DAY 1:NAIROBI CITY TOUR

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and proceed to the day’s first activity.

8:00am: Nairobi National Museum
Explore Kenya’s history and culture through exhibits on Kenyan art, the Kenyan War for Independence, and prehistory.

11:00am: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Interact with orphaned elephants and witness their feeding and bathing routines.

12:00am: Giraffe Centre
Get up close with Rothschild’s giraffes and maybe even receive a kiss!

1:00pm: Lunch
Choose between a delicious meal at Carnivore Restaurant, Utamaduni Centre, or Mamba Villabe.

2:30pm: Bomas of Kenya
Experience the diverse cultures of Kenya through traditional housing, arts, crafts, and captivating dance performances.

5:00pm: Tour concludes
Your driver will drop you off at the airport or your hotel.

DAY 2:NAIROBI TO MASAI MARA

After breakfast, you will depart from Nairobi and begin the long drive south to Masai Mara National Reserve.

Stopping along the way to take in the stunning view of the Great Rift Valley, you will arrive at the reserve in time for lunch at the lodge. An afternoon game drive follows through this iconic reserve. Home to the entirety of the Big Five, the Masai Mara National Reserve also hosts the great annual wildebeest migration and makes for a stunning backdrop for your first day on safari.

DAY 3:MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE

Wake before dawn for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Masai Mara sunrise. After a quick cup of coffee, you will head out into the reserve to watch as the sun sets fire to the savannah and the big cats take advantage of the morning cool to search for a meal.

Alternatively, you can take to the skies with a hot air balloon safari that will see you soar above all of the action before setting down on the plains for a champagne breakfast among the wildlife. Ask your safari expert about adding a hot air balloon adventure to your safari.

You will then return to your lodge for a late breakfast before packing a picnic lunch and heading back into the park for a day-long exploration of the Masai Mara. You may also opt to relax at the lodge in the morning, enjoy lunch on-site, and then head out again in the afternoon once the weather has cooled off a bit.

DAY 4:MASAI MARA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

You will make your way to the Mara Serena Airstrip after breakfast for your flight into Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Upon arrival in the park, a Shadows of Africa driver will meet you. From here, you will proceed for an afternoon game drive in the famed park.

Home to vast populations of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as herbivores, including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

DAY 5: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

You will wake before dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive. Marvel at how the sun sets fire to the savannah as you go in search of big cats on the hunt for their morning meal.

After breakfast, you will spend an entire day out on the plains of the Serengeti, searching for the Big Five and (if the time is right) the movements of the famous wildebeest migration.

Weaving through kopjes upon which lions bask in the sun, you will see some of the world’s most iconic wildlife against the open plains and the big sky of Tanzania’s crown jewel.

DAY 6 :SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

You will have a full day in the Serengeti to spend as you wish.

You can divide your day into morning and afternoon game drives, enjoy lunch at the lodge, or take a picnic lunch and indulge in a day-long park exploration.

There are great sightings planned for the next day!

DAY 7 :SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA 

After breakfast, we get right back on the road as we travel towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you will spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds. Wildebeest and zebras migrate together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the mighty African elephants, and the most respected group of animals, the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, scavenging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself—the lion.

Your dinner and overnight stay are on the crater’s rim or in the nearby Karatu Town, depending on the standard and the type of accommodation chosen from our options.

DAY 8 :NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

After breakfast, you will depart for Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be the 8th Wonder of the World. When you first glimpse this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you will soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.

Home to over 120 species of mammals, including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world.

From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you will observe and photograph some of Africa’s most recognizable faces. The crater is home to many predators, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, and a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, Cape buffaloes, and more. It is truly one of Africa’s premier safari destinations.

You will overnight nearby at Mawe Mawe Manyara Lodge.

DAY 9 :NGORONGORO TO LAKE MANYARA  & ARUSHA

You will make your way to Lake Manyara National Park shortly after breakfast, with the scenic two-hour drive whetting your appetite for a day of exploration.

The park is truly a photographer’s playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa’s most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees, practically begging to be photographed!

Bird watchers will find Lake Manyara an absolute delight, with a wide variety of birds on display at the water’s edge. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly colored lilac-breasted roller.

You will then proceed to Arusha for your overnight stay.

DAY 10 :ARUSHA TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK 

You will depart Arusha after breakfast and begin your trip back to Kenya.

The drive itself is scenic, and you will once again go through immigration and meet with your new driver before proceeding to the park.

Amboseli National Park is called the ‘Royal Court of Kilimanjaro’ with good reason, as you will realize during the afternoon game drive. During the game drive, you will see herds of wildebeest and zebras, proud lions, skulking hyenas, a variety of antelopes, and some of Kenya’s largest herds of elephants—all set against the startling backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

DAY 11 :AMBOSELI TO NAIROBI

You will be up early today for an opportunity to see Mount Kilimanjaro at dawn. The ‘Roof of Africa’ is often shy, but in the early morning light, you will have your best chance to see the tallest mountain on the continent.

You will then make your way back to Nairobi, where you will be taken to the airport or your hotel.