13 DAYS: Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater

Tour overview:

Each year millions of wildebeest, zebra and others embark on a journey north from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve in search of food. Both countries support numerous national parks; several you will visit on this tour to one of Africa's richest animal grounds.

Day 1 - Arrive Nairobi

Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi you will be met and assisted by a representative for transfer to your hotel where you will be assisted with the check in formalities.

Day 2 - Nairobi / Masai Mara National Reserve

Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you'll travel towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment. You'll pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. (BLD)

Day 3 - Masai Mara National Reserve – Village Visit

After an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. After a siesta set off for an afternoon game drive and visit to a local Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets. (BLD)

Day 4 - Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru National Park / Lake Elementaita

Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, you'll travel across the 'breadbasket' of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mau Escarpment before arriving to Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive. The national park, known for its birdlife offers a possibility to view flamingos. It is also hope to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Late afternoon, depart for your camp situated in Soysambu Conservancy. (BLD)

Day 5 - Lake Elementaita / Amboseli National Park

Leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for lunch (or collect a picnic lunch) and then head south towards Amboseli. Game viewing en route, arriving at your lodge by late afternoon. (BLD)

Day 6 - Amboseli National Park

Depart the lodge after a sumptuous breakfast for a full day game drive. Enjoy a hot picnic lunch at a picnic site returning to the lodge in the late afternoon. (BLD)

Day 7 - Amboseli National Park / Tarangire National Park

After breakfast at your lodge you will be collected for a drive to the border town of Namanga where you will undergo customs and immigration formalities. Here you may bid farewell to your fellow travelers completing their Kenya safari, and may meet up with a new group of travelers for the Tanzania portion of this safari. Proceed in Tanzanian vehicles to Arusha town where you will stop over for a lunch break. Continue to Tarangire and once we pass the park gate, begin game viewing as we make our way to the lodge. (BLD)

Day 8 - Tarangire Naitonal Park / Lake Manyara National Park

Morning game drive and lunch at the lodge. Then depart to Lake Manyara Naitonal Park arrivien at your lodge perched above the Rift Valley escarpment. (BLD)

Day 9 - Lake Manyara National Park / Serengeti National Park

After breakfast enter your safari vehicle and spend the morning exploring and driving through Lake Manyara National Park. About midday return to the lodge for lunch and then depart for Serengeti National Park with some game viewing en route arriving at your lodge as the sun begins to set. (BLD)

Day 10 - Serengeti National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park exploring this famous park and all that it has to offer. (BLD)

Day 11 - Serengeti National Park / Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains. After a picnic lunch you continue to the crater and your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater. (BLD)

Day 12 - Ngorongoro Crater

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon. (BLD)

Day 13 - Ngorongoro / Arusha / Nairobi

Those awake early enough will be able to enjoy the sunrise across the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Following breakfast, we travel back to Arusha arriving in the city for lunch. After lunch you continue the journey by road to Nairobi arriving in the early evening. Drop off at the airport for your late evening departure flight. (NOTE – it is possible to end the tour in Arusha if preferred with a transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport). (BL)