The Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari from Nairobi to Arusha

This classic 14 day Kenya and Tanzania combination tour includes all the best scenic and wildlife areas. Fully escorted but booked on a custom basis this safari includes the Samburu, the Highlands around Mt. Kenya, the Rift Valley lakes and magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro, while the highlights will be the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Between them they form an area of truly remarkable scenic splendor and a wildlife spectacle unrivaled anywhere in the world.

Day 1 - Nairobi
Transfer from Nairobi airport to the Nairobi Serena hotel for overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

The Nairobi Serena is situated in the lush gardens surrounding Nairobi's Central Park. Here, you can enjoy quiet and peaceful moments away from the bustling city and yet remain within walking distance of it. The superlative accommodation, excellent cuisine, impeccable service and luxurious facilities have all contributed to the Nairobi Serena acquiring the status of being a member of the "Leading Hotels of the World". Fully air conditioned, a variety of restaurants and a magnificent swimming pool ensure that your stay here will be a treat!

Day 2 - Samburu
Drive through ever-changing landscapes to the plains of Samburu. Lunch and afternoon game-viewing. Spend two nights at Samburu Serena Lodge, overlooking the Uaso Nyiro River on a full board basis.

The Samburu National Reserve lies some 300km north of Nairobi and adjacent to the Buffalo Springs National Reserve separated only by the Uaso Nyiro River. Arid, rugged, but savagely beautiful the two reserves cover an area of about 300 square km. With less than 300 mm of rain a year the wildlife depends for its very existence on the river fed from the rich forests of the Aberdare Mountains, 300km away. Several species of wildlife are found in Samburu, which are not found in other Kenya parks lying south of the equator. Among the most striking of these are the reticulated giraffe and Grevy's zebra. Lion, cheetah and leopard are all found here and elephant are plentiful. For the most part the reserve is hot by day but cool at night.

The Samburu Serena Lodge, set in its own Game Reserve is an enchanting place from which to enjoy serene, "away from it all" paradise. The thatched lodge is discreetly set on the banks of the wide Uaso Nyiro River and is a true bird-lovers heaven. All 62 bedrooms include bathrooms en suite and private verandahs from which to watch the monkeys playing or see crocodiles sliding in and out of the River from the coolness of the shade. A welcoming swimming pool allows the guests to relax or enjoy a cool drink in the pool bar at the end of the day. Your stay at Samburu will be truly memorable.

Day 3 - Samburu
Morning and afternoon game viewing in Samburu, a game reserve unlike any other in Kenya with its dramatic scenery and unusual animal species. Overnight at the Samburu Serena Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 4 - Mountain Lodge
Morning drive back to the Aberdare Mountains for night game viewing and overnight at Mountain Serena Lodge on a full board basis.

Mountain Lodge, located in the forest reserve of the Mount Kenya foothills, offers the best spot for game-viewing in this area. This tree hotel sits right in the heart of the rainforest. Buffalo, antelope, elephant, and sometimes lion, leopard and rhino are visitors to the floodlit waterhole, while mischievous Sykes monkeys clamber along the roof and ledges. All rooms have balconies overlooking the waterhole, and a night watchman will wake you without fail if one of the animals you have asked about appears. At 2,195m nights are chilly so do bring warm clothes.

Day 5 - Rift Valley Lakes
Descend from the lush highlands into the Rift Valley with its stunning volcanic landscapes. Continue to Lake Navasha Simba Lodge for overnight on a full board basis. Optional visit by boat to Crescent Island.

Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge is set in a natural Acacia woodland. The Lodge's park-like grounds are visited by a wide variety of birds and wildlife. The lodge has 70 rooms with ceiling fans, en-suite shower and toliet. Facilities include a heated swimming pool and children's pool, poolside snack bar, pub, gift shop, travel and tour desk, safes which are available at reception, telephone, TV, and business centre.

Day 6 - Masai Mara
A morning drive to Masai Mara, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game viewing. The next two nights are spent at Mara Serena lodge in the reserve on a full board basis.

Set in the heart of Africa's Great Plains, the Masai Mara boasts 1,672 square kilometers of unspoilt wilderness. It is home to the highest concentration of animals and birds anywhere on the continent. Throughout the year the Mara is a place of natural drama, a kaleidoscope of color and life. The famed "Big Five" - Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo and Leopard - roam the reserve, together with hundreds of others from the fastest animal on earth, the Cheetah, to one of the most secretive, the Bat-eared Fox. After the rains, when the first flush of grass turns the Mara's golden savannah green, the mesmerizing wildlife spectacle anywhere takes place here: the Great Migration. This is the time when 1.5 million Wildebeest, accompanied by vast numbers of Zebra and Gazelles make the long and dangerous trek from drier lands in Tanzania, northwards to this corner of Kenya. For most of the century the Mara has drawn those searching for adventure and the thrill is still the same today with days spent face to face with nature at its most untouched and enthralling.

