= Journeys Featuring AKP Projects
East Africa | Great East Africa Expedition
 Safari in the wild |
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Click to download PDF itinerary:
11 days / 10 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Nairobi | 1 |
| Tarangire National Park | 2 |
| Ngorongoro Crater | 2 |
| Serengeti National Park | 2 |
| Masai Mara Game Reserve | 3 |
Day 1 Arrive Nairobi, Kenya
Habari (welcome) to East Africa! On arrival you will be met by an A&K representative and privately transferred to your hotel.
Nairobi (Choice of category)
Day 2 Nairobi – Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. On arrival you will be met by your Tanzanian guide, and continue your journey by private A&K LandCruiser to Tarangire National Park, which has one of the largest populations of elephants in Tanzania. Its sparse vegetation, broken up by baobab and acacia trees, makes it a beautiful and special location. Before the rains, droves of gazelle, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe migrate to the park’s scrubland where the last grazing remains. Guests staying at Swala will have the opportunity to either go on a walking safari or head out on a night game drive: as dusk falls, relax in the comfort of your safari vehicle as you venture into the park transformed by night and search for nocturnal animals rarely seen by visitors (B,L,D).
Tarangire (Choice of category)
Day 3 Tarangire National Park
Today is a full day on safari with morning and afternoon game drives by 4WD LandCruiser. This park is famous for its large herds of elephants, with viewing at its best from July to October when the elephants migrate through the park in search of water. Breathtaking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains to the south make a stop at Tarangire a memorable experience. A full day allows time for plenty of game viewing and, for those staying at Sanctuary Swala during school term, a visit to the AKP project, Gijedabung Primary School (B,L,D).
Tarangire (Choice of category)
Day 4 Tarangire – Gibbs Farm - Ngorongoro Crater
Spend the morning exploring the long corridor of open grassy plains and tamarind and mahogany forests of Manyara National Park in search of the famed tree-climbing lions. Enjoy lunch at Gibb’s Farm, a working coffee plantation in the highlands, with time to stretch your legs on a forest walk. A short drive takes you up onto the rim of Ngorongoro Crater with spectacular views over this ancient caldera, one of the natural wonders of the world (B,L,D).
Ngorongoro Crater (Choice of category)
Day 5 Design Your Day Ngorongoro Crater
Today you descend into the sunken cone of this vast extinct volcano, whose 600m-high walls serve as a natural enclosure for a dazzling abundance of wildlife. On the open grasslands see thousands of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle. In the forest, there is waterbuck, bushbuck and eland, whilst the neighbouring swamp is the main haunt of Ngorongoro’s elephant population. Black rhino, lion and leopard complete the Big Five, with hippo and flamingo also present. Decide how you would like to explore the area: spend half a day on the crater floor game-viewing in your private LandCruiser with a picnic lunch; spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge; or visit a Maasai village where you will be introduced to this unique and colourful culture (B,L,D).
Ngorongoro Crater (Choice of category)
Day 6 Ngorongoro – Olduvai Gorge – Serengeti National Park
Continue further northwest to the Serengeti National Park, stopping en route at Olduvai Gorge, commonly referred to as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’. It was here in 1959 that Mary and Louis Leakey uncovered a 1.8 million-year-old hominid skull. Descend with your guide into the gorge to observe the dig sites and witness current works. From the gorge, drive to the Shifting Sands, crescent-shaped mounds of black volcanic ash that are continually pushed by the prevailing winds. Your game adventure resumes as you leave the volcanic plains behind and drive into the vast wilderness of the world-famous Serengeti National Park (B,L,D).
Serengeti (Choice of category)
Day 7 Serengeti National Park
Here, on the never-ending savannah, roam more animals than in any other place on earth - over a million wildebeest alone! Depending on the time of year, your A&K safari driver/guide will take you out on either early morning and late afternoon game drives, or on a full day drive. The Serengeti plays host to a wonderful spectacle each year - the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra that follow the rains in their continual search for grass and water (seasonal). This is an unforgettable experience for even the most seasoned African traveller (B,L,D).
Serengeti (Choice of category)
Day 8 Serengeti National Park – Masai Mara
Your Tanzanian safari finishes with a flight via Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Then it’s good-bye to Tanzania as you return to Kenya and fly on to the Masai Mara Game Reserve (B,L,D).
Masai Mara (Choice of category)
Days 9 – 10 Masai Mara
The next two days are spent exploring the Masai Mara. Game viewing is never dull here and patience is often rewarded with unique sightings - a pride of lion stalking its prey; a solitary leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree; male impala sparring to attract females into their harem; or even a herd of elephant protecting its young from opportunistic predators. Over the next two days, your safari guide will take you exploring the vast rolling plains on early morning and late afternoon game drives. Night drives also provide opportunities to see nature at its wildest. Those choosing to stay at Sanctuary Olonana can participate in the AKP Tree Planting Project. By planting an indigenous tree you are personally assisting in the reforestation of the Masai Mara. You may also visit the neighbouring Maasai village for an experience of the local culture (B,L,D).
Masai Mara (Choice of category)
Day 11 Masai Mara – Nairobi
Today your East African safari comes to an end as you fly back to Nairobi and transfer to the international airport for your onward flight (B,L).
Optional Extensions
Choose to combine your journey with one of A&K’s fantastic extensions. Not to be missed, these additions are specially selected by our travel specialists.
View our 'Uganda | Primates of Uganda Itinerary'
View our 'Rwanda | Gorillas of Rwanda Itinerary'
View our 'Kenya | Lake Victoria Extension
Enquire Now
Platinum guests staying at Sanctuary Swala during school term may visit the AKP project Gijedabung Primary School. AKP first became aware of Gijedabung School in 1999 when it was severely lacking in resources and equipment. AKP’s first task was to build classrooms, teachers’ accommodation and toilets to accommodate the ever-increasing number of students who wished to attend the school. New furniture was needed, as was the supply of stationery and sporting equipment which is an ongoing commitment. The students receive a hot meal at lunchtime, and AKP has undertaken an initiative that encourages the community itself to provide the children with the meal, supplying a tractor, diesel fuel and seed so that crops can be planted locally rather than imported from other areas of the country.
Choice of Accommodation
| City | Platinum | Gold |
| Nairobi | Fairmont The Norfolk (Deluxe Room) | Nairobi Serena (Standard Room) |
| Tarangire | Sanctuary Swala (Bush Pavilion) | Tarangire Sopa Lodge (Standard Room) |
| Ngorongoro Crater | Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (Suite) | Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (Standard Room) |
| Serengeti | Sanctuary Kusini (Terrace Tent) | Serengeti Serena Lodge (Standard Room) |
| Masai Mara | Sanctuary Olonana (Tented Pavilion) | Governors Main Camp (Standard Tent) |
