12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari

12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari

This 12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari is an exciting Safari package that will take you for a lifetime Adventure in the African Bush with mammal species of up to infinity including the African Big 5 as well as an opportunity to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration which is one of the 7 wonders of the World.

Safari destinations

Lake Naivasha

Also known as “Sheer Adventure” is located in the South Western region of Kenya along the Great Rift Valley floor. The park was established in 1995 and it covers an area of 140sqkm. The park is blessed with over 100 mammal species including giraffes, waterbucks,  zebras, hippos, buffaloes and over 350 species of birds including  flamingos, weaver birds, gonolek, African fish eagles, Palearctic duck, oxyura, red-knobbed coot, little greb, African spoonbill, marabou stork, kingfishers, herons, porzana pullisa among others.

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Located in the South Western region of Kenya along the Great Rift Valley area in Norok County Kenya adjacent to Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Maasai Mara National Reserve was established in 1961 as a wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 520 sqkm of the current Mara Triangle.  Later it was converted into a Game Reserve and by 1984 the park had a total area of 1510sqkm. The park is dotted with acacia trees, shrubs and bushes and has 2 draining rivers which are Maasai Mara River and Talek River. A unique wildlife conservation haven famous for its Natural diversity of wildlife like the Big 5 mammals which are Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes and Rhinos in large numbers as well as other mammals like Cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, duikers, impala hartebeests, roan antelopes, topi, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelles.

Also boosts of over 500 bird species like Bateleur, Secretary bird, Schawlow’s turaco, Abdim’s stork, Hammerkops, Temminck’s courser, Southern ground hornbill, Usambiro barbet, Saddle-billed stork, Giant kingfisher, Woolly-necked stork, Black-headed heron, Giant kingfisher, African jacana, Crowned lapwing, Malachite kingfisher, Grey-headed kingfisher among others. . Maasai Mara National Reserve is also famous for its annual Wildebeest Beast Migration where Millions of these creatures migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park which occurs between July and October making it one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

Serengeti National Park

Located in the Northern region of Tanzania and it was established in 1952. The park covers an area of 14763sqkm making it home to over 70 mammal species like  dik-dik, Oryx, greater Kudu, Hyenas, Hippos, bushbuck, Jackals, giraffes, Janet cats, Baboons, Giraffes, elands, spring hare, porcupine, warthog, Hyraxes, vervet monkeys, Colobus monkeys, patas monkeys, and mongooses and also Africa’s Big 5 mammals which are lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and Rhinos. Serengeti National park also boosts of over 500 bird species including Grey-Breasted spur fowl, Fischer’s lovebird, Rufous-tailed weaver, Usambiro barbet, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Kori Bustard, Red-capped robin-chat, Secretary bird, Verreaux’s eagle, Yellow-throated sand grouse among others. Serengeti National Park is well known for its annual Wildebeest Migration of over 1,500,000 and 250,000 Zebras which occur between the months of July and August.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Located in the Northern part of Tanzania on the Eastern Great Rift Valley Arm which is managed by Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. The Conservation area was officially established in 1959 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and it is part of the Serengeti Ecosystem. Ngorongoro’s main attraction is the Ngorongoro Crater which is the World’s largest intact and unfilled Volcanic Caldera with over 25,000 mammals including wildebeests, hippos, warthogs, hyenas, zebras, elands, gazelles, and the Big 5 mammal species which are lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos as well as buffaloes and over 100 bird species co-existing with the Semi-nomadic Maasai people.

Lake Manyara National Park

Located in Arusha and it is part of the Northern Circuits of National parks in Tanzania. The park was established in 1960 and it covers an area of 330sqkm. Lake Manyara National Park is famously known for its tree climbing lions and it is home to various mammal species like the famous tree climbing lions, klipspringer, elephants, warthogs, impalas, Buffaloes, hippos, gazelles, lions, leopards among others. The park is also home to over 400 bird species including native and migrating bird species like the pink flamingos that give color to Lake Manyara, ostriches, storks, hornbills, crowned eagles, pelicans, herons, grey crowned cranes, crested guinea fowl, secretary birds and the silvery cheeked hornbills among others.

