This extraordinary East African safari takes travelers through some of Kenya and Tanzania’s most iconic wildlife destinations, each offering unique landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unforgettable safari experiences. From soda lakes and volcanic craters to endless savannahs and towering mountains, this journey showcases the best of African wildlife and scenery.

Lake Manyara National Park, located in northern Tanzania at the edge of the Great Rift Valley, is renowned for its diverse ecosystems that include alkaline lake flats, dense forests, marshes, and acacia woodlands. The lake attracts massive flocks of flamingos, painting the shoreline pink during the wet season. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions, along with elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalo, and more than 350 bird species. Lake Manyara offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, making it a highlight for nature and bird enthusiasts.

The nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area features the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. Its steep crater walls enclose a fertile floor teeming with wildlife, including the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Visitors can also spot wildebeest, zebras, hippos, and flamingos. The crater’s unique combination of grasslands, forests, and soda lakes provides a spectacular and highly concentrated wildlife experience that is unmatched elsewhere in Africa.

Serengeti National Park spans vast Tanzanian plains and is synonymous with classic African wilderness. Known for its “endless plains,” the Serengeti hosts the Great Migration, when over a million wildebeest and zebras move across the plains, pursued by predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The park’s savannahs, woodlands, and riverine forests support dense wildlife populations, making it a bucket-list destination for photographers, adventurers, and wildlife lovers.

Tarangire National Park, in northern Tanzania, is distinguished by giant baobab trees and the largest elephant populations in the region. The Tarangire River attracts a diverse array of animals, especially during the dry season, while the park’s open savannahs and woodlands are home to zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and leopards. Its quiet, off-the-beaten-path character offers a more intimate safari experience with spectacular birdwatching opportunities.

Arusha, often the gateway to northern Tanzanian safaris, provides access to stunning landscapes, volcanoes, and forests. The city offers cultural insights and serves as a hub for travelers moving between parks, making it a convenient and lively stop during multi-destination safaris.

In Kenya, Masai Mara National Reserve rivals the Serengeti in wildlife abundance and is famous for witnessing the Great Migration. Herds of wildebeest and zebras thunder across rivers while crocodiles lie in wait, offering a thrilling display of nature’s drama. The reserve is home to the Big Five, cheetahs, hyenas, and over 480 bird species, ensuring year-round wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities.

Lake Nakuru National Park, nestled in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is a haven for birdwatching, especially the massive flocks of pink flamingos that line its alkaline shores. The park also shelters both black and white rhinoceros, as well as lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, and antelopes. Its combination of woodlands, grasslands, and rocky escarpments makes it a diverse and scenic wildlife destination.

Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake in the Rift Valley known for its tranquil environment and rich birdlife. Hippos inhabit the lake, while the surrounding wetlands host giraffes, zebras, and numerous bird species. Visitors can enjoy boat safaris and walks on nearby islands to experience this peaceful and biodiverse habitat.

Finally, Amboseli National Park, situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, offers unparalleled views of Africa’s tallest peak alongside large elephant herds. The park’s open plains, swamps, and woodlands host lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and abundant birdlife, making it a prime location for wildlife photography and classic safari experiences.

Together, these destinations create a comprehensive safari adventure across East Africa, blending iconic landscapes, rare wildlife, and cultural insights. Whether your focus is on big game, birdwatching, or the natural beauty of Africa, this route delivers a diverse, unforgettable, and fully immersive safari experience.

A majestic African elephant next to a giant baobab tree in Tarangire National Park, showcasing the park's famous dry-season wildlife density.

A journey of giraffes grazing in the Masai Mara National Reserve, highlighting the diverse wildlife found in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

Includes/Excludes

Cost Includes

Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary.
AMREF Flying Doctors emergency medical services across East Africa.
All meals specified in the itinerary, generally including breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both local and Western options.
Transportation in a standard game-viewing safari vehicle with pop-up roof for photography and wildlife viewing.
Guaranteed window seat for every passenger.
Experienced English-speaking driver/guide with in-depth knowledge of wildlife, landscapes, and local culture.
Safari vehicle equipped with two-way long-range radio communication, first aid kit, ice chest, fire extinguisher, and window sills.
Bottled mineral water during game drives.
Park entrance fees and game drives as indicated in the itinerary.
All applicable government taxes, levies, and fees.
Pick-up and drop-off transfers at hotels or airports.

