14 Day Best of Tanzania and Kenya Wildlife Safari

Day 2 – Flight to Samburu National Park

Rise and shine! After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you’ll transfer to Wilson Airport for your scheduled flight to the wild and beautiful Samburu region. As you soar above Kenya’s diverse landscapes, take in sweeping aerial views of rolling hills, rugged valleys, and winding rivers that hint at the adventure ahead.

Upon landing, your dedicated safari driver-guide will be waiting to welcome you. The drive from the airstrip to your lodge acts as your first mini–game drive, with good chances of spotting elephants, graceful gerenuk, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebra, and other species found only in northern Kenya.

Settle in at your lodge and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while taking in the dramatic scenery that defines Samburu—towering rocky outcrops, acacia woodlands, and the life-giving Ewaso Nyiro River that attracts wildlife throughout the day.

In the afternoon, head out on your first official game drive in Samburu National Park. This region is famous for its unique wildlife, often called the Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants cooling off by the river, big cats resting in the shade, and vibrant birdlife soaring overhead.

As the sun begins to set, the golden light transforms the landscape into a breathtaking canvas, offering incredible photographic opportunities. Return to your lodge for a relaxing evening and dinner, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the African wilderness.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:
Sopa Samburu Lodge (or lodge of choice)

Travel Time:
Hotel to Wilson Airport: Approx. 30–45 minutes
Flight: Wilson to Samburu: Approx. 1.5 hours
Airstrip to lodge: Approx. 20–30 minutes

Day 3 – Drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy

After breakfast, your safari journey continues as you drive south toward the world-renowned Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most important wildlife sanctuaries. The route offers scenic views of rural landscapes, rolling hills, and, on a clear day, the impressive peak of Mount Kenya towering in the distance.

Upon arrival at Ol Pejeta, you’ll quickly see why this conservancy is so special. It is home to the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, the last two remaining northern white rhinos on the planet, and a thriving population of lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, and numerous plains game. Ol Pejeta is also known for its successful conservation programs and strong focus on community involvement.

Settle in at Sweetwaters Serena Lodge, beautifully located around a waterhole that attracts wildlife throughout the day. After lunch, head out for your afternoon game drive in the conservancy. Keep your eyes open for endangered species, the famous Big Five, and the unique opportunity to see both black and white rhinos in one protected area.

As the sun sets, return to your lodge for a relaxing evening. You may choose to enjoy views of the illuminated waterhole, where animals often gather after dark, creating unforgettable wildlife moments right from the lodge’s deck.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sweetwaters Serena Lodge

Travel Time: Samburu to Ol Pejeta: Approx. 3–4 hours, depending on wildlife en route and road conditions

Day 4 – Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, depart Ol Pejeta Conservancy and begin your scenic journey toward Lake Nakuru National Park, one of Kenya’s most famous and picturesque wildlife destinations. The drive takes you across the Great Rift Valley, offering dramatic views of escarpments, lush highlands, and patchwork farmlands along the way.

Upon reaching Lake Nakuru, you’ll enter a protected area known for its sweeping landscapes, acacia woodlands, and the shimmering alkaline lake that attracts a remarkable diversity of birdlife. Once famed for millions of flamingos, Lake Nakuru still offers impressive sightings of pink hues along its shores, along with pelicans, storks, and more than 400 recorded bird species.

Lake Nakuru is also one of Kenya’s most successful rhino sanctuaries, home to both black and white rhinos, as well as endangered Rothschild giraffes. Lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, and baboons are commonly seen as well, making this park a rewarding and varied wildlife destination.

After a leisurely game drive, continue to Ziwa Bush Lodge, a charming and peaceful retreat set just outside the park. Enjoy warm hospitality, comfortable chalets, and a relaxing evening surrounded by nature.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ziwa Bush Lodge

Travel Time: Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Lake Nakuru: Approx. 3–4 hours

Day 5 – Drive to the Maasai Mara

After breakfast, set off for the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s premier wildlife destination and one of the most celebrated ecosystems in Africa. The drive takes you through the scenic Rift Valley region, past local markets, traditional villages, and open savannahs that gradually deepen into classic Mara landscapes.

Arrive at the gates of the Maasai Mara in time for your first exhilarating game drive. The Mara is renowned for its incredible density of wildlife, including large prides of lions, vast herds of elephants, resident cheetahs, leopards resting in acacia trees, and endless plains game such as zebras, gazelles, topi, and buffalo. If you’re visiting during the Great Migration season, you may even witness the awe-inspiring movement of wildebeest and zebra as they cross the Mara River.

