$9,062 to $9,152 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Giants & Baobabs
Arusha to Tarangire National Park – Giants & Baobabs
Morning: Depart Arusha after breakfast, driving southwest through Maasai farmland. Enter Tarangire National Park, where giant baobab trees dominate the landscape—their massive trunks silhouetted against the sky.
Afternoon: Drive along the Tarangire River, the park's lifeline. Enormous elephant herds gather here—some over 300 strong—pulling down branches and spraying dust. Watch for lions lazing in sausage trees, herds of zebra and wildebeest, and fringe-eared oryx. Giraffes, waterbucks, and impalas cluster near the water while baobabs host dwarf mongooses and hornbills.
Evening: Exit the park as sunset ignites the baobabs in copper and gold. Drive to your lodge just outside the boundary. Unwind with a sundowner overlooking the valley, then gather for dinner as nocturnal sounds—hippo grunts and leopard coughs—drift from the bush.
- Main Destination:
- Tarangire National Park (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Kirurumu Tarangire Lodge
Wildlife in Tarangire NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Tarangire to Lake Manyara – Tree-Climbing Lions & Flamingos
Tarangire to Lake Manyara – Tree-Climbing Lions & Flamingos
Morning: Enjoy an early morning game drive in Tarangire, tracking predators returning from the night's hunt. Soft morning light illuminates the baobabs and waterholes. After breakfast, drive west toward the Great Rift Valley escarpment.
Afternoon: Arrive at Lake Manyara and check into your lodge perched on the escarpment. Descend into the park for an afternoon drive. The groundwater forest is lush—watch for famous tree-climbing lions draped over sausage-tree branches. Large baboon troops forage roadside, while the lake's shallows shimmer pink with thousands of flamingos. Spot hippos wallowing and buffalos emerging from the forest.
Evening: Climb back up as the sun sinks behind the Rift Valley wall. Return for a sundowner with panoramic views over the lake's mirror surface. Enjoy dinner with valley lights twinkling below.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
-
Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Lake Manyara to Serengeti – The Endless Plains
Lake Manyara to Serengeti – The Endless Plains
Morning: Depart early, driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road climbs through montane forest onto the crater rim—stop for your first glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater. Continue across highland plains, passing Maasai bomas and zebra herds, before descending into the Serengeti.
Afternoon: Arrive at Naabi Hill gate and enter the endless plains—a landscape so vast it overwhelms the senses. Enjoy your first Serengeti game drive: lions on rocky kopjes, elephants crossing golden grasslands, cheetahs on termite mounds. Herds of wildebeest and zebra stretch to the horizon. Wildlife density is immediate and breathtaking.
Evening: Drive to your camp in the central Serengeti (Seronera). Settle in and enjoy a sundowner as the sunset blazes across the plains. After dinner, listen to the night chorus—lions roaring, hyenas whooping, and nocturnal rustles.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Serengeti Safari (The Great Migration)
Serengeti Safari (The Great Migration)
Full Day: Rise before dawn for a full-day game drive with packed breakfast and lunch. Depending on the season (July–October), head to the Mara River for the Great Migration. Tens of thousands of wildebeest and zebras mass on the banks before plunging into crocodile-infested waters. The river churns with panic—some make it across, others are taken by crocodiles, and stragglers are picked off by waiting lions. Move along the river for different crossing points. Find shade for a picnic lunch, watching the drama through binoculars.
Evening: As the sun dips low, surviving herds cross and the riverbanks quieten. Drive back through golden savannah, recounting the day's raw encounters. Share stories over dinner as the Serengeti's nocturnal symphony begins anew.
- Main Destination:
- Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Morning: Enjoy a final morning game drive in the Serengeti—visit Simba Kopje where lions lounge, or track any animals you may have missed. After a leisurely breakfast, drive back through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Afternoon: Ascend to the crater rim and check into your lodge perched on the edge. The view is breathtaking—600 meters down into the crater floor, a natural amphitheater packed with wildlife. Spend the afternoon taking in the panorama, watching clouds drift through the caldera and spotting tiny specks that are elephants and rhinos below. Visit a nearby Maasai village if time permits.
Evening: As dusk falls, the crater floor disappears into shadows. Enjoy a sundowner overlooking this ancient caldera. The air is cool and crisp. Savor a warm dinner and rest early for tomorrow's descent.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Eileen's Trees Inn
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater – The Big Five
Ngorongoro Crater – The Big Five
Morning: Descend at dawn into the Ngorongoro Crater—600 meters down into one of Africa's most wildlife-dense locations. The crater floor is a self-contained world: grassy plains, acacia woodland, swamps, and a soda lake. This is your best chance to spot the elusive black rhino. Within hours, you'll likely complete the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Watch lions stalking by hippo pools, elephants browsing in the forest, and cheetahs sprinting across the plains. Stop for a picnic lunch beside Lake Magadi, surrounded by flamingos and grunting hippos.
