Kenya & Tanzania

‘Jambo' and welcome to Tanzania, a country known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife and vibrant culture.

We begin our journey in the vibrant town of Moshi, nestled at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. A gateway for those looking to summit the ‘Roof of Africa', Moshi is a laidback town known for its rich, aromatic coffee, art and friendly locals. The areas surrounding the town are lush and green, dotted with picturesque rivers and waterfalls, only adding to its peaceful atmosphere.

We don't want you to miss out on a single moment of your tour, so we recommend that you arrive at your hotel by 6pm.

In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and to toast to the adventures ahead.

Waking in our quaint accommodation, with picturesque views of the Kilimanjaro mountain, today we're in for a special experience connected to the communities surrounding this incredible landmark.

After fuelling up at breakfast, we'll be greeted at the hotel by one of the incredible team members of the Greenmanjaro Project. Founded on a mission to improve the living environment of Mount Kilimanjaro and its surrounding communities, we'll learn about the charity's incredible work that aims to reduce waste and the damaging effects of climate change. We'll then take a visit to the project's heart, its operations headquarters in Moshi, before ending our incredible experience with a stroll through the forest.

Returning to town, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may wish to relax back at the hotel, explore more sights around the town or join a guide for a visit to some of the surrounding waterfalls. Hidden in lush, tropical vegetation, these stunning falls are a true sensory experience, offering unforgettable scenery and a breathtaking natural soundscape.

Tonight, enjoy a warm welcome to the town as we join our fellow travellers for a delicious group dinner.

Today we depart Moshi for lively Arusha, resting at the foot of Mount Meru. Referred to as the ‘safari capital' of Tanzania, it serves as the gateway to many of the country's most famous national parks and wildlife reserves.

Arriving in town, we'll set off on a sightseeing tour, beginning with a visit to the Tanzanite Museum. This dazzling exhibition space pulls visitors deep into the history of one of the world's rarest gemstones — the stunning blue Tanzanite. While exploring the collections, we'll discover why Tanzanite is so rare and sought-after, the complexities involved with its mining, and the skills involved in cutting and polishing the gems. You can even buy your very own piece to take home!

Continuing to the Central Market, enjoy a glimpse into local life as we stroll through lively stalls bursting with aromatic spices, exotic fruits, delicious coffee and art. We then move on to the Uhuru Monument, meaning ‘Freedom' in Swahili. The Uhuru torch serves as the symbol of Tanzania and represents their journey to colonial independence. The Arusha Declaration Museum is our next stop, dedicated to the country's 1967 declaration that called for socialism and self-reliance in Tanzania.

We'll later visit the homely Arusha Coffee Lodge for a tranquil lunch followed by a visit to Shanga — a heartwarming project dedicated to supporting and empowering community members with disabilities.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Make sure your camera is charged this morning, as we depart Arusha for the rugged wilderness of Tarangire National Park. Famed for its picturesque landscape of humungous baobab trees (an iconic symbol of Africa), the open plains of Tarangire are a home ground for an incredible diversity of wildlife. Especially popular for the bird lovers among us, Tarangire serves as the only water source in the area, attracting unique and endemic species like the Ashy Starling and Kori Bustard.

Upon arrival, enjoy a delightful lunch of local flavours at the lodge before heading out for an afternoon game drive. Home to the highest concentration of African Elephants of any park in northern Tanzania, Tarangire is renowned for its large elephant herds that gather and graze amongst zebras, wildebeest, giraffe and antelope. Here, the nature reserve offers a less crowded safari experience compared to its counterparts, despite its dense array of wildlife from July to November being second only to the Serengeti.

We'll return to the lodge for dinner, and an evening to soak up the spectacular soundscape. Listen out for bird calls, rustling grass and if we're lucky, the distant rumbling of elephants or roaring lions.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Waking to the wild, we'll venture out before the sun for an unforgettable early morning safari, before returning for breakfast at the lodge.

We then make our way out to Mto wa Mbu. Home to more than 120 tribes, this authentic farming village is a cross-cultural melting pot and lucky for us, we'll experience a taste of this endemic culture firsthand.

Special Experience: Meet a ‘laiboni', a traditional Maasai Healer, and learn about the role of traditional healers in the community. Herbal plants have been used in Maasai healing for centuries, and today, we'll meet with a traditional laiboni to learn the history of this ancient practice. They'll show us how different bush medicine is used, from bark and roots to seeds, flowers and leaves, in the treatment of a variety of illnesses. Following our exploration into this spiritual tradition, get ready for an explosion of local flavours as we share a delicious lunch prepared by the villagers.

