12 Days Kenya and Tanzania Safari

Safari Overview

Summary

Kenya and Tanzania are big game destinations and home to many of Africa’s legendary parks. Home to the African Big Five, the Maasai People, Magical Beaches of Zanzibar and Diani, and scenic landscapes, these 2 countries offer an unforgettable experience. Combining Kenya’s Masai Mara with Tanzania’s Serengeti already promises a rewarding safari.

When the Ngorongoro Crater is added to the mix, you have one of the most wildlife-intense experiences in Africa. In the company of expert guides, you will enjoy game drives and walks as you search for the Big 5 and massed herds of migrating wildebeest plus their ever-present predators. Even if you visit out of Migration season, such is the wealth of wildlife on this tour that you are still assured of great game viewing at all the destinations.

This itinerary is the perfect combination of Kenya and Tanzania’s highlight locations and includes fantastic properties in each location – offering you ideal game viewing positioning and ensuring you have a very enjoyable East Africa safari adventure.

Safari Highlights

• Amazing year-round wildlife viewing
• Africa Big Five and Wildebeest Migration
• Family-friendly experiences and accommodations
• Tree-climbing lions in Manyara
• Boat rides at Lake Naivasha
• Nature Walks and birding

Accommodation Options

• Lake Nakuru: 1 Night: Sarova Woodlands/ Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge/ The Cliff
• Lake Naivasha: 1 Night: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge/ Enashipai Resort and Spa/Chui Lodge
• Maasai Mara: 3 Nights: Zebra Plains or Prideinn Mara Camp/Ashnil Mara Camp or Sarova Mara Game Camp or Mara Serena Safari Lodge/ Mara Bush Camp- Private Wing
• Serengeti: 2 Nights: Tortlis Serengeti or Serengeti Katikati/ Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge / Kubukubu Camp or Mbuzi Mawa Camp
• Ngorongoro: 1 Nights: Rhino Lodge/ Ngorongoro Sopa/ Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
• Lake Manyara: 1 Night: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
• Amboseli: 2 Nights: Ol Tukai Lodge or Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge/ Tawi Lodge

Activities: Game viewing, photography, nature walks, sightseeing, birding, and cultural visits.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Safari starts with a visit to Lake Nakuru

Our guide/driver and representative will meet you at the airport on arrival. After a briefing, depart for Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru National Park offers sanctuary to the endangered rhino and the Rothschild giraffe. Other animals found in the park include African buffalos, zebras, impalas, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, waterbucks, hyenas, jackals, and hippopotamuses among many others. You will arrive at the park mid-day and have an introductory game drive as you head to the lodge for check-in and lunch. Have some rest then it’s off to an afternoon game drive in the park.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Nature Walks at the shores of Lake Bogoria

You will spend your day exploring this flamingo haven on a nature walk. It’s home to one of the world’s largest populations of “lesser flamingos”. Dotting this lake and surrounding areas, steamy hot springs enhance the already dreamlike atmosphere. Now add in the sight of numerous bubbling geysers erupting along the banks and from within the lake itself. Start off with an early morning breakfast and head to Lake Bogoria. This area is untouched and makes it a great place for an ultimate birding experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Boat ride in Lake Naivasha and transfer to Maasai Mara

Enjoy an early morning breakfast and head straight to Lake Naivasha. The highlight of the day will be a boat ride at the lake, getting close to its huge population of hippos. A 2-hour boat ride will be enough to soak in all that the lake has to offer. Then we head to Crescent Island to explore nature with a walk around the island. Another great spot for a birding experience. Afterwards, we will have an en-route lunch as we head to Kenya’s finest and most known wildlife reserve, the Maasai Mara. On arrival, you’ll have an introductory game drive as you head to your camp for check-in, dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 & 5: Spend your days exploring the wilderness and wildlife of Maasai Mara

The famous Mara is renowned for its great herds of plain games including the Black Maned Lion, Leopard and Cheetah. It also has numerous elephants and virtually every type of wildlife available in Kenya. You will have extended game drives during the day and will also be able to enjoy the rich, tree-studded grassland and rolling hills. Spend the two days on extensive game drives in the Mara Reserve, enjoying scenic views of the landscape and its abundant wildlife. The pièce de résistance being top sightings include the river crossings when the wildebeest have to navigate their way past giant crocodiles lying in wait in the water. Such is the abundance of wildlife here that visitors can expect great game viewing at any time of year. We highly advise you to opt for a picnic lunch, right inside the wilderness on the banks of Mara River.

