KARIBU – Swahili for welcome! Upon completing immigration and customs at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), our team member will meet you at the designated gate, holding a personalized welcome sign. You will be transferred to Boma Hotel. Hotel checkin starts a 1400 hours giving us sufficient time to rest, relax and change before joining the other participants for dinner and a get to know.

Overnight: The Boma Nairobi Hotel, Nairobi (1 night) (D)

After breakfast, we visit Nairobi National Park Nairobi National Park which was established in 1946. It is fenced on three sides, whereas the open southern boundary allows migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent Kitengela plains. During the dry season this is a place where many of the Herbivores gather. Here we have our first 3 hours game safari followed by a visit to the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Afternoon, we set off for the world-famous Masai Mara.

Overnight: Fig Tree Camp, Masai Mara (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Spend the full day game viewing at Masai Mara National Reserve. an area of preserved savannah wilderness alongside the Kenya-Tanzanian border. It is home to lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. Wildebeest traverse its plains during their annual migration. The landscape has grassy plains and rolling hills, and is crossed by the Mara and Talek rivers. The area nearby is dotted with villages (enkangs) of the Masai people. We traverse from one area to another chasing wildlife and best viewing with many stops enroute. (B, L, D)

Embark on a southbound safari towards the enchanting Lake Victoria. With a surface area of approximately 59,947 km², Lake Victoria is the world’s 2nd largest lake. Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon, perhaps taking a bird walk along the lake shore or exploring nearby villages. Cross into Tanzania where our Tanzanian team will welcome us and we continue to Serenity on the Lake. Tanzania is best known for the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhino.

Overnight: Serenity on the Lake, Lake Victoria (1 night) (B, L, D)

Spend full day game driving around the Seronera area of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is divided into three main areas: Seronera which is characterised by open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing all year round. It is also particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats, the leopard. We see many different varieties of animals It is also the hub of the migration hence we spend 3 nights here.

Overnight: Kisura Serengeti Camp, Serengeti (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Today another exciting full day game scouting around the Seronera area of Serengeti. Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife: over 2 million ungulates, 4000 lions, 1000 leopard, 550 cheetahs and some 500bird species inhabit in an area close to 15,000 Sq. Kms. Between May & August, the migration slowly moves through the western corridor and into the Ikoma and Grumeti Wildlife Management Areas. (B, L, D)

We have our third day exploring the Serengeti National Park and each day is better than the previous one. With lunch boxes we concentrate in the Seronera region of Serengeti scanning the endless plains, spotting many more animals and truly realizing just why this national park is so remarkable. Biological researchers have found that Serengeti National Park still has the highest number of globally threatened animal species like Black Rhinos, Wild dogs, Cheetahs and Elephants. We hope to see some if not all of the species. Late afternoon we drive back to our lodge for overnight. (B, L, D)

This morning we have an early departure through the stunning Southern Plains of the Serengeti. Continuing our game drive and enter the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater. For many, this wildlife spectacle is the pinnacle of any safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater boasts all of the ‘Big 5’, including a small population of endangered black rhino. Ngorongoro is thought to have been formed about 2.5 million years ago from a large active volcano whose cone collapsed inward after a major eruption, leaving the present vast, unbroken caldera as its chief remnant. Late afternoon, we arrive in Karatu for our overnight. Karatu is a popular safari junction with easy access to Lake Manyara and the Tarangire National Parks.

Overnight: Karatu Simba Lodge, Karatu (2 nights) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we set out to experience the cultural diversity of Mto-wa-Mbu, starting at the market and visiting a Chagga tribal family producing banana beer. Pass by many different farms. Our well-versed guide will introduce us to the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area and explain the irrigation system that sustains local crops. After having a delicious, home-cooked meal at a local Mama’s home, we enjoy a visit to the Maasai Boma for the cultural encounter of a life time. The Maasai people are semi-nomadic herders, who choose to continue living a traditional lifestyle and are known for their distinctive traditional attire. We embark on a walking tour to Lake Papyrus and view this magnificent lake filled with an abundance of birdlife and do some light trekking up to the waterfalls from where we can get a majestic view of the Rift valley wall. Visiting a banana plantation and rice field, we end the day with a visit to a local village. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we set off towards Lake Manyara National Park. More of the African wildlife and culture still in the coming. The spectacular reserve is located at the north-western corner of Lake Manyara, a hallow soda lake, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. We enjoy a scenic drive in the park known not only for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions.

Overnight: Tarangire Simba Lodge, Tarangire (1 night) (B, L, D)

Morning a half day safari at the intriguing Tarangire National Park. The breath-taking views of the Masai Steppe and the mountains to the south add an additional uniqueness to Tarangire. The park is also known for its huge elephant herds and baobab trees and is a natural halting station during the annual migratory cycle. We then continue to Arusha – the gateway to the game parks of Northern Tanzania. Arusha is located at the exact centre between Cairo and Cape Town – African continents’ northern and southern tips.

Overnight: African Tulip, Arusha (1 night) (B, L, D)

After a leisurely breakfast, we journey towards Amboseli National Reserve via the Tanzania-Kenya border at Namanga. During the birder formalities enjoy seeing Africa markets at the border and chatting with the locals. Here we get a new team of Kenyan safari experts who take over our exploration of the land they know best. Afternoon, we arrive at the incredible Amboseli. Here we have the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s tallest mountain.

Overnight: Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Explore Amboseli a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a full day of game viewing. Amboseli is known for its huge elephant bulls with their magnificent tusks. Nothing like getting photos of a Masai next to an elephant with the back drop of the world’s highest free-standing Mount Kilimanjaro (height 5895m/19342 feet). Kilimanjaro is not part of any mountain range as it is a solitary peak. This will be your treat photograph of this incredible safari. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we drive westwards to Nairobi. Enjoy a picnic lunch before visiting the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum, known for its association with the author of "Out of Africa". Optional visit to Kazuri Beads Centre for shopping. We conclude our extraordinary safari with a farewell dinner at the renowned “Carnivore Restaurant” where we have a taste of the array of cuisine of delicious meat and vegetarian specialities.

Overnight: The Boma Nairobi Hotel, Nairobi (1 night) (B, L, D)

Our incredible Safari comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport for our outbound flight. (B)

Recommend adding to the above tour an extension to Zanzibar.