On our first day we meet you in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. Collecting from two points, we are on the road for Nakuru, our first glimpse of the Great Rift Valley. Upon reaching camp we have a departure meeting and find out more about life on an overland truck.

On day two we have our first game drive with a guide and in 4×4’s we enter Nakuru National Park.

Nakuru is famous for its flamingo population. Thousands, and at times, millions of greater and lesser flamingos can be found here on the Lake attracted to the algae and plankton that live in the warm alkaline waters on which they feed. The park is also a sanctuary for both black as well as white rhino, and boasts lion, leopard, Rothschild’s giraffe, waterbuck, impala and buffalo.

We have a full day game drive in this small treasure of a park.

Distance, Day 1: 162 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 1: 4.5 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activities: Full day game drives in Nakuru National Park
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 minivan with pop up roof

We arrive in Lake Naivasha to relax for a couple of days. On the way we stop over at a children’s orphanage.

Naivasha is a freshwater lake and is the highest of the lakes of the central Rift Valley. We have a few choices of activities to enjoy over the next two days including a visit to the Crater Lake Sanctuary and taking afternoon tea on the grassy lawns at Elsamere, where the resident troop of black and white colobus monkeys might entertain us. A hippo cruise can also be arranged to enjoy the wildlife of the lake.

A cycling safari in Hell’s Gate National Park is another option. This is a great opportunity to stretch your legs out in the wilds of Africa. Cycle amidst zebra, gazelle, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and impala in spectacular and arid surrounds featuring volcanic plugs and the dramatic red cliffs of columnar basalt heading through Njorowa Gorge.

Distance, Day 3: 70 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 3: 3 hours incl. stop for shopping
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Hippo cruise on Lake Naivasha, conducted in a small boat

Optional excursions: Cycling in Hells Gate National Park, guided walk to Crater Lake Sanctuary, hippo cruise, Elsamere for afternoon tea

After our two nights by Lake Naivasha we head out on the bumpy and dusty road for the remote plateau of the Masai Mara, Kenya’s premier game park. We stop at Loita Hills, home to East Africa’s ancient tribespeople, where the Maasai give us a warm welcome with traditional singing and dancing.

We spend this afternoon with a walk in the hills with the Maasai warriors, learning about their culture and the surrounding nature. We visit the local hot springs and a women’s village. This evening the warriors show us how to light the campfire and we find out more about their fascinating culture.

Distance: 154 kms
Est. Drive Time: 5 hours incl. stop for shopping
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Up early and before we say goodbye to our Maasai hosts, we have time for “warrior training” and to visit the local Maasai children at their school. We then set off on the road to the Masai Mara.

The Mara is perhaps best known for being part of the setting for the famous wildebeest migration; a mass movement of up to approximately 1.7 million wildebeest, accompanied by approximately 200,000 zebra and 350,000 Thomson’s gazelle. The migration involves a journey covering 3,000 square kilometres, the equivalent to circumnavigating Britain and Ireland. The ever-vigilant predators, particularly lion and hyena, closely follow the herds.

Regardless of the season there is always plenty to see in this world-renowned park, and after lunch we head out for more game drives across the rolling grasslands. The Mara is famous for the large herds of elephant and buffalo that wander its plains and for the fat pods of hippo that wallow in its mud-brown rivers. The park offers as well a wonderful chance to see eland, warthog and giraffe as well as an immense variety of bird life with well over 550 recorded species of bird noted here. There are also a few treasured rhino in the park.

We take our game drives by Land cruiser in this impressive National Park. A balloon safari can also be arranged the following day in place of the morning game drive if you wish to view the wildlife from a totally different perspective. We then have a further game drive later in the day, using every moment we can in the park.

Distance: 60 kms
Est. Drive Time: 2 hours to the park gate, then slow transit to camp
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Included wildlife activity: Afternoon game drives in the Masai Mara (x2), Morning game drives in the Masai Mara (x1)
Vehicle for game drives: 4×4 land cruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursion: Balloon safari.

Up early for our last game drives in the Mara we head out one more time wildlife spotting, before departing for the drive back to Nairobi.

Tonight we enjoy a hot shower and then head out for a fun night out in one of Nairobi’s famous restaurants.

