Best of East Africa Group Tour

Combining Kenya and Tanzania in one safari offers one of the most complete wildlife experiences in Africa. This small-group safari links the Maasai Mara and Serengeti ecosystems with the Ngorongoro Crater, Rift Valley lakes and Amboseli National Park, creating a varied journey through some of East Africa's most iconic safari regions.

The route works particularly well from a logistics perspective, gradually travelling south from Kenya into Tanzania before returning to Kenya via Amboseli. Along the way, the scenery changes dramatically, from the lakes and escarpments of the Rift Valley to the endless plains of the Serengeti and the elephant-rich landscapes below Mount Kilimanjaro.

This itinerary is designed for travellers who want a broad East Africa safari experience without rushing between parks. Multiple nights are spent in key wildlife areas like the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, allowing time for meaningful game viewing rather than simply moving from lodge to lodge.

Accommodation is typically in comfortable mid-range to upper mid-range safari lodges and tented camps located inside or close to the main wildlife areas. While lodges may vary due to seasonal availability, the overall safari experience and route remain consistent.

Nairobi → Lake Naivasha → Lake Nakuru → Maasai Mara → Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Lake Manyara → Amboseli → Nairobi

One of the strengths of this itinerary is the way it combines several very different safari ecosystems into one journey.

The safari starts in Kenya's Rift Valley lakes, known for birdlife, rhino sightings and scenic landscapes, before continuing to the Maasai Mara, one of Africa's best wildlife reserves for predators and plains game.

Crossing into Tanzania, the route follows the greater Serengeti ecosystem south through vast grasslands and kopje country before reaching the Ngorongoro Crater, where wildlife densities are among the highest in Africa. The final stop in Amboseli provides a very different safari setting, with large elephant herds and classic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The gradual progression