Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary

A Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary is a truly African experience combining the animals in the plains such as the Masai Mara, Serengeti National Park, the beaches of Mombasa or Malindi and the Rift Valley is a best experience for any one visiting Africa for safari. Kenya and Tanzania also has beautiful unspoiled beaches, thriving coral reefs with their glorious colors, memorable mountain vistas, and ancient Swahili cities.

Below is the detailed itinerary of the best Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi Arrival 

Upon arrival in Nairobi, claim your bags and proceed towards the arrival hall.  Our representative will meet you and assist you with your transfer to hotel. (Standard check-in time is 3:00 pm). 

Afternoon visit to the giraffe centre 

Day 2: Nairobi-Naivasha Drive time 2+ hours 

After breakfast we depart for Lake Naivasha arriving late morning. After lunch, enjoy a boat ride (optional visit to crescent island)

There is just one “Crescent Island Game Sanctuary”. Located on Lake Naivasha, in the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. It is one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya and is often called Naivasha’s best-kept secret. Surrounded by water, it is actually a peninsula and is currently only accessible by boat from the East or West side.

The shores host abundant birdlife including pelicans, cormorants, and fish-eagles with their haunting cry. There are more animals per acre than any other Kenyan Park, hence many film companies have been to the Island to film the herds of Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Zebra, and Gazelle.

Hippo graze all over us at night then sleep under the acacia or rest in the water by day. Often you can see three generations of Giraffe at a time, all of whom have been born on the Island. And if you’re lucky you may see one of the beautiful Pythons who live here. 

From the top of the hill, there is a 360-degree view across the Lake from Longonot to Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment to Eburu and onto the Aberdares.  Walking along the ridge in the golden hour before sunset whilst watching the animals grazing with the water shimmering beyond, is what Africa is all about. 

Dinner and overnight in Naivasha 

Day 3: Naivasha-Lake Nakuru Drive time 2+ hours 

Our destination today is Lake Nakuru National Park. Here we can expect to see buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, antelope and the lions that prey on them as well as vast flocks of flamingos clustered near the lake shore. Lake Nakuru is famous for having the highest concentration of flamingos in the world and is home to over three hundred bird species. It is a sanctuary for both the Black and White Rhinos.  Also found in plenty are zebras, waterbucks, buffaloes and warthogs. Leopards are sometimes seen sleeping on the horizontal branches of the “Fever trees”. Supper is at our lodge overlooking the lake. 

Day 4: Lake Nakuru-Masai Mara Drive time 5+ hours

After breakfast, we begin our exciting vacation by driving towards the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve, arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa. continue to the enormous reserve which is actually part of the vast Serengeti plains and is well-known for its spectacular wildebeest migration. It is the true home of the BIG FIVE: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino and Cape Buffalo. Its name derives from the Maasai people, the ancestral inhabitants of the area, who still call the wide plains of Kenya and northern Tanzania home. As we travel through Maasai land, we occasionally come across a solitary Maasai Moran (=Warrior) standing on one foot while herding hundreds of cows, goats and sheep. His only defense against the dangerous wildlife surrounding him to all sides is a single stick or spear!


Upon arrival in the Maasai Mara, we comfortably take lunch at our camp before exploring the huge reserve on a late afternoon game drive. In the evening, we relax around the campfire and enjoy an excellent dinner. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Maasai Mara Game Reserve

Add-on – Early Morning Hot Air Balloon Safari including amazing Champagne Breakfast in Bush – USD 450 per person extra

There is nothing more peaceful and dramatic than drifting over the savannah as the sun peeks over the horizon and floods the land with light. Drift over the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon as you view the animals below and take in the amazing sunrise. Your hot air balloon safari is topped off with a magnificent buffet breakfast and champagne in the bush. The first pink tongues of sunlight flicker across the skies as the hot air balloon fills, then rises. Suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-colored canopy, you will experience a wildlife-viewing adventure from an entirely different perspective. Your hot air balloon flight lasts approximately one hour and 10 minutes, drifting wherever the air currents take you, with ample opportunities for photography and video filming. When your Kenyan hot air balloon safari finishes you will toast your return to earth with a champagne breakfast, cooked wherever you land. Your hour hot air balloon safari ends with a transfer back to your accommodation at in an open Jeep for easier game viewing.

