Tour Gallery
Overview
This 10-day mid-range safari offers a comprehensive East African wildlife experience, journeying through Kenya's Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara before crossing into Tanzania to explore the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. It is designed for travelers seeking excellent wildlife viewing, comfortable accommodations, and a good balance of activities across two iconic safari destinations, all facilitated by experienced local guides.
Tour Suitability:
- Traveler Profile: Ideal for adventurous couples, families with older children, small groups, and individuals wanting a thorough East Africa immersion.
- Pace of Travel: Moderate to Action-Packed, as it covers significant ground across two countries, including a border crossing day.
- Interests: Big Five encounters, Great Migration viewing (seasonal), diverse landscapes (Rift Valley lakes, vast plains, volcanic craters), cultural interactions, and experiencing both Kenyan and Tanzanian safari circuits.
- Comfort Level: Mid-Range, featuring comfortable lodges and tented camps offering good amenities and value.
- Focus: A classic cross-border safari hitting the highlights of both Kenya and Tanzania.
Key Tour Highlights
- Two-Country Safari: Experience the best of both Kenya (Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara) and Tanzania (Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara).
- Abundant Wildlife: Excellent opportunities to see the Big Five, vast herds, and diverse birdlife in world-renowned parks.
- Iconic Landscapes: From the flamingo-lined shores of Lake Nakuru to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Crater.
- Cultural Experiences: Potential for Maasai village visits (optional).
- Comfortable Mid-Range Stays: Enjoy stays at well-selected lodges and tented camps offering a good balance of comfort and authentic safari atmosphere.
Accommodation Style
Throughout this cross-border adventure, you will stay in reputable mid-range lodges and tented camps. These properties are chosen by local operators for their good service, comfortable amenities, and strategic locations for wildlife viewing. Expect a blend of lodge rooms and classic safari tents, ensuring a pleasant and authentic East African experience.
Featured Destinations & Attractions
- Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya): Famous for flamingos (seasonal) and its rhino sanctuary.
- Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya): World-renowned for the Big Five and the Great Wildebeest Migration.
- Serengeti National Park (Tanzania): Iconic endless plains, home to the Great Migration and abundant predators.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Crater (Tanzania): A UNESCO World Heritage site with incredible wildlife density in the crater.
- Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania): Known for tree-climbing lions (though elusive) and diverse birdlife.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), or pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, you will be met by your local guide. Depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its incredible birdlife, especially flamingos (seasonal), and as a sanctuary for rhinos. Arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive. (Meals: Lunch & Dinner)
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Lodge or similar mid-range lodge.
After an early breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru. Later, depart for the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations. The journey offers scenic views of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive at your camp in time for lunch, followed by your first thrilling afternoon game drive in the Mara. (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp or similar mid-range tented camp.
Dedicate the entire day to exploring the vast plains of the Masai Mara. With a picnic lunch, you'll venture out for extensive game drives in search of the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo – as well as cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and numerous other species. If your visit coincides with the Great Migration (typically July-October), you may witness this incredible natural spectacle. (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp or similar mid-range tented camp.
An early start today for your transfer from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania via the Isebania border. This is primarily a travel day, but it includes game viewing opportunities en route on both sides of the border. After border formalities, continue your journey into the Serengeti, arriving at your Tanzanian camp in the late afternoon. (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: Enkirari Wilderness Camp or similar luxury tented camp (Serengeti side often features higher-end mid-range/luxury-lite options for these itineraries).
Enjoy a full day of game drives in the legendary Serengeti National Park, whose name means 'endless plains' in the Maasai language. The park is famed for the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras traverse its plains. You'll search for large prides of lions, elusive leopards, cheetahs, and a vast array of other wildlife. An optional visit to Olduvai Gorge or a hot air balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost. (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: Enkirari Wilderness Camp or similar luxury tented camp.
Embark on an early morning game drive in the Serengeti to catch wildlife at its most active. After breakfast/brunch at the camp, drive towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you ascend the crater highlands, the views are spectacular. You'll arrive at your lodge perched on the crater rim in the afternoon. There might be an option for a late afternoon walking safari in the Ngorongoro Highlands (lodge dependent, may be extra). (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge or similar luxury lodge on the crater rim.
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a veritable 'Noah's Ark'. The crater floor boasts an astonishing concentration of wildlife, including the rare black rhino, large prides of lions, herds of elephants, buffalo, and numerous plains game. Enjoy a picnic lunch by a hippo pool within the crater. In the late afternoon, ascend the crater rim and proceed to your lodge near Lake Manyara or Karatu. (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara or similar luxury lodge.
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive. This picturesque park is known for its lush acacia forests, troops of baboons, blue monkeys, and diverse birdlife, including flamingos (seasonal). Keep an eye out for the park's famous, though sometimes elusive, tree-climbing lions. After the game drive and lunch, you will be transferred to Arusha for your overnight stay. (Meals: All meals included)
Accommodation: A well-regarded mid-range hotel in Arusha.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time for souvenir shopping or exploring Arusha town. Later, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. Alternatively, this is a good point to extend your trip to Zanzibar or other Tanzanian destinations. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour).
This day is often included as a buffer for international flight connections or to allow flexibility. For those departing today, transfer to the airport will be arranged based on flight times. (Meals: Breakfast if overnighting from Day 9)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour).
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions
- Professional guide
- Activities (as written in the itinerary)
- Entry fee
- Taxes
- A bottle of drinking water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions
- Meals and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Visas