Your African adventure begins as you arrive in Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya. Upon landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by your guide who will assist with your transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you might choose to relax at the hotel or explore the city. Nairobi, known as the "Green City in the Sun," is a vibrant metropolis with a unique blend of modernity and tradition.

Today, you’ll explore some of Nairobi’s most beloved conservation sites. After breakfast, you'll head to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you'll have the heartwarming experience of seeing baby elephants that have been rescued and are being cared for before being reintroduced to the wild. You'll learn about the conservation efforts and the challenges facing Kenya's elephants, and watch the playful interactions between the young elephants as they enjoy their daily mud baths.

Next, you'll visit the Giraffe Centre, home to the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Here, you can feed the giraffes from a raised platform, giving you a close-up view of these gentle giants. The center also provides an educational experience about giraffes and the conservation efforts to protect them. In the afternoon, you may choose to explore Nairobi further with visits to local markets or relax at your hotel. Dinner will be at your leisure, with many excellent dining options available in the city.

After an early breakfast, you'll transfer to Wilson Airport for a scenic flight to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations. As the plane descends into the Mara, you'll be treated to breathtaking aerial views of the rolling plains and the meandering Mara River. Upon landing, you'll be met by your guide and transferred to your lodge. After settling in and enjoying lunch, you'll head out on your first game drive in the Maasai Mara.

The Maasai Mara is renowned for its incredible wildlife density and diversity, including the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—as well as large populations of herbivores like wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. The Mara is also the northern extension of the Serengeti, and during the Great Migration, millions of wildebeest and other animals cross the Mara River, a spectacle often fraught with danger as predators lie in wait. As the sun sets, return to your camp for dinner and a night under the African sky, listening to the distant roars of lions.

Rise before dawn for an optional hot air balloon safari over the Maasai Mara, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As you float silently above the plains, the sun rises, casting a golden glow over the landscape. From the air, you’ll have a unique vantage point to observe the wildlife below—herds of elephants, groups of antelopes, and perhaps even predators on the hunt. The balloon safari concludes with a champagne breakfast in the bush, making for a truly unforgettable morning.

For those who prefer to stay on the ground, the day will be filled with morning and afternoon game drives, exploring different areas of the Mara. The reserve is home to several prides of lions, cheetahs that are often seen hunting during the day, and elusive leopards that are sometimes spotted in the trees. Between game drives, you can relax at your lodge, enjoying the serene surroundings and perhaps a dip in the pool. Dinner will be served at your camp, where you can share stories of the day’s sightings.

Another full day in the Maasai Mara awaits, offering more opportunities to explore this wildlife-rich reserve. The Mara is not only known for its large mammals but also for its birdlife, with over 450 species recorded, including raptors, vultures, and colorful bee-eaters. Morning and afternoon game drives will take you to different areas of the reserve, ensuring you experience the full diversity of its ecosystems.

You may also choose to visit a traditional Maasai village, where you can learn about the Maasai people’s culture, customs, and way of life. The Maasai are famous for their distinctive dress and have a deep connection to the land and wildlife of the Mara. The visit provides a unique cultural insight and an opportunity to purchase handmade crafts directly from the artisans. As the day ends, enjoy a sundowner in the bush, followed by a final dinner in the Maasai Mara.

After breakfast, you’ll take a flight to Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is famous for its large herds of elephants and the stunning views of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your lodge or camp, where you can relax and enjoy lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive.

Amboseli’s landscapes are varied, from dry lake beds to wetlands with sulfur springs, and from savannahs to woodlands. The park’s elephants are known for their impressive size and the long tusks of some of the older bulls. In addition to elephants, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of other wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, zebras, and giraffes. As the sun sets, the silhouette of Kilimanjaro provides a dramatic backdrop to your wildlife photos. Return to your camp for dinner and an evening of relaxation.

Today, you’ll have a full day to explore Amboseli National Park. Start with an early morning game drive, when the animals are most active and the light is perfect for photography. The park is particularly famous for its elephant population, and you’re likely to see large herds moving across the plains, with Kilimanjaro looming in the background. The contrast of the lush swamps and dry plains makes Amboseli a photographer’s dream.

Between game drives, you can relax at your lodge, enjoying the amenities and the views. The afternoon offers another chance to head out into the park, perhaps visiting Observation Hill, which offers panoramic views of the entire park and beyond. The wetlands below are often teeming with birdlife, including pelicans, kingfishers, and African jacanas. As the day comes to a close, enjoy your final evening in Amboseli, dining under the stars.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, crossing the border at Namanga. The drive offers changing landscapes, from the open plains of Amboseli to the rolling hills and acacia woodlands of northern Tanzania. Upon reaching Tarangire, you’ll check into your lodge and enjoy lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive.

Tarangire is known for its large elephant population, ancient baobab trees, and the Tarangire River, which acts as a lifeline for the park’s wildlife, especially during the dry season. The park is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including lions, leopards, giraffes, and large herds of buffalo. The river attracts a multitude of animals, making it a prime spot for game viewing. As the day ends, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Today, you’ll have a full day to explore Tarangire National Park. Start with an early morning game drive, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and the increased activity of the wildlife. The park’s diverse habitats, from grasslands to swamps and woodlands, support a wide variety of species, and you’re likely to see large herds of elephants, as well as predators such as lions and leopards.