Alternatively, sleep in a bit before going on another full day game drive and have some amazing wildlife encounters. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge. This day of Safari adventure is exclusively spent in the Maasai Mara. We look out for the park’s Big Cats, the Big Five and the abundance of wildlife and natural wonders found in Kenya’s most famous game reserve. Remember to keep a sharp lookout; you may witness a dramatic hunt, a solitary Leopard retrieving its kill from the high branches of an acacia tree, or a herd of Elephants protecting their young from predators. The Maasai Mara has one of the richest wildlife ensembles in the world, hosting over 95 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Game viewing is never dull here, and patience is usually rewarded with unique sightings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Maasai Mara Game Reserve – Eastern Serengeti National Park

After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Kenya and drive with packed lunch boxes towards borders crossing over to Tanzania. After clearing immigration, we head towards Serengeti National Park. En-route enjoy game viewing. The Eastern Serengeti is known for rich acacia-dotted plains of the Eastern Serengeti are home to abundant wildlife. Visitors flock here to view the world-renowned wildebeest migration. Some of the best game-viewing can be enjoyed from Lobo on the eastern edge of the Serengeti National Park along the Grumeti River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Serengeti National Park

The seemingly endless Serengeti Plains capture the essence of Africa. They are home to massive numbers of grazing animals and also various predators, and the interaction between the many species often provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Today you will start around sunrise for a morning game drive and follow that up later on with an afternoon game drive, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler hours of the day. You will usually return to camp during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, where you will enjoy a hearty meal, relax and maybe take a siesta. Depending on wildlife movements and opportunities for sightings, the drive may continue through lunch and last all day. In this case, you will return to camp in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Serengeti National Park

The seemingly endless Serengeti Plains capture the essence of Africa. They are home to massive numbers of grazing animals and also various predators, and the interaction between the many species often provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Today you will start around sunrise for a morning game drive and follow that up later on with an afternoon game drive, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler hours of the day. You will usually return to camp during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, where you will enjoy a hearty meal, relax and maybe take a siesta. Depending on wildlife movements and opportunities for sightings, the drive may continue through lunch and last all day. In this case, you will return to camp in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Day 9: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater

After an early breakfast you will head out for an en route game drive through the Serengeti. You might be able to spot some good game before embarking on your journey to Ngorongoro Crater. This UNESCO world heritage site, formed millions of years ago, is 600m deep and covers roughly around 260 square kilometers. Due to its dense animal population of approximately 25 000, the crater offers the best game viewing of all the parks in Tanzania. You will arrive in Ngorongoro in time for Lunch.  Post lunch relax at the lodge. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, we will proceed with our picnic lunch boxes for the Crater tour. Today you will explore the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, widely regarded as a microcosm of natural habitats in Africa and often touted as a veritable Garden of Eden. Within this crater lies every type of ecosystem, including riverine forests, open plains, freshwater and alkaline lakes. Ngorongoro Crater is the remnants of an ancient volcano caldera, and within its 300 square kilometres is a remarkable concentration of wildlife. The scenery is spectacular as you descend almost 600 metres down to the crater floor. There is every chance that you will see a considerable variety of wildlife in this compact area, including the highly endangered black rhinoceros. In the afternoon you will leave the crater and return to camp to relax

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10.

After breakfast you will descent into the crater for a day game drive with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at NGORONGORO on full board basis.

Day 11.

After breakfast you will proceed to Manyara for lunch and afternoon continue to Lake Manyara National Park for game drive. Dinner and overnight at MANYARA on full board basis.

Day 12.

After breakfast you will proceed to Tarangire National Park for game drive toward Lodge for lunch and afternoon continue with Tarangire game drive. Dinner and overnight at TARANGIRE on full board basis.

Day 13.

After breakfast you will proceed for a day game drive in Tarangire with packed lunch or may opt to return to the Lodge for hot lunch. Dinner and overnight at TARANGIRE on full board basis.

Day 14.

After breakfast you will proceed to Kilimanjaro International Airport with packed lunch or have hot lunch in Arusha if time is permeable.

Why book Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary with Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris is a local tour operator for East African destinations, we take pride in customizing tailor-made Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania. Including Combining Gorilla Trekking in Uganda with Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary. We have a very diligent and trustworthy team. Your queries are answered within 20 minutes by our team of professional tour consultants. These consultants will make you a travel plan for you, answer to all your questions and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences. We also have very knowledgeable safari guides depending on your language preferences. Contact us here for more details and price of this Kenya and Tanzania safari itinerary.