Embark on an extraordinary journey through some of East Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations, each offering its own blend of rich biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and unforgettable nature encounters.

Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is one of the continent’s most iconic safari landscapes, famed for its abundant wildlife and classic savannah panoramas. The Mara hosts over 95 mammal species and more than 470 bird species, including lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, and the rare black rhino. It is a premier location to witness the Great Migration, where vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains, creating dramatic wildlife interactions with predators. The Mara’s open grasslands and riverine habitats also support large numbers of hippos and rich birdlife year-round.

Lake Naivasha, located in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, offers a contrasting freshwater ecosystem teeming with life. The lake is home to large populations of hippos and over 300 bird species. Boat safaris and walks on Crescent Island provide close encounters with giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, and monkeys, all set against the backdrop of scenic waters and volcanic foothills.

In northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara National Park is celebrated for its striking ecological diversity. The shallow alkaline lake attracts flamingos and waterbirds, while surrounding woodlands shelter elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and the park’s famed tree-climbing lions. Its mix of dense forests and open grasslands makes for rewarding wildlife viewing in a compact area.

Completing the quartet, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area features the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater, where an immense concentration of wildlife thrives year-round. Approximately 25,000 large mammals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and threatened species like black rhinos, inhabit its rich grasslands and wetlands. The area is also steeped in human evolutionary history, with significant paleontological sites nearby.

Enjoying a traditional safari sundowner by a hippo pool in the Masai Mara, combining relaxation with the sights and sounds of the Kenyan wilderness.

A traveler overlooking the historic Oldupai Gorge in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO site world-famous for its human evolutionary history and archaeological significance.

Includes/Excludes

Cost includes

Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
AMREF Flying Doctors Services (travel insurance) for emergencies in East Africa.
All meals noted in the itinerary: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (buffet-style with Western and local dishes).
Transportation in standard game-viewing safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for easy viewing and photography.
Guaranteed window seats for all passengers.
English-speaking driver/guide with expert knowledge of wildlife, landscapes, and local culture.
Minivans equipped with two-way long-range radios, first-aid kit, ice chest, fire extinguisher, and safari accessories.
Bottled mineral water during game drives.
Park entrance fees and game drives as noted in the itinerary.
All government taxes, levies, and fees.
Pick-up and drop-off transfers.
Compulsory tipping for driver/guide: minimum US$5 per tourist per day.

Cost Excludes

International airfares and departure taxes.
Personal communication charges: telephone calls, faxes, emails, etc.
Additional tips or gratuities beyond the suggested driver/guide tip.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except bottled water during game drives).
Laundry services.
Snacks, parks, attractions, or events not included in the itinerary.
Rain jackets, gloves, or other personal safari gear.
Optional activities and excursions:
Balloon safari in Masai Mara – USD $475 per ride
Masai village visit – USD $15–20 per person
Night game drive – USD $150 per person
Other personal needs or expenses not mentioned in the itinerary.

Accomodation
Options available: Budget, Midrange, Luxury.
Best Season
June to October for optimal wildlife viewing; December to March also good, especially for birdwatching.
Departure City
Nairobi, Kenya (option to start from Arusha, Tanzania).
Guide
Experienced English-speaking driver/guide with knowledge of wildlife, landscapes, and local culture.
Language
English (other languages available upon request).
Meals
All meals included as per itinerary: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Payment Method
VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Pesapal, Direct Wire Transfer, American Express, Discover, Maestro, V Pay, and M-PESA.
Transportation
4x4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for game viewing.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

Experience East Africa’s wildlife wonders on this 6-day safari from Masai Mara to Lake Naivasha, Lake Manyara, and Ngorongoro Crater. Spot Big Five, tree-climbing lions, flamingos, and vast herds of wildebeest. Enjoy game drives, scenic landscapes, and optional adventures like Crescent Island walks and Hell’s Gate biking.

Highlights

Masai Mara National Reserve: Iconic savannahs, Big Five, wildebeest migration, abundant wildlife.
Lake Naivasha: Scenic freshwater lake, hippos, boat rides, optional Crescent Island walking safari.
Lake Manyara National Park: Famous tree-climbing lions, flamingos, elephants, giraffes, diverse habitats.
Ngorongoro Crater: UNESCO World Heritage site, spectacular views, dense wildlife including Big Five.
Scenic Drives: Across Great Rift Valley highlands, picturesque landscapes, Mount Longonot viewpoints.
Adventure Options: Biking in Hell’s Gate, walking safaris, photography opportunities.

