Day 1–2: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to East Africa
Your journey begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s buzzing capital. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, or relax at your boutique lodge.
Overnight: Nairobi
Optional: Nairobi National Park game drive or Karen Blixen Museum visit
Day 3–4: Amboseli National Park – Elephants & Kilimanjaro Views
Drive south to Amboseli, one of Kenya’s most photogenic parks, with sweeping savannahs and views of Mount Kilimanjaro as a dramatic backdrop. Amboseli is famed for its large elephant bulls with iconic tusks, as well as buffalo, lion, and cheetah.
Highlights:
- Game drives with Kilimanjaro in the distance
- Birdlife-rich swamps and seasonal lakes
- Visit to a Maasai community (optional)
- Overnight: Lodge or tented camp in Amboseli
Day 5–6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Crater of Wonders
After breakfast, drive to the Namanga border where you’ll complete immigration formalities and meet your Tanzanian safari guide on the other side. Enjoy a smooth transition as you journey south into Tanzania's scenic northern circuit.
By late afternoon, ascend into the cool, green highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its extraordinary landscapes and rich biodiversity.
On Day 6, rise early and descend 600 meters (2,000 feet) into the Ngorongoro Crater—a wildlife-packed caldera often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” This is one of the only places in East Africa where you might spot all Big Five in a single game drive, including elusive black rhinos, massive buffalo herds, and healthy lion prides.
Enjoy your crater exploration without the crowds typical of busier safari parks. The crater floor’s mix of grasslands, acacia forests, soda lakes, and marshes make it a haven for both predators and prey.
Highlights:
- Guided crater floor game drive with scenic stops
- Dramatic views from the crater rim lodges
- Cross-border handover between Kenyan and Tanzanian safari teams
- Optional visit to a Maasai boma for cultural insights into traditional life
- Optional detour to Olduvai Gorge, a famed paleoanthropological site where early human fossils were discovered
Overnight: Cozy lodge in the Ngorongoro Highlands or elegant property perched on the crater rim, offering panoramic views of the caldera below.
Day 7–9: Serengeti National Park – The Great Migration & Predator Action
Head into the legendary Serengeti, the beating heart of Africa’s wildlife. Explore vast plains teeming with wildlife — from thundering wildebeest herds to the stealth of big cats. Depending on the season, you may witness dramatic river crossings, calving scenes, or predator-prey interactions.
Highlights:
- Prime game drives with expert trackers
- Optional hot air balloon safari over the plains
- Golden-hour photography and sundowners
Overnight: Tented camp or lodge in Central, Northern, or Southern Serengeti (depending on migration season)
Day 10–12: Masai Mara National Reserve – Ultimate Big Cat Country
Cross back into Kenya and continue to the world-famous Masai Mara, a vast extension of the Serengeti ecosystem. The Mara is renowned for its high concentration of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and scavengers, along with seasonal migration activity.
Highlights:
- Morning and evening game drives
- Optional hot air balloon ride with champagne breakfast
- Visit to a Maasai village or guided nature walk (optional)
- Overnight: Luxury tented camp or lodge in the Masai Mara
Day 13–14: Samburu National Reserve – Rare Wildlife & Cultural Richness
Fly or drive to Samburu, a scenic and less-traveled reserve in northern Kenya along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Known for its “Samburu Special Five” (Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich), Samburu is also culturally rich, with opportunities to engage with the Samburu people.
Highlights:
- Unique wildlife only found in the north
- Dramatic landscapes and quiet wilderness
- Riverfront sundowners and star-filled skies
- Overnight: Riverside camp or eco-lodge in Samburu
Day 15: Return to Nairobi – Farewell East Africa
After breakfast, return to Nairobi via road or domestic flight, depending on your travel preference. Enjoy a farewell lunch or day room before your international departure.
Optional: Add a few nights in Zanzibar or Diani Beach to relax after the safari!
