Description
Embark on an unforgettable 13-day adventure through the heart of East Africa with our exclusive tour
Available for a limited range of dates in 2025
This meticulously crafted itinerary offers a perfect blend of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural experiences.
Embarking on the "13 Days | Highlights of East Africa | 2025" tour offers an immersive journey through some of the most iconic landscapes and wildlife habitats on the continent. From the moment you arrive in Arusha, Tanzania, you'll find yourself surrounded by the dramatic beauty of East Africa, where the rich colors of the savannah, the towering heights of volcanic craters, and the diverse ecosystems come together in a breathtaking tapestry. This tour is not just a journey through different locations but a deep dive into the heart of East Africa, where each day unfolds a new chapter in the story of this incredible region.
Your adventure begins with a journey to the Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the "eighth wonder of the world." As you descend into the crater, you'll be struck by the sheer scale and beauty of this natural amphitheater. The crater floor is a vibrant ecosystem, teeming with wildlife, including the rare black rhino and the ever-elusive leopard. The landscapes here are as varied as they are stunning, from dense forests to grassy plains, all within the confines of the crater. This is a place where the ancient rhythms of nature still pulse, and where you can witness the timeless dance of predator and prey.
The Serengeti National Park, a name synonymous with the Great Migration, offers another highlight of this tour. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world. The Serengeti is home to an astonishing variety of animals, from the powerful lion to the graceful antelope, and everything in between. The endless plains seem to stretch on forever, providing the perfect backdrop for your game drives. The sight of a lioness stalking her prey or a herd of elephants making their way to a watering hole is something that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
As your journey continues, you’ll travel to Lake Manyara National Park, a place of extraordinary biodiversity. Known for its tree-climbing lions, this park is a haven for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The landscapes here range from dense forests to open savannah, all centered around the tranquil lake that gives the park its name. The park is also home to a large population of flamingos, whose pink plumage contrasts beautifully with the blue waters of the lake, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.
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Crossing the border into Kenya, the tour takes you to Amboseli National Park, where the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro serves as a stunning backdrop to your safari. Known for its large herds of elephants, Amboseli offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. The park’s flat, open landscapes make it easy to spot animals, and the sight of a family of elephants silhouetted against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro is one of the most iconic images of Africa.
Lake Naivasha and the Masai Mara Game Reserve are next on the itinerary, each offering their own unique experiences. Lake Naivasha, with its calm waters and lush vegetation, is a bird-watcher’s paradise, while the Masai Mara is the crown jewel of Kenya’s wildlife reserves. The Mara is famous for its role in the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals make their annual journey across the plains. This is a place where the drama of life and death plays out on a grand scale, and where you can witness the raw power and beauty of nature.
The final leg of your journey takes you to Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its large population of rhinos and the thousands of flamingos that flock to its shores. The park’s acacia forests and grasslands are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, and buffalo. As you drive through the park, you’ll have the chance to see these animals in their natural habitat, going about their daily lives as they have for millennia.
This tour is not just about seeing the sights; it’s about experiencing the soul of East Africa. The people you meet, the landscapes you traverse, and the wildlife you encounter will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Whether you’re exploring the depths of the Ngorongoro Crater, gazing out over the Serengeti, or watching a pride of lions in the Masai Mara, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this incredible part of the world. The "13 Days | Highlights of East Africa | 2025" tour is more than just a vacation; it’s a journey into the wild heart of Africa.
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Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13
Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Arusha (approximately 48 KM / 1 hour).
