Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and the starting point for your small group safari. A Trafalgar Representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel, giving you an easy start after your journey. This evening, meet your Driver Guide and fellow travelers over dinner at Carnivore, a well-known Nairobi restaurant. Hear more about the days ahead as you prepare to travel from the city to Kenya’s national parks and wildlife-rich landscapes.
This morning, you'll visit a historic home during a special Be My Guest experience and have an opportunity to enjoy local cuisine and to sample the region's tea and coffee. Afterward, head north to the scenic Aberdare Highlands, your home for the next two nights. Here, you can spot zebra, warthog and impala grazing nearby. Spend a peaceful afternoon by the pool or choose to join an Optional Experience, exploring the lush ravines and moorlands of Aberdare National Park's striking landscape.
Begin the day with your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Solio Game Reserve, Kenya’s leading rhino sanctuary. Hear from a local ranger about the critical conservation work protecting endangered black and white rhinos, then head out on a guided game drive through the reserve. This is one of the best places in Africa to see these rare animals in the wild. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure or choose from a selection of Optional Experiences. You might explore the Aberdare countryside on a mountain bike, head out on horseback or take another game drive.
Have your camera ready for a photo stop at the stunning Thomson's Falls, then continue your journey into the heart of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, arriving at Lake Nakuru National Park. Known as a birdwatcher’s haven with over 400 species, the park is also home to lions and leopards. With your expert Driver Guide leading the way, you’ll uncover the park’s hidden gems this afternoon, from elusive wildlife to breathtaking vistas. After a day of adventure, settle in for an unforgettable overnight stay right within the park, where morning greets you with stunning views of Lake Nakuru.
Start early with your Driver Guide and small group on a 4x4 game drive along the shores of Lake Nakuru. As the park comes to life, look for flamingos, pelicans and other birdlife on the water, with the chance to spot rhino, zebra and buffalo grazing nearby. Continue to Lake Naivasha for lunch, then take to the water by boat as you search for hippos. Later, join a Local Specialist on Crescent Island, where you’ll walk among zebra, impala and giraffe before your Stays with Stories experience at Lake Naivasha Country Club, a historic property set on the lakeshore.
Venture across the Great Rift Valley to the savannah wilderness of Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve, whose promise of some of the best game viewing in the world attracts safari enthusiasts the world over. Your home for the next two nights is in the heart of the National Reserve, ensuring you'll have the opportunity to see wildlife from the moment you head out on your safari game drives.
Get up close and personal with the incredible wildlife that calls the Maasai Mara home on this morning’s safari, where you’ll be on the lookout for Africa’s famous Big 5: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo. Immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to an authentic Maasai village. Watch as the warriors showcase their amazing jumping skills, then take a guided tour to get a real feel for daily life in this vibrant community. Learn the secrets of bush hunting from the Maasai before heading back to the lodge for lunch. Keep your eyes on the trees for flashes of color as Bee-eaters, Rollers and Hoopoes dart about, before heading back out on your game drive in one of the world’s most legendary safari destinations.
Say a heartfelt kwaheri (goodbye) to Kenya and your Driver Guide as you cross the border into Tanzania. After completing immigration formalities, meet your new Driver Guide and board your Tanzania 4x4. Head to the shores of Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, where your accommodation awaits. Don’t miss the chance to stroll to the water's edge and witness a breathtaking sunset over the lake.
Begin your day with a peaceful moment by the tranquil waters of Lake Victoria, soaking in the morning serenity before heading to the legendary Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The endless plains of the Serengeti provide the perfect backdrop for your 4x4 safari, where you’ll be tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs. After lunch at your accommodation, set out once more to explore more of this remarkable landscape and its hidden treasures.
The Serengeti’s reputation for wildlife viewing is second to none. This is the home to one of nature’s greatest shows—the Great Migration. Set off on a full-day game drive with your Driver Guide, who’ll share stories about the annual journey made by over a million wildebeest as they travel across the Mara River in search of greener pastures. As you traverse the plains dotted with Acacia trees, stay on the lookout for wildlife. Each turn reveals a new facet of this vast, breathtaking national park, from its varied ecosystems to its iconic landscapes.
Leave the Serengeti behind and head toward the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Get ready for an unforgettable descent into the vast Ngorongoro Crater, where you’ll explore lush forests and sweeping grasslands in search of elephants, lions, zebras and wildebeest. After a scenic picnic lunch on the crater floor, you’ll begin your climb back to the rim, taking in the dramatic views. Tonight, settle into your accommodation nestled in green farmlands, with panoramic vistas to enjoy before the day ends.
A short drive takes you to the village of Mto wa Umbu, where you’ll Dive into Culture on a walking tour that gives you a taste of local life. As you stroll through the village, farmlands and markets, you’ll meet the locals and discover their way of life. Sample the unique local banana beer and enjoy a home-cooked lunch prepared by local women, who’ll explain how each dish is made. Your visit directly supports their community. Later, set out on an afternoon game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Today, you’ll head to Tarangire National Park, arriving just in time for lunch at your lodge. Take a moment to relax or get acquainted with the friendly tree hyraxes that like to hang around. For your final game drive of the trip, Tarangire’s one-of-a-kind landscape awaits. Giant baobabs, flat-topped acacias, and towering termite mounds dot the plains. Your Driver Guide will be on the lookout for the area's impressive elephant herds, giving you the chance to admire these gentle giants up close as they search for the juiciest vegetation.
The rich aroma of local coffee lingers in the air as you savor lunch at one of Tanzania's largest coffee plantations. Then it’s time to say a sad farewell to your small group and Safari Driver Guide (onward flights should not be booked to depart until after 5 pm). Should you have a late evening flight departure, you may wish to consider booking a day use room at the KIA Lodge airport hotel. Please note: This trip is operated on a small group basis. You’ll travel by 4x4 safari vehicle throughout the itinerary, including road journeys and game drives. As the route covers a range of terrains, some journeys may be rough and bumpy. Space in the safari vehicles is limited, so please pack a soft-sided bag or medium-sized suitcase.
