Grand East Africa Safari - 18-Days

Day 1: Depart USA
Today you will depart the USA for your international flights to East Africa – the adventure begins!

Day 2: International Travel

Day 3: Arusha
Upon arrival in Nairobi, continue in the airport for your short flight to Arusha. On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure, rest up, and prepare for your exciting Tanzanian safari! (L, D)

Day 4: Tarangire
Today after breakfast, you will depart for Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is named after the river that flows through the length of the park, which provides a constant water source for the thousands of animals that make it their home. This park is famous for the abundance of ancient baobab trees that characterize its landscape. Lunch will be served at your lodge, after which you will enjoy a late afternoon game drive. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Tarangire
Today experience your first morning waking up in an African national park; enjoy breakfast and a morning game drive. In the afternoon, after lunch, embark on an afternoon game drive for another chance to discover the park’s abundant wildlife. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Lake Manyara
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara is home to a variety of wildlife including numerous birds, elephants, baboons, hippos, and buffalos. During your afternoon game drive, be sure to scan the trees for a chance to see the park’s famous tree-climbing lions. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation area, host to “the birthplace of man” and the unique intact caldera known as Ngorongoro Crater. Arrive in time for lunch and a game drive on the floor of the crater. Enjoy dinner and a leisurely evening at your hotel on the crater rim, which is situated at an incredible vantage point for taking in the beauty of this incredible geological feature. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater
Enjoy breathtaking views of the crater as the sun rises. After breakfast, descend the 2,000 feet to the crater floor and enjoy another opportunity to view the large number of resident animals that have made the crater their home (including the “Big Five,” the black rhino, jackal, and Cape buffalo). Return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to a Maasai Village. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Serengeti & Olduvai Gorge
This morning drive to Olduvai Gorge for a short visit to the site of the remains of prehistoric man. Continue your journey to the world’s best-known park, the Serengeti. Named after the Maasai word Siringet meaning endless plains of short and long grass, the Serengeti is well known for its large prides of lion, cheetah, and packs of wild dog as well as for its large numbers of zebra and wildebeest. Lunch is at your lodge followed by a leisurely afternoon, which allows you to relax just as the animals do in the intense afternoon sun. Later, enjoy a late afternoon game viewing drive as the animals begin to stir from their afternoon slumber. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Serengeti
Today you will be offered a quick snack before embarking on an early morning game drive. This early morning opportunity offers chances to see the park’s various birds and wildlife as they begin their day. During this time, hippos are returning to the waters for their afternoon of lounging in the water after a long night of grazing, birds are actively going about their way, and the large game animals are starting their day in the cool morning air before the afternoon heat sets in. After your early morning drive, return to your lodge for breakfast and a leisurely afternoon. Late this afternoon embark on another game drive and further opportunity to take in the beauty of the Serengeti Plains and its wildlife. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Serengeti
During your time in the Serengeti you will be taken to some of the best locations for wildlife viewing. From the crowded hippo pools to the stunning rock outcroppings of the kopjes (popular with the big cats for their provision of precious shade), you will have three days of scenic game drives in this magnificent park to absorb your surroundings. Depending on the location of the great migration, your guides and drivers will attempt to track and locate the massive herd of wildebeest so that you may witness the sheer vastness of this phenomenon. (B, L, D)

Day 12: Nairobi
This morning after breakfast you will transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Arusha, where you will connect your flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Aberdares
Today you will embark on an early morning drive north through the lush, green farming areas of the Kenyan highlands to the slopes of Mount Kenya. After stopping for lunch at the Aberdares Country Club, you will continue into the heart of the Aberdares National Park for a unique stay in a tree hotel. Situated overlooking a water hole, this hotel provides excellent and safe opportunities for up close wildlife viewing. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Mount Kenya
This morning drive to the world-famous Mount Kenya Safari Club for a buffet lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy the club’s outstanding facilities —heated swimming pool, tennis, 9-hole golf course, horse riding, bowling and more. The 100 acres of grounds contain ponds, mountain streams, waterfalls and colorful flower gardens. (B, L, D)

Day 15: Masai Mara
Today after breakfast you will fly to the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Arrive in time for lunch and a late afternoon game drive in the park. Dusk is one of the best times to spot a leopard as it leaves the comfort of the trees for an evening of hunting, so be sure to keep your eyes out for the brilliantly camouflaged predator. (B, L, D)

Day 16: Masai Mara
This morning embark on an early morning game drive, followed by breakfast at a hippo pool. Enjoy watching these massive animals interact with one another as they lounge about in the water. Afterwards, return to the lodge and enjoy the remainder of the morning at your leisure. After lunch, you will embark on another game drive for further opportunities to observe wildlife and marvel at the vastness and beauty of the Masai Mara. (B, L, D)

Day 17: Nairobi – Departure
After breakfast this morning you will fly back to Nairobi. On arrival, you will be brought to your hotel, where you’ll have a leisurely afternoon and a chance to freshen up. Enjoy a meal at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, and prepare for your late night flight back to the USA with a lifetime of memories! (B, L, D)

Day 18: Arrive USA

*Interested in visiting additional locations? We can customize this itinerary to include exactly the sites and locations you would like to experience. Plan your visit to correspond with the location of the impressive Great Migration, take a break from wildlife viewing to experience the rich culture of the Swahili Coast, or indulge in an extension to the exotic island and tropical waters of Zanzibar!

For further assistance planning your trip, contact one of our knowledgeable Destination Specialists; we would be delighted to help your plan your ideal vacation!