Optional activities: Hot air balloon, a visit to Maasai village & guided nature walks

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Tanzania awaits – Crossing to Serengeti from Mara

Today you take an early breakfast and leave with a packed lunch to cross the border into Tanzania. You arrive at the Isebania border town late in the morning. After customs and immigration procedures, our counterparts from the Tanzania partner office meet you for the drive into Serengeti Game Reserve. With a game drive en route, you will arrive in Serengeti late in the afternoon. Check in to your camp and have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. Serengeti is among the world’s remaining natural wildlife refuges. The name comes from the Maasai ‘Siringet’, meaning endless plains and is equal in size to Northern Ireland. The Park contains an estimated three million large animals, most of which take part in seasonal migration which makes it one of nature’s wonders. Alternatively, take a flight to Serengeti to arrive by early afternoon. The extra cost for this is $678 per person

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Full Day in the plains of Serengeti

Tanzania’s Serengeti is mostly characterised by its tremendously wide and rolling grass plains. But it’s only upon visiting ‘The Land That Moves on Forever’ that you will fully comprehend the absolute vastness of the place. It really is a sensational sight to behold. Its huge concentrations of plains game and predator-rich habitats make it one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations. Spend this day on thrilling game drives, stopping along the way for comfort breaks and delicious picnic lunch in the bush.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Exploring Wildlife Haven and a UNESCO World Heritage site of Ngorongoro

After early breakfast, depart Serengeti with packed lunches, driving southwards through the Ngorongoro Conservancy area. Short visit to the Olduvai Gorge. Then, descend into the crater for a thrilling tour of the crater floor, running till just before sunset. Due to the enclosed nature of the Crater, it has virtually formed its own ecosystem. Besides the stunning scenery, one of the main attractions of this area is the variety of flora and fauna found in a remarkably compact area all year round.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: After the tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara

Have breakfast and prepare to leave Ngorongoro behind and head to Lake Manyara. At Lake Manyara National Park you will begin seeing the wide variety of animals on your safari game drive. The shores of the lake, lined with pink flamingos, attract more than 400 species of birds. Large herds of buffalo, cheetah, Masai giraffe and impala roam the lake shores and valley slopes. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions and vast elephant herds so stay on the lookout for these. After the drive, you will head to your next adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Back to Kenya with a short safari in Amboseli

Have an early morning at Lake Manyara and head back to the lodge for breakfast and check out as you prepare to head to Amboseli with your picnic lunch. Clear customs and immigration formalities then join our Kenya tour driver and proceed to Amboseli. You will have lunch en route. You will spend around 6 hours today, from Manyara to Amboseli, with the expected arrival time being in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the park, you will enjoy a game drive as you head to your lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight stay.,.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Explore huge herds of elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro at Amboseli

You will wake up at dawn before the clouds build over the summit to have a clear view of Mount Kilimanjaro, return for breakfast and proceed for another game drive followed by a picnic lunch at the park. The highlight of any Amboseli Safari is its huge herds of elephants, both in size and numbers. An afternoon game drive in search of animals, especially the predators, not seen so far before returning for sumptuous dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: End of an excellent African Safari

Breakfast will be served at the camp/ Lodge, departing by road to Nairobi with game viewing en route. Lunch will be served at the famous Carnivore Restaurant or alternatives in Nairobi. After lunch, transfer to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure flight or to your Nairobi Hotel with Africa Safari memories which will last forever.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Notes

• Accommodation is subject to availability
• Optional internal flight; Mara – Serengeti: $678 per person (Optional)

Inclusive of;

• All government taxes/VAT
• Park fees to all the parks including Crater fees at Ngorongoro
• Boat Ride fees and Crescent Island entry fees
• Concession fees in Ngorongoro & Serengeti
• Accommodation and meals on a full-board basis
• Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
• Transport and game drives in a 4*4 Land Cruiser all with a pop-up roof to facilitate game viewing and photography
• All game drives as mentioned in the tour description
• Services of professional tour driver/guide (s)
• Packed lunch en route to some areas
• Pick up and drop off in Nairobi

Exclusive of;

• International flights from home and back
• Tips & porterage
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Travel Insurance
• Other personal items
• Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon ride ($450 per person), a visit to Maasai Village ($30 per person) and any other interesting activity