Day 1: Arrival in Arusha โ Gateway to East Africa
The Kenya Safari Package begins in Arusha, Tanzania, a vibrant town nestled at the foot of Mount Meru and serving as the gateway to Tanzaniaโs northern safari circuit. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by your professional safari representative. The air is fresh, carrying hints of coffee blossoms and the earthy scent of fertile soils, reminding you that this is a land blessed with both agriculture and wilderness.
You are transferred to Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge, a luxurious property set amidst one of Tanzaniaโs largest coffee plantations. Here, the atmosphere is both elegant and tranquil, offering the perfect environment to rest after a long international flight. The lodge is built around a historic plantation house, with rooms designed as plantation cottages featuring private verandas and fireplaces. The lush gardens, shaded by tall coffee trees, create an oasis of calm that eases you gently into the rhythm of Africa.
Unlike rushed itineraries, this Kenya Safari Package begins at a relaxed pace, ensuring guests acclimatize before the adventures ahead. The day is free at leisureโsome may choose to tour the coffee estate and learn about the bean-to-cup process, while others may simply relax at the lodgeโs pool or indulge in a spa treatment. Dinner is served at the lodgeโs gourmet restaurant, where locally grown produce is crafted into exquisite dishes. As the evening unfolds, the sounds of Arushaโs countrysideโchirping crickets and distant rustles in the treesโaccompany you into your first night in East Africa.
Day 2: Arusha to Tarangire National Park โ Land of Giants
After a hearty breakfast, your journey into the wild begins. Leaving Arusha, you embark on a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park, the first of many highlights in this Kenya Safari Package. The road winds past rural homesteads, small markets, and endless fields, offering glimpses into the everyday life of Tanzanians. As you approach the park, the landscape changes dramaticallyโgiant baobab trees rise against the sky, their massive trunks dwarfing everything around them.
Tarangire is often described as the land of giants, not only for its baobabs but also for its large elephant populations. Upon entering the park, you are greeted by herds of elephants moving gracefully across the savannah, dust rising as they march toward the Tarangire River. These giants are often seen in family groups, with calves shielded by protective mothers, and watching their social interactions is both moving and educational.
Your destination is Elewana Tarangire Treetops, a lodge unlike any other. Built into the baobab and marula trees, the lodgeโs elevated rooms offer sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes. The thrill of sleeping in a treetop suite is an adventure in itself, blending luxury with a childlike sense of wonder. After a warm welcome and a delicious lunch, you set out on your first official game drive.
The afternoon unveils Tarangireโs rich wildlifeโzebras grazing on the plains, giraffes reaching high for acacia leaves, and lions lounging in the shade. The park is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with over 500 species recorded. Your guide helps identify everything from colorful bee-eaters to majestic eagles soaring above. As the sun sets, the golden light washes over the baobabs, creating a scene so iconic that it feels like Africa distilled into a single image. Returning to Tarangire Treetops, dinner is served under the stars, and the night is spent in elevated luxury, lulled to sleep by the sounds of the African bush.
Day 3: Tarangire to Karatu via Lake Manyara National Park
The morning begins with the calls of birds and the soft light of dawn filtering through the treetops. After breakfast, you depart Tarangire and journey toward Lake Manyara National Park, another gem included in this Kenya Safari Package. While smaller in size compared to other parks, Manyara is renowned for its beauty and biodiversity. The drive itself is scenic, with rolling hills and villages dotting the route, offering yet another perspective on life in rural Tanzania.
Lake Manyaraโs claim to fame is its tree-climbing lions, an unusual behavior rarely seen elsewhere. During your game drive, you scan the branches of acacia trees, hoping to spot one of these big cats resting lazily above the ground. Even without the lions, Manyara is breathtaking. The alkaline lake shimmers in hues of blue and pink, with flocks of flamingos feeding along its shores. Hippos wallow in the water, while elephants and zebras graze in the surrounding woodlands. The diversity here is astonishingโlush groundwater forests, expansive floodplains, and steep escarpments of the Great Rift Valley create habitats for countless species.
