6-Day Kenya and Tanzania Safari Experience

Your adventure begins with an early pick-up from your hotel in Nairobi. As your guide drives you out of the bustling capital, the landscape begins to transform into rolling plains and open skies. Soon, the silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa’s highest peak—rises ahead, and you know you are heading to one of Kenya’s most extraordinary safari destinations.

Amboseli National Park is famous for its postcard-perfect scenery: vast herds of elephants moving gracefully across open grasslands with the snow-draped peak of Kilimanjaro towering in the background. The wetlands of Amboseli support an astonishing variety of wildlife. You’ll spot hippos wallowing in swampy pools, buffalo grazing near marshes, and giraffes wandering elegantly across the plains. Zebras and wildebeest share the savannah with antelopes, while predators like lions, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas patrol in search of prey.

Your first game drive in Amboseli introduces you to this richness, giving you time to absorb the rhythm of the wilderness. As the sun sets, the sky often glows with hues of pink and orange, and the mountain reveals its snow-capped summit in the clear evening light. This moment alone is worth the journey. Dinner and overnight at Sentrim Amboseli Lodge.

Your second day begins with the magic of Amboseli at dawn. The golden light spills across the open plains, and if the skies are clear, Mount Kilimanjaro’s snowcapped summit glows in the background—a sight that makes Amboseli one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Africa. Before breakfast, you’ll head out on an early morning game drive, the time when Amboseli is most alive. Lions and hyenas are often still active after their night hunts, prowling the grasslands or lounging near fresh kills. The elephants of Amboseli, famous across the world for their sheer numbers and size, march in family groups toward the swamps to feed. Zebras, wildebeests, and giraffes move gracefully across the savannah, while bird species like crowned cranes and fish eagles soar overhead.

After this thrilling start, you’ll return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast before checking out and preparing for the overland journey into Tanzania. The drive takes you south toward the Namanga Border, a lively crossing point between Kenya and Tanzania. Here, you’ll complete immigration formalities and then continue your journey toward Arusha. The road passes through bustling towns, local markets, and villages framed by banana plantations and coffee farms, giving you glimpses into daily life in East Africa.

By early afternoon, you’ll arrive in Arusha, often called the “safari capital of Tanzania.” Nestled at the base of Mount Meru and acting as the gateway to Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro, this vibrant city is the perfect staging ground for the Tanzanian leg of your safari adventure. You’ll check in at the luxurious Gran Melia Arusha, where the combination of modern comfort and breathtaking views of Mount Meru provides the perfect setting to rest.

The afternoon is yours to relax by the pool or explore Arusha at leisure. If you have the energy, you can choose an optional town tour. Visit local Maasai markets buzzing with color, explore the Cultural Heritage Centre showcasing African art and jewelry, or tour a nearby coffee plantation to learn how Tanzania’s world-famous beans are grown and roasted. This pause between safari destinations gives you a chance to reset, refresh, and prepare for the action-packed days ahead. As evening falls, enjoy a fine dinner at Gran Melia Arusha while reflecting on the transition from Kenya’s Amboseli to Tanzania’s safari heartland. The anticipation of Tarangire’s elephants, Serengeti’s endless plains, and Ngorongoro’s crater floor fills the air, marking this day as the perfect bridge between two of Africa’s greatest

Your third day of this Africa safari tour begins with breakfast at your hotel before heading out to Tarangire National Park, just a couple of hours’ drive from Arusha. As you leave the city behind, the landscape begins to change—rolling hills give way to vast plains dotted with acacia trees, small Maasai villages, and red-earth roads. By mid-morning, you’ll arrive at the entrance to Tarangire, a hidden gem in Tanzania’s northern safari circuit that often surprises visitors with its rich wildlife and unique scenery.

Tarangire National Park is famous for two things: its colossal elephant herds and its iconic baobab trees. The elephants here are legendary, sometimes gathering in herds of hundreds around the Tarangire River, their sheer size and numbers creating one of the most unforgettable spectacles in East Africa. Watching these gentle giants drink, bathe, and interact with one another is a highlight of any Kenya and Tanzania safari trip. The baobabs, ancient and towering, provide a dramatic backdrop for photographs, their twisted trunks silhouetted against the endless skies.

