A 15 Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari going to Kenya and Tanzania's most renowned game reserves and ending in the warm waters of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. A great mixture of game parks and relaxation at the end.
Age Range: 18 – 65 Years and older
Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park
Departing from the vibrant Nairobi we make our way to our first overnight resting spot at Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for the thousands of flamingos that gather at the rim of this soda lake. The numbers depend on the level of the water, and when the level is low the lake transforms into an almost pink colour – a genuinely incredible phenomenon! The Park was initially formed as a haven for black and white rhino which are frequently spotted. We devote our afternoon to seeking out these creatures as well as the elusive leopard, coming into contact with buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and hippo en route. In the evening we bush camp inside the park.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Lake Nakuru National Park to Lake Naivasha
Awaking early, we indulge in a tasty breakfast before heading off on our morning game drive. The first portion of the day is typically the best time to seek out predators that have spent the evening hunting. If luck is on our side we might get to see one of the resident leopards. Following the game drive, we journey southeast to Lake Naivasha, home to an abundance of birdlife, the most regal being the African Fish Eagle with its magnificent cry. At 1,880 metres, this is the highest of the Rift Valley lakes. If time allows, we will spend the afternoon partaking in Optional Activities such as high tea at Elsamere (home to Joy and George Adamson, famous from Born Free), a boat trip to the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary or a bike ride around Hell’s Gate National Park. This evening is spend in a charming campsite on the rim of the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara
Following a hearty breakfast we carry on through to the Masai Mara National Reserve. We make our way into the Masai land where these pastoralists are frequently spotted tending to their livestock on the roadsides. We pass through the town of Narok and along our journey we might spot some wildlife. The primary section of road between Nairobi and the Reserve is in an extremely poor condition, so prepare yourselves for a bumpy ride. We then reach our campsite for the evening, Acacia, which overlooks the Meguarra hills and the stream that meanders by and creates a natural border around the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Reserve is absent of any fences, letting animals wander freely into the surrounding regions, and if they choose, through our campsite! There is no need to fear, however, as the local ‘Askari’ (soldiers) will be sure to keep a lookout for any dangerous predators.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Masai Mara
We leave briefly after sunrise to embark on our game drive that takes us into the Masai Mara Reserve. This Reserve is renowned as one of the best National Reserves of East Africa and houses a massive diversity of wildlife. Most well-known for the Annual Migration consisting of enormous herds of more than 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle that make their way from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Masai Mara is most visited between July and October when these large herds graze here. Not far behind these herbivores are lurking predators of Africa that are frequently seen at a kill during this time. We game drive through a portion of the Park seeking out the Big 5 as well as many other animal species, including reptiles and birds that have made this region their home. Following our game drive we will have the opportunity to pay a visit to the close by Masai Manyatta’s – a traditional hamlet were the Masai still practise their traditional lifestyles. In the night we gather around the sparkling campfire and marvel at the gorgeous sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kisii/Kericho
Following a tasty breakfast we depart the Masai Mara and make our way to Kisii/Kericho, passing through the scenic tea plantations en route. These towns are the primary commercial hubs in the Gusi Highlands, where cash crops such as tea and coffee flourish due to its equatorial climate. We re-stock our supplies before journeying to Tanzania the next day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Musoma
We leave Kenya and make our way south into Tanzania. Once we’ve completed border formalities we travel through the picturesque landscape next to Lake Victoria, Africa’s biggest lake. We spend the evening at a campsite on the banks of Lake Victoria, in the fishing town of Musoma.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Serengeti National Park
Once we’ve re-stocked our supplies for the following few days, we make our way to the Serengeti National Park after lunch. The Serengeti (Masai for ‘endless plains’) is renowned for its massive population of wildlife, specifically large cats, and for the yearly migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. We make our way into the Park through the lesser-travelled western corridor and game drive on the way to our campsite in the middle of the Park. This evening we bush camp in the wilderness, encircled by the sounds of the African wild, disturbed only by the howls of distant animals. In the morning we embark on another game drive and explore the terrain searching for wildlife. If luck is on our side we might get to spot some of Africa’s Big 5!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater
