Welcome to Victoria Falls, where the powerful Zambezi River plunges into a dramatic gorge, sending clouds of mist high above the surrounding landscape. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel by shared shuttle. Travellers may arrive at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe or Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone, Zambia.

Overnight: Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls (3 nights)

After breakfast, our exploration starts with a walking tour to experience legendary Victoria Falls* at close range (shared with other travellers – private available at additional cost). The mist rising from the water and the sound as it crashes over a chasm 1,700 metres wide gave this destination its local name of Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders.” Our tour explores the Falls from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides, ensuring fantastic views from all angles as we are guided through the rainforest and natural parks on each bank of the mighty Zambezi. Throughout our tour, we learn the stories behind this mythical wonder of the natural world. Ponchos and waterproof coverings for electronics are advised.
In the afternoon, we embark on a must-do African activity – a sunset cruise (shared with other travellers). We watch the sun slowly sink over Africa’s glorious Zambezi River from the luxurious decks of our boat, enjoying beautiful views of the river and its islands, with wildlife gathering along the riverbanks. On this cruise, we can expect superlative service and a range of canapés and beverages. (B, Sn)

Day free to enjoy some of the many optional activities Victoria Falls has to offer. Perhaps a helicopter ride over the majestic falls, or a visit to Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool, right on the edge of the falls. The options abound – contact Bestway for a full list, details and suggestions. (B)

After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we have the day free until our departure transfer for our flight to Nairobi. Shuttle transfer to the airport is shared with other travellers. Hotel check-out is by 11:00 AM. Upon arrival in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. The Kiswahili language here is often easily understood, as many people mix the vernacular with English words. Balance of the day is free to start exploring Kenya’s cosmopolitan heart.

Overnight: Eka Hotel/Sarova Pan Afric Hotel, Nairobi (1 night) (B)

After breakfast, we meet our fellow travellers and climb aboard our eight-seater 4x4 safari vehicle, with a window seat for every guest. The vehicle also features an 18-inch pop-up roof, a chiller stocked with one complimentary litre of water per person each safari day, and battery-charging facilities. We then embark on a scenic drive to Tsavo East, Kenya’s largest and one of its most iconic wildlife reserves. The park is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and remarkable diversity of wildlife, including vast herds of red-dusted elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, lesser kudus, gerenuks, and the rare hirola antelope. After a hot lunch at our lodge, we experience our first wild game safari, with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Overnight: Ashnil Aruba Lodge/Sentrim Tsavo Lodge, Tsavo East National Park (2 nights) (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, we set out to discover another side of Tsavo East, exploring its sweeping savannahs, acacia woodlands and the wildlife-rich banks of the Galana River. We also take in the remarkable Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava flow. Beyond its famous red-dusted elephants, the park shelters lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, numerous antelope species and more than 500 species of birds. We return to our lodge for a hot lunch and time to relax before setting out again. During our 3.5-hour afternoon safari, we explore a different area of the park as wildlife becomes increasingly active, with abundant opportunities for birdwatching, nature observation, cultural experiences, nature walks (where permitted), and scenic photography. (B, L, D)

Tsavo West National Park is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, rolling hills, lava flows, and natural springs, which offer a striking contrast to the open plains of Tsavo East. The park is home to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, an important refuge for the endangered black rhino, as well as elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, kudu, oryx, dik-dik, and more than 600 bird species. We arrive at our lodge in time for a hot lunch before setting out on an afternoon safari to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife.

Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge/Severin Safari Camp, Tsavo West National Park (1 night) (B, L, D)

Today, we venture to beautiful Amboseli National Park with its dramatic backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro. At 5,895 m/19,342 ft tall, Mt Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free-standing mountain. Although Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania, Amboseli offers some of the finest views of the mountain. Amboseli is known for its innumerable elephant herds and breathtaking views, with an opportunity to interact with the famous Maasai tribe who reside in the bordering towns of the two countries on an optional excursion (details found in our “Notes” section). The park features diverse ecosystems including open plains, acacia woodlands, swamps, and wetlands that attract a wide variety of wildlife. We can expect sightings of elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and numerous bird species.

Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge/Kilima Safari Camp, Amboseli National Park (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Today, we enjoy exploring Amboseli National Park, with two game drives across the park’s open plains and swamp-fed ecosystems. Amboseli is celebrated for its dramatic scenery, with the view of Mount Kilimanjaro providing one of the most photographed safari panoramas in Africa. The park is particularly famous for its large elephant herds, often seen moving gracefully across the plains. Beyond wildlife, Amboseli also offers a strong cultural dimension and encounters with the local Maasai communities, adding depth to the safari experience. There is also an opportunity to include an optional hot-air balloon safari (details found in our “Notes” section). (B, L, D)

Today, we take a scenic journey to Lake Nakuru National Park*, which lies at the floor of the Great Rift Valley and is surrounded by wooded and bushy grasslands. The park is well known for its rich biodiversity, including both greater and lesser flamingos, a wide variety of water birds, and iconic species such as black and white rhinos, making it one of Kenya’s key destinations for the “Big Five” experience. Upon arrival, we enjoy an en-route game drive as we enter the park, taking in its breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife. In the late afternoon, we check into our lodge, located on the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, followed by a hot lunch. Afterwards, we enjoy another game drive. Lake Nakuru is home to both black and white rhinos and predators, including lions, hyenas and leopards. Subject to weather, we may also see the flamingos; their movement depends on the water level and algae.

Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge/Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, Lake Nakuru National Park (1 night) (B, L, D)

Today, we have another major day of activity as we head for the world’s most well-known African game park – Masai Mara. We drive through rural areas of Kenya before reaching Masai Mara for a hot lunch at our lodge. The Masai Mara is world-renowned as a vast expanse of protected savannah wilderness located in south-western Kenya along the Tanzanian border. It is home to an exceptional concentration of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, zebras, and hippos. The reserve is especially famous for the annual wildebeest migration that traverses its plains. After a rewarding day admiring the local wildlife and scenery, we return to our lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge/Sarova Mara Game Camp/Mara Simba Lodge, Masai Mara (2 nights) (B, L, D)

At Masai Mara, we have an opportunity for an optional hot-air balloon ride, timed well to get the best viewing of wildlife as they wake and search for their first meal of the day (see details under our “Notes” section). We spend a full day exploring the Masai Mara with both morning and afternoon game drives, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography in one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. The reserve supports a permanent population of plains game thanks to its year-round water supply. Game here also includes the Big Five – elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and rhinos. Depending on the routes we take, we may have a boxed lunch en route or a hot lunch. (B, L, D)

Our destination today is Serengeti National Park*, part of the greater Serengeti-Mara ecosystem that extends across northern Tanzania and south-western Kenya. We take a long drive, enjoying views of the wildlife and the gorgeous scenery. We journey to the Isebania/Sirari border crossing. After immigration formalities, we enter Tanzania and meet our Tanzanian guide and vehicle. We drive via the Lake Victoria region and pass through areas such as Speke Bay and Lamadi. Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world and the second-largest freshwater lake globally by surface area; it is known as the source of the White Nile and was named by explorer John Speke in honour of Queen Victoria. While on this enchanting drive, we see many of the animals for which the Serengeti is famous. We enter Serengeti National Park via the Ndabaka Gate and enjoy a boxed lunch.

Overnight: Serengeti Kirawira Tented Camp/Mbalageti Serengeti Tented Lodge, Serengeti (1 night) (B, L, D)

Serengeti National Park is a massive 15,000 sq. km protected reserve and is world famous for offering the best opportunity to see the Great Migration. We can start our Serengeti visit with an optional hot-air balloon safari (details found in our “Notes” section) or experience a full day of game viewing. After breakfast, we set out for a full-day game drive across the Serengeti National Park, travelling from the western corridor towards the central Serengeti region of Seronera. It is home to the largest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, with immense herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, topis, buffaloes, and hartebeest. The park is also renowned for its rich predator population, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, and supports over 500 species of birds, making it a true paradise for bird enthusiasts.

Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge, Serengeti (1 night) (B, L, D)

Today, we have a truly unforgettable Serengeti experience as we visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area*, where we witness scores of wildlife in their natural habitat, be it predators or prey. The drive takes us through the Nabi Hills region, with an en-route morning game drive as we exit the Serengeti plains. Time permitting, we may take an optional excursion to the Olduvai Gorge Museum, one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world, often referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind.” We may also have the opportunity to add an optional visit to an authentic Maasai village for a cultural experience and insight into traditional Maasai lifestyle (see the Notes” section for details). The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an approximately 800,000-hectare protected region where semi-nomadic Maasai people live and graze their livestock alongside abundant wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken and unflooded volcanic caldera.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge/Ngorongoro Lion’s Paw, Ngorongoro (1 night) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we descend 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of wildlife viewing in this remarkable natural sanctuary, often referred to as “Africa’s Eden.” The crater is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, black rhinos, and leopards. Due to the dense animal population within the crater, sightings are highly rewarding, with frequent opportunities to observe lions and other predators at close range. The crater also features a soda lake that attracts flamingos and other bird species, adding to the rich diversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the late afternoon, we ascend from the crater and exit the conservation area, continuing to Lake Manyara, where we stay the night.

Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, Lake Manyara (1 night) (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we enjoy a final safari within Lake Manyara National Park, known for its unique tree-climbing lions. The park is also home to the largest concentration of olive baboons and many herds of elephants. After a picnic lunch, we have an interesting cultural experience in Mto wa Mbu, a vibrant village renowned for its rich heritage and successful community-based tourism initiatives. Home to more than 120 ethnic groups, the village offers a fascinating insight into everyday Tanzanian life. We stroll through the local market, meet community members, observe traditional farming and rice-processing practices, and browse for locally crafted souvenirs while learning how tourism supports education, healthcare, sanitation, and local employment. In the early afternoon, we drive to Arusha, where our safari concludes as we are dropped off at Arusha Airport (ARK). ARK serves domestic destinations such as Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. For those wanting to fly internationally, Kilimanjaro (JRO) Airport is a 1.5-hour drive; from ARK we provide a complimentary transfer to JRO. Departure flights from JRO should be booked for after 9 PM. Travellers wishing to extend their journey to Zanzibar, Cape Town, or gorilla trekking in Rwanda can contact Bestway for ideas and bookings. (B, L)