As you venture deeper into the park on your morning game drive, the diversity of wildlife unfolds before you. Lions laze in the tall grass, cheetahs scan the horizon for unsuspecting gazelles, and leopards—ever elusive—sometimes reveal themselves draped over tree branches. The open plains are alive with zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, impalas, and elands, while the swamps and riverbanks draw buffalo, hippos, and waterbucks. For bird enthusiasts, Tarangire is a paradise, with over 500 species recorded here. From the kori bustard—the heaviest flying bird—to bright lilac-breasted rollers and raptors circling overhead, every moment brings new avian wonders.

Around midday, you’ll pause for a picnic lunch at one of the park’s scenic viewpoints. Sitting in the shade, overlooking herds grazing below, you’ll truly feel immersed in the wild heart of Tanzania. After lunch, your afternoon game drive will take you further into the park, perhaps to follow herds migrating toward the river or to catch sight of predators taking advantage of the late-day activity. As the golden afternoon light washes over the savannah, Tarangire reveals its tranquil yet dramatic beauty, offering photographers perfect moments at every turn.

For those seeking even more adventure, an optional night game drive can be arranged, offering a rare chance to spot nocturnal creatures. Bushbabies leap from tree to tree, genets slink in the shadows, and the eyes of predators sometimes flash in the dark under the spotlight of your guide. This thrilling experience shows a different side of Tarangire that few travelers get to witness.

By evening, you’ll leave the park and head to Maramboi Tented Camp, a beautiful lodge set between Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Here, you’ll enjoy dinner under a canopy of stars, with the distant sounds of the bush as your soundtrack. The camp’s rustic charm and warm hospitality provide the perfect retreat after a day filled with adventure, preparing you for the Serengeti and Ngorongoro experiences that lie ahead in your Africa safari tours journey.

Accommodation: Maramboi Tented Camp

This morning begins with a hearty breakfast at Maramboi Tented Camp, where you’ll enjoy the crisp air of the Rift Valley before setting off toward the Serengeti, Tanzania’s crown jewel and one of the most iconic safari destinations in the world. The drive itself is part of the adventure, taking you through the lush highlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, your guide will stop at scenic viewpoints where the land seems to stretch forever—rolling green hills, volcanic craters, and sweeping vistas that form part of the Great Rift Valley. It’s a photographer’s dream and the perfect introduction to the Serengeti ecosystem.

By early afternoon, you’ll pass through Naabi Hill Gate, the entrance to Serengeti National Park. Almost immediately, the landscapes open into vast golden savannahs dotted with flat-topped acacia trees. It is here, in this seemingly endless plain, that the Serengeti reveals its magic. The name itself comes from the Maasai word Siringet, meaning “the place where the land runs on forever,” and as you gaze across the horizon, you’ll understand why.

On your first Serengeti game drive, the abundance of wildlife will astonish you. Lions bask lazily in the grass, while cheetahs perch on termite mounds, scanning for prey. Elephants amble slowly across dry riverbeds, and giraffes nibble gracefully at acacia leaves. If you are lucky, you may spot a leopard stretched out on a tree branch or hyenas patrolling in packs. This is a core highlight of every Africa safari tour—wildlife in its purest, most natural form.

As the afternoon continues, you’ll find yourself immersed in a living, breathing ecosystem where every moment feels like a scene from a wildlife documentary. Wildebeests and zebras often form massive herds that graze as far as the eye can see. The Serengeti is also home to a dazzling array of birdlife, from lilac-breasted rollers flashing brilliant colors to eagles soaring above the plains.

As the sun sets, the landscape transforms into a painter’s palette of fiery oranges and deep purples. You’ll return to Kubukubu Luxury Tented Lodge, a perfect blend of wilderness immersion and refined comfort. Here, you’ll enjoy dinner while listening to the sounds of the Serengeti night—lions roaring in the distance, hyenas calling, and the soft chirping of crickets. This is the Serengeti at its most enchanting, and it’s only the beginning of your journey in this legendary park.