Amboseli National Park

Located in the Southern region of Kenya in Loitoktok district. The park got its name from a local word in Maasai language meaning “Salty dusty place.” It covers an area of 392sqkm and it is heavenly endowed with large herds of elephants making it the best place in Africa to get up-close to free ranging elephants. The park boosts of various species of mammals like Lions, elephants, Wildebeest, Leopards, Zebra, Hippo, Giraffe, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, hartebeests, dik-dik, kudus, jackals, bat-eared foxes, fringe-eared Oryx, long-necked gerenuks, serval, warthogs and yellow baboon. The park also has various bird species of about 400 species including pelicans, crakes, kingfishers, lily-trotters, egrets, hammerkops, rare Madagascar squaco, among others.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – Transfer to your Hotel

The 12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari will begin with a pick up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by our Professional driver guide from Paradise Adventure Vacations who will meet and greet you, he will then brief you about the entire journey and thereafter transfer you to your Hotel where you will have rest and relaxation from your long flight. Your lunch and dinner will later be served.

Location: Nairobi 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Naivasha National Park – Boat ride to Crescent Island

Day 2 of the Safari will start with a hearty breakfast and thereafter you will start the drive Northwest of Nairobi as you enjoy the scenic views of the Great Rift Valley, we shall have a stopover for picture moments and then continue to Naivasha. This will take about 2 hours drive and upon arrival, you will check in for relaxation and lunch. Later you will embark on a rejuvenating boat ride on this Great Rift Valley fresh water lake amidst various hippos to the crescent island. You will have various wildlife to view while at Crescent Island including zebras, giraffes, elands, wildebeest, impalas, water bucks among others. Later you will return back to your accommodation for your dinner and overnight.

Location: Lake Naivasha 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 3: Transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve – Evening Game drive

Your day 3 of the 12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari will begin with a hot delicious breakfast and thereafter check out of your lodge and transfer to Maasai Mara National Reserve which is about 4 hours drive from Lake Naivasha. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation for a hearty lunch and have rest. Later, you will go on a relaxed scenic drive until sunset in the rosy grassy hills in search for African wildlife like Elephants, Buffaloes, giraffes, duikers, impalas, hartebeests, roan antelopes, topi, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelles. Later you will return for your dinner and an overnight.

Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 4: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Full day Game Drive 

After your delicious breakfast, you will embark on a full day game drive with your packed lunch  which will give you an encounter with mammal species like zebras, wildebeests, hippos, giraffes, duikers, impala hartebeests, roan antelopes, topi, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelles, rhinos, buffaloes, elephants and if lucky you will as well spot leopards, lions, hyenas. Later in the evening hours, return back to your lodge with an amazing evening game drive with an armed park ranger as well as spotlight torches to help you easily spot the nocturnals in the night as they hunt and feed on their prey for example the lions, leopards, hippos, hyenas, cheetahs among others. You will then return back for your dinner and an overnight.

Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 5: Transfer to Serengeti National Park through Isebania Border

Day 5 of the Safari will begin with an early morning breakfast and check out of the lodge. You will then embark on morning game drive as you exit Maasai Mara National Reserve to proceed to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania through the Isebania border where you will check in with immigration before you proceed to Serengeti. It will be a long day of driving but the game drives in and out of the parks will be surprisingly rewarding. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge.

Location: Serengeti National Park 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 6: Serengeti National Park – Full day Wildebeest Migration Experience 

After your delicious breakfast, you will embark on an encounter with Serengeti’s Wildebeests at the Seronera area while they cross the Mara River to Maasai Mara National Reserve. While here, you will enjoy watching millions of Wildebeests and Zebras migrating from Maasai Mara to Serengeti National Park while crossing the Mara River amidst the big Nile Crocodiles waiting to grab food, here you will witness survival for the fittest as lions are on the other hand waiting at the river banks for the same.

This experience is an unforgettable one since you will watch these creatures searching for greener pastures. You will enjoy a packed lunch in the reserve while maximizing your time with the migrating Herds. You will continue with your exploration of Serengeti National Park and search for more wildlife like lions, giraffes, Janet cats, Baboons, Giraffes, elands, spring hare, porcupine, warthog, Hyraxes, buffaloes, elephants and Rhinos among others. Later in the evening, you will enjoy the sunset as you drive back to your accommodation for your dinner and overnight while searching for leopards.

Location: Serengeti National Park 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 7: Serengeti National Park – Morning Game Drive – Evening Maasai Community Encounter

After delighting on your breakfast, you will proceed for a morning game drive through the endless rolling plains of the Serengeti. This game drive will give you sights of different wildlife species among which include Hippos, bushbuck, lions, Jackals, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, Janet cats, Baboons, Giraffes, elands, spring hare, porcupine, warthog, Hyraxes among others. For the bird lovers, Serengeti National Park also offers bird species like the Grey-Breasted spur fowl, Fischer’s lovebird, Rufous-tailed weaver, Usambiro barbet, Grey-crested helmet-shrike, Kori Bustard, Red-capped robin-chat, Secretary bird among others since the bird checklist within the park is over 500 species.

