Leave the rat race and monkey business of everyday life at home and revel in your independent spirit with the I-time you deserve on this Globus Independent Africa tour. If that spirit of adventure includes the dream of a daring adventure with the best Driver/Guides in East Africa, then you can kick your bucket list to the curb on this private safari in some of the world’s most famous game areas. From Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and Mount Kilimanjaro looming above Amboseli National Park to the legendary plains of the Serengeti and spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll get an eyeful of East Africa’s fantastic beasts and breathtakingly primitive panoramas. We pick the perfect spots for the chance to spot the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant, and rhino), not to mention other locals like cheetah, giraffe, gazelle, and hyena. Your African adventure ends in Zanzibar! From your ocean-front hotel, embark into Stone Town for sightseeing along the narrow alleyways. Explore the spicy side of Zanzibar on a guided tour of the historic spice market – only found here A spice of life in the heart of Zanzibar!This Globus Independent tour of Africa takes you to where the wild things are – while giving you the freedom to unplug and recharge in luxury.
Your Globus Independent tour gives you the freedom to explore with the I-time you crave–with all the perks you'd expect from Globus. We take care of the details with included accommodations, daily breakfasts, transportation with intra-vacation flights and transfers between each city on your tour. Plus, a professional driver/guide throughout your private safari and select guided sightseeing via private vehicle and a Local Host in Zanzibar to assist you when needed. We’ve packed everything you need for an amazing adventure—from hand-selected safari lodges and tented camps to friendly expert Driver/Guides. 4-wheel-drive safari vehicles are equipped with a pop-up roof for unfettered game viewing and photography. Plus, only your guests travel in the safari vehicle, which is limited to just six guests, so you’ll always have a window seat on private safari! This tour offers a great opportunity to witness the Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope—the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your GlobusGO mobile app!Traveling with friends or family? Enjoy discounts when 3 or more guests share a vehicle. Ask your Globus Vacation Planner or Travel Advisor for details.
Notes: The Great Migration is a natural event with herds typically in the Serengeti from late November to July. Movements and river crossings of migrating herds can be challenging to predict year to year. When possible, we’ll modify game viewing when advised of reported sightings. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.
Welcome to Kenya! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in
Day 2 NAIROBI–MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE AREA
•Fly to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area.
•After lunch, embark on your first game drive this afternoon in search of the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, Elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo.
•Your visit contributes to Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund, aimed at recovering the lion population in Africa after more than half have been lost over the past 25 years.
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Day 3 MAASAI MARA
•The “Mara,” as it is called by the locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives, the population grows by almost 2 million. This provides a great food source for lions, leopards, and hyenas. You’ll have ample opportunity to spot these predators and many other animals on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert Driver/Guide.
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Today’s I-Time Tips
Between game drives, relax by the pool or take a safari siesta! BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4 MAASAI MARA AREA–NAIROBI–AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK AREA
•A short flight brings you back to Nairobi for a drive to Amboseli National Park.
•Upon arrival, embark on a game drive and take in the spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at some 19,341 feet. Arrive at your lodge or camp in time to freshen up for dinner.
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Day 5 AMBOSELI AREA
•Morning and afternoon game drives offer you a great opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You might also spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more.
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Today’s I-Time Tips
Between game drives, dive into a good book on your private patio or take a dip in the pool BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6 AMBOSELI AREA–ARUSHA, TANZANIA–LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK AREA
•This morning, enter Tanzania at the Namanga border.
•After lunch in Arusha, proceed to the Lake Manyara National Park area.
(B,L,D) BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7 LAKE MANYARA AREA–NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
•Lake Manyara National Park is a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and alkaline Lake Manyara itself. The park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of baboon. Watch for these mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your morning game drive.
•Drive to your lodge on the slopes of Ngorongoro Crater.
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Today’s I-Time Tips
Visit a local primary school to meet the children and learn about the educational system in rural Tanzania BreakfastDinner
Day 8 NGORONGORO AREA
•Today, enjoy a full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is the world’s largest unflooded caldera—at more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year-round. You can see lions, elephants, flamingos, and a variety of other animals. This is also your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros. A picnic lunch will be served in the crater.
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Day 9 NGORONGORO AREA–SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
•Today, drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most famous park. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, it attracts visitors from around the world and is great for game viewing year round.
•Enjoy lunch prior to your afternoon game drive.
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Day 10 SERENGETI
•Covering an area of roughly 5,700 square miles, the name Serengeti comes from the Maasai word siringit (endless plains.)
•Join your expert Driver/Guide for morning and afternoon game drives to further explore this vast park. Search for leopard, rhino, and an abundance of other animals, including cheetah, giraffe, gazelle, and eland.
