13 Day Great East African Lodge Safari

We start the tour making our way to the Tarangire National Park which is home to a variety of animals including elephant herds. This park has stunning grasslands, recurring swamps and not forgetting the life-giving Tarangire River. Besides spotting elephants, you see giraffes, bushbacks, dik-diks, waterbucks and reedbucks throughout the year.

Stay at Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Camp

We head to the Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Lodge after our game drive and spend the night here. Set on elevated platforms with panoramic views over Lake Burunge and the baobab-studded plains near Tarangire National Park, Lake Burunge Baobab Tented Camp is a serene wilderness retreat where guests can enjoy Tarangire game drives, guided shore walks, lake canoeing, bush sundowners, and cultural visits to local villages.

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Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport – Arusha

Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport, your driver will greet you and transfer you to Arusha Villa for your first night’s stay.

Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

After a morning briefing, set off for Tarangire National Park—a sanctuary famous for its vast elephant herds, savannahs, and the Tarangire River. Year-round, the river attracts a wide array of wildlife, including giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, and bushbucks. Enjoy an extensive game drive before heading to Sangaiwe Tented Lodge in the late afternoon. Arrive in time to enjoy a sunset drink followed by dinner.

Embark on a final thrilling game drive through Tarangire National Park, renowned for its abundant wildlife. Your experienced guide will share fascinating insights into the unique ecosystem and its diverse inhabitants. Keep an eye out for a wide variety of animals, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a diverse array of antelope species. After an exhilarating morning, enjoy a delicious lunch and then travel to Karatu, nestled in the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands. Consider an optional walk through the fragrant coffee plantations before settling into your comfortable accommodation at one of the three beautifully located Tanganyika Wilderness Adventure Lodges. Prepare for a restful night, reflecting on the incredible wildlife encounters and the stunning beauty of Tarangire National Park

Stay at Tanganyika Wilderness Adventure Lodge

Tanganyika Wilderness Camps offer a diverse collection of eco-friendly lodges, permanent tented camps, and mobile safari setups situated in Tanzania’s prime wildlife destinations, where guests can indulge in guided game drives, bush walks, hot air ballooning, and authentic cultural interactions with local tribes.

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Enjoy a delicious breakfast before returning to Tarangire National Park for another day of exploration. As one of the most wildlife-dense destinations on the Northern Circuit, today’s game drive offers a great opportunity to spot species you may have missed yesterday, guided by your expert’s deep knowledge of the local ecosystem. Frame your views against the iconic baobab trees that scatter across this scenic landscape. After a full day in the park, you will journey to Karatu in the Ngorongoro Highlands, where you will spend the night at Country Lodge.

Prepare for an early start with breakfast at dawn before embarking on the thrilling descent into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater—the biggest intact caldera on earth. This day offers unparalleled safari viewing, giving you the best chance to spot all of the magnificent Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard), crucially including the rare and majestic black rhino. After an extensive morning game drive, you will ascend and continue your journey to the vast, iconic plains of the Serengeti National Park. This is the epicenter of the biggest animal migration in the world, where thousands of wildebeests and zebras traverse the landscape, constantly tracked by hungry predators.

Stay at Kati Kati Tented Camp

You will spend the night at the comfortable Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp in the central Serengeti. This is a secluded camp which is perfect for listening to the call of the wild under the glistening starry skies. Kati Kati Tented Camp is an authentic, eco-friendly mobile safari camp set in the heart of the Serengeti, where guests can experience immersive game drives, bush breakfasts, hot air balloon safaris, and relaxing evenings with appetizers around an open campfire.

Waking up bright and early to see the magical sunrise over the Serengeti, we then make our way on a early morning game drive. Returning from your game drive, a lovely breakfast awaits you. A variety of activities are made available such as hot air ballooning which gives you a spectacular bird’s eye view of the area. Please note that these arrangements should be made prior to the tour as it is not included in the tour price.

Stay at Kati Kati Tented Camp

Enjoy an afternoon game drive before making your way back to the Kati Kati Tented Camp for the evening.

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In the afternoon, set out on another game drive before returning to Moyo Tented Camp for dinner and your overnight stay.

