DAY 1:NAIROBI TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
You’ll have an early morning pick up in Nairobi and then drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. Across the equator, where lies the Rift Valley’s most famous lake. Known all over the world for its flamingoes, it’s alkaline and is recognized as being one of the Natural Wonders of the World. Lake Nakuru is now a rhino sanctuary, harbouring a population of over 40 black and over 60 white rhinos, but the flamingos, of course, have always been the main attraction.
At times there may be almost 2 million flamingos in residence, forming a stunningly beautiful deep pink band around the edge of the lakeshore. You’ll arrive in time for lunch then go for an afternoon game drive.
DAY 2:LAKE NAKURU TO MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
You’ll have an early morning drive to Masai Mara National Reserve. It holds on as one of the few places left on earth where wildlife still lives comparatively undisturbed, in the numbers that once roamed the plains and forests of Africa.
As the northern tip of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara hosts the spectacular seasonal migration of many thousands of wildebeest, zebras and attendant predators. You will arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.
DAY 3:MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
You’ll have one full day in the Masai Mara with a flexible schedule and unlimited mileage. After breakfast, we will have a full-day game drive with packed lunch provided. The reserve is well known for its black-manned lions as well as its abundant resident wildlife. It’s one of the few places where it’s possible to see the Big Five during a morning game drive. Many of the cheetahs are so tame they seek shelter from the hot sun under one’s vehicle and several even climb onto the roof to get a better view of prospective prey.
For the bird enthusiast, almost 500 species have been recorded: among these, 16 species of eagle, many hawks and falcons, 6 species of vultures, 8 species of storks, 4 of bustard (including the kori bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird), and 9 species of sunbirds.
DAY 4:MASAI MARA TO SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
We will initiate the day with an early morning game drive in Masai Mara while driving out of the national reserve. After border formalities, drive to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It will be a long day of driving but the game drives going in and out of the parks can be surprisingly incredible.
However, we always recommend flying from one park to the other so that you can have more time to go on safari. Alternatively, you can add an extra day to visit Lake Victoria, halfway between the two parks.
DAY 5-6: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
As you crest the hillside, spread out before you, as far as the eyes can see, is the vast Serengeti. Serengeti means “endless plains” in Kiswahili. This 6,900 sq. mile (18,000 sq. km) park is inhabited by more than 2 million large animals including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles. Large predators including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are drawn to the area by this abundance of prey which migrates throughout the park. Many smaller animals like rock hyrax, bat-eared foxes, mongoose, honey badgers, jackals, monkeys, baboons and African hares also inhabit the area along with nearly 500 species of birds.
On the way into the Serengeti, you have an option to stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge, where Dr Louis and Mary Leakey made their discovery of the first man that walked the earth. You’ll have an afternoon game drive en-route to the campsite.
DAY 7 :SERENGETI TO NGORONGORO CRATER
These days can be spent at your leisure, enjoying all the wonderful resort facilities—spa, massage, poolside sunbathing, or a dip in the ocean. For the more adventurous traveller, you may wish to indulge in a diving experience or head off on one of the many day tours available.
DAY 8 :NGORONGORO CRATER TO LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
We will start the day very early and descend into the crater floor for an incredible morning of wildlife in one of the most stunning places on Earth. After the game drive, there will be time for a picnic lunch near the beautiful hippo Lake. After lunch, we will have time for a short game drive and then ascend the crater and exit Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards Lake Manyara (2h).
This park has become famous for the tree-climbing lions and the flamingos on the lakeshore. The game drives are done along the shore of the lake, providing incredible views of giraffes and buffalos in the foreground with the lake, flamingos and flat plains on the horizon. You’ll have great photo opportunities and you can also do a walking and night safari.
Dinner and overnight at the selected tented camp or lodge.
DAY 9 :LAKE MANYARA TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, morning game drive in Lake Manyara with picnic lunch.
Although only 205 sq. miles in size this enchanting park is noted for its beauty and incredibly lush acacia forest of giant fig and mahogany trees, which are home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys. The park is also home to large numbers of buffalos, giraffes, elephants, impalas and it has a Hippo Lake, where large numbers of hippos usually gather. Well known for its birds (over 400 different species), Lake Manyara is one of the few places where you’ll be able to see the ground hornbill and the crested eagle. Afternoon transfer to Amboseli (5h).
Amboseli National Park is situated south of Nairobi. Most of the park consists of a dry, ancient lake bed and fragile grassland with patches of acacia woodland, while in the southern area there are a number of small rocky volcanic hills. Dinner and overnight at the selected tented camp or lodge.
DAY 10 :AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
You’ll rise up early for good views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build up over the summit with packed lunch provided.
Despite its changing habitat, Amboseli National Park is possibly the best wildlife area in the whole of Africa to experience elephants at close range. Left unharassed by poachers, elephants feeding and bathing in the swamps must form the highlights of any safari.
DAY 11 :AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK TO NAIROBI
You’ll have a morning game drive in Amboseli. An optional visit to a Maasai village can also be planned. A visit reveals the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience. Early in the afternoon, drive to Nairobi arriving at about 5:00 pm, and transfer to your hotel or the airport.