14 Days 13 Nights Kenya and Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Description

14 Days 13 Nights Kenya and Tanzania Safari with a Zanzibar Beach Extension

Embark on the ultimate East African adventure, a meticulously crafted 14-day, 13-night journey that seamlessly combines the premier wildlife destinations of Kenya and Tanzania with the tranquil, white-sand beaches of Zanzibar. This comprehensive safari circuit is designed for those who seek the thrill of the African bush and the serenity of a tropical paradise. You will traverse diverse landscapes, from the iconic plains of the Maasai Mara to the dramatic Ngorongoro Crater, and finally unwind on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Our Holiday Kenya Safaris expert guides and comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles ensure a safe, informative, and unforgettable experience from start to finish. This detailed itinerary outlines your daily adventures, providing a roadmap to an incredible journey that promises to create memories to last a lifetime.

Kenya Tanzania with Zanzibar Beach Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Transfer to Amboseli National Park

Your East African journey begins with a warm welcome in Nairobi. Our representative will meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) or your Nairobi hotel. From there, you’ll embark on a scenic drive of approximately 4-5 hours (230 km) to Amboseli National Park. The journey takes you past the charming town of Namanga and offers your first glimpses of the stunning African landscape. Upon arrival at Kibo Safari Camp, you’ll check in and enjoy a delicious lunch before heading out for your first game drive. Amboseli is famous for its large herds of elephants and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, providing a spectacular backdrop for your photos. The day concludes with a hearty dinner at the camp.

• Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp (Full Board: Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Afternoon game drive.

Day 2: Full Day of Elephant Encounters in Amboseli

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of Amboseli National Park. With an entire day to traverse the park, you can choose between a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush, or a morning and afternoon game drive with a return to the lodge for lunch. Amboseli’s unique ecosystem, with its dusty plains and swamps fed by Kilimanjaro’s melting snows, is a haven for elephants, lions, cheetahs, and an incredible variety of birdlife, including vibrant flamingos. For an authentic cultural experience, you have the option (at extra cost) to visit a local Maasai village and learn about their traditional way of life.

• Accommodation: Kibo Safari Camp (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Full-day game drives.

Day 3: Amboseli to the Serene Shores of Lake Naivasha

After an early breakfast, we begin our journey from Amboseli to Lake Naivasha. The drive is a longer one, approximately 6-7 hours (360 km), taking us back through Nairobi and offering a magnificent descent down the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Upon arrival at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge, you will check in and enjoy a late lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax or to partake in some optional activities (at extra cost). You can enjoy a tranquil boat ride on Lake Naivasha, getting up close to hippos and a rich birdlife, or take a guided walking safari on Crescent Island, an open-sanctuary where you can walk among giraffes and zebras.

• Accommodation: Simba Lodge Naivasha (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Scenic drive and afternoon at leisure.

Day 4: Lake Naivasha to the Iconic Maasai Mara

The journey continues to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve. After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on a 5-6 hour drive (240 km) to this legendary safari destination. The drive itself is a game-viewing opportunity, as you’ll pass through picturesque landscapes and rural villages. Upon arrival at Zebra Plains Mara Camp, you will check in and enjoy lunch. The afternoon will be spent on your first thrilling game drive in the Mara, seeking out its famous inhabitants, from the Big Five to vast herds of wildebeest and zebra.

• Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Afternoon game drive.

Day 5: Full Day of Mara Immersion

This is a full day dedicated to exploring the unparalleled wildlife of the Maasai Mara. You have the choice of conducting morning and afternoon game drives or spending the entire day in the reserve with a picnic lunch. Being in July, you are in prime position to witness the Great Migration, one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events. Watch as millions of wildebeest and zebra traverse the plains, followed by their opportunistic predators. For a truly unforgettable experience, consider an optional hot air balloon safari at dawn (at extra cost), offering a breathtaking aerial view of the waking Mara.

• Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Full-day game drives.

Day 6: Further Exploration of the Maasai Mara’s Ecosystem

Another full day awaits in the Maasai Mara. Your guide will take you to different areas of the reserve, including the legendary Mara River, a key crossing point for the Great Migration. This is where you might witness dramatic predator-prey interactions and incredible scenes of crocodiles ambushing crossing herds. This day allows for a deeper exploration of the Mara’s diverse ecosystems and provides more opportunities for incredible photographic moments.

• Accommodation: Zebra Plains Mara Camp (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Full-day game drives.

