Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Great Parks of East Africa

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport (most flights arrive in the evening). A Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or she will escort you to Mountain Village Lodge, set on a tree-shaded coffee plantation in Arusha.

Dinner / Mountain Village Lodge - Arusha, Tanzania

Day 2: To the Serengeti

Transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to an airstrip in the Serengeti. You will be met by a local guide and transferred to your accommodation, with a game drive en route. After lunch and a rest, you’ll go out again for a late afternoon game drive.

Accommodations are at the Serengeti Serena Lodge, a beautiful two-story lodge with specialty restaurants, bars, and an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms feature a view of the Serengeti plains.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge - Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Days 3-4: In the Serengeti

Our itinerary is seasonally adjusted so you will have the best game viewing possible. Generally, from December to May the great herds of the Serengeti migration (mostly wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle) are on the grassy plains of the southern Serengeti. More than a million prehistoric looking wildebeest inhabit the plains—the largest herd of mammals on earth—and during this period, hundreds of thousands of young calves are born. (The wildebeest has adapted to the immediate threat of predation—labor can be retracted when there is a threat!) The comingling of wildebeest, Thomson’s gazelles, and zebra makes perfect ecological sense and acts as a huge organic lawnmower. The wildebeest munch the taller, tougher grasses, followed by the zebra that eat the shorter, more tender grasses. Bringing up the rear are the gazelles, which nibble on the new sprouts that spring up after the heavy fertilization of the migrating predecessors.

On the December through March departures, we’ll explore the area around Seronera, a jumping off point in all directions. Here the savanna woodlands of the northern Serengeti meet the edge of the treeless plain. They are a mosaic of habitats: small grassy plains mix with tree savannas and areas of dense bush. The variety of vegetation makes for a much greater diversity of animals: buffalo, giraffe, dik-dik, reedbuck, impala, waterbuck, baboons, and vervet monkeys are all common resident species, as are lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. The bird life is also extremely varied and prolific, ranging from colorful weaverbirds to imposing Martial eagles. In the Seronera area itself is the Seronera River—one of the finest areas in Africa for encounters with the elusive leopard. Seronera always has resident game, including several resident prides of lion, and may well be thronged with zebra herds.

Just to the north is the game-rich area around the Retima Hippo Pool. Also in Seronera are the beautiful Maasai kopjes, rounded piles of boulders—outcroppings of the earth’s original crust (2.7–4 billion years old)—formed into their distinctive shape by eons of wind. They occur as archipelagos, artistic islands of stone punctuating the Serengeti’s sea of grass, and each has a very different character. During these days we’ll search for small animals: aardwolf, African wildcat, bat-eared fox, dik-dik, rock-climbing klipspringer antelope, porcupine, and more.

On the June and August departures, we will spend time in the Serengeti’s Western Corridor. This is an exciting area: ribbons of tall, evergreen gallery forest fringe the rivers, the habitat of colobus monkeys and spectacular birds such as turacos and casqued hornbills. Other unusual animals found in the Western Corridor include gray duiker, patas monkey, and crocodiles. During this time the Western Corridor often becomes a focal point for the Great Migration, as big herds of thirsty wildebeest concentrate around the waters of the Grumeti River. The monster-size crocodiles (with specimens more than 15 feet long!) that inhabit the pools at Kirawira then enjoy the bounty of an annual feast of wildebeest.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge - Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 5: Oldupai Gorge – Ngorongoro Crater

From the Serengeti Plains we ascend to the Crater Highlands, passing through more of the Serengeti’s kopje country in the southern plains. Also common here is the beautiful chestnutcolored topi antelope, with delicate reedbuck often encountered in the vegetation that surrounds the rock outcrops. Lions greatly favor kopjes as daytime resting places as well. En route we’ll pass through Oldupai Gorge, where Louis and Mary Leakey made some of the most important discoveries in the search for early man. (The government has decreed that the official name is now Oldupai.) We’ll visit the simple OldupaiMuseum, which documents the Rift Valley’s paleoanthropological history. Continue to the lodge on the crater rim for overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge - Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is truly one of the great natural wonders of the world. A spectacular setting for wildlife is presented within its 102-square-mile crater framed by steep green walls. The crater floor is almost entirely open country, so wildlife is in full visibility, a wonderful opportunity for photography and meaningful observations.

If you had only one day in your life to see African wildlife, Ngorongoro Crater would be “the place.” Envision a pride of lions, bellies flat to the ground, closing in on a group of unsuspecting zebra, or a black rhino gazing across the grassy plains, casually unaware that his species teeters on the brink of extinction. Herds of zebra, white-bearded wildebeest, and gazelle mingle and circulate together, while buffalo graze the long grass areas. Bull elephants feed in green marshes and there are plenty of hyenas and huge prides of lions (we may be fortunate to witness predation in action). And if that isn’t enough, we can enjoy clusters of flamingos gathered around the caldera’s soda lakes (seasonal), raptors such as the auger buzzard, bateleur, or long-crested eagleperched for the hunt, or the colorful mosaic of brilliant birds, including the jacana, little bee-eater, Hildebrandt’s starling, and the red bishop. We’ll spend the morning in the Crater.

In the afternoon we’ll drive into the highlands above Ngorongoro Crater where a steep but relatively easy ascent of about an hour through a montane forest takes us to the summit of Olmoti volcano. Here, in addition to enjoying fantastic views of the surrounding Crater Highlands, we meet the Maasai, the fascinating inhabitants of this part of the world. The Maasai are pastoralists who have lived in harmony with the northern Tanzanian ecosystem for centuries. The men tend herds of cattle and goats that graze and drink from the area’s year-round springs, while the women bear responsibility for the manyatta (village), building their rectangular homes made of cut branches,
ash, and cow dung, as well as the cattle corral that is central to the manyatta. A large number of the Maasai have managed to keep their traditions intact despite the onslaught of modern African culture: polygamy is practiced (a man will average three to four wives), and there are intricate rituals and rites of passage, including circumcision for males.

We’ll be greeted with traditional welcome dances, noted for athletic leaps and earth-shaking stomping. After overcoming our initial awkwardness, we’ll have the opportunity to break into groups and have the chance to ask extensive questions about this traditional culture. Our hosts will also have the chance to ask questions about our own culture as we visit their homes. Return to Ngorongoro Serena Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge - Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 7: Tarangire National Park

Drive to Tarangire National Park in the Great Rift Valley, with lunch en route. In the afternoon we’ll proceed to Tarangire Safari Lodge, our accommodation for the next two nights. Tarangire is a very scenic park, with expansive views of baobab-studded grasslands stretching in every direction. Its small permanent river attracts a multitude of thirsty animals: all day long, a parade of wild animals proceed to the Tarangire River to drink. Animals to be seen include numerous family groups of elephants (often in concentrations of hundreds), huge herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra, many groups of kongoni, impala, and reedbuck as well as lion and leopard. Sometimes we find real safari oddities here, including the incomparably beautiful antelope called the lesser kudu and the hard-to-find African python. Arrive at the lodge in the late afternoon for sundowners and a delicious dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tarangire Safari Lodge - Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Day 8: Tarangire National Park

We have a full day to explore Tarangire and plenty of time for extended wildlife observations. Again, we’ll go on both day and evening game drives, and also take an optional walk—an excellent way to experience the sounds, smells, and sights of the wild African bush.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Tarangire Safari Lodge - Tarangire
National Park, Tanzania

Day 9: Arusha – Amboseli National Park

Drive to Arusha, with lunch en route. In the afternoon we transfer to the Kenya border at Namanga. After clearing customs and immigration, we’ll proceed to Amboseli National Park by road, game viewing along the way. Amboseli, at the foot of Kilimanjaro, is well known for its dramatic views of Kilimanjaro and one of the best places to see undisturbed elephant herds. Tonight we’ll enjoy terrific sunset views of snow-crowned Kilimanjaro.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Amboseli Serena Lodge - Amboseli
National Park, Kenya

Day 10: Amboseli National Park

We’ll rise early to enjoy clear views of Kilimanjaro, then spend the day exploring the park, a mixture of acacia woodlands, dry open plains, and marshy areas harboring year-round waterholes—an ideal habitat for the wildlife typical of the African plains. The elephants in this region have been immortalized by the work of renowned naturalist/scientist Cynthia Moss. Her book Elephant Memories is an account of her observations of local elephant families. Though elephants are the specialty of Amboseli, buffalo and hippos also abound, as well as giraffe and other less common species such as fringe-eared oryx and the graceful gerenuk.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Amboseli Serena Lodge - Amboseli
National Park, Kenya

Days 11-13: Masai Mara National Reserve

Transfer to the Amboseli airstrip for a scheduled flight to the Masai Mara (via Nairobi). You’ll be met upon arrival and transferred to Mara Serena Safari Lodge, a luxury safari camp set on a hill overlooking the rolling grasslands right in the prime area for game viewing.

The Masai Mara, an extension of the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania, is Kenya’s game country at its best. The grassy plains of this savanna landscape are dotted with occasional trees and an ever?present abundance of wild animals, while distant mountains and escarpments break the line of the puffball African sky. Herds of Thomson’s gazelles leap before our vehicle as family groups of zebra contentedly graze, and the black wildebeest run past in their columns. The variety of animals in the Mara is extraordinary and we are sure to find all the classic African species here, including the surprisingly graceful elephants and aristocratic giraffes. The swift Mara River is home to pods of hippo, and we’ll spot huge crocodiles sunning on its banks. The antelopes are in an astonishing variety and abundance: we’ll make our acquaintance with topi, eland, Grant’s gazelle, waterbuck, and reedbuck. And with so many grazing animals in the area, we are sure to see the cats: large prides of lions are in permanent residence in the Mara, as are good numbers of cheetah. The Mara is also one of the best places to see the always reclusive leopard.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Mara Serena Safari Lodge - Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Day 14: Departure

Transfer to the Mara airstrip for the late morning flight back to Nairobi. Transfer to Nairobi Serena Hotel, where dayrooms are available until your evening transfer to the airport. Depart on late evening homeward-bound flight.

Breakfast