Embark on an epic 12-day East African safari, exploring eight of Kenya and Tanzania's most iconic and diverse wildlife destinations. Begin in Samburu National Reserve, known for its rare and endemic species like the Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, and gerenuk. Next, experience the unique blend of Big Five encounters and conservation efforts at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, including a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Then, enjoy the birdlife and serenity of Lake Elementaita. Journey to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, witnessing the awe-inspiring Great Wildebeest Migration (seasonal) and encountering the Big Five. Cross the border to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, the heart of the Great Migration, and descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with wildlife. Finally, witness the impressive elephant herds and baobab trees in Tarangire National Park before concluding your adventure in Arusha. This meticulously planned tour offers the ultimate East African safari experience, showcasing the region's rich biodiversity and stunning scenery, with ample time to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and thrilling encounters.

Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Day 2: Full Day Game Drives in Samburu
Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Lake Elementaita
Day 5: Lake Elementaita to Maasai Mara National Reserve
Day 6: Full Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara
Day 7: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park (Central Serengeti)
Day 8: Full Day Game Drives in Serengeti Central
Day 9: Serengeti Central to Ngorongoro Crater
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara National Park
Day 11: Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Park
Day 12: Tarangire to Arusha

Activities:

* Multiple game drives in all parks
* Visit the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ol Pejeta
* Boat safari on Lake Naivasha.
Optional activities: Cultural visits to Samburu villages, camel rides, bird watching, hiking, visiting a Maasai village, night game drives, or taking a hot air balloon safari in the Maasai Mara (additional cost).

Optional Travel Upgrade:

Travel Between Parks with Light Aircraft: For a seamless and time-efficient experience, consider upgrading your transportation between parks with a scenic light aircraft flight. This option offers breathtaking aerial views of the landscape and significantly reduces travel time, allowing you to maximize your time on safari.

Wildlife & Scenic Highlights:

Samburu National Reserve: The "Samburu Special Five" (Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx, and Somali ostrich), elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and a variety of bird species including the vulturine guineafowl and the Somali bee-eater.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy: The Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffaloes), chimpanzees, giraffes, zebras, impalas, elands, oryx, and a variety of bird species including ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
Lake Elementaita: Thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and other water birds.
Maasai Mara National Reserve: The Big Five, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and a diverse array of bird species, including ostriches, eagles, and vultures.
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Witness the annual spectacle of millions of wildebeests, zebras, and other herbivores crossing the Mara River in search of fresh grazing lands. (Seasonal, typically July-October)
Serengeti National Park: The Big Five, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, and a wide variety of birdlife.
Ngorongoro Crater: The Big Five, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, hyenas, and a wide variety of birdlife.
Tarangire National Park: Elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and a variety of bird species.
Scenic Landscapes: The semi-arid landscapes of Samburu, the open plains and rolling hills of the Laikipia Plateau, the picturesque landscapes of the Rift Valley, the shimmering waters of Lake Elementaita and Lake Naivasha; and the vast plains, rolling hills, and acacia-dotted savannahs of the Maasai Mara, the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, and the baobab-studded plains of Tarangire.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-8:00 AM): Pick up from your Nairobi hotel/residence. Safari briefing.
• Mid-morning (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Scenic drive north, traversing diverse landscapes.
• Lunch (1:00-2:00 PM): Lunch en route, typically in Nanyuki.
• Afternoon (2:00-6:00 PM): Arrive in Samburu, check-in, and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Look for unique northern species.
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Samburu): Samburu Sopa Lodge, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Elephant Bedroom Camp.

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drives in Samburu

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-day game drives in Samburu with packed lunches.
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Final morning game drive in Samburu, followed by breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
• Afternoon (12:00-6:00 PM): Arrive at Ol Pejeta, check-in, have lunch, and enjoy an afternoon game drive/activity (Chimpanzee Sanctuary visit recommended).
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Ol Pejeta): Sweetwaters Serena Camp, Ol Pejeta Bush Camp.

Day 4: Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Lake Elementaita (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00-9:00 AM): Morning activity in Ol Pejeta (e.g., rhino tracking, if available) and breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Drive to Lake Elementaita.
• Afternoon (12:00-6:00 PM): Arrive at Lake Elementaita, check-in, have lunch, and enjoy birdwatching or a nature walk around the lake. Lake Elementaita is a soda lake known for its beautiful scenery and birdlife, including flamingos (though in smaller numbers than Nakuru).
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Lake Elementaita): Lake Elementaita Serena Camp, Sunbird Lodge.

Day 5: Lake Elementaita to Maasai Mara National Reserve (Approx. 4-5 hours drive)

• Morning (8:00 AM): Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Lake Elementaita.
• Late Morning (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM): Drive to the Maasai Mara, with a stop for lunch en route.
• Afternoon (3:00-6:00 PM): Arrive at your chosen accommodation in or near the Maasai Mara and begin your first game drive.
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Maasai Mara): Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Intrepids Camp, Angama Mara (Luxury); Ashnil Mara Camp, Keekorok Lodge (Mid-range).

Day 6: Full-Day Game Drives in Maasai Mara

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-day game drives in the Maasai Mara with packed lunches.
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park (Central Serengeti) (Approx. 3-4 hours drive including border crossing)

• Morning (6:00 AM): Final morning game drive after breakfast en route to Serengeti from the Mara.
• Late Morning (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM): Drive to the Isebania border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Complete immigration formalities. Continue to the Central Serengeti. This is a long driving day.
• Late Afternoon/Evening (4:00 PM onwards depending on border crossing): Arrive in the Central Serengeti, check-in, and enjoy a brief evening game drive if time permits.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Central Serengeti): Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Melia Serengeti Lodge.

Day 8: Full-Day Game Drives in Serengeti Central

• Full Day (6:30 AM - 6:00 PM): Full-day game drives in the Central Serengeti with packed lunches.
• Evening (6:00 PM onwards): Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Serengeti Central to Ngorongoro Crater (Approx. 4-5 hours drive including crater tour)

• Morning (7:00 AM): Depart from the Serengeti and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Mid-morning/Afternoon (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM): Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive.
• Late Afternoon (4:00 PM Onwards): Ascend from the crater and stay at a lodge near the rim.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Near Ngorongoro): Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.

Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara National Park (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (8:00 AM): After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park.
• Late Morning/Afternoon (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM): Enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara.
• Evening (4:00 PM Onwards): Check into your accommodation near Lake Manyara. Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Near Lake Manyara): Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Escarpment Luxury Lodge.

Day 11: Lake Manyara to Tarangire National Park (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (8:00 AM): Enjoy a final short activity or relaxed breakfast at Manyara.
• Late Morning (10:00 AM): Drive to Tarangire National Park.
• Afternoon (1:00 PM): Arrive in Tarangire, have lunch, and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
• Evening: Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Suggestions (Tarangire): Tarangire Safari Lodge, Sanctuary Swala Camp.

Day 12: Tarangire to Arusha (Approx. 2-3 hours drive)

• Morning (7:00 AM): Final morning game drive in Tarangire and breakfast.
• Late Morning (9:00 AM): Drive back to Arusha.
• Afternoon (12:00 PM): Arrive in Arusha and transfer to your hotel or Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) for your onward flight.

Important Notes :

• This is a sample itinerary and can be customized.
• Driving times are estimates and depend on road conditions.
• It is highly recommended that you book your safari well in advance, especially during peak season (July-October for the Great Migration).
• Pack appropriate clothing for varying weather, including warm layers, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and binoculars.