destination
East African Wildlife Safari
Optional Add ons - Gorrilla trek in Rwanda / Chimpanzee trek in Tanzania.
Overview
Our classic East African Safari will take you to Kenya and Tanzania's most celebrated game parks, the very places where the concept of wildlife safaris originated in the 1890's. It will include the Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, and Lake Nakuru National Parks in Kenya, and the Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Lake Tarangire, and Arusha National Parks in Tanzania, plus many other less-visited reserves, conservation areas, cultural and historical attractions.
In between the safaris discover the beaches of Zanzibar, where turquoise waters meet powdery white sands. Explore the yourself in the historic charm of Stone Town, wandering its winding alleys, lively markets, and rich cultural heritage.
For those who wish , we offer optional pre- and post-tour options. Before the main tour, an intimate gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda. After the tour a chimpanzee trek in Gombe. (Please note: Optional add-ons are subject to minimum participant requirements.)
East African Wildlife Safari Photo Gallery
Game viewing in the wild is an unforgettable experience, immersing you in the animals’ world. Witness lion prides guiding their cubs, herds of wildebeest and zebras roaming the grasslands, and elephant families teaching their young. Marvel at leopards stalking prey or the incredible speed of a cheetah on the hunt—nature’s drama unfolds before your eyes.
In East Africa, we found the wildlife to be very prolific and varied. The animals appeared largely unconcerned by our presence so we have always enjoyed close viewings and exciting photographic opportunities. For example, in the Masai Mara, we saw the “Big 5” in one afternoon and captured incredible images of them all!
Whether you’re marveling at the Great Migration or enjoying a serene sunset game drive, an African safari promises unforgettable encounters and memories that will last forever.
2025 Draft Itinerary outline:
| Time | Destination |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Flight via Dubai - depart early evening |
| Day 2 | Nairobi - Arrive early afternoon, Overnight at Hotel Eka or similar. |
| Day 3 | Lake Naivasha - Begin our safari by visiting the Nairobi Giraffe Centre before driving to our first lodge on the shores of Lake Naivasha. Overnight, Elsamere Lodge, the lakeside home of Joy Adamson. |
| Day 4 | Lake Naivasha - Visit Hell's Gate National Park and walk a river-bed canyon before returning to the lake for a sunset cruise. |
| Day 5 | Lake Nakuru - Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park where we will have our first game drive. Overnight Lake Nakuru Lodge or similar. |
| Day 6 | Masai Mara - The most spectacular feature of this stunning game reserve is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle that cross the Kenya/Tanzanian border and crocodile-infested rivers to reach the Masai Mara’s lush grasslands. Overnight, Keekorok Lodge or similar |
| Day 7 | Masai Mara - We will have two full days to explore this extensive game reserve, each day visiting a different area. Apart from the seasonal migration, game viewing is excellent all year round as the Mara is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where visitors may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. |
| Day 8 | 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 is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Maasai Mara’s grasslands from early July, tracked by predators and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. |
| Day 9 | Cross the Isebania border and continue to Northern Serengeti In this area you will have high chances to see the great migration (estimated to reach 3,000,000 animals now) crossing the Mara river while the crocodiles in the river try to attack them. The rare black rhino can also be spotted in the area. |
| Day 10 | Serengeti National Park North - Morning and afternoon game drives in North Serengeti along the Mara river with early departure exploring the great migration crossing the Mara river. |
| Day 11 | Serengeti North- game drives |
| Day 12 | Serengeti Central -After breakfast drive to central Serengeti national park for game drive. In central Serengeti you will have opportunity to see big prides of lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and other wildlife. In the late afternoon you will continue to Serengeti central bush camp for dinner and overnight |
| Day 13 | Serengeti Central After breakfast depart for morning and afternoon game drive in central Serengeti All meals and overnight will be at Serengeti central bush camp. |
| Day 14 | Morning game drive in Serengeti national park, then continue to Olduvai gorge (this is the place where Dr. Leakey and his wife Mary Leakey found hominid fossils). |
| Day 15 | Game drive in Ngorongoro crater, a good number of lions and cheetahs, hippos hyenas, jackals and it is another good place to see the rare black rhino. In the afternoon you will visit art and crafts market in Karatu. |
| Day 16 | Tarangire, Tanzania's third largest national park and sanctuary for an unusually large elephant population. Majestic baobab trees are an interesting feature of the park, dwarfing the animals that feed beneath them. Animals concentrate along the Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply in the area. There is a great diversity of wildlife including lions, leopards, cheetahs and up to six thousand elephant. In the afternoon you will continue to Arusha |
| Day 17 | After breakfast, you will drive back to Arusha for dinner and overnight at Ambureni coffee lodge |
| Day 18 | Arusha National Park/ Olpopongi - Arusha National Park is a small but beautiful park on the slopes of Mt Meru. After our visit, we will leave the park and drive to the Olpopongi Masai Cultural Village, for a fascinating village-stay experience. Overnight, Olpopongi Masai Village. |
| Day 19 | Stone Town (Zanzibar) - A short flight to Zanzibar a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich cultural heritage of Arabian, Persian, Indian, European, and African elements. |
| Day 20 | Zanzibar - Visit Prison Island where you can get up close with a giant turtle colony. A facinating guided walking tour of Stone Town. |
| Day 21 | Blue lagoon cruise for a relaxing day of snorkeling, swimming and sailing in a traditional boat. |
| Day 22 | Northern Beach - To end the tour we will have a spot of R & R, with a two-night stay at a relaxed beach resort on Zanzibar's beautiful northern coast. Overnight, Kwenda Rocks or similar. |
| Day 23 | Northern Beach - a final day to enjoy beautiful Zanzibar, swimming, snorkeling or just strolling the beach. |
| Day 24 | Dubai - A late morning flight to Dar es Salaam and on to Dubai, where you will connect with tomorrow's early morning flight to Auckland. Those who prefer to pay extra and stay overnight in Dubai will take tomorrow's mid-morning flight to Auckland. |
| Day 25 | Flights - depart Dubai. |
| Day 26 | Arrive Auckland |
Transport: High-quality long wheel-based 4 x 4 Safari vehicles with four or five people + driver in each, depending on final group numbers. The vehicles are 7-seaters + driver, so we will have plenty of room.
Accommodation: Hotels, very comfortable Safari Lodges, and tented camps with private facilities. One night in a Masai Cultural Village, with shared facilities. The basic price is based on twin share/double accommodation. Single room use may or may not be available in all locations, but if available a single supplement payment will apply.
Meals: All meals during the 16-day safari are included. The currently anticipated non-included meals being; 1 dinner in Nairobi, 5 lunches and 5 dinners on Zanzibar, and any meals/drinks taken at cafes, restaurants or airports etc. The exact number of excluded meals will be confirmed once the details of the 2023 itinerary are finalised.
Water: Unlimited mineral water is provided during the Safari. For the remainder of the time, bottled water is readily available.
What is Included: Economy airfares Auckland return (does not include overnights in Dubai), a fully inclusive safari with driver/guides and a New Zealand leader, all entries and park permits, lodges and good quality tented-camps with ensuites and all meals plus one night in a Masai Cultural Village. Flights to and from Zanzibar, 5 nights on Zanzibar with excursions and a basic group-tipping fund for our drivers, guides, hotel/camp staff etc. However, please be aware that a supplement over and above this base-fund will be required once the services are settled and the full extent of our group tipping obligation can be calculated.
Not Included: The group tipping supplement (to be advised) and your personal tipping for requested services e.g. laundry, porters and bar bills, personal shopping expenditure, visas, balloon ride, Dubai extra night ( if not included)/any additional fare required and any other item not listed as included.
All bookings are subject to the Grassroots Booking conditions which can be found on the Grassroots Booking Form.
Some of our past Journeys
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