A 12-day Kenya & Tanzania adventure safari holiday offers an immersive experience in the heart of East Africa, combining wildlife viewing, cultural interactions, and stunning landscapes. These safaris typically include visits to iconic national parks like the Serengeti, Masai Mara, and Ngorongoro Crater, with opportunities to witness the Great Migration, spot the “Big Five,” and explore diverse ecosystems.
Day 1: Kenya, Nairobi
Our safari guide from Cycads African Safaris will meet you at Nairobi International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Nairobi. Overnight at the Hotel
Day 2: Kenya, Nairobi – Masai Mara Game Reserve
This morning, we shall drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve on time for lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive. The jewel in Africa’s crown, Masai Mara, is host to the most spectacular array of wildlife, such as Lions, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, Rhinos, giraffes, gazelles, and zebras, among others. Game viewing is never dull in the Mara and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings: a pride of lion stalking their prey; a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree; a male wildebeest sparring to attract females into their harem; a herd of elephant protecting their young from opportunistic predators. Later return to the Lodge / Camp for Dinner and Overnight.
Day 3: Kenya, Full Day in Masai Mara Game Reserve
A full day is spent game viewing and exploring this natural wonder with a visit to the Mara River, where the wildebeest migration takes place. Here you can see both the hippos and the crocodiles that co-exist in the same waters. The Masai Mara is Kenya’s most popular safari destination and for good reason. It is a vast reserve of endless flat grassland crossed by rivers that play host to wildlife’s most spectacular moments. Its biggest drawcard is the Wildebeest Migration when vast hordes of Wildebeest roar through the park, bringing in their wake a wave of mighty predators. In Masai Mara during the migration, pick a spot by the river and watch enraptured as crocodiles and lions compete to pick off stragglers from the clattering herds of wildebeest.
Optional Afternoon Visit to a Masai Cultural Village: This afternoon, we have an option of joining the Masai dancers donning their African regalia and jingling on their feet, flowing by the rhythm of African beats and dancing to their tunes that will leave you refreshed. Return to the Lodge for Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 4: Kenya, Masai Mara Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park heading straight for a game drive to the world-famous haunt for pink flamingos in the shallow alkaline lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley, and some 62 km2 in extent. The road from Nairobi to Nakuru passes down the Kikuyu escarpment with fine views of the Kedong Valley and the Mountains Suswa and Longonot. The landscape is picturesque, areas of sedge, marsh, and grasslands alternating with rocky cliffs and outcrops. In the late ’80s, the park also became Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary and is today home to both White and Black Rhinos. Lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, and waterbucks are equally at home in this unique park. Dinner and Overnight at Lodge / Camp
Day 5: Kenya, Nairobi – Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast, return to Nairobi. Have lunch at Carnivore restaurant, where you will enjoy a meal of game meats. After lunch, proceed to Amboseli National Park, home to the proud Masai tribe and the told and retold ever-lasting snows of Mt. Kilimanjaro, famous for its spectacular views of the peak (weather permitting) and large herds of elephants. Enjoy Game viewing on your way to Your Lodge / Camp for Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Kenya, Full day in Amboseli National Park
Full-Day in Amboseli with game drives at around 0630 hrs and 1600 hrs. Amboseli National Park, at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, is one of Kenya’s most popular national parks. It lies 150 miles southeast of Nairobi, very close to the Tanzania border. The snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli. Dinner and overnight as above.
Day 7: Amboseli – Tanzania, Arusha -Lake Manyara
Morning Breakfast and proceed to Tanzania’s Namanga Border. After clearing with the immigration customs at the Namanga Border Customs clearance, we transfer to Arusha Town for Lunch and later continue to Lake Manyara National Park, where herds of baboons are often seen walking by the succulent forest on the lakeside. This park is most prominent for its tree-climbing lion that can be spotted draped over the branches of acacia trees. Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge/Camp of your Choice.
Day 8: Tanzania, Lake Manyara -Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, depart to the Serengeti National Park through the Olduvai Gorge, known as the “land of humanity’ for the leavings of prehistoric inhabitants that were found there. Arrive at your lodge in the Serengeti in time for lunch before going for an afternoon game drive. Overnight at Lodge / Camp.
Day 9: Tanzania, Full day Game drive in Serengeti National Park
This morning, after breakfast, continue on a morning game drive through the exciting scenery of the Serengeti. Lunch and continue with an afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight as above
Day 10: Serengeti Plains – Ngorongoro crater
You will drive to the fabled Ngorongoro Crater with its truly breathtaking views. Continue around the rim, where a crew of guides, a ranger and Masai, and donkeys will be waiting. Begin a marvellous walk in this pristine Masai land. The track takes you partway around the rim of the crater through open woodland and acacia forests. To your right are the remarkably spectacular views of the crater floor below, and to your left are the endless plains of the Serengeti. A very simple camp is set in a remote location where one of the important rivers of the highland volcanoes enters the crater. Dinner and overnight at the lodge / Camp.
Day 11: Full game drive in Ngorongoro National Park
Early morning game drive (with a picnic lunch), You can expect to see lions, elephants, Zebras, Hippos, Jackals, Rhinos, Antelopes, and many birds. The birds seen here include eagle, vulture, and flamingos in the Crater Lake, stork, bats, giant vulture, sacred ibis, kori bustard, blacksmith plover, long-necked heron, and the cattle eagle. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a walking safari on the crater rim. Dinner and overnight at the lodge / Camp.
Day 12 – Ngorongoro crater – Arusha/Nairobi
Enjoy breakfast, after which you will transfer back to Arusha. Upon arrival, transfer to the Airport for your Flight Home / Next Destination.