Colourful rollers, bee-eaters, and a wealth of weavers, doves, and lapwings complete this breathtaking tapestry, all experienced in the comfort and privacy of a luxury safari setting.

As evening settles over the plains, return to your cottage or relax on the veranda as the sounds of the Serengeti rise with the dusk, marking the beginning of your first magical night in this extraordinary landscape.

DAY 8: Serengeti

Awake to sweeping sunrise views across the Serengeti, the plains glowing gold as the first light catches distant herds on the move. After a slow breakfast overlooking the valley, the morning is yours to shape. Many guests choose a classic game drive into the Grumeti Reserve, where the wildlife density is exceptional. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter massive Wildebeest herds streaming through the area, joined by Zebra and gazelles that travel with them during the Great Migration. Predators are often active in the cooler hours, and it is not uncommon to find Lion prides on kopjes, Cheetahs scanning for prey in the grasslands, or Hyenas trotting along their well-worn paths. Elephant, Giraffes, Buffalo, Waterbuck, Topi, and Warthogs are among the other species frequently seen. Birders may enjoy sightings of Saddle-billed Storks in wetlands, Crowned Cranes on the open plains, and raptors such as Martial Eagles soaring high above.

Return to the lodge for a long, indulgent lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Spend time at the spa, take a refreshing swim in your private infinity pool, or relax on your veranda as herd animals wander across the landscape below. Guests seeking a deeper connection to the reserve may opt for a guided safari walk, learning about tracks, vegetation, and the subtler rhythms of the ecosystem with an expert naturalist. As the afternoon fades, enjoy a gentle evening drive or unwind with a wine-paired dinner beneath chandeliers in the manor-style dining room. The vast Serengeti sky, clear and unpolluted, is ideal for stargazing on your veranda before bed.

DAY 9: Serengeti

Begin the day with an early departure for an extended exploration of the Serengeti, making the most of the reserve’s extraordinary variety of habitats. Your guide tailors the day around current wildlife movements—whether that means following the thunder of migrating hooves across the plains, watching Elephants gather at seasonal waterholes, or seeking out the quieter, wooded valleys where Leopards often rest in the branches of acacia trees. The region is also home to impressive birds such as Purple Roller, Lilac-breasted Roller, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Ostrich, and the striking Grey-breasted Spurfowl. Depending on timing, you may witness dramatic interactions between predators and prey, especially if migration herds are passing through the Grumeti corridor.

Enjoy a gourmet bush lunch set in a scenic, secluded location, with panoramic views and the soft sounds of the savannah around you. After lunch, ease into a slower pace—ideal for guests who appreciate luxury travel with flexibility. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge with spa treatments and fine wines or choose an additional activity: a cultural visit to a nearby community supported by conservation initiatives, a tennis match on the lodge’s court surrounded by sweeping wilderness views, or a photographic session with guidance from your private guide.

As the day concludes, toast the sunset from your veranda or join an evening drive to look for nocturnal species such as Civet, Genet, Porcupine, and Nightjars. Return to candlelit dining and the comfort of your elegant cottage, where the Serengeti night unfurls outside your windows—wild, timeless, and unforgettable.

DAY 10: Serengeti to Maasai Mara

A private charter carries you north into Kenya’s Maasai Mara, touching down in one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich landscapes. Your home for the next two nights sits high along the edge of the Great Rift Valley, more than 300 metres above the Mara plains. Each tented suite opens onto sweeping views through floor-to-ceiling glass, giving the sensation of floating above the grasslands. Light, airy interiors, gentle hospitality and a quietly refined atmosphere make this an ideal base for exploring the Mara at your own pace.

With no fixed schedules, the day unfolds entirely around your interests. Head straight into the Mara Triangle for an afternoon game drive, where wildlife appears almost immediately. Resident prides of Lion patrol the plains, Elephant herds browse through acacia stands, and elegant Giraffes drift across the horizon. The region also supports Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Buffalo, Black and White Rhino (white being more frequently encountered), Hippo, Topi, Coke’s Hartebeest, Eland and large mixed herds of Zebra and Wildebeest.

Depending on the time of year, you may witness elements of the Great Migration. Between July and October, immense herds of Wildebeest and Plains Zebra — part of the world’s largest overland mammal migration — gather in the northern Serengeti and Mara, drawn by fresh grazing. River crossings on the Mara River can happen at any time during these months, often accompanied by Crocodiles waiting in the currents and predators shadowing the herds along the banks. Outside the Migration season, the Mara remains exceptional, with thriving resident populations that stay year-round.

