Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – City Tour & Transfer to Masai Mara
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or pick-up from your hotel, your adventure begins with an optional Nairobi city tour. You may visit the Nairobi National Museum and the Giraffe Centre to get a glimpse of Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage. Later, drive through the scenic Great Rift Valley to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. En route, enjoy dramatic landscapes and spot wildlife along the way. In the evening, relax at your lodge or optionally visit a local Masai Boma for cultural interaction and traditional dances.
Meals & Accommodation: Jambo Mara Lodge or similar
Day 2–3: Full Days of Wildebeest Migration Safari in Masai Mara
Spend two full days immersed in the heart of the Masai Mara ecosystem. Rise early and head out on extended game drives along the Mara River, the main stage for the famed wildebeest migration. Watch in awe as herds of wildebeest and zebra attempt to cross the crocodile-infested waters, closely followed by predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The plains are alive with elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and a myriad of birdlife that makes for spectacular photography and storytelling.
Meals & Accommodation: Jambo Mara Lodge or similar
Day 4: Cross Border into Tanzania – Transfer to Mugumu
Start your day early with a scenic drive through the Mara Triangle, exiting via Ololoolo Gate. Journey toward the Isebania border, stopping briefly at Migori for lunch. After clearing immigration, continue your drive through rural Tanzania to Mugumu town for overnight stay and a chance to rest before entering the Serengeti.
Meals & Accommodation: La’tonna Safari Hotel or similar
Day 5–6: Serengeti National Park – Big Cats & Wildlife Encounters
Depart Mugumu and head into the Serengeti via Ikoma Gate. This journey itself offers fantastic wildlife viewing and birding opportunities. Spend the next two days exploring the central Serengeti’s vast savannahs in search of lions, elephants, cheetahs, buffaloes, and more. Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives and embrace the serenity and magnificence of the African wilderness.
Meals & Accommodation: Into the Wild Tented Lodge or similar
Day 7: Descend into Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, depart the Serengeti with picnic meals and stop at the iconic Naabi Hill Gate. Later, descend 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater—a true Eden of wildlife. The crater is a haven for black rhinos, hippos, zebras, flamingos, and predators. Spend the day inside the caldera with game drives and a packed lunch near a scenic picnic site before ascending by evening to the crater rim.
Meals & Accommodation: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge or similar
Day 8: Community Tour & Wildlife in Tarangire National Park
Drive to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and dense elephant population. En route, stop at Mto wa Mbu village for a rewarding cultural tour. Participate in traditional cooking, local art, dance, and storytelling with community members. Proceed to Tarangire for an optional evening game drive or relaxation at your lodge.
Meals & Accommodation: Simba Lodge Tarangire or Burunge Tented Lodge
Day 9: Morning Safari & Transfer to Arusha
Begin your day with a final game drive in Tarangire National Park, taking in early morning wildlife activity. Spot birds, monkeys, and predators in action before heading to Arusha. Here, unwind and prepare for the Kilimanjaro trekking adventure ahead.
Meals & Accommodation: Green Mountain Lodge – Arusha or similar
Day 10–16: Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Expedition
Your Kilimanjaro trek begins! A separate detailed itinerary will be shared based on your chosen route (e.g., Machame, Marangu, Lemosho). Over seven days, trek through different ecological zones—from rainforest to alpine desert—culminating at the summit, Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Professional guides, porters, and support staff will accompany you every step of the way. This is both a physical and spiritual journey that will leave lasting memories.
Day 17: Departure / Optional Zanzibar Extension
Depending on your post-hike plans, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight. Alternatively, continue your journey to Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches and turquoise waters for a luxurious extension to your East African adventure.
Note:
Day 16 may be reserved as a rest day post-hike or used to transfer to the airport for your flight. Optionally, you can extend your trip to Zanzibar for beach relaxation.
Day 1–2: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to East Africa
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where a Wild Compass Africa representative will meet you and transfer you to your lodge. Relax and soak in the sounds of Africa.
Depending on arrival time, visit the Giraffe Centre, hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes, the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, or the Karen Blixen Museum.
Overnight: Nairobi Lodge or Boutique Hotel | Dinner included
Day 3–4: Amboseli National Park – Elephants & Kilimanjaro Views
Drive south to Amboseli National Park, famous for its elephant herds and iconic views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Explore wetlands, acacia woodlands, and salt pans, spotting lions, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs.
Optional visits: a local Maasai village to learn about traditional customs and beadwork.
Overnight: AA Lodge Amboseli | All meals included
Day 5: Transfer to Ngorongoro – Scenic Views from Amboseli
After breakfast in Amboseli, you’ll cross into Tanzania via the Namanga border, where your Tanzanian guide will welcome you. The drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is scenic, passing rolling highlands, small villages, and picturesque farmland. Along the way, stop at viewpoints to admire the stunning landscapes, including distant volcanoes and acacia-dotted plains.
