KENYA & TANZANIA – EAST AFRICA’S GREAT NATIONAL PARKS
10 Days / 9 Nights Guided Lodge Safari
On this 10-day great East African safari you will visit the region’s most-loved national parks and the lesser known hidden gem Solio Game Reserve. Kenya’s Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru and Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater await with spectacular wildlife sightings. Travelling in your 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser and in a small group of not more than seven travellers, you have enough time to enjoy every moment of your safari without being in a rush.
On this safari, you will spend seven nights in exclusive and intimate tented camps. Offering the luxury of a lodge while at the same time bringing you close to nature, tented camps are a great way to experience the bush.
Highlights
Day 1-6 | Kenya
- You travel in a small group in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with guaranteed window seat and pop-up roof
- Solio Game Reserve: very high number of rhinos
- Lake Nakuru National Park: game drive, flocks of flamingos, rhinos
- Masai Mara Game Reserve: game drives, the Big Five, trip to the Mara River
Day 7-10 | Tanzania
- You travel in a small group in a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with guaranteed window seat and pop-up roof
- Lake Victoria: views of the lake, canoe tour on the lake
- Serengeti National Park: game drives, many big cats and the Big Five
- Ngorongoro Crater: game drive
Facts
Scheduled Safari:
Kenya and Tanzania - East Africa's Great National Parks
Tourcode: ET10KENTAN
From: Nairobi
To: Arusha
Min number to guarantee tour: 2
Max number of participants:
7 per vehicle (window seat guaranteed)
Departure day: every second Sunday
Price: from 5,150 USD
Single Supplement: from 510 USD
Itinerary
Day 1 Nairobi – Solio Game Reserve
You are about to embark on a safari adventure to East Africa’s great national parks. We will meet you in Nairobi for a short briefing about the coming ten days. After meeting your guide, you make your way to the stunning Solio Game Reserve in the Aberdare Region. This private game reserve is a leading example for rhino conservation – it is arguably the best place in all of East Africa to see rhinos in large numbers. And the best part: it is a well-kept secret and you won’t meet many other travellers on your game drive in this exclusive reserve. Solio is also home to lions, buffaloes, waterbucks and many bird species, living amongst the beautiful yellow fever acacia forests. You will spend your first night on safari at the intimate Rhino Watch Safari Lodge. With a bit of luck, you can even see Mt Kenya in the distance. Welcome to Kenya!Lunch; Dinner
Day 2 Solio Game Reserve / Nyeri – Nakuru National Park
Mornings start early on safari and after a tasty breakfast you drive towards Lake Nakuru National Park. On your way, make a stop at Kenya’s highest waterfall in Nyahururu and watch the water plunge down from 72 metres. Passing by local villages, you will arrive at Lake Nakuru for your afternoon game drive. This paradise for bird-lovers is well-known for its large flamingo population which colours the lake in a pink hue, depending on water levels and time of the year. Lake Nakuru is also home to the rare Rothschild’s giraffe and the endangered black and white rhinos. In only two days you will have seen more of the animals of East Africa than you might imagine. When the sun sets, it is time to relax at the Flamingo Hill Tented Camp, your home for the night.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 3 Nakuru National Park – Masai Mara Game Reserve
Be prepared to be amazed! Today, you will drive south, your destination is the magical Masai Mara. On your way across the Great Rift Valley, you pass Lake Naivasha, the flower-capital of Kenya and Mt Suswa, an inactive volcano. Driving deeper into the land of the Masai, you will arrive at one of the most spectacular places for wildlife sightings on the continent. Your first of many game drives in the Mara starts in the afternoon. Home of the Big Five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard – and many other species, you will spend the next days looking for and observing the Masai Mara’s wildlife together with your guide. Your home for the next two nights is Julia’s River Camp, an intimate tented camp at the banks of the Talek River. Animals don’t adhere to borders, so you can expect wildlife in close proximity.Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 4 Masai Mara Game Reserve
Heading out bright and early you have the whole day to explore the Masai Mara Game Reserve. If you visit during the Great Migration when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras follow the rain and migrate to Kenya from Tanzania’s Serengeti, make a stop at the Mara River. Here you may be in luck and witness a river-crossing when the herbivores cross the river, trying to avoid the snatch of a hungry crocodile. The beautiful thing about today: you have time. You are in no rush and can experience each moment to the fullest. Once you have seen the Big Five, turn your eye to the other animals: hyenas and cheetahs roam the savannah, waterbucks and zebras come to the rivers to quench their thirst, while hippos protect their sensitive skin from the sun in the murky waters. Return to Julia’s River Camp for stories around the dinner table and another night in the bush. Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 5 Masai Mara Game Reserve
