Explore the highlights of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania on this 12-day itinerary from Nairobi. Take in the views towards Mount Kilimanjaro while watching huge herds of elephants traverse Amboseli National Park, witness the wildlife-filled caldera of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and embark on game drive safaris through the iconic Serengeti and Masai Mara National Reserves.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive into Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the nearby Eka Hotel for your first night in Kenya.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time to depart Nairobi as we head south into Amboseli National Park which lies at the base of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Take in the views towards its snow-capped summit as you watch herds of elephant traverse the grassy plains on an afternoon game drive, before arriving at your accommodation for the next two nights, Ol Tukai Lodge.
Day 3
Spend the day exploring Amboseli National Park which includes five different habitats - open plains, acacia woodlands, thorn scrub, swamp and marshlands - which support an abundance of wildlife. During the rainy season, Amboseli’s plains transform a lush green, attracting hundreds of birds to its swamps and springs which are fed by Kilimanjaro’s melting snow.
You’ll have the option to go on game drive safaris and guided walks, take a cultural tour of a Masai village or visit the Amboseli Research Station.
Day 4
Today you will cross the border into Tanzania and head towards the Arusha Coffee Lodge for its lunchtime ‘Shanga experience’. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the nearby Shanga shangaa workshops where you can learn about their project training disabled locals to create unique bead and glass work.
After lunch, we’ll drive to your accommodation for the next two nights at the Plantation Lodge which is located just a short drive from the Ngorongoro Conservation area.
Day 5
Wake early to make the most of your day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. Its high walls create a natural enclosure for wildlife, with the “Big Five” all residing here. Witness Lammergeyer, Vereaux's Eagle and Egyptian Vulture which nest in the crater walls, together with flocks of Lesser and Greater Flamingos which regularly visit its lakes.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also home to the Olduvai Gorge archaeological site where early human footprints have helped to establish the African origin of humankind.
We'll return to the lodge just before dusk, with time to freshen up before dinner.
Day 6
After breakfast at the Plantation Lodge, we’ll depart for the iconic Serengeti National Park which is one of Tanzania’s oldest and most popular. It's from here that massive herds of wildebeest and zebra commence the annual Great Wildebeest Migration in what is one of the greatest natural spectacles on earth. Watch as golden-maned lions stalk their prey in the grassy plains and leopards relax in the trees at dusk during a late-afternoon game drive towards your camp which is located in the Central Serengeti.
Day 7-8
Wake early for an (optional) sunrise hot air balloon ride over the magnificent Serengeti plains, before spending two full days enjoying the Serengeti National Park during both morning and evening game drives. Then relax with your fellow travellers around the campfire in the evenings under the never-ending African night sky.
Day 9
After breakfast at the camp, it’s time to depart the Serengeti and board your scheduled flights to the Masai Mara. Here you’ll travel to the Karen Blixen Camp with a game drive en route, arriving in time for lunch.
Spend the afternoon exploring the private wilderness area of the Mara North Conservancy which borders the Masai Mara National Reserve. It operates as a partnership between Masai landowners and safari camps, with herds of elephant, giraffe, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and impala congregating around its watering holes.
Day 10
Wake early to freshly brewed coffee before heading out on a game drive to make the most of the wildlife activity. Opt to have your breakfast out in the bush or return to camp for a full breakfast, with time to relax during the late morning or join a guided walk around Karen Blixen Camp.
In the late afternoon, you'll head out on another game drive during the atmospheric sunset light, before returning to the camp for dinner.
Day 11
Spend a final day exploring the Masai Mara National Reserve, with a packed picnic lunch allowing you to spend the entire day out and about. Visit the Mara River to see the crossing routes used during the annual Great Wildebeest Migration before returning to the camp for a refreshing swim and sundowners.
Day 12
After breakfast at the Karen Blixen Camp, you will be transferred to the airstrip in time for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Here you will be met by one of our representatives and driven either to a Nairobi hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Daily departures offered year round; please inquire for specific dates. Note, all departures require a minimum of 2 guests
Included:
- Full board accommodation while on safari
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in Nairobi
- Scheduled flight Serengeti – Tarime, Migori –Mara and Mara- Nairobi, luggage allowance 15 kgs per person
- Transfers to and from the airport
- A safari briefing at the start
- All alcoholic & Non-alcoholic drinks at Karen Blixen Camp ONLY excluding premium brands
- All game drives and site seeing as per the itinerary in private safari minibus driven by a professional English speaking guide Day1-Day4,
- Tanzania will be 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser
- Day9-Day10 in a Shared 4X4 vehicle
- Excursions and scheduled activities as per the itinerary
- Park Entrance fees throughout
- Flying doctors medical evacuation cover
- I litre of water per person per day while in an Albatros safari vehicle
- Current Government taxes and levies
Not Included:
- International Airfares
- International and domestic departure tax
- Laundry services
- Meals and excursions not described in the itinerary above
- Entry Visas to the country
- Travel and health insurance
- Balloon flight in the Masai Mara (additional charge USD450 per person)
- Balloon flight in the Serengeti (additional charge USD515 per person)
- Any optional tours or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary above
- Gratuities (tips) to your guide, hotel staff and porters
- Any other items of a personal nature, such as drinks, laundry, telephone and postage
FAQ & More
Do I need a Visa?
Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Some nationalities will have to obtain these prior to arrival and others will be able to obtain these on arrival at the port of entry. It is imperative that passports are valid for at least six months and have at least two blank pages, or four, if travelling to both Kenya and Tanzania.
While Tanzanian visas are available upon arrival, immigration queues at airports and border crossing can be long so we recommend applying in advance for the visa to save time. The cost for a tourist visa for US Citizens is $100 (Multiple entry) valid for one year, 90 Days at a time; for Canadian citizens, the cost is $50 (Single entry) for 90 Days or $100 (Double entry) for 90 Days each.
It is imperative to check visa requirements with your resident country embassy/consulate as visa requirements may vary according to your nationality.
What health requirements are there?
Both Tanzania and Kenya are malarial areas and therefore it is recommended that travellers start a malaria prophylactic before and during your visit. Most lodges have mosquito nets or mosquito resistant tents/rooms along with providing insect spray and repellent. However, be sure to bring your own personal repellent as well as long sleeves and pants for the evenings, as these are most effective in protecting you from bites when outdoors.
At present, Tanzania and Kenya require no vaccinations before entering the country except Yellow Fever when flying directly from an YF endemic country. Here is a list of these countries: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#4728. As Kenya is on this list, you’ll need to present proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination if traveling from Kenya to Tanzania.
Regardless, you should consult your local health authorities prior to your holiday for any updates.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/tanzania
What is the luggage allowance for internal flights?
If travelling on a ‘flying safari’, the baggage allowance on small aircraft is 15kgs and all luggage is to be packed in soft duffel bags. This includes hand luggage and camera equipment. Only soft sided bags will be accepted, no wheels, no hard suitcases. This is essential to ensure that everything fits not only into the small aircraft but into the safari vehicles. Please note that any luggage you do not need while on safari will be stored at the office.
What clothing is required?
Rest assured, our team of Adventure Consultants will send you a full packing list prior to your adventure. However, as a general guide, comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. The key is lightweight clothing in breathable materials for the day and warmer materials at night. Bush colours (khaki, brown, dark green) are also highly recommended. These will enable you to blend in with the environment and not draw attention to yourself when on game drives or bush walks.
What is the weather like?
Being located on or near the equator, East Africa boasts a fabulous tropical climate which is hot and humid on the coast while being dry and arid in the north and northeast and temperate inland. Though days are quite hot it can get pretty cold during the night in areas at altitude such as Nairobi.
There are however two separate wet seasons in Kenya and Tanzania with the longest being from March to May, and the shorter from November to December. Heavy rains can mean that road access becomes more limited making 4x4 more advisable during these periods.
What is the power source and outlet type?
The electricity supply in Kenya and Tanzania is 220/240 v 50hz. Plugs are 3 point square, British Type G plugs. If you are planning to bring any electrical device from USA or Canada, you will need a voltage and plug converter. Additionally, many safari lodges run on generators which are generally switched off between 2300hrs and 0600hrs. If you need to charge any electronics, this can be done in the office.
Wifi and mobile access?
Both Kenya and Tanzania have a good telephone and internet connection in the main cities and are in the process of improving the network further. Most lodges and hotels offer a fax, international telephone and internet service but make sure to check the rates beforehand as some lodges can impose a surcharge, particularly on international calls. More remote camps and lodges rely on radio for communication and mobile phone coverage is not extensive in most game parks.
When calling Kenya and Tanzania, the international dialling code is +254 and +255 respectively.
Can I drink the water?
Tap water in Kenya and Tanzania is not drinkable and we therefore advise that you drink only sealed, bottled water. Lodges provide water in their safari vehicles. You will almost always find a flask of purified drinking water on your bedside table or in the bathroom.
What is the currency in Tanzania?
The unit of currency in Kenya and Tanzania is the shilling, though the countries’ currencies do not share the same value. Kenya Shilling notes are available in the denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 and 10,000, 5000, 1000 and 500 in Tanzania. Banks generally offer a better rate of exchange than Foreign Exchange Bureaux and Hotels.
Please note duty free goods purchased at the airport can only be purchased in foreign currency and not in Kenya or Tanzanian Shillings. While US Dollars are widely accepted, please note that bills printed before the year 2000 will not be accepted.
Can I use my credit card?
A wide range of credit cards are accepted in Kenya and Tanzania, including American Express, Visa and Master Card. Please check with us before heading off on safari and we will confirm what cards are accepted where you are staying.
What are the tipping recommendations?
Tips are not included in the cost of the safari. Tipping is purely discretionary, however if you would like to show your appreciation we recommend $10 - $20 per guest per day for lodge/camp staff, paid in the communal tip box at reception. For guides, we recommend $10-$15 per day, paid directly to the guide. All tipping is in US dollars.