Shadows of Africa

4.9/5 – 143 Reviews

$6,633 pp (USD)

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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

Arrival in Nairobi

Arrival in Nairobi

You will be picked up from Jomo Kenyatta Airport and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi City for an overnight stay.

It's important to unwind after your flight and prepare for the exciting safari ahead.

So, take this time to relax and get ready for your incredible adventure.

Main Destination:
Nairobi (City, Kenya)
Accommodation:
Ole-Sereni
  • Luxury hotelin Nairobi (City, Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Nairobi - Lake Naivasha

Nairobi - Lake Naivasha

You'll be picked up from your hotel or the airport and immediately whisked away to Lake Naivasha National Park. The short, two to three-hour drive passes by some beautiful scenery, and before you know it you'll be lakeside and ready for your game drive.

Situated at an elevation of 1,884m, Lake Naivasha is the highest lake within the Great Rift Valley and is home to many species of birds and animals —about 400 bird species and over 1500 hippos!

Today you will have a walking safari on Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Tours of the sanctuary last between 1.5-3 hours, and highlights include walking amongst the resident giraffes and zebras.

You'll also have a boat safari to get up close to the hippos and birds in the lake. If you look to the shores, you may see zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes.

A typical boat safari on Lake Naivasha takes around an hour, and the lake’s sheer size means that you will not be distracted by the rumble of other boat engines.

Main Destination:
Lake Naivasha (Naivasha, Kenya)
Accommodation:
Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp
  • Mid-range tented campat Lake Naivasha (Naivasha, Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara National Reserve

Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, you will enjoy a morning boat safari and walk on Crescent Island before starting your journey (5-6 hours) down to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, stopping for lunch along the way.

Time permitting you can head out for a game drive/sundowners or settle into the lodge for an early night before your safaris tomorrow.

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 4

Masai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara National Reserve

You'll wake up to witness a sunrise out on the Masai Mara. As the sun sets fire to the savannah, you'll have the chance to watch predators such as leopards and lions out on the hunt while the air is still cool.

You may also wish to indulge yourself by adding a sunrise hot air balloon safari and champagne breakfast to your safari. Speak with your safari specialist about making this once-in-a-lifetime experience happen for you.

After a late breakfast, you'll take a picnic lunch and head out into the park for a day of discovery as you go in search of the Big Five.

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 5

Masai Mara - Northern Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

Masai Mara - Northern Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

There's no pulling punches here: this is a long day's driving.

Departing after an early breakfast with a packed lunch, you'll enjoy a game drive en route to the Isebania border crossing that separates Tanzania and Kenya. Once your immigration formalities are complete and you've met with your new Tanzanian driver, you'll continue to the Serengeti.

Arriving late in the day, you'll check into your hotel and relax ahead of tomorrow's explorations. It is possible to cut on some travel time by opting for a flight here. The exact price will depend on your travel dates and availability.

Main Destination:
Northern 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 6

Masai Mara - Northern Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

Masai Mara - Northern Serengeti National Park (Kogatende)

You'll spend your day driving through this distinct and beautiful region of the park in search of the wildebeest migration and the Big Five. As you stay a full day in the Northern part of Serengeti, the chance to see the river crossing of the wildebeests becomes bigger. Almost every day some of the wildebeests are crossing the river looking for new nutrients. There are different crossing points and there might be multiple crossings in one day. Of course, you will also need some luck —it is possible that the wildebeest will not cross during your stay. Your guide will be connected to a radio to hear from (or inform) other guides about the location of the crossing- so you will have the best possible chance of catching a crossing.

In the afternoon, you'll have the option to extend your game drive until sunset or participate in one of the optional activities available at your lodge. These often include nature walks or a sundowner at the lodge.

Main Destination:
Northern 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 7

Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) - Central Serengeti National Park (Seronera)

Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) - Central Serengeti National Park (Seronera)

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 wildlife 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:
Central 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 8

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area

After breakfast, you'll get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

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 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.

Your dinner and overnight stay will be on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

Main Destination:
Ngorongoro Highlands (Tanzania)
Accommodation:
Rhino Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located on the crater rim of Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

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 hippopotamuses enjoying the cool water.

The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more.

After the thrills and excitement of the day, you will have a picnic lunch by the park's famous hippo pool. You will stay overnight on the escarpment.

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 10

Lake Manyara National Park - Mto Wa Mbu - Arusha

Lake Manyara National Park - Mto Wa Mbu - Arusha

The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best wildlife 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 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 colored lilac-breasted roller.

After your game drive, you will begin the drive to Arusha for an overnight stay. The journey takes approximately two hours, but we'll pass through the market town of Mto Wa Mbu along the way. This agricultural and fresh produce market is a melting pot of local cultures and a souvenir hunter's paradise.

You'll then retire to your chosen accommodation for dinner and a good night's rest.

Main Destination:
Lake Manyara National Park (Tanzania)
Best Time To Visit June to October (Easier to spot animals)
High Season July to March (The northern section gets crowded)
Best Weather June to October (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Manyara NP

ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
BuffaloCommon
ZebraCommon
HippoCommon
Show more
LionOccasional
HyenaOccasional
Wild DogVery Rare
Accommodation:
Olerai Lodge
  • Mid-range lodgein Arusha (City, Tanzania)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

Arusha - Namanga - Amboseli National Park

Arusha - Namanga - Amboseli National Park

Today, you will have an early breakfast and proceed to the Namanga border crossing to go through customs and immigration, then drive to Amboseli.

On arrival in Amboseli, you will see why this is one of Kenya's most beloved parks, with its stunning views of Mt Kilimanjaro and its large elephant population.

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

Amboseli National Park - Nairobi

Amboseli National Park - Nairobi

You'll wake before dawn for an unforgettable sunrise game drive within the park. Kilimanjaro never looks quite as beautiful as she does first thing in the morning. You'll also get to see predators such as leopards, lions, and cheetahs out on the prowl in the cooler morning air.

They don't call Amboseli the Royal Court of Kilimanjaro for nothing. As you take in its large elephant herds and the stunning panorama of Mt. Kilimanjaro, you'll see why this is one of Kenya's most beloved parks.

After your morning game drive and a late breakfast, relax at the lodge for a few hours before heading out into the park again in the afternoon. With the animals largely inactive during the warm midday hours, you can get some rest before catching them out and about in the cooling afternoon air.

You'll then make your way back to Nairobi for an overnight stay.

Main Destination:
Nairobi (City, Kenya)
Accommodation:
Ole-Sereni
  • Luxury hotelin Nairobi (City, Kenya)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13

Nairobi - Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Nairobi - Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

After breakfast, you'll be taken to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for the continuation of your journey.

Main Destination:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Meals at own expense
  • 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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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.
  • 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.