Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2023)

Arrive in Nairobi, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. A microcosm of the African continent, this capital city is your gateway to a dramatic procession of natural spectacles in Kenya and Tanzania, among the most thrilling destinations in the world.

Nairobi Serena Hotel

Drive to Amboseli National Park, known for its thriving big-game population, especially elephants, more than 1,000 of which live in the park. From a distance, take in views of the highest mountain in Africa, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, with its impressive Uhuru Peak soaring to 5,895 metres. Arrive at your lodge set beneath acacia trees in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. After lunch, explore the acacia woodland, freshwater swamps, scrub brush and open plains in search of wildlife. Part of the park is composed of a dried-up lakebed, where mirages rise from the shimmering heat. This evening, share in a special welcome dinner with your fellow guests.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: BLD

Set out on early morning and afternoon game drives, crisscrossing the landscape in search of the park’s large herds of elephants, as well as zebras and wildebeests, along the salt pan trails. Prepare for predator sightings as opportunistic animals begin roaming the plains in search of prey. Return to your lodge for dinner followed by a relaxing evening under African skies.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: BLD

Cross the border into Tanzania and continue to your hotel on the picturesque slopes of Mount Meru. This afternoon, stop at the kennels of the Canines for Conservation training center for a special behind-the-scene visit with the K-9 cadets trained to detect illicit wildlife products in cargo and luggage. Return to your hotel, enjoying a refreshing Scenic Sundowner on the edge of Lake Duluti before gathering for dinner.

Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa | Meals: BLD

Drive from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park for a morning game drive, searching for nonchalant baboons, dik-diks that forage for food beneath acacia trees and large herds of buffalo, wildebeests and zebras, which gather on the grassy, sun-drenched plains. Along a narrow belt of acacia woodland, you may even spot the region’s storied tree-climbing lions, which ascend branches for a cool breeze. After lunch, continue to the village of Mto wa Mbu, where you Ride Like a Local on a tuk-tuk, viewing rice fields and the local community as you go. Then, travel to Ngorongoro Crater, ascending its outer wall through dense vegetation. Ngorongoro is the largest unbroken ancient caldera in the world and a likely place to view lions, elephants, hyenas and gazelles. This afternoon, participate in a Chef ’s Table demonstration in the hotel kitchen, preparing and sampling local dishes.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: BLD

This morning, descend into the crater, arriving ahead of most visitors — thanks to the ideal location of your accommodations on the crater’s rim — to view the resident wildlife at its most active time of day. The prairies of this “Lost World” are great spots for watching buffalo and elephants as well as the countless other species that roam the crater’s 260-square-kilometre floor. You may even sight flamingos (when in season) or the rare black rhino. Following lunch, visit a Maasai village to gain a better understanding of the nomadic cattle-herders’ daily life and culture.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: BLD

Drive to vast, wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park and through its spectacular mix of savanna grassland and volcanic hills, stopping en route for a privately guided tour of Olduvai Gorge, one of the key sources of prehuman hominid fossils. Renowned palaeontologists Mary and Louis Leakey made many notable finds here, including “Nutcracker Man,” who lived approximately 1.75 million years ago. Visit the on-site museum, take in views from the lookout point and examine the excavations, which revealed 3.7-million-year-old footprints and the 1.8-million-year-old skull of a human. Continue to your lodge, which is framed by commanding views of this land of lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes and topi. The park also serves as a setting for the Great Migration when it passes through each year. Enjoy your room’s blend of elegant and contemporary design with influences from the traditional Maasai culture.

Meliá Serengeti Lodge | Meals: BLD

Today, revel in true safari country, searching for the Big Five (lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, elephants and rhinos), along with giraffes, gazelles and zebras. Along the rivers, plains and rocky outcroppings, you may also spot some of the Serengeti’s more diminutive denizens, such as leopard tortoises and rhinoceros beetles.

Meliá Serengeti Lodge | Meals: BLD

Fly to the vast Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya’s finest wildlife spectacle, offering excellent game viewing year-round. The unending landscape hosts some 450 bird species, 95 animal species and all of the great predators, including the country’s largest lion population. After familiarizing yourself with your luxurious tented accommodations, ideally situated at the confluence of the Mara’s four game-viewing regions, drive through the famed reserve.

Mara Intrepids | Meals: BLD

Explore a region bestowed with over 1,295 square kilometres of savannas, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers on morning and afternoon game drives. You may observe crocodiles basking in the sun, see ever-alert hippos wallowing in muddy water and catch the antics of mischievous monkeys overhead. Watch, too, as African elephants rumble along the forest edge and giraffes snatch leaves from branches high above.

Mara Intrepids | Meals: BLD

Venture forth on a morning game drive. After lunch, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities:

• Set Out on a Guided Bird Walk for the opportunity to spot some of the nearly 500 species of birds in the region.
• Make Beads with the Maasai, learning the craft of beading from tribal members and creating your own jewellery.
• Throw the Rungu with Maasai Warriors, testing your skills with their traditional wooden hunting club.

Then, go on a late-afternoon game drive for a final look at the Mara’s treasures. Later, enjoy a Scenic Sundowner, sipping traditional cocktails while marvelling at the incredible open plains just before dusk — a relaxing prelude to a memorable farewell dinner with your fellow guests.

Mara Intrepids | Meals: BLD

Return to Nairobi. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in a reserved dayroom before your international departure flight home.

Nairobi Serena Hotel (dayroom) | Meals: B

Internal air included: Serengeti/Tarime; Migori/Masai Mara/Nairobi
Minimum age is 10 years.
Each guest on this journey will receive an A&K Safari Duffel.
First group event: welcome briefing at 7:30 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: hotel transfer at 12:15 p.m. on Day 12.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.