17 Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari
DAY 1, Arrive in Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Nairobi
DAY 2, Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre*
After a leisurely breakfast, depart for Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage to learn about orphan elephants which are raised by the orphanage for later release into the wild, then continue on to the Karen Blixen Museum, home of the author of the famous memoir Out of Africa. This afternoon visit the Kazuri Bead workshop, established in 1975 to employ disadvantaged women and today produces fine examples of genuine African jewelry. Next visit the Giraffe Centre to view and feed giraffes and learn about current conservation efforts. This evening enjoy a sumptuous feast at Carnivore Restaurant, featuring an exotic variety of meats prepared over charcoal grills and served table side. Return to your hotel to rest for the adventures ahead
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3, Evening Game Drive in Samburu National Park
After breakfast, head north for Samburu National Park, a spectacular sixty square mile reserve home to crocodiles, zebra and giraffe. En route to your lodge enjoy a lunch at the delightful Lily Pond Center. Unlike the majority of Kenya's flat terrain, Samburu features arid hills leading to the lush forested ravine of the Ewaso Nyiro River. It is along these riverbanks, that the majority of game gather for the promise of water. Enjoy an evening game drive in Samburu. At sunset, return to camp for dinner
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4, Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Samburu National Park
Depart early this morning for a game drive through Samburu. You may have the chance to see a desert lion, an ostrich, or even a family of elephants wandering the hills. Return to your lodge in the late morning for a brief rest and lunch. This afternoon enjoy another game drive through the park. This evening, you will be treated to a lecture by a Samburu naturalist discussing the beliefs and traditions of this tribe living in the northern foothills of Mount Kenya
Overnight: Samburu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5, Game Viewing at The Ark
This morning, drive southwest past the Aberdares Mountain range. After lunch enroute, we board the bus to the Ark, one of Kenya's iconic 'tree-lodges' providing 24 hour game viewing at a floodlit watering hole in front of the lodge. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure
Overnight: Aberdares National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6, Game Drive in Lake Nakuru National Park*
After breakfast this morning, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park where you will enjoy a game drive and break for a picnic lunch. Best known for its flamingos, Lake Nakuru is also home to rhino and the elusive leopard. Afterward, check into your lodge where you will spend the remainder of the evening at leisure
Overnight: Naivasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7, Afternoon Game Drive in the Masai Mara
Depart early this morning for the Masai Mara National Reserve. Located in the southwest corner of Kenya, the park is most famous for the wildebeest migration which takes place every year from July through October. The breathtaking savannahs of the park are a stunning backdrop to a diverse and abundant wildlife population throughout the year. Enjoy lunch at your camp, and depart for an afternoon game drive until sunset. After dinner enjoy an exciting nighttime game drive
Optional: Maasai Village Visit (PM)
Overnight: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8, Full Day Game Drive through the Masai Mara
This morning depart early for a full day game drive through the Masai Mara. The park is home to the “Big Five” (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard and rhinos), as well as antelopes, gazelles, hippos and a variety of bird life. This evening, return to camp and relax as you enjoy the sunset on your final night in the Mara
Optional: Sunrise Balloon Safari & Breakfast (AM)
Overnight: Masai Mara Game Reserve
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9, Travel to Arusha
Early this morning enjoy a guided nature walk to learn about wildlife footprints and medicinal plants. Bid farewell to the Mara and transfer to the airport for your flight to Tanzania. Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, transfer to your hotel in Arusha. Balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Arusha
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Full Day Exploring Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Ngorongoro Crater. As you approach, the overwhelming beauty will astound and the abundance of wildlife will amaze as you descend the crater walls. The unique geography of the crater forms a natural enclosure for lions, elephants, and hyenas that stay on the basin floor year round. During the summer, the famous wildebeest migration passes through this area filling the plains with well over a million of these breathtaking animals. In the late afternoon, return to your lodge
Overnight: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11, Travel to Serengeti National Park, Afternoon Game Drive in Seronera Valley
After an early breakfast, drive to Serengeti National Park with a visit to the Olduvai Gorge Museum en-route. Unequaled in its natural beauty and undoubtedly the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world, the Serengeti Wildlife Park is host to the highest concentration of game than any other area. Your first game drive will take place in the afternoon, exploring the Seronera Valley which is renowned for its lion and leopard populations as well as a variety of other wildlife attracted by the the lush wooded valley. Return to your campsite at dusk and enjoy a glass of wine as you relax by the campfire
Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12, Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
Depart this morning to explore the Moru Kopjes in search of lions, elephants, gazelle, and zebras. Enjoy the unique landscape characterized by a large collection of rocky cliffs (Kopjes). During your exploration you will visit caves which house ancient Masai art. Return to the lodge at 5 pm, sit by the fire, and enjoy the magnificent African sunset over the hills
Optional: Serengeti Sunrise Balloon Safari & Breakfast (AM)
Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13, Morning & Afternoon Game Drives through Serengeti National Park
This morning, enjoy an early breakfast before your morning game drive around the Simba Kopjes. Afterward, return to your camp and enjoy lunch and a brief rest in preparation for your afternoon game drive. Later, enjoy an exciting game drive through the Seronera Valley, most famous for lions and leopards
Overnight: Serengeti National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14, Travel to Lake Manyara, Evening Game Drive
After an early breakfast, make your way to Lake Manyara National Park, an area known for its tree-climbing lions as well as its elephants and flamingos. There is also an abundance of bird life surrounding the lake making this area a haven for bird watchers. In the afternoon, arrive at your campsite located on the edge of an Acacia woodland overlooking the lake. This is the only tented camp located within the national park and offers superb game viewing opportunities away from the crowds. After lunch, set out for an evening game drive through the park. Return to the camp at dusk and get comfortable by the roaring fire
Overnight: Lake Manyara National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 15, Afternoon Game Drive in Tarangire National Park
Depart at 8 am for Tarangire National Park, enroute enjoy game viewing through the Manyara National Park. After lunch you will enjoy an afternoon game drive through Tarangire National Park. Named after the Tarangire River which originates in Tanzania's highlands, Tarangire National Park is known for huge elephant herds as well as an incredible variety of bird life. The river and its tributaries provide the only permanent water source in the area which attracts many migratory species such as buffalo, oryx, and Grant's Gazelle. The park's gigantic baobab trees will provide some incredible photo opportunities
Overnight: Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 16, Early Morning Game Drive in Tarangire National Park
Set out for an early morning adventure through the park. Return to your lodge for breakfast and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon viewing game from inside the park
Overnight: Tarangire
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 17, Bid Farewell to Africa
After breakfast, drive to Arusha where you will enjoy a lunch before transferring to Kilimanjaro for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Package Includes
16 nights First Class accommodations
2 nights Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi
2 nights Samburu Intrepids, Samburu National Reserve
1 night The Ark, Aberdares National Park
1 night Great Rift Valley Lodge, Lake Naivasha
2 nights Siana Springs, Masai Mara Reserve
1 night Arusha Hotel, Arusha
1 night Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area
3 nights Lemala Ewanjan, Serengeti National Park
1 night Lemala Manyara, Lake Manyara
2 nights Kikoti Safari Camp or Tarangire Safari Lodge, Tarangire National Park
All transfers
45 meals: 16 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 15 dinners
Restaurant tips throughout tour
Sightseeing per itinerary in modern 7-seater safari van
Services of English-speaking driver-guide
National Park Fees