You will witness herds of wildebeest and zebras storming the savannah and relax on sun-soaked beaches during your 14-day Kenya and Tanzania safari. Follow more than 2 million mammals as they journey across borders to reveal the intimate secrets of wildlife on your African safari. Connect with Masai warriors, trail leopards, engage in a search for cheetahs, explore the Ngorongoro Crater, and lounge on the pristine shores of Zanzibar.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Nairobi – Welcomed to East Africa by Giraffe
Giraffes will crane their necks through your hotel window, which will prove an unforgettable introduction to East Africa. Endangered Rothschild giraffes will roam the grounds, and they are partial to meeting guests sometimes in the afternoon but most commonly over breakfast. The hotel and conservation project have helped to preserve this rare giraffe subspecies, as well as provide extremely intimate encounters for the guests. You will land in Nairobi where you will be transferred to your hotel, and the afternoon and evening will be at your leisure. You can explore the Giraffe Centre without a guide for your first dose of East African wildlife.
What's Included:
Day 2
Nairobi – Easing Into It In Nairobi National Park
Day 3
Mara North – First Impressions of the Grasslands
Day 4
Mara North – Full Day in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 5
Mara North – Walking With Masai Warriors
Day 6
Serengeti – Tracking the Wildebeest Herds
Day 7
Serengeti – Predator Versus Prey on the Open Plains
Day 8
Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Completing the Journey Across the Serengeti Ecosystem
Day 9
Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Dramatic Encounters in Ngorongoro Crater
Day 10
Stone Town – Alluring Culture on Zanzibar Island
Day 11
Jozani Forest to Pingwe – Culture, Colobus Monkeys and the Beach
Day 12 - 13
Pingwe – Lazy Days on the White Sand
Day 14
Zanzibar Town – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Explore the secrets of the great wildebeest migration as you cover the Masai Mara and Serengeti ecosystems from north to south
- Escape to one of Zanzibar’s tranquil white beaches where there is little but the Indian Ocean for company
- Get intimate with big cats during a three-day stay in the Mara North private conservancy
- Venture with game drives on the endless Serengeti grasslands and camp close to large wildebeest and zebra herds
- Marvel at the wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater, which is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera
- Connect with culture for 24 hours in Zanzibar’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town
- Walk the Mara plains with a Masai warrior guide, which will be a very personal connection with the wilderness
- Search for endemic and endangered red colobus monkeys in Jozani Forest
- Ease into the safari in the superb Nairobi National Park and then watch giraffes poke their heads through your hotel room
- Track battles between predator and prey as you come to understand Africa’s most precocious ecosystem
Detailed Description
The great wildebeest migration is Africa’s most expressive spectacle. This is the surreal journey of 2 million animals around the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystem. It is a world wonder that is vastly misunderstood. Most people only hear about the famous Mara River crossing, but there is so much to discover every month of the year. This two-week safari focuses on different elements of the great wildebeest migration with three days in the Masai Mara and three in the Serengeti. It is complemented by a day in Ngorongoro Crater and followed by four relaxed days on Zanzibar island. Also, as a part of this Kenya and Tanzania safari, you will experience treats like Jozani Forest and the Giraffe Centre, which help to offer a rounded East Africa vacation.
Through the canvas, you can hear the hooves. Wildebeest are on the move as hundreds of thousands create a percussion sound across the grasslands. Zebras are grazing around the camp with their black and white stripes in a blur. Ungulates are everywhere, and it seems like the great wildebeest migration has no end. Elsewhere in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, there is another safari story. The herds are yet to arrive, and the cats appear scrawny. Tetchy and tense scenes unfold around a waterhole with lionesses harassing young elephants. The entire ecosystem is defined by rains and change, and you need time to explore and appreciate all these nuances, which is something that is provided on this great migration safari.
This great wildebeest migration safari can be taken at any month of the year. You travel the length of the Masai Mara and Serengeti ecosystem and will spend some days with the largest herds. Exploring areas where the wildebeest have been or are yet to go is all part of your excursion. There are fewer animals, but a contrasting landscape and atmosphere will prove worthwhile. Although spotted hyenas can follow the herds, other predators cannot. So, you will truly witness how the migration brings seasonal abundance and dictates annual struggle on the grasslands. Exclusive experiences enhance your connection. Walk with Masai warrior guides, go off trail to find leopard cubs, and stay in a mobile camp that attracts the herds.
Unfortunately, there is not much more to Kenya and Tanzania than the great wildebeest migration. Start in Nairobi and ease into the safari with a day in Nairobi National Park. Giraffes will poke their heads through your hotel window, and there will be plenty of time to relax after your flight. From the Serengeti, you will travel into Ngorongoro Conservation Area, spending day nine on a game drive inside the crater. Fly to Zanzibar on day ten with 24 hours in Stone Town to connect you with the history and culture. Then you will finish on a white beach, gazing across the Indian Ocean and reflecting on your spectacular safari journey. Consider learning more about our travelers’ best African Safari travel experiences by reading their travel reviews.
Starting Price
$20,500 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.92 stars based on 584 reviews.
The trip was wonderful! Zicasso's tour company did a magnificent job planning the trip and helping with visas, etc. We have no complaints. It was a first-class job!
Reviewed By Kenneth W.
We began planning our trip to Kenya with Zicasso nearly two years ago—and every moment was worth the wait. This was a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience and it had to be perfect. Thanks to the team at the travel agency, it was.
From the very beginning, the team listened attentively to our priorities: exceptional service, seamless logistics, and, most importantly, privacy. We did not want to follow crowds of Jeeps just to glimpse wildlife. The agency understood this perfectly and delivered an itinerary that exceeded every expectation.
Each lodge, from the one in Amboseli to the one in Laikipia, the one in North Mara and, finally, the one in Lamu, was of a consistently high caliber. We were welcomed with warm hospitality, outstanding cuisine, and extraordinary accommodations throughout.
At every destination, we had a private guide and vehicle, which made each game drive feel intimate and deeply personal. Our guides were not only highly knowledgeable, but also a true pleasure to spend time with. Every transfer, domestic flight, and internal connection unfolded without a single hitch.
This was our fourth trip planned with Zicasso and it will not be our last. Their ability to transform complex travel into flawless, enriching experiences is unmatched—and we are already dreaming of where they will take us next.
Reviewed By Frederique C.
The trip, overall, was amazing!! The planning was flawless and flowed smoothly throughout the trip.
When I envisioned this trip, I never imagined it would be as nice as it was. Every single detail you can imagine was thought of by Zicasso's travel agent. I can't thank her enough for her hard work and diligence. Throughout the trip, she kept in touch and was literally available 24/7 if anything went wrong. She went above and beyond!!! Unfortunately, she only coordinates trips to Africa!! I wish she coordinated trips across the world.
Reviewed By Mark A.
Zicasso's travel agents planned every small and big detail of our trip to Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro. They suggested a perfect time. Because of this, we were able to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, including the Mara River crossing. The guides were very knowledgeable. The pick-up and drop-off service from airports at each place was excellent. Our overall trip was great!
Reviewed By Ujwala P.
Everything was perfectly arranged. Zicasso's travel partner booked me into wonderful smaller camps that offered very personal service, great food, and fantastic game drives. Everything went precisely as planned. I was nervous about traveling alone, but I was met and transported to every location with kind and professional guides. It made my trip easy and worry-free.
Reviewed By Marilyn R.
There are no words to describe the amazing trip Zicasso's trip designers planned for us. There were four of us traveling; two couples. After talking with our travel agent at length about what we wanted to see and do, he hit every one of our requests, from elephants to gorillas. They far exceeded our expectations. We visited three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, and every detail was planned for us. All we had to do was show up.
Reviewed By Linda S.