Your African safari adventure begins in Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital and the hub of East Africa. Early in the morning, your professional safari driver-guide will meet you at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. After a warm welcome and safari briefing, you set off in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, designed to give you the best possible game viewing experience throughout your trip.

The journey southward to the Masai Mara National Reserve is an experience in itself. You drive through the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, a geological wonder that stretches from the Middle East down through Africa. A short stop at the escarpment viewpoint allows you to soak in the vastness of the valley—its sheer cliffs, sparkling lakes, and sprawling plains. This is the moment you realize that you are entering a land shaped by ancient forces and timeless beauty.

Along the way, you pass through small towns and villages, catching glimpses of everyday Kenyan life. Farmers tend to their crops, herders move cattle across the plains, and colorful roadside markets bustle with fresh produce and crafts. These sights add layers of cultural richness to the journey, reminding you that a Kenya safari is not just about wildlife but also about the people who call this land home.

By midday, you arrive at the gates of the Masai Mara, often described as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife crown. After checking in at your lodge, enjoy a hearty lunch before setting off for your first afternoon game drive. The excitement builds as you drive into the reserve and see your first wildlife up close—perhaps a herd of elephants grazing under an acacia tree, a group of giraffes striding gracefully across the savannah, or zebras mingling with wildebeest.

As the sun begins to set, the golden light of the Mara creates one of the most iconic safari backdrops. Predators such as lions often become more active in the evening, preparing for their nightly hunts. With some luck, you may witness a pride of lions stalking the plains or spot a cheetah perched on a termite mound, scanning the horizon for prey.

The day ends with a return to your lodge, where you are welcomed with a warm dinner and the sounds of the African night—crickets chirping, distant lion roars, and the rustle of the wind across the plains. The Masai Mara’s night sky is a spectacle in itself, filled with thousands of stars, offering a perfect end to your first day on safari.
Overnight at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

Wake up early to the chorus of birds and the distant sounds of wildebeest. After a quick cup of coffee or tea, set out for an early morning game drive, when the Mara is most alive. Morning hours are prime time for predators, and you stand a good chance of spotting lions, leopards, or cheetahs in action. The cool morning air and golden sunrise create magical photographic opportunities.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is world-famous for its extraordinary density of wildlife. On this day, you spend the entire time exploring its diverse ecosystems, from open plains to riverine forests. Depending on the season, you may witness the Great Wildebeest Migration—one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles. Between July and October, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles pour into the Mara from the Serengeti, crossing the treacherous Mara River in search of greener pastures. The drama of river crossings, with crocodiles lurking in the waters and predators waiting on the banks, is a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Even outside migration season, the Mara teems with wildlife year-round. Herds of elephants move gracefully across the grasslands, giraffes nibble on acacia leaves, and hippos wallow in pools along the Mara River. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting everything from the lilac-breasted roller, Kenya’s national bird, to large raptors soaring overhead.

Midday, you enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the reserve, surrounded by nature. There is something magical about dining under the shade of a tree while elephants graze nearby or zebras wander across the horizon.

In the afternoon, continue your game drives, venturing into different areas of the park. Your guide shares insights into animal behavior, ecology, and Maasai culture, enriching the safari experience. As the day winds down, enjoy another spectacular African sunset before returning to your lodge.

Dinner is served under the stars, and you can relax by the campfire, sharing stories with fellow travelers and listening to the sounds of the wild. This full day in the Masai Mara is often the highlight of the safari, leaving guests with memories that last a lifetime.
Overnight at Jambo Mara Safari Lodge

Today marks the beginning of the cross-border safari adventure as you journey from Kenya’s Masai Mara into Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. After breakfast, you depart your lodge with a game drive en route to the Isebania border. This route allows for last glimpses of the Mara’s rolling savannahs and its abundant wildlife before bidding farewell to Kenya.

The border crossing at Isebania is a fascinating experience as you transition from one country to another, each with its unique cultural and natural offerings. Your Tanzanian guide will meet you on the other side, and after brief formalities, you continue into the Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

The Serengeti immediately feels different from the Mara. The park’s name, derived from the Maasai word “Siringet,” means “endless plains,” and it lives up to that name. As you drive deeper into the park, the horizon seems infinite, stretching across vast golden grasslands dotted with kopjes—rocky outcrops that often serve as lookout points for lions.

Your afternoon is spent on a game drive en route to your tented camp. The Serengeti is renowned for its big cat populations, and you may encounter prides of lions lounging under trees, cheetahs scanning the savannah for prey, or leopards draped lazily across branches. The Serengeti is also home to immense herds of wildebeest and zebras, along with elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and countless bird species.

Arrive at Osero Tented Camp in the evening, where the authentic safari atmosphere awaits. Here, you stay close to nature without sacrificing comfort. The campfire is lit, and the sounds of the wild surround you as you enjoy a freshly prepared dinner. The Serengeti night sky is a spectacle, with countless stars glittering in the vast African heavens. As you drift to sleep in your tent, you may hear the distant call of a hyena or the roar of a lion—reminders that you are truly in the heart of the wilderness.
Overnight at Osero Tented Camp

The Serengeti is not just a national park—it is the heart of the African safari dream. Waking up in the Serengeti is unlike anything else. As dawn breaks, the first rays of sunlight spread across the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. From your tent, you may already hear the distant sounds of wildebeest calling, the deep grumble of lions, or the morning chorus of birds.