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. Spend the evening settling in, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and soaking up panoramic views of the highlands. This is a perfect time to unwind, savor a hearty dinner, and rest for the adventure ahead.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge | All meals included
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater – Full-Day Game Drive & Transfer to Serengeti
Wake up early for a full-day exploration of the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the world’s most remarkable wildlife sanctuaries. Descend 600 meters into the crater floor, where a mosaic of grasslands, acacia woodlands, and soda lakes shelters a dense concentration of wildlife, including lions, hyenas, elephants, hippos, black rhinos, and herds of wildebeest and zebra.
Enjoy a picnic lunch beside a hippo pool, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild. After your game drive, begin your transfer to the Seronera area of the Serengeti, arriving in the late afternoon. Take in the endless plains stretching to the horizon as you settle into your lodge for the evening.
Overnight: Tented Camp or Safari Lodge in Central Serengeti | All meals included
Day 7–8: Serengeti National Park – Extensive Migration & Predator Search
Spend two full days immersed in the Serengeti’s legendary wilderness. Morning and evening game drives take you across the vast plains in search of Great Migration herds, dramatic predator-prey encounters, and iconic wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and wildebeest.
Depending on the season, witness river crossings or the calving season, providing amazing photographic and safari opportunities. Optional experiences include a sunrise hot air balloon safari, offering a bird’s-eye view of the migration, followed by a champagne breakfast on the plains.
Your evenings are spent relaxing at your lodge or tented camp, enjoying the Serengeti’s sounds and night sky.
Overnight: Tented Camp or Safari Lodge in Serengeti | All meals included
Day 9: Transfer to Masai Mara via Isebania Border
After breakfast, cross back into Kenya through the Isebania border, entering the Masai Mara National Reserve, an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem. Upon arrival, embark on an evening game drive or take time to relax at your lodge. The Mara offers abundant wildlife, scenic riverine forests, and rolling savannahs — the perfect introduction to your next safari destination.
Overnight: Luxury Camp or Lodge in Masai Mara | All meals included
Day 10–11: Masai Mara – Migration, Big Five & Cultural Encounters
Spend the next two days exploring the Mara with morning and evening game drives, following the rhythm of wildlife across the plains. Observe Big Five species, including lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinos, along with cheetahs and vast herds of wildebeest.
Optional activities enhance your experience: a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the plains with a bush breakfast, or a visit to a Maasai village to learn about the warrior culture, beadwork, and traditional dances. These cultural encounters add depth to your safari, connecting you with Kenya’s people as well as its wildlife.
Overnight: Luxury Camp or Lodge in Masai Mara | All meals included
Day 12: Lake Nakuru National Park – Evening Game Viewing & Relaxation
Depart Masai Mara after breakfast and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its large flamingo populations, rhinos, and lush lakeside scenery. Spend the afternoon on a game drive along the lake and surrounding woodlands, spotting waterbuck, giraffes, zebras, and a rich diversity of birds.
Evening at your lodge is peaceful and relaxing, with opportunities for photography, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the serenity of the park.
Overnight: Nakuru Safari Lodge or similar | All meals included
Day 13: Nakuru Morning Bush Picnic & Transfer to Samburu
Start the day with an early morning bush picnic, weather permitting, exploring the park’s wildlife and enjoying a unique outdoor breakfast surrounded by nature. Afterward, begin your drive north to Samburu National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon. On the way, enjoy scenic stops and wildlife sightings in the highlands.
Evening at leisure at your lodge, taking in the tranquil Samburu landscapes along the Ewaso Ng’iro River.
Overnight: Sarova Shaba Samburu | All meals included
Day 14: Samburu – Full-Day Wildlife & Cultural Safari
Spend a full day in Samburu National Reserve, a semi-arid wilderness with unique wildlife found only in northern Kenya. Track the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk.
Optional activities include riverbank sundowners, guided bush walks, and cultural visits to local Samburu communities, experiencing their traditions, dances, and crafts. This day offers an intimate encounter with both wildlife and culture in a remote, off-the-beaten-path setting.
Overnight: Sarova Shaba Samburu | All meals included
Day 15: Samburu Morning Game Viewing & Return to Nairobi
Enjoy a final morning game drive to catch any last wildlife sightings. After breakfast, transfer back to Nairobi, approximately a 5–6 hour drive, or opt for a domestic flight to the capital.
Depending on your departure time, relax at a city lodge or enjoy a farewell lunch before heading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.
All lodges and camps in the Serengeti and Masai Mara are allocated based on seasonal migration movements and availability, ensuring the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Lake Nakuru National Park
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide before setting off on a scenic drive through Kenya’s dramatic Great Rift Valley. A stop along the escarpment allows time to admire and photograph the sweeping landscapes before continuing toward Lake Nakuru National Park.
