14-Day Classic Safari to Kenya and Tanzania with Zanzibar

Your safari begins in Nairobi, where your driver-guide welcomes you and introduces you to the journey ahead. Travel northwest through Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, enjoying scenic countryside and, where conditions allow, a stop at a suitable viewpoint overlooking the escarpment. Continue to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater lake known for its birdlife, hippos and peaceful surroundings.

After checking in and having lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon. You can choose an optional boat excursion to observe hippos and waterbirds from the lake, or simply unwind at your lodge and enjoy the scenery. This gentle first day gives you time to settle in before the more intensive wildlife viewing ahead.

Meals: Lunch and dinner.
Transport: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha — approximately 90–100 km, around 2–3 hours by road, excluding stops.

After breakfast, depart Lake Naivasha and travel towards the Masai Mara through the Rift Valley and rural highlands. Along the way, you will see changing landscapes, small towns and agricultural areas before reaching the expansive grasslands of the Mara ecosystem. Arrive at your lodge or tented camp around lunchtime, depending on road conditions and the location of your accommodation.

After lunch, head out on your first afternoon game drive. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, buffaloes and, with luck, lions or cheetahs. Your guide will help you understand animal behaviour and identify tracks, calls and other signs of wildlife. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and a restful night.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Lake Naivasha to the Masai Mara — approximately 220–300 km, around 5–7 hours by road, depending on the route and accommodation location.

Set out early for a full day of wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara National Reserve. The cool morning hours can be rewarding for observing predators and other wildlife as they move through the grasslands. Depending on recent sightings, your guide may focus on areas frequented by lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and large herds of plains game.

Continue exploring with a picnic lunch in the reserve or return to your lodge for lunch before an afternoon game drive. If your visit coincides with the Great Migration, you may see large herds of wildebeest and zebras moving through the ecosystem; river crossings are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed. Take time to appreciate the landscape and smaller wildlife encounters before returning for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lodge lunch, and dinner.
Transport: Game drives within the Masai Mara — variable distance according to wildlife sightings and the chosen route.t

Enjoy another day in the Masai Mara, allowing more time to explore different sections of the reserve and revisit areas with promising wildlife activity. An early-morning game drive offers opportunities for photography in soft light, while the day's route can be adjusted to suit recent sightings and your interests. Your guide will help you search for big cats, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and other species.

After breakfast or a picnic lunch, continue your wildlife exploration at a relaxed pace. You may focus on predator behaviour, birdlife, landscapes or the movement of grazing herds, depending on what is happening in the reserve. This additional day makes the Mara experience less rushed and prepares you for the cross-border journey into Tanzania the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Game drives within the Masai Mara — variable distance according to wildlife sightings and the selected route.

After an early breakfast, depart the Masai Mara for the Kenya–Tanzania border. The journey requires advance coordination of immigration formalities, park access and the operating arrangements for your safari vehicles and guides. The Isebania–Sirari crossing may be appropriate depending on your booked camps and confirmed route. Because this is a substantial transfer, an early departure is essential.

After crossing into Tanzania, continue towards the Serengeti National Park and your selected camp. Depending on border processing, road conditions and the location of your accommodation, you may arrive in time for a short game drive or proceed directly to the lodge. Settle in, enjoy dinner and prepare for two full days exploring the Serengeti's remarkable wildlife landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Masai Mara to the Serengeti — allow approximately 7–10 hours or more for the cross-border journey, depending on the route, border formalities and camp location. Confirm whether a vehicle or guide change is required.

Rise early for a game drive in the Serengeti, when wildlife is often active and the morning light creates excellent photography conditions. This vast ecosystem supports lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and many other species. Your guide will choose the day's route based on recent sightings, seasonal conditions and the location of your camp.

Continue exploring after breakfast, with the option of taking a picnic lunch into the park to maximise your time in the field. The Great Migration moves through different areas throughout the year, so sightings depend on the season and recent rainfall. Your guide will explain the movements of the herds and the relationship between predators and prey. Return to camp for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Game drives within the Serengeti — variable distance according to sightings and the chosen safari sector.

Spend another day exploring the Serengeti, allowing your guide to focus on different habitats or follow up on wildlife sightings from the previous day. Depending on the location of your accommodation, you may explore open plains, rocky kopjes or areas around seasonal water sources. These habitats support a range of wildlife and provide different opportunities for observing animal behaviour.

Use the day to experience the Serengeti beyond simply searching for the Big Five. Watch how herds move across the plains, learn about animal tracks and listen for the calls of birds and other wildlife. With a little patience, even an ordinary-looking stretch of grassland can become a memorable wildlife encounter. Return to your camp for dinner before continuing to the Ngorongoro area the following day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Game drives within the Serengeti — variable distance, depending on wildlife activity and the location of your camp.

