12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris
12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris focuses on the wildebeest migration in the Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safari. Kenya and Tanzania are unequivocally the premier safari locations in Africa, and it is no accident that the term ‘safari’ originates from Swahili, reflecting the prominence of these two remarkable countries. This is a premier safari tour that transports you to the most renowned game parks and reserves of East Africa. Following captivating vistas of flamingos at Lake Nakuru National Park and a wildlife expedition at Masai Mara, you will cross the border into Tanzania and go to Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa, for relaxation.
You will spend the night at the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania; subsequently, you will traverse the vast grasslands of Serengeti National Park before proceeding to the biggest unbroken caldera in the world, Ngorongoro Crater. During these 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris focuses on the wildebeest migration. Allocate time in Lake Manyara National Park to observe further flamingos and the remarkable tree-climbing lions. This 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris can be undertaken with mid-range or luxury hotels, while budget travelers may opt for camping sites or lower-tier lodging alternatives.
Please inform us if you would like us to tailor the safari package to better meet your preferences. The lodges and tented campsites are pleasant; mid-range facilities may be replaced with more economical alternatives or upgraded to more opulent ones if desired. This 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris exemplifies our combined Kenya and Tanzania offerings featured on our website; however, we can also customize a tour to suit your budgetary requirements and preferences. Reach out to us for further information regarding the safaris in East Africa.
Brief hights of 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris
Arrival in Nairobi Kenya and Transfer to the Hotel
Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park
Game Drive in Lake Nakuru and Transfer Masai Mara
Full day Masai Mara Excursion
Border Crossing and Transfer to Lake Victoria
Transfer to Serengeti National Park
Whole Day in Serengeti National Park Safari
Game Drive in Serengeti and Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Whole Day Ngorongoro Crater.
Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park.
Detailed itinerary of 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, and Transfer to the Hotel
On the first day of 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris, Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, our representative will greet you and facilitate your journey to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Dinner Meal Plan
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park
12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris , Following breakfast, we commence our journey north to Lake Nakuru National Park, approximately a three-hour drive from the capital city. We arrive at the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon wildlife drive in the National area to seek the rare white rhinos and Rothschild giraffes, which are peculiar to this area in East Africa. A variety of ungulates and the vivid hues of the flamingos at the lake greet you this afternoon. Accommodation and food are provided at the Lodge.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Game Drive in Lake Nakuru and Transfer to Masai Mara
An early morning game drive is feasible if residing in the park and if desired. Following breakfast, we will proceed to the renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve, the most esteemed game reserve in Africa. Following a brief halt at the gate for registration procedures, we proceed to the lodge/tented camp for a cooked lunch, with game drives along the way. Masai Mara is renowned for its big cats and the Big Five; hence, following lunch, we will proceed to the plains in pursuit of the wildlife.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Wide-ranging Masai Mara Excursion
At dawn, you awaken for a morning game drive to observe animals as they begin their day, then returning to the lodge or tented camp for breakfast. Following breakfast, you return to the bush for an entire day of game drives. The Masai Mara is renowned for the wildebeest migration, during which over one and a half million herds traverse from the Serengeti, joined by zebras and gazelles in pursuit of grazing and water sources. Should fortune favor you and timing align, you may watch the magnificent river crossing at the Mara River.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Border Crossing and Transfer to Lake Victoria
This morning, we will have an early breakfast before commencing our journey to Lake Victoria over the Isebania border into Tanzania. We will make a quick stop at the border to obtain visas before proceeding to the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. You will unwind at a pleasant refuge by the banks of Africa’s largest freshwater lake or ride a traditional boat from Musoma Lakeside Village to an Island Lodge. You may immerse yourself in the warm waves if desired and unwind.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Serengeti National Park
In the early morning, we accompany the local fisherman on a boat excursion, and then, after breakfast, we proceed to Serengeti National Park through the Ndabaka gate. We depart with a lunch box and dedicate the remainder of the day to exploring the Serengeti grasslands in pursuit of wildlife. If we did not encounter the wildebeests in Masai Mara due to the timing of our visit, we are certain to observe the herds in Serengeti National Park. We are expected to observe lions, leopards, baboons, zebras, hartebeests, elephants, warthogs, and several avian species among other animals.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Full Day Safari in Serengeti National Park
Day 7 of 12 days best of Kenya and Tanzania wildlife safaris, is dedicated to the Serengeti plains. You may choose for a predawn game drive to observe wildlife in the African sunrise. Today, we have the choice to participate in morning and evening game drives, followed by the opportunity to rest at the lodge or camp, should you choose to do so.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Game Drive in Serengeti and Transfer to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Following breakfast, we check out and go with game drives en route to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Naabi Hill Gate, exiting the Serengeti. We will make a brief stop at a Masai Village en route to the Ngorongoro Crater Rim. In the afternoon, we will check into the lodge and either relax or swim in the pool to alleviate the heat of the African sun. If you enjoy physical activity, now is the opportune moment to embark on a ranger-led nature walk in the forest. Encountering zebra herds, buffaloes, duikers, and other wildlife is feasible; however, the Ranger will be equipped with a rifle, so there is no reason for alarm.
