Arusha – Tarangire National Park

After a safari briefing in the morning, you will travel southwest towards the Tarangire National Park. With its interesting landscapes – from swamps to baobab trees – it is considered as one of the most beautiful parks in northern Tanzania. Elephants can be seen in herds of up to 600, along with wildebeests, Masai giraffes, buffaloes and zebras.

With a bit of luck, you might even be able to spot rarer animals such as kudus, blesbucks and the fringed-eared oryx, as they travel from the dry Masai plains to the Tarangire River in search of water.

You will enjoy an extensive game drive until you leave the park in the late afternoon to travel to the Lake Burunge Tented Lodge where you will spend the night.

Dinner and overnight at Lake Burunge Tented Camp (L,D)

Tarangire Area – Lake Manyara National Park – Karatu

After breakfast you will travel from the Tarangire Area to the Lake Manyara National Park. The park is known for its over 400 bird species, primate-filled forests and grassy plains. A large area of the park is covered by the alkaline Lake Manyara, the seasonal breeding grounds for large colonies of flamingos and many more waterfowls.

The park is also home to giraffes, hippos, wildebeests, impalas and groups of noisy monkeys and baboons. After an extensive game drive, you will travel to the Ngorongoro Farm House near Karatu, where you will spend the night.

After your arrival, there might be time for an optional walk in the coffee plantations to learn more about coffee production.

Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House (B,L,D)

Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti National Park

Rise and shine! After breakfast you will drive to the crater rim from where you will take on the steep and adventurous trail into the crater. Here, within a few square kilometres, you can find all the animals that live in the East African savannah. You will see a diversity of wildlife ranging from the Big Five – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard – to wildebeests, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles and mountain reedbucks in the forests on the slopes.

The crater is also one of the best places to see the magnificent but almost extinct black rhino. You will spend the morning on a game drive followed by a picnic lunch. During the early afternoon, you will leave the crater and travel to the Serengeti.

The Serengeti National Park is the most famous park in Tanzania and it is here where the biggest animal migration in the world takes place. Herds of wildebeests and zebras cross the border between Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grass and water and predators are never far behind.

Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Serengeti National Park

After sunrise you will leave the camp for an early morning game drive and return in the late morning to a hearty breakfast.

Alternatively, adventurous guests can experience the Serengeti from the sky when joining a hot air balloon ride, followed by a champagne breakfast. This activity is optional and needs to be booked in advance. Those interested in seeing the visitor centre are also able to do so.

There will be another game drive in the afternoon before you return to the Kati Kati Tented Camp to spend another night.

Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Serengeti National Park – Lake Victoria

After an early start, you will continue through the Serengeti National Park on your way out. There will be more time to spot animals you may not have seen already, perhaps the rare African wild dog? After leaving the park, the journey continues to Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the second largest in the world.

The area around Lake Victoria is the most fertile and densely inhabited region of Tanzania. Here at the ocean-like lake, you will see another side of Tanzania – away from the masses you will experience how the local people live.

You can watch fishermen and visit a local school – an experience unavailable on the usual tourist routes.

You will overnight at the Speke Bay Lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Speke Bay Lodge (B,L,D)

Lake Victoria – Masai Mara Area

After breakfast you will join the local fishermen and a guide on a canoe trip on Lake Victoria. You will see how the locals catch fish the traditional way and admire the previous night’s catch. Back on dry land you will depart on the longest journey of your safari – the trip to the Masai Mara.

The road towards the Kenyan border is a long and adventurous one, but it should be worth it as the “Mara” is reputed to have the highest lion population of all reserves in Africa. Other large cats also live here and can be spotted all year round, as their sightings are not dependent upon the seasons or the great migration.

You will overnight in luxury tents at Mara West Camp on the outskirts of the reserve.

Dinner and overnight at Mara West Camp (B,L,D)

Masai Mara Game Reserve

The next two days are dedicated to game viewing in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. You will also take a trip to the Mara River, the greatest hurdle for the wildebeests and zebras on their yearly trek.

At the end of October and the beginning of November, an incredible scene is set when the river has swollen to almost bursting levels. Tens of thousands of animals must cross it, risking death as crocodiles wait below the surface of the swirling water. It can be a gruesome sight. At other times of the year, hippos, hungry crocodiles and other animals can also be seen at the river.

You will spend two nights at the Ashnil Mara Camp.

Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp (B,L,D)

Masai Mara Game Reserve

The Maasai Mara is one of the best-known reserves in the whole of Africa, and is globally renowned for its exceptional wildlife. Despite comprising only 0.01% of Africa’s total landmass, more than 40% of Africa’s larger mammals can be found here. Across the vast plains of the Mara visitors are able to witness lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and an infinite variety of other species in their natural habitats.

Masai Mara ecosystem contains some 25% of what is left of Kenyan wildlife. Estimate says that around 70% of Kenya’s wildlife lives outside national parks and reserves. Thus; the need for new role models preserving the Mara wildlife, on private land is paramount. Naboisho plays that role today! Africa has lost some 95-98% of its most iconic mammals over the last hundred year or so, elephants, rhinos, lions, and cheetah. WWF estimate that the world will lose 2/3 of its vertebras in the incredible short period 1970-2020, ie 50 years. Some 70% of the world’s ecosystem are under stress. Loss of habitat is the main reason for this decimation.

Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp (B,L,D)

Masai Mara Game Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast you will leave the Mara to reach Lake Nakuru National Park in the early afternoon. The shallow alkaline lake attracts gigantic flocks of flamingos giving the lake a shimmering pink hue from afar. Not only can you see over 450 bird species and 50 mammals, but you might spot both the endangered white and black rhino.

Other animals in the park include waterbucks, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, cheetahs and leopards as well as troops of baboons and monkeys and lots of pythons hanging around in the trees.

Tonight you will stay at the Flamingo Hill Camp.

Dinner and overnight at Flamingo Hill Camp (B,L,D)

Lake Nakuru National Park – Nairobi

After breakfast you will leave the Lake Nakuru National Park to travel southeast towards Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling and often chaotic capital.

You will arrive in the early afternoon and depending on the rest of your travel plans, you will be taken to the city centre or directly to the airport.

End of tour