9 Days Legendary Big Five & Rare Special Five Safari

Highlights

This Africa Safari Tour combines the best of Kenya and Tanzania, offering you the chance to spot Africa’s Big Five—lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, and rhino—alongside the rare Samburu Special Five: Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Journey through Samburu’s semi-arid wilderness, the endless Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire’s baobab-filled landscapes. Along the way, enjoy cultural encounters, stunning scenery, and authentic safari lodges, ensuring a truly legendary adventure across East Africa.

Details Itinerary

Your Africa Safari Tour begins with a warm welcome at Nairobi’s airport before setting out on a scenic drive to Samburu. The road passes through fertile farmlands, traditional villages, and lush tea and coffee plantations, with Mount Kenya often visible in the distance.

Arrive at Samburu Simba Lodge for lunch before heading out on your first game drive. Samburu is famed for its rugged landscapes and the Samburu Special Five. Spot Grevy’s zebras, Somali ostriches, and gerenuks grazing in the acacia woodlands. Elephants, lions, and leopards are also regular sightings. Dinner and overnight at your lodge complete an exciting start.

Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge

Start the day with breakfast before a morning game drive through Samburu’s semi-arid plains. This part of your Africa Safari Tour focuses on tracking the Samburu Special Five while also spotting elephants along the Ewaso Nyiro River. Return for lunch at the lodge and rest before another thrilling afternoon game drive.

As the sun sets, enjoy a magical sundowner experience at one of the park’s viewpoints, where golden light spills across the savannah. Return to Samburu Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge

On your third day, rise early for a sunrise game drive to catch predators such as lions and leopards before they retreat. Continue to track Samburu’s rare wildlife before returning for breakfast. Later in the morning, enjoy an optional visit to a local Samburu village to immerse yourself in their culture, traditional dances, and way of life.

In the afternoon, another game drive takes you along the Ewaso Nyiro River, where hippos, buffalo, and giraffes gather. This combination of wildlife and culture makes Samburu a unique highlight of your Africa Safari Tour. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Samburu Simba Lodge

After three rewarding days in Samburu, transfer to the local airstrip for a short flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, check into Ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands. Depending on your schedule, take an optional Nairobi city tour—visiting the Giraffe Centre, David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, or Nairobi National Museum.

This mix of city culture and wildlife marks a smooth transition in your Africa Safari Tour before crossing into Tanzania the following day.

Accommodation: Ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands

After breakfast, drive south across the Namanga border into Tanzania. The scenic journey takes about 4–6 hours, offering views of rolling hills, Maasai homesteads, and open plains. Arrive in Arusha and check into Summit Safari Lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Later, enjoy a short Arusha city tour, exploring vibrant markets, the Cultural Heritage Centre, or the Clock Tower landmark. This cultural stop enriches your Africa Safari Tour before the Tanzanian safari leg begins.

Accommodation: Summit Safari Lodge

After breakfast, head to Tarangire National Park, famous for its baobab trees and large elephant herds. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and lions, while the Tarangire River attracts animals year-round. Picnic lunch in the park adds to the adventure.

In the evening, drive to Karatu for dinner and overnight at Karatu Safari Camp. Tarangire’s dramatic landscapes and rich wildlife make it a vital stop on your Africa Safari Tour.

Accommodation: Karatu Safari Camp

After breakfast, travel through the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands en route to Serengeti National Park. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the vast plains. Visit the Hippo Pool and Moru Kopjes, iconic rock outcrops where predators often rest.

End your day with a breathtaking Serengeti sunset before checking into Kilima Valley Tented Camp for dinner and overnight. Serengeti’s vast wilderness is a cornerstone of any Africa Safari Tour.

Accommodation: Kilima Valley Tented Camp

Spend the entire day exploring Serengeti. Begin with a dawn game drive to witness predators on the hunt, then visit the Seronera River for prime wildlife viewing. Afternoon drives offer the chance to witness the Great Migration (seasonal) or lions lounging on kopjes.

Return to Kilima Valley Tented Camp for dinner and overnight, reflecting on the grandeur of Africa’s most famous park—an unmissable highlight of this Africa Safari Tour.

Accommodation: Kilima Valley Tented Camp

Depart Serengeti and drive to Ngorongoro Crater, descending into the world’s largest unbroken caldera. The crater’s unique ecosystem harbors dense populations of wildlife, including the Big Five. Game drives here are especially rewarding, with rhinos and lions commonly sighted.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at Ngoitoktok Springs before continuing your crater tour. End the day with an optional Maasai village visit for a cultural experience before returning to Arusha or extending your Africa Safari Tour to Zanzibar for beach relaxation.

Inclusions :

  • Park entry fees (Kenya & Tanzania)
  • All accommodation as per itinerary
  • Professional driver/guide
  • Game drives in a 4×4 safari jeep
  • Meals as specified (FB)

Exclusions:

  • International flights
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional activities (hot air balloon, village visits)
  • Extra accommodation pre/post safari

Prices

Dates1 Guest2–3 Guests4–5 Guests6 Guests7 Guests8 Guests
2025-05-28 to 2026-05-31$6,400$3,400$3,380$3,340$3,320$3,300

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