11 Days Spirit & Soul of Africa (Tanzania/Kenya) – Mid-Range

Early morning pick up in Nairobi and then drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, across the equator, where lies the rift valley’s most famous lake. Known all over the world for its flamingoes, it’s alkaline and is recognized as being one of the natural wonders of the world. Lake Nakuru is now a rhino sanctuary, harboring a population of over 40 black and over 60 white rhinos, but the flamingos, of course, have always been the main attraction.

At times there may be almost 2 million flamingos in residence, forming a stunningly beautiful deep pink band around the edge of the lakeshore. Arrival in time for lunch then afternoon game drive.

An early morning drive to Maasai Mara National Reserve. It holds on as one of the few places left on earth where wildlife still lives comparatively undisturbed, in the numbers that once roamed the plains and forests of Africa.

As the northern tip of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, the Mara hosts the spectacular seasonal migration of many thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and attendant predators. Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.

One full day in the Maasai Mara with a flexible schedule and unlimited mileage. After breakfast, we have a full-day game drive with packed lunch provided. The reserve is well known for its black-manned lions as well as its abundant resident wildlife and it’s one of the few places where it’s possible to see the Big Five during a morning’s game drive. Many of the cheetahs are so tame they seek shelter from the hot sun under one’s vehicle and several even climb onto the roof to get a better view of prospective prey.

For the bird enthusiast, almost 500 species have been recorded: among these, 16 species of eagle, plus many hawks and falcons, 6 species of vultures, 8 species of storks, 4 of bustard (including the Kori bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird), and 9 species of sunbirds.

We will initiate the day with an early morning game drive in Maasai Mara while driving out of the National Reserve. After border formalities, drive to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. It will be a long day of driving but the game drives going in and out of the parks can be surprisingly incredible.

However, we always recommend flying from one park to the other so that you can have more time to go on Safari. Alternatively, you can add an extra day to visit Lake Victoria, halfway between the two parks.

The famous Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Migration. Serengeti means “endless plains” in Kiswahili and this 6,900 sq. mile (18,000 sq. km) park is inhabited by more than 2 million large animals including more than a million wildebeest, hundreds of thousands of plains zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles, large predators including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. Many smaller animals like rock hyrax or monkeys also inhabit the area along with nearly 500 species of birds. On the second day, after breakfast, enjoy a full day in Serengeti National Park (morning and afternoon game drives).

Today you will wake up very early to do an early morning safari, to spot the animals when they are more active and also to have a fantastic sun rise in front of you. The sunrise in the african Savannah is one of the most beautiful experiences one can have.

In the afternoon, transfer to Ngorongoro, the 8th natural wonder of the world. The crater has the greatest concentration of wild life in the planet. It contains a river, several swamps, a soda lake that, from the top, looks like steam, full of flamingoes, a forest and open plains. The large bull elephants that reside here have extremely large tusk, due to the rich mineral content of the volcanic soil and its grasses. They are the most incredible elephants you’ll ever see in your life.

Dinner and overnight at the selected tented camp or lodge.

We will start the day very early and descend into the crater floor for an incredible morning of wildlife in one of the most stunning places on Earth. After the game drive, there will be time for a picnic lunch near the beautiful hippo Lake. After lunch, we will have time for a short game drive and then ascend the crater and exit Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards Lake Manyara (2h).

This park has become famous for the tree-climbing lions and the flamingos on the lakeshore. The game drives are done along the shore of the lake, providing incredible views of giraffes and buffalos in the foreground with the lake, flamingos and flat plains on the horizon. You’ll have great photo opportunities and you can also do a walking and night safari.

Dinner and overnight at the selected tented camp or lodge.

After breakfast, morning game drive in the park with picnic lunch. Although only 205 sq. miles in size this enchanting park is noted for its beauty and incredibly lush acacia forest of giant fig and mahogany trees, which are home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys. The park is also home to large numbers of buffalos, giraffes, elephants, impalas and it has a Hippo Lake, where large numbers of hippos usually gather. Well known for its birds (over 400 different species), Lake Manyara is one of the few places where you’ll be able to see the ground hornbill and the crested eagle. Afternoon transfer to Amboseli (5h).

Amboseli National Park is situated south of Nairobi. Most of the park consists of a dry, ancient lake bed and fragile grassland with patches of acacia woodland, while in the southern area there are a number of small rocky volcanic hills. Dinner and overnight at the selected tented camp or lodge.

Early rise for good views of Mount Kilimanjaro before clouds build up over the summit with packed lunch provided. Despite its changing habitat, Amboseli National Park is possibly the best wildlife area in the whole Africa to experience elephants at close range. Left unharassed by poachers, elephants feeding and bathing in the swamps must form the highlights of any Safari.

Go on a morning game drive in Amboseli. An optional visit to a Maasai village can be planned also. A visit reveals the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience. We will leave early in the afternoon and drive to Nairobi, arriving at about 5 pm. We will transfer you to your hotel or the airport.