After a rewarding morning, you continue to Karatu, a town perched on the escarpment near the Ngorongoro Highlands. Your accommodation for the night is Acacia Farm Lodge, an elegant property set on a working farm. The lodge offers spacious cottages with private verandas overlooking coffee fields and rolling hills. The sense of tranquility here is palpable, providing a restful stop before the dramatic landscapes that await tomorrow.
In the afternoon, you may choose to explore the farm on a guided walk, learning about local crops and meeting the farmers. Alternatively, you can simply relax by the pool or enjoy a massage at the spa. Dinner is served with fresh produce sourced directly from the farm, offering a true farm-to-table experience. This balance of adventure and relaxation is one of the hallmarks of this Kenya Safari Package, ensuring that every day offers variety and comfort.
Day 4: Karatu to Central Serengeti via Ngorongoro Crater โ The Eighth Wonder of the World
Day four begins early, as you prepare for one of the most extraordinary highlights of your Kenya Safari Packageโthe Ngorongoro Crater. After breakfast, you drive to the craterโs rim, where the view takes your breath away. Before you lies a vast caldera, stretching 19 kilometers in diameter and encircled by steep walls. The sight of this natural amphitheater, teeming with life, is often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Descending into the crater is like stepping into a living Eden. The floor of the crater contains a microcosm of African wildlife. As your vehicle moves across its grasslands, forests, and lakes, you encounter a staggering variety of animals. Herds of wildebeest and zebras graze peacefully, while rhinosโamong the most endangered species in East Africaโfind sanctuary here. Lions patrol their territories, hippos crowd in pools, and flamingos add splashes of pink to the craterโs lakes. The density of wildlife here is unparalleled, making Ngorongoro one of the best game-viewing destinations on earth.
A picnic lunch is served at a scenic spot within the crater, often near hippo pools where the soundtrack of snorting hippos adds humor to the meal. The experience of dining in such a unique setting encapsulates the magic of this Kenya Safari Packageโluxury and wilderness blended seamlessly.
After an exhilarating half-day in the crater, you ascend the rim and continue your journey toward the Serengeti. The drive itself is a safari, with wildlife visible along the way. By late afternoon, you arrive at Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp in the Central Serengeti. Nestled in a remote valley, this camp offers an authentic yet luxurious experience, with spacious tents featuring plush beds, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas overlooking the savannah.
As night falls, you gather around the campfire with fellow travelers, sharing stories under a canopy of stars. The Serengeti is alive with nocturnal soundsโhyenas calling, lions roaring, and the distant rustle of wildebeest. This is the Africa of dreams, and this Kenya Safari Package ensures you experience it in absolute comfort.
Day 5: Central Serengeti to Northern Serengeti โ Following the Migration
The fifth day of your Kenya Safari Package begins with the golden dawn light spreading across the Central Serengeti. After breakfast at Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp, you set off on a game drive that doubles as your journey toward the northern reaches of the park. This drive is an adventure in itself, as you traverse diverse ecosystemsโfrom grassy plains dotted with kopjes to river valleys alive with bird calls and herds of grazing animals.
The Central Serengeti is often described as the heart of the park, offering year-round game viewing. Lions are frequently seen here, sometimes sprawled on rocks surveying their territory. Cheetahs use the open plains as hunting grounds, while elephants march across the horizon in steady lines. As you head north, you may encounter herds of wildebeest and zebras, their movement a hint of the migration that dominates this region.
By afternoon, you arrive at Lemala Kuria Hills, a luxurious camp nestled in the Wogakuria Hills near the Mara River. The lodgeโs spacious glass-fronted suites blend modern elegance with natural beauty, offering sweeping views of the Serengeti. Infinity pools, gourmet dining, and private decks create a retreat that balances wilderness immersion with indulgence.
After settling in and enjoying lunch, you venture out for an afternoon game drive in the Northern Serengeti. This region is synonymous with the Great Migration, one of the most dramatic spectacles of nature. Depending on the season, you may witness massive herds gathering along the Mara River, their collective energy palpable as they prepare to cross. Crocodiles wait patiently in the waters, while predators like lions and hyenas follow the herds on land. Even outside the peak migration months, the Northern Serengeti teems with wildlife, making every game drive exciting.