The Mara Serena Lodge is built high up on a ridge overlooking the Mara River and offers one of the most spectacular views of all the Masai Mara Lodges. Inspired architecturally by Masai huts, the lodge has a pool, its own airstrip and a hippo-viewing platform by the river. Each of its own 76 bedrooms has its own bathroom and shower as well as a panoramic outlook, even from the pool one can enjoy uninterrupted views of the rolling savannah.

Day 7 - Masai Mara
A full day game viewing in the Masai Mara with an overnight at the Mara Serena on a full board basis.

Day 8 - Nairobi
After driving back to Nairobi for lunch, the afternoon can be spent catching up on all those postcards, after which you can relax for the night at the internationally renowned Nairobi Serena Hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Day 9 - Lake Manyara
Enjoy the aerial views while on board the flight to Arusha, arriving just in time for a delicious lunch. After lunch, you will then drive to Lake Manyara with an overnight at the Manyara Serena hotel on a full board basis, with its panoramic views across the escarpment.

Lying in a shallow depression at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment, the scenic Lake Manyara National Park. Most famous for its tree-climbing lions, which drape themselves over branches of umbrella-shaped thorn trees to catch cool breezes, the reserve boasts over 40 species of large mammals and some 380 birds. There are several different types of forests with a variety of fauna - hippopotamuses, giraffes, elephants, zebras, and monkeys just to name a few. From Arusha it is a 3-hour drive to Lake Manyara.

The Lake Manyara Serena Lodge has a dramatic setting overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the beautiful soda lake of Manyara Park. The area is rich in birdlife and from them much of the lodge decoration has been inspired. The Lodge facilities include a swimming pool; spacious, comfortable public areas and a restaurant and bar - all which take advantage of the breath-taking view.

Day 10 - Serengeti
Morning games drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Look out for the famous treeclimbing Lions as well as Hippo, Flamingo, Elephant and Giraffe. Continue to Serengeti with lunch on the way and a stop to admire the magnificent scenery. Game viewing en route through the park to spend the next two nights at Serengeti Serena lodge on a full board basis.

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. "Serengeti" means "endless plains" in the Masai language, and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals. About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including the so called "big five" - elephant, rhino, lion (more than 2,000 of them), leopard and buffalo. During the wet season, November to May, most of the plains game congregates in Southern Serengeti, followed by their attendant predators. Some time in May or June the herds migrate North and West in search of water. They remain in North Serengeti and the western corridor during the dry season, July-October, returning South again as the November rains approach. The Wildebeest calving takes place on the short grass plains during late December - early February. In their wake follow the predators; lion cheetah and hunting dogs with vultures circling overhead. Other common species found here include hippo, giraffe, eland, impala and other antelope types, baboons, monkeys and a profusion of almost 500 bird species.

Serengeti Serena Lodge is set high on a hill with breathtaking vistas of a landscape teeming with game. The wildlife defines the Serengeti – countless zebra, buffalo, gazelle, wildebeest, and other species make it their home. Big game feed in full view of the lodge itself. The terrain is the main stage for the great wildebeest migrations, an awesome spectacle involving millions of these beasts. The lodge design is simple but stunning. Inspired by a traditional African village, separate rondavel "huts" house the luxury guest rooms. From the overall impression to the smallest detail, the lodge ¦is rich in local atmosphere created by indigenous handicrafts and art.

Day 11 - Serengeti
Morning and afternoon game viewing in Serengeti. Look out for Leopard along the riverine forest or marvel at the vast herds of Wildebeest and Zebra out on the plains. While Lion and Cheetah may be spotted lurking around the rocky Kopjes.

Day 12 - Ngorongoro
Drive to Ngorongoro, stopping en route at the Archeological site at Olduvai Gorge. Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation area is the Olduvai Gorge, 180 kilometres from Arusha. It was here that Dr Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habis or "Handy man" regarded as mankind's first step on the ladder of human evolution. But many more fossils have been discovered here including those of prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous ostriches. Guides operate lecture tours of the sites. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure overlooking Ngorongoro crater. The next two nights will be spent at Ngorongoro Serena lodge on a full board basis.

Listed by Unesco as a world heritage site, the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest "caldera". A caldera is the broad, crater-like basin of a volcano formed by the collapse of the central cone. Dominated by cliffs standing some 600 meters high and presenting a sheer drop down to a wide open space of some 264 square km, the crater is one of the most amazing sights seen anywhere.

The road around the Ngorongoro Crater sits at 2250 metres above sea level and offers breath-taking views. Just as overwhelming is the view from the private terrace of most of the guest and public rooms at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. The Ngorongoro Serena is built of local stone and is molded to the contours of the site on the rim of the Crater. The lodge consists of 75 luxury en suite rooms most with private terraces. Cultural events include Masai dancing and celebratory presentations. In the evenings a choir or guitarist performs for the guests' pleasure. At Ngorongoro Serena Lodge visitors co-exist in perfect harmony with the natural environment and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Day 13 - Ngorongoro
A full day game viewing in the crater with picnic lunch. The wonderful variety of wildlife and stunning landscapes make Ngorongoro one of the great natural phenomenon’s of this world.

Day 14 - Depart
Return to Arusha for lunch and afternoon scheduled flight to Nairobi for departure.