Dietary Schedule: Morning Repast, Midday Meal, and Evening Supper
Day 9: Full Day at Ngorongoro Crater.
A morning game drive is essential as we are descending into the magnificent largest unbroken caldera globally, known as the Eden of Africa or the eighth wonder of the world. The unparalleled density of wildlife on the crater floor will continually astonish you with animals in close proximity, and with a stroke of luck, you may observe the Big Five in a one day. Lions, elephants, silverback jackals, black rhinoceroses, spotted hyenas, warthogs, leopards, and cheetahs are but a few examples. The picnic will take place at the Hippo poolside picnic location. In the afternoon, you will ascend the Crater Rim for dinner and an overnight stay at the Lodge.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Proceed to Lake Manyara National Park.
Following breakfast, we embark on our journey once more, this time down into the Rift Valley floor towards Lake Manyara National Park. This is a compact evergreen park with breathtaking vistas of the Great Rift Valley escarpments. The park is sustained by subterranean rivers that guarantee a continuous presence of wildlife throughout the year. The park’s popularity is attributed to the flamingos, many species of aquatic birds, and the renowned tree-climbing lions. The accommodation is at Rift Valley Lodge for the night.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Explore Tarangire National Park.
Today, we depart after breakfast for Tarangire National Park, the third-largest national park. This exquisite park is distinguished by the unusually big herds of colossal elephants and the immense baobab trees that populate the area. This park is home to some of the rarest avian and terrestrial species, including the Oryx, which can be observed in this Tanzanian park. The Tarangire River serves as the vital resource for the park’s fauna, transforming the riverside into a dynamic wilderness where animals gather, despite the threat of predators, in pursuit of the essential water supply. The Lodge is the location for overnight accommodations.
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Game drive in Tarangire National Park followed by transfer to Arusha for departure.
In the morning, you may partake in a game drive, followed by breakfast, after which you will embark on a nature walk along the park limits, led by a Masai warrior. Subsequently, we will proceed to Arusha town, marking the conclusion of the Safari. You can be transported from here to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return travel home. Travelers departing from Nairobi will have three options available. We can organize a transfer option based on your preferences and budgetary constraints:
Dietary Schedule: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Price Includes:
- All airport pick up and transfers in private car
- Transport and wildlife drives in modified 4 x 4 Land Cruiser with photographic roof hatch (Change of car at the border)
- Services of a professional English speaking safari guides on Kenyan & Tanzanian side
- All wildlife reserve entry fees
- All game drives as mentioned in the itinerary
- Mineral water
- A visit to a Masai Village at Masai Mara or Ngorongoro Crater
- Traditional canoe fishing or bird watching at Speke’s Bay at Lake Victoria as per your wishes
- Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority
Price Excludes:
- International Flights
- Any domestic connection flights on arrival or departure
- All items of a personal nature
- Gratuities for safari guide and lodge staff ( please tip separately)
- Travel insurance if needed
- Visa fee for Kenya – 50 US$ – to be paid upon arrival / (51 US$ if you apply for visa online before arrival )
- Visa fee for Tanzania ( 50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival)
- Drinks and beverages in lodges and tented camps
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at Masai Mara Game Reserve (485 USD per person)
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti (549 USD per person), including concession fees
- Transfer from Arusha to Nairobi (if flying back from Nairobi)