Overview
Travel from Nairobi to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area. Here embark on morning and afternoon game drives in the “Mara”—home to lion, cheetah, leopard, read more hyena, wildebeest, and zebra. Next, explore Amboseli National Park—known for its spectacular views of 19,341-ft Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of elephants, Cape buffalo, and more.
Cross the border into Tanzania and journey to Lake Manyara National Park. Explore this ecologically diverse park on a morning game drive. Your escorted African safari continues to the amazing Ngorongoro area—the astonishing crater measures 2,000 feet deep and spans 102 square miles. Revel in the fantastic game-viewing vantage point to spot lion, hippo, elephant, and flamingo.
Next, you’ll enter Serengeti National Park—site of the seasonal great migration of wildebeest, and a great game-viewing area year-round. Covering 5,700 square miles, the Serengeti will thrill you with both morning and afternoon game drives with the chance to see Nile crocodiles, big cats, giraffes, and gazelles. This escorted Africa safari through Kenya and Tanzania is a dream-come-true for the adventurous of spirit.
Itinerary
Welcome to Africa! Check in to your hotel and prepare for your safari adventure!
Start your private sightseeing with a morning game drive in Nairobi National Park. Later, visit the elephant orphanage at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, founded by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Here, you will learn about elephant conservation and meet elephant calves, orphaned by poachers, before they are re-introduced to the wild.
Next, visit the Karen Blixen Museum, dedicated to the author of Out of Africa. Lastly, stop at the Giraffe centre, a nonprofit organization focused on saving the Rothschild's giraffe. Take the opportunity to feed these amazing animals with an up-close interaction with the world's tallest land mammal. (B/L)
This morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya's most famous game area. After lunch at your lodge, set out on your first game drive in search of the "Big 5"-lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. (B/L/D)
Today, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the "Mara," as it is called by locals. Part of the Serengeti ecosystem, the reserve boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrives, the population enlarges by almost 2 million. This provides a significant food source for resident predators including lions, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. (B/L/D)
Today, board a plane for the quick flight to Nairobi. Drive to Amboseli National Park, best known for spectacular views of 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Embark on an afternoon game drive before settling in at your lodge. (B/L/D)
Morning and afternoon game drives offer you a terrific opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You might also spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more. During the heat of the day, relax and enjoy the amenities at your lodge. (B/L/D)
This morning, cross the border into Tanzania. After lunch in Arusha, proceed to your camp overlooking Lake Manyara. Get lost in the woods on an optional guided hike through the magical forest in the Great Rift Valley. Did we mention the monkeys? Or... go bananas for beer made from the fruit, along with other farm specialties on an optional guided visit to Mto Wa Mbu village. (B/L/D)
Lake Manyara National Park is a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and the alkaline namesake Lake Manyara. The park is also home to the world's largest concentration of baboon. Watch for these mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your morning game drive. Then, journey to your lodge and enjoy time at leisure this afternoon. (B/L/D)
Descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest unflooded caldera, more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year-round. Witness lion, Cape buffalo, hippo, elephant, and flamingo in a unique habitat. This is also your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros! A picnic lunch will be served in the crater. (B/L/D)
Today, drive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's largest and most famous park. Home to the seasonal Great Migration of vast numbers of the Serengeti's wildebeest, accompanied by zebra, Grant's gazelle, Thomson's gazelle, eland, and impala. The Serengeti remains an extraordinary ecosystem for game viewing year-round. Enjoy lunch at your lodge before an afternoon game drive. (B/L/D)
The biologically diverse Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles and is home to a variety of animals. The name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning "endless plains," and Maasai tribes co-exist with wildlife living in the Serengeti. Continue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. You have the chance to see the big cats-lion, leopard, and cheetah-as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. (B/L/D)
Fly back to Arusha, where a day room is reserved for your convenience. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 11 Breakfasts
- 10 Lunches
- 9 Dinners
- Nairobi Tamarind Tree Hotel (First-Class)
- Maasai Mara Mara Sopa Lodge (First-Class)
- Amboseli National Park Area Amboseli Sopa Lodge (Moderate First-Class)
- Lake Manyara National Park Area Manyara Lakeview Oasis (Moderate First-Class)
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area Marera Valley Lodge (First-Class)
- Serengeti National Park Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (Superior First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- The Great Migration is a natural event, and the movements of the migrating herds are difficult to predict year to year. Since this safari includes Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park, you're guaranteed to see the herds no matter when you visit. River crossings are more of a challenge, but we'll adjust game viewing if there is a chance to witness this rare and extraordinary sight!
- All game viewing is done at your own risk. We will require a signed liability waiver prior to travel.
- We don't recommend this holiday to guests with serious back problems due to rough driving on/off road in/between game parks.
Explore Africa's must-see regions with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their adventures, so you can explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
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Cosmos Worldwide (2025-26)
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