Another day of wildlife adventures in the Mara awaits you. Today, you explore the western part of the game reserve, thus getting a thorough understanding and feel for the Mara ecosystem. You will be surprised about how much you have learned about Kenya’s flora and fauna by now. With the help of your guide you see more than picture-perfect sunsets and proud lions but understand the context and fragility of your natural surroundings. Tonight you will stay in the remotely situated Mara West Camp. From here, enjoy panoramic views across the Masai Mara and think back on the memories you have made here, while bush babies jump through the near-by trees.Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 6 Masai Mara Region – Lake Victoria
Your last morning in Kenya starts early. Take in the views of the Mara one last time before you head out towards the Tanzanian border at Isebania. After clearing immigration, you head to your destination for the day: Lake Victoria. Along the shores of the largest lake on the continent, you can spend the afternoon at leisure in the Speke Bay Lodge, where you will also spend the night. Dust-off from the past adventurous days, take a walk along the lake shore, visit the local fishing village or even catch up on your emails so you have peace of mind for the coming days. Above all, enjoy the calming views of Lake Victoria. Welcome to Tanzania!Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 7 Lake Victoria – Serengeti National Park
Your first morning in Tanzania starts with a canoe trip across Lake Victoria. Together with a local fisherman, you sail across the largest lake in Africa, while he explains how to catch fish the traditional way. Back at the fishing village, you can admire last night’s catch. It is now time to return to the bush for more wildlife encounters. After a short one hour drive, you will reach the gate of the Serengeti and your game drive begins. Together with the Masai Mara, the Serengeti is host to the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras. If you have missed the herds in Kenya, this is your chance to see this natural spectacle in Tanzania. The name Serengeti translates to “endless plains” and you will quickly notice why: open grassland as far as you can see will take your breath away. These seemingly endless plains are dotted with kopjes, large rock formations, and preferred spot for lions to take a nap. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at the Kati Kati Tented Camp. In the middle of the Serengeti this exclusive and unfenced tented camp will get you as close to nature as few others.Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 8 Serengeti National Park
Wake up to the sound of birds chirping and the sun rising and enjoy a delicious bush breakfast in the Central Serengeti. Together with your guide you have all day to continue your exploration of the national park. Go right when others go left and you will experience private moments amongst Tanzania’s wildlife. The Serengeti is known for its large prides of lions, lazing under shade-giving acacia trees. Keep your eyes peeled on the branches of the trees and you may spot a leopard, devouring its recent kill. No day on safari is like the other and you will be amazed about new sightings on day eight of your great East African safari. Return to the Kati Kati Tented Camp and join the other guests in front of the “bush TV”, the campfire crackling in the night.Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 9 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater – Karatu
Leaving the Serengeti early this morning you should take this opportunity and watch out for more predators – when the temperatures are cooler, big cats are more active and embark on the hunt. You will arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the late morning and drive into the world-famous Crater just before lunch time for a spectacular last game drive of your safari. This large inactive volcanic caldera is seasonally home to more than 25.000 animals. Large herds of zebras, buffaloes and prides of lions roam the crater floor. The steep crater walls covered in thick mountain forest are always visible, marking the boundaries of this haven for wildlife – a truly unique place. After your game drive you continue to nearby Karatu and spend the last night of your safari in one of the three beautifully located Tanganyika Wilderness Adventure Lodges.Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
Day 10 Karatu – Arusha
After a relaxed breakfast you make your way to Arusha where you will arrive around midday. You can continue with your travel plans without having to stay another night in the city. Return home or fly to Zanzibar to dust-off from your exciting adventures in the bush and relax on tropical sandy beaches. Get in touch for more details!Breakfast; Lunch
Includes
- Lodge safari according to the itinerary
- Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Overnight stays as per itinerary
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Mineral water
- All mentioned activities
- All national park fees
- Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari
Excludes
- Flights
- Optional activities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
FAQ
- The size of the group varies between 2 and 7 people per vehicle with travellers of different ages coming from all over the world.
