Day 1: Nairobi
Nairobi
Welcome at NAIROBI airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to visit some of the city's tourist attractions.
Day 2: Lake Naivasha
Nairobi - Lake Naivasha
Arrival in the capital of Kenya, where you will be met by your guide to begin the safari. We leave Nairobi and head towards the Great Rift Valley, traveling to the shores of LAKE NAIVASHA. Surrounded by a forest of yellow acacias that seem enchanted, we will spend the night in this unique setting.
In the afternoon, we will take a boat trip on the lake, home to several families of hippos and countless birds; giraffes, antelopes, or even buffalo are often seen on the shore. The estate offers the possibility of a walking tour or a horseback safari (optional), which is highly recommended: you only hear the sounds of the animals and find yourself surrounded by nature—a unique experience to get close to zebras or giraffes like no other.
Day 3: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Lake Naivasha - Maasai Mara National Reserve
After a good rest, we will head toward Maasai lands. This noble tribe of shepherds has inhabited this part of Africa since ancient times and continues, in the 21st century, to hold fast to its traditions and way of life.
Our first contact with the Maasai people will be at the Nashulai Maasai Conservancy, one of several conservation areas on the perimeter of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Spanning over 2,000 hectares, it is a key location in the heart of the Mara ecosystem, forming part of the extensive migratory corridor that stretches from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the northern Mara. This makes it a vital wildlife refuge alongside other contiguous conservation areas.
Nashulai is one of the few community-owned and operated conservation areas in Kenya—a bold model for conservation in a 21st century facing major challenges such as species loss, cultural extinction, and global climate change. It demonstrates that humans and wildlife can coexist once again for the benefit of the land, the wildlife, and the people.
It is here that our tented camp, OLENGOTI ECO SAFARI CAMP & COTTAGES, is located, situated in a beautiful meander of the Talek River, a tributary of the Mara River.
Day 4: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
After a full breakfast at the camp, the day begins with a drive out into the savannah. At this hour, the Maasai Mara awakens: nocturnal predators retreat, and herbivores begin to move. It is the ideal time to spot lions, hyenas, and perhaps even a cheetah in action!
The morning safari is conducted in open 4x4 vehicles, accompanied by expert local guides. You will travel through key areas of the park in search of the "Big Five": Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. You can also observe giraffes, zebras, gazelles, wildebeests, and a vast variety of birds.
At midday, a stop is made at a safe and scenic spot to enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of nature. Surrounded by the landscapes of the Maasai Mara, this break allows you to recharge your energy while continuing to soak in the wild environment.
In the afternoon, the safari continues as the golden light of sunset transforms the landscape. This is a perfect moment for photography and for observing animals that become active with the evening cool. With luck, you might see elephants bathing or hippos emerging from the water.
Upon returning to the lodge, an intimate and cozy dinner is served, ideal for sharing the day's excitement with fellow travelers. After dinner, those who wish can enjoy a drink around the campfire, accompanied by the sounds of nature. An unforgettable experience in the heart of Africa!
Day 5: Lake Victoria
Maasai Mara National Reserve - Lake Victoria
The adventure begins before dawn as travelers are transferred to the launch site in the heart of the savannah. While the sky is still stained a deep blue, the crew prepares the balloon, and hot coffee or tea is served to warm you up.
As the sun begins to rise over the horizon, the balloon gently lifts into the air. From above, an unparalleled natural spectacle unfolds: herds of wildebeest and zebras crossing the savannah, giraffes wandering among the acacias, elephants moving with elegance, and with any luck, a lion resting after the night's hunt.
The flight lasts approximately one hour, offering a unique, silent, and magical perspective of the Maasai Mara. The golden morning light bathes the landscape, creating ideal conditions for photography and contemplation.
Upon landing, travelers are welcomed with a safari-style breakfast in the middle of the savannah, served under an acacia tree or in a safe area, complete with white linens, freshly brewed coffee, fresh fruit, and hot dishes. It is an experience that combines adventure, luxury, and a profound connection with nature.
Later, we begin our journey toward Tanzania. The route is traveled by road, crossing savannah landscapes, small villages, and agricultural areas. Along the way, brief stops can be made to rest, take photos, or enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of a tree.