You will then return to your lodge for a finger-licking lunch and then later you will go for a Cultural Encounter with the Maasai Community living near the park for a rich encounter which will give you the definition of a true African Culture. Later you will return for your dinner as well as an overnight.

Location: Serengeti National Park 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 8: Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater through Olduvai Gorge with Afternoon Game drive

You will start your day 8 with a lovely morning breakfast with your picnic lunch boxes via the Olduvai Gorge where it is believed the cradle of mankind began. While here, you will encounter and learn about the fossils, stone tools and the skeletons of many extinct animals excavated in the gorge. Thereafter transfer with an afternoon game drive to Ngorongoro Crater which is not only called Africa’s Eden but also the ‘8th Natural Wonder of the World, a visit to the crater is a main draw card for tourists coming to Tanzania and a definite world-class attraction.

Ngorongoro Crater is surrounded by a ring of extinct volcanoes and the floor is dotted with watering holes, which shelters 25,000 animals. You will enjoy your picnic lunch as you view the wildlife. Within the crater rim, large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby while sleeping lions laze in the sun. At dawn, the endangered black rhinos then return to the thick cover of the crater forests after grazing on dew-laden grass in the morning mist.

Location: Ngorongoro Crater  

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive – Transfer to Lake Manyara National Park

Wake up early morning on day 9 of the Safari and have your delicious breakfast. You will thereafter descend into the Crater floor which is about 260sqkm with a depth of over 2000 feet. This 5 hours game drive on the crater floor will show you a lot of wildlife action which has not to be missed therefore keep your Cameras ready. The African elephant, Black rhino, buffalos, Hippos, Cheetahs, Hyenas, and Lions are found in plenty.

You will later begin a steep ascend to the top exit of the crater and then transfer to Lake Manyara National Park which is located about 2 hours from Ngorongoro Crater. Upon arrival, you will check in for a hearty lunch and then spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lodge.

Location: Lake Manyara National Park 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 10: Lake Manyara National Park – Full day Exploration – Transfer to Arusha

After your lovely breakfast on day 10 of your Safari, you will check out of your lodge and go for a full day exploration of Lake Manyara National Park with your packed lunch. Manyara, a relatively small but diverse park 120km west of Arusha, is so named for the shallow salt lake that occupies a good 70% of the park’s lands. Flooding and drying seasonally, this soda lake is home to thousands of flamingos and over 500 other bird species.

On our exploration of the park, we shall see monkeys, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, elephants and with some luck, we shall also see lions lounging in the trees. The park is known for its diverse landscapes, not only open grassy plains but also primate-filled woodlands and baobab dotted cliffs. After your full day in the park, you will be transferred to Arusha where you will have your dinner as well as an overnight.

Location: Arusha 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 11: Transfer to Amboseli National Park via Namanga Border – Night Game Drive

Your day 11 of the 12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari will start with a tasteful breakfast and thereafter you will transfer to Amboseli National Park in Kenya through the Namanga Border. Upon arrival, you will check in for your lunch and have rest from the long drive. Later you will go for a relaxed night game drive with an armed ranger guide and spotlight torches to help you spot predators and nocturnals while hunting for prey. Be on the lookout for lions, serval, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, Leopards and hippos as they feed on short grass. Later you will return for your dinner and an overnight.

Location: Amboseli National Park 

Accommodation Option:

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 12: Morning Game drive – Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

After a leisurely breakfast on your final day of the Safari, you will check out of your lodge and then head out for the last encounter with the mammals as you exit the park. You will see more of the mammals that you failed to see on the previous game drives and take as many pictures as possible while enjoying the stunning views of Africa’s highest snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the backdrop in case the weather plays along. You will then have a lunch enroute stopover as you drive back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight or to your Hotel for another night in Nairobi City. Thank you so much for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations on the 12 Days Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari and we hope to see you again!!!

Location: Nairobi

Accommodation Option: No

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

The Safari Package Includes:

• Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 12 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
• Fuel for 12 days
• English safari driver guide for 12 days
• Mid-range accommodation for 11 nights on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
• All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour
• All activities and park entrance fees and all applicable government taxes
• Boat Ride to Crescent Island
• Game Drives in Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara and Amboseli National Park
• Wildebeest Migration Experience in Serengeti National Park
• Visit to Olduvai Gorge
• Maasai Community Encounter in Serengeti National Park
• Night Game drive in Amboseli National Park
• Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

The Safari Package Excludes:

• International and Domestic flights
• Country entry visa
• Personal travel insurance
• Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
• Souvenirs and gifts, Tips
• Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)