Tanzania’s Great Migration & Ngorongoro Crater

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to a peaceful country lodge at the base of Mount Meru. Relax amid the ambience of a 1905 colonial farmhouse and lush gardens, surrounded by mature native forest where colobus and Sykes' monkeys play in the trees. If time permits, take a swim in the pool or enjoy a restorative massage in the open-air tent, serenaded by birdsong. As the afternoon wanes, sip a sundowner on the terrace in view of Mount Kilimanjaro before gathering for a welcome dinner this evening.

We depart this morning for our lodge in the Ngorongoro Highlands, a verdant expanse of wild bush and agricultural land comprising the heart of Tanzania's coffee country. The three-hour drive offers beautiful views of the rural countryside, with rolling hills, farms and small villages along the way. At Karatu, a rural town near the Ngorongoro Crater and gateway to Tanzania’s wildlife-rich highlands, we visit a local primary school supported by Nat Hab’s philanthropy program where we meet the children and learn how our tourism dollars contribute to their education.

This afternoon, arrive at our elegant lodge where you may wish to take an optional tour of a coffee plantation—this is prime terrain for growing some of Africa’s finest beans in the moisture-laden, high-altitude cloud forest. Or choose to relax in the lodge’s lush garden, perhaps enjoying a swim or a massage before dinner.

Leave very early this morning for one of Africa’s consummate safari experiences: a journey into the massive caldera that is the Ngorongoro Crater. We climb to the rim, then drop down the steep wall to the 100-square-mile crater floor. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera on Earth—the center of a huge ancient volcano that scientists believe may have been larger than Mount Kilimanjaro. Twelve miles across and 2,000 feet deep, the crater is home to some 30,000 animals that live year-round inside its walls, attracted to its perpetual water sources.

Here in this veritable Eden, a wide variety of wildlife thrives within an ecosystem of abundant resources. Along with many mammals, flocks of pink flamingos cover the soda lakes, while large land birds like ostrich and kory bustard roam the grassy plain. Because of the crater's permanent supply of fresh water, it sustains the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Common sightings include elephant, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, eland, gazelle and waterbuck, while lion and hyena are abundant predators. A glimpse of the rare black rhinoceros is a special prize. Late this afternoon, we exit the crater and return to our lodge.

Early this morning, depart for our flight to the northern Serengeti. This legendary savanna derives its name from a Maasai word meaning “endless plains,” and the vista of golden grasslands stretching to the horizon under a blue bowl of sky provides an iconic image of East Africa. Our destination is Nat Hab’s private Migration Camp, our base for a three-day immersion in Africa's Great Migration. In accord with the herds’ seasonal movements, we locate our mobile camp in the northern Serengeti from July through October. This deluxe tented outpost rests within one of the main movement corridors for more than 2 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle that make this annual trek, plus an accompanying cast of predators. Each year, the herds follow an ancient circuit covering 1,800 miles from Kenya’s Maasai Mara to the southern Serengeti and back again. On daily game drives, witness this remarkable spectacle as the enormous herds traverse the savanna while big cats and hyenas steal behind. We may behold stunning scenes of predator-prey interaction as a lion takes down a sick animal or a cheetah snatches an infant. The spectacle can be grim, but it is a wonder to behold.

The days of heavy canvas hunting camps set for the likes of Roosevelt and Hemingway were nearly over until photo safaris gained popularity in the 1970s, and our secluded camp, with its walk-in canvas tents and crackling campfire, is redolent with that vintage atmosphere. Yet despite our remote location, we enjoy impressive luxuries, including candlelight dinners served under a canopy of stars.

Fly this morning to Seronera within Serengeti National Park. Meeting our safari vehicles and drivers, we set out on a wildlife drive and afterward arrive at our exclusive bush camp surrounded by open range and kopjes, rugged rocky outcrops rising from the plains, known as "islands in a sea of grass."

Our private camp offers fabulous wildlife viewing in diverse habitats, particularly of the abundant feline predators that live and hunt in this area. It also provides exceptional seclusion away from crowds. From canvas tents shaded by giant acacia trees, survey 360-degree views of wildlife traversing the savanna, with more thrilling encounters in store on game drives.

This morning we fly back to Arusha and transfer to Ngare Sero Lodge at the base of Mount Meru, where a farewell lunch is served on arrival. Day rooms await in this peaceful setting, offering a chance to relax and refresh before your transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for international departures this evening.