(120 km: Approx. 4 hrs)

Your adventure begins at 7:30 am when your professional Natural World Kenya Safaris driver/guide picks you up from your hotel, residence, airport, or another preferred location in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeep. With its pop-up roof, this vehicle is perfect for game viewing and ensures your comfort throughout the journey.

From Nairobi, you’ll travel south toward the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive takes you through Kenya’s central highlands, offering glimpses of vibrant local farms, bustling communities, and the breathtaking landscapes of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. Along the way, your guide will make scenic stops so you can stretch your legs and take in the panoramic views of this natural wonder.

Arrive at the Masai Mara in time for an afternoon game drive, where you’ll begin exploring one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife reserves. Known for its diverse ecosystem and extraordinary density of animals, the Masai Mara offers your first opportunity to spot the “Big Five” and more as you settle into the rhythm of safari life.

Accommodation: Your overnight stay will be at a luxury tented camp or lodge near the Masai Mara, offering a comfortable blend of modern amenities and an authentic bush experience.

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Start your day early to witness the Masai Mara come alive with the golden morning light and the calls of birds and wildlife. This is your day to explore the incredible expanse of the park on unlimited game drives. Tailor your adventure with the guidance of your safari guide, balancing exploration and relaxation based on your preferences.

A highlight of the day will be visiting the Mara River, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch amid breathtaking surroundings. Here, you’ll observe the resident hippos and crocodiles, and if your safari takes place between July and October, you’ll witness the iconic Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeests and zebras cross the river in search of greener pastures, creating a dramatic spectacle as they face predators like crocodiles, lions, leopards, and cheetahs waiting in ambush.

For a truly unique perspective, consider an optional early morning hot air balloon safari. Soaring above the vast plains as the sun rises, you’ll enjoy unparalleled views of the wildlife below—a serene and unforgettable experience.

To round out your day, opt for a cultural visit to a local Maasai village. Interact with the Maasai people, learn about their traditions, and browse their intricate beaded crafts for a memorable keepsake of your journey.

Accommodation: Luxury tented camp or lodge in Masai Mara

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Drive Time: 6–7 Hours

Rise early as we prepare to cross into Tanzania and venture into the iconic Serengeti National Park. Departing the Masai Mara, we’ll drive toward the border town of Isebania, where immigration formalities will be completed before entering Tanzania.

The Serengeti, part of the same vast ecosystem as the Masai Mara, serves as the cradle for the great herds of wildebeests and zebras. Here, they are born and raised before undertaking the dramatic migration into the Masai Mara in search of lush grazing fields and vital water sources.

As we explore the Serengeti, you’ll witness its legendary open plains, stretching endlessly under the African sky. These grasslands are home to extraordinary wildlife, including massive herds of grazers and formidable predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Your professional guide will navigate you through the park’s most wildlife-rich areas, ensuring you don’t miss the action.

The Serengeti’s unparalleled landscapes and thriving ecosystem make it a highlight of your safari, offering countless opportunities for unforgettable moments.

Accommodation: Luxury tented camp or lodge in the Serengeti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Serengeti National Park with a full day dedicated to exploring its endless plains. Just as in the Masai Mara, this day is designed to give you maximum time to uncover the park’s treasures through morning and afternoon game drives.

Depending on the season, you may witness the incredible spectacle of wildebeest birthing, where thousands of calves are born daily during the calving season. This is also the time when predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are most active, drawn by the abundance of prey.

The Serengeti is not just about the herds; it’s also home to diverse wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, elands, impalas, hippos, and the ever-entertaining warthogs. You’ll marvel at the park’s vastness, where golden grasslands stretch endlessly, punctuated by granite outcrops and acacia trees.

Whether you’re watching predators on the hunt, herds grazing peacefully, or birds soaring above, the Serengeti offers an awe-inspiring spectacle that never fails to impress.

Accommodation: Luxury tented camp or lodge in the Serengeti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Drive Time: 3 – 4 Hours

We’ll depart the Serengeti early, transitioning from its expansive plains to the unique ecosystem of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Along the way, we’ll stop at the historic Oldupai Gorge, a world-famous anthropological site. Here, you can explore the fascinating discoveries of fossilized tools and artifacts that reveal the story of early human evolution from millions of years ago.

By mid-day, we’ll arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. The view from the rim offers a breathtaking panorama of this enclosed sanctuary, teeming with wildlife.

Descending 600 meters into the crater, you’ll enter a self-contained ecosystem bustling with a dense concentration of animals. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, cheetahs, elephants, and the elusive black rhino, as well as vibrant birdlife like the iconic pink flamingos adorning the marshes.

We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch right on the crater floor, surrounded by the sights and sounds of its vibrant wildlife. Afternoon game drives will continue to showcase the incredible biodiversity of this unique region.

As the sun begins to set, we’ll ascend the crater wall, soaking in a stunning sunset over the caldera before heading to your lodge at the rim for a peaceful evening.

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp on the crater rim
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Drive Time: 1.5 Hours

Start the day with an optional early morning wake-up to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Ngorongoro Crater, as the soft golden light illuminates the vast caldera. After breakfast, we’ll leave the crater rim and make our way to Lake Manyara National Park.

Although compact, Lake Manyara is a park of stunning beauty and rich contrasts. The tranquil waters of the lake are framed by the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, creating a picturesque setting. The lake’s shores are alive with a vibrant flock of pink flamingoes, along with pelicans and other waterfowl, making it a haven for bird enthusiasts.

Lake Manyara is also renowned for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior where these majestic predators lounge in tree branches, an evolutionary quirk to escape the heat and biting flies on the ground. Be sure to glance upward as you search for these unique cats!

Beyond the wildlife, the park’s lush groundwater forests and open savannahs provide excellent opportunities to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and playful troops of baboons.

After a rewarding day of exploration, we’ll return to your lodge for a relaxing evening amidst the peaceful surroundings of the park.

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp near Lake Manyara
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Drive Time: 2.5 Hours

We start the final day with an early morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park to experience its serene beauty one last time. The park looks even more enchanting in the soft morning light, with vivid colors painting the landscape. We may encounter more wildlife, such as impalas, gazelles, hippos, giraffes, and playful baboons, as they go about their morning routines.

After our last game drive, we will head to Arusha. Upon arrival, you have several options for your next steps:

• You can choose to be dropped off at your hotel in Arusha to relax and explore the town.
• If you’re catching a flight, we can drop you off at Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport.
• Alternatively, you may opt to return to Nairobi, where you can catch your flight or continue exploring.

For those wishing to extend their stay, Zanzibar offers the perfect escape to unwind and enjoy its beautiful beaches. Your safari adventure ends here, but the memories of Africa’s stunning wildlife and landscapes will stay with you forever.

Meals Included: Breakfast