Itinerary

Days 1 & 2

U.S. / Nairobi, Kenya

Fly independently to Nairobi, where we stay at the Eka Hotel. (Meals Aloft)

Day 3

Nairobi / Masai Mara Reserve

Fly to the Masai Mara Reserve, a rich savannah famous for its concentration of plains game and predators, including leopard, cheetah and hyena. After checking into the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, enjoy the first game drive of your safari in Kenya and Tanzania. From our lodge, enjoy expansive views of the plains below. (B,L,D)

 

Days 4 & 5

Masai Mara Reserve

Our safari in Kenya and Tanzania itinerary includes two full days of morning and afternoon game drives in the famed Masai Mara Reserve. Here in this northern extension of the Serengeti Plains, the land is teeming with elephant, large prides of lion, buffalo, Thomson’s gazelle, giraffe and even topi — the only place in Kenya where they are common. You may even rise early one morning for an optional hot air balloon safari. While here, we also meet Maasai elder Ben Kipeno and visit a Maasai village, seeing how this pastoral tribe still tends herds of goats and cows much as their ancestors did for centuries. (B,L,D Daily)

Day 6

Masai Mara Reserve / Amboseli National Park

Enjoy one last game drive (time permitting) in the Mara before flying to Nairobi. From Nairobi, drive to Amboseli National Park, tucked on the Kenya/Tanzania border. On a clear day, every vista of this scenic park is dominated by views of Mt. Kilimanjaro — making a superb backdrop for your wildlife photography. Savor an afternoon game drive, watching the sun set across the park, before continuing to Amboseli Serena Lodge, where we spend the next two nights of our Kenya and Tanzania expedition itinerary. (B,L,D)

 

 

Day 7

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli is one of the largest of Kenya’s parks. Although this is dry country, Amboseli’s location in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro means that the park enjoys year-round water. Two permanent swamps are ideal for game viewing, drawing the park’s signature elephants, as well as giraffes and a variety of bird life, which we’ll look for during our game drives. (B,L,D)

Day 8

Amboseli / Tarangire National Park

Cross into Tanzania at Namanga and continue to Tarangire, Tanzania’s third largest national park. Before checking into our comfortable accommodations at the Tarangire River Camp, we journey through the rolling countryside searching for the park’s populations of black rhino, antelope, leopard, lion and cheetah. (B,L,D)

 

 

Day 9

Tarangire / Ngorongoro Crater

Sunrise will just be sweeping across the savannah on our morning game drive, where our guides will point out elephants and some of the park’s 260 recorded bird species. Tarangire also hosts migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra and Grant’s gazelle. Continue toward Ngorongoro, where we spend the next two nights at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, which features a wonderful view of the crater.  (B,L,D)

Day 10

Ngorongoro Crater

After a sumptuous breakfast, set out for the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unflooded caldera (collapsed cone of a volcano). Protected from the outside world by a huge rim, Ngorongoro’s abundance of food and fresh water support more than 30,000 large mammals. We’ll descend 2,000 feet into the crater for thrilling game drives among Africa’s "Big Five" (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard), but also search out the rare black rhino — this is your greatest chance to observe the black rhino in East Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor, and continue our drive before returning to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. (B,L,D)

 

 

Day 11

Olduvai Gorge / Serengeti National Park

Head for the Serengeti, en route visiting Olduvai Gorge [4], where early evidence of man was found by the Leakey family in the late 1950s. The Serengeti Plains are home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth, and our frequent game drives are a chance to see immense herds. We spend the next three nights under canvas at our private mobile tented camp, positioned to be as close to the animals as possible. (B,L,D)

Days 12 & 13

Serengeti National Park

Our Kenya and Tanzania expedition itinerary features daily game drives through the acacia savannahs and grasslands of the Serengeti offering opportunities to spot wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, topi, impala and hartebeest along with predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog. Along the network of rivers and lakes, we may find hippos and crocodiles. You’ll have ample opportunity in camp to learn more about our expert driver/guides and staff, personable locals who strive to bring Africa to life during your safari. (B,L,D Daily)

 

 

Day 14

Serengeti / Arusha / En Route

After the final game drive (time permitting) of your safari in Kenya and Tanzani, travel to the airstrip and fly to Arusha. Explore Shanga, a workshop where mentally and physically challenged locals make beautiful handmade beads, paper, candles, soaps and home décor using recycled materials. Dayrooms are available at the Serena Mountain Village Lodge before transferring to the airport for our flights home. (B,L)

Day 15

U.S.

Arrive in the U.S., and connect with your flights home. (Meals Aloft)