Masai Mara, Serengeti & Zanzibar — Beyond the Savanna

Nairobi

For your added comfort, an English-speaking airport representative will meet you at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. This representative will walk you through your welcome package documents and itinerary, and they will answer any questions you may have. They will be holding a page board with your name as you exit the arrivals hall.. A private transfer between your hotel and the airport in Nairobi is provided.. While in our care, your safety and security are our number one priority. As such, in the unlikely event of serious illness or injury, all guests are provided with a “Flying Doctors” insurance policy. This emergency evacuation insurance covers the cost of the evacuation flight back to Nairobi for treatment, however, does not cover the cost of any medical treatment received. We highly recommend travel insurance for full coverage.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Nairobi Upperhill (B) (Superior Room)

Nairobi, Masai Mara

This morning you'll meet up with your guide and head off to the Masai Mara. Approximate travel time is six hours. Head directly into the park for game viewing and then return to the camp for late check-in or check-in first and then head out for an afternoon game drive. Chat with your guide for their recommendation based on your arrival time and park hours. Please note that the first half of this drive will be on paved roads, while the second half will be on rough and bumpy roads.. Head out this afternoon on an exciting game viewing adventure. The locations visited will be determined by your expert guide as they have an intimate understanding of the daily routines of animals and how best to track them. On this afternoon excursion, visit several wildlife hot-spots with an aim to espy elusive animals such as the leopard. These spotted cats blend almost seamlessly into the tall grass and shrubbery, and are even more challenging to spot when in their favorite hangout, the trees. Exploring the region, your guide will take you to nearby watering holes where on a hot day you’ll spot many birds and mammals, including, with luck, the elusive leopard. After a thrilling afternoon game drive, you will be returned to your lodge in time to freshen up for a delicious safari dinner.

Accommodation: Mara West (AI) (Chalet (AI)), Nairobi

Masai Mara

Just like the wildlife, your day’s adventure will begin bright and early this morning. Alongside an experienced tracker-guide, set out for the day’s first game drive and discover the dazzling bio-diversity of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The most recognized animals are known worldwide as the African Big 5, and this group includes the African elephant, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard, and the king of the beasts, the lion. The term “Big 5” was first coined by big-game hunters as a way to acknowledge that these species were the most difficult and dangerous to track and hunt, however, in subsequent years the term has been adopted and re-purposed by the tourism industry and painted in patently positive light, focusing now on the preservation and protection of these magnificent creatures. Numerous other species of bird and wildlife also inhabit this dynamic region, including hyenas, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, zebras, vultures, cranes, eagles, falcons, and ostriches, many of which you’ll spot on this morning drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve.. On today’s afternoon game drive, the possibilities for adventure are endless! Search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover some of the regions lesser known animals. The Masai Mara not only has a rich mix of mammals both large and small, but is also host to an incredible array of birdlife that includes approximately 450 different species, from the fierce bateleur (or short tailed eagle) to the musical sooty chat.

Accommodation: Mara West (AI) (Chalet (AI)), Masai Mara

Masai Mara

The famed Masai Mara Game Reserve was named after the indigenous inhabitants of this land, the Masai, and the provider of life to the area, the Mara River. Game viewing is almost guaranteed at some point along the Mara River, and your experienced tracker-guide will know all the best spots to explore to maximize your chances of seeing some of the many animals that call this land their home. Be sure to have your camera handy as amazing photo opportunities will present themselves; elephants on the riverbanks and hippos in shallow waters are common sights in this area.. Set out this afternoon with your tracker-guide on another exciting game drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Mara is one of only a few places left in Africa where guests can still spot free roaming rhinos in the wild, as – troublingly - it is estimated that there are only 4,000 black rhinos left on the continent. Today your guide will take you to locations where rhino sightings have been recently reported with an aim to bring you within camera range of these lumbering, beautiful giants.

Accommodation: Mara West (AI) (Chalet (AI)), Masai Mara

Masai Mara, Isebania, Serengeti

Depart the Masai Mara Game Reserve with your guide and travel towards the Isebania border crossing. Enjoy the Kenyan country side driving past towns and villages along the way. Please be aware that this portion of the drive can be long depending on rains as this is a dirt road. During the dry season you can reach the border in approximately two hours. Upon arrival to the Isebania Border Crossing, switch to a Tanzanian vehicle and continue your safari with a Tanzanian guide. Tanzanian Visas can be purchased at the border at the cost of $100 USD for US citizens, and $50 USD for all other nationalities. Please Note: Visas must be paid in USD, and in cash. No bills can be older than 2006 as a local counterfeiting safeguard. A Single Entry Visa is valid for three months and can be used for multiple entries into Kenya and Tanzania. It is also required that you have your Yellow Fever certification handy upon crossing.. After clearing the Isebania Border Crossing, you will continue your safari to the Serengeti National Park. A portion of this drive will be partly on a paved highway and partly on bumpy dirt road. Approximate travel time to the Serengeti is between three and five hours, depending on road conditions. As you get closer to the Serengeti National Park, have your camera handy, and enjoy a game drive upon entry into the park as you head towards your lodge or camp.. A boxed lunch will be provided today.. To confirm your trip, we require clear, color copies of your passports, as these are needed to secure your Tanzania national park permits. The copies must be provided in advance so we can process the park fees. This applies to all visitors, including non-resident children aged 5 and up.

Accommodation: Lemala Ewanjan (BLD) (Tent), Masai Mara

Serengeti

This morning, your African adventure begins with an exploratory game drive through Tanzania’s oldest and most recognized National Park, the Serengeti. A land of unparalleled game viewing, from great herds of grazing herbivores to tactically cunning packs of carnivores, life on the plains of the Serengeti truly epitomizes the “circle of life.” A paradise for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, it is all but guaranteed that you will spot giraffes and elephants feasting on shrubbery, impalas, gazelles and buffaloes traipsing carefully through the plains to avoid being noticed by on-looking lions, cheetahs and hyenas, and a spectacular range of birdlife flitting through the sky.. On today’s afternoon game drive, the choice is up to you: search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover something different. The Serengeti not only has a rich mix of animals – it also has an incredible array of bird life with almost 450 different species.

Accommodation: Lemala Ewanjan (BLD) (Tent), Serengeti

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Your African journey continues as you board a privately driven vehicle, accompanied by a local tracker-guide, bound for the vast Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Depart the Serengeti National Park at a relaxed pace, enjoying wildlife sightings and a stop at the Serengeti Welcome Center to take in the panoramic views. En route to your accommodation in Ngorongoro, pause for a scenic picnic lunch. The drive typically takes between six and eight hours, offering the chance to witness ever-changing landscapes and local life along the way. Roads can be uneven in parts, but the journey is an experience in itself, showcasing the beauty and diversity of northern Tanzania.. The massive Olduvai Gorge, or Oldupai Gorge, is often referred to as “The Cradle of Mankind.” Beginning in the eastern Serengeti plains, the cavernous ravine is some 30 miles long and is the result of millions of years of natural erosion. The gorge features a steep-sided gully that cuts its way through the Great Rift Valley stretching along eastern Africa, and is named after a commonly used plant by the Masai people; Sansevieria-Ehrenbergii, or Olduvai for short. This plant grows plentifully in the area, and is used for making bandages, rope, baskets, roofs and clothing. Today, discover the Olduvai Gorge firsthand alongside your expert local guide.. During your stay in the Ngorongoro region, a range of optional activities are available to you. From bush picnics to cultural visits to local Masai villages to guided wildlife discovery walks to sundowner cocktails, the choice is yours. As well, excursions to the massive Ngorongoro Crater can also be arranged where you’ll discover an incredible range of wildlife. If you would like more information on any optional activity, please speak to your Destination Expert.

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area

An experienced tracker-guide and private vehicle will accompany you today while exploring Ngorongoro National Park.. Today, discover one of the most remarkable wildlife conservation areas in Tanzania; the Ngorongoro Crater. Departing from your camp in a privately driven vehicle alongside a local expert guide, make your way to the entrance of the park, then drive a further 20 minutes to reach the rim of Ngorongoro Crater: the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. This geological marvel was formed as the result of a gigantic explosion which caused the volcano to collapse on itself, thereby creating the massive crater. Roughly 12 miles wide and some 2,000 feet deep, the trip from crater rim to floor takes approximately 45 minutes by vehicle. The extremely fertile crater floor has attracted incredibly dense populations of wildlife, and at present over 25,000 large animals call the crater home, including some of the world’s last remaining black rhinos. The crater floor is also host to some of the highest concentrations of carnivores in the world, featuring large prides of lions, packs of hyenas and solitary predators like cheetahs and jackals. A keen eye paired with expertly procured search patterns from your guide is sure to help you spot a wide range of wildlife and perhaps some of the more elusive species like leopards, servals, and bat-eared foxes.