Meals: None
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton
Arusha Ngorongoro Crater
Today we depart by road and drive through the Ngorongoro Highlands to your lodge in Karatu, located just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approximately 175 KM / 3.5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House
Ngorongoro Crater
Enjoy breakfast before descending over 600m down to the Ngorongoro Crater floor. Covering over 250 sq km of land, the Ngorongoro Crater is home to the rare black rhino, lion, elephant, cheetah and great herds of buffalo, antelope and wildebeest, and is one of Africa’s most unbelievable landscapes. Explore the forest and lake areas where you may see flamingos and open savannah. A picnic lunch will be served in the crater, before driving back late afternoon to Ngorongoro Farm House for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House
Ngorongoro Crater Serengeti National Park
After breakfast we travel to Ol’Duvai Gorge, the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s renowned archaeological discoveries. Their findings include some of man’s earliest known ancestral remains. Continue on to Tanzania’s abundant Serengeti National Park in time for lunch. This enormous park supports every variety of animal imaginable – from large predators to the smaller herbivores they prey on. Enjoy an afternoon safari in the Serengeti National Park (approximately 200 KM / 4 hours).
**SEE THE SERENGETI or MASAI MARA FROM ABOVE**
Why not pre-book a hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti or Masai Mara? Whilst staying in the Serengeti or Masai Mara you can choose to float above the open savannah for a unique perspective of the wildlife below, with superb photographic opportunities. The flight lasts about an hour and you can celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne on landing.
The price starts from AUD$650 per person. Early booking is recommended.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Kuhama
Serengeti National Park
Experience the Serengeti National Park in full colour and sound during an entire day spent on game drives through the park (picnic lunch included).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Kuhama
Serengeti National Park Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast depart for Lake Manyara, a mineral lake in the basin of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Lunch is taken at Kirurumu Tented Lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive in the park, the home of the so-called ‘tree-climbing lions’. Apart from the varied types of landscape including forest, swamp and savannah, Lake Manyara National Park supports a large variety of animals including giraffe, zebra, elephant, hippos, monkeys and a large variety of birdlife (approximately 225 KM / 5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
Lake Manyara Arusha Amboseli National Park
After breakfast depart Lake Manyara for Arusha and continue to the border crossing into Kenya and on to Amboseli (approximately 355 KM / 7 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Elerai Camp
Amboseli National Park
Following an early breakfast, depart on a full day game drive in Amboseli National Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the Park before returning late afternoon to Elerai Camp for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Elerai Camp
Amboseli National Park Lake Naivasha
After breakfast, depart Elerai Camp and continue to Lake Naivasha, where you will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. This afternoon is at leisure (approximately 350 KM / 6.5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Lake Naivasha Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha past the extinct Volcano of Mt Longonot and Suswa, into the homelands of Kenya’s Masai. The Masai Mara Game Reserve constitutes the northern stretch of the Serengeti and has the richest concentration of animals in Kenya (approximately 250 KM / 5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Today you will get to see the real Kenya as you enjoy a full day game drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve, searching for the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo), with a break for lunch back at the camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sarova Mara Game Camp
Masai Mara Game Reserve Lake Nakuru National Park
Today you will travel to Kenya’s vibrant Lake Nakuru National Park. The park also boasts a good number of rhinos as well as leopard and lion. Lunch is taken at the lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive in the park (approximately 350 KM / 8 hours).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Lake Nakuru National Park Nairobi
Today you will return by road to Nairobi for lunch at the famous Carnivore Restaurant and end of safari (approximately 184 KM / 3 hours).
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 12 Nights of Hotel/Game Lodge/Tented Camp, Twin Share
- 12 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches & 11 Dinners
- Transfer from Airport
- 4X4 Safari Vehicle-Game Drives
- English Speaking Driver/Guide
- Game Drives
- Game Walks
- Entrance Fees Included
Group Size: 2 to 7 guests, get up close and personal with the best of East Africa without the crowds.
Surcharges: Please note some dates may incur a seasonal surcharge. Our Customer Service Team will quote your preferred date and advise if there is a surcharge.
Exclusions
- Flights
- Travel Insurance (Required)
- Visas
- Optional Activities
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Want to stay earlier/later: Please contact our friendly Customer Service team about extending your trip and add ons!
Single Supplement: Single Supplement is available on check out.
Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE.