The Great African Safari
Duration
10 Days 9 Nights
Pickup
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi
Drop
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania
Type
International (long-haul)
Overview & Highlights
Beginning in Nairobi, this journey takes you through the Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride among hippos and birdlife, then on to the Masai Mara for morning and evening game drives. You cross the Isebania border into Tanzania to continue through the Serengeti, then to the Ngorongoro Crater for a full-day crater tour. The trip ends with a scenic drive through the Tanzanian highlands to Arusha and your flight home.
- One-hour boat ride on Lake Naivasha with chances to see hippos and birdlife
- Evening and early-morning game drives in the Masai Mara, plus an extended drive with picnic lunch
- Border crossing from Kenya into Tanzania at Isebania
- Morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti
- Full-day Ngorongoro Crater tour with a lunch box
- Optional hot-air balloon safari and bush breakfast in the Masai Mara, at extra cost
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, meet the safari representative…
- Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, meet the safari representative and receive a briefing before transfer to the hotel. Check in and relax.
- Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Nairobi.
2Day 2: Travel by road via the Rift Valley viewpoint to Lake Naivasha. Enjoy an afternoon…
- Travel by road via the Rift Valley viewpoint to Lake Naivasha. Enjoy an afternoon one-hour boat ride with opportunities to see hippos and birdlife.
- Check in at the lodge, relax and enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Lake Naivasha.
3Day 3: Travel from Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately 4.5–5.5 hours.…
- Travel from Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately 4.5–5.5 hours. Enjoy an evening guided game drive.
- Return to the hotel/lodge, enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Masai Mara.
4Day 4: Enjoy early morning and evening game drives in Masai Mara, with an optional hot-air…
- Enjoy early morning and evening game drives in Masai Mara, with an optional hot-air balloon safari available at an additional cost.
- Return to the hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Masai Mara.
5Day 5: Enjoy an extended guided game drive in Masai Mara with picnic lunch. Optional bush…
- Enjoy an extended guided game drive in Masai Mara with picnic lunch. Optional bush breakfast is available at an additional cost.
- Return to the hotel and unwind until dinner, followed by overnight stay in Masai Mara.
6Day 6: Travel from Masai Mara to the Isebania Border, complete immigration formalities and…
- Travel from Masai Mara to the Isebania Border, complete immigration formalities and change vehicles/guides before continuing into Serengeti National Park.
- Check in at the Serengeti lodge/camp and enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
7Day 7: Enjoy morning and afternoon game-viewing drives in Serengeti, famous for the annual…
- Enjoy morning and afternoon game-viewing drives in Serengeti, famous for the annual migration and its vast wildlife populations.
- Continue to Karatu for dinner and overnight stay in the Ngorongoro area.
8Day 8: After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro for a full-day crater tour with lunch box. Explore…
- After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro for a full-day crater tour with lunch box. Explore the crater's wildlife-rich ecosystem.
- Overnight stay in Ngorongoro/Karatu.
9Day 9: Travel from Karatu to Arusha through Tanzania's scenic highlands, coffee plantations and…
- Travel from Karatu to Arusha through Tanzania's scenic highlands, coffee plantations and villages. Check in and relax.
- Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Arusha.
10Day 10: After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.…
- After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight. The SOTC itinerary notes that any domestic flight from Arusha to Nairobi is additional.
- Depart with unforgettable African safari memories.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- Accommodation in hotels and lodges on twin sharing for 9 nights
- Dinners as per itinerary, a picnic lunch in the Masai Mara and a lunch box on the crater day
- Meeting and briefing by the safari representative on arrival in Nairobi
- Airport, inter-city and cross-border transfers as per itinerary
- Lake Naivasha boat ride and game drives in the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro as per itinerary
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- International and domestic airfare, including any flight from Arusha to Nairobi
- Visa and electronic travel authorisation fees and processing
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Optional activities such as the hot-air balloon safari and bush breakfast
- Any park, conservancy or crater fees not listed under inclusions
- GST and TCS as applicable
Other Info
Must carry
- Passport and visa or travel authorisation copies
- Return tickets
- Travel insurance copy
- Forex or international card
- Type G (UK three-pin) power adapter
- Neutral-coloured clothing, a warm layer and a hat
- Binoculars, sunscreen and insect repellent
Notes
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The order of the itinerary may change with weather, road, flight or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
- Rates and availability are confirmed at booking.
- Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.
- Vehicles and guides change at the Kenya and Tanzania border, and immigration formalities take time; please keep your documents handy.
- The drive from Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara takes roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours, so this trip suits guests comfortable with long road days.
- Carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if required for your route, and speak to your doctor about malaria precautions before travel.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.