Shadows of Africa

4.9/5 – 145 Reviews

$6,848 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 3.
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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Nairobi - Lake Naivasha

Nairobi - Lake Naivasha

You'll be picked up from your hotel and depart from Nairobi making your way to the picturesque shores of Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located on the rim of the Great Rift Valley. It is famous for its birdlife and it's also home to animals such as giraffes and buffalos, as well as velvet and Colobus monkeys.
Your day on the lake will include a guided boat safari out on the lake to see hippos and water birds, and a visit to the Crescent Island Sanctuary where you and your kids can walk alongside zebras, giraffes, antelopes, and more.

Main Destination:
Lake Naivasha (Naivasha, Kenya)
Accommodation:
Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
  • Mid-range tented campat Lake Naivasha (Naivasha, Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara National Reserve

Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara National Reserve

After a great breakfast, you’ll embark on a boat for a ride on this vast freshwater lake, which lays at the highest elevation of the Kenyan Rift Valley at 1884 meters and is home to many animal species. Along the ride, you’ll observe the hippos and birds before reaching Crescent Island. In the conservatory on the island, you'll walk among zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and monkeys in their natural environment, without fear of predators. The lake view is quite unparallel. Besides all the inhabitants, you will gaze at the shores of blooming flowers and the peaks of the Great Rift Valley. After returning to the lake’s shore, you’ll head for Masai Mara. You’ll arrive at your selected lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
Best Time To Visit June to October (For general wildlife viewing) and August to October (For wildebeest migration)
High Season June to October and December to March
Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Masai Mara NR

ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
LionCommon
CheetahCommon
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
Show more
BuffaloCommon
HippoCommon
HyenaCommon
LeopardOccasional
Wild DogVery Rare
Accommodation:
Basecamp Masai Mara
  • Mid-range tented bush camp located just outside Masai Mara NR (Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve

You will wake up before dawn for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Masai Mara sunrise. After a quick cup of coffee, you'll head out into the park to watch as the sun sets fire to the savannah and the big cats take advantage of the morning cool to search for a meal.

Alternatively, you can take to the skies with a hot air balloon safari that will see you soar above all of the action before setting down on the plains for a champagne breakfast among the wildlife. Ask your safari expert about adding a hot air balloon adventure to your safari.

You'll then return to your lodge for a late breakfast before packing a picnic lunch and heading back out into the park for a day-long exploration of the Masai Mara.

After a day full of excitement, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
Accommodation:
Basecamp Masai Mara
  • Mid-range tented bush camp located just outside Masai Mara NR (Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Masai Mara - Serengeti National Park

Masai Mara - Serengeti National Park

You'll make your way to the Mara Airstrip after breakfast for your flight into Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

Upon arrival in the park, you'll be met by your new Shadows of Africa driver and proceed for an afternoon game drive in the famed park.

Home to huge populations of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as well as herbivores including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Best Time To Visit January to February and June to October (Different areas are best at different times)
High Season July to March (The Seronera area is crowded)
Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Serengeti NP

ElephantCommon
LionCommon
CheetahCommon
BuffaloAbundant
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
Show more
GiraffeCommon
HippoCommon
HyenaCommon
LeopardOccasional
Black RhinoVery Rare
Wild DogVery Rare
Accommodation:
Baobab Serengeti Camp - North
  • Luxury tented camp located inside Northern Serengeti NP (Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

After breakfast, you'll start your game drive around the Kogatende area, searching around the kopjes looking for carnivores and the large migration groups that will be preparing to cross the Mara River into Kenya.

Home to large numbers of hippos and Nile crocodiles, the Mara River is the last major obstacle standing between the wildebeest migration and the relative safety of the Masai Mara. If you're patient and a little lucky, you may even get to witness the death-defying crossing itself where wildebeests and zebras brave the river's currents and crocodiles in an attempt to reach safety on the opposite bank.