After an early breakfast, you set out for a full-day game drive. The Serengeti’s vast size allows you to explore different regions, each with its own character and wildlife highlights. The central Serengeti, often referred to as the “Seronera,” is famous for its abundance of predators. Lions are often seen lounging on kopjes—ancient granite outcrops that provide shade and lookout points. Cheetahs, with their slender frames and unmatched speed, can often be spotted in the open plains where they hunt gazelles. If you’re lucky, you may even witness the elusive leopard, perfectly camouflaged in the branches of an acacia tree.

Depending on the season, you may also encounter the Great Migration. Millions of wildebeest and zebras flow through the Serengeti in search of grazing pastures, followed closely by predators. This movement is one of nature’s greatest spectacles, and to witness it firsthand is to step into a scene straight out of a wildlife documentary.

Midway through the day, you enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by endless views of savannah. While you eat, giraffes may gracefully wander nearby, and herds of buffalo graze in the distance. After lunch, the game drive continues, allowing you to explore river valleys and hidden corners of the park where hippos wallow in muddy pools and crocodiles bask along riverbanks.

The Serengeti is also a paradise for bird lovers, with more than 500 recorded species. From vultures circling overhead to colorful lilac-breasted rollers and majestic eagles, the skies are alive with movement.

As evening approaches, the golden light of the setting sun transforms the Serengeti into a magical landscape. Predators become active once again, and you may witness a pride of lions preparing for the night’s hunt. The day concludes as you return to your camp, where dinner is served under the starlit sky. Sitting around the campfire, you reflect on the day’s sightings, knowing that few experiences in the world rival a full day in the Serengeti.
Overnight at Osero Tented Camp

The day begins with another early morning drive through the Serengeti. This is the perfect time to capture the park’s most iconic moments: lions basking in the morning sun, elephants marching across the plains, and perhaps even a cheetah finishing its dawn hunt. After this final game drive in the Serengeti, you bid farewell to its endless plains and set your course toward the Ngorongoro Highlands.

The drive itself is breathtaking, passing through Maasai villages and scenic landscapes where cattle graze alongside zebras and wildebeest. The Maasai people, with their striking red shukas (cloaks), are custodians of this land, and their presence adds a cultural depth to the journey.

By afternoon, you reach the Ngorongoro Highlands, a lush green region that feels worlds apart from the savannah. Rolling hills, coffee plantations, and forests dominate the scenery, and the cool highland air provides a refreshing change from the Serengeti’s heat. Your lodge here offers warm hospitality, hearty meals, and the chance to rest before the next day’s crater adventure.

The evening is spent relaxing, enjoying dinner, and preparing for one of the most unforgettable days of the safari—descending into the Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight at Eileen’s Tree Inn

After breakfast, you descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most remarkable natural wonders of the world. The crater was formed over two million years ago after a massive volcanic eruption, and today it harbors an ecosystem so unique that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Driving 600 meters down into the crater floor, you are met with breathtaking views of grasslands, soda lakes, and forests teeming with life. The crater is home to nearly 30,000 animals, making it one of the most wildlife-dense areas on Earth. This is one of the few places where you might spot all members of the Big Five in a single day. Lions roam in large prides, elephants graze along the crater floor, buffaloes dot the plains, and rhinos—though rare elsewhere—can often be found here.

The soda lake at the center of the crater attracts thousands of flamingos, painting the waters pink. Hippos wallow in pools, while jackals, hyenas, and cheetahs patrol the open spaces. Bird lovers will delight in the sheer variety, from ostriches striding across the grasslands to crowned cranes dancing in pairs.

After a half-day game drive, you exit the crater and begin your journey back into Kenya via the Namanga border. Once the formalities are completed, you continue to Amboseli National Park, arriving in the evening. Amboseli is one of Kenya’s most famous parks, celebrated for its massive elephant herds and stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Dinner awaits at your lodge, followed by a relaxing evening as you prepare for your final safari day.
Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge

Your last day on safari begins with a morning game drive in Amboseli, one of the best places in the world to observe elephants up close. The park is often described as the “Land of Giants,” with elephants strolling across the plains in family groups, their ivory tusks glinting in the morning sun.

But Amboseli is not just about elephants. Lions patrol the grasslands, cheetahs hunt in the open savannah, and giraffes stretch high to feed on acacia leaves. Birdlife is also abundant, with over 400 recorded species including pelicans, herons, and secretary birds.

The true highlight of Amboseli, however, is its scenery. Few sights in Africa rival that of wildlife moving across the plains with the majestic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. On a clear day, the mountain’s snow-capped peak appears to float above the clouds, creating a surreal and unforgettable scene.

After this final game drive and a hearty breakfast, you begin your journey back to Nairobi. Depending on your schedule, you may arrive in time for a farewell lunch in the city before being dropped off at your hotel or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.

As you leave, you carry with you not only photographs but also the deep memories of Africa’s wilderness—the drama of the Serengeti, the beauty of Ngorongoro, the majesty of Kilimanjaro, and the timeless charm of the Masai Mara. This 7-day Kenya & Tanzania safari is more than just a holiday; it is a journey into the soul of Africa.