Thirteen days traversing Kenya and Tanzania's most legendary wildlife destinations. From Lake Naivasha's hippo-filled shores and the big cat theatre of the Maasai Mara to the endless Serengeti plains, the ancient Ngorongoro Crater, the baobab-studded landscapes of Tarangire, and the elephant herds of Amboseli beneath Mount Kilimanjaro.
This grand circle delivers the full spectrum of Africa's wilderness, culture, and beauty.
Plan my SafariWhat makes this the definitive East African safari experience.
No other itinerary connects this many iconic reserves — Naivasha, the Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara, Tarangire and Amboseli — in a single unbroken loop across two countries.
The Maasai Mara and the Serengeti are two halves of the same vast ecosystem, offering the continent's densest concentration of lion, leopard and cheetah across four days of game drives.
Ngorongoro Crater — twelve miles across and six hundred metres deep — shelters a self-contained ecosystem of extraordinary density. The Big Five, flamingos, and critically endangered black rhino on the floor of an ancient volcano.
Tarangire's ancient baobab trees and enormous elephant herds — among the largest in Tanzania — create a landscape unlike any other on this itinerary. A perfect counterpoint to the open plains.
A full day immersed in Meru culture near Arusha — hiking through farming villages, visiting Mount Meru Waterfalls, and hand-processing coffee beans from plant to cup. Safari meets cultural discovery.
The journey ends where the views are most spectacular — Amboseli's elephant herds silhouetted against Africa's highest peak. Two full days allow you to savour every angle of this iconic backdrop.
Thirteen days across seven of East Africa's greatest reserves — every detail considered.
Welcome to Kenya. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in and rest ahead of your safari adventure.
After breakfast, depart for Lake Naivasha — a freshwater lake sitting at nearly two thousand metres above sea level, ringed by volcanic formations and home to over four hundred bird species and a significant hippo population.
Arrive in time for lunch, then enjoy an afternoon boat ride to observe hippos, fishing eagles, and marabou storks, followed by a guided walk on Crescent Island among freely roaming giraffes, zebras, and gazelles.
After breakfast, depart for the Maasai Mara, driving through the Great Rift Valley before reaching the sweeping savannah of Kenya's most celebrated reserve. Check in and enjoy lunch, then spend the afternoon on an introductory game drive.
The Mara's endless plains, dotted with wildlife, create a perfect welcome to this world-famous destination.
Spend a full day immersed in the Mara. Begin with an early morning game drive when predators are most active — lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas take advantage of the cooler hours. The reserve's sweeping grasslands support elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebra, and countless antelope species.
After lunch, explore different corners of the reserve. Optional activities include a hot-air balloon safari at sunrise and a cultural visit to a Maasai village.
After an early breakfast, depart the Mara and cross into Tanzania at the Isebania border. Your destination is the vast Serengeti — famous for its wildlife diversity and year-round predator sightings.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and game drive en route to the Central Serengeti. Settle into your camp and let the sounds of the African wilderness carry you into the evening. A scenic flight from the Mara to the Serengeti is available at additional cost and highly recommended.
A full day exploring the vast expanse of the Serengeti. Begin with an early morning game drive when lions, leopards, and cheetahs are most active. The park's sweeping plains, rocky kopjes, and acacia woodlands are home to large resident populations of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and hyenas.
After a picnic lunch in the bush, continue with an afternoon drive through different habitats. The changing light of late afternoon creates extraordinary photographic moments as animals gather at water sources.
After breakfast, drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descend six hundred metres into this natural wonder. Spend the day on a game drive with a picnic lunch at a scenic site near the Hippo Pool.
The crater shelters one of Africa's densest wildlife populations — lions, elephants, rhinoceros, cheetahs, zebra, and hundreds of bird species within its ancient volcanic walls.
After breakfast, depart for Lake Manyara National Park. Nestled at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Manyara is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, and a shimmering soda lake that attracts flamingos, pelicans, and storks.
Drive through the park's dense acacia woodland and open plains, then return to your lodge for lunch, relaxation, and an optional afternoon nature walk.
After breakfast, continue to Tarangire National Park, named after the river that serves as a vital water source during the dry season. The park is known for its enormous elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and expansive savannah.
During your game drive, search for lions, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and a rich variety of birdlife across diverse habitats — from riverine forest to open plains. In the afternoon, continue to Arusha for overnight.
