The Ultimate East African Safari through Kenya & Tanzania

Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. If you're traveling overnight to get to Kenya, consider arriving a day early so you have time to rest, relax, and get acclimated to the local time zone. You can purchase an Arrive Early option in the Add-ons section of this page.

When you clear customs, our representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to the JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi, an elegant 5-star hotel that's the perfect spot to relax and recuperate after a long day of travel. 

If you do opt to arrive one day early and would like to join us for a guided city tour this morning, you can do so at an additional cost. You can find this in the Add-ons section of this page. 

Otherwise, spend the rest of the day relaxing at the spa or discovering Nairobi, where early colonial buildings sit beside sleek modern skyscrapers. A great place to spend the afternoon is the Nairobi National Museum, which features intriguing exhibits on prehistory, birdlife, ethnography, and the development of contemporary Kenya. 

Tonight, we'll join our guide for a beautiful welcome dinner at Cultiva Farm, a farm-to-table fine-dining experience featuring in-season produce and perfectly curated dishes. 

After a filling breakfast at the hotel, we'll pack up and check out. Our first stop of the day is a local women's center, which offers us insight into the outstanding work they are doing to advance and empower local women and children. 

From there, we're off to the Wilson Airport for a short flight to Samburu National Reserve. 

We'll soar above the Ngong Hills and soak in striking views of Mount Kenya if the weather is clear. At 17,057 feet of elevation, this ancient volcanic peak is the second-highest volcano on the African continent.

Once we touch down in Samburu National Reserve, we'll transfer from the airstrip to Soroi Samburu Lodge, our home for the next two nights.

Nestled on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River, this newly constructed lodge offers us the perfect balance of elegance and wilderness. We'll arrive just in time to sit down for lunch, having our choice of freshly prepared fare in an al fresco setting. 

Take some time afterwards to relax and explore the lodge. There are plenty of beautiful areas to sit and watch the world go by, a yoga deck overlooking the river, and even a swimming pool if you're in the mood for a dip.

We'll gather this evening for our first game drive of the trip. How exciting! This area is renowned for the Samburu Special Five—rare species found only in the dry regions north of the equator: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, gerenuk, and Somali ostrich. Perfectly suited to this harsh environment, these animals can go long periods without direct water, drawing moisture mostly from dew.

Back at camp, enjoy a sunset drink as the sky fades to amber, followed by dinner beneath a canopy of stars. 

Greet the day as the African sun rises in a wash of color, enjoying a quiet cup of tea or coffee before setting out on an early morning game drive. As the light grows, a striking landscape of rugged mountains and rocky outcrops comes into view, alive with wildlife. We'll return to camp by around 9 am to enjoy a generous, well-earned breakfast.

After breakfast, enjoy some 'me' time. Seek tranquility on the riverbanks, where you might even witness an elephant herd quietly drinking. Go for a swim, or maybe even opt for a treatment at the spa; there are plenty of beautiful ways to spend the day. 

Lunch is at your leisure. Enjoy it on your own or with new friends, reminiscing on this morning's game drive. 

We'll come back together this evening for another game drive, allowing the midday heat to dissipate and the light to soften over the plains. As the journey continues, watch closely for the elusive Grevy’s zebra, named after a 19th-century French president. This species is significant to the Samburu community, who focus on its protection. The region also supports the Ewaso Lions project, conserving local lion populations. Driver-guides will assist us in spotting and interpreting these animals during each game drive.

We'll return to camp for a starlit dinner. Because we're near the equator, the night skies reveal constellations from both the northern and southern hemispheres, making it a remarkable setting for stargazing.

After breakfast and check-out, a scenic 90-minute flight carries us from Samburu to the Maasai Mara, following the sweeping Great Rift Valley—the world’s longest valley on land, stretching 4,000 miles from Lebanon to Mozambique. 

As we descend into the vast savanna, the legendary Mara reveals itself, home to the Big Five – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopards – cheetahs, and its famed black-maned lions. 

We'll be greeted at the airstrip when we land for a short transfer to Ashnil Mara Camp, set right on the banks of the Mara River. Each of our glamping tents features a deck overlooking the preserve, ideal for spotting hippos and crocodiles that frequent the river. 

As the day begins to cool down, let's go for a game drive to explore the Mara a bit more, shall we? Keep your eyes out for black-maned lions and cheetahs as we cruise along in our comfortable safari vehicle.

Dinner back at camp will be your choice of international and traditional African dishes, served in a beautiful, rustic restaurant. Maybe you'll take a moment to sip on a cocktail at their open-air bar before we sit down to eat. What a great way to wrap up another day in Kenya. 

Finally, as the night deepens, we’ll bid each other "lala salama," wishing everyone a peaceful sleep in Kiswahili, resting to prepare for another day of exploration.

The day begins early with a morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, the most rewarding time to explore the reserve. Predators are often active at first light, and the soft dawn colors illuminate the sweeping savannah, offering exceptional wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.

We'll return to camp for a relaxed breakfast, followed by leisure time during the hottest part of the day. What better way to soak in the sunshine than poolside with a cold cocktail in hand? Lunch will be served at the on-site restaurant whenever it suits you. 

Later in the afternoon, we'll set out once more for an evening game drive as cooler temperatures draw animals back into the open. Watch the Mara come alive under warm, golden skies before returning to camp for dinner and another peaceful rest. 

After breakfast in the Mara, we’ll bid farewell to our lovely camp and board a breathtaking flight over the Serengeti. Once we arrive, our hosts will meet us at the airstrip and transfer us to Warangi Ridge.

With 15 private tents seamlessly integrated into the natural surroundings, Warangi Ridge is a lavish way to experience this part of Tanzania. We'll be greeted with a hot, freshly prepared lunch in their gourmet restaurant.

Take some time in your tent to relax and unpack. We'll gather later this evening for a game drive. Lucky for us, November is ideal for witnessing the annual wildebeest migration from this stunning vantage point in the game-rich Seronera Valley at the heart of the Serengeti. 

As part of a 30,000-square-kilometer ecosystem, the Maasai call 'the endless plains,' this area adjoins Kenya’s Mara and is renowned for its wildlife and scenic sun-sculpted stone kopjes, favored by lions.

Returning to camp once the sun has started to sink below the horizon, we'll sit down for another delicious meal made with seasonal ingredients from local markets paired with meticulously curated wines. 

Start the day with a peaceful cup of tea or coffee and light biscuits as dawn breaks over the Serengeti. Then, you have two options for the morning: you could set out on an early game drive when the air is cool, and wildlife activity peaks. This is the best time to see predators—perhaps lionesses on the move or lions resting after a long night, before the heat of the day arrives. 

Alternatively, opt for a hot air balloon safari. This is a breathtaking way to encounter the vast plains of the Serengeti, as we peacefully float along, spotting wildlife from above. Once we're back on land, we'll toast to the experience with a champagne breakfast. Head over to the Add-on section of this page to book this bucket list adventure. 

Whether you join us for the game drive or the hot air balloon ride, we'll return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast, then take some time to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings. Maybe you'll draw a bath in your tent's freestanding tub and enjoy soaking while overlooking the plains, or roll out your complimentary yoga mat for some stretching on your private deck. 

After lunch at the lodge, prepare for another exciting safari as the evening draws closer. Known for its abundant wildlife and cinematic history, the Serengeti is famously featured in the heartwarming film Born Free and offers unforgettable moments at every turn.

We won't head straight back to camp after our drive tonight. Instead, we'll be treated to a peaceful Sundowner drink in the plains as we watch the evening light fade. 

Returning to the lodge, we'll freshen up and savor dinner as we share stories beneath the stars and celebrate another memorable day.

After breakfast, we'll pack our bags and take a scenic flight from the Seronera airstrip to Lake Manyara, a salt lake famous for its birdlife, in the Great Rift Valley. 

Our home for the rest of the trip is the Acacia Farm Lodge in Karatu Town. Nestled on a stunning hilltop within a 25-acre active farm, this luxe lodge overlooks the rolling hills of the nearby Ngorongoro forest area.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch as we soak in the gorgeous surroundings. Afterwards, reception can arrange a variety of activities to fill your afternoon, including tours of their coffee and vegetable farms, cycling around the grounds, birdwatching, and spa treatments.

As the sun goes down, we'll come together for sundowners, enjoying cool drinks as the sky turns into a vivid canvas. Dinner will be an array of hyperlocal gourmet dishes that delight your palate. The evening provides an ideal ending to our travel day.

After breakfast, we'll set off toward the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, entering through Loduare Gate as the landscape begins to shift dramatically. Along the way, we'll pay a visit to a traditional Maasai boma, where stories, customs, and centuries-old traditions offer a warm and colorful cultural experience.

From here, the adventure continues as we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater itself. This natural amphitheater—often called the world’s greatest wildlife haven—unfolds around us, alive with grazing herds and roaming predators. A picnic lunch awaits at a scenic spot on the crater floor, surrounded by extraordinary views and wildlife encounters.

In the late afternoon, we'll ascend from the crater, exiting the way we came and making our way back to the lodge. We'll savor one last dinner together, taking time to reflect on a wonderful week of new experiences and friendships. What a spectacular experience to round out our East African journey!

After a filling breakfast, we'll head back to Arusha and then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. As you board onward flights later today, take with you many unforgettable memories from this extraordinary African safari and the friendships made along the way. 

Reflecting on the words of Dr. Bernhard Grzimek, renowned for his work Serengeti Shall Not Die: “There is a peace and timelessness in the Serengeti that is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a place where you can feel the pulse of the Earth, the rhythm of life that has been playing out for millions of years.”