Distance: 300 kms
Est. Drive Time: 6.5 hours, upon leaving the park gate, including lunch stop and photo stops
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner (incl. contribution to evening restaurant meal in Nairobi)

Included wildlife activity: Morning game drive, Masai Mara
Vehicle for game drive: 4×4 landcruiser with pop up roof

Optional excursion: Dinner in a restaurant

There is time this morning to visit the Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Orphanage; our first chance to get up close and personal with some of Africa’s most loved animals.

Langatta Giraffe Park was established in 1979 to protect and educate people about the rare Rothschild’s giraffe. Set in the grounds of a traditional manor house, it is possible to hand feed the giraffe and from a specially created wooden walk way we come so close that we are in kissing distance with these gentle giants!

Following the visit to the Giraffe Park, there is time to stop over at Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage where we view the morning feeding session of the small elephant orphans as well as the fun of the elephant play sessions, these being an essential part of the program to assist in the survival of these highly social animals.

The rest of the day is free to explore the city or relax back at camp.

Distance: 0 kms
Est. Drive Time: 0 hours
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional excursions: The Giraffe Park, Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage, Karen Blixen museum, Kazuri bead factory

We head off on the drive across the Athi plains to the border into Tanzania and on to Arusha, the safari capital of northern Tanzania. Heading to Arusha, with a little luck we view Kilimanjaro – at 5,895 metres it is the world’s largest freestanding mountain.

After stopping off in Arusha’s town centre for shopping and to change money we head to our campsite for the night. We have a briefing to finalise arrangements for our next few days – an optional safari into the world famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Distance: 278 kms
Est. Drive Time: +/- 7 hours including lunch stop and depending on the border
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

Optional safari into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

Three days are allocated to allow time for a safari into Tanzania’s world famous game parks –The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater – which most in the group choose to do.

Day 11: Rising early, those going on safari head out with a local guide in the 4×4 vehicles that have pop up roofs. Our journey heads to the Ngorongoro Gate, and through the Conservation Area in transit to Serengeti where we have 24 hours. Across these two parks – the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater – wildlife viewing is regularly exceptional.

Once in the Serengeti we see the famous kopjes, small hills of rocks from where lions dozing in the sun nonchalantly oversee the surrounds, keeping an eye out for their next meal. Multi-coloured agama lizards can also be seen basking in the sun and golden jackal tussle over a kill in the grasses.

The Serengeti is a continuation of the same ecosystem across which the spectacular wildebeest migration travels, a mass movement driven by the rains, and the herds’ endless search for water and good grazing. To encounter one of the countless wildebeest herds in a bleating, snorting dust – kicking motion on the famous migration moving across “Siringet” the “endless plains” is an experience of a lifetime.

We spend the night camped within the Serengeti with the sounds of the African bush around us. It is quite an experience to be in a tent with just the canvas between you and any wildlife that is out there.

Day 12: Game viewing is often at its best early in the day, so we rise early again to explore more of the Serengeti.

We leave the famous Serengeti plains by mid afternoon to enter more mountainous terrain. Our drive is also taking us through Maasai lands as well, and the traditional herdsmen can be seen throughout the region. En route we stop to visit a Maasai boma.

Tonight we camp near the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. We are at altitude here, so wrap up warm tonight.Day 13: This morning we are up before sunrise to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater is a perfectly intact volcanic caldera and known as the ‘Noah’s ark’ of game reserves. During our morning game drives we might view the ‘big 5’, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as plains game peacefully grazing including zebra, gazelle, impala and wildebeest. Hippopotamus can usually be found lolling in the pools and Lake Magadi can be rimmed with the pink of greater and lesser flamingo.

During our safari depending on our timing we can stop over in local markets where Maasai display their ebony carvings, spears and beadworks for those who wish to do some shopping.

For those that don’t head out on this set of safaris you can relax in camp and spend time in Arusha which has busy markets, a shopping mall, coffee shops and internet. A camel safari can be arranged to visit a Maasai village as well as a visit to Shanga, a social entreprise community based bead factory. You can visit in the extensive Maasai Cultural Centre and Museum, and visit the Snake Park which has a large collection of reptiles as well as a Maasai display.

Back in Arusha we all enjoy a group barbecue to celebrate.

