10 Day Kenya and Tanzania and Lakes Safari

The adventure of a lifetime awaits you as you embark on a safari tour through East Africa’s spectacular national parks. In Nairobi, we will hold a briefing to discuss the upcoming ten days. You begin your exploration of Solio Game Reserve in the Aberdare Region after meeting your guide. It is thought to be one of the best places in East Africa to see rhinos in large numbers – it is arguably the best private game reserve in the country where rhinos are protected. This is perhaps the best part of it: it is a well-kept secret, so you won’t meet many other tourists in this private reserve during your game drive. Solio has many bird species, as well as lions, buffaloes, and waterbucks, among the beautiful acacia forests. The Rhino Watch Safari Lodge will be your first night’s accommodation on safari. Depending on your luck, you may be able to see Mount Kenya in the distance. Welcome to Kenya!

Breakfast is served early in the morning before departing for Lake Nakuru National Park. Take a moment to stop at Kenya’s highest waterfall, Nyahururu, and watch the water plunging from 72 meters above. As you travel through local villages, you will reach Lake Nakuru, where you will enjoy a game drive in the afternoon. There is a large flamingo population in this paradise for bird watchers, which gives the lake a pink hue depending on the water level and time of year. The Lake Nakuru region is also home to the rare Rothschild’s giraffe and the black and white rhino which are on the endangered list. In just two days’ time, you will have witnessed more of the wildlife of East Africa than you ever thought possible. When the sun sets, it is time to unwind at your accommodation for the night, the Flamingo Hill Tented Camp.

Today, you will travel to the Masai Mara, a magical place in Kenya. You pass through Lake Naivasha, Kenya’s flower capital, and Mt Suswa, one of Kenya’s inactive volcanoes, as you cross the Great Rift Valley. You will reach one of the most significant wildlife viewing areas in Africa as you drive deeper into the land of the Masai. In the afternoon, you will take your first game drive in the Mara. With the Masai Mara being home to the Big Five and many other wildlife species, you will spend the following days searching for and watching these animals together with your guide. We will be staying at Julia’s River Camp for the next two nights. This is an intimate tent campsite on the banks of the Talek River. You can expect wildlife to be close to you since animals do not adhere to borders.

In the morning, you will set out for a full day of exploration of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Make a stop at the Mara River, if you visit during the Great Migration when thousands of wildebeests and zebras follow the rains and migrate from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya. There is an opportunity to witness a river crossing when the herbivores attempt to cross the river in order to avoid being snatched by a hungry crocodile. What’s great about today is that you have time to observe. There is no need to rush and you can make the most of each moment. You will notice that once the Big Five have been observed, you will then begin to focus your attention on the other animals. Hyenas and cheetahs graze on the savannah, waterbucks and zebras come to the rivers to quench their thirst, and hippos can be seen protecting their sensitive skin from the harsh sun in the murky water. Spend one more night at Julia’s River Camp and share stories around the dinner table.

A second day of wildlife adventures awaits you in the Mara. As we explore the western part of the reserve today, you will gain a better understanding and experience of the Mara ecosystem. The amount of information you have gained so far about Kenya’s flora and fauna will surprise you. You will be able to see more than beautiful sunsets and majestic lions with the assistance of your guide. You will also understand the context and fragility of their environment. We will stay at a remote camp in Mara West tonight. You can enjoy panoramic views of the Masai Mara from here and remember the wonderful experiences that you have had here, while bush babies leap through the leaves of nearby trees.

It is an early start for your final morning in Kenya. Enjoy one last look at the Mara before you depart for the Tanzanian border at Isebania. You proceed directly to Lake Victoria after clearing immigration. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure along the shores of Africa’s largest lake, where you will also spend the night at the Speke Bay Lodge. Let your mind rest after your adventurous days, take a walk by the lakeshore, visit the local fishing village, or even catch up on your emails to ensure that you can face the days ahead without stress. Relax and enjoy the views of Lake Victoria.

In Tanzania, the first morning will be spent canoeing across Lake Victoria. As a local fisherman explains how to catch fish the traditional way, you sail across Africa’s largest lake together. Upon returning to the fishing village, you can admire the catch from the previous evening. Time to venture into the bush for another wildlife encounter. You will arrive at the Serengeti Gate and begin your game drive after a short one-hour drive. The Serengeti hosts the Great Migration of wildebeests and zebras along with the Masai Mara. It is a great opportunity to view these natural spectacles in Tanzania if you missed them in Kenya. There is no denying the fact that Serengeti means “endless plains” in the local language, and you will soon realise why: the open expanse of grassland stretches as far as the eye can see. Despite appearing endless, these plains are dotted with kopjes, large rock formations, and lions’ favourite places for napping. The Kati Kati Tented Camp will be your destination for the evening, when you will arrive late in the afternoon. Located in the middle of the Serengeti, this exclusive and unfenced camp will enable you to experience nature more closely than ever before.

Enjoy a bush breakfast in the Central Serengeti while birds chirp and the sun rises. You will have the opportunity to explore the park with your guide for the remainder of the day. The best way to experience Tanzania’s wildlife is to go right when everyone else goes left. There are large prides of lions living on the Serengeti, lazing under acacia trees that provide shade during the hot afternoons. Be aware of your surroundings and you may spot a leopard feasting on its latest kill on the branches of the trees. Each safari day is unique, and you will be astonished at the new species you see on the eighth day of your great East African safari. Upon returning to Kati Kati Tented Camp, join your fellow guests in front of the “bush TV” and listen to the crackling of the campfire.

As you leave the Serengeti this morning, you should take advantage of the cooler temperatures and keep a lookout for more predators – large cats become more active as the weather cools. On your last game drive of your safari, you will enter the world famous Ngorongoro Crater at lunchtime for a spectacular finale to your safari. There are more than 25000 animals living in this large inactive volcanic caldera in the course of a season. The crater floor is home to large herds of zebras, buffaloes, and prides of lions. Steep and rugged walls of the crater always remain visible, marking the perimeter of this wildlife haven and a truly unique environment. Following the game drive, you continue to Karatu, where you spend the final night of your safari at one of its three superbly situated Tanganyika Wilderness Adventure Lodges.

Your day begins with a leisurely breakfast before making your way to Arusha, where you should arrive around noon. There is no need to spend another night in the city, if you wish to continue with your travel plans. After your exciting excursions in the bush, return home or fly to Zanzibar for a relaxing vacation on the tropical beaches. For more information please speak to your travel consultant.