Your dinner and overnight stay will be in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Accommodation:
Baobab Serengeti Camp - North
  • Luxury tented camp located inside Northern Serengeti NP (Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Serengeti National Park (Central)

Serengeti National Park (Central)

You'll start your day immediately after breakfast, driving through the plains of Togoro and the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes on your way to cross the Banagi River into the Seronera region of Central Serengeti. Along the way, you'll spot everything from the enigmatic dik-diks to towering elephants, and everything in between.

The Seronera is often known as 'big cat country', and its kopjes and acacias provide an excellent opportunity to spot a pride of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs out on the hunt, and leopards overseeing everything from their lofty perches.

The region's hippo pools and wide open spaces provide ample opportunities for game viewing.

Your dinner and overnight stay will be in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

Main Destination:
Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
Accommodation:
Baobab Serengeti Camp - Central
  • Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP (Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you will get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater.

Your drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds, wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself, the lion.

You will have dinner and an overnight stay on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
Best Time To Visit June to October (Wildlife viewing is best)
High Season Most of the year – July to March (Expect crowds)
Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

LionCommon
BuffaloAbundant
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
HyenaAbundant
Show more
ElephantCommon
HippoCommon
LeopardOccasional
Accommodation:
Marera Valley Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater, considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.

Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought-after safari destinations in the world. It's a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.
From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognizable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, a large population of wildebeests, zebras, antelopes, and Cape buffalos. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations.

Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
Accommodation:
Marera Valley Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Ngorongoro - Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha

Ngorongoro - Lake Manyara National Park - Arusha

You'll make your way to Lake Manyara National Park shortly after breakfast, with a scenic two-hour drive whetting your appetite for your day of exploration.

The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.

Bird watchers will find Lake Manyara to be an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac-breasted roller.

You'll then proceed to Arusha for an overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Arusha (City, Tanzania)
Accommodation:
Olerai Lodge
  • Mid-range lodgein Arusha (City, Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10-11

Arusha - Amboseli National Park

Arusha - Amboseli National Park

You'll depart Arusha after breakfast and begin your trip back towards Kenya.

The drive itself is a scenic one, and you'll once again go through immigration and meet with your new driver before proceeding to the park.

Amboseli National Park is called the "Royal Court of Kilimanjaro' with good reason. You'll enjoy an afternoon game drive where you'll see herds of wildebeests and zebras, proud lions, skulking hyenas, a variety of antelopes, and some of Kenya's largest herds of elephants—all set against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The sight of elephants, giraffes, and other animals roaming the savannah with the majestic mountain in the distance creates a truly awe-inspiring and picturesque scene that is cherished by visitors to Amboseli.

You'll spend 2 days here.

Main Destination:
Amboseli National Park (Kenya)
Best Time To Visit June to October and January to February
High Season December to March and July to October (Busy)
Best Weather June to September and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Amboseli NP

ElephantAbundant
GiraffeCommon
BuffaloAbundant
ZebraAbundant
WildebeestAbundant
HippoCommon
Show more
HyenaCommon
LionOccasional
CheetahOccasional
LeopardRare to None
Accommodation:
Sentrim Amboseli Lodge
  • Mid-range tented camp located just outside Amboseli NP (Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

Nairobi

Nairobi

You'll be up early today for your opportunity to see Kilimanjaro at dawn. The roof of Africa is often shy, but in the early morning light, you'll have your best chance to see the tallest mountain on the continent.

The iconic silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen from various vantage points within Amboseli National Park. This means that as you embark on game drives or explore the park, you have the chance to witness the majestic presence of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance, creating a stunning and picturesque backdrop to your wildlife viewing experience.

You'll then make your way back to Nairobi, where you'll be taken to the airport or your hotel.

Main Destination:
Nairobi (City, Kenya)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.

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  • Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Your request will be sent directly to the operator

If preferred, you can contact the operator directly

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Shadows of Africa, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. If flights cost more, your quote will reflect this.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Shadows of Africa.