13-Nights Best of East Africa: Kenya & Tanzania Safaris from $12,568

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive in Nairobi

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be welcomed and assisted by a Goway representative, and transferred to your hotel, where you can unwind after your flight. The rest of the day is yours to relax at leisure.

Hotel: Sarova Panafric Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Most city hotels insist on blending into the concrete jungle. Thankfully, Sarova Panafric refuses to succumb to this urban order. Named in honour of the Pan African movement, Sarova Panafric was inaugurated by the first president of Kenya, H.E. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, on 5th January 1965 and truly represents the African renaissance.

Idyllically located 5 minutes' drive from the CBD and 18 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, amidst beautifully landscaped gardens in a quiet suburb of Nairobi, Sarova Panafric offers 162 rooms in a range of Superior, Executive, Club, Studio and Themed Suites - all recently refurbished and decorated in a contemporary vibrant African style. Once the watering hole for freedom fighters, spies and foreign correspondents, Flame Tree restaurant is named after the Flame Tree that holds pride of place in the gardens and offers leisurely meals.

Sarova Panafric offers state-of-the-art banqueting and conferencing facilities with a range of meeting and function rooms equipped with the latest audio visual and WIFI equipment. To wind up the day, take a dip in the pool or go for a leisurely massage - or simply enjoy a cool drink to the soothing sounds of Africa's rhythm.

And this hotel is centrally located, only a short 0.5 km from Kenya's landmark 'Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)', one of the most prominent events venues in Africa.

Embark on a scenic drive north through Kenya's stunning highlands, passing the equator near Nanyuki and enjoying picturesque views of the majestic Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak. En route, stop for lunch at the Trout Tree Restaurant, nestled in a fig tree and known for its fresh trout and rustic charm. Continue your journey toward the remote and beautiful Buffalo Springs National Reserve, where you'll enjoy your first afternoon game drive in search of rare wildlife species and dramatic landscapes. As the sun begins to set, head to the charming Sarova Shaba Game Lodge, your tranquil retreat for the night. Enjoy dinner and unwind under the African stars.

Hotel: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Shaba National Reserve is a protected area in Isiolo County to the east of the Samburu. The park offers breath-taking scenery and a rich diversity of wildlife. Its fame as the land of "Born Free" stems from the heritage of Joy and George Adamson, who nurtured Elsa the lioness on the grounds of Shaba in the 50's before setting the lioness free on the plains beyond.

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is located in a natural oasis in Shaba National Reserve and offers complete serenity amidst wild and beautiful surroundings. It is a unique safari experience that will fill your every sense with the sights and sounds of nature all around you.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive in Samburu National Reserve, known for its dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife, including Grevy's zebra and reticulated giraffe. Return to the lodge for lunch, followed by a relaxing afternoon at leisure. In the late afternoon, venture out on a game drive in the nearby Shaba National Reserve, a rugged and lesser-visited park that offers striking scenery and excellent wildlife viewing. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Sarova Shaba Game Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Shaba National Reserve is a protected area in Isiolo County to the east of the Samburu. The park offers breath-taking scenery and a rich diversity of wildlife. Its fame as the land of "Born Free" stems from the heritage of Joy and George Adamson, who nurtured Elsa the lioness on the grounds of Shaba in the 50's before setting the lioness free on the plains beyond.

Sarova Shaba Game Lodge is located in a natural oasis in Shaba National Reserve and offers complete serenity amidst wild and beautiful surroundings. It is a unique safari experience that will fill your every sense with the sights and sounds of nature all around you.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast, journey to the renowned Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya's most important private wildlife sanctuaries and a global leader in rhino conservation. Home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, this conservancy offers a rare opportunity to witness groundbreaking conservation efforts firsthand. Arrive in time for a leisurely lunch surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush. Enjoy lunch at the lodge and in the afternoon, embark on a game drive across the expansive plains, where you may encounter the Big Five and other incredible wildlife. An optional night game drive can be arranged at an additional cost.

Hotel: Sweetwaters Serena Camp (4 Star Rating)

It's location in a private conservancy with a higher wildlife-to-area ratio than any of Kenya's national parks makes Sweetwaters Serena Camp one of the most exclusive tented safari camps in Kenya. A sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters Serena Camp offers a charming blend of under-canvas ambiance and Kenyan safari luxury. Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features thirty-nine luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After an early breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park, a picturesque haven in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. This park is famed for its seasonal flocks of flamingos that paint the lake's shoreline in shades of pink, offering one of Africa's most iconic and photogenic sights. While the lake was once home to enormous flocks of flamingos, their presence now varies with water levels, but visitors may still spot them along the shoreline. Lake Nakuru is also a designated sanctuary for endangered species, including the rare Rothschild giraffe and both black and white rhinos. Keep an eye out for elusive leopards resting in the trees. Later, enjoy a scenic lunch at the Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge, with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Afterward, set out on an afternoon game drive, capturing more of the park's rich wildlife diversity and dramatic terrain before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is a beautiful retreat set in Lake Nakuru National Park - home to thousands of pink flamingoes and pelicans.

