Day 1:

Nairobi

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2:

Nairobi/Samburu National Reserve

Travel to Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon wildlife safari drive. Visit a Samburu village en route.

Depart Nairobi and drive north through the farmlands of the Kikuyu people, passing Mt Kenya, Africa’s second highest mountain (5199m/17,060ft).

Just outside the national reserve, visit a local Samburu village. Similar in appearance to the Masai but less known, the Samburu are a proud warrior tribe. Watch traditional Samburu dancing, and learn about Samburu tribal life and customs. The walk within the village is run by Samburu tribesmen for the benefit of the community.

Continue to Samburu National Reserve, a wildlife haven to many species rarely found elsewhere.

Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in search of large elephant and big cat populations living within this wild part of Kenya.

Day 3:

Samburu National Reserve

Spend a full day on safari in search of Samburu’s special five.

A full day wildlife safari drive to spot a group of animals only seen north of the equator, such as the beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, the majestic reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk, a graceful antelope that stands upright on its hind legs to feed on tall bushes.

Day 4:

Samburu National Reserve/Lake Nakuru National Park

Descend into the Great Rift Valley enjoying stunning views of the escarpment on the way.

Nakuru, meaning “dusty place” in the Maasai language, is a cheerful and vibrant agricultural town with a variety of colourful local markets.

Camp outside the town at the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park, the area’s principal highlight and best natural attraction. Time and weather permitting, there may be an opportunity to visit a local tea farm and see how the tea is grown, picked and produced.

Day 5:

Lake Nakuru National Park

Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park, in search of the elephant, buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.

Day 6:

Lake Nakuru National Park/Masai Mara

Travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Search for the “big five” on an afternoon wildlife safari drive.

Depart for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit to this reserve.

Arrive in the afternoon and get settled at the permanent tented camp, the base for exploring the Mara.

Head into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive.

Day 7:

Masai Mara

Enjoy a day on safari. Opt to take to the skies on a balloon safari.

Rise early for a wildlife safari drive during the best time to spot animals and criss-cross the rolling hills of the African savannah. With a full day to explore the area, we can cover a lot of ground. If time allows, visit the Mara River area.

Opt to go for a balloon safari for a new perspective over the beautiful landscape.

Day 8:

Masai Mara/Nairobi

Morning wildlife safari drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve before departing for Nairobi.

Breathe in the fresh morning air as you enjoy the African sun as it rises over the savanna of the “Mara”. Visit a watering hole while on a morning wildlife safari drive, a perfect time and place for wildlife photography. Visit the G for Good supported Ubuntu Cafe for lunch, before heading back to Nairobi.

Day 9:

Nairobi/Arusha

Spend the day travelling to Tanzania.

Journey across the border into Tanzania, arriving in the picturesque town of Arusha in the afternoon. Spend some time exploring the town and its bustling markets, and have another night in the comfort of a hotel. Upon arrival into Arusha, you may be joined by other G Adventures travellers starting the Tanzania portion of the trip.

Day 10:

Arusha/Mto wa Mbu

Experience the Mto wa Mbu village with a guided cultural walk and traditional lunch with a local family. Take a wildlife safari drive in Lake Manyara NP.

Travel to Mto wa Mbu village and take part in a cultural walk to learn about village life in the area. Meet the women who run the village tours and enjoy a delicious home made traditional lunch.

Spend the afternoon viewing wildlife along the main road that winds through a lush cool forests of Lake Manyara National Park, overgrown with ficus trees and covered with bromeliads.

This area is truly stunning, as the western wall of the Rift Valley escarpment provides a gorgeous backdrop. Search for the phenomenal birdlife, tree-climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, and hippos.

Day 11:

Mto wa Mbu/Serengeti National Park

Enjoy a wildlife safari drive en route to the central Serengeti.

Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and on to Serengeti National Park. En route marvel at the sheer vastness of this territory, and spot the multitude of animal and birdlife while cruising through this acacia-accented savanna.

Day 12:

Serengeti National Park

Rise early for a full-day wildlife safari drive in the Serengeti. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and continue the search for the “big five” while taking in the vastness of the Serengeti plains.

Day 13:

Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro

Take a morning wildlife safari drive as you depart the Serengeti, then continue wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater, before getting a spectacular view of the crater from your campsite on its rim.

The rich pasture and permanent water of the Crater floor supports a resident population of more than 20,000 to 25,000 large mammals.

Day 14:

Ngorongoro/Arusha

Visit an authentic Maasai village and the G Adventures-supported Clean Cookstove Project, then return to Arusha where the tour ends on arrival. Onward flights can be booked from 6pm, or extend your stay in Arusha by a night, or two.