Continue to Sekenani Camp, a beautifully located tented camp offering comfort, warm hospitality, and a classic safari atmosphere. After settling in, enjoy a relaxed evening surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sekenani Camp or similar Camp

Travel Time: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara: Approx. 4.5–5.5 hours (depending on road conditions)

Day 6 – Full Day in the Maasai Mara

Today is dedicated entirely to exploring the magnificent Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich and awe-inspiring reserves. After an early breakfast, head out for a full day of game viewing, taking advantage of the cooler morning hours when predators are most active and wildlife is at its most vibrant.

Venture across rolling savannahs, riverine forests, and acacia-dotted plains as you search for lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, buffalo, and an incredible variety of plains game. The Mara’s thriving ecosystem supports abundant wildlife year-round, offering exceptional sightings at every turn.

You may choose to enjoy a hot lunch back at camp or take a packed picnic lunch to maximize your time in the reserve. Picnic beneath a lone acacia tree or near a scenic lookout, soaking in uninterrupted views of the sweeping landscape.

In the afternoon, continue your game drive as the wildlife becomes active again in the cooler hours before dusk. The golden light of late afternoon provides spectacular photographic opportunities and a magical atmosphere unique to the Mara.

Return to Sekenani Camp in the early evening to relax, enjoy dinner, and share stories of the day’s adventures.

Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:
Sekenani Camp or similar

Travel Time:
Full-day game drive within the Maasai Mara (varies by wildlife movements and chosen routes)

Day 7 – Another Full Day in the Maasai Mara

Enjoy another full day immersed in the breathtaking wilderness of the Maasai Mara. With two full days in the reserve, you have ample opportunity to explore different areas of this vast ecosystem, each offering unique landscapes and wildlife encounters.

After breakfast, set off on your morning game drive. Early hours are prime time for spotting predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards as they patrol their territories or finish their morning hunts. Herds of elephants, giraffes browsing the treetops, and an abundance of plains game create a constantly changing and exciting wildlife experience.

Your guide may take you to new areas of the reserve today—perhaps along the Mara River, home to hippos and crocodiles, or across the open plains where cheetahs often roam.

As with previous days, you may return to camp for lunch or enjoy a picnic in a scenic spot deep within the reserve, making the most of your time in the wild.

The afternoon offers more opportunities for exceptional sightings before you return to Sekenani Camp for your final evening in the Mara. Relax by the campfire or enjoy dinner while listening to the sounds of the bush—an unforgettable way to close out your time in this iconic reserve.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Sekenani Camp or similar

Travel Time: Full-day game drive within the Maasai Mara (routes vary based on wildlife movements)

Day 8 – Masai Mara to Nairobi

Today, we bid farewell to the awe-inspiring Maasai Mara and begin our journey back to Nairobi. Enjoy the changing scenery along the way as the rolling plains transition into the lively rhythm of Kenya’s capital city.

Upon arrival, settle in for the night at the comfortable Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport. After a refreshing break, the evening brings a special highlight: dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and exceptional selection of roasted meats, Carnivore offers a fun and memorable dining experience—a perfect way to celebrate the final night of your safari adventure.

Savour every flavour and enjoy this culinary finale before resting up for your onward journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Carnivore Restaurant)

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport

Travel Time: Masai Mara to Nairobi: Approx. 5–6 hours (depending on road conditions)

Day 9 – Travel from Kenya to Tanzania

Today, we say goodbye to Kenya as we make our way toward Tanzania, traveling south to the Namanga border crossing. After completing immigration formalities, you’ll be welcomed by your friendly Tanzania SafariHQ guides who will be waiting to receive you.

Continue onward to the vibrant city of Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. Upon arrival, settle into Moivaro Lodge, a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful views of Mount Meru. The lodge offers warm hospitality, comfortable rooms, and an ideal setting for relaxing after your journey.

With new scenery and exciting wildlife experiences ahead, the Tanzanian chapter of your adventure truly begins.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Moivaro Lodge, Arusha

Travel Time: Nairobi to Namanga Border: Approx. 3–4 hours
Namanga to Arusha: Approx. 1.5–2 hours

Day 10 – Arusha to Tarangire National Park

Today, your adventure continues as you travel to the beautiful Tarangire National Park, a landscape famous for its towering baobab trees, sweeping savannahs, and impressive elephant herds. After entering the park, enjoy a full day of exciting game drives as you explore its diverse habitats and abundant wildlife.

Tarangire is home to elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, cheetahs, and a remarkable variety of bird species. The park’s river system attracts animals throughout the day, offering incredible photo opportunities and memorable wildlife moments.