Cost Excludes

Tips and gratuities for driver/guide (minimum US$5 per tourist per day recommended).
International flights and departure taxes.
Personal communications such as calls, faxes, emails, or internet charges.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except bottled water provided on game drives).
Laundry services.
Snacks, activities, parks, or attractions not listed in the itinerary.
Optional activities:
Hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara – USD $475 per person
Masai village visit – USD $15–20 per person
Night game drive – USD $150 per person
Rain jackets, hand gloves, and other personal items.

Accomodation
Lodges, Camps, Tented Safari Camps, depending on your packages i.e budget, mid-range.
Best Season
June to October, and January to March
Departure City
Nairobi, Kenya Select 98 more words to run Humanizer.
Guide
Professional Guide available
Language
English but on request can avail another language speaker based on availability
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (per itinerary)
Transportation
4x4 Safari Vehicle with Pop-up Roof
Tour Availability
All year round

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

Experience an epic East African safari across Kenya and Tanzania, visiting Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli National Park. Witness the Big Five, flamingo-filled lakes, tree-climbing lions, and the Great Migration, while enjoying breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and unforgettable safari adventures.

Highlights

Explore Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and abundant birdlife.
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, teeming with wildlife.
Witness the endless plains and migration spectacle in Serengeti National Park.
Game drives in Tarangire National Park, renowned for elephants and iconic baobabs.
Visit Arusha, a gateway city rich in culture and scenic views.
Discover the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to the Big Five and spectacular wildlife.
Explore Lake Nakuru, a flamingo haven and rhino sanctuary.
Enjoy Lake Naivasha, home to hippos, diverse birds, and Crescent Island.
Safari adventures in Amboseli National Park, set against Mount Kilimanjaro’s stunning backdrop.
Optional hot air balloon rides over Masai Mara for panoramic wildlife views.

Day 01 :

Nairobi – Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel or the airport and driven to Lake Manyara National Park via the Namanga border, completing immigration formalities along the way. Arrive in time for an afternoon and evening game drive. Lake Manyara is a stunning soda lake located in the Rift Valley, famed for its flamingos, abundant birdlife, and iconic Baobab trees that line the scenic lowlands. Wildlife here includes savannah elephants, lions, monkeys, and numerous other species. Enjoy lunch at your lodge or camp before exploring the park’s unique landscapes.

Day 02 :

Lake Manyara National Park – Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, depart Lake Manyara National Park and travel toward the world-famous Serengeti National Park, enjoying an en-route game drive along the way. Arrive at your lodge or camp in time for lunch, followed by relaxation before heading out for an afternoon game drive. The Serengeti is celebrated for hosting the largest land mammal migration on Earth, earning its reputation as one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations and a recognized natural wonder of the world. Dinner and overnight will be at the camp or lodge.

Day 03 :

Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a full day of game viewing in Serengeti National Park, with early morning, mid-day, and afternoon game drives. The Serengeti is renowned for its endless savannah plains, scattered woodlands, and dramatic open landscapes. Covering approximately 30,000 square kilometers across northern Tanzania and southern Kenya, with nearly 80 percent located in Tanzania, the park is world-famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration involving over 1.5 million grazing animals followed closely by numerous predators. Seasonal rainfall patterns guide this movement between the northern hills and southern plains. Vast grasslands covering over one-third of the park support abundant wildlife throughout the year. Dinner and overnight at camp or lodge.

Day 04 :

Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, taking advantage of the best wildlife viewing hours. Afterward, depart toward the Ngorongoro Crater Rim, enjoying an en-route game drive through changing landscapes. Arrive at your lodge or camp in the late afternoon, where you can relax and take in the breathtaking views. Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge or camp.

Day 05 :

Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park

Rise early and, after breakfast, descend into the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater for a memorable game drive. Measuring nearly 20 kilometers wide with towering 600-meter crater walls, Ngorongoro is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. The fertile crater floor supports an estimated 30,000 large mammals, sustained by permanent water sources and a central soda lake. This area is among the most densely populated wildlife regions in Africa, offering exceptional sightings in a compact space. Ngorongoro is also unique for its coexistence between wildlife and the Maasai and Hadza communities. After enjoying panoramic views from the crater rim, depart for Tarangire National Park. Dinner and overnight at camp or lodge.

