Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

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The remainder of the day at leisure.

Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you travel through Kenya's scenic highlands and head down the rift escarpment on the road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. On the way spot the charming chapel built at the foot of the escarpment. Pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the valley to Narok; continue your travels across acres of wheat and barley, before reaching the Masai Mara in time for lunch.

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The Masai Mara National Reserve is a large wildlife reserve located in southwestern Kenya, bordering Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. It covers an area of about 1,510 square kilometres and is named after the Maasai people who inhabit the area. The reserve is renowned for its diverse wildlife and is home to a vast array of animals including the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), as well as numerous other species such as zebras, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeest, and many others. Masai Mara is also known for the annual wildebeest migration (typically between July and October), where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing.

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Following lunch set off on your first game drive, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.

Following an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the camp mid-morning.

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After lunch, and perhaps a siesta, set off on another game drive and visit to a Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.

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OPTIONAL: It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement - pre-booking essential (highly recommended)

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Hot Air Balloon Safari: Early morning shared transfer in the balloon company vehicle to the balloon staging site. You meet the pilot who provides a safety briefing while the crew inflate the hot air balloon. At sunrise, your shared hot air balloon lifts off over the African plains. At times, your pilot will ascend to a higher altitude to give you an overview of the ecosystem. Then you descend to treetop level to silently observe the wildlife from above. After about 50 minutes, you land and are met by the balloon staff to transport you to your shared bush breakfast. You then return to your camp or lodge. Price: AUD$TBC per person.

Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand.

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Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai-Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. Once in the park, view game enroute to the lodge.

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Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. The national park, known for its birdlife. It is also home to rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe.

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Lake Nakuru National Park is a protected area located in the Rift Valley region of Kenya, approximately 160 kilometres northwest of Nairobi. The park covers an area of about 188 square kilometres and is named after Lake Nakuru, a shallow soda lake that dominates the area. The lake is known for its birdlife, which are attracted to the alkaline water and feed on the lake's algae. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including white rhinos, lions, leopards, buffalos, and various antelope species. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 400 bird species recorded within its boundaries.

Following an early breakfast, continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride.

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Leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch dependent on road conditions) and continue south towards Amboseli, arriving at your lodge by late afternoon.

Morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.

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Amboseli National Park covers an area of about 392 square kilometres and is famous for its spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. It is also home to over 400 bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. Amboseli is known for its large elephant herds, which are some of the largest in Africa, and visitors can observe these majestic animals on game drives. The park also offers stunning landscapes, including swamps, savannah, and acacia woodlands.

After breakfast, continue your journey by road to the Namanga border post where you will say goodbye to your Kenya driver/guide and perhaps some of your fellow travellers who will return to Nairobi.

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Meet your Tanzanian transfer driver and travel by road to Arusha where you have lunch (excludes drinks) and will meet other travellers joining the trip.

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After lunch you depart Arusha with your guide and pass through the Maasai Steppe, filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni continue on to Tarangire National Park Gate to clear formalities.

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Enter the park and begin exploring and game viewing as you continue to your lodge, arriving for your dinner and overnight.

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Tarangire National Park is named after the Tarangire River which runs through it and is known for its large herds of elephants and diverse wildlife. The park covers an area of 2,850 square kilometres and is home to over 550 bird species, as well as lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and many more animals. The park is also known for its baobab trees and picturesque views of the Maasai Steppe and the Rift Valley.

This morning board your safari vehicle for game viewing within the park in search of its large lion prides and elephant herds. Drive through the baobab tree lined park and explore the silale swamp. Return to your lodge for lunch.

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In the afternoon drive north through the park and to the town of Makuyuni where you continue the journey through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.

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Lake Manyara National Park is named after Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that is a prominent feature of the park. The park covers an area of 330 square kilometres and is known for its diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, baboons, and various species of antelope. The park is known as home to tree-climbing lions, a behaviour that can be observed in other areas of Africa. In addition to its wildlife, the park is known for its birdlife, with over 400 bird species recorded, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and various birds of prey. The park's terrain varies from dense forests to open grassy plains, and the views of the Great Rift Valley and the surrounding landscapes are breathtaking.

After breakfast there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park before returning to the lodge for lunch.

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Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues north-west across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands, filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park.

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The Serengeti National Park covers an area of approximately 14,750 square kilometres and is known for its vast savannah grasslands, iconic wildlife. The park is home to the huge array of wildlife including lions, elephants, leopards, as well as cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and many other species of mammals and birds. The park is also home to the Maasai people, who have lived in the area for centuries and still practice their traditional way of life.

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.

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OPTIONAL: It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement - pre-booking essential (highly recommended)

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Hot Air Balloon Safari: Early morning shared transfer in the balloon company vehicle to the balloon staging site. You meet the pilot who provides a safety briefing while the crew inflate the hot air balloon. At sunrise, your shared hot air balloon lifts off over the African plains. At times, your pilot will ascend to a higher altitude to give you an overview of the ecosystem. Then you descend to treetop level to silently observe the wildlife from above. After about 50 minutes, you land and are met by the balloon staff to transport you to your shared bush breakfast. You then return to your camp or lodge. Price: AUD$TBA per person.

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains.

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After a picnic lunch you continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater with incredible views over it.

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo.

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After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater.

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Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience.

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The Crater is home to an estimated 30,000 animals, making it one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in the world. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for wildlife safaris and outdoor adventure activities.

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You return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Those awake early enough will be able to enjoy the sunrise across the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

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Depart Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast, head south east past Lake Manyara and Mto wa Mbu Village. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment turning south on to the main road to Arusha.

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On arrival in Arusha (around 1215 hrs) lunch is provided before you continue the journey by road to Nairobi and drop off at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (around 1900 hrs) for your departure flight (flight cost not included - note, earliest flight to be booked is 2230 hrs).

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Alternatively, after lunch in Arusha, you can be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (around 1330 hrs) for your departure flight to Nairobi (flight cost not included) and the end of your tour - please note, earliest flight to be booked is 16h30. Travellers extending to Zanzibar may depart from Arusha Airport. Earliest flight from Arusha is 12h30 and a picnic lunch will be provided).

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