We awake early to game drive through the Serengeti National Park. We then travel to the southern region of the Park where we have an opportunity to witness the endless plains this Park is famous for. We make our way across the Serengeti and into the Ngorongoro Conservation region at lunch time and start our ascension up the steep Crater’s rim. This evening’s camp on the crater edge harshly contrasts the warmer plains below. We encourage you to bring your winter clothes along due to the temperature drop at night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha
The Ngorongoro Crater is a natural gem with its walls 600 metres high and 20 kilometres long. The rim of the Crater provides incredible views, but the true size of this caldera is only really valued from the floor where the abundance of its wildlife inhabitants is apparent. The Crater houses almost every species of African animal and provides you with an opportunity to view an amazing population of East African mammals like elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion and plain’s game. After our morning spent game driving through the Crater, we head to our campsite situated just outside of Arusha where we spend the night exchanging stories of our wildlife encounters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Arusha to Pangani*
Today we make our way to Arusha to replenish our provisions before carrying on to Dar es Salaam. En route we pass through the town of Moshi, located at the incredible Mount Kilimanjaro – the tallest mountain in Africa. Moshi acts as the base for climbing excursions up the Mountains, and if weather permits, we might catch a glimpse of this magnificent mountain’s snow-capped peak, making for a wonderful photographic opportunity. We pass through enormous sisal plantations encircled by the Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before arriving at our charming campsite located between these mountains, halfway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
* Some travellers may choose to forgo this night at their own cost.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Pangani to Dar es Salaam
Today we journey on to Dar es Salaam. Making our way through lush surroundings and palms, we get closer to the Indian Ocean. Our drive today is lengthened because of the heavy traffic entering the city, but the sights and sounds of Dar’s colourful suburbs will keep you amused. Keep a look out for the vibrant shop-fronts that boast funny catch phrases. When we reach Dar, we head to the charming seaside campsite and prepare for our adventure into Zanzibar the following morning.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
A ferry transports us from Dar es Salaam to the ‘Spice Island’, where we have the opportunity to spend the following three evenings. Zanzibar is dripping with history and was one of the main starting points for the majority of East African explorers in their mission to find new land. New passengers might join us on this day to take the place of those leaving us at the end of our Zanzibar adventure. For those who choose not to partake in the Zanzibar outing, the following three days will be spent at your leisure at the beach campsite in Dar. There is a range of Optional Excursions from which you can choose here, including diving, snorkelling and fishing trips.
PLEASE NOTE: Accommodation and meals are for your own account whilst in Zanzibar, as it is our experience that passengers prefer to explore the island on their own, and in accordance with their own budget. The Tour Leader joins you and can arrange your accommodation, while meals can be enjoyed from a wide selection of restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Days 13 - 14: Zanzibar
Despite its history, Zanzibar provides a large range of activities for travellers. Today the still streets of ancient Stone Town retain their Arabic influence, from the Medina-like stores to the Sultan’s palaces, who established their enormous empires on the spoils of the slave and ivory trade. The island is renowned for its spices and a trip around a spice plantation is always a remarkable experience. Other options are an outing to the gorgeous beaches and enormous tortoises of Prison Island, a full day scuba dive in Nungwe or a fishing excursion in a traditional dhow. Mopeds are offered for hire if you feel like exploring the more isolated regions of the island. Zanzibar is especially fantastic for seafood lovers. Countless restaurants provide a wonderful range of the freshest ocean catches with crayfish being a firm favourite. Otherwise, you can always socialise with the locals at dinner in the Forodhani Gardens seafront market, where sumptuous and reasonably-priced seafood is sold.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
Departing from Zanzibar at midday, we make our way back to the mainland to spend one more evening in Dar es Salaam. We typically reach camp in the early evening. In Dar we swap contact details and say our goodbyes.
