Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Nairobi - Lake Naivasha
Nairobi - Lake Naivasha
You'll be picked up from your hotel in Nairobi and make your way to the picturesque shores of Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located on the rim of the Great Rift Valley. Famous for its bird life, the area is 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 Sopa Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
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, that lies 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 unparalleled—besides all the inhabitants, you will gaze at shores of blooming flowers and the peaks of the Great Rift. 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)
- Accommodation:
- Basecamp Masai Mara
Wildlife in Masai Mara NR
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Masai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara National Reserve
You'll wake up early before dawn for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Masai Mara sunrise.
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.
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.
The ecosystem hosts over 95 animal species and they include large herds of elephants and buffaloes meandering the plains, the hippo pools in the Mara brown rivers, Masai giraffes, topis, Grant and Thompson’s gazelles, zebras, plenty of Nile crocodiles, blue and red-tailed monkeys and tree hyraxes. An abundance of herbivores definitely makes it an ideal hunting ground for predators and therefore a comfy home for Kenya's famous big cats.
Later, you’ll return to your lodge for an overnight stay and dinner.
- Main Destination:
- Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)
- Accommodation:
- Basecamp Masai Mara
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Masai Mara - Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)
Masai Mara - Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)
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)
- Accommodation:
- Baobab Serengeti Camp - Central
Wildlife in Serengeti NP
- Meals & Drinks:
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 wildebeest 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 - Central
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Serengeti National Park (Central)
Serengeti National Park (Central)
We'll start our day immediately after breakfast, driving through the plains of Togoro and the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes on our 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.
You'll have dinner and an overnight stay 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
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, you will get right back on the road towards the Ngorongoro Crater.
Your drive takes you 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 elephants 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.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be 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)
- Accommodation:
- Marera Valley Lodge
Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Arusha
Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Arusha
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 hippos 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 population of wildebeests, zebras, antelope, and cape buffalos. You'll head to Arusha and be dropped off at your hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Arusha (City, Tanzania)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
