Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to Arusha (1 hour).
 
Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania, set at the foot of Mount Meru (4,566m).
 
Afternoon: Cultural Heritage Centre – extraordinary collection of Tingatinga art, Makonde sculpture, and Maasai jewellery.
 
Evening: Welcome dinner in Arusha. Introduction briefing for your Tanzania safari.
 
Overnight: Arusha | Meals: D

Drive from Arusha to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2.5 hours).
 
Tarangire: famous for giant ancient baobab trees and one of Tanzania’s largest elephant populations. Game drive afternoon.
 
Also: lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and extraordinary birdlife including yellow-collared lovebirds.
 
Sundowner under a baobab tree.
 
Overnight: Tarangire camp or lodge | Meals: B, L, D

Fly or drive to Serengeti National Park. The name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word Siringet – ‘endless plains’.
 
The Serengeti covers 14,763 sq km of open grassland and is the stage for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle.
 
Afternoon game drive: lion prides, cheetah, leopard in acacia trees, elephant, giraffe, and vast herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle.
 
Overnight: Serengeti tented camp | Meals: B, L, D

Full day game drives in the Serengeti. Morning and afternoon with picnic lunch in the bush.
 
Great Migration (year-round in different zones): Jan–March: calving in southern Serengeti. June–July: moving north. July–October: Mara River crossings in northern Serengeti.
 
Cheetah hunting, lion prides resting, hyena clans, and wild dog packs. Serengeti is Africa’s most consistently exciting game viewing destination.
 
Optional: Pre-dawn hot air balloon over the Serengeti (the world’s greatest balloon experience, add USD 600 per person).
 
Overnight: Serengeti | Meals: B, L, D

Drive from Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 2–3 hours).
 
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater – the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera (19km across, 600m deep). UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 
The crater contains the highest density of wildlife in Africa: 25,000 large animals including all Big Five permanently resident.
 
Black rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, hippo in the crater lake, flamingos on Lake Magadi.
 
Overnight: Crater rim lodge (spectacular views) | Meals: B, L, D

Fly from Kilimanjaro or Arusha to Zanzibar.
 
Zanzibar Stone Town: a UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of narrow alleyways, Arab, Indian, and Omani architecture, carved wooden doors.
 
Visit the slave market memorial, the House of Wonders (museum), and the old fort.
 
Spice tour: visit a working spice plantation – cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper. Zanzibar was once the world’s largest clove producer.
 
Overnight: Stone Town boutique hotel | Meals: B, L, D

Drive to Nungwi on Zanzibar’s northern tip – pristine white sand and brilliant turquoise ocean.
 
Swimming, snorkelling over fringing coral reef, or dhow sailing.
 
Visit the Nungwi sea turtle sanctuary.
 
Optional: Mnemba Atoll boat trip – one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.
 
Overnight: Nungwi beach resort | Meals: B, L, D

Morning: Jozani Forest Reserve – the only wild population of red colobus monkeys in Zanzibar. These beautiful primates are endemic to the island.
 
Dolphin watching at Kizimkazi – wild spinner and bottlenose dolphins in the bay.
 
Afternoon: East coast beaches at Paje or Bwejuu – the finest powdery white sand on the island.
 
Overnight: East Coast beach resort | Meals: B, L, D

Fly from Zanzibar to Selous (Nyerere National Park) – Africa’s largest game reserve.
 
Boat safari on the Rufiji River: hippo pods, enormous Nile crocodile, and elephant wading into the river.
 
Walking safari with armed ranger – the most intimate way to experience African bush.
 
Afternoon game drive. Wild dog, lion, and massive elephant herds.
 
Overnight: Selous river camp | Meals: B, L, D

Fly to Ruaha – Tanzania’s largest national park and one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.
 
Ruaha has Tanzania’s largest lion and elephant populations. Fewer tourists than northern parks.
 
Game drives: greater and lesser kudu, wild dog, sable antelope, and massive crocodile in the Great Ruaha River.
 
Walking safari in the afternoon.
 
Overnight: Ruaha camp | Meals: B, L, D

Drive or fly to Moshi (Kilimanjaro base town).
 
Begin Machame Route (7-day summit attempt). Day 1: Machame Gate (1,800m) to Machame Camp (3,000m).
 
Hike through montane rainforest – colobus monkey, exotic birds, ancient trees draped in moss.
 
Arrive at camp in the cloud layer. First night on the mountain.
 
Overnight: Mountain tent camp | Meals: B, L, D

Multi-day Kilimanjaro trekking continues: Shira Plateau (3,840m), Lava Tower (4,600m), Barranco Wall, Barafu High Camp (4,673m).
 
Summit night: midnight departure for Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Arrive at Africa’s highest point at dawn for sunrise over the clouds.
 
Descend to Mweka Camp and continue to Mweka Gate. Certificate presentation.
 
Return to Moshi for celebration dinner.
 
Overnight: Moshi hotel | Meals: B, L, D