The Serengeti is one of the greatest wildlife destinations on the planet, and home to the iconic migration - now you can enjoy this animal eden in ultra-luxurious lodging and avoid the teeming crowds* typical of East Africa. And even when the migration is not thundering through a particular area, game viewing and the sheer beauty is still marvellous! Flying between camps avoids lengthy transfers and takes you where you need to be - in style

* Except for Ngorongoro Crater where public and mass tourism still encountered.

Day 1 - Coffee Lodge, Arusha

Lying on the gentling rolling foothills that cascade down from the ever-present Mount Meru is the bustling and vibrant town of Arusha. It is here on the outskirts of this town, hidden amongst one of Tanzania's largest coffee plantations, that you will find Arusha Coffee Lodge, a perfect haven for relaxation either before or after any African safari. The homely feel of the Lodge is by no means accidental as the origins of the homestead continue to emit glimpses of times-gone-by. The friendly and personable staff help create an ambiance that continues to draw appreciation from all those who visit and stay. Within the main Plantation House reside an 'a la carte' restaurant, an intimate bar and a cozy lounge, all of which possess inviting open log fires that will fill the cool night air with a comforting warmth and a welcoming glow. With two boutiques, an enclosed and intimate swimming pool and a popular garden terrace, Arusha Coffee Lodge encourages exploration and discovery at every turn.

Days 2, 3 - Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Nowhere else on earth can you wake up among all the trappings of an elegant baroque chateau - brocade sofas, gilt mirrors, beaded chandeliers and panelled walls - and be instantly transported into one of the most famous African landscapes with just one glance out the window of the lodge. In this place of dramatic contrasts, where Versailles meets Maasai, anything is possible and the natural luxury of the breathtakingly beautiful setting ensures the dramatic interior of your suite blends perfectly with its stilted thatch architecture.

Although there can be large volumes of tourists in the Ngorongoro Crater, this is an exceptional and unique place worth experiencing if you are visiting Tanzania for the first time. An estimated 25 000 mammals are resident in the Crater, including large herds of resident wildebeest, 16 highly endangered black rhino and around 70 lion. Nomadic cheetah move in and out of the area and leopard are most often encountered in the Lerai Forest. Both golden and black-backed jackal are abundant, while the normally shy and nocturnal serval are frequently spotted during daylight hours. Vast numbers of buffalo, zebra and Thomson's gazelle also occur. Large numbers of both lion and spotted hyena are also resident in the Crater. While the grasses are short in winter, it is easy to spot even small predator like caracal. The Lerai Forest, the permanent marshes on the Crater floor and the highland meadows provide the best sightings of elephant in the Crater area. The dense forest on the slopes and rim of the Crater provides shelter for the giant tuskers, which pass silently through the forest depths, some even visiting the lodge gardens after dark. Elephant are not the only visitors to the lodge, with buffalo occasionally taking a nocturnal stroll through the grounds. A triumph of conservation efforts, buffalo were once completely absent from the Crater floor but have returned in large numbers.

Days 4, 5, 6 - Serengeti Under Canvas, located near the migration

This is the ultimate in luxury camping, complete with a private butler service, chandeliers, silverware, crystal, ensuite flush w.c. and comfortable beds with fluffy duvets. Experience classic Tanzania in spectacular solitude and soothing comfort - with only the canvas walls of your tent separating you from the wonder of the Serengeti. Carefully positioned for close proximity to the wildlife herds of the Great Migration, two camps provide the ultimate viewpoint for this amazing animal spectacle. With only nine tents nestled at each private campsite, enjoy the indulgence of complete comfort combined with the authenticity of nights spent in the African bush.

Days 7, 8, 9 - Faru Faru Lodge, Grumeti, western Serengeti

Singita Faru Faru Lodge is set in the Grumeti Reserves in northern Tanzania, forming part of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem. Built on a gently sloping hill, this riverine lodge, positioned on the renowned migratory route, is a place where you can quite literally expect the unexpected. Informal, unconventional and surprising at every turn, Singita Faru Faru Lodge is a mix of contemporary, organic style and the quirky practicality of a traditional botanist's camp. With such close proximity to the river and plains, guests have the unique opportunity to experience a very close connection with the wilderness.

Singita Grumeti, situated adjacent to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, is an integral part of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem, the home of the Great Migration. The reserve was created by the Tanzanian government in 1994 in order to protect the path of the annual wildebeest migration and the indigenous biodiversity of this vast and important ecosystem. In 2002, the Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund, a not-for-profit organisation, was granted the right to manage and conserve these 350,000 acres, for the benefit of Tanzania, Africa and the world. Four years later, Singita took over the management of the property, at the request of the concessionaire and began the task of generating, via low impact tourism, the funds necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the reserve through conservation and community partnerships.

Day 10 - Departure back to Arusha for onward arragements.