Today we leave the Serengeti, you spot animals you haven’t seen yet on our way out of the park. We make our way to one of Africa’s biggest lakes and the second biggest in the world – Lake Victoria. The area surrounding the lake is known to be extremely fertile and densely populated. Be prepared to see a different side of Tanzania at the lake and a chance to experience the lives of the local people. You can also watch fishermen at work and a local school which is an experience that is not available on the usual tourist programs.

Stay at Serenity on the Lake Resort

Your overnight will be at the Serenity on the Lake Resort. Nestled along the peaceful shores of Lake Victoria near the Western Serengeti, Serenity on the Lake Resort & Spa is an eco-friendly sanctuary where guests can unwind with rejuvenating spa treatments, bird watching, and scenic pool relaxation, or immerse themselves in local adventures like canoeing, guided bike tours, and cultural village walks.

Start your day with a refreshing canoe trip on Lake Victoria. Witness the lives of the local people as they catch fish which is how they sustain their families. You will then need to prepare for the longest journey to the Masai Mara, a large game reserve in Kenya so be prepared for an enriching safari through the reserve. Continuing to live up to it’s reputation, the reserve is reputed to have the highest lion population in all of Africa. Be sure to spot other species of large cats such as leopards and cheetahs throughout the year.

Stay at Mara West Camp

Your stay this evening will be at the luxurious Mara West Camp just outside of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Perched on the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment with panoramic views over the Masai Mara, Mara West Camp offers an immersive safari sanctuary where guests can enjoy 4×4 game drives, guided nature walks, bush dining, hot air ballooning, bird watching, and authentic Maasai cultural visits.

Dedicate this full day to extensive game viewing in the magnificent Mara Triangle. Traverse the far-stretching grassland plains dotted with acacia forests. A key focus is the dramatic Mara River, the major hurdle for the Great Migration herds. If you are visiting in late October or early November, you may witness the powerful, gruesome scene of tens of thousands of wildebeests and zebras preparing to cross the swollen river, dodging hungry, waiting crocodiles.

Stay at Mara West Camp

In the late afternoon, you return to the Mara West Camp

Enjoy two full, unhurried days immersed in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. You and your guide will dedicate time to locating the Big Five and appreciating the reserve’s wide range of unique animals. Keep an eye out for special species like the Masai giraffe, roan antelope, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, and the nocturnal bat-eared fox. The Mara is also a birder’s paradise, hosting over 470 bird species, including approximately 60 raptor species.

Stay at Mara Legends Camp

For these two nights, you will stay closer to the action at the Mara Legends Camp inside the reserve

After a hearty breakfast, embark on your journey to Nairobi, the vibrant capital of Kenya. Arrive in the city and settle into your comfortable accommodation. Relax by the pool, freshen up after your safari adventures, and prepare for the exciting experiences that await you. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable dinner at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant (own expense).

Stay at Tamarind Tree Hotel

Enjoy a restful night at the Tamarind Tree Hotel, ready for the next leg of your African adventure. Situated near Nairobi National Park and Wilson Airport, Tamarind Tree Hotel is a modern urban oasis where guests can relax by the heated outdoor pool, workout at the fitness center, savor dining at the adjacent Carnivore Restaurant, and enjoy easy access to city excursions like safari game drives and wildlife sanctuaries.

Journeying out of Nairobi, we travel to the Amboseli National Park which is close to the Tanzanian border. Witness the stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro as a back drop. It would be great if you could see this scene for yourself if the weather was good. The chance of spotting lions, leopards and the rest of the “Big Five” are at an all-time high here. From on top of Observation Hill you can see buffaloes, hippos and flocks of water birds feasting on the natural vegetation here. Amboseli National Parks can be explored on game drives the rest of the day and the next day. There are many exciting wildlife encounters to look forward to since there is no rush. As you learn more about flora and fauna from your guide, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve learned.

Stay at Ol Tukai Lodge

You will spend two nights at the Ol Tukai Lodge with it’s lovely carvings and African art. Set in the heart of Amboseli National Park with front-row views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Ol Tukai Lodge is a prime safari retreat where guests can experience guided 4×4 game drives to view famous elephant herds, guided bird-watching walks, pool relaxation, health spa treatments, and authentic Maasai cultural visits.

You take one last game drive en route to the park gate. Eventually, your wonderful safari comes to an end. You return to Nairobi with many wonderful memories. We will take you to the airport or your hotel in the city to say goodbye and hopefully, until next time.