destination
East African Wildlife Safari 2027
Overview
Experience the very best of East Africa on this immersive journey through Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Track wildlife across the legendary plains of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, explore the dramatic landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater, and enjoy unique experiences like walking among wildlife on Crescent Island and discovering life along the Rift Valley lakes.
This journey blends iconic safari moments with meaningful cultural experiences, including time with the Maasai people, offering a deeper connection to the places and communities you visit.
After your safari, unwind on the island of Zanzibar, where white sand beaches, turquoise waters and the rich history of Stone Town provide the perfect contrast to your time on the plains.
From the scale of the Great Migration to the quiet moments in between, this is a journey designed to give you a more varied and memorable East African experience.
East African Wildlife Safari Photo Gallery
We are currently refining our Africa itinerary for upcoming departures.
Based on feedback from our travellers, the next version of this journey will retain all the iconic highlights, including the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, while offering a greater mix of cultural experiences, local interaction and more varied day-to-day activities.
The overall length will remain similar, with accommodation continuing to feature a carefully selected collection of beautiful lodges and luxury glamping camps throughout the journey.
An updated day-by-day itinerary and pricing will be released shortly.
If you are interested in joining our 2027 or 2028 Africa departures, we would love to hear from you.
2027 & 2028 updated Itinerary out soon
| Time | Destination |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival/ Nairobi - overnight Hotel stay in Nairobi |
| Day 2 | A morning visit to the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Centre and after lunch drive to our first lodge on the shores of Lake Naivasha, Elsamere Lodge, the lakeside home of Joy Adamson. |
| Day 3 | After breakfast visit Hell's Gate National Park, a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley. The spectacular scenery includes towering cliffs, water gorges, and belching plumes of geothermal steam making it one of the most atmospheric parks in Africa. For those who prefer, the option the cycle in the park is available. In the afternoon spot hippo's as we ride a canoe to Crescent Island where we will walk amongst herds of giraffes, zebras and other wildlife. |
| Day 4 | Lake Nakuru National Park: This Rift Valley lake, is located at an elevation of 1,754m above sea level and its abundance of algae attracts a vast number of Flamingos to its shoreline. |
| Day 5, 6 & 7 | Maasai Mara: Red-clad with a spear, Masai Warriors tend their herds of cattle among the wildlife, admirably unmoved by the presence of large predators. The most spectacular feature of the Mara is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Mara’s grassland from early July, tracked by predators and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. |
| Day 8 | Maasai Mara to North Serengeti: After crossing the Kenya/Tanzania border, a scenic game drive en route to our camp, with the chance to spot elephants, giraffes, and gazelles. Arrive at camp in time for a stunning sundowner experience overlooking the Savannah. |
| Day 9 | North Serengiti - A full day game drive following the Great Migration. If we are lucky, we will witness thousands of wildebeest and zebras as they make their dramatic river crossing, often pursued by crocodiles and big cats. The chances of seeing this spectacle are high due to the time of year, but it cannot be guaranteed, its fingers-crossed situation. |
| Day 10 | North Serengeti to Central Serengeti: Begin your day with an early breakfast before departing on a game drive through the Northern Serengeti, where you may spot lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch on the way before arriving in Central Serengeti in the afternoon. Before reaching camp we will make our first game drive in this dramatic region. |
| Day 11 | Central Serengeti: Known for its vast savannahs and predator-rich landscapes the Central Serengeti that supports an abundance of wildlife including elephants, buffalo, and large prides of lions and cheetah. After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive, followed by a relaxing bush lunch. Continue with an afternoon safari before heading back to camp in the evening. |
| Day 12 | Ngorongoro Crater - Karatu: Our first stop today will be at Olduvai Gorge, where some of the world's oldest humanoid remains were discovered in the 1930's by Mary and Louis Leakey. After a short visit to the site and a visit to the Museum, continue on to the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, where you can expect to see black rhinos, lions, and large herds of wildebeest. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before continuing to your lodge in Karatu. |
| Day 13 | Karatu to Olpopongi Village: Drive to Arusha and visit the local craft markets and after a delicious hot lunch head to Olpopongi for an immersive cultural experience with the Maasai people. Participate in traditional activities and storytelling around the fire. |
| Day 14 | Olpopongi to Kilimanjaro Airport to Stone Town Zanzibar: After breakfast engage in village activities such as spear throwing and Maasai dancing before driving to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. |
| Day 15 | Embark on a boat excursion to Prison Island. Explore the island, visit the giant tortoise sanctuary, and snorkel in the clear waters. Later we have a guided walking tour of Stone Town, including the Slave Memorial Museum. In the evening, visit the Forodhani Night Market, where you can sample local seafood and traditional Swahili cuisine. |
| Day 16 | Enjoy a full-day Safari Blue excursion, where you will visit secluded sandbanks, snorkel in vibrant coral reefs, and enjoy a seafood feast on the beach. In the late afternoon, take a dhow cruise along the coast to watch the sunset while sipping fresh coconut water. |
| Day 17 | After breakfast, visit a Spice Farm to learn about Zanzibar’s aromatic spices and enjoy a traditional Swahili lunch. Later, transfer to your beach resort and spend the afternoon at leisure. |
| Day 18 | A free day to relax at the resort, or enjoy optional water activities such as snorkeling, or scuba diving, or perhaps visit the Jozani Forest to see the Red Colobus monkeys. |
| Day 19 | After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Dar Es Salaam. Upon arrival, connect with your mid-afternoon international flight to New Zealand via Dubai. |
| Day 20 | Arrive in Dubai in the evening, over night stay before our connecting flight home in the morning. |
| Day 21 | Arrive back in Auckland mid morning. |
What’s included
Transport
Travel in comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles with pop-up roofs for excellent wildlife viewing, accompanied by experienced local driver-guides. All private transfers are included, along with return domestic flights to Zanzibar.
Accommodation
Enjoy 20 nights in a carefully selected mix of hotels, beautiful safari lodges and luxury tented camps, all with private facilities. One night is spent in a traditional Maasai village experience. Pricing is based on twin share, with single rooms available on request at an additional cost.
Safari experience
A fully guided safari with all national park fees and permits included, led by experienced local guides and a New Zealand host.
Experiences and activities
– Walking safari on Crescent Island
– Prison Island excursion in Zanzibar
– Dhow sailing and snorkelling experience
– Spice farm visit with traditional Swahili meal
– Guided tour of Stone Town
Meals
All meals are included during the safari, along with drinking water.
In Zanzibar, daily breakfast is included along with selected group meals, with time to explore local restaurants at your leisure.
What’s not included
– International flights
– Visas
– Optional activities such as a hot air balloon safari
– Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry and shopping
– Additional tipping beyond the included group tipping fund
Important information
Final pricing may vary due to exchange rates, airfares and supplier costs. Full terms and conditions are outlined in the Grassroots booking documentation.
Ready for an adventure?
Get in touch with us and start planning your next life changing experience!