The route offers ever-changing views: from rolling hills and solitary baobabs to cultivated fields announcing the proximity of water. The trip takes several hours, depending on road and weather conditions.
Upon reaching the shores of Lake Victoria, the landscape transforms. The lake stretches out like a massive mirror, dotted with fishing boats and riverside vegetation. It is an ideal place to relax, walk along the shore, and enjoy the sunset.
Taking this route places us just two hours from the Kenya-Tanzania border, the shortest path between the Mara and the Serengeti. Once in Tanzania, in just three hours, we descend to Lake Victoria, passing through landscapes filled with kopjes (whimsical granite rock formations) and a multitude of traditional hamlets and lively small towns.
Tonight we stay at Serenity on the Lake, our exclusive accommodation on the Tanzanian shore of Lake Victoria, also known as Ukerewe: the largest tropical lake in the world, situated in a depression between the western and eastern branches of the Rift Valley.
Day 6: Serengeti National Park
Lake Victoria - Serengeti National Park
After a hearty breakfast, departing directly from our accommodation, we will take a trip in a traditional boat, following the lakeshore to the fishing village of Mwabulugu. This stop is off the beaten path, offering a firsthand look at daily life on the lake.
During the boat ride, it is common to spot monitor lizards, cormorants, fish eagles, and even the occasional hippo. Once in the village, we can visit the market where women sell the night's catch, witness the hustle and bustle of the beach, explore the main street shops, fruit and vegetable stalls, and see the mills used to grind maize flour. It is a true immersion into local life—an experience to understand the day-to-day rhythm of the Tanzanian people.
Our accommodation is just half an hour from the entrance to SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK. This legendary park is the natural extension of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Every year, nearly 1.5 million wildebeest, 250,000 zebras, and hundreds of thousands of antelopes take part in the Great Migration, seeking fresh pastures, minerals, and vast plains to give birth to thousands of calves. Closely following them are lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. It is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking natural spectacles in the world—an endless circle of life and death.
The Serengeti welcomes us for the next two nights at our PUMZIKA LUXURY SAFARI CAMP, located in the heart of the park in the exclusive Nyabogati area, east of Seronera. This area boasts one of the highest concentrations of lions and lies directly in the path of the great migrations.
The feeling of being at the center of it all, yet completely remote, is the key to our camp's charm. Here, elephants and buffalo might wander peacefully between the tents at night, or a hyena might venture close from the darkness to listen to the stories told around the campfire. The tents are spacious with private bathrooms, providing the highest level of privacy and a sense of true exclusivity reminiscent of "Out of Africa." Enjoy a hot shower to unwind from the safari, followed by the ritual of a sunset toast by the fire before an exquisite dinner. Later, we gather back by the embers to gaze at the stars or simply enjoy a conversation with a gin and tonic to season our safari stories. During the night, the tranquility of the surroundings is interrupted only by the symphony of roaring lions or the passing wildebeest of the great migration.
Day 7: Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
Dawn breaks at PUMZIKA LUXURY SAFARI CAMP, marking the beginning of a second day of safari in the Serengeti National Park.
Optional Early Morning: For those seeking a romantic touch, there is an optional hot air balloon safari. You will silently soar over the herds as the sun rises. Upon landing, a champagne breakfast awaits you on the savannah in the true style of Out of Africa.
The best safaris—or at least those with the highest probability of witnessing a hunt—take place at sunrise, as the savannah wakes up and nocturnal animals are still active. We will dedicate these moments to searching for the "Big Five": lions, buffalo, elephants, rhinos, and leopards. Beyond these undisputed stars, the park is teeming with life, dotted with herds of herbivores and the predators that stalk them.
We will spend a second night in the heart of one of the planet's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. The landscapes here embody the mythic image of Africa: vast open spaces, deep blue skies scattered with clouds, crisp dawns, fiery sunsets, and a unique display of stars at night.
Day 8: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
We will dedicate our final morning in the Serengeti to tracking the wildlife we likely heard roaming nearby the night before. We will carefully explore another unique feature of the landscape: the kopjes—rocky islands in a sea of grass where lions and leopards love to rest and scout from high above.
After lunch at Naabi Hill, and shortly before leaving the "endless plains" behind, we will once again encounter Maasai herders with their livestock and colorful shukas (traditional blankets) grazing near the Olduvai Gorge. This area is one of the cradles of humanity, where fossils and artifacts of the earliest hominids have been discovered; we have now entered the NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA.