In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Lake Manyara and take a thrilling drive through its beautiful wilderness. This scenic lake offers a unique safari experience, in a setting proclaimed by Ernest Hemingway as ‘the loveliest I had seen in Africa'. Lush jungles, grassy floodplains and a vast alkaline lake make up this rare and fascinating ecosystem, where the lions climb trees and flamingos flock to the waters in mesmerising clouds of pink.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Our sightseeing this morning turns skyward, for a glimpse of life among the leaves along the Manyara Treetop Walkway. Travelling through the ancient forest canopy, we'll make our way over a series of suspension bridges for a birds-eye view of the region's untouched flora and fauna. Listen out for the growls and barks of baboons, Silvery-cheeked Hornbills and Blue Monkeys — we might even be lucky enough to see buffaloes grazing on the forest floor!

Waving farewell to the treetops, we make our way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The implosion of a volcano approximately 3 million years ago created the enormous UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Crater we know today. Sinking to a depth of 610 metres and stretching over 260 square kilometres, this protected area is a sanctuary for lion, elephant, hippopotamus, rhino and a unique array of birdlife.

Arriving at our lodge, enjoy a bite to eat before setting out in the afternoon for a walk along a section of the crater's rim. Guided by a local ranger, listen in as they point out different shrubs and flowers, and explain their uses for the local Maasai tribes.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Heading out early this morning, we'll descend into the crater for an incredible game drive in search of some of the iconic ‘Big Five'. Travelling through the Lerai Forest, past Lake Magadi and across the crater floor, be on the lookout for rhino and lions lounging in the morning sun. At this time of day, we'll bask in cooler temperatures and the likely promise of peak animal activity. We'll likely spot zebra, wildebeest and buffalo in abundance, leisurely grazing on the sun-kissed plains. Make sure you've got your camera handy for this one. The backdrop of the forest-covered crater walls paints a stunning setting for some spectacular snaps!

After an incredible experience in the crater, return to the lodge where the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish. Why not slow down and savour the rest of the afternoon by indulging in the hotel amenities or relaxing in the comforting views of your room.

Tonight, we'll come together to reminisce about our favourite moments of the day over dinner at the lodge. Retreating to our accommodation, enjoy your final evening overlooking this breathtaking natural wonder.

Leaving the beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater in our camera roll, we'll make our way to our first cultural pit stop for the day. Journeying to a Maasai village, enjoy a rare glimpse into the vibrant culture and semi-nomadic way of life for this traditional tribal community. Known for their strong warrior traditions and deep connection to their ancestral lands, the Maasai are renowned for their colourful attire, intricate beadwork and deep-rooted bond with their cattle.

Farewelling the lively locals, we continue on to Olduvai Gorge, a steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley known as ‘The Cradle of Mankind'. Considered one of the most prominent paleoanthropological sites in the world, the mysteries of the gorge have been pivotal in our understanding of early human evolution. Learn about the area's history on a tour through the museum's collection of fossils and stone tools belonging to homo habilis — thought to be the first early human species on earth that occupied the gorge approximately 1.9 million years ago. After lunch accompanied by beautiful views over the gorge, we continue our journey to the sweeping plains of the Serengeti.

Arriving as dusk falls, enjoy dinner at the lodge before an exciting day of exploring tomorrow.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Savour a slow start to the morning or rise early to greet the Serengeti sunrise in a hot air balloon, before a day of exploring. This captivating landscape is characterised by treeless plains where the eye can see for kilometres, even back to the Ngorongoro Crater which looms in the distance. The plains are dotted with rocky outcrops known as kopjes, where lions often laze the day away. Also well-known for its cheetah sightings, the terrain is home to a high density of these carnivorous big cats, which can often be seen sitting atop an old termite mound scanning for their next meal.

We'll enjoy a full day of game drives, on the prowl for big cats, gazelle and zebra. You'll want your binoculars handy for this journey! What makes the Serengeti so different from other national parks, is the fact that the area is completely unfenced, giving its residents an abundance of natural habitat to roam freely — and continue the journey to greener pastures that they have undertaken for millions of years. The famous starting point of the Great Migration, the Serengeti comes alive in this annual spectacle when some six million hooves pound the open grasslands in search of fresh grazing and water.

Returning to the lodge later this afternoon, we'll have time to relax into the comfort of the amenities or soak up more of the surrounding wilderness before dinner.

Optional Excursion: Serengeti Balloon Safari – This morning, enjoy an amazing experience as you take a balloon ride over the Serengeti National Park. Launching at dawn, as the sun rises, you'll gently float over the plains of the magnificent Serengeti. On landing, you'll be provided with a delicious bubbly-style bush breakfast. Balloon safaris will be done in lieu of the early morning game drive that is scheduled. 2.5 hours – from $505pp US (minimum 4 participants).

Today, we leave the open plains of the Serengeti behind us, as we transfer to the airport this morning for a short flight back to the city of Arusha.