- There is no official age limit, but due to the many hours spent in the vehicle, we don’t recommend this trip for children under the age of 6 years. However, if parents can confidently say that their children are comfortable in travelling long distances, they are of course welcome. However, parents are responsible for their children at all times.
- You will stay in hotels, safari lodges or permanent tented camps (with en-suite bathrooms). Safari lodges are solid buildings, whereas tented camps are permanently set-up, walk-in safari style tents that offer the same service as hotels and lodges.
- We only use specially converted 4×4 safari vehicles (i.e. Toyota Land Cruiser) that are able to take on the harsh Kenyan road conditions. Each guest will enjoy a window seat and during game drives the roof will open, ensuring unspoilt views.
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- Meals are included as stated in the itinerary and mineral water is also supplied during the safari. All other drinks such as soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are excluded and need to be settled by yourself.
- You will dine at the respective accommodations. For breakfast, a buffet is usually set up, whereas a three-course menu is typically served for dinner. Lunch is mostly enjoyed en-route in form of pre-packed lunch (lunch-box) consisting of sandwiches, boiled eggs and fruits or grilled chicken thighs.
Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements or food allergies and we will do our outmost to cater for them (only possible with advanced notification).
- Upon booking you will receive a detailed packing list that will assist you in deciding what to bring.
- Yes there are and due to the fact that space in the vehicle is limited, luggage is restricted to 15 kg in a soft bag or rucksack. In addition, guests are allowed one small piece of hand luggage. Please refrain from bringing bulky suitcases as this can cause problems when storing the luggage. Furthermore, please do not forget to read up on your airlines respective luggage policy.
- Yes, you should bring along some cash for extras like drinks, snacks, souvenirs and tips.
- Please make sure that your USD bills that have been printed after 2004 as any earlier dated bills will not be accepted.
- Tipping after a safari is customary and we recommend 15-20 USD per day per group for the guide.
- Entry requirements vary depending on the citizenship of the traveller. As of 01.01.2021, visas will no longer be issued upon arrival and e-visas will become compulsory. It is the sole responsibility of every traveller to be in possession of all required documents. We strongly suggest that you contact your respective embassy for the latest visa regulations.
- In general, East Africa poses no higher health risks than many other destinations. Please consult your GP or a tropical disease institute regarding appropriate vaccinations etc. before your departure. For your own safety please inform us about any intolerances or allergies you may have against any medications or of any medical conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, epilepsy, asthma, heart conditions, etc.) when you book your trip. Please also inform your guide before the start of the tour.
- In theory, there is a possibility of contracting malaria in all East African countries. Malaria is caused by one-cell parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Different medications can offer a prophylaxis but some need to be taken before you start travelling. You should consult your GP or the institute for tropical diseases to get medical advice. Our experience suggests, that medications which have been on the market for some time (e.g. Lariam) can lead to severe side effects and therefore may compromise your trip.
- Prevention is always better than cure; the best prevention is not to get bitten by wearing long trousers, socks, closed shoes and long-sleeved tops during the evening hours. The use of anti-mosquito sprays and creams can further help to reduce the risk of being bitten.
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