After lunch, enjoy your first game drive in this compact yet wildlife-rich park, famous for its successful rhino conservation program. You will search for both black and white rhinos, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, buffalo, and plains game, while the soda lake often attracts flamingos and other waterbirds. As the afternoon light softens, the park offers excellent photography opportunities. You will spend the night at a lodge inside or near the park, surrounded by nature.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and journey westward across the rolling highlands and fertile farmlands of rural Kenya. The drive to the Masai Mara is scenic and culturally rich, offering glimpses of local villages and everyday life along the way.
Arriving in the Masai Mara around lunchtime, you will settle into your lodge before heading out for an afternoon game drive across the reserve’s vast golden plains. This iconic landscape is home to abundant wildlife, including zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and large herds of elephants grazing beneath classic acacia trees. Predators are often spotted resting or hunting, with lions lounging in the grass, cheetahs scanning the plains, and leopards hiding in tree branches. As the sun sets, the Mara transforms into a painter’s canvas of warm light and long shadows, creating a magical safari atmosphere.
Accommodation: PrideInn Mara or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Days 3 & 4: Full Safari Experience in the Masai Mara
Spend two full days immersed in the extraordinary wildlife of the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s greatest safari destinations. Morning and afternoon game drives maximize wildlife viewing, bringing you close to the Big Five and countless other species. Lions are frequently encountered, elephants roam in family groups, buffalo graze across the plains, and elusive leopards may be spotted resting in trees.
Between July and October, the Masai Mara becomes the stage for the Great Migration, as vast herds of wildebeests and zebras cross the Mara River in dramatic scenes filled with tension and predator action. Cheetahs sprint across the open savannah, hyenas patrol their territories, and hippos and crocodiles dominate the rivers. The reserve is also a paradise for birdlife, with more than 450 species including ostriches, secretary birds, vultures, and the colorful lilac-breasted roller.
For those seeking something extra special, an optional hot-air balloon safari at sunrise offers a breathtaking aerial perspective of the plains, followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush. Evenings may include bush picnics or sundowners as the African sky glows with sunset colors and the sounds of the wild surround you.
Accommodation: PrideInn Mara or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Masai Mara – Serengeti National Park (via Isebania Border)
After an early breakfast and a final game drive in the Masai Mara, you will travel south toward the Isebania border to cross into Tanzania. After completing immigration formalities, continue into the northern reaches of the Serengeti National Park.
This scenic journey offers opportunities for game viewing en route, as wildlife moves freely across the open plains. Upon arrival at your tented lodge, settle in and enjoy the remote wilderness atmosphere of the Serengeti.
Accommodation: Into Wild Tented Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Days 6 & 7: Full Safari Days in Serengeti National Park
Over the next two days, explore the endless plains of the Serengeti, one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife ecosystems. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal extraordinary predator activity, with lions stalking prey, cheetahs racing across open grasslands, and leopards draped over acacia branches.
Depending on the season, you may encounter vast herds of wildebeests and zebras moving across the plains during the Great Migration, accompanied by dramatic river crossings and newborn calves that attract predators. Elephants, giraffes, gazelles, bat-eared foxes, and hyenas are frequently seen, while hippos and crocodiles dominate the rivers and pools.
Birdlife is abundant and diverse, featuring kori bustards, secretary birds, bee-eaters, and vibrant rollers. Each evening concludes with a peaceful sundowner as the Serengeti sky glows in shades of red and gold, followed by the distant calls of wildlife echoing through the night.
Accommodation: Into Wild Tented Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu
After a morning game drive in the Serengeti, continue toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, ascending into cooler highland scenery. An optional visit to Olduvai Gorge, often referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind,” provides fascinating insight into early human history.
Later in the day, descend approximately 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife arenas. The crater floor supports a remarkable concentration of animals, including black rhinos, lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, and large flocks of flamingos around the soda lake. After your crater safari, ascend to the lush farmlands of Karatu for overnight rest.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Mountain View Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: Karatu – Mto wa Mbu – Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, depart Karatu for a cultural visit to Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant town known for its ethnic diversity. A guided walk introduces you to local farms, banana plantations, markets, and traditional lifestyles, offering meaningful interaction with the communities of the area.
Continue onward to Tarangire National Park, a landscape defined by ancient baobab trees, open savannahs, and the life-giving Tarangire River. During your afternoon game drive, you will search for the park’s famous large elephant herds, along with lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, and a wide variety of antelope species. Tarangire is also one of Tanzania’s top birding destinations, boasting more than 550 bird species, making it a delight for bird enthusiasts.
Accommodation: Tarangire Simba Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Tarangire – Arusha – Departure from Kilimanjaro
Enjoy a final morning game drive in Tarangire National Park, soaking in the last moments of your safari among elephants, baobabs, and open plains. Afterward, return to Arusha with time for souvenir shopping before transferring to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward departure, bringing your unforgettable East African safari adventure to a close.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch