The Best of Kenya & Tanzania—on the Migration Route
East Africa is the perfect place to go big, and this comprehensive trip has it all: Serengeti, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli, and Masai Mara. In glorious settings—vast expanses of plains, baobab-studded grasslands, and lush green crater walls—watch thousands of zebra and wildebeest, along with elephant herds, lions and leopards, buffalo, rhinos, and amazing birdlife. Upscale lodges top off each day on this king of safaris. Bring the kids!
Activities
Game viewing by 4-wheel-drive vehicle, optional bush walks
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- The classic safari! See all the major game parks of East Africa’s Tanzania and Kenya on one great adventure!
- Visit Tanzania’s “must-see” spots—Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Oldupai Gorge
- Explore Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, noted for its elephant herds and dramatic views of Kilimanjaro, and the Masai Mara, where game viewing par excellence is the order of the day!
- Stay in Serena Lodges—5 star accommodations throughout
- Cultural visits with the Maasai
2010 Prices
$5,995 (11-14 members)
$6,395 (9-10 members)
$6,695 (4-8 members)
$1,200 internal airfare
$1,500 single supplement
$950 park fee
2011 Prices
$6,495 (11-14 members)
$500 (7-10 members)
$700 (4-6 members)
$1,200 internal airfare
$950 park fee
$1,500/$750 – requested/forced single supplement
Duration: 14 days Start Location: Arusha, Tanzania End Location: Nairobi, Kenya Best time to go: January - March, June - December
Itinerary
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Day 1 : Arrive in Tanzania
Meet in Arusha, Tanzania, and transfer to a nearby lodge for dinner and overnight.
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Day 2 : To the Serengeti
Fly to the Serengeti and transfer to our lodge for the next three nights, watching for wildlife along the way.
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Days 3 - 4 : In the Serengeti
Game viewing in the Serengeti. The sheer volume of wildlife is staggering: buffalo, giraffe, dik-dik, reedbuck, impala, waterbuck, baboons, and vervet monkeys are all common resident species, as are lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. The bird life is also extremely varied and prolific!
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Days 5 - 6 : Oldupai Gorge – Ngorongoro Crater / Ngorongoro Crater
Game drive en route to Oldupai Gorge, where you'll visit the famed Leakey museum. Explore the environs of Ngorongoro Crater, a tranquil misty world that invites comparison with the Garden of Eden and Noah's Ark. You'll also learn about the unique and magnificent culture of the Maasai warriors on a visit to a Maasai boma (homestead).
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Days 7 - 8 : Tarangire National Park / Tarangire National Park
Drive to Tarangire National Park along the path of the Tarangire River. You’ll see family groups of elephants (often in concentrations of hundreds), huge herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra, as well as predators like lion and leopard.
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Days 9 - 10 : Arusha – Amboseli National Park / Amboseli National Park
Return to Arusha and transfer to the Kenya border. Continue to Amboseli National Park for a day of wildlife viewing. Amboseli is famous for its abundant wildlife and classic views of glacier-capped Kilimanjaro.
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Days 11 - 13 : Masai Mara National Reserve
Fly to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s extension to the Serengeti ecosystem and home to an incredible diversity and density of wildlife species (and legendary for leopard and cheetah sightings!).
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Day 14 : Departure
Fly to Nairobi and depart, or join one of our extensions in East Africa.
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Mountain Village Lodge
Arusha, TanzaniaSet in the midst of a coffee plantation on the shores of Lake Duluti and at the foot Mount Meru, this unique hotel boasts stunning vistas of nearby Mount Kilimanjaro. Thatched rondavels, flowered gardens and groves of coffee bushes make this lodge an idyllic haven.
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Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Serengeti National Park, TanzaniaInspired by the circular rondavel dwellings and winding paths of a traditional Maasai village, the lodge features thatched, stone-built rooms set among groves of trees cooled by a sparkling stream and papyrus-fringed pond.
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Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater, TanzaniaWorld-class luxury, ethnic style, and a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion, the lodge hugs the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater affording endless vistas of the crater below.
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Tarangire Safari Lodge
Tarangire National Park, TanzaniaBuilt high on a bluff overlooking the game-rich Tarangire River, the lodge offers you an uninterrupted view of the landscape and wildlife below. Luxury tents combine modern comforts with the authentic safari atmosphere.
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Amboseli Serena Lodge
Amboseli National Park, KenyaThis lodge stands against the magnificent backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in the heart of Amboseli National Park. Each suite is decorated in a Maasai manyatta theme, with hand-painted wall frescos, and offers spectacular views of the park.
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Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Masai Mara National Reserve, KenyaLocated at the very center of the Mara Triangle, the Mara Serena offers an incredible view of the annual wildebeest migration, the 'greatest wildlife show on earth'. Each luxurious room has a private balcony with uninterrupted views, and the dining terrace overlooks a watering hole where big game comes to feed.
Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
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James Kivuyo James Adiel Kivuyo was born in Arusha, Tanzania. He is interested in the conservation of biodiversity in African wildlife, and has had previous experience as an interpreter. James speaks a number of languages from English and Masaai to the local dialect of Chagga and Kiswahili—the national language of Tanzania. He enjoys using his knowledge of other languages to communicate with people from a broad cultural spectrum, and loves sharing his experience with travelers from around the globe. He has also been helping travelers climb Kilimanjaro for more than a decade, with qualification to respond to emergencies on the mountain.
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Onesmo Gabriel Mollel Onesmo was born into the rich Maasai culture, and lived in Maasai land until the age of 13. Because of his natural love of nature, the courses Onesmo chose in his education dealt largely with environment. He has a keen interest in conservation issues and feels that seeing Africa on foot is unparalleled in understanding the African ecosystem. Onesmo is a graduate of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and has completed courses in Wilderness First Responder and adventure guiding. He has worked with American students as a project manger in Maasai lands as well as a camp counselor in Vermont.
photo credits: ©Blaine Harrington / MTS
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