Trip details

In a hustling and very bustling city of 1.6 million people, Arusha Coffee Lodge is the perfect hideaway for a spot of pre or post safari rejuvenation. As the name suggests, coffee is a running theme and the lodge is nestled into the lush emerald bushes of Tanzania’s largest plantation in the foothills of Mt Meru and well-located for flight connections. Radiating warmth and charm, this is an elegant and relaxing stopover choice with a number of activities to keep you busy… and possibly the freshest cup of coffee you will ever taste.

From the industrious coffee pickers gathering in the harvest to the aromas of the morning brew emanating from the main Plantation House as breakfast is being prepared, Arusha Coffee Lodge is full of sensory experiences that revitalizes the body and soul for the adventures and excitement that lie ahead.

Take a tour of the Shanga workshop that creates works of art often from recycled goods. This is included in your stay.

Or take a walk around the workings of the coffee plantation to see how the coffee is grown, harvested, dried, and produced into the aromatic coffee that we drink every day. Additional cost applies.

Ngorongoro: home to Maasai cattle-herders, luscious green landscapes and the Big Five – now the big eight, thanks to the addition of three sci-fi geodesic domes. No, we haven't gone mad. The Highlands' domed structures are just part of this futuristic and oh-so creative camp on the slopes of Olmoti Volcano. Located far from other Ngorongoro camps, it promises exclusivity and unique experiences such as hikes to nearby Empakai and beading classes with local Maasai ladies. Looking for wildlife? Africa's Eden – the Ngorongoro Crater – is just a short drive away, perfect for game sightings and picnic lunches.

With its exclusive location, The Highlands offers a range of activities that distinguishes it from other properties in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Explore the crater floor on a game drive, hike the Olmoti and Empakaai Craters, or spend an afternoon with the Maasai in a neighboring village to learn about their traditional way of life.

Head out on game drives or walks first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler. Exact times differ slightly with the seasons, but we aim to get you out and about when the animals are at their most active.

Start the day with an early-morning wake-up call and a cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy breakfast before you depart for a game drive or walk, or opt to take a picnic with you. By mid-morning, you’ll be back at camp with time to relax and freshen up before lunch.

It’s siesta time for most of the afternoon. Take the opportunity to relax with a book, visit our library or have a nap. Then it’s on to afternoon tea before you depart for a game drive with sundowners. Round off another perfect day in the bush with drinks by the campfire and dinner with good company.

Leaving behind the herds of inquisitive travellers during the Great Migration is no small feat - and that’s where Namiri Plains comes into its own. Open year round, this sophisticated hideaway sits in a secluded section of the eastern Serengeti with not another camp or tourist in sight. And now, five years after the original camp was opened, it’s been given a stylish overhaul – think seamlessly-moulded calcrete rooms, a natural and perfectly soothing colour palette, and fabulous alfresco bathtubs. Truly the perfect spot from which to watch the Great Migration and the infamous big cats of the region without compromising on privacy and authenticity.

Namiri Plains is positioned along the Ngare Nanyuki River in the eastern Serengeti. The vast grassland plains are mostly open, aside from the occasional acacia tree. The hard calcrete layer beneath the topsoil prevents many trees or shrubs from growing here.

The short grass of this area makes it popular with cheetahs, who can more easily chase down their prey. It is particularly gratifying to see cheetahs here, as this part of the Serengeti was closed for around 20 years to allow the population to recover. It’s now a haven for these big cats, as well as lions and a few leopards.

The migration heads toward Namiri between October and May. During this period, you may see the plains covered in wildebeest, gathered here to feast on the lush grass.

Set close to the mighty Mara River in the northern Serengeti, Sayari is perfectly positioned for access to the exclusive Lamai Wedge and has a front row seat to the Great Migration when it passes through from July to October. The camp is one of the larger tented camps in the area, but its layout and location ensures exclusivity and intimacy. Built on raised wooden platforms with rolling panoramic views, you’d be hard pressed to picture a more idyllic place from which to enjoy Africa, or indeed, the migration. And migration aside, it’s a winner for phenomenal, year-round wildlife.

From game drives to village visits, there are plenty of things to see and do at Sayari.

Game drives leave early in the morning and again in the late afternoon, when the temperatures are cooler and animals are most active. There are closed and open-sided game vehicles specially fitted with charging points for your phone or camera, and fridges for refreshing drinks on the go.

This is the best time for travellers who want to see the wildebeest herds gathering around the Mara River, which they must cross to reach Kenya’s Masai Mara. The river crossings take place throughout this period, though seeing one is not guaranteed. The dry season is a wonderful time to travel and the conditions are perfect for spotting wildlife.

One of the best ways to experience the Serengeti is on foot. Learn about the ecosystem, how to identify prints and dung and discover all the little things you miss from a vehicle, from ants to butterflies.

If you’re keen to learn more about local Kuria culture, you can visit the nearby Merenga village. Stop off at the community vegetable gardens — part of a sustainable development programme managed by Asilia — and collect fresh produce for your dinner.