Day 06 :

Tarangire National Park – Arusha

After an early breakfast, set out for a morning game drive in Tarangire National Park, where wildlife encounters begin almost immediately upon entry. This magnificent park is renowned for its iconic ancient baobab trees, impressive large mammal populations, and an exceptional diversity of bird species. Tarangire is especially famous for hosting the largest concentration of elephants in Tanzania, often seen gathered along the riverbanks. Later in the day, return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and rest before beginning your drive back to Arusha, with drop-off at your hotel or the airport.

Day 07 :

Arusha – Nairobi

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel in Arusha and begin the scenic drive back to Nairobi. Arrive in the afternoon and check in at your hotel, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay, marking the conclusion of your safari journey.

Day 08 :

Nairobi – Maasai Mara National Reserve

In the morning, our driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel for a brief safari orientation before departing Nairobi by road. Travel through the scenic Great Rift Valley escarpment, with a stop at a panoramic viewpoint for photos and sweeping views of the valley floor below. Continue through fertile highlands with a lunch stop in Narok Town, then proceed to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. Arrive in the afternoon and head out for an evening game drive lasting until approximately 6:30 pm. The Maasai Mara is Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife reserve, renowned for the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros—as well as abundant species such as giraffes, hyenas, eland, wildebeest, zebras, impalas, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, and many others. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 09 :

Maasai Mara National Reserve – Full Day Game Drive

Wake up early for a hearty breakfast before heading out for a full day of wildlife exploration in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The reserve is renowned for its exceptionally high concentration of wildlife, offering thrilling encounters with a wide variety of animals throughout the day. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed at the Mara River, a prime location for observing hippos and crocodiles along the riverbanks. Guests may also choose an optional Maasai village visit to experience traditional songs, dances, and daily life of the Maasai warriors and women, with opportunities to tour their homesteads and take photographs. For a truly unforgettable experience, an optional early morning hot air balloon safari is available, providing breathtaking aerial views of the savannah and roaming wildlife. Dinner and overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 10 :

Maasai Mara National Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park

Rise early for a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, taking advantage of prime wildlife viewing hours. After the game drive, return to the camp or lodge for a full breakfast, then depart by road toward Lake Nakuru National Park. Enjoy lunch en route as you travel through Kenya’s scenic landscapes. Arrive in Nakuru in the evening, where you will check in at your hotel or lodge. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel or lodge.

Day 11 :

Lake Nakuru National Park – Lake Naivasha

After an early breakfast, proceed for an exciting game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s most important bird and wildlife sanctuaries. The park is home to over 350 bird species, including greater and lesser flamingos, white pelicans, marabou storks, plovers, and egrets. It is also a renowned conservation area for both black and white rhinoceroses, as well as Rothschild’s giraffe, lions, zebras, antelopes, and buffaloes. Following lunch, depart by road toward Lake Naivasha, arriving later in the day. Dinner and overnight at your lodge or hotel.

Day 12 :

Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National Park

Start the day with a hearty breakfast, then visit Hell’s Gate National Park, where you can explore by cycling, walking, or driving. This scenic park is a sanctuary for Kenya’s Lammergeyer vultures and hosts species such as Imperial eagle, Schalow’s wheatear, and Chin-spot batis. After the adventure, depart for Amboseli National Park, enjoying lunch en route. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.

Day 13 :

Full Day Amboseli National Park

Wake up early to enjoy stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, famously known as the Roof of Africa, the highest peak on the continent. After a hearty breakfast, embark on a full-day safari adventure in Amboseli National Park, home to abundant wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the park. Optionally, visit a Masai village, where warriors and women will entertain with traditional dances, songs, and a guided tour of their homestead, offering excellent opportunities for photographs. Return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 14 :

Amboseli – Nairobi

On the final day of your safari, enjoy an early breakfast followed by a short morning game drive in Amboseli National Park. Afterwards, depart for Nairobi, taking in scenic views along the way. Arrive in the late afternoon and be dropped off at your hotel or lodge, marking the end of your unforgettable safari adventure.