13 Days – Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met and assisted with immigration and customs formalities before being transferred to Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel for overnight.

Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel has played a leading role in Kenya's colorful history, and continues to be the best-known luxury hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The town and later the modern city of Nairobi grew up around Fairmont The Norfolk hotel, which still has its own private tropical gardens. The landmark historic hotel in Nairobi is still the traditional starting point for African safaris and the Lord Delamere Terrace is modern Nairobi's popular meeting place, where drinks and light meals are served continuously from morning till late evening. Not to mention the elegant CinCin Wine Bar, showcasing an admirable range of International wines and spirits; and the ultra modern Tatu resturant, which is a thrilling contrast against the Victorian themed property.

0800 hrs: After breakfast, transfer to Wilson Airport and check in for your schedule flight to Masai Mara.  This is a 45 minutes flight and on arriving at Masai Mara, you are met by Mara Intrepids Camp staff and taken to the camp with game drives en-route. 

The 30 luxury tents are widely spread across a large riverside site to ensure guests the optimum of privacy and peace. Each tent is furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris, with large four-poster beds and handsome reproduction furniture, offset by modern en suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilets and all modern amenities.

The camp is secured by an electric fence to ward off animals and has 24 hour security

Spend the two days at exploring the Reserve.  The Masai Mara Game Reserve is Kenya's finest wildlife reserve. Everything about this reserve is outstanding. The wildlife is abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Birds, too, are prolific. Including migrants, well over 450 species have been recorded, among them, 57 species of birds of prey.

The climate is gentle, rarely too hot and well-spread rainfall year round. Throughout the year the Masai Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of colour and life. Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, Topi and Eland and many more species of plains' game offer a rich choice of food for the dominant predators; lion, leopard and cheetah which hunt in this pristine wilderness. Here the great herds of shuffling elephants browse among the rich tree-studded grasslands with an occasional sighting of a solitary and ill-tempered rhino. In the Mara River, Hippo and Crocodile are commonly found.

Meanwhile, the Reserve is host to 95 species of mammals, amphibians and other reptiles and 485 species of birds. Amongst the list of easy-to-view species are: gazelle, elephant, topi, buffalo, lion (Kenya’s largest population), black rhino, hippo, hyena, giraffe, leopard and mongoose.

You will also have the opportunity to take the most unusual safari of them all – the hot air balloon safari at an extra fee. The balloon lifts off at sunrise and then, subject to wind, drifts over the Mara plains and forests for up to an hour. Game viewing is given a totally new perspective! Your landing is celebrated with a champagne breakfast then a game drive back to camp.

Spend the two days at exploring the Reserve.  The Masai Mara Game Reserve is Kenya's finest wildlife reserve. Everything about this reserve is outstanding. The wildlife is abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Birds, too, are prolific. Including migrants, well over 450 species have been recorded, among them, 57 species of birds of prey.

The climate is gentle, rarely too hot and well-spread rainfall year round. Throughout the year the Masai Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of colour and life. Thomson's and Grant's gazelle, Topi and Eland and many more species of plains' game offer a rich choice of food for the dominant predators; lion, leopard and cheetah which hunt in this pristine wilderness. Here the great herds of shuffling elephants browse among the rich tree-studded grasslands with an occasional sighting of a solitary and ill-tempered rhino. In the Mara River, Hippo and Crocodile are commonly found.

Meanwhile, the Reserve is host to 95 species of mammals, amphibians and other reptiles and 485 species of birds. Amongst the list of easy-to-view species are: gazelle, elephant, topi, buffalo, lion (Kenya’s largest population), black rhino, hippo, hyena, giraffe, leopard and mongoose.

You will also have the opportunity to take the most unusual safari of them all – the hot air balloon safari at an extra fee. The balloon lifts off at sunrise and then, subject to wind, drifts over the Mara plains and forests for up to an hour. Game viewing is given a totally new perspective! Your landing is celebrated with a champagne breakfast then a game drive back to camp.

1000 hrs: Transfer to Ol Kiombo Airstrip for check into your scheduled flight to Nairobi departing at 1100 hrs. This flight is expected to arriveWilson Airport at 1220 hrs.  Connect onto the Amboseli schedule that will depart from Wilson airport at 1400 hrs.  On arrival you are met and transferred to Tortilis Camp with a game drive en-route to the camp.  Amboseli is best known for its unrivalled views of Kilimanjaro and the local elephant population. There are over 1,000 elephants in the park eco-system, featuring some of the largest in Africa. 

Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the acacia Tortilis, and is situated in one of Amboseli’s areas of acacia Tortilis woodland, with the majestic backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, and the World’s highest free-standing mountain, snow-capped Kilimanjaro.  The Camp’s tents are all large and spacious, with king or twin beds, and elegant en suite bathrooms.  There is  a main lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs, with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro

Enjoy day game drives in the Park and night game drives at the Kitirua Conservancy Area.  Amboseli lies immediately north-west of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Gazetted as a National Park in 1974, the park covers 392 square km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem. The National Park embodies the five main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Amboseli is a fairly small National Park yet it is so rich in both flora and fauna that it has recently been designated an International Bio-sphere Reserve. The snowcapped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above a saucer of clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli, providing some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Amboseli has over 80 different mammals to be found in the park, most famously the imposing African Elephant. With over 400 species of birds, the park is truly a nature lover’s paradise. Famous for its big game and scenic beauty, Amboseli is truly a memorable area to visit

Enjoy day game drives in the Park and night game drives at the Kitirua Conservancy Area.  Amboseli lies immediately north-west of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the border with Tanzania. Gazetted as a National Park in 1974, the park covers 392 square km, and forms part of the much larger 3,000 square km Amboseli ecosystem. The National Park embodies the five main wildlife habitats (open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland) and covers part of a Pleistocene lake basin, now dry. Amboseli is a fairly small National Park yet it is so rich in both flora and fauna that it has recently been designated an International Bio-sphere Reserve. The snowcapped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above a saucer of clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli, providing some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. Amboseli has over 80 different mammals to be found in the park, most famously the imposing African Elephant. With over 400 species of birds, the park is truly a nature lover’s paradise. Famous for its big game and scenic beauty, Amboseli is truly a memorable area to visit

0800 hrs: After breakfast, transfer to Namanga Border where you are met by Tanzania host for your onward drive to Ngorongoro Crater.  Enjoy lunch at the Arusha Coffee Lodge and later drive to Ngorongoro Exploreans for dinner and overnight.

Set in 50 acres of virgin Tanzanian bush in the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, this all suites wood log cabin style retreat is located a few steps from the Game Reserve Gate and 20 minutes drive away from the Ngorongoro Crater that is said to have the most dense concentration of wildlife in Africa. Indulge in moments of relaxation at the swimming pool or at the Mvua African Rain Spa after your game drives.

0800 hrs: After breakfast, descend to the floor of The Ngorongoro Crater with picnic lunch boxes. Often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ and the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World,’ a visit to the crater is a main drawcard for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction. Within the crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhino returns to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist. Just outside the crater’s ridge, tall Maasai herd their cattle and goats over green pastures through the highland slopes, living alongside the wildlife as they have for centuries.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes its eponymous famous crater, Olduvai Gorge, and huge expanses of highland plains, scrub bush, and forests that cover approximately 8300 square kilometres. A protected area, only indigenous tribes such as the Maasai are allowed to live within its borders. Lake Ndutu and Masek, both alkaline soda lakes are home to rich game populations, as well as a series of peaks and volcanoes and make the Conservation Area a unique and beautiful landscape. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact caldera in an exceptional geographical position, forming a spectacular bowl of about 265 square kilometres with sides up to 600m deep, the stalking ground of around 20,000 to 30,000 wild animals at any one time.

The crater floor consists of a number of ecological environments that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat, a central soda lake filled by the Munge River. All these various habitats attract various wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb. Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil, lush forests and spring source lakes on the crater floor tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain here throughout the year.

The Ngorongoro Crater and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are without a doubt some of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, steeped in history and teeming with wildlife. Besides vehicle safaris to Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and surrounding attractions, hiking treks through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are also available.

After the full day game drive, return to Exploreans Ngorongoro Lodge for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to Manyara Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar.This flight departs Lake Manyara airstrip at 1125 hrs and arrives Zanzibar airport at approximately 1345 hrs.  On arrival, you are met by Baraza Resort team and transferred to the Resort, your home for the next three nights in a garden view villa.

With just 30 villas, this stunning fully inclusive resort evokes the heritage of Zanzibar dating back to the era of the Sultans. A fusion of Arabic, Swahili and Indian design, with Swahili arches, intricate hand carved cement décor, beautiful antiques, handmade furniture and intricate brass lanterns; Baraza offers unparalleled standards of luxury on the Island of Zanzibar.

Located along the Bwejuu – Paje beach that was named as one of the top 30 in the world by the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Baraza is Zanzibar’s most exclusive boutique resort. Baraza Resort and Spa is a 5 star all inclusive hotel voted as one of the 60 best new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, a prestigious world wide travel magazine.

Days spent at leisure.Enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches. There is a variety of water sports and activities available at the dive centre.  These are at an extra cost.

Days spent at leisure.Enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches. There is a variety of water sports and activities available at the dive centre.  These are at an extra cost.

Transfer to Zanzibar Airport for check into your international departure flight.