Ultimate Great Migration Safari: A Private Journey

Arrive in Nairobi, a microcosm of the African continent and the capital of Kenya. It serves as your gateway to a dramatic procession of natural spectacles here and in Tanzania, two of the most thrilling destinations in the world.

Fly to Amboseli National Park, home to prolific herds of elephants. Spanning 150 square miles of Kenyan savanna, woodlands, wetlands and ephemeral lakebed — with Mount Kilimanjaro’s distinctive profile as its centerpiece — this iconic park also harbors giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions and hundreds of bird species. Arrive at your new lodge, set in a unique location on a 128-acre private concession adjoining the park. Innovatively designed and deeply rooted in the elements of its environment, your accommodation is inspired by Maasai principles of living in harmony with nature.

Watch elephants up close and view other game such as Cape buffalo, wildebeest, hippos and hyenas. After lunch back at the lodge, head out again to seek out more of East Africa’s natural wonders.

After crossing the border into Tanzania and stopping for lunch in Arusha, fly to Tarangire National Park and settle into your luxurious accommodations. Set among vast, baobab-lined savannas, the park boasts a large population of elephants. Life here revolves around the Tarangire River, which draws large concentrations of wildlife — a cornucopia for safari enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.

Embark on morning and afternoon game drives to explore Tarangire National Park and its stunning concentration of animals — herds of elephant, impalas and zebra. Look, too, for pythons and the twitching tail of a leopard hiding in high branches. Optional activities available at an additional cost include a walking safari or, as dusk falls, a night safari, to search for nocturnal animals rarely seen by visitors. With specialized lighting, look for lions and hyenas and smaller creatures — spotted genets, servals, bat-eared foxes and nightjars.

Learn how Tanzanians live today, exploring a local village and strolling the local market to see the colorful produce on display. Then head to your restful lodge, set near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, for lunch. During some free time on your own, you may opt for a walk with a Maasai healer. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken ancient caldera in the world and a likely place to view lions, elephants, hyenas and gazelles.

Descend into Ngorongoro Crater to explore the panoramic, game-rich prairies of this ancient volcanic caldera. With its crater walls 2,000 feet high, Ngorongoro offers the safari experience of a lifetime. Observe profuse and diverse wildlife roaming freely in an authentic “Lost World,” where it’s possible to encounter every member of the Big Five in a single day. Pause for a picnic lunch in this UNESCO World Heritage Site before continuing your game drive en route back to the lodge.

Fly to Serengeti National Park, a vast Tanzanian landscape that during part of the year hosts one of earth’s greatest wildlife spectacles: the annual Great Migration. Over the next three days, immerse yourself in this incredible setting, with camera at the ready for flash encounters with the circle of life, such as a cheetah bolting after its agile prey.

Spanning some 5,700 square miles of rolling, golden grassland, Serengeti National Park supports one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the world, including antelopes, hyenas, leopards, giraffes, lions and buffalo, any of which may reveal themselves on morning and afternoon game drives.

Immerse yourself once more in this incredible setting, alternating between expert-led game excursions and time to unwind to savor the unmistakable atmosphere of the Serengeti at your luxury safari lodge.

Fly to the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s finest wildlife experience, offering excellent game viewing year-round. The unending landscape hosts some 450 bird species, 95 animal species and many of the great predators, including the country’s largest lion population. The Great Migration is also visible here during parts of the year. Check in to your fine safari lodge, set on a private stretch of the Mara River, before heading out on an afternoon game drive, watching for crocodiles basking in the sun, hippos as they wallow in muddy water and monkeys sparking mischief overhead.

Rise early if you wish for an optional hot air balloon ride (at an additional cost), floating peacefully above the game-dotted plains of the Mara. Today and tomorrow, explore the open savanna, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers of the Maasai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives. Amid the stunning scenery, you may view Maasai tribesmen traversing the plains or herding goats and cattle. During your afternoon safari, visit the rhino sanctuary to learn about its vital conservation work.

Between game drives, connect with local residents on a village visit and stop by a primary school (when in session) supported by A&K Philanthropy to learn how our partnership with LifeStraw is changing lives by providing locals access to safe, clean drinking water.

Fly back to Nairobi with a comfortable dayroom at your disposal before your departing flight.