After breakfast, visit the Tengeru Cultural Centre near Arusha for a guided experience with the Meru community. Learn about the tribe's history over freshly prepared lemongrass and ginger tea, then hike through agricultural villages where locals cultivate coffee, maize, and bananas.
Visit the spectacular Mount Meru Waterfalls and a working coffee farm, where you will process beans by hand and brew a fresh cup — a hands-on and memorable experience.
After breakfast, drive to Amboseli National Park via the Namanga border crossing. After immigration formalities and vehicle change, enjoy lunch and set out on an afternoon game drive.
Amboseli is dominated by the towering presence of Mount Kilimanjaro and features lush swamplands that attract large elephant herds — some of the most photographed in Africa.
A full day exploring Amboseli's vast savannah, swamps, and open plains beneath the striking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. Morning and afternoon game drives reveal large elephant herds, lions, zebra, giraffes, antelopes, and exceptional birdlife.
Between drives, return to the lodge and savour the views of Africa's highest mountain.
After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi with a lunch stop en route. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward flight.
Seven reserves, two countries, and a grand circle of East Africa's most extraordinary wildlife — this is a safari that tells the full African story.
A modern four-star property on Mombasa Road with easy access to JKIA — a popular choice for travellers arriving ahead of safari departures.
Well-appointed rooms with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, electronic safe, minibar and ensuite bathroom.
International buffet restaurant, lounge bar, and 24-hour room service.
Set on the southern shores of Lake Naivasha within extensive landscaped grounds, Sopa Resort is a comfortable lakeside retreat offering easy access to boat safaris, Crescent Island, and Hell's Gate National Park. Hippos graze on the lawns after dark, and the lake's prolific birdlife — fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers — is visible from the gardens throughout the day.
Spacious rooms and cottages are set among mature gardens, each with ensuite bathrooms, hot-water showers, comfortable beds, and a private terrace facing the lake or gardens. Rooms are finished in warm, contemporary African tones with tiled floors and wooden furnishings.
The main restaurant serves a buffet of Kenyan and international cuisine with views across the gardens. An outdoor terrace and poolside bar serve drinks and light meals throughout the day.
Set on a hilltop inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Mara Serena is designed to resemble a traditional Maasai manyatta — earth-toned buildings that blend into the landscape with panoramic views across the vast Mara plains.
Seventy-four rooms with hand-painted murals, Maasai-inspired textiles, ensuite bathrooms, and private balconies overlooking the savannah.
Generous buffet from the hilltop restaurant. Simba Bar for cocktails. Bush breakfasts available on request.
A mobile-style tented camp in the Serengeti's central plains, positioned to follow the seasonal movement of wildlife — authentic canvas, warm hospitality and campfire evenings on one of the world's greatest wildlife stages.
Spacious canvas tents on raised platforms with comfortable beds, ensuite bathrooms with hot-water bucket showers, and private viewing areas facing the open plains.
Meals in the central dining tent or around the campfire. Packed picnic lunches for full-day drives.
A colonial-style retreat set on a hillside above Karatu, between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater — surrounded by coffee plantations and tropical gardens with views of Mount Oldeani.
Spacious cottages with ensuite bathrooms, bathtubs, rain showers, fireplaces, and private verandahs with garden or mountain views.
Tanzanian and international cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. Fireside bar with Tanzanian coffee and local beers.
Perched on the rim of the Great Rift Valley with uninterrupted views across Lake Manyara and the escarpment below — a rustic-luxe retreat that captures the drama of its setting in every detail.
Fifty spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, ensuite bathrooms with rain showers and freestanding bathtubs, and private balconies overlooking the Rift Valley.
Buffet of Tanzanian and international cuisine with panoramic valley views. Outdoor terrace for sunset dining.
A modern five-star property in the heart of Arusha — Tanzania's safari capital — with views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Kilimanjaro. A comfortable base between the northern circuit parks.
Contemporary rooms and suites with African-inspired decor, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, minibar, and ensuite bathrooms.
International and Tanzanian buffet. Rooftop bar with mountain views. Room service available.
In the heart of Amboseli with unobstructed Kilimanjaro views. Elephants stroll past the terrace and Africa's tallest mountain forms the backdrop to every meal.
Eighty chalet-style rooms among landscaped gardens with ensuite bathrooms, ceiling fans, safes, and private patios facing Kilimanjaro.
International and Kenyan buffet. Outdoor terrace with Kilimanjaro views. Kibo Bar for drinks throughout the day.
Get in touch and your personal travel specialist will tailor every detail of this journey to your dates, pace and interests.
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