12-Day / 11-Night Classic Kenya & Tanzania Big Five Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where your safari representative will greet you and transfer you to your Nairobi hotel. Enjoy a relaxing evening and dinner at leisure. Optional activities include a visit to the Giraffe Centre or Karen Blixen Museum (time permitting).
Day 2: Nairobi – Drive to Amboseli National Park
After breakfast, drive south to Amboseli National Park, famous for its large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive, followed by dinner and overnight at your safari lodge or camp overlooking the plains.
Day 3: Full-Day Game Viewing in Amboseli
Spend a full day exploring Amboseli’s unique landscape — from swamps to dry lake beds — as you search for elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and more. Enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives, or relax at your lodge with panoramic views of Kilimanjaro.
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Naivasha – Boat Safari
Drive north to the Great Rift Valley, arriving at Lake Naivasha. After lunch, take a peaceful boat safari among hippos and waterbirds, with optional walking safari on Crescent Island. Overnight at a lakeside lodge.
Day 5: Drive to Maasai Mara – Afternoon Safari
Continue west to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s top game park and part of the Greater Serengeti ecosystem. Enjoy a scenic drive followed by an afternoon game drive, where lion prides, elephants, zebras, and wildebeest are commonly seen.
Day 6: Full-Day Safari in Maasai Mara
Spend a full day in the Mara with both morning and afternoon game drives, or choose a full-day drive with picnic lunch. Depending on the season (July–October), you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration and dramatic river crossings. Optional Maasai village visit or hot air balloon ride.
Day 7: Cross Border to Serengeti (via Isebania)
After breakfast, drive to the Isebania border where you'll meet your Tanzanian guide. Complete immigration formalities and continue into the northern Serengeti, game driving en route to your lodge or tented camp.
Day 8: Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti National Park
Explore the endless plains of the Serengeti, rich with lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and migrating wildebeest. Enjoy game drives at sunrise and sunset, or opt for a full-day safari with lunch in the bush.
Day 9: Serengeti – Drive to Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge
Depart Serengeti with a game drive en route to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Visit the historic Olduvai Gorge (optional), known as the cradle of mankind. Arrive at your lodge on the crater rim or Karatu area for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater Safari – Big Five Day
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a half or full-day Big Five safari. Spot black rhinos, elephants, lions, buffaloes, and hippos in the lush crater floor. Enjoy a picnic lunch before ascending to your lodge.
Day 11: Lake Manyara or Tarangire National Park
Choose between a visit to Lake Manyara, known for its tree-climbing lions and birdlife, or Tarangire, famous for large elephant populations and ancient baobabs. Enjoy a final game drive and overnight near the park.
Day 12: Return to Arusha – Departure
After breakfast, drive to Arusha for lunch and a day room (optional). Later, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your outbound flight — or extend your journey to Zanzibar for a beach getaway.
What’s Included
- All ground transfers and cross-border transport
- 11 nights in luxury or mid-range lodges/tented camps
- All meals on safari: breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles with open roof
- Professional driver-guides in Kenya and Tanzania
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Boat safari on Lake Naivasha
- Border assistance and taxes
- Bottled water during game drives
What’s Not Included
- International flights
Kenya & Tanzania visas - Tips & personal expenses
- Optional excursions (balloon ride, cultural tours)
- Travel and medical insurance