Offering ultimate value-for-money, in addition to 2 nights in Nairobi, this tour showcases Kenya’s most famous park, the Masai Mara. Crossing into Tanzania’s mighty Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park. The safari accommodation features a fine selection of small tented safari camps and lodges. Finally, as the perfect contrast to the traditional East African safari, it features four nights of relaxation, historic discovery and Indian Ocean pleasure on the magical island of Zanzibar.
Wildlife Highlights: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, zebra, antelope, gazelle, impala, waterbuck, topi, eland, plains game, giraffe, and black and white rhino.
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Ole Sereni Hotel.
Dinner (not included) can be taken at the hotel or at any of the cities many restaurants.
Overnight at Ole Sereni Hotel-Superior room- (Bed and Breakfast included)
Day 2: Full Day Nairobi with sightseeing
After breakfast at the hotel, set off for a day tour(sightseeing) in Nairobi including visits to The Giraffe Center, David Sheldrick Orphanage (11.00-12.00), and finally Kazuri Bead Factory
In between these excursions, our guide will stop at Tamambo Blixen’s Coffee Gardens where you have the option of buying lunch (self-paid)
Transfer back to Ole Sereni Hotel in the afternoon to freshen up before picking up a transfer for “welcome to Africa” dinner at The Carnivore Restaurant
Overnight at Ole Sereni Hotel-Superior room- (Dinner, Bed and Breakfast included)
Day 3: Nairobi to Masai Mara
Leaving the lodge after breakfast, continue up the floor of Rift to arrive in the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, and at the Entim Mara Camp in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game-drive in the Mara. World-renowned for the breath-taking spectacle of ‘the greatest wildlife shows on earth’, the awe-inspiring annual migration of the wildebeest, the Mara is Kenya’s most visited protected area. Technically an extension of Tanzania’s renowned Serengeti National Park, the Mara constitutes only 4% of the entire Serengeti ecosystem but its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers and towering escarpments offer one of the world’s most rewarding and evocative wildlife arenas. Returning to the camp, enjoy some relaxation on your private veranda, sundowners and dinner in the central restaurant.
All meals and overnight at Entim Mara Camp (NB: Il Keliani Camp will be used in April, May)
About the Mara
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific birdlife and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
Distance/drive time: 270m / 5hours
Day 4: On safari in the Mara
Spend all day on safari in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp. When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
All meals and overnight at Entim Mara Camp (NB: Il Keliani Camp will be used in April, May)
Day 5: On safari in the Mara
You have yet another exciting day in Masai Mara enjoying morning and afternoon game drives, with meals and overnight at Entim Mara Camp (NB: Il Keliani Camp will be used in April, May)
Day 6: The Mara to Serengeti
After breakfast transfer to the local airstrip in Masai Mara for a Safarilink + Auric Air scheduled flights to Serengeti Seronera Airstrip (via Kisumu & Musoma) in Kenya and Tanzania respectively. The flight departs Masai Mara approximately 11.15 arriving Kisumu approx.12.15, after immigration and customs procedures, depart Kisumu approx.13.00 arriving Musoma approx..13.45, before proceeding to Serengeti at 14.15 to arrive at Seronera Airstrip between 14.45 & 15.45 (Packed box lunch will be provided from camp in Masai Mara)
Upon arrival at Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park, you are met by our safari guide and transferred by road to Embalakai Camp, which is ideally located for safari game drives as well as optional activities such as balloon safaris.
About the Serengeti: Covering 14,763sq km of endlessly rolling savannah plains, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s first-established, largest and most famous park wherein tens of thousands of hoofed animals roam in a constant and unremitting search for the fresh grasslands upon which their survival depends. Lunch and afterwards enjoy an afternoon game drive
Dinner and overnight at Embalakai Authentic Camp-L-DBB
Day 7: On safari in the Serengeti
With a full day on safari (morning and afternoon game drives included), your options are wide. The Serengeti, whose Maasai name ‘Siringet’ translates as ‘the endless plains’, offers unparalleled ornithological opportunities and an unrivalled natural arena wherein the glory and harmony of nature can be appreciated as nowhere else on earth.
All meals and overnight at Embalakai Authentic Camp-LDBB
Day 8: On safari in the Serengeti
You have yet another exciting day in The Serengeti enjoying morning and afternoon game drives with all meals and overnight at Embalakai Authentic Camp
Day 9: To the Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge
After breakfast depart with game drive en-route through the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. We will stop for a visit to the world-famous Olduvai Gorge Paleolithic site and reputed ‘Cradle of Mankind’. This afternoon you will visit a traditional Masai homestead to gain insight into their life and customs.
Continue to check into the elegant Ngorongongoro Serena Lodge located at the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge-LDBB
Day 10: Morning Tour of Ngorongoro Crater, Afternoon road transfer to Lake Manyara
Rise early with a packed breakfast to descend for a half-day game drive in the crater. Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s best-known wildlife arenas. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world covering a total area of 264 square kilometres. An utterly unique biosphere, the Crater harbors grasslands, swamps, forests, salt pans, a freshwater lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. It boasts a high concentration of wildlife with exceptionally close-range viewing opportunities.
Leaving the crater behind, we will continue to visit our local school project, Simba Milima Primary School where you will have the opportunity to learn about the school and interact with the students. After this experience continue to check in to the Escarpment Luxury Lodge for a late lunch and much-needed rest.
Dinner and overnight at Escarpment Luxury Lodge-Chalet-LDBB
Distance/drive time: 150 km / 2½ hours
Day 11: Morning safari in Lake Manyara National Park, Fly to Zanzibar (from Manyara or from Arusha)
Depart the camp this morning for a game drive at Lake Manyara National Park. Stretching for 50km along the base of the rusty-gold 600m high Rift Valley Escarpment, Lake Manyara is a scenic gem with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest I had seen in Africa”.
Continue to check-in for your flight from Manyara airstrip to Zanzibar (cost not included in this package), OR we will transfer you to Arusha Airport for a scheduled flight to Zanzibar (cost not included in this package)
Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Ocean Paradise Resort, which offers crystal blue waters, a wide selection of dining experiences (breakfast and dinner are provided in your package), extensive sports, and a wide range of cultural entertainment (some or all of which may be charged additionally).
Dinner and overnight at Ocean Paradise Resort (superior garden room)-Half Board/DBB
Distance/drive time (to Arusha): 150 km / 2.5 hours
Day 12, 13 & 14- On the ‘spice isle’ of Zanzibar
Three days of leisure in Zanzibar, where activities at the hotel include (some are charged) swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking, diving, water sports, dhow trips and nature trails plus visits to a dhow workshop and the brooding caverns of the Mangapwani Slave Caves where slaves were hidden after the abolishment of slavery made their shipment illegal. Other places of interest in Stone Town and around are: the Portuguese Fort, the Sultan’s Palace, the old Dhow Port, the Old Slave Market, the House of Wonders, the Old Dispensary, the home of the slaver, Tippu-Tip, the Livingstone House, The Hamamni Bath, The National Museum, The Chukwani Palace, The Jozani Forest – the last red colobus monkey sanctuary, The Mtoni Palace ruins, The Maruhubi Palace ruins and the Persian Baths of Kidichi. Breakfast and dinner only (lunch not provided) are provided at the resort.
Dinner and overnight at Ocean Paradise Resort (superior garden room)-Half Board/DBB
Day 15: Depart
After breakfast, depart to Zanzibar airport to connect to your onward flight. (Cost not included in this package)