Afternoon: Continue across the crater floor, exploring Lerai Forest for leopards and Gorigor Swamp for buffalo. The density ensures non-stop sightings. Ascend back to the rim in the late afternoon.
Evening: Return to your lodge for a final sundowner, the crater bathed in golden light. Share a farewell dinner, reflecting on the extraordinary wildlife of this ancient caldera.
- Main Destination:
- Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- Eileen's Trees Inn
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Ngorongoro to Arusha – Crossing into Kenya
Ngorongoro to Arusha – Crossing into Kenya
Morning: Wake to your final sunrise over the crater rim. After breakfast, drive back to Arusha through lush highlands, coffee plantations, and small towns, with views of Mount Meru. In Arusha, connect with your Kenya safari vehicle and guide.
Afternoon: Continue north across the border into Kenya at Namanga. The landscape opens into acacia-dotted plains—on a clear day, Mount Kilimanjaro appears on the horizon. Arrive at your unique accommodation: a Maasai homestead near Olgulului, on the edge of Amboseli, in time for a late lunch. Settle into traditional accommodation and immerse yourself in the culture.
Evening: As night falls, share stories with your Maasai hosts around a crackling fire. Enjoy a traditional dinner under a star-filled sky, with distant lions rumbling across the plains.
- Main Destination:
- Greater Amboseli Ecosystem (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Amboseli – Walking Safari with Maasai Elders & Morans
Amboseli – Walking Safari with Maasai Elders & Morans
Full Day: After breakfast, join a Maasai elder and young morans (warriors) from the Olgulului community for an immersive walking safari at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Follow ancient animal trails, learning to track big cats and elephants. Your guide points out medicinal plants, explains tree uses, and reads the landscape for wildlife signs. Hear stories of hunts and warrior rituals. Spot giraffes, zebras, and elephants from a ground-level perspective that no vehicle safari can offer—a profound connection to the land.
Evening: Return to the homestead as Kilimanjaro glows pink in the fading light. Share a final meal with your hosts, reflecting on the day's deep immersion in Maasai culture and the wild.
- Main Destination:
- Amboseli National Park (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Amboseli NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Amboseli to Chyulu Hills – Early Game Drive & Wilderness Camping
Amboseli to Chyulu Hills – Early Game Drive & Wilderness Camping
Morning: Rise before dawn for an early game drive in Amboseli. As first light breaks, watch the sunrise paint Mount Kilimanjaro in pink and gold—this is prime wildlife viewing time. Elephants emerge from swamps, lions return from hunts, and the park awakens. Return for a late breakfast.
Afternoon: Bid farewell to your hosts and drive to Chyulu Hills. Arrive at your designated camping spot mid-afternoon. Set up camp and explore the volcanic landscape—lava tubes, unique flora, and sweeping Kilimanjaro views. The Chyulu Hills offer tranquility and raw beauty.
Evening: Experience a night of true wilderness camping. As darkness falls, the sky becomes a brilliant canopy of stars. The quiet, punctuated by the sounds of the bush, makes for an unforgettable night under canvas.
- Main Destination:
- Chyulu Hills National Park (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Chyulu Hills to Nyambene Hills – Pre-Dawn Hike & Fly-Camping
Chyulu Hills to Nyambene Hills – Pre-Dawn Hike & Fly-Camping
Morning: Wake before dawn for an early hike in darkness. Your guide leads you up a scenic trail—headlamps illuminate the path. Reach the summit viewpoint as the sun breaks, watching in awe as golden light strikes Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak. Enjoy a hot drink at the summit. By 10:00 AM, descend for breakfast and pack up.
Afternoon: Drive northeast to the Nyambene Hills Forest. Arrive and set up your first fly-camp deep within the forest—a lightweight, mobile camp offering intimate connection with nature. Spend the afternoon on a guided forest walk: listen for bird calls, identify trees, and spot wildlife signs.
Evening: Experience fly-camping in this unique highland forest. Sleep under a simple canvas shelter or beneath the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the forest. A true wilderness immersion.
- Main Destination:
- Nyambene Hills Forest
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Nyambene Hills – Ancient Forest Exploration
Nyambene Hills – Ancient Forest Exploration
After breakfast, embark on a longer guided trek deeper into the ancient, untouched Nyambene Hills forest. Your guide shares knowledge about medicinal plants and local folklore tied to this sacred rain forest. Look for Colobus monkeys leaping through the canopy, listen for Hartlaub's turaco calls, and scan for other forest wildlife. The highlight is a visit to magnificent waterfalls, where mist cools your face, followed by a stop at the serene dam, reflecting the surrounding green hills. Learn how this forest sustains local communities and why it remains so fiercely protected.
