Rejuvenating Northern Tanzania Safari

On arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a Vencha representative and transferred to the Legendary Lodge in Arusha where you’ll spend your first night. After settling into your room, dinner will be served in its wonderful restaurant before an evening at your leisure.

Next day begin the day with a leisurely breakfast at the Legendary Lodge and time to explore its picturesque grounds. Then drive to the Kimemo Coffee Plantation where you’ll be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about the coffee production process from start to finish.   Return to the Legendary Lodge in time for lunch, then embark on a tour of Arusha town to explore some of its most interesting attractions. Visit the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre and Shanga Shanga, a local handicraft workshop and store where you can purchase authentic souvenirs. You’ll return to the lodge with time to freshen up before dinner.

It’s time to say goodbye to the Legendary Lodge as you make your way to the Ngorongoro Crater where your safari adventure truly begins. Descend into this UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape to spot herds of zebra, wallowing hippos, lions and giraffes, with a picnic lunch served in the heart of the crater.   After experiencing the incredible natural beauty of the wildlife-filled crater, you’ll head to Gibbs Farm Lodge where you’ll spend the night. This charming country house and farm is located near the town of Karatu and boasts stunning sunsets across the surrounding plains.

After a delicious breakfast at Gibbs Farm Lodge, you’ll be transferred by road to the iconic Serengeti National Park, with a picnic lunch served en route. Check into the Four Seasons Safari Lodge in the afternoon, with the option to dine that evening at one of the lodge’s three signature restaurants.

Following breakfast at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge, depart on a half-day game drive in pursuit of the wildebeest migration or the Serengeti cats. Giraffes, buffalos and elephants all call the Serengeti “home”, as do prides of lions, leopards and cheetahs.   

You’ll return to the lodge in time for lunch at the Maji Bar and Terrace, then enjoy an afternoon of relaxation beside the pool or at the on-site spa. In the late afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to stretch your legs on a walk through the bush, led by the lodge’s resident naturalist and accompanied by Maasai guides. Learn about some of the smaller creatures of the Serengeti and get up close to details you’d otherwise miss in a jeep.   

In the evening, experience a torch-lit barbecue dinner surrounded by the Serengeti bush. With Maasai warriors ensuring your safety and private chefs in the kitchen, this campfire dinner beneath the never ending African night sky is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Wake before sunrise and head to the launch site for an unforgettable hot air balloon safari. Slowly float above the wildlife-dotted Serengeti as the sun illuminates the landscape with the day’s first rays, then travel into the heart of the wilderness for a champagne breakfast. Your safari guide will then drive you through the nearby kopjes to spot big cats, which can often be seen amongst the rock formations and tall grasses.   

Return to the Four Seasons Lodge in time for lunch and unwind with a signature Kifaa massage at the on-site spa. It incorporates the use of a heated rungu (wooden baton) combined with a deep pressure massage using traditional Tanzanian baobab oil. Once you’re feeling completely relaxed, dinner will be served in Boma, the Four Seasons’ traditional African restaurant.

From December to April, the southern Serengeti and Ndutu areas are the places to head to see the wildebeest calving, with predators never far away. If you’re visiting from May to early July, the wildebeest will most likely be mating in the dense, hilly woodlands of the Western Corridor before crossing the crocodile-infested Grumeti River. At some times of the year, the rich grasslands of the Togoro Plains to the north of the Four Seasons Serengeti becomes a hotspot for big cats.   

Celebrate your final evening in the Serengeti with a magical poolside dinner, which is situated just a stone’s throw from a watering hole where the animals can be seen coming and going.