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Maasai Mara

You will be picked up from your hotel in Nairobi and, after a short safari briefing, begin your journey to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The drive takes you through the fertile highlands of the Great Rift Valley, an area known for its lush farms and scenic landscapes.

Along the way, there is a stop at a viewpoint perched 2,200 meters above sea level, offering breathtaking views of Mount Longonot towering over the Rift Valley floor. In the distance, the sparkling Rift Valley lakes create a stunning panorama, perfect for photos and a moment to appreciate the region’s natural beauty.

Descend the escarpment toward Narok town and continue your drive into the Mara, arriving in time for lunch at your camp or lodge. After a short break to relax and refresh, embark on your evening game drive, exploring the Mara’s vast plains and spotting wildlife such as lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes as the sun dips over the horizon.

Return to your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness, marking the perfect start to your Maasai Mara safari adventure.

Day 02 :

Maasai Mara Full Day

Day 2 in the Maasai Mara is dedicated to a full day of game drives. Enjoy an early breakfast before your cook prepares a fresh picnic lunch, as you will be spending the entire day exploring one of Kenya’s finest wildlife sanctuaries. The Mara is renowned as a 7th wonder of the world in wildlife terms, hosting over 450 recorded animal species, including both resident wildlife and seasonal migrants.

The Mara plains come alive with migrating wildebeest and zebras, while year-round residents like lions, elephants, buffaloes, Thomson’s gazelles, zebras, and topis roam freely. Occasionally, you may spot the elusive black rhino. Stretching over 1,672 sq km, the reserve is set within a gentle, fertile climate along the Rift Valley, offering one of the richest and most diverse wildlife spectacles in Africa.

During your picnic lunch by the Mara River, observe hippos wallowing in the water and basking along the riverbanks, while the surrounding plains provide excellent opportunities to spot large herds of elephants and other iconic wildlife. Depending on the season, witness the annual wildebeest migration, where over a million animals move in response to the rains, creating one of the most dramatic wildlife events on the planet.

After an action-packed day, return to your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness, making your Maasai Mara experience truly unforgettable.

Day 03 :

Maasai Mara – Lake Naivasha

After breakfast, depart the Maasai Mara and drive towards Lake Naivasha, passing through Narok town along the way. Stop for lunch en route before continuing to the scenic shores of Lake Naivasha, arriving in the afternoon.

Upon arrival, you have the option to explore Hell’s Gate National Park, where you can enjoy a biking adventure among dramatic cliffs and gorges, or take a walking safari on Crescent Island via a short boat transfer, experiencing close encounters with zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

After your afternoon of adventure, return to your camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Lake Naivasha and its abundant wildlife.

Day 04 :

Lake Naivasha – Arusha – Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and begin the journey towards Arusha, passing through Nairobi and crossing the Kenya-Tanzania border. Complete the necessary immigration formalities before continuing the drive to Arusha, arriving in time for lunch.

After lunch, continue to Lake Manyara National Park, famed for its tree-climbing lions and diverse wildlife. Upon arrival, embark on an afternoon game drive, exploring the park’s rich mix of woodlands, grasslands, and the soda lake, spotting elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and flamingos along the way.

Return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the serene beauty and abundant wildlife of Lake Manyara, setting the stage for the next day’s Tanzanian safari adventures.

Day 05 :

Lake Manyara – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast, depart Lake Manyara and drive toward the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, with a lunch stop en route. The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking 20 km wide volcanic caldera with towering 600-meter walls. From the crater rim, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the lush crater floor, where an abundance of wildlife thrives year-round thanks to permanent water sources.

Descend into the crater for an exciting game drive, searching for the Big Five—lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos—alongside other wildlife such as zebras, wildebeest, and hippos. Capture unforgettable sightings and photographs in this UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Africa’s most concentrated wildlife habitats.

After an action-packed afternoon of wildlife exploration, transfer to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by the serene beauty and unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Day 06 :

Ngorongoro – Arusha/Nairobi

After breakfast, depart from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and begin the journey back to Arusha or Nairobi, with a lunch stop en route depending on your departure schedule. Relax and enjoy the scenic drive, reflecting on the memorable wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes experienced during your safari.