Tanzania & Kenya Highlights

After being picked up from your hotel, your driver will take you to Tarangire National Park, a sanctuary famous for its large elephant herds. The park is named after the Tarangire River, which serves as the only source of water for wildlife during the dry season. Towering baobab trees rise majestically across the rolling savannah, creating an iconic landscape that is truly unforgettable. In the rainy season, the southern part of the park functions as a natural water reservoir, while during the dry season, the animals gather in the green, nutrient-rich swamp areas, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Along the dried-up Tarangire River, countless elephants can be seen probing the sandy ground with their trunks. These intelligent animals instinctively dig for water, not only sustaining themselves but also providing a vital resource for other wildlife, creating a remarkable cycle of nature. During today’s game drive, you will have the chance to witness this fascinating behaviour up close and learn about both the large and small wonders of the park. After an unforgettable morning among Tarangire’s iconic wildlife, you will be transferred to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

This morning you will descend into the extraordinary natural wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive. The crater’s rich ecosystem supports a large number of grazers, which in turn sustain around 100 lions. The lowest point is Magadi Salt Lake, which varies in size with the seasons and attracts countless flamingos when filled. In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to the Serengeti.  After our time in the crater, we will continue on towards the Serengeti National Park.

There is something truly magical about waking up in the Serengeti. From the lodge, you may spot zebras, buffaloes, or warthogs grazing peacefully nearby, while the calls of guinea fowl fill the air. The African bush surrounds you as you enjoy breakfast against the backdrop of this breathtaking landscape. Today’s game drive can be organized either as a full-day adventure or split into a morning and an evening drive, depending on your preference. You will cover a distance of approximately 80 to 100 kilometres, spending six to seven hours exploring the vast plains and witnessing the incredible diversity of wildlife, or two shorter drives of about three and a half hours each for a more relaxed pace.

The chirping of birds will gently wake you in the morning, and the stunning Serengeti landscape can be seen directly from the bed of your lodge tent. As the sun rises, the golden light illuminates the plains, creating the perfect backdrop for one last souvenir photograph. Filled with memories from the past few days, you will pack your bags and bid farewell to the lodge staff. You will then drive to Seronera Airstrip, covering 60 to 100 kilometres in about two hours, where you will board your flight for Arusha Airport, where your tour comes to an end upon arrival. You are flying with Auric Airline, the total baggage allowance is 20kg (15 kg luggage and 5 kg hand luggage).  Upon your arrival in Arusha, you will be transferred to your accommodation for the night.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for your international flight to Nairobi.  As you touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative who will assist with arrival formalities and ensure a smooth start to your journey. Should you wish, this is also a convenient time to exchange currency before leaving the airport.  From here, you will be transferred to your hotel located within the airport premises, where you can settle in and enjoy the first taste of Kenyan hospitality.  Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind after your travels, perhaps enjoying the hotel’s facilities.

After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for a short safari briefing before beginning your journey northwards into Kenya’s rugged frontier. The drive of approximately five and a half hours takes you through ever-changing landscapes, from the fertile highlands to the drier, dramatic terrain that heralds your arrival in Samburu.  This semi-arid reserve is famed for its striking scenery and unique wildlife. Here, you may encounter the “Samburu Special Five”, the elegant, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and the curious long-necked gerenuk. The reserve is also home to vast elephant herds, powerful buffalo, and with a little luck, predators such as lions, leopards, or even the elusive African wild dog.

You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive through this untamed wilderness. As the sun begins to dip, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Today is dedicated to exploring the rugged beauty of Samburu with morning and afternoon game drives that take you deep into its semi-desert landscapes.  For those seeking a deeper cultural connection, you may choose to visit a nearby Samburu village (optional, at an additional cost). This experience offers an authentic glimpse into the traditions and way of life of the Samburu people, nomadic pastoralists who have lived in harmony with this challenging yet beautiful land for generations.  We return to the lodge in the evening, where dinner and the sounds of the bush complete your day’s adventures.

After a final early morning game drive in Samburu and a hearty breakfast, you will bid farewell to this rugged landscape and set off on a scenic three-hour journey to Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Nestled on the Laikipia Plateau, with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya rising majestically in the distance, Ol Pejeta is one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries.  On arrival, you will check in to your tented camp and enjoy lunch before heading out for your first game drive in the conservancy.  Ol Pejeta is renowned for its pioneering conservation work and is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, oryx, and silver-backed jackals.  For a truly memorable experience, a range of optional activities (available at an additional cost) are on offer. These include lion tracking excursions, guided bush and bird walks.  As evening falls, return to camp for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the magic of Ol Pejeta.

Begin the day with an early morning game drive through the conservancy, as the rising sun casts golden light across the savannah and wildlife stirs to life.  After breakfast at camp, depart for Lake Naivasha, following a scenic route that passes the cascading Thompson Falls, framed by lush vegetation and dramatic cliffs. The drive of approximately four hours offers plenty of opportunity to admire Kenya’s changing landscapes as you descend into the heart of the Great Rift Valley.  We arrive at the tranquil shores of Lake Naivasha in time for a late lunch. The lake is renowned for its abundance of wildlife.  In the evening, settle in at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the serene beauty of this iconic Rift Valley lake.

After breakfast, we set out on a scenic journey to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve. The drive takes approximately five and a half hours and passes through the vibrant Maasai town of Narok.  We will Arrive at camp nestled in the heart of the reserve, where the untamed beauty of the African savannah surrounds you. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in this iconic landscape, encountering the Mara’s abundant wildlife as the golden light of late afternoon casts a magical glow across the plains. We return to camp in the evening for dinner, where the sounds of the bush create a truly immersive safari experience.

We will spend two unforgettable days exploring the Maasai Mara, the northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem, where the plains virtually pulse with life. The Mara is famed for its extraordinary concentration of grazing and browsing animals, as well as its apex predators—lions, leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas.  Morning and afternoon game drives take you across different areas of the reserve, guided by expert trackers who know where the best wildlife encounters await. Depending on the day, you may rise early to catch the dramatic sunrise over the savannah and return for a leisurely late breakfast, or venture out with a picnic lunch to spend the day fully immersed in the wilderness. For a truly extraordinary experience, consider a hot air balloon safari (optional activity, approx. USD 510 per person), an unforgettable way to experience the majesty of the Mara from above.  You will return to your camp each evening for dinner.

As dawn breaks over the Mara, we will embark on one final early morning game drive. The cool, crisp air and soft golden light of sunrise bring the savannah to life, offering one last chance to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.  We return to camp for breakfast, taking a moment to savour the serene surroundings one last time before we begin our journey back to Nairobi, with packed lunches provided for the road.  Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight, marking the conclusion of an unforgettable Kenyan adventure.