Upon touching down, we'll once again make a pit stop at the nearby Arusha Coffee Lodge. Tucked away in one of Tanzania's largest coffee plantations, we'll take a moment to pause for an aromatic meal accompanied by soaring vistas of Mount Meru. With our appetite satisfied, we'll then board the coach for a scenic drive to our next incredible wildlife destination.

Crossing the border into Kenya this afternoon, we'll meet our guide who will take us through the plains on yet another thrilling game drive. In the evening, we'll reach one of Kenya's most coveted national parks set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro — Amboseli National Park! Lovingly referred to as the ‘home of the African Elephant', this reserve is famously home to large populations of this gorgeous stamping species, providing the perfect opportunity for us to get up close to these magnificent creatures. Located in the heart of the park, take a moment to settle into our lodge accommodation before meeting for dinner.

Your flight time will be approximately 1 hour.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Get ready for an exciting day ahead as we embark on an early morning safari across Amboseli's beautiful, rugged savannah. Located in the southern region of Kenya, the park is considered to be one of the most renowned conservation areas in the world. Here the grasslands are home to herds of roaming wildlife framed against Mt Kilimanjaro's snow-covered peak, making this an absolute haven for photographers!

As you cast your gaze over the arid landscape, listen in to the natural soundscape of twittering birds, chirping insects and the wind whistling through the long grass as the wilderness rises with the sun. If we're lucky, we'll be serenaded with the distant trumpeting of elephants, the throaty snarls of stalking lions and the gentle clopping of hooves from giraffes and wandering wildebeest.

Return to the lodge for lunch before enjoying the afternoon at leisure, to unwind in this stunning setting. We will then come together later in the evening for dinner.

Optional Excursion: Guided Walk – Spend the afternoon with a local ranger from the Amboseli Maasai Village on a walk outside the lodge grounds, learning about their role in the protection of the park's iconic species – from $20pp US (minimum 2 participants).

We'll transfer to the airport this morning for our flight to Nairobi, Kenya's capital and the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg. Less than 100 years ago, a river snaked through the empty wilderness where the modern city now stands.

Arriving in Nairobi, we'll visit two of Kenya's great conservation projects, beginning with the Daphne Sheldrick animal orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. For close to 30 years, Kenyan-born Daphne Sheldrick lived and worked alongside her husband David, caring for and successfully rehabilitating many wild species. She is now a recognised international authority on the rearing of wild creatures and is the first person to have perfected the milk formula and necessary husbandry for infant milk-dependent elephant and rhino.

We then visit the Giraffe Centre, an important conservation initiative created by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife. Here, we come eye-to-eye with this long-necked species whilst feeding them from an elevated platform.

After lunch we enjoy a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, the former residence of famous novelist Karen Blixen. The house contains many of her original pieces along with some exhibits donated by the makers of the film, ‘Out of Africa'.

And tonight, we're in for a unique dining experience at the iconic Carnivore Restaurant, famous for its meat buffet!

Your flight time will be approximately 1 hour.

Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.

This morning, we leave the city of Nairobi and begin our journey into the Kenyan countryside. Our sights are set on Aberdare National Park, a protected area in Kenya's central highlands known for its stunning moorlands and waterfalls.

Upon reaching the game reserve, we'll take a break for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. Brimming with country charm, this picturesque homestead is nestled on the slopes of Mweiga Hill, offering 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.

We are then transferred to our quirky accommodation at The Ark Lodge for a spectacular overnight stay inside Aberdare National Park. A protected area in Kenya's central highlands, Aberdare is known for its stunning high moorland, bamboo forests and thundering waterfalls. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, the elusive leopard and several primate species. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to bask in unobstructed views of the surrounding wildlife from the Ark's multi-level decks, balconies and lounges. As the sun begins to set, gaze out over the floodlit waterhole and watch as species emerge to drink and wallow in this beautiful setting.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Emerging rested from our stay at the Ark, we continue to the Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers, a women's self-help group that produces beautiful, handcrafted items. We'll learn about the traditional techniques used in the craft of spinning, to make vibrant knitted and woven items from hand, with the opportunity to purchase some artistic souvenirs.

Then, it's on to Shaba National Reserve, located by the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River in the northern part of Kenya. The river attracts a variety of wildlife thanks to its shady trees, so the likelihood of seeing a diverse range of species here is high. Much of Shaba's appeal lies in the beauty of its landscape. Characterised by dry bushlands, deep gorges and open grasslands, the reserve is snaked with swamps and rivers, all framed by imposing mountain ranges. Linked with Samburu National Park and Buffalo Springs National Reserve, the three areas are not separated by fences, enabling animals to move freely between them.