Accommodation: Kubukubu Luxury Tented Lodge

Day five of your Kenya and Tanzania safari trip is dedicated to a full day exploring the Serengeti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the stage for one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. After an early breakfast, you may choose to begin your day with an optional hot air balloon safari (USD $450 per person). Floating silently above the plains at sunrise, you’ll witness the Serengeti awakening beneath you—elephants marching in single file, herds of wildebeest grazing, and predators prowling below. The experience ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush, setting the tone for an unforgettable day.

For those remaining in the vehicle, the early morning game drive offers equally thrilling encounters. Predators are most active at dawn—lions may still be feasting from a night hunt, cheetahs scan the grasslands for gazelles, and leopards slink back to their shady retreats. The crisp morning light paints the plains in golden hues, making it a photographer’s paradise.

As the day warms, you’ll venture deeper into the Serengeti, exploring different regions depending on the season. Between December and March, the southern plains near Ndutu are filled with wildebeest calving, when tens of thousands of newborns appear in just a few weeks, attracting predators in dramatic hunting scenes. From June to October, the central and northern Serengeti become the stage for the Great Migration, where over a million wildebeest and zebras thunder across the plains, chased by predators and risking everything to cross crocodile-filled rivers.

A picnic lunch is served at a scenic spot, allowing you to dine in the wild while herds graze nearby. The adventure continues in the afternoon with more game drives—perhaps encountering elephants cooling themselves in a swamp, giraffes walking gracefully across the horizon, or a coalition of cheetahs scanning for prey. Birdwatchers will find endless delights, from kori bustards to colorful bee-eaters.

As the day comes to an end, the Serengeti delivers its grand finale: a sunset game drive where the silhouettes of giraffes, elephants, and acacia trees stand against the flaming African sky. Returning to Kubukubu Luxury Tented Lodge, you’ll savor dinner and share stories of the day’s encounters under a canopy of stars. Few places in the world offer such raw, breathtaking drama as the Serengeti, making this day the heart of your Africa safari tours experience.

Accommodation: Kubukubu Luxury Tented Lodge

After breakfast, you’ll check out with a packed picnic lunch and begin your journey toward Ngorongoro, often described as Africa’s Eden. The drive takes you back through the Serengeti’s rolling plains, offering more opportunities for wildlife sightings en route. Along the way, you’ll stop at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater for your first glimpse of this breathtaking natural wonder.

Descending 600 meters (2,000 feet) into the crater is an experience unlike any other on your Kenya and Tanzania safari trip. The sheer walls of the caldera surround you, creating a self-contained ecosystem brimming with life. Inside the crater, habitats vary from grassy plains and swamps to acacia forests and soda lakes, supporting one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.

Game drives within Ngorongoro offer the chance to see the Big Five in a single day. Lions patrol the grasslands, elephants forage near the forests, and buffalo graze on the plains. The crater is also one of the last strongholds of the endangered black rhino, making it a prime spot for sightings. Hippos wallow in the lakes, flamingos gather in shimmering pink flocks, and hyenas move stealthily in search of opportunity.

Around midday, you’ll stop at a scenic picnic site, such as Ngoitoktok Springs, where you’ll enjoy lunch while hippos and waterbirds share the waters nearby. The sheer diversity of animals, combined with the spectacular setting, makes Ngorongoro one of the highlights of any Africa safari tour.

After a full afternoon of exploring this natural paradise, you’ll ascend the crater rim and drive back toward Arusha. Depending on your travel plans, you can continue directly to the airport for your evening flight or spend the night in Arusha. As your safari concludes, the memories of Amboseli’s elephants beneath Kilimanjaro, Serengeti’s endless plains, and Ngorongoro’s Eden-like crater will remain with you forever, defining the essence of a true Kenya and Tanzania safari trip.