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Today’s I-Time Tips
Between game drives, relax by the pool or take a safari siesta! BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 11 SERENGETI–STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR–ZANZIBAR BEACH
•Embark on one final game drive before flying to Stone Town (via Arusha), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
•Transfer to your oceanfront resort for a 3-night stay. Enjoy the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean from your ocean-view room.
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Day 12 ZANZIBAR BEACH. EXCURSION TO STONE TOWN
•Travel back to Stone Town for a guided walking tour to see the Old Fort, the National Palace, and the House of Wonders.
•After lunch at a local restaurant, embark on an immersive Spice Tour at a nearby plantation to learn about Zanzibar’s rich spice heritage through seeing, smelling, and tasting fresh spices.
•Return to your resort for a leisurely evening. Enjoy dinner at the resort and unwind after a day of cultural exploration, staying overnight in comfort to prepare for more island adventures.
(B,L,D) BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 13 ZANZIBAR BEACH
•Today is a full day at leisure to enjoy the resort. Enjoy the 30-acres of tropical gardens, swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, dine at one of the many restaurants onsite, or sign up for an included watersport such as paddleboarding or kayaking.
Note: some watersports are included with your stay while others, such as diving or snorkeling, can be arranged for a cost through the Recreation & Water Sports Center.
(B,L,D) BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 14 ZANZIBAR BEACH–STONE TOWN–DAR ES SALAAM
•Transfer back to Stone Town for a flight to Dar es Salaam, where a day room has been reserved at the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel for your convenience. Schedule departing homebound flights after 4 pm.
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Accommodations
Nairobi
Nairobi
Maasai Mara National Reserve Area
Amboseli National Park Area
Lake Manyara National Park Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park
Zanzibar Beach
Sarova Panafric First-Class
Junction of Kenyatta Ave & Valley Road Nairobi Kenya
Rated one of the best hotels in Nairobi the Sarova Panafric has lots to offer. Located just a short drive from CBD and 18 km from the airport. You are minutes away from the start of your adventure.
Nairobi Serena Hotel Superior First-Class
Kenyatta Ave. Nairobi Kenya
Despite its central location, the Nairobi Serena hotel is a quiet sanctuary amid the bustle of one of Africa's most dynamic cities. The interior décor reflects an entirely pan-African theme featuring art and inspiration from Ethiopia, the Maghreb, West Africa and East Africa. Offering a wide range of dining experiences, The Nairobi Serena is renowned for its 'Mandhari' fine-dining restaurant, which is universally acknowledged as one of Kenya's finest.
Sarova Mara Camp Superior First-Class
Maasai Mara National Reserve Kenya
Sarova Mara Camp is situated in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, offering a front seat to the rolling plains of East Africa. The camp offers an unparalleled plethora of activities and experiences from tented living to bird-watching to a unique insight into the Maasai culture at the adjoining Maasai village. The large grounds are beautifully laid out with exotic trees and indigenous shrubs.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge First-Class
Amboseli National Park Amboseli National Park Area Kenya
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, the glittering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge enjoys a uniquely privileged position at the heart of this world-famous national park. At the center of ""Maasailand"", the lodge's décor reflects the brilliant primary colors and iconic shapes representative of these legendary warriors. At the heart of the lodge, shaded by palm trees, is a free-form swimming pool; to either side of which stretch the rooms.
Electricity is provided 24 hours a day.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge First-Class
Lake Manyara National Park Area Lake Manyara National Park Area Tanzania
Standing high on the edge of a towering terracotta escarpment with panoramic views over the glittering alkaline waters of Lake Manyara, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of tranquility, wildlife discovery, and ornithological richness.
Kitela Lodge Superior First-Class
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Tanzania
Kitela Lodge offers peace and comfort on a hillside with beautiful views of a coffee plantation and a waterfall within the incredible highlands bordering Ngorongoro Crater. Spacious rooms feature a private terrace and overlook beautiful gardens.
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge Superior First-Class
Serengeti National Park Tanzania
Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge is located in the central Serengeti and features a modern decor with fresh and bright atmosphere. Elegant tents built on raised wood platforms feature en-suite facilities, an outdoor shower, and a private terrace with sweeping views.
Bluebay Beach Resort First-Class
Kiwengwa Beach Rd. Zanzibar Beach Tanzania
Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa is situated on the finest white, sandy beach on the east coast of the island of Zanzibar. Offering Swahili charm, the resort offers tropical gardens, ultimate beach comfort and excellent accommodations. Amenities include the famous Oasis Spa, fine dining and a host of sports and leisure facilities. Rooms are spacious, bright and beautifully deorated in Zanzibari style.