Day 1–2: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to East Africa

Touch down at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where a friendly Wild Compass Africa representative awaits to transfer you to your comfortable lodge. Spend your first evening unwinding from your flight and soaking in the sounds of Africa.

Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Giraffe Centre, where you can hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes, or the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, where baby elephants are rehabilitated before release into the wild. For a touch of history, explore the Karen Blixen Museum, home to the famous “Out of Africa” author.

Your adventure begins gently, preparing you for the excitement ahead.
Overnight: Nairobi Lodge or Boutique Hotel

Day 3–4: Amboseli National Park – Elephants & Kilimanjaro Views

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and drive south toward Amboseli National Park, one of Kenya’s most photogenic destinations. The park’s wide-open plains stretch beneath the towering snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, creating the perfect setting for breathtaking safari photography.

Spend two days exploring Amboseli’s wetlands, acacia woodlands, and shimmering salt pans — home to huge elephant herds, majestic lions, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs. In the mornings, Kilimanjaro’s peak often appears crystal clear — a magical sight as wildlife silhouettes against the sky.

Between game drives, relax at your safari lodge and enjoy panoramic views of the savannah. Those seeking a cultural connection can visit a local Maasai village to learn about traditional customs, dances, and beadwork.
Overnight: Lodge or Tented Camp in Amboseli

Day 5–6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – The Crater of Wonders

After breakfast, cross the Namanga border into Tanzania, where your Tanzanian guide awaits. Drive through the scenic highlands toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its dramatic beauty and extraordinary wildlife density.

On the next day, descend 600 meters (2,000 feet) to the Ngorongoro Crater floor, one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife sanctuaries. This ancient volcanic caldera shelters an incredible variety of species — from black rhinos and hippos to lions, hyenas, and herds of wildebeest. The crater’s mosaic of grasslands, acacia forests, and soda lakes creates a breathtaking natural amphitheater of life.

Enjoy a full-day game drive with a scenic picnic lunch beside a hippo pool, before returning to your lodge perched on the crater rim for sweeping sunset views.
Overnight: Crater Rim or Highlands Lodge

Day 7–9: Serengeti National Park – The Great Migration & Predator Paradise

From Ngorongoro, continue into the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s most legendary wildlife destination. Its endless golden plains, acacia-dotted horizons, and thriving animal populations make it one of the world’s greatest safari landscapes.

Spend three days following the rhythm of the Great Migration — over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle moving across the savannah in search of fresh grazing. Depending on the season, you may witness the awe-inspiring river crossings in the north or the calving season in the southern plains, when predators roam in abundance.

Each day brings thrilling encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, and countless plains game. Optional activities include a hot air balloon safari at dawn, offering a bird’s-eye view of the vast wilderness, followed by a champagne breakfast on the plains.
Overnight: Tented Camp or Safari Lodge in Central, Northern, or Southern Serengeti (depending on migration location)

Day 10–12: Masai Mara National Reserve – Big Cats & Endless Plains

Cross back into Kenya through the Isebania border and continue to the Masai Mara National Reserve, an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem and one of Africa’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries. The Mara is synonymous with big cat encounters, dramatic hunts, and sweeping savannahs dotted with acacias.

Spend your days exploring the park’s rich terrain on morning and evening game drives, when predators are most active. The Mara teems with wildlife — lions lazing under thorn trees, cheetahs scanning the horizon, elephants marching across the plains, and wildebeest gathering near the Mara River.

Enhance your experience with a sunrise hot air balloon flight, gliding silently over the plains as the sun paints the sky gold. Afterward, celebrate with a bush breakfast amid nature. You can also visit a Maasai village to learn about this proud warrior culture and its deep connection to the land.
Overnight: Luxury Camp or Lodge in Masai Mara

Day 13–14: Samburu National Reserve – The Northern Wilds

Depart the Mara and head north to the Samburu National Reserve, a semi-arid wilderness along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Samburu offers a striking contrast to the southern parks — rugged hills, red-earth landscapes, and unique wildlife species not found elsewhere in Kenya.

Here, you’ll encounter the “Samburu Special Five” — Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the elegant gerenuk. The region’s tranquil atmosphere and fewer tourists make for an intimate safari experience.

During your stay, enjoy riverbank sundowners, guided bush walks, and cultural encounters with the Samburu people, known for their colorful attire and hospitality. As night falls, the stars blanket the vast skies, creating an unforgettable African evening.
Overnight: Riverside Camp or Eco-Lodge in Samburu

Day 15: Return to Nairobi – Farewell to East Africa

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning in Samburu before driving or flying back to Nairobi. Depending on your flight schedule, relax at a city lodge or enjoy a farewell lunch before your international departure.

For travellers seeking to extend their East African journey, Wild Compass Africa offers seamless add-ons to Zanzibar, Diani Beach, or Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for unforgettable gorilla trekking.