11 Days Kenya & Tanzania Mid-Range Safari: Amboseli – Maasai Mara – Nakuru – Naivasha – Serengeti – Ngorongoro & Tarangire
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Overview
This eleven day mid-range safari delivers the most comprehensive East African wildlife experience available. You will visit seven spectacular destinations across Kenya and Tanzania. Photograph elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, witness the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, spot flamingos and rhinos in Lake Nakuru, enjoy a walking safari on Crescent Island in Lake Naivasha, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, and explore Tarangire National Park’s massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees. With Vanta Tours and Safaris, this is our flagship safari package.
The Complete East African Wildlife Experience
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Low Season (January to June): $1,685 per person
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High Season (July to December): $1,805 per person
Safari Highlights
Detailed Itinerary
Nairobi to Amboseli National Park
Pick up from Nairobi airport or your city hotel by a Vanta Tours and Safaris representative. Drive southeast towards Amboseli National Park, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro on clear days. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch (own expense). Afternoon game drive across Amboseli's swamps and plains. Search for large elephant herds, buffalo, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and lions. Capture photographs of elephants with Kilimanjaro in the background. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge.
Amboseli to Maasai Mara
Early morning sunrise game drive in Amboseli, the best time to photograph Kilimanjaro. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then check out. Drive back to Nairobi for lunch at a local restaurant (own expense). Afternoon drive to the Maasai Mara via the Great Rift Valley viewpoint. Arrive at your camp in time for dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge.
Full Day in Maasai Mara
Early breakfast, then depart with a packed lunch for a full day game drive. Search for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and antelopes. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the Mara River, watching hippos and crocodiles. During migration season (July to October), witness thousands of wildebeest and zebras crossing the river. Return to camp for dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge.
Maasai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Morning breakfast, then check out and depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge. Afternoon game drive around the lake spotting flamingos, pelicans, both black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and the famous tree climbing lions. Return for dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge.
Lake Nakuru to Lake Naivasha
Early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru to see rhinos and lions. Return for breakfast, then check out. Drive to Lake Naivasha, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Naivasha. See hippos up close and watch fish eagles diving for food. Then visit Crescent Island for a walking safari. You will walk among giraffes, zebras, waterbuck, and antelopes with no vehicle between you and the animals. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Lake Naivasha Serena Camp.
Lake Naivasha to Arusha (Tanzania)
Breakfast at your lodge. Optional morning visit to Hell's Gate National Park for cycling among zebras and giraffes (extra fee). Drive to Nairobi for lunch at a local restaurant (own expense). Afternoon drive to the Namanga border crossing. Complete border formalities and meet your Tanzanian driver guide. Continue to Arusha. Check into your mid-range hotel for dinner and overnight at Arusha Serena Hotel.
Arusha to Tarangire National Park
Early breakfast, then depart for Tarangire National Park, approximately a two hour drive. Tarangire is famous for its massive herds of elephants, often numbering in the hundreds, and its iconic baobab trees that dot the landscape. Enjoy a full day game drive with a packed lunch. Search for elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and over 550 bird species. In the late afternoon, exit the park and drive to your lodge in the Karatu area for dinner and overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge or similar.
Tarangire to Serengeti National Park
Early breakfast, then depart for Serengeti National Park. Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with stunning views of the crater rim. Arrive at the Serengeti in time for lunch at your camp. Afternoon game drive on the endless plains searching for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and wildebeests. Return for dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.
Full Day in Serengeti National Park
Early morning sunrise game drive, then return to camp for breakfast. Depart with a packed lunch for a full day game drive exploring different areas of the Serengeti. Your guide will take you to the Seronera River valley known for leopards or the southeastern plains where cheetahs roam. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush. Return to camp for dinner and overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.
Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
Morning game drive in the Serengeti, then breakfast. Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater. Spot lions, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, wildebeests, and the rare black rhino. Enjoy a picnic lunch near the hippo pool. In the late afternoon, ascend back to the crater rim. Drive to your lodge for dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.
Ngorongoro to Arusha – Departure
Breakfast at your lodge. Optional stop at a local market for souvenirs. Drive to Arusha, arriving in the early afternoon. Drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport or your Arusha hotel for your onward journey. Lunch and overnight in Arusha are not included.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Ten nights accommodation in mid-range lodges, tented camps, or hotels
- Round trip transport in a 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop up roof
- Services of professional English speaking driver guides in both Kenya and Tanzania
- All game drives as per the itinerary
- Boat ride on Lake Naivasha including Crescent Island walking safari
- All park entrance fees for Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire
- Ngorongoro Crater vehicle fee
- Kenya to Tanzania border crossing fees and assistance
- All government taxes in both countries
- Bottled water during all game drives
- Breakfast and dinner daily at all accommodations
Excluded
- International flights to Nairobi or from Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Kenya visa (available on arrival for most nationalities at $50)
- Tanzania visa (available on arrival for most nationalities at $50)
- Travel and personal insurance (mandatory for all travelers)
- Tips and gratuities for driver guides (recommended $10-$15 per person per day)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Lunch on Day One and Day Eleven (can be added at $15 per meal)
- Hot air balloon safari in Maasai Mara or Serengeti (optional extra)
- Maasai village visit in Kenya or Tanzania (optional extra)
- Hell's Gate National Park entrance and bike rental (optional)
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and phone calls
