Kenya & Tanzania Overland Safari

Kenya or Tanzania?
Generally speaking, if your time and budget are limited and you want to admire the African Big Five more closely, then Kenya would be your first choice! Kenya provides cheaper hotels with better infrastructure including better road conditions, and the entry fares for Kenya’s conservations are also much cheaper than those of Tanzania. However, if you have enough time and want to linger on the vast Serengeti and the Garden of Eden of Africa, Ngorongoro Crater, then add Tanzania to your itinerary! 

Thanks for choosing our Kenya-Tanzania tour, and welcome to your first stop, Nairobi! Our local safari representative will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the well-selected hotel downtown. The rest of the time will be free for your own arrangement.

Useful Information for You:
1. Receive Yellow Fever Vaccination: To prevent infection of Yellow Fever, all travelers are advised to get a vaccine 15 days before departure. Remember to obtain the certification because customs may check it when you enter Tanzania.
2. Kenya Visa: All travelers can visit Kenya visa-free since January 2024, but an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is still needed. You can apply for an ETA 3-5 days ahead of time. By the way, for your re-entry to Kenya from Tanzania, your ETA will still be valid as long as you don’t go to another country after Tanzania.
3. SIM Card: As the largest mobile operator in Kenya, Safaricom provides the best network. You can buy its SIM card at the airport or Safaricom shops and outlets in Nairobi, which costs USD 7 for 7 GB of data, valid for 30 days. However, it is unavailable after entering Tanzania, so we recommend you purchase a SIM card from Airalo for the later itinerary, which may cost you USD 1-2 for 1.5GB of data.
4. Currency & Tipping: Kenyan Shillings (Ksh) are the official currency in Kenya. US dollars (USD) issued after 2013 are accepted as well but are less economical than paying with Ksh. We recommend you exchange enough Ksh cash and USD in small denominations at banks in Nairobi before the safari. Tipping is always appreciated in Kenya and Tanzania. On average, Ksh 1,300 (USD 10) per person per day is suggested.    

Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham (4 stars) or similar

Early in the morning, our local English-speaking driver guide will pick you up at the hotel and escort you to Masai Mara National Reserve, which is nearly 300 kilometers (186 miles) west of Nairobi and takes about 5 hours. After arriving, you will check into the camp and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, we will have a game drive in Masai Mara. Home to about 95 species of mammals and 450 species of birds, it is one of the best wildlife reserves in the world. Our guide will drive you through the reserve to look for the African Big Five: lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, elephants, and rhinos. At dusk, you will appreciate the spectacular sunset on the endless grassland, leaving an unforgettable memory of the trip. Afterward, we will return to the camp for dinner.

★ Our Strength on Game Drive Vehicle:
We will escort you in a 4×4 pop-top roof land cruiser for safari. The closed body can protect you from dust and sunshine. With openable windows and a roof, it offers a 360-degree view while admiring animals. Compared to minivans offered by other operators, its spacious seats can provide you with a more comfortable journey. In addition, its bigger wheels can give a better grip on muddy roads and steep slopes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp (4 stars)

★ View Wildebeest Migration Compassing Masai Mara & Serengeti
After breakfast, we will continue to explore the wonderful Masai Mara. From July to September, it is gradually lush with vegetation due to abundant rainfall. Thousands of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes make their way from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara to find the new grassland. These migrators not only have to escape from lions but also try to survive under the preying of Mara River killers - crocodiles. If you visit Masai Mara at this time, you will have a chance to witness the spectacular scenes of wildebeests crossing the Mara River, boasting one of the “50 wonders that cannot be missed in the world”. As the first wildebeest steps into the river, the crossing begins! Herds of these warriors jump into the water one after another and dash to the opposite bank. Sometimes, you may witness the killing time of crocodiles, and then the water will turn red in the blink of an eye.

Tips for Game Drive:
1. There may be many mosquitos in the savanna, so we recommend you pack insect repellent.
2. Please avoid leaning out of the window or groveling on the top of the car, as it is very dangerous.
3. Wild animals such as lions or cheetahs may come close around the car. It is better not to hail loudly or wave arms at them, or they may be scared off or irritated. Feeding is not allowed, either.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ashnil Mara Camp (4 stars)

After breakfast, with the packed picnic lunch, we will set off for Isebania, the border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. After the customs and immigration formalities, we will continue to drive to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It takes about 6-7 hours on the way and you will arrive in the late afternoon.
► Tanzania Visa Tip: A Tanzania visa is needed when crossing the border. You can apply for a Tanzania e-visa ahead of time or apply for an ordinary visa upon arrival at the border crossing, which costs USD 50 per person. American travelers can only enter Tanzania with a multiple-entry visa, costing USD 100. You need to pay with cash to apply for a visa on arrival, and only USD issued after 2013 is acceptable. If you need to apply for a visa on arrival, please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.

