11 days Kenya, Tanzania

Embark on an early morning journey with a drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve. This reserve stands as one of the last havens on Earth where wildlife thrives undisturbed, echoing the numbers that once graced the plains and forests of Africa.

Positioned as the northern apex of the expansive Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara witnesses the awe-inspiring seasonal migration of countless wildebeest, zebras, and their accompanying predators.

Arrive in time for a satisfying lunch, and later, immerse yourself in the wonders of the reserve with an afternoon game drive. Indulge in dinner and spend the night at the campsite or lodge.

Immerse yourself in a full day of exploration within the Maasai Mara, where the schedule is flexible, and the possibilities are boundless. After a hearty breakfast, embark on an extensive game drive, complete with a packed lunch to sustain your adventure.

The reserve is renowned for its majestic black-manned lions and boasts an abundance of resident wildlife. It stands as one of the rare places where encountering the Big Five during a morning game drive is a distinct possibility. Witness the fascinating behavior of cheetahs, some of which may seek shade under vehicles or even climb onto the roof for a better vantage point.

For avid bird enthusiasts, the Maasai Mara presents a haven with almost 500 recorded species. Among these are 16 eagle species, numerous hawks and falcons, 6 vulture species, 8 stork species, 4 bustard species (including the Kori bustard, the world's heaviest flying bird), and 9 sunbird species.

Conclude your day with a delectable dinner and settle in for the night at the campsite or lodge.

Begin your day with an exhilarating early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara as you make your way out of the National Reserve. After completing border formalities, embark on a journey to the renowned Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. While it will be a lengthy day of driving, the game drives en route offer unexpected and incredible wildlife encounters.

It's worth noting that, for an optimized safari experience, flying between parks is recommended. This allows for more time on safari and less time in transit.

Alternatively, consider extending your journey by adding an extra day to explore Lake Victoria, a captivating destination situated midway between the two parks.

Conclude the day with a delightful dinner and overnight stay at the campsite or lodge.

Enjoy two full days in the Serengeti with a flexible schedule and unlimited mileage for a truly immersive safari experience. As you ascend the hillside, a breathtaking view unfolds before you— the vast Serengeti, extending endlessly as far as the eye can see.

Covering 6,900 square miles (18,000 sq. km), this park is home to over 2 million large animals, including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebras, and Thomson's gazelles. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are attracted by the abundance of prey that migrates across the park. Additionally, a diverse array of smaller animals, including rock hyrax, bat-eared foxes, mongoose, honey badger, jackals, monkeys, baboons, and African hares, inhabit the area. The Serengeti is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, boasting nearly 500 species.

During your journey into the Serengeti, you have the option to stop at the renowned Olduvai Gorge, where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey made groundbreaking discoveries about the first humans. After attending a short lecture on the archeological digs and geology of the gorge, you'll have the opportunity to visit the small museum. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive en-route to the campsite.

Conclude each day with a delightful dinner and overnight stay at the private tented camp or lodge.

In the morning, embark on a transfer to Ngorongoro, renowned as the 8th natural wonder of the world. Stop for a delightful picnic lunch before making your way to the crater floor for an extraordinary day of wildlife viewing.

The Ngorongoro Crater, with its towering 2,000 ft walls and a crater floor spanning 102 square miles, stands as a virtual Noah's Ark. It is home to nearly every species of wildlife indigenous to East Africa, including the rare black rhino. The crater boasts the highest concentration of wildlife on the planet, featuring a river, several swamps, a soda lake resembling steam from the top, abundant flamingoes, a forest, and vast open plains.

After a day filled with captivating wildlife encounters, ascend the steep road out of the crater and transfer to your accommodation for a restful overnight stay.

After breakfast, set forth on a journey across the Great Rift Valley to reach Lake Manyara National Park, where a full day of game driving awaits. Despite its modest size of 205 square miles, this captivating park is renowned for its scenic beauty and luxuriant acacia forest, adorned with giant fig and mahogany trees that shelter troops of baboons and blue monkeys.

Lake Manyara National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, impalas, and a hippo lake where large numbers of hippos usually gather. The park's avian population is equally impressive, with over 400 different species, featuring rare sightings such as the Ground Hornbill and the Crested Eagle.

Notably, Lake Manyara is famous for its climbing lions and the picturesque flamingos adorning the lake shore. The park's landscapes are strikingly different from the Serengeti, offering unique photo opportunities. Game drives along the lake's shore provide stunning views of giraffes and buffaloes in the foreground against the backdrop of the lake, flamingos, and expansive plains.

Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at a private tented camp or lodge, immersed in the natural wonders of Lake Manyara.

Embark on an early morning journey to Amboseli National Park. Upon arrival, check in at your chosen accommodation and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, whether you prefer to rest or partake in a game drive. Amboseli National Park, located south of Nairobi, features a landscape dominated by a dry, ancient lake bed and delicate grassland interspersed with patches of acacia woodland.

The southern region of the park boasts small, rocky volcanic hills, including the swamps of Ol Okenya, Ol Tukai, and Enkongo Narok. These swamp areas are adorned with lush vegetation, characterized by yellow-barked acacias and phoenix palms.

As the day concludes, savor dinner and settle in for an overnight stay at the campsite or lodge, surrounded by the captivating ambiance of Amboseli.

Commence the day with an early morning venture to capture stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro before cloud cover obscures the summit. Packed lunches will be provided for the day. Amboseli National Park, despite its evolving environment, stands out as one of the premier wildlife areas in the entirety of Africa for up-close encounters with elephants.

Shielded from the disturbances of poachers, the spectacle of elephants feeding and bathing in the swamps is sure to be a highlight of your safari experience. As the day winds down, relish dinner and retreat for an overnight stay at the campsite or lodge, immersed in the unique atmosphere of Amboseli.

Embark on a morning game drive in Amboseli, soaking in the beauty of the park's wildlife. Additionally, consider an optional visit to a Maasai village, where you'll have the opportunity to witness the singing and dancing integral to their daily lives and sacred rituals.

Exploring their homes and understanding their social structure can be a moving and insightful experience. In the early afternoon, commence the drive back to Nairobi, marking the end of your safari adventure. Transfer to your hotel or the airport, reflecting on the incredible wildlife and landscapes you've encountered during your journey.