Accommodation: Kitela Lodge (BLD) (Suite), Serengeti

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Manyara, Zanzibar

A representative from your lodge will provide you with a transfer to the Manyara airstrip. The transfer time will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour depending on the location of your camp.. Board a flight in Manyara with service to Zanzibar. Approximate flight duration is two hours. Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.. As of October 1st, 2024, all travelers entering Zanzibar must possess valid Inbound Travel Insurance. This insurance can only be obtained from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). Travelers are required to purchase this additional insurance, regardless of any existing travel insurance from their home country. The new insurance provides coverage for emergency medical expenses, personal accidents, baggage delay, theft, legal expenses, personal liability, and repatriation expenses. The insurance can be purchased by following this link: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/insurance It is highly recommended that you obtain the insurance in advance rather than upon arrival.. You will be transferred between the airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with driver.. Breezes Beach Club & Spa offers a range of dining venues spread across the property, each with its own setting and culinary focus, combining international cuisine with regional influences from Zanzibar and the Swahili coast. The main restaurant serves buffet-style meals with a wide selection of dishes, including fresh tropical fruits, salads, grilled items, and rotating international and local specialties. Menus incorporate Zanzibari flavors, with spices such as clove, cardamom, and cinnamon reflecting the island’s heritage. Additional restaurants provide à la carte options in more intimate settings. A beachfront grill specializes in seafood and Swahili-inspired dishes, while other venues draw on Indian and Middle Eastern influences, offering a varied culinary mix across the resort. Dining takes place in open-air spaces designed to suit the coastal environment, from shaded terraces set within tropical gardens to ocean-facing locations positioned along the shoreline. The layout of the resort allows guests to move between different atmospheres, with each restaurant offering a distinct setting. Meals are prepared using locally sourced ingredients where possible, including fresh seafood and seasonal produce, reflecting both the island’s resources and its cultural influences.

Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club and Spa (BLD) (Deluxe Room (F/B)), Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Zanzibar

Zanzibar provides visitors with variety of activities to enjoy. Choose from a range of tours that focus on Swahili culture, the historic spice routes, insightful explorations of Stone Town and culinary courses. Other adventures include picnics at the Dolphin Sandbank, visiting Mangapwani Beach and touring the former Slave Market. Of course, your lodging boasts a range of other activities to enjoy, including snorkeling, deep sea fishing and reef kayaking. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find plenty of exciting and informative activities to fill your leisure time while staying in gorgeous Zanzibar.. Included during your stay in Zanzibar , we've arranged a private lunch on the Indian Ocean shoreline, where chefs prepare fresh catch with chilled wines in an intimate pavilion open to the sea. Shaded by freshly cut coconut fronds and steps from the water, it's a barefoot dining e xperience defined by the wash of waves and unhurried pace, the kind of moment worth savoring.

Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club and Spa (BLD) (Deluxe Room (F/B)), Zanzibar

Zanzibar

For centuries, Stone Town has been a vibrant center for, and vital source of, spices and cosmopolitan culture. On a private tour led by an expert guide, today you will discover the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. First visit a nearby spice farm village to gain an understanding of the regional landscape while sampling a few tasty Swahili dishes and in-season fruits, then walk in the footsteps of the sultans through the winding, narrow streets of Stone Town, taking in the districts impressive architecture, colors and fragrances while learning its fascinating, if at times troubling, history as one of the prominent gateways to Africa. An incredible area brimming with relics from the 17th and 18th century, you will visit the former Slave Market, the Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders, the Sultans’ Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort and the Old Dispensary on this tour before being returned to your accommodations. Please be sure to bring sunscreen, comfortable walking or hiking shoes and a sun hat, and note that transit time ranges from 30 to 90 minutes per direction based on the location of your accommodation.

Accommodation: Breezes Beach Club and Spa (BLD) (Deluxe Room (F/B)), Zanzibar

Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam

You will be transferred between the airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with driver.. Please Note: A Departure Tax of $49 USD per person is required to be paid on-site by all guests visiting the island of Zanzibar. Hotels will also charge a fee of $1 to 9 USD per person, per day as part of an Infrastructure Tax; this tax must also be paid on-site prior to island departure.. Board a flight in Zanzibar with service to Dar Es Salaam. Approximate flight time is 20 minutes. Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.