After an action-packed day of exploration, make your way to Roika Tented Camp, where you’ll unwind in a natural setting surrounded by the sounds of the bush. Enjoy a relaxing evening, warm hospitality, and a peaceful night under the African sky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Roika Tented Camp

Travel Time: Arusha to Tarangire National Park: Approx. 2–2.5 hours

Day 11 – Tarangire to Serengeti National Park

Today’s journey takes you through some of Tanzania’s most dramatic and beautiful landscapes as you travel toward the world-famous Serengeti National Park. En route, stop at the remarkable Olduvai Gorge Museum, one of the most important archaeological sites on the planet. Explore exhibits showcasing early human fossils, ancient tools, and the groundbreaking discoveries that shaped our understanding of human evolution.

After this insightful visit, continue across the Ngorongoro highlands and descend onto the endless plains of the Serengeti. Wildlife sightings are common along the way, offering the perfect introduction to this iconic ecosystem known for its vast open spaces, thriving predator populations, and incredible diversity of animals.

Arrive at Kisura Serengeti Camp, a beautifully designed tented camp that blends comfort with an authentic safari atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of the central Serengeti, Kisura offers stunning views, warm hospitality, and an ideal base for exploring the park.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Kisura Serengeti Camp

Travel Time: Tarangire to Olduvai Gorge: Approx. 3–4 hours
Olduvai Gorge to Central Serengeti: Approx. 1.5–2 hours

Day 12 – Full Day Game Viewing in Serengeti National Park

Today is dedicated to exploring the vast and wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park. After an early breakfast, set out for a full day of game viewing across one of the most iconic landscapes in Africa.

The Serengeti is renowned for its extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including large prides of lions, graceful giraffes, herds of elephants, cheetahs scanning the plains, and countless zebras and wildebeest. With endless open savannahs, rocky kopjes, and riverine habitats, every corner of the park offers new and unforgettable sightings.

Your guide will take you to some of the Serengeti’s most rewarding areas, following wildlife movements and sharing insights into animal behavior and the park’s rich ecosystem. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot in the bush before continuing your afternoon game drive.

As the sun sets and the plains glow with warm golden light, return to Kisura Serengeti Camp for a relaxed evening under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the African night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Kisura Serengeti Camp

Travel Time: Full-day game drive within the Serengeti (routes vary depending on wildlife movements)

Day 13 – Another Full Day Exploring the Serengeti

Enjoy another full day discovering the wonders of the Serengeti National Park, giving you ample time to explore new areas of this vast and diverse ecosystem. With two full days in the park, your guide can venture deeper into different habitats, increasing your chances of witnessing unique wildlife behavior and unforgettable scenes.

Set out after breakfast for a morning game drive, when the light is soft, temperatures are cool, and wildlife is especially active. Search for lions lounging on rocky kopjes, cheetahs scanning for prey across the open plains, elephants moving gracefully through acacia woodlands, and large herds of zebra and wildebeest grazing peacefully.

Pause midday for a picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint, taking in sweeping vistas of the Serengeti as you relax in the heart of nature. In the afternoon, continue your exploration as animals become active again in the cooler hours before dusk. This is an excellent time for photography, with warm golden light illuminating the landscape.

Return to Kisura Serengeti Camp in the evening for dinner and a peaceful night surrounded by the sounds of the bush—an unforgettable end to another extraordinary day in the Serengeti.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Kisura Serengeti Camp

Travel Time: Full-day game drive within the Serengeti (route varies depending on wildlife movements)

Day 14 – Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, leave the sweeping plains of the Serengeti behind and journey toward the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders. The drive offers beautiful scenery, with chances to spot wildlife along the way as you travel across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Upon reaching the crater rim, prepare for an unforgettable experience as you descend nearly 600 meters onto the crater floor. This extraordinary caldera is home to an estimated 30,000 animals, creating one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Enjoy a full tour of the crater floor, where you may encounter lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, hyenas, and—if you’re lucky—Tanzania’s endangered black rhino.

Pause for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot near a hippo pool, taking in the breathtaking views that surround you.

In the afternoon, ascend out of the crater and make your way to Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge, a peaceful retreat set on the forested slopes of the highlands. Unwind in the tranquil atmosphere and enjoy a relaxing evening after an exciting day of exploration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge

Travel Time: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim: Approx. 3–4 hours
Crater Tour: 4–5 hours
Crater Rim to Lodge: Approx. 30–45 minutes

Day 15 – Ngorongoro to Arusha

After a relaxed breakfast at Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge, begin your journey back to Arusha. Enjoy the scenic drive through the highlands and rural landscapes as you reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters and unforgettable experiences from your safari.

Upon arrival in Arusha, you will continue onward to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where your safari officially concludes. Your guide will ensure you arrive in good time for your onward or international flight.

With memories of dramatic landscapes, rich cultures, and extraordinary wildlife, this marks the end of a remarkable East African adventure.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel Time: Ngorongoro Area to Arusha: Approx. 2.5–3 hours
Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport: Approx. 1 hour