The afternoon game drive offers another chance to explore different areas of the park, perhaps visiting the Silale Swamp, a haven for birdlife and a magnet for elephants and other herbivores during the dry season. The baobab trees that dot the landscape are not only iconic but also provide food and shelter for many species. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation, reflecting on the day’s sightings.

After breakfast, you’ll leave Tarangire and drive towards the Ngorongoro Highlands, passing through the town of Karatu. The drive takes you through scenic landscapes, including rolling hills, farmlands, and dense forests. You’ll reach your lodge in the highlands in time for lunch and the rest of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.

The Ngorongoro Highlands are known for their stunning vistas, lush vegetation, and cooler climate, a contrast to the hot savannahs below. You may choose to visit a local coffee plantation or take a nature walk around the lodge, soaking in the fresh mountain air and learning about the flora and fauna of the area. Dinner will be served at your lodge, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the highlands before your descent into the Ngorongoro Crater the next day.

Today, you’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. The crater, formed by a collapsed volcano, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to an incredible concentration of wildlife. The drive down into the crater is steep, but the views are spectacular, with the crater floor stretching out before you.

Once inside the crater, you’ll embark on a game drive, exploring its diverse habitats, from forests and grasslands to lakes and swamps. The crater is home to the Big Five, including a healthy population of black rhinos, as well as zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and an array of bird species. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch by one of the crater’s lakes, watching as animals come to drink. After a full day of exploration, you’ll ascend back to the rim and return to your lodge in the highlands for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you’ll leave the Ngorongoro Highlands and drive to the Serengeti National Park, one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world. The drive takes you through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where you might see Maasai herders with their cattle, and offers the first glimpses of the vast Serengeti plains.

Upon entering the Serengeti, you’ll begin your game drive en route to your lodge or camp. The Serengeti is renowned for its annual migration of over a million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, a phenomenon that attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Depending on the time of year, you may witness the dramatic river crossings or the calving season. After an exciting day of game viewing, you’ll arrive at your lodge in time for dinner.

Wake up before dawn for an unforgettable experience: an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure allows you to soar above the vast plains as the sun rises, offering a unique perspective on the park's landscapes and wildlife. From the air, you'll witness the herds of animals moving across the plains, the predators on the prowl, and the beauty of the Serengeti in the soft morning light. After landing, celebrate with a champagne breakfast in the bush.

If you prefer to stay on the ground, you'll embark on an early morning game drive, which is an excellent time to spot predators as they hunt before the heat of the day sets in. The Serengeti is home to the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), and your guide will help you track these and other incredible species throughout the day. Between game drives, return to your lodge for meals and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you'll head out again to explore different areas of the park, perhaps visiting the Seronera River, known for its abundance of wildlife. As the sun sets, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Your third day in the Serengeti offers even more opportunities to explore this vast and diverse ecosystem. After breakfast, head out for a full day of game drives, with a packed lunch to maximize your time in the park. The Serengeti's landscapes vary from open savannahs to riverine forests, kopjes (rocky outcrops), and acacia woodlands, each supporting different species of animals. Your guide will take you to the best spots for wildlife viewing, whether it's to see cheetahs sprinting after their prey, hippos wallowing in muddy pools, or crocodiles lurking in the rivers. If you're visiting during the Great Migration, you might witness thousands of wildebeest and zebras on their journey, a spectacle of nature like no other.

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely game drive back to your lodge, where you can unwind and reflect on the incredible sights you've seen. Dinner will be served at your lodge, followed by another peaceful night under the African stars.

On your final full day in the Serengeti, you’ll continue to explore the park’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. You might choose to visit the remote and less-visited areas of the park, where you can enjoy the solitude and the chance to see wildlife in a more undisturbed setting. The Serengeti’s kopjes, or rocky outcrops, are often home to lion prides, and you may see them basking in the sun or surveying the plains for prey.

For those who haven’t yet taken a balloon safari, this is another opportunity to experience the Serengeti from the air, followed by a bush breakfast. The Serengeti’s vastness and variety of life mean that each game drive offers something new and exciting. As the day comes to a close, enjoy your final evening in the Serengeti, with a special farewell dinner under the stars

On your final day, you’ll take a morning game drive before being transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Arusha. As you leave the Serengeti behind, you’ll have one last opportunity to take in the vastness of the plains and the incredible wildlife that calls it home. Upon arrival in Arusha, you’ll have lunch and some time to relax or shop for souvenirs before being transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.

If you’ve opted for an extension in Zanzibar, you’ll catch a connecting flight to the island, where you can unwind on the pristine beaches and explore the rich cultural heritage of Stone Town. For those heading home, this marks the end of your incredible safari adventure, leaving you with unforgettable memories of East Africa’s wild beauty.