As the day ends, you return to Lemala Kuria Hills. Dinner is served in the elegant dining area, often accompanied by fine wines and conversation around the fire. Surrounded by the Serengetiโs vastness, you realize that this Kenya Safari Package is not just about destinations but also about the stories each landscape tells.
Day 6: Northern Serengeti โ The Drama of the Mara River
Day six is dedicated entirely to exploring the Northern Serengeti. After an early breakfast, you set out on a full-day game drive, with packed picnic lunches to maximize your time in the field. The Mara River is the focal point of the day, as it is here that the Great Migration reveals its most dramatic scenes.
Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebras gather along the riverbanks, their nervous movements betraying the danger that lies ahead. At once, a brave animal leaps into the water, and soon the herd follows in a thundering wave. Crocodiles lunge from the depths, while strong currents sweep away the weak. The air fills with the sounds of hooves, splashes, and predator cries. Watching this river crossing is one of the most unforgettable experiences in all of Africa, and it is a highlight of this Kenya Safari Package.
Even if your safari takes place outside the migration season, the Northern Serengeti remains extraordinary. The river is home to hippos and crocodiles, while the surrounding plains host elephants, giraffes, antelope, and predators in abundance. Your guide expertly positions the vehicle to maximize sightings while respecting the rhythms of the wild. You may witness lions stalking zebra, cheetahs sprinting across the grasslands, or hyenas squabbling over a carcass.
Lunch is enjoyed in a scenic spot, perhaps overlooking the river or beneath the shade of a fig tree. The picnic experience connects you to the land in a way that no restaurant ever could. After lunch, the exploration continues, with the opportunity to track migration herds, observe birdlife, or simply marvel at the endless horizons.
Returning to Lemala Kuria Hills in the evening, you have time to relax in your suite, take a dip in the pool, or watch the sunset from your private deck. Dinner is another gourmet experience, blending local flavors with international culinary techniques. As you retire to your luxurious suite, the sounds of the Serengeti at night remind you that you are part of something ancient and untamed. This is the essence of a Kenya Safari Packageโluxury and wilderness intertwined.
Day 7: Northern Serengeti to Masai Mara โ Crossing Borders into Kenya
Day seven of your Kenya Safari Package begins with breakfast at Lemala Kuria Hills, followed by a transfer to the nearby airstrip for your flight to the Masai Mara in Kenya. The short flight itself is an experience, offering breathtaking aerial views of the Serengeti plains stretching endlessly into the horizon. As you approach the Kenyan side, the landscapes merge seamlessly, for the Serengeti and the Masai Mara are two halves of the same ecosystem.
Upon landing, you are met by your Kenyan driver-guide and immediately begin a game drive en route to your lodge. The Masai Mara is often described as Africaโs most iconic safari destination, and from the first moment, you understand why. The savannah stretches endlessly, dotted with acacia trees and alive with wildlife. Elephants graze in family groups, lions rest in the shade, and cheetahs scan the plains from elevated mounds.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is Elewana Sand River Camp, an elegant tented property located along the banks of the Sand River. The camp evokes the spirit of 1920s safaris, with canvas tents outfitted in vintage style yet equipped with modern luxury. Each suite overlooks the river, where animals often come to drink, providing constant wildlife viewing from the comfort of your veranda.
After a gourmet lunch at camp, you set out on an afternoon game drive. The Masai Maraโs density of wildlife ensures that every drive is rewarding. Lions are particularly abundant here, often seen in large prides. You may also encounter leopards hidden in riverine forests, buffalo grazing in herds, and countless antelope dotting the plains. The diversity is staggering, and your guide ensures that you have time to fully appreciate each sighting.
As the sun sets, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, you return to Sand River Camp. Dinner is served under the stars, accompanied by fine wines and the sounds of the wilderness. The day has been one of transitionโfrom Tanzania to Kenya, from the Serengeti to the Maraโand it embodies the cross-border richness that defines this Kenya Safari Package.