As the afternoon mellows into golden light, return to your suite or stay out longer for photography as the plains are washed in warm tones. Dine with panoramic views stretching endlessly to the horizon and fall asleep to the distant calls of wildlife rising from the savannah below.

DAY 11: Maasai Mara

Wake before sunrise for one of East Africa’s most iconic experiences: a hot-air balloon flight over the Mara. From the basket you drift silently above the plains as the light breaks over the escarpment, illuminating herds below and revealing the scale of this vast ecosystem. After landing, enjoy a celebratory bush breakfast set out on the open savannah. A private picnic can also be arranged if you prefer a quieter setting.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the Mara Triangle on your own terms. You may choose an early return to the lodge for a late breakfast or continue on an extended morning drive. The mild climate makes all-day safaris possible, with picnic breakfasts and lunches served in beautiful, remote corners of the reserve. The further you travel, the more the landscape shifts — from wide open grasslands to riverine forests and the rolling slopes of the escarpment.

Wildlife density here is unmatched. Lions are plentiful and regularly seen hunting in the cooler hours of morning and evening. Cheetahs favour the open plains, while Leopards keep to wooded drainage lines. Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Hippo, and Spotted Hyena are frequent sightings, alongside Bat-eared Fox, Serval and an extraordinary abundance of plains game. During the Migration months, the Mara Triangle can hold hundreds of thousands of Blue Wildebeest and Zebra, creating an ever-changing tableau of movement, dust and noise across the grasslands.

Birdlife is equally impressive, with more than 470 species recorded. You may encounter Crowned Cranes, and Secretarybirds striding through the grass, Lilac-breasted Rollers flashing colour in flight, Superb starlings, Ground Hornbills, Saddle-billed Storks, and a rich assemblage of raptors including Martial Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Rüppell’s Vulture, and Bateleur.

Return to camp in the late afternoon for sundowners at the boma or on a quiet terrace overlooking the plains. The day closes in warm golden light, the silhouettes of wildlife moving across one of Africa’s most extraordinary landscapes.

DAY 12: Maasai Mara to Nairobi

A private charter flight carries you from the Mara back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where the pace softens and the final day of your journey unfolds with ease. You settle into an elegant, garden-facing retreat at the foot of the Ngong Hills — a quiet sanctuary designed for unhurried rest after days spent on safari. Whether using a day room or staying overnight, the atmosphere here is calm and refined, with thoughtful service ensuring every detail is managed seamlessly.

Spend the afternoon exactly as you wish. For guests overnighting, a private visit to the renowned giraffe sanctuary can be arranged, offering the rare chance to stand eye-to-eye with endangered Rothschild’s Giraffes in a peaceful, historic setting. Alternatively, explore Nairobi’s artisan markets with a private guide who can help navigate local designers, handwoven textiles, jewellery studios, and small workshops known for exceptional craftsmanship.

Those seeking relaxation will find the spa especially inviting. Botanical treatments rooted in African healing traditions draw on the Terres d’Afrique skincare range — organic, ethically sourced, and inspired by the continent’s remarkable biodiversity. Expert therapists tailor each ritual to restore balance and replenish tired muscles, while steam rooms and saunas provide further quiet moments of warmth and renewal. Afterward, unwind in the tranquil relaxation lounge with herbal teas and uninterrupted views of the Ngong Hills.

If you prefer a more active afternoon, the fully equipped fitness centre offers Technogym equipment, free weights and a Kinesis system for personalised workouts. The temperature-controlled outdoor pool, framed by palms and lush greenery, is ideal for leisurely laps or a gentle swim as the sun begins to set.

A small boutique and gift shop showcase Kenyan fashion, art, and hand-selected curios, perfect for thoughtful keepsakes. For a slower moment, the library offers a cosy escape with African literature, travel writing and classic novels — a peaceful corner for reflection on the journey you’ve just experienced. Attentive butler service is available around the clock, discreetly handling everything from packing to arranging transfers.

Your final evening brings a memorable close to the safari, with the option of a curated chef’s table dinner showcasing contemporary Kenyan flavours and seasonal ingredients. It’s a fitting, elegant farewell — a quiet celebration of the landscapes, wildlife and people that have shaped your time in East Africa — before your onward journey the following day.