We will stop at one of the Bomas (Maasai villages) to learn firsthand about their way of life.
As with the rest of our route, we will enjoy another exceptionally privileged accommodation, located right on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. We arrive at PAKULALA SAFARI CAMP after a day of safari filled with contrasts and shifting landscapes, gathering around the campfire to watch the sunset over the caldera.
The tents at Pakulala are spacious, offering all the comforts of a high-end hotel. It is, without a doubt, the modern experience that most closely resembles the first expeditions of the pioneer adventurers who explored an unknown Africa. There is a palpable sense of unpretentious authenticity, featuring large beds with exquisite down duvets to protect against the chilly nights in the Ngorongoro highlands, and a large en-suite bathroom with a truly original shower.
The team goes above and beyond to offer guests the classic comfort of safaris of yesteryear: a campfire—a powerful symbol of life on the African savannah—glows against the pink sunset, a tangible sign that the long day of exploration has come to an end. It is time to relax; hot water is carefully brought to each tent for a well-deserved shower! Finally, a formal dinner follows, with tables meticulously set with crystal and porcelain, lit by candlelight, and, of course, seasoned with safari stories.
The camp becomes even more spectacular at night, illuminated by dozens of lanterns and the clinking of ice in a glass as the sun sets, or as you simply enjoy the marvelous African skies around the fire.
Day 9: Lake Manyara National Park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area - Lake Manyara
At sunrise, we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive. This 600-meter-deep volcanic caldera contains the highest permanent concentration of wildlife in Africa. It is a "Garden of Eden" where animals largely do not migrate due to the constant presence of water.
After this exclusive experience, we head to the village of Mto wa Mbu. We will walk through banana plantations and be welcomed into a local family's home for an authentic African dinner.
Day 10: Zanzibar
Lake Manyara – Zanzibar
Early in the morning, for the early risers, we have an optional bicycle safari prepared! The itinerary is adapted according to the water levels of Lake Manyara, which can vary substantially depending on the season or recent rains. Typically, the route takes us through the streets of Mto wa Mbu—at that hour when the village is slowly waking up and children are heading to school—before leaving the town behind. We will ride through yellow fever acacia forests until we reach the open grasslands near the lake, where we might encounter various antelopes, wildebeests, velvet monkeys, baboons... and perhaps even a giraffe or a hyena! Near the lakeshore, we can admire the beauty of the surroundings: flamingos, pelicans, and local fishermen going about their daily work to catch fish for the market, all with the stunning walls of the Rift Valley as a backdrop.
After a hearty breakfast, we will depart for the local airport in Arusha to board the flight that will take us to the so-called "Spice Island": ZANZIBAR.
Upon arrival in Zanzibar, you will be transferred to our beachfront hotel. The TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar is a 5-star resort located on the northeast coast of the island, in the Pwani Mchangani area. Its architectural design is inspired by Arabic palaces, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and situated directly in front of a white sand beach and turquoise waters.
Day 11: Zanzibar
Zanzibar
True to our principle of offering travelers an authentic vision of Zanzibar, we have chosen the island's east coast. This allows you to enjoy one of the few remaining "untouched" corners of the island, preserved from heavy tourism.
You can take a peaceful stroll through nearby villages, witnessing the friendly nature of the local people whose lifestyle leaves no room for stress. It is also the perfect location to enjoy the unforgettable experience of swimming with dolphins, visiting the Jozani Forest—a sanctuary for the unique and endemic red colobus monkey—or going diving. Alternatively, you can simply relax on the fine white sand beaches and swim in crystal-clear waters filled with living coral, taking in sunsets that will stay in your memory forever.
Free day with All-Inclusive service.
Day 12: Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Scuba diving, snorkeling, coastal walks... or simply total relaxation: another Free day with All-Inclusive service.
As an alternative, we suggest spending the day visiting Stone Town, the historic heart of Zanzibar’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its labyrinth of narrow streets, countless historic buildings with exquisitely carved wooden doors, the old fort, and the scenic seafront promenade.
Day 13:
Zanzibar
After breakfast and one last moment to enjoy the Indian Ocean, we bid farewell to this magical island. Transfer to the Zanzibar Airport for your departure.