After breakfast, travel from the Serengeti towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Depending on your camp's location, the route may include wildlife viewing along the way as the landscape changes from open savannah to the wooded slopes and highlands around the crater. Your guide will explain the region's volcanic origins and the importance of its varied habitats for wildlife conservation.

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive across its grasslands, wetlands and other habitats. Look for zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas and lions, with a chance of seeing the endangered black rhino. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the crater's varied habitats make it one of Tanzania's most rewarding places for game viewing. After the excursion, continue to your lodge in the Ngorongoro or Karatu area for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro area — approximately 100–180 km, around 3–5 hours of road travel, depending on the camp and route, plus crater game-drive time.

Enjoy breakfast before travelling towards Tarangire National Park, a landscape characterised by ancient baobab trees, open savannah and the Tarangire River. The journey takes you through Tanzania's northern safari circuit, with changing countryside and rural settlements along the way. Arrive around midday or early afternoon, depending on the starting point and road conditions.

After lunch, head out on an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is known for its elephants and can offer excellent wildlife viewing, particularly when animals gather around reliable water sources during the dry season. You may also encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes and a rich variety of birds. Return to your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an evening surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Ngorongoro or Karatu area to Tarangire — approximately 120–180 km, around 3–4.5 hours by road, depending on accommodation and route.

Begin with an early game drive in Tarangire, exploring the park's open plains, riverine habitats and distinctive baobab-studded landscape. Your guide will look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and other wildlife, while explaining how animals use the river and surrounding vegetation. Birdlife is also a highlight, with many species inhabiting the park's varied environments.

Continue with a full-day outing or a combination of morning and afternoon game drives, depending on your preferred pace and lodge arrangements. Take time to observe elephant family groups and the interactions between different species. Wildlife concentrations vary by season, so your guide will adapt the route to current conditions. Return to camp for your final mainland safari evening before travelling towards Zanzibar.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Transport: Game drives within Tarangire — variable distance according to sightings and the selected route.

After breakfast, transfer from your Tarangire accommodation to the appropriate airport for your onward flight to Zanzibar. The most suitable departure point will depend on the flight schedule and final lodge location; this may involve a road transfer to Arusha or another airport serving the northern circuit. Your safari operator should confirm the complete connection before travel, including luggage allowances and any intermediate flight sectors.

On arrival in Zanzibar, meet your transfer representative and travel to your selected beach hotel. The contrast between the mainland's wildlife landscapes and Zanzibar's turquoise waters creates a relaxing change of pace. Depending on arrival time, spend the remainder of the day enjoying the beach, swimming where conditions are safe or simply unwinding at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner; lunch depending on flight arrangements.
Transport: Tarangire to the departure airport by road, followed by a flight connection to Zanzibar and a road transfer to your hotel. Total travel time varies by airport and flight schedule.

Wake up to the Indian Ocean and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your beach hotel. Today is reserved for relaxation after the early starts and game drives of your mainland safari. Spend time on the white-sand beach, swim where tides and local conditions permit, read beneath the palms or enjoy the hotel's facilities.

For travellers seeking more activity, optional experiences may include snorkelling, diving with a licensed operator, a traditional dhow excursion or a guided visit to a nearby village. These activities should be arranged according to weather, tides and your interests. Return to your hotel for dinner and a peaceful evening by the coast.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner; lunch depending on the selected hotel plan.
Transport: Local transfers only if optional activities are booked; otherwise, enjoy a relaxing day at your beach hotel.

Enjoy breakfast before choosing how to spend your final full day on the island. You may prefer another quiet morning by the sea, or arrange an optional excursion to Stone Town to explore its historic streets, carved wooden doors, markets and waterfront. A knowledgeable local guide can explain Zanzibar's Swahili heritage and the influences that have shaped the island's architecture, food and culture.

Alternatively, consider a spice farm visit or a marine excursion, subject to the location of your hotel and available time. Keep the day flexible so you can enjoy the island without rushing between activities. Return to your hotel for dinner and your final evening in Zanzibar, reflecting on a journey that has combined wildlife, landscapes and coastal culture.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner; lunch depending on the excursion and hotel plan.
Transport: Optional island excursions by road or boat, depending on the selected activity and departure point.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and take a final opportunity to appreciate Zanzibar's coastal atmosphere, subject to your departure schedule. Depending on your flight time, you may have a little time for a beach walk or a relaxed morning at the hotel. Check out and meet your driver for the transfer to Zanzibar's airport.

Arrive at the airport in good time for your onward flight, bringing your 14-day Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar journey to a close. You leave with memories of the Masai Mara's open plains, the Serengeti's wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire's elephants and Zanzibar's tropical coastline.

Meals: Breakfast; other meals depending on your flight schedule.
Transport: Hotel to Zanzibar airport — travel time depends on your hotel's location and traffic conditions.