African Safari: Kenya & Tanzania

Arrive in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Serving as the gateway to Africa's sought-out wildlife, Nairobi is the ideal place to get acclimated to the Kenyan lifestyle. As travelers' arrival times will vary greatly, we have no group activities planned during the day. Dinner tonight will be on your own.

Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which rehabilitates young or injured elephants. See the gentle giants up close as they are fed and bathed by their caretakers. Head to Karen Blixen's Out of Africa farmhouse for lunch before stepping outside to visit the sanctuary's inquisitive Rothschild giraffes. Visit the Kazuri Beads Factory, where mothers are employed and trained as jewelry artisans.

In the evening, toast to the start of your African adventure at a savory welcome dinner.

Make your way to Amboseli National Park, nestled along the border of Tanzania and looking out on the great Mt. Kilimanjaro. After lunch, get a glimpse into Kenyan culture and interact with locals at a Masai village. Settle into your accommodations for the next two nights – a tented camp with the comfort amenities of a proper lodge.

Embrace your wild side on a full-day game drive in Amboseli National Park. This is your first chance to seek out Africa's elusive “Big 5” – the safari “bucket list” of animals includes lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and water buffalos. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the open plains, watching for herds of wildebeest and grazing zebras.

Enter Tanzania, a country devoted to harmony among its people and animals. Today will be an Impact Moment as you visit Shanga, a local jewelry workshop that trains and employs citizens with disabilities. Your day ends in Karatu, a humble town located on the precipice of untamed nature. Overnight in a charming lodge where colorful gardens meet welcoming hospitality.

Make the most of more opportunities to spot the local wildlife with a full-day game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Containing one of the densest mammal populations in the world, this “African Eden” is one of the best places to seek out the “Big 5.” Allow the sheer magnitude of the area to wash over you as you enjoy a picnic lunch in the highlands, taking in the flourishing habitat around you.

Your path continues to the renowned Serengeti, a Masai word meaning “endless plains.” Enjoy lunch and venture out on your first Serengeti adventure on an afternoon game drive, returning to camp at dusk. Relax in your exclusive safari abode, your home for the next three nights. The camp includes all of the amenities of a lodge but allows you to remain immersed in nature.

Say good morning to the Serengeti! After breakfast, set out and enjoy a full day of animal-seeking safari adventures with a picturesque picnic lunch.

Lions. Gazelles. Cheetahs. Hippos. There's no telling what you might spot on your full-day game drive. Under the careful guidance of an expert, discover the savanna's wild residents and get a glimpse into the untamed animal kingdom.

You're on your way to Lake Eyasi, an unexpected splash of blue amidst the plains and mountains. Pause for a picnic lunch along the way, providing more chances to view the local wildlife. Meander around the salt lake, perhaps passing a wading pat of flamingoes or some lively hippos cooling off in the water.

See how native communities live in harmony with the environment. Start your morning with the Hadzabe tribe, hunter-gatherers that strive to leave no lasting impact on their surroundings. After lunch back at your lodge, continue with a visit to the Datoga tribe – another community based at Lake Eyasi – and see how their vast farms contribute to day-to-day life.

Decide how you spend the morning because it's your choice! Learn from a local fruit vendor in Mto Wa Mbu village about their trade -OR- spend time with a local craftsman who will show you current projects at African Galleria. Then, head to Tarangire, the forested national park known for its giant baobab trees and elephant migration. After lunch, embark on a thrilling game drive. Don't be surprised if you see a pride of lions lounging in the shade, a herd of buffalos wading into the water, or a parade of elephants passing by.

Enjoy a full-day game drive, venturing out in the morning on your quest for animal sightings with a break for a picnic lunch in between. Make sure you look to the skies because Tarangire is an aviary paradise, home to more than 500 bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for various starlings, weavers, and guinea fowl. Wish Africa goodbye at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

Return to Arusha on the final day of your African adventure. Settle into a dayroom to relax before lunch. Depart with memories of the endless plains and unparalleled wildlife.