Day 7: Maasai Mara to Tanzania’s Serengeti

Today, we embark on the cross-border journey from Kenya to Tanzania. After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to the Isebania border. The entire journey, including the border crossing and drive into the Serengeti, will take approximately 8-9 hours (340 km). At the border, you will meet your Tanzanian driver-guide and switch vehicles. The journey continues through the Northern Serengeti before arriving in the Central Seronera area. You’ll enjoy a game drive en route, as the Serengeti reveals its vast, magnificent plains.

• Accommodation: Seronera Wildlife Lodge (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Cross-border transfer and game drive en route.

Day 8: Full Day in the Endless Plains of the Serengeti

Spend the entire day immersed in the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. The Seronera region is famous for its high concentration of big cats, and your game drives will be focused on finding lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The park’s famous kopjes (rock outcrops) serve as excellent vantage points for predators and provide a dramatic backdrop. This is another prime opportunity to witness the Great Migration in Tanzania. For a once-in-a-lifetime perspective, you can take an optional hot air balloon safari over the plains at sunrise (at extra cost).

• Accommodation: Seronera Wildlife Lodge (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Full-day game drives.

Day 9: Serengeti to the Magnificent Ngorongoro Crater

After a morning game drive in the Serengeti, you will be transferred to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours (140 km). On the way, you can choose to make an optional stop at the Olduvai Gorge, the site of some of the world’s most important paleoanthropological discoveries. Upon arrival, you will check into the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, beautifully situated on the crater rim, offering breathtaking views.

• Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Morning game drive and scenic transfer.

Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater to Tarangire National Park

Today’s highlight is an early descent into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day safari. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a natural wonder, a self-contained ecosystem teeming with a high density of wildlife, including the elusive black rhino. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Tarangire National Park (4-5 hours, 190 km), famous for its massive elephant herds and iconic baobab trees. You will check into Tarangire Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge (Full Board: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Activities: Half-day crater safari and transfer.

Day 11: Tarangire to Arusha and Flight to Zanzibar

Enjoy a final morning game drive in Tarangire National Park, time permitting, to spot some of its famous residents. Afterwards, you will be transferred to Arusha Airport (2-3 hours, 120 km) for your flight to the tropical paradise of Zanzibar. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your beachfront resort, Blue Bay Beach Resort. The rest of the day is yours to settle in, relax by the pool, or take a stroll on the pristine beach.

• Accommodation: Blue Bay Beach Resort (Half Board: Breakfast, Dinner)
• Activities: Morning game drive and domestic flights.

Day 12: Full Day of Relaxation and Adventure in Zanzibar

Today is all about leisure and the chance to explore the beautiful island of Zanzibar at your own pace. You can simply relax on the famous white-sand beaches, soak up the sun, and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Alternatively, you can choose from a range of optional activities (at extra cost), such as a guided tour of the historic Stone Town, a visit to a spice farm, or an exciting snorkeling or diving trip to discover the vibrant coral reefs.

• Accommodation: Blue Bay Beach Resort (Half Board: Breakfast, Dinner)
• Activities: Leisure and optional tours.

Day 13: Full Day of Tropical Bliss in Zanzibar

Enjoy another full day in paradise. This is the perfect opportunity to completely unwind after your exhilarating safari adventure. You can indulge in a spa treatment, try some water sports, or simply relax with a good book under a palm tree. This day is completely flexible and tailored to your desires, providing the perfect balance to the fast-paced safari portion of your trip.

• Accommodation: Blue Bay Beach Resort (Half Board: Breakfast, Dinner)
• Activities: Leisure.

Day 14: Departure from Zanzibar to Nairobi

Enjoy your final breakfast in Zanzibar. You will have some free time before being transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will connect with your international flight back home, carrying with you incredible memories of your East African safari and beach holiday.

• Accommodation: N/A
• Activities: Departure flight.

Inclusions

• All park entry fees and government taxes in Kenya and Tanzania.
• Accommodation and meals as specified (Full Board on safari, Half Board in Zanzibar).
• Safari transport in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing.
• Professional English-speaking driver-guides in both countries.
• All game drives as per the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water during safari drives.
• Isebania border transfer and coordination.
• Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Nairobi.
• Airport transfers in Nairobi, Arusha, and Zanzibar.

Exclusions

• International flights to/from Nairobi.
• Visa fees for Kenya and Tanzania.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon safari, boat ride, village visits, Stone Town tour, diving).
• Drinks, tips, and personal expenses.

  This trip will cost you $8,500