Luxury Safari

Jambo! A Thomson Safaris representative will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and welcome you to Tanzania. From there, settle into your transfer to Rivertrees Country Inn, a peaceful retreat on a historic coffee farm beside the Usa River. Log fires crackle inside plantation-style chalets set among rows of glossy, dark-green coffee bushes.

Spend these first unhurried days listening to the canopy rustle with blue monkeys, sipping fresh espresso on your private veranda, and letting the hum of international travel give way to the slow, steady rhythm of the Tanzanian highlands.

Journey into the southern reaches of Tarangire National Park, where towering baobabs, open grasslands, and the Silale Swamp create a rich habitat for wildlife. Away from the busier safari areas, elephants move through the tall grasses and papyrus, while zebra, giraffe, and other animals gather across the surrounding landscape. At Oliver’s Camp, settle into your canvas tent and private deck overlooking the bush.

Early mornings are ideal for watching wildlife at its most active. Follow elephant families as they move through the swamp, watch zebra graze across the grasslands, and keep an eye out for lions resting nearby. During the heat of the day, return to camp for a swim or some time in the shade. As evening arrives, gather around the fire and listen for the sounds of the bush after dark.

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Tanzania’s most remarkable wildlife destinations. The crater’s enclosed ecosystem, permanent water sources, and abundant grazing keep wildlife here year-round, so animals are well fed, happy, and healthy. Across the crater floor, open grasslands meet freshwater marshes, acacia woodland, and the shimmering waters of Lake Magadi, creating habitat for an incredible range of species. With a little luck, you can see all of the Big Five in a single day, from rhinos grazing in the distance and large-tusked elephants moving through the forest to lions resting in the grass and hippos cooling off in the water.

Later, retreat to Gibb’s Farm, a historic coffee estate on the slopes of the crater. Wander through ten acres of organic gardens, visit the farm animals, or slow down with a treatment at the spa. Meet the artists in residence and explore their work, then settle onto the veranda with a drink as live music fills the evening. Your private garden cottage offers a peaceful place to unwind, while fresh ingredients from the farm and estate-grown coffee bring a taste of Gibb’s Farm to the table.

The Serengeti is one of Africa’s great wildlife landscapes, with vast grasslands stretching toward distant kopjes and acacia trees scattered across the plains. The open terrain makes it easy to spot animals as they move through the landscape. Herds of wildebeest and zebra graze alongside giraffes, elephants cross the grasslands, and gazelles stay alert to predators nearby. Lions often rest beneath trees during the heat of the day, while cheetahs scan the open plains for their next opportunity.

At Nyaruswiga Safari Camp, your canvas suite puts you close to the action without sacrificing comfort. Set out early when the bush is coming alive, following lions as they begin to hunt or watching wildebeest gather around the rocky kopjes. Along the riverbeds, keep an eye out for leopards resting in the shade, while hyenas and jackals move through the grass in search of an easy meal. Back at camp, slow down with a massage, take a soak in your private tub, or settle onto your deck as the Serengeti changes from afternoon light to sunset.

A quick flight brings you back to Arusha, where you say goodbye to your guide team and thank them for the journey. Head to Arusha Coffee Lodge for a quiet lunch in the garden courtyard, then settle into a private day room to refresh and pack before your evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.