An afternoon game drive will introduce us to some of the species home to the reserve, including the Reticulated Giraffe, Grevy's Zebra, oryx, antelope and the Somali Ostrich. Along the river itself, keep your eyes peeled for any action in the water including the surfacing of crocodiles

or hippopotamus. The region is also home to a fascinating array of birds. Make sure you bring your camera to capture every corner of this incredible canvas!

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

As the sun climbs over the horizon, we set out to witness the beauty of Shaba's secluded plains in the cooler hours of the day. As we traverse the rugged terrain, we'll search for lions, buffalo, leopards and the famous ‘Red Elephant of Samburu', named for the iconic red dust that coats their hide. Following our morning safari, we return to the comfort of the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast and some downtime. After enjoying the amenities of the lodge, we'll then spend some time away from the wildlife to visit a local community.

Special Experience: Explore Samburu Unity Village, a women-only community, to learn about ‘a day in the life' of a Samburu woman and her children. In this beautiful and empowering community, enjoy a glimpse into the daily lives of the UNITY women who construct local handicrafts, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, baskets and coasters. We'll learn the history of the village and enjoy the chance to browse their extensive selection of jewellery for sale!

In the afternoon, we'll set off on another exciting safari through the reserve, soaking up the last of our time in this striking environment.

First on our itinerary today, is a drive to the town of Nyahururu. And we're in for a real treat, not only as we tuck into a delicious lunch, but also as we soak up the surrounding sights of the region. The town's name originates from the Maasai word ‘e-naiwurruwurr', which means ‘waterfall' or ‘windy place' and as you take in the lush gardens and rolling hills that accompany our flavoursome dishes, you'll understand why.

We continue on to Lake Nakuru National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru has a reputation for being one of the best places in the country to spot the elusive leopard and is also home to some of east Africa's rarest creatures, including fast-growing populations of Black and White Rhino.

Before we make our way to our accommodation, we'll take part in another exciting wildlife encounter on a game drive through the area. This offers a great chance to spot some of the park's diverse wildlife, including pink flamingos and rhino.

Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

Today, we set our sights on Lake Naivasha, which is the highest and one of the most beautiful lakes that form part of the Great Rift Valley. Taking its name from the Maasai word ‘en-aiposha', meaning ‘heaving' or ‘to and fro', the waters of the freshwater lake are well-known to be quite turbulent in the afternoons. A popular spot for British flying boats of the 1930s, it was also the home of Joy Adamson, conservationist and author of the classic 1960s novel ‘Born Free'.

Before lunch, we'll navigate the lake's shallow waters on a boat safari in search of its residents. The environment is a natural hub for over 400 species of birds including fish eagles, kestrels and falcons, and numerous pods of wallowing hippos.

Following our wildlife fix, we will then enjoy a delightful afternoon tea on the lake's shores at the famous Elsamere Conservation Centre, located in Joy Adamson's former residence. The museum contains a collection of her paintings and artefacts as well as memorabilia from the ‘Born Free' film, with photos documenting Joy and George Adamson's work.

We then return to the lodge for dinner.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

After an early breakfast, we depart for the Maasai Mara, one of the world's finest game reserves. The landscape is characterised by wide open plains and rolling grasslands that flow into the Serengeti, making it one of the biggest wildlife havens on earth.

Special Experience: Take a Swahili cooking class in the heart of the Maasai Mara, including a visit to the herb and vegetable garden.

Special Experience: Relax amidst the beauty of the Maasai Mara plains as we sip on sundowners and devour delicious canapes.

Waking early for a morning safari, we'll be rewarded with the breathtaking scenes of the Maasai Mara as the sun begins to rise over the savannah. One of the best destinations to spot the ‘Big Five', the reserve is home to a high density of diverse species and often tops bucket lists due to its mesmerising migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle each year. The experience of watching teeming herds of animals navigate the undulating plains and Mara River, is something that will stay with you forever.

Returning for breakfast, enjoy some time to relax at the lodge before savouring a bite to eat for lunch.

We'll head out for one last safari in the afternoon, lingering on the golden landscapes before enjoying a farewell dinner in the heart of the Maasai Mara.

Optional Excursion: Maasai Mara Balloon Safari – This morning, enjoy an amazing experience as you take a balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. This is probably one of the most scenic views you will ever experience as you depart at dawn and float, suspended in a basket beneath a canopy while viewing the sights of the mighty Maasai Mara and its wildlife. On landing, you'll be provided with a delicious bubbly-style bush breakfast. 3 hours – from $505pp US.

Today marks the end of our adventure across Kenya and Tanzania. A light plane flight from the Maasai Mara will take us to Nairobi, where we'll leave with our hearts and camera roll full of fantastic memories!

Your flight time will be approximately 1.5 hours.