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge has 67 chalets all overlooking the lake. It is a perfect place to experience one of the world's largest ornithological spectacles in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.

Enjoy traditional dancing every evening at the Rift Valley Bar. There is a swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, bar and massage and beauty treatments are available. As well there are board games and other indoor games such as table tennis, darts and pool game.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast, depart for a full-day game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, with a packed lunch to enjoy in the park. The park is also home to a wide variety of other wildlife, including baboons, warthogs, waterbuck, and introduced populations of both black and white rhinos. With its diverse habitats and scenic landscapes, Lake Nakuru offers rewarding wildlife viewing and excellent photo opportunities. After your game drive, return to the lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

Hotel: Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge is a beautiful retreat set in Lake Nakuru National Park - home to thousands of pink flamingoes and pelicans.

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge has 67 chalets all overlooking the lake. It is a perfect place to experience one of the world's largest ornithological spectacles in the heart of the Great Rift Valley.

Enjoy traditional dancing every evening at the Rift Valley Bar. There is a swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, bar and massage and beauty treatments are available. As well there are board games and other indoor games such as table tennis, darts and pool game.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Depart early this morning for the legendary Masai Mara National Park--Kenya's crown jewel of safari destinations. Famed for its sweeping savannahs and incredible density of wildlife, the Masai Mara offers an unrivaled safari experience reminiscent of Africa a century ago. This is one of the few places on Earth where you can witness the Big Five in their natural habitat, alongside countless other species. Arrive at the award-winning Sarova Mara Game Camp, nestled in the heart of the reserve. Enjoy a gourmet lunch while overlooking the plains teeming with wildlife. In the afternoon, embark on your game drive in the Masai Mara, where every turn unveils new wonders - from majestic lions and graceful giraffes to herds of elephants and grazing antelope. The experience includes a visit to a traditional Maasai village, offering you a meaningful opportunity to learn about the customs, lifestyle, and resilience of one of Africa's most iconic communities. Return to camp at dusk, filled with unforgettable memories.

Hotel: Mara Sarova (4 Star Rating)

Within its location of the Masai Mara Game reserve, Sarova Mara Game Camp's 75 deluxe tents, capture the true spirit of the Kenyan outdoors, in Kenya's richest game reserve. This location is suitable for couples, honeymooners, families, and group tours, It is well known for its annual enormous wildebeest migration, and Big Five viewing. It offers an exclusive view of the plains from a hot air balloon.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Enjoy an early breakfast before heading out on a morning game drive, where you'll track wildlife as the savannah awakens. Later, return to your lodge for a culinary experience: take part in an interactive cooking session at the organic Chef's Eco Garden. In the afternoon, continue your adventure with another game viewing drive. As the day winds down, relax and savor a magical starlit dinner under the African sky - a truly unforgettable end to a spectacular safari day. An optional Hot Air Balloon Safari is available on this day.

Hotel: Mara Sarova (4 Star Rating)

Within its location of the Masai Mara Game reserve, Sarova Mara Game Camp's 75 deluxe tents, capture the true spirit of the Kenyan outdoors, in Kenya's richest game reserve. This location is suitable for couples, honeymooners, families, and group tours, It is well known for its annual enormous wildebeest migration, and Big Five viewing. It offers an exclusive view of the plains from a hot air balloon.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

This morning, we bid farewell to Kenya as we cross into the beautiful landscapes of Tanzania. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your scheduled flight to Migori. Upon arrival, you will take a short road transfer to the nearby Tarime border, the crossing point between Kenya and Tanzania, where you will complete immigration and customs procedures required to enter Tanzania. You will then be transferred to Tanzania's Tarime airstrip for your onward flight to Serengeti National Park. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your camp for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in the Serengeti, exploring the vast plains and abundant wildlife of this world-renowned park.

Hotel: Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Turner Springs (4 Star Rating)

Set in the heart of Tanzania's Central Serengeti, Ole Serai Turner Springs Camp offers an elegant safari retreat surrounded by sweeping savanna landscapes and abundant wildlife. The spacious luxury tents feature refined African-inspired decor, plush bedding, ensuite bathrooms, private verandas, and panoramic views across the plains. Guests can enjoy gourmet dining, a stylish lounge and bar, campfire sundowners, spa treatments, personalized butler-style service, guided safari experiences, and warm Tanzanian hospitality, creating an unforgettable blend of comfort and wilderness adventure.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Today, immerse yourself in the wonders of the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. The Serengeti's endless plains are home to an incredible array of animals, from herds of wildebeest and zebras to predators like lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Each game drive offers new and exciting sightings, with the opportunity to witness the natural behaviors of the wildlife in their habitat.

