9 Days 8 Nights Safari

Your day begins at 7:00 AM with a hotel pickup, followed by a scenic drive to Lake Nakuru, with a stop at Lake Naivasha for a one-hour boat ride. This is the perfect opportunity for bird-watching and observing hippos in their natural habitat. After the boat ride, continue to Lake Nakuru for lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive. The park is home to Kenya’s first rhino sanctuary, hosting both white and black rhinoceroses, and features attractions like Makalia Waterfalls. A fenced area surrounding the lake protects the rare Rothschild giraffes, while predators such as lions, leopards, and pythons roam alongside diverse wildlife including gazelles, colobus monkeys, hyraxes, and hippos.

Today begins with an early departure for the Maasai Mara, a journey of approximately 5–6 hours to the entrance of the Reserve. Despite the long drive, the reward is well worth it. Spanning around 700 square kilometers, the Maasai Mara is considered the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife reserves. The high concentration of game throughout the Reserve and neighboring Group Ranches almost guarantees sightings of four of the Big Five on your first game drive. Named in honor of the Maasai people, the Mara is part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem, which includes several surrounding ranches. Depending on your chosen camp, lunch may be arranged en route or upon arrival, followed by an afternoon game drive to explore the incredible wildlife and landscapes of this iconic park.

Spend the full day in Masai Mara with early morning and afternoon game drives and lunch at the camp/lodge – alternatively, spend most of the day on a game drive with a packed lunch! During July/August, the annual Migration of Wildebeest takes place. This is the right time to spend two full days in the Mara

After an early breakfast at 6:00 AM, you will depart for the Serengeti, traveling through the Isebania border. Arrival at the border coincides with lunchtime, where a short 30-minute process will be completed to organize your Tanzanian visa. Upon crossing, you will meet your Tanzanian driver and begin a game drive en route to Ikoma Wild Camp, situated between the Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves in the northwest of Serengeti National Park. Located close to Fort Ikoma Gate and the Grumeti River, the camp offers breathtaking views of the Serengeti savannah and abundant wildlife, as it sits within the Great Migration corridor. The day concludes with a night game drive in the Ikoma area, providing a unique opportunity to spot nocturnal wildlife.

After breakfast, you will drive into Serengeti National Park for a full day of wildlife exploration. During the day, enjoy picnic lunches set within the park amidst the breathtaking scenery. The Wagakuria area is particularly rich in resident wildlife, including prides of lions that can number up to 30 individuals. From July to October, the park becomes a wildlife paradise, with dramatic activity around the Mara River, the site of the famous migration crossings. Witnessing the herds cross the river is a highlight, though it can be unpredictable—sometimes the animals cross north one day and return south a few days later, making each sighting a special and fleeting moment of nature’s spectacle.

Spend another full day exploring the abundant wildlife of Serengeti National Park. Picnic lunches will be enjoyed within the park, allowing you to remain immersed in the stunning natural surroundings. The Wagakuria area is particularly renowned for its high concentration of resident wildlife, including impressive prides of lions that can number up to 30 individuals. This day provides ample opportunity to observe the richness of the Serengeti ecosystem and capture unforgettable wildlife encounters.

After breakfast, embark on a scenic game drive en route to Ngorongoro Crater, enjoying a packed lunch along the way. You may choose to visit a Maasai Village, gaining insight into the local culture before continuing your journey. Upon arrival, descend into the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest unflooded and intact volcanic caldera. Explore the crater floor and visit Lake Magadi, a large shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, one of the crater’s most striking natural features. This is a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience, with breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife.

After an early breakfast at the camp, depart for a half-day game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, enjoying a picnic lunch amidst the park’s scenic landscapes. As you enter, the lush forests of acacia and mahogany set the stage for the wildlife adventure ahead. During the game drive, keep an eye out for buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, baboons, and blue monkeys, all thriving in this diverse ecosystem. One of the park’s unique attractions is the tree-climbing lions, although spotting them depends on luck. In the right season, the shoreline transforms into a spectacular pink spectacle with millions of flamingos. After this unforgettable experience, exit the park and drive to Arusha, where you will be dropped off at the airport for your Zanzibar beach adventure or onward journey home.