Kenya & Tanzania: The Safari Experience with Zanzibar

Welcome to Nairobi, gateway to your dream safari. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Drive north out of the city to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest rhino sanctuary in all East Africa. After lunch and some time to settle in, embark on a game drive to begin your search for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. End the day with a welcome barbeque dinner in the bush. (B/L/D)

Rise early for a morning game drive with beautiful Mount Kenya as the backdrop. Beyond the “Big 5,” you may spot cheetah, zebra, gazelle, and more. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare wild dogs. After some down time and lunch, visit the Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary then set out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner at camp concludes your first full day on safari! (B/L/D)

Leave Ol Pejeta and journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa. Stop at scenic Nyahururu Falls and then on to Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive and a chance to see giraffe, impala, flamingo, striped hyena, and a variety of birdlife along the water's edge. (B/L/D)

This morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's most famous game area. “The Mara,” as it is called by locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives, typically from August to early November, their population grows by almost 2 million - a bountiful food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. After lunch at your lodge, set out on an afternoon game drive. (B/L/D)

Rise early for a morning game drive including an exclusive bush breakfast. Be sure to watch for elephant, rhino, giraffe, topi, hyena, and much more. Return to your camp and relax prior to your afternoon game drive. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, fly to Amboseli National Park (via Nairobi), known for spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro or “Kili” as the locals call it, the highest mountain in Africa. Embark on an afternoon game drive before settling in at your lodge. (B/D)

Morning and afternoon game drives are included today. Amboseli affords you a terrific opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You might also spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more. Stop for sundowner drinks prior to returning to your lodge for dinner. (B/L/D)

This morning, cross the border into Tanzania. Enjoy lunch in Arusha. Proceed to your lodge along the rim of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Check in and enjoy some leisure time prior to dinner. (B/L/D)

Lake Manyara National Park is a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and alkaline Lake Manyara itself. The park is also home to the world's largest concentration of baboon. Watch for these mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your morning game drive. After lunch, journey to Karatu where you'll visit a local primary school. Continue to your lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, which is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area. (B/L/D)

Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is technically a caldera—the world's largest unflooded one, in fact—at more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year round. You can see lion, Cape buffalo, hippo, elephant, and more. This is also your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros. An exclusive bush lunch will be served in the crater. (B/L/D)

Drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's largest and most famous park. The Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles, so it is no surprise that the name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning “endless plains.” Enjoy lunch at your tented camp before an afternoon game drive. You have the chance to see the big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. With some luck you may even spot something much rarer, like a caracal, a beautiful cat with distinctive ears. (B/L/D)

Continue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, generally between late November and July, the Serengeti attracts visitors from around the world and is great for year-round game viewing. Tonight, join a farewell dinner in the bush featuring a traditional Maasai dance performance. (B/L/D)

Embark on a final game drive in the Serengeti before flying to Stone Town (via Arusha), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settle into your oceanfront hotel. (B)

Take a walking tour of Stone Town to see the Old Fort, National Palace, slave caves, and colourful spice markets, followed by a visit to Jozani Forest for a guided walk. Free time in the late afternoon and evening. (B/L)

Fly to Dar es Salaam, where a day room has been reserved for your use. Schedule departing flights after 4 pm. (B)