Start your trip in Arusha, a vibrant city located at the base of volcanic Mount Meru. Known as the gateway to Tanzania's inimitable spoils, Arusha lies between Mount Kilimanjaro and the northern safari circuits. Stay at Arusha Coffee Lodge - one of the oldest properties in the area, the hotel is a restored coffee plantation brimming with character. Take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool before a tour and tasting of the lodge's coffee estate, and later wind down in the majestic Plantation Suite. The next day, embrace Tanzania's natural beauty on a day trip to Lake Duluti for tranquil boat trips or waterside fun, or head out to explore the wilderness on horseback.

Transfer to Ngorongoro to spend a day or two in the crater. Head to your lodging - we recommend Entamanu, where six spacious tents perch right on the crater's edge. Hike around the rim of the crater to learn about the intricate ecosystems, visit Maasai tribes living in the valley's boma, or explore Karatu's farms to taste some of East Africa's most fragrant produce.

Fly on to Seronera Airstrip in the heart of the Serengeti before going straight out on a game drive. Try both early morning and late afternoon drives for the best chance to see wild cats and predators, taking breaks for lunch and snacks at lodges en route. The next day, explore the Serengenti on foot with bush walks through the landscape. Stroll alongside riverbeds or hike up rocky ridges with expert guides taking you through the best routes. Visit in the early summer for a chance to see the Great Migration, where herds of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles move north to find pastures new and fresh for the rest of the year. Come evening, return to your lodge for tranquil relaxation at Singita Faru Faru, located by the Grumeti River in the Grumeti Private Reserve.

After a whirlwind week hiking across craters and sweeping through safaris, kick back and relax on the idyllic island of Zanzibar. Stay on the south-east coast at Zawadi Hotel, where verdant gardens encircle individual villas complete with thatched roofs and views of sandy beaches and the rolling Indian Ocean. Rent a boat to spend days sailing over the waves, snorkelling around the reefs or floating along on a dhow cruise. Come sundown, head into Stone Town to explore the bustling souks and Swahili restaurants dotted throughout the neighbourhood.