18 Days of Kenya, Tanzania Safari

Tour Overview

Summary

Experience the ultimate East African adventure on this 18-day Kenya–Tanzania–Zanzibar safari, blending wildlife, scenery, and luxury. Begin in vibrant Nairobi before exploring Lake Nakuru’s pink flamingos and rhinos, followed by Big Cat encounters in the Maasai Mara. Fly to Serengeti for the GreatMigration, then descend into the Ngorongoro Crater – home to Africa’s Big Five. End your journey with relaxation on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches. A seamless mix of game drives, scenic flights, cultural visits, and handpicked lodges make this an unforgettable safari escape.

Accommodation Options

• Nairobi: (1 Night) Tamarind Tree Hotel or Hyatt Regency/ Emara Ole Sereni/ Nairobi Serena Hotel
• Lake Nakuru: (3 Nights) The Cliff
• Masai Mara: (3 Nights) Zebra Plains Maasai Mara or Basecamp Maasai Mara/ Ashnil Mara Camp or Mara Sarova Game Camp or Mara Serena Safari Lodge / Ilkeliani Mara Camp/ Entim Mara or Soroi Private Wing or Soroi Migration Camp
• Northern Serengeti: (3 Nights) Mara Under Canvas/ Acacia Migration Camp
• Central Serengeti: (3 Nights) Lahia Tented Lodge
• Ngorongoro: (3 Nights) Lion’s Paw / Melia Ngorongoro

Activities: Game viewing, photography, nature walks sightseeing, birding, and cultural visits

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

Our driver and representative will meet you on arrival at the airport in Nairobi. Transfer to the hotel, and after a short brief, they will leave you to rest.

Overnight: Tamarind Tree Hotel or Hyatt Regency/ Emara Ole Sereni/ Nairobi Serena Hotel
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Nairobi – Transfer to Lake Nakuru – 3 hours

You will be picked up by our driver/guide from your hotel at 8.00 am and immediately depart for Lake Nakuru to arrive by noon. Have your first game drive as you head to the lodge/camp for lunch. Have another game drive after lunch till 6 pm. Look out for flamingos, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, and much more.

Overnight: The Cliff

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 & 4: Lake Nakuru – Full day

Spend the days on morning and afternoon game drives and bird watching, with the part of the day being spent at the lodge, relaxing and exploring its facilities.

Included activity: Breakfast boat ride on Lake Nakuru on day 4

Overnight: The Cliff

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Lake Nakuru – Transfer to Maasai Mara – (5 hours)

Have breakfast then depart for Masai Mara. Drive south along the floor of the Great Rift Valley to arrive in Maasai Mara by lunchtime. After lunch, relax at the camp/lodge before going for an evening game drive from 4 to 6 p.m.

Overnight: Ashnil Mara Camp/ Entim Mara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 & 7: Maasai Mara – Full Day

Spend these two days on extensive game drives in the Mara Reserve. If you’re looking to see Big Cats, the Masai Mara National Reserve is an excellent place to spot them. The Mara has been called the Kingdom of Lions and these powerful hunters dominate these grasslands. Cheetahs are also common in the Mara, as are hyenas and smaller predators such as jackals. You’ll have an excellent opportunity to spot them while enjoying game drives across the Mara plains. Picnic lunch will be at a good spot by the Mara River.

Alternatively, you can have morning and evening game drives with part of the day spent at the camp/lodge enjoying its facilities.
Included: Maasai Village visit on day 7, afternoon

Optional Activities: Balloon ride ($480 per person)

Overnight: Ashnil Mara Camp/ Entim Mara

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Maasai Mara – Transfer to Northern Serengeti via flight

Have breakfast, then depart for the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Serengeti. Our driver will meet you on arrival at the airstrip in Serengeti with a packed lunch so that you can start on game drives before checking in at the lodge or camp for evening rest and dinner.

Overnight: Mara Under Canvas/ Acacia Migration Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 & 10: Northern Serengeti – Full Days

Spend the days with a full-day game drive within the northern Serengeti area following the wildebeest migration. Serengeti is the home to Africa’s Big Five. There will be a picnic lunch during the day.

Alternatively, have morning & afternoon game drives.

Optional Activities: Hot air balloon ride, sundowners, bush breakfast

Overnight: Mara Under Canvas/ Acacia Migration Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Central Serengeti

Have breakfast, and check out. Have a game drive that heads to the central Serengeti. Check in for late lunch and spend the afternoon resting.

Overnight: Lahia Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 & 13: Central Serengeti – Full Days

Spend the days with a full-day game drive within the Great Serengeti. Serengeti is the home to Africa’s Big Five. There will be a picnic lunch during the day.

Alternatively, have morning & afternoon game drives.

Optional Activities: Hot air balloon ride, sundowners, bush breakfast

Overnight: Lahia Tented Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Serengeti – Transfer to Ngorongoro (Approximately 3 hours)

After breakfast, depart for Ngorongoro Crater with a short stop at Olduvai Gorge. Arrive in Ngorongoro and check in at the lodge. There will be no other game drive so spend the remaining hours at leisure enjoying walking around the surrounding areas and exploring the lodge’s facilities.

Ngorongoro is unique as its physical protection from man’s natural beauty ranks it among the most pristine wilderness on the earth. It has also been declared a world heritage and is the largest intact crater in the world.

Overnight: Lion’s Paw / Melia Ngorongoro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15 & 16: Ngorongoro (Full Days)

After breakfast, depart for a tour of the crater floor with picnic lunch boxes. Spend the day on the crater and have lunch at one of the famous picnic spots in the park. In the afternoon, head back to the lodge.

Ngorongoro is quite unique as its physical protection from man’s natural beauty ranks it among the most pristine wilderness on the earth.

It has also been declared a world heritage and is the largest intact crater in the world.

Overnight: Lion’s Paw / Melia Ngorongoro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 17: Ngorongoro – Transfer to Arusha

After breakfast, check out and drive to the airport for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at Kisauni airport, our driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 18: Arusha – Transfer To Zanzibar, by flight

After breakfast, check out and drive to the airport for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. On arrival at Kisauni airport, our driver will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Notes

• Accommodation is subject to availability

Inclusive of;

• All government taxes/VAT
• Park fees to all the parks, including Crater fees at Ngorongoro
• Concession fees in Ngorongoro & Serengeti
• Boat ride in Lake Nakuru and a visit to the Maasai Village in Maasai Mara
• Accommodation and meals as mentioned in the tour description.
• Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
• Transport and game drives in 4*4 Land Cruisers in both Kenya and Tanzania, all with a pop-up roof to facilitate game viewing and photography
• All game drives as mentioned in the tour description
• Services of professional tour driver/guide(s)
• Local flights: Maasai Mara- Serengeti, Arusha- Zanzibar- Arusha/Kili/ Nairobi
• All transfers

Exclusive of;

• International flights from home and back
• Tips & porterage
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Travel Insurance
• Other personal items
• Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon ride ($480 per person in Kenya and $605 per person in Serengeti), a visit to Maasai Village ($30 per person), and any other activity
• Activities in Zanzibar
• Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks including water in the restaurants
• Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions and itinerary