Day 8: Masai Mara National Reserve โ A Day in the Wild
The eighth day of your Kenya Safari Package is devoted to exploring the Masai Mara in depth. After an early breakfast, you embark on a full-day game drive, with picnic lunches allowing you to spend maximum time in the reserve. The Mara is renowned for its predator population, and sightings of lions, cheetahs, and leopards are frequent. Elephants roam gracefully, giraffes browse on acacias, and hippos crowd the rivers. The parkโs diversity is unparalleled, and it is easy to see why the Mara is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.
If you wish, this day can begin with an optional hot-air balloon safari. Rising silently above the savannah at dawn, you watch as the first rays of sunlight bathe the plains in golden light. Below, herds of wildebeest and zebra move like rivers of life, while predators prowl in the shadows. The balloon ride culminates with a champagne breakfast in the bushโan unforgettable addition to your Kenya Safari Package.
Throughout the day, you explore different regions of the reserve, from the open plains to the riverine forests. You may witness a cheetah sprinting after gazelle, or a lioness teaching her cubs to stalk prey. Birdlife is equally impressive, with crowned cranes, ostriches, and dozens of raptors soaring above. The Mara River is another highlight, where crocodiles bask in the sun and hippos grunt loudly from the water.
Picnic lunch is enjoyed under a lone acacia tree, with panoramic views of the landscape. The simple act of dining in the wild, surrounded by nature, underscores the freedom and beauty of the safari life. In the afternoon, you continue your exploration, guided by your expert driver who interprets animal behavior and helps you appreciate the delicate balance of life on the savannah.
Returning to Elewana Sand River Camp in the evening, you enjoy sundowners by the fire pit before dinner. The campโs atmosphere is one of refined elegance, yet the sounds of the wild outside remind you that you are still in the heart of Africa. As you fall asleep in your luxurious tent, the dayโs encounters replay in your mindโlion cubs tumbling in the grass, wildebeest herds marching in unison, and the vastness of the Mara stretching endlessly. Day eight is the culmination of the adventure, showcasing the very best of this Kenya Safari Package.
Day 9: Masai Mara to Nairobi โ A Farewell to the Wild
The final morning of your Kenya Safari Package begins with the soft glow of dawn over the Masai Mara. After breakfast at Elewana Sand River Camp, you embark on one last early game drive, savoring the magic of the savannah before saying goodbye. The Mara is always full of surprisesโperhaps you encounter a pride of lions finishing their night hunt, or elephants drinking peacefully at a waterhole. Every moment feels precious, for this is the final chapter of an unforgettable safari.
After the game drive, you return to camp to freshen up, check out, and begin the drive back toward Nairobi. The journey across the Rift Valley is filled with reflections of the days gone byโthe herds of elephants in Tarangire, the tree-climbing lions of Manyara, the majesty of the Ngorongoro Crater, the vast Serengeti plains, and the endless wonders of the Mara. Each destination has added a layer to the story, creating a rich tapestry of landscapes and experiences that define this Kenya Safari Package.
Upon arrival in Nairobi, you enjoy a farewell lunch at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant. Known for its variety of grilled meats, the Carnivore is more than a dining venueโit is an experience. Here, waiters circulate with skewers of beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and even exotic game meats, carving portions directly onto your plate. For many travelers, this is a celebratory way to conclude their journey, indulging in Kenyan flavors one last time.
Following lunch, there is time for some final sightseeing or souvenir shopping, depending on your flight schedule. Nairobi offers vibrant markets filled with beadwork, carvings, textiles, and coffeeโperfect mementos of your journey. Your driver-guide ensures that all logistics are smooth, escorting you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time for your departure flight.
As you bid farewell to East Africa, you carry more than just photographs. You take with you the spirit of the land: the roar of lions, the thunder of wildebeest, the grace of giraffes, and the warmth of African hospitality. This Kenya Safari Package has been carefully crafted to provide not only luxury and adventure but also a sense of connection to the wild. It is a journey that lingers long after it ends, calling you back to Africa again and again.