Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your lodge in Arusha.

You stay at Mtoni River Lodge or a similar property on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The first day is deliberately quiet, giving you time to recover from the flight and get ready for the days on the road.

After breakfast, transfer to the rental partner for the 4x4 handover. You receive a detailed briefing on the Land Cruiser before setting off independently.

The drive to Tarangire National Park is mainly on tarmac. Inside the park, large elephant herds move between the distinctive baobab trees.

You camp inside the park at Tarangire Public Campsite. Park entrance fees are paid directly at the gate.

Keep the morning for Tarangire and explore the park at your own pace without a guide.

When you are ready to move on, continue mainly on tarmac towards Karatu. This is a useful place to restock supplies.

You stay at Karatu Tented Lodge. Dinner, breakfast and a lunch box are included. The pool offers a slower end to the day after the drive.

A short drive takes you to Lake Manyara National Park. The park is compact and green, with large troops of baboons and the tree-climbing lions it is known for.

Half a day gives you time to explore before continuing towards the Ngorongoro area.

You camp at Simba Campsite, close to the crater entrance.

Leave early for Ngorongoro Crater. The descent takes you into a natural bowl where wildlife gathers within a relatively compact area.

Permits for the Ngorongoro area are arranged in advance. If you prefer to skip the crater visit because of the additional cost, there is an alternative route away from the usual tracks.

During the winter period, continue through the highlands to Ndutu in the southern Serengeti. The area is known for big cats and, during the migration season, the birth of large numbers of wildebeest.

In summer, Ndutu is skipped and the route continues directly towards Serengeti. Summer accommodation is at Seronera Public Campsite. In winter, you stay in a tented lodge in the Ndutu area.

A full safari day in Serengeti National Park. Drive independently across the plains where lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and cheetah occur.

The route and overnight location are adjusted to the season and the current position of the Great Migration. The part of Serengeti you stay in can therefore vary by departure period.

This sample journey is based on camping at Seronera Public Campsite. A tented lodge such as Mawe Tented Camp can be used as an alternative depending on season and availability.

Another full day in Serengeti National Park. You decide the pace and where to spend more time.

Once again, the route follows the balance between landscape and wildlife. The overnight location may change with the season so the journey can stay close to the current position of the Great Migration.

The base itinerary uses Lobo Public Campsite. An alternative such as Mawe Tented Camp can be used when the season and route make that a better fit.

Leave Serengeti behind and drive towards Lake Natron at the foot of the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Here the focus shifts from safari to landscape and culture. Join a guided walk to the waterfalls or along the soda lake, where flamingos occur.

Camping at Maasai Giraffe Eco Lodge is included. A lodge stay is possible but not included in the base price. You can also choose to stay with a Maasai community.

After breakfast and, if you choose, a walk near Lake Natron, drive back to Arusha.

Return the 4x4 to the rental partner and transfer back to Mtoni River Lodge.

The pool and gardens give you a quiet place to finish the road trip.

Use the facilities at the accommodation until it is time to leave.

Then transfer to the airport for your flight home.

If you want to continue travelling, there are several options: a beach stay on Zanzibar or Pemba, a mountain trek on Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru, or a combination with Kenya.