Going on safari in East Africa is an experience like no other. Witness some of nature’s great treasures as you embark on exciting game drives throughout both Kenya and Tanzania. Along the way, your expert Driver/Guide will share insights about the wildlife, local cultures, and diverse eco-systems you encounter.
A highlight is the Serengeti ecosystem, which includes the famed Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. This region is home to the annual wildebeest migration and has one of the world’s highest concentrations of large mammals. Keep an eye out for lion, Cape buffalo, cheetah, leopard, hyena, elephant, giraffe, rhino, and more on your many game drives.
See rare animals you won’t see elsewhere on your journey in Samburu National Reserve, and visit a chimp sanctuary in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. You’ll also enjoy game drives in Lake Nakuru National Park, Amboseli National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater.
To round out your safari we have arranged truly memorable bush meals in both the Maasai Mara and Serengeti!
Highlights
Samburu National Reserve:
Three game drives; sundowner drinks
Ol Pejeta Conservancy:
Game drive; visit a chimp sanctuary
Nyahururu Falls:
Visit the falls
Lake Nakuru National Park:
Game drive
Maasai Mara National Reserve:
Three game drives; bush breakfast
Amboseli National Park:
Three game drives
Tarangire National Park:
Two game drives
Lake Manyara National Park:
Game drive; bush lunch
Ngorongoro Crater:
Full-day game drive
Serengeti National Park:
Three game drives; farewell bush dinner; traditional Maasai dance performance
NOTES:
- Check with physician regarding the latest health requirements for travel to Kenya and Tanzania.
- All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel.
- We do not recommend this vacation to people with serious back problems, as it can be quite rough on some roads and game park trails in East Africa.
- Due to limited capacity on safari vehicles and flights, your suitcase must be soft-sided and can’t exceed 33 lbs including hand luggage.
- Some minor changes in your daily itinerary may be expected due to wildlife migrations and viewing.
- Small-Group Discovery – We never allow more than 20 travelers on our Small-Group Discovery vacations, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the destination and local culture.
Day 1- Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya
Welcome to Africa! Arrive this evening, check in to your hotel, and prepare for your safari adventure!
Day 2 - Nairobi–Mount Kenya–Samburu National Reserve
Today, depart Nairobi to begin your search for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. First, stop at the famed Mount Kenya Safari Club for lunch as you take in stunning views of Mount Kenya. After lunch, continue on to SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE, known for its arid landscape and unique wildlife. Due to the dry climate, grasses are sparse, making animals easier to spot. Meanwhile, the Ewaso Ng’iro River, which borders the reserve, provides a year-round water supply. These two factors make for a great game-viewing experience. During your AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE you have the chance to see rare animals you will not see in other parts of the country. Commonly referred to as the Samburu “Special 5,” this includes Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and the gerenuk, a long-necked antelope that feeds while standing on its hind feet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Samburu
Today, enjoy MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. In addition to the Samburu “Special 5,” the reserve is home to an abundance of other species. Large numbers of elephant and Nile crocodile can be seen, as well as waterbuck, Kirk’s dik-dik, and Grant’s gazelle. Where there is prey, predators can be found, so lion and leopard are often spotted. The reserve is also a great place for bird watching, with over 300 species. Between game drives, there’s time to relax at your lodge. This evening, relish SUNDOWNER DRINKS in the bush as the sun sets over this stunning landscape!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Samburu–Ol Pejeta Conservancy
After breakfast, travel to OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY, the largest black rhino sanctuary in all of East Africa. After lunch, enjoy a GAME DRIVE in the conservancy, including a stop at the Favorite CHIMP SANCTUARY. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary was established to provide a long-term home for orphaned and abused chimpanzees. Here, see the chimps and learn more about their plight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Ol Pejeta–Nyahururu Falls–Lake Nakuru National Park
Leave Ol Pejeta and journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa, where farmers grow crops such as corn, wheat, coffee, and tea. Stop at NYAHURURU FALLS, also known as Thompson’s Falls, and then on to LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK. During your AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE you may see waterbuck, giraffe, impala, flamingo, and striped hyena. This is also your best chance to see white rhino, which are commonly spotted here.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Lake Nakuru–Maasai Mara National Reserve
This morning, depart for MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, Kenya’s most famous game area. “The Mara,” as it is called by locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives, generally from August to early November, the population enlarges by almost 2 million. This provides a great food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. After lunch at your lodge, set out on an AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
NOTE: The Great Migration is a natural event, and the arrival/departure of the migrating herds varies slightly year to year.
Day 7 - Maasai Mara
Rise early for a MORNING GAME DRIVE. Be sure to watch for elephant, rhino, giraffe, topi, hyena, and much more. Afterward, a special BUSH BREAKFAST has been arranged for you. Sip on a mimosa as you savor every moment of the memorable experience! Return to your camp and relax prior to your AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Maasai Mara–Nairobi–Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, board a plane for the quick flight to Nairobi. After a short break, drive to AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, best known for spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at some 19,341 feet. Embark on an AFTERNOON GAME DRIVE before settling in at your lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Amboseli
MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES are included today. Amboseli affords you a great opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You might also spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more. This evening, as the sun sets with “Kili” as the backdrop, savor SUNDOWNER DRINKS and watch a Favorite TRADITIONAL MAASAI DANCE PERFORMANCE.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Amboseli–Arusha, Tanzania–Tarangire National Park
This morning, cross the border into Tanzania. After lunch in Arusha, proceed to your lodge along the rim of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Check in and enjoy some leisure time prior to dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11- Tarangire– Lake Manyara National Park–Ngorongoro Crater
Embark on a MORNING GAME DRIVE in LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK. This small park is ecologically diverse, with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and alkaline Lake Manyara itself. Watch for elephant, Cape buffalo, giraffe, and more. The park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of baboons. Afterward, take in spectacular views of Lake Manyara during a special BUSH LUNCH. Then, journey to the nearby village of TLOMA. Here, you will visit a Globus Local Favorite LOCAL FAMILY’S HOME to learn more about the local Iraqw culture and their traditional way of life. You will also stop at a LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL to visit with the children and learn about the educational system in rural Tanzania. Continue on to the rim of NGORONGORO CRATER, which is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - Ngorongoro
Descend into the crater for a FULL-DAY GAME DRIVE. Ngorongoro Crater is technically a caldera—the world’s largest unflooded one, in fact, at more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year round. You can see lion, Cape buffalo, hippo, elephant, and flamingo. This is also your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros. A picnic lunch will be served in the crater.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 - Ngorongoro–Serengeti National Park
Today, drive to SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, Tanzania’s largest and most famous park. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, generally between late November and July, it attracts visitors from around the world and is great for game viewing year round. Enjoy lunch at your lodge before an afternoon GAME DRIVE.
NOTE:
The Great Migration is a natural event, and the arrival/departure of the migrating herds varies slightly year to year.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - Serengeti
The Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles, so it is no surprise that the name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning “endless plains.” Continue your exploration during MORNING & AFTERNOON GAME DRIVES. You have the chance to see the big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. Tonight, join your traveling companions for a Globus Local Favorite FAREWELL BUSH DINNER, the perfect end to your safari!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 - Serengeti–Arusha–Homebound Flight
This morning, fly back to Arusha, where your tour ends. We have secured a day room at the Mount Meru Hotel for you to use prior to your homebound flight. Book homebound flights after 5 pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