Hotel: Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Turner Springs (4 Star Rating)

Set in the heart of Tanzania's Central Serengeti, Ole Serai Turner Springs Camp offers an elegant safari retreat surrounded by sweeping savanna landscapes and abundant wildlife. The spacious luxury tents feature refined African-inspired decor, plush bedding, ensuite bathrooms, private verandas, and panoramic views across the plains. Guests can enjoy gourmet dining, a stylish lounge and bar, campfire sundowners, spa treatments, personalized butler-style service, guided safari experiences, and warm Tanzanian hospitality, creating an unforgettable blend of comfort and wilderness adventure.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Another unforgettable day awaits as you continue your exploration of the Serengeti. Set out on morning and afternoon game drives, venturing into different areas of the park to seek out wildlife you may not have encountered yet. From river crossings to sweeping plains, the Serengeti's diverse landscapes offer ever-changing scenery and surprises - no two drives are ever the same. Return to your camp between drives to relax, and later for the evening.

Hotel: Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Turner Springs (4 Star Rating)

Set in the heart of Tanzania's Central Serengeti, Ole Serai Turner Springs Camp offers an elegant safari retreat surrounded by sweeping savanna landscapes and abundant wildlife. The spacious luxury tents feature refined African-inspired decor, plush bedding, ensuite bathrooms, private verandas, and panoramic views across the plains. Guests can enjoy gourmet dining, a stylish lounge and bar, campfire sundowners, spa treatments, personalized butler-style service, guided safari experiences, and warm Tanzanian hospitality, creating an unforgettable blend of comfort and wilderness adventure.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast embark on a scenic drive to Ngorongoro Crater - the largest intact caldera in the world. Sitting at an altitude of over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), the crater rim offers sweeping views and a noticeably cooler climate. Renowned for its breathtaking beauty and the abundant wildlife that inhabits the crater floor, Ngorongoro promises an unforgettable safari experience. En route to the crater, you'll visit Olduvai Gorge, a significant paleoanthropological site, often referred to as the "Cradle of Mankind." This steep ravine has yielded a wealth of fossilized bones and ancient tools, providing some of the earliest evidence of human ancestors dating back nearly 2 million years. Today, visitors can explore a small museum and view the excavation site, gaining fascinating insights into human evolution.

Arrive at the lodge for lunch where the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the spectacular views. You can also participate in optional activities offered at the lodge, such as guided nature walks or cultural interactions with the local Masai community (additional fees may apply).

Hotel: Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Perched high above the Ngorongoro Highlands in Tanzania, Oldeani Mountain Lodge blends colonial elegance with breathtaking panoramic scenery. Spacious suites and private villas feature fireplaces, air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, private verandas, and refined African-inspired decor overlooking the mountains and crater landscapes. Guests can enjoy a rim-flow swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, fine dining restaurant, stylish lounge and bar, cultural experiences, and attentive personalized service, creating a luxurious safari retreat immersed in nature.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Begin your day with a descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most extraordinary natural wonders. This vast volcanic caldera is home to a remarkable density of wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, hyenas, and the rare black rhino. In a 4x4 vehicle with your guide, explore the crater floor where herds of wildebeest and zebra roam and flamingos gather on the lake.

Return to the lodge for lunch, then spend a relaxing afternoon at leisure. In the early evening, enjoy a Sundowner cocktail overlooking the crater - an unforgettable way to end the day as the sun sets over the dramatic landscape.

Hotel: Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Perched high above the Ngorongoro Highlands in Tanzania, Oldeani Mountain Lodge blends colonial elegance with breathtaking panoramic scenery. Spacious suites and private villas feature fireplaces, air conditioning, ensuite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, private verandas, and refined African-inspired decor overlooking the mountains and crater landscapes. Guests can enjoy a rim-flow swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, fine dining restaurant, stylish lounge and bar, cultural experiences, and attentive personalized service, creating a luxurious safari retreat immersed in nature.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast embark on your journey back to Arusha. The drive itself is a chance to take in the stunning landscapes one last time, as you reflect on the unforgettable experiences you've had. Upon your arrival in Arusha, enjoy lunch at The Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre. The Centre also serves as a vibrant hub showcasing Tanzanian art, jewelry, and crafts - perfect for a final taste of culture and souvenirs. After lunch, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.

Meal(s): Breakfast