10-Day Private Kenya & Tanzania Bespoke Safari: Lakes, Mara & Serengeti
10-Day Kenya & Tanzania Private Safari Overview
This 10-day private Kenya and Tanzania bespoke safari by Savannah Wanderlust Expeditions offers an immersive journey through East Africa’s most iconic wildlife sanctuaries. From the rhino-rich shores of Lake Nakuru to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the "Eighth Wonder of the World" at Ngorongoro Crater, this itinerary is designed for travelers seeking exclusive wildlife encounters. You will travel in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with professional guides, ensuring a seamless cross-border experience from the Masai Mara into the heart of the Great Migration path.
DAY 1. NAIROBI – LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Your adventure begins in the morning with a meet and greet at the airport or your hotel. After a short safari briefing, you will depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint to take photos and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Upon arrival at the park, you will enjoy a game drive on the way to your lodge where lunch will be served. After lunch and some time to relax, you will go for an afternoon game drive in the park. Lake Nakuru National Park is famous for its many birds and beautiful landscapes. You may also see the rare Rothschild’s giraffe, as well as black and white rhinos and other wildlife. Some of the well-known places in the park include Baboon Cliff, Lion Hill, and the beautiful Makalia Falls.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2. LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK – MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve, arriving in time for a hot lunch at your lodge. After lunch and a short rest, you will go for an afternoon game drive to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the reserve. Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to many wild animals, including several members of the Big Five. You may also see cheetahs, serval cats, hyenas, bat-eared foxes, black-backed and side-striped jackals, hippos, crocodiles, baboons, warthogs, topis, and elands. The reserve also has many bird species such as eagles, vultures, ostriches, storks, pelicans, cormorants, and darters. In the evening, you will return to your lodge for dinner and enjoy a peaceful overnight stay, listening to the natural sounds of the African bush.
Accommodation: Mara Leisure Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
After an early breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve. From the open-roof safari vehicle, you will enjoy clear views of the wildlife and the beautiful landscape. During the game drive, you may see several members of the Big Five, including buffaloes, leopards, lions, and elephants. The morning hours are a great time to spot predators such as lions and cheetahs when they are most active. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture photos of Africa’s famous wildlife. Later in the day, you will enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild before continuing with another game drive. In the evening, you will return to the camp for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mara Leisure Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4. MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE – ISIBANIA/SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin your journey to Serengeti National Park with a packed lunch. On the way, you will pass through the Isebania Border Crossing where you will complete customs and immigration procedures as you cross from Kenya into Tanzania. After entering Serengeti National Park, you will enjoy a game drive across its wide-open plains. The park is famous for its large numbers of wildlife and beautiful scenery. You may see animals such as lions, elephants, zebras, and wildebeest during the drive. In the early evening, you will arrive at your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the African bush.
Accommodation: Enkirari Wilderness Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 AND 6. EXPLORE SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Spend two days exploring Serengeti National Park. Each day will begin with an early morning breakfast before heading out for a full-day game drive across the vast plains of the park. Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous wildlife areas in the world and is home to millions of animals. It is also known for the great migration, where large herds of wildebeest and zebras move between Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park in search of fresh grass.
During your game drives, you may see many animals such as hippos in the river, giraffes grazing on acacia trees, elands, baboons, and monkeys. The open plains and scattered acacia trees make the landscape very beautiful and perfect for wildlife viewing. In the late afternoon, you will return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay while enjoying the peaceful sounds of the African wilderness.
Accommodation: Enkirari Wilderness Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7. SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
After an early morning breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and travel with a packed lunch to the beautiful Ngorongoro Conservation Area. When you arrive, you will descend into the famous Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of wildlife viewing. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area has different landscapes such as forests, open grasslands, and small lakes that support many animals.
During your game drive, you may see gazelles, buffaloes, elephants, and wildebeests grazing across the plains. The crater is also home to predators like lions, hyenas, and sometimes the shy leopard. Bird lovers may spot flamingos around the soda lakes as well as birds such as eagles, cranes, and storks. Later in the afternoon, you will drive out of the crater and continue to your lodge in the Ngorongoro highlands. Dinner will be served at the lodge, followed by a peaceful overnight stay.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8. NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA – NAMANGA/AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will leave Tanzania and begin your journey back to Kenya. The drive will take you to the Namanga Border Crossing, where you will complete passport and immigration procedures before changing to a Kenyan safari vehicle for the rest of your journey. On the way, you will stop for a picnic lunch in the countryside before continuing to Amboseli National Park. The park lies at the foot of the famous Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.
Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive across the open plains of Amboseli National Park. The park is well known for its large herds of elephants and beautiful views of the snow-capped mountain. You may also see buffaloes, zebras, different types of antelopes, and sometimes lions or cheetahs. In the evening, you will drive to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay while enjoying the peaceful sounds of the savannah.
Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9. AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you can choose to return to your lodge for a hot lunch between your morning and afternoon game drives, or spend the whole day exploring Amboseli National Park with a packed picnic lunch. This full-day safari gives you a great chance to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Amboseli National Park, with the impressive Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the background.
Amboseli gets its name from a Maasai word meaning “salty dust.” The park is famous for its large herds of elephants, giving you a good chance to watch these magnificent animals up close in their natural habitat. During your game drive, you will pass through different landscapes such as the dry bed of Lake Amboseli, green swamps, open savannah plains, and woodland areas.
These habitats support many animals and birds, making the park a wonderful place for wildlife lovers and photographers. You may also visit a traditional Maasai village to learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life. In the evening, you will return to your lodge with wonderful memories and enjoy a relaxing overnight stay.
Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10. AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK TO NAIROBI (DEPARTURE)
After breakfast, you will leave the lodge for a morning game drive in Amboseli National Park. Later in the morning, you will begin your journey back to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will enjoy lunch at a city restaurant before being dropped off at your hotel or at the airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
COST INCLUSIONS
- Full board accommodation as per the itinerary and program
- Transport in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver/guide
- All airport and hotel transfers
- Driver’s allowances and all vehicle expenses
- Unlimited game drives as per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- All park entrance fees and concession fees
- Emergency medical evacuation cover by AMREF Flying Doctors
- All meals as stipulated in the itinerary
COST EXCLUSIVE
- International and local flights
- Entry Visas for Kenya and Tanzania
- Personal items (laundry, telephone, etc.)
- Drinks: Beers, sodas, wines, and spirits
- Optional activities: Boat ride safari, Balloon safari
- Cultural visits: Visit to a Maasai village
- Tips and gratitude for your driver-guide
- Travel and personal insurance
Kenya & Tanzania Safari Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a visa for both Kenya and Tanzania? Yes. Most travelers require a visa for both countries. We recommend applying for the Kenya eTA and the Tanzania e-Visa online at least two weeks before your departure to ensure smooth border crossings.
- Is this a private safari? Absolutely. This is a private journey with your own dedicated 4x4 Land Cruiser and professional driver-guide, allowing for total flexibility.
- What is the best time for the Great Migration? The migration moves into the Masai Mara between July and October and returns to the Serengeti from November. However, resident wildlife is spectacular year-round.
- Are the border crossings difficult? Your guides assist with the paperwork. Note that switching vehicles at the border is a legal requirement for cross-border operations.
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