Upon arrival, you will be escorted to check into the lodge we booked for you. Located at the center of Serengeti, it hides in lush acacia trees and offers a panoramic view of the savanna, with dik-diks and hares always roaming around. Sometimes, you may encounter elephants straying into the lodge area at night, so it is better not to hang out. If you need to go outside, please find the hotel staff to accompany you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge (4 stars)

Today, you will follow our local English-speaking driver guide to explore Serengeti National Park. As we will stay here all day, you're advised to have a big breakfast in the morning.

★ Track the Spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration across Serengeti
Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world. It is 8-10 times bigger than the nearby Masai Mara, which makes the visitor density lower. So you can gain a more immersive, quiet, and primitive safari experience. If Masai Mara didn’t satisfy your craving to watch the Great Migration, Serengeti is undoubtedly a good complement. Here, the migration proceeds through the year. From December to May, rainfall brings abundant water and lush vegetation to the southeast part, which provides rich food to herbivores. As the dry season (June to September) comes, animals migrate along the northwest border of Serengeti, then move northwards, and finally arrive at Masai Mara to find the new grassland. Due to its long duration and journey, you will have more chances to witness millions of wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes marching on the endless grassland. Viewing the thrilling battle between wildebeests and lions is worth expecting. You can also encounter various other animals, such as buffalo, gazelles, rhinos, and wild dogs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge (4 stars)

Today, we will drive for about 4 hours to the 8th natural wonder of the world - Ngorongoro Crater. Occupied 264 square kilometers (102 square miles) with a depth of 600 meters, it looks like a large basin standing on the savanna. The magnificent grass at its bottom supports about 20,000 large mammals, including about 20 black rhinoceros. Animals here don't have to go out to find food like those in Serengeti because Ngorongoro has a complete ecosystem. And it is thus known as the "Eden of Africa". After arriving, we will go to the bottom of the crater and start the exciting game-viewing drive.

Today's lunch will also be packed food. At sunset, we will check into the lodge near the crater. Built with volcanic rock, it is barely visible cloaked in vines. Standing on the balcony of the room, you can have a bird's-eye view of the volcano area. Sometimes, you may even encounter elephants, rhinos, and wildebeests grazing nearby. If you have a telescope, you can also see flamingos in Lake Magadi which lies to the southwest of the crater. In addition, the hotel staff will perform traditional Masai dancing at night. Join them, which will leave you with an unforgettable memory.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (4 stars)

After breakfast, we will end the Tanzania trip and return to Kenya. After crossing Namanga, another border-crossing between the two countries, our guide will directly transfer you to Amboseli National Park. The journey, of about 300 kilometers (186 miles), takes 6 to 7 hours. On the way, the snow scene of Mount Kilimanjaro will gradually unfurls before your eyes, which will be a visual enjoyment. Although located on the equator, it is covered with snow all year round. You can capture classic images of animals grazing on the endless grassland under Mount Kilimanjaro, which is regarded as the symbol of Africa. We will arrive in the late afternoon. You can rest at the lodge or take an afternoon game drive.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge (4 stars)

The whole day will be devoted to Amboseli National Park. You can easily track wild animals and see them hunting as there's nearly no tall vegetation. Known as the paradise for elephants, Amboseli offers impressive scenery of herds of elephants moving slowly on the grassland, followed by flocks of egrets. In addition, you will be escorted to ascend the sightseeing platform of Observation Hill, the only place travelers can visit on foot. Climbing to the top, you can admire Mount Kilimanjaro and get a panoramic view of Amboseli at the park’s highest point. You can also discover rhinos, hippos, buffalo, and flamingos in the wetland next to the sightseeing platform.

Lunch will be packed beforehand, and we will explore this savanna until sunset. Afterward, we will return to the lodge for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge (4 stars)

Today will be the last day of your Kenya-Tanzania trips. After breakfast, we will drive for 4 to 5 hours to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, where you can catch your flight to your next destination. Usually, you need to check in 3 hours in advance, so we recommend you book the flight that will take off in the afternoon or evening to leave you enough time.

If you want to continue to explore Kenya or Tanzania, for example, trek in Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro, or discover more African savannas and animals, please feel free to contact our consultant for detailed information. We will be happy to tailor an itinerary for you!

Meal: Breakfast