Evening: Return to your fly-camp location in the late afternoon. Enjoy a final evening enveloped by forest sounds—the rustle of leaves, the calls of birds settling in. Share stories around a small campfire as darkness falls, then retire to your simple shelter. Through the canopy above, stars flicker, and the ancient silence of the hills wraps around you like a blessing.
- Main Destination:
- Nyambene Hills Forest
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Nyambene Hills to Shaba – Miraa Farm & Northern Arrival
Nyambene Hills to Shaba – Miraa Farm & Northern Arrival
Morning: After a final forest breakfast, break camp and descend from Nyambene Hills. Drive to Kangeta's outskirts to visit a Miraa (Khat) farm. Learn about cultivation, harvesting, and the social-economic importance of this cash crop. Taste a fresh leaf (a traditional experience) and witness sorting and packaging for markets across the region.
Afternoon: Continue north to Kenya's "Northern Frontier"—rugged landscapes of red earth and thorny scrub. Arrive at Lion's Cave Camp in Shaba National Reserve late afternoon. Settle in for three nights.
Evening: Head out for an introductory evening game drive in Shaba—volcanic terrain, palm-fringed oases, the Ewaso Nyiro River. Spot elephants, Grevy's zebras, and perhaps a leopard. Return to Lion's Cave Camp for sunset, dinner, and the sounds of the bush.
- Main Destination:
- Shaba National Reserve (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Lion's Cave Camp
Wildlife in Shaba NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Buffalo Springs & Samburu – Northern Special 5
Buffalo Springs & Samburu – Northern Special 5
Morning: Rise early for a game drive in Buffalo Springs National Reserve. The Ewaso Nyiro River attracts elephants bathing, hippos grunting, and crocodiles basking. Watch for the "Special Five": reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, Beisa oryx, and gerenuk. Lions and leopards patrol the riverine forest.
Afternoon: Cross into Samburu National Reserve. Explore open plains and acacia woodlands, tracking cheetahs and elephants. Stop for a picnic lunch in the bush, surrounded by savannah sounds. Continue game viewing through different sectors of Samburu, seeking predators and rare antelope.
Evening: Return to Lion's Cave Camp as the sun dips over the arid landscape. Share dinner and recount sightings of the rare northern species encountered during this unforgettable day.
- Main Destination:
- Buffalo Springs National Reserve (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Lion's Cave Camp
Wildlife in Buffalo Springs NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Samburu – Morning Game Drive, Rest & Prepare for Ololokwe
Samburu – Morning Game Drive, Rest & Prepare for Ololokwe
Morning: Enjoy a final early morning game drive in Samburu. This is your last chance to track the "Special Five" and witness predators in morning light. Watch sunrise over the Ewaso Nyiro River, illuminating red earth and golden grasslands. Return to camp for a late breakfast.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at leisure—relax by the pool, enjoy a siesta, or catch up on photography. Your guide briefs you on the next day's pre-dawn Mount Ololokwe hike. Prepare your daypack with essentials: water, snacks, warm layers, and a headlamp.
Evening: Enjoy an early dinner and retire early. Rest is essential before the pre-dawn departure for Mount Ololokwe—a sacred sandstone peak rising dramatically from the northern plains.
- Main Destination:
- Samburu National Reserve (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Lion's Cave Camp
Wildlife in Samburu NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 15
Mount Ololokwe Hike & Nairobi Farewell Dinner
Mount Ololokwe Hike & Nairobi Farewell Dinner
Morning: Wake in darkness before dawn. Drive to Mount Ololokwe's base with your guide. Begin your ascent by headlamp, following a winding trail that steepens as you climb. Reach the summit just as the sun breaks—watch in awe as golden light illuminates the vast northern frontier. The Ewaso Nyiro River snakes below; distant peaks of the Matthews Range appear. Enjoy a hot drink and snack at the summit, taking in the silence and majesty. After a full hour of sunrise enjoyment, descend and return to camp for breakfast and pack-up.
Afternoon: Drive south to Nairobi—a final glimpse of Kenya's diverse landscapes. Arrive in the late afternoon.
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at this iconic Nairobi hotel. Enjoy African dances as you reflect on the incredible 15-day journey—from Tanzania's craters to Kenya's northern frontier—and celebrate unforgettable experiences. After dinner, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for departure.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Ololokwe (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