Distance, Day 11: 175 kms to the Conservation Area gate
Distance, Day 13: 175 kms from the Conservation Area gate
Est. Drive Time, Day 11: 3 to 4 hours
Est. Drive Time, Day 13: 3 to 4 hours
Meals, Day 11: X1 Breakfast
Meals, Day 12: None
Meals, Day 13: X1 Dinner

Optional excursions for Days 11 to 13: Three day/two night safari with game drives in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in open top 4×4 vehicles (incl. x2 dinners, x3 lunches, x2 breakfasts), Balloon safari, Maasai boma visit, Olduvai Gorge Museum (Please note this visit is dependent on road conditions and time constraints. We also require advance notice prior to the tour departure).

We travel to Marangu today at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Here we spend two nights and have the opportunity to explore, including the option to take a day hike to Mandara Hut, 2,700 kms from the base of the mountain. This is a beautiful walk through tropical forest and on clear days there are special views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks of the mountain.

Alternatively there is the chance to do a day tour of the Marangu area to visit the village to learn more of local life, to visit a coffee plantation and a nearby waterfall.

Distance, Day 14: 120 kms
Est. Drive Time, Day 14: +/- 3 hours
Meals: X2 Breakfasts, X2 Dinners

Optional excursions: Kilimanjaro day hike, Marangu day tour

We continue our journey south, travelling through lush surroundings and the stunning Usambara mountain range, before sleeping over at a coastal campsite either in Bagamoyo or in Dar es Salaam 70 kms further south. Bagamoyo itself was one of the first landing points for the Arabian slavers.

We make final preparations for the optional excursion on Zanzibar Island. The core arrangements are made well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in the popular beach cottages to the north of the island at Kendwa and for a night in a local lodge in the traditional capital. The time is yours to relax and do as you please. The tour leader travels over to the island with the group as well to ensure that all runs smoothly.

Distance: 485 kms (545 kms if to Dar)
Est. Drive Time: 9 – 10 hours incl. lunch stop (11 – 12 if to Dar es Salaam)
Meals: X1 Breakfast, X1 Dinner

The last few days are allocated for a stay on Zanzibar Island. During this time you can elect to travel with the tour leader to relax and enjoy all there is to offer on the “spice island”. We make core arrangements well ahead of time so we are assured our groups are comfortable in the popular beach cottages to the north of the island at Kendwa and for a night in a lodge in the traditional capital.

Upon arrival we head north to Kendwa to enjoy white sand beaches, and swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Scuba diving can also be arranged from the Dive Centre near our beach cottages to dive on reefs nearby, or head off further afield to Mnemba Atoll. There is a wide diversity of marine life off Zanzibar and the diving is some of the best in the world, with stunning coral gardens and more than 350 fish species recorded. Sightings of dolphins and turtles are quite regular occurrences, while humpback whales and whale sharks are occasionally spotted.

You can also explore Jozani Forest to see the red colobus monkeys. Alternatively many enjoy a visit to Prison Island with its giant tortoise. Snorkelling is also enjoyed off Prison Island.

Our last day, we transfer to our guesthouse, in ancient Stone Town. Exploring the old town with its narrow alleys and traditional Arab architecture. Here we arrange a short spice tour to find out a little about the spice trade that dominates the island’s history, as well as the slave trade. And as the sun sets we enjoy sun downers at one of the many coffee shops, hotels or bars whilst watching the traditional dhows sail by. On our final night Stone Town lights up with the colourful night market with some amazing food stalls.

Distance, Day 17: 60 kms Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Est. Drive Time, Day 17: Up to 2 hours Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam
Meals, Day 17: X1 Breakfast

Optional excursions: City tour, snorkeling, scuba diving, Mnemba Island, Turtle Sanctuary visit, Prison Island with a visit to the Aldabra tortoise, Jozani Forest to view the red colobus monkeys

We can arrange the ferry back to Dar es Salaam the following day for you should you fly out from there, or you can fly out from Zanzibar or spend more time on the island. Contact the office for more information as to arrangements at the end of the tour

Please note: itineraries are given as a guide only. A safari is a journey and true journeys unfold. They are of an adventurous nature. The unexpected can arise, so do allow for this. Feel free to give us a call about your safari plans. We look forward to having you onboard.