13 Day East Africa Explorer Classic Lodge Safari

Day 2 – Nairobi to Masai Mara

After breakfast, depart Nairobi and begin the scenic drive toward the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. The journey travels through Kenya’s fertile highlands and descends the Great Rift Valley escarpment, offering sweeping views of mountains, rolling farmlands, and traditional rural settlements along the way. The road continues across open savannahs before reaching the Mara in time for lunch at the camp.

After settling in, set out on an afternoon game drive across the vast plains of the Masai Mara. This reserve is known for its impressive concentration of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, and a variety of antelope species. With luck, sightings of predators preparing for their evening activity may be possible as the day cools.

Return to camp as the sun sets, soaking in the beauty of the Mara’s golden landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:  Zebra Plains Camp or similar

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

Day 3 – Masai Mara National Reserve

A full day is dedicated to game viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve, exploring its rich and varied landscapes in search of the abundant wildlife that makes this region so exceptional. Morning hours often offer prime sightings as animals are more active before the heat of the day.

Return to camp for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive across the plains, riverbanks, and woodlands of the reserve. The Maasai Mara is known for its thriving predator population, large resident herds, and impressive birdlife, ensuring a rewarding and diverse wildlife experience throughout the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Zebra Plains Camp or similar

Travel Time: Game drives within the Masai Mara

Day 4 – Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru

Depart the Masai Mara after breakfast and drive toward Lake Nakuru National Park, travelling across the floor of the Great Rift Valley with views of rural homesteads, open plains, and volcanic landscapes along the way. Arrival at the lodge is in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, enter Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive. This scenic park is well known for its rich birdlife, including flamingos along the lake’s edge when conditions allow. It is also an important sanctuary for both Black and White Rhinos, and one of the best locations to view the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe. The mix of acacia woodlands, open grasslands, and lakeshore viewpoints provides excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ziwa Bush Lodge or similar

Travel Time: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru: Approx. 4–5 hours depending on road conditions

Day 5 – Lake Naivasha to Amboseli National Park

Begin the day with a 1-hour morning boat ride on Lake Naivasha, offering peaceful views of the lake and opportunities to spot hippos, fish eagles, and a variety of birdlife. After the boat excursion, continue the journey south toward Amboseli National Park, travelling through changing landscapes as the Rift Valley gives way to open plains and views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days.

Arrival at the camp is in the afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Elerai Camp or similar
Travel Time: Lake Naivasha to Amboseli: Approx. 5–6 hours depending on road conditions

Day 6 – Amboseli National Park

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Amboseli National Park, known for its impressive elephant herds, open plains, and striking views of Mount Kilimanjaro when weather permits. Explore the park’s varied habitats, from seasonal swamps and marshlands to acacia woodlands and dusty savannahs, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings throughout the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Elerai Camp or similar
Travel Time: Game drives within Amboseli National Park

Day 7 – Amboseli to Arusha (Tanzania) and Lake Manyara National Park

Drive to the Tanzania border gate this morning to complete immigration formalities. After farewells with the Kenyan guide, continue the journey with the Tanzania safari guide toward Arusha, arriving around 14:00hrs.

After a short stop in Arusha, continue onward to Mto Wa Mbu and Lake Manyara area for dinner and an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mawe Mawe Manyara Lodge or similar
Travel Time: Amboseli to Arusha: Approx. 3–4 hours depending on border formalities; Arusha to Lake Manyara: Approx. 2 hours

Day 8 – Lake Manyara to Serengeti National Park

Depart Lake Manyara after breakfast and begin the journey toward Serengeti National Park, travelling through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with sweeping views of the highlands and Maasai pastoral lands. Along the way, make a stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge Museum, one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological sites, where significant early human fossils were discovered. The short visit adds cultural and scientific depth to the journey before continuing onward.

The drive offers wildlife sightings even before reaching the Serengeti gate. Enter the park in time for an afternoon game drive, exploring the vast plains and searching for resident wildlife such as lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and numerous species of plains game. The Serengeti’s expansive landscapes and exceptional wildlife density make it one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kisura Tented Camp or similar
Travel Time: Lake Manyara to Serengeti: Approx. 4–5 hours depending on stops and wildlife activity

Day 9 – Serengeti National Park

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Serengeti National Park, exploring its diverse habitats and following wildlife-rich routes across the open plains, river valleys, and acacia woodlands. Early morning and late afternoon offer some of the best opportunities to observe predators and grazing herds as temperatures are cooler and animals are more active.

The Serengeti is renowned for its impressive populations of lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and countless plains game species, ensuring a rewarding day of exploration and photography.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kisura Camp or similar
Travel Time: Game drives within the Serengeti

Day 10 – Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater and Karatu

Begin the day with a morning en-route game drive through the southern Serengeti, heading toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The journey offers excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings as the landscapes shift from open plains to highland terrain.

Arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater and descend onto the crater floor for an afternoon of game viewing. This remarkable caldera supports an outstanding concentration of wildlife, including elephants, lions, hyenas, buffalo, zebras, and, with some luck, the endangered black rhino.

Ascend the crater in the late afternoon and continue onward to Karatu, located on the fertile outer slopes of the Ngorongoro highlands.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge or similar
Travel Time: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater: Approx. 3–4 hours; Crater to Karatu: Approx. 30–45 minutes

Day 11 – Lake Manyara National Park

Spend a full day exploring Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic reserve known for its diverse habitats and abundant wildlife. The park is famous for its lush groundwater forests, open plains, lakeside birdlife, large baboon troops, and the possibility of spotting tree-climbing lions resting in the branches. The alkaline lake often attracts flamingos, pelicans, storks, and numerous other bird species, making it a rewarding destination for both wildlife viewing and photography.

Game viewing continues throughout the day, with breaks taken at designated picnic or rest areas within the park.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Marera Valley Lodge or similar
Travel Time: Game drives within Lake Manyara National Park

Day 12 – Tarangire National Park

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in Tarangire National Park, a picturesque reserve known for its giant baobab trees, sweeping savannah, and impressive elephant herds. The Tarangire River serves as a vital water source, attracting a high concentration of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. Lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and numerous antelope species are commonly seen, along with excellent birdlife that includes hornbills, bee-eaters, and raptors.

Explore different areas of the park throughout the day, taking in its varied landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Kati Kati or similar
Travel Time: Game drives within Tarangire National Park

Day 13 – Tarangire to Arusha and Departure

Drive to Arusha this morning and enjoy an early lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge, a relaxing spot set within one of Tanzania’s oldest coffee estates. After lunch, continue with onward travel arrangements.

Depending on the preferred departure route, transfer to Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport for a flight to Nairobi (NBO), or drive to the Namanga border to meet the Kenyan transfer vehicle for the onward journey to Nairobi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: End of itinerary
Travel Time: Tarangire to Arusha: Approx. 2–2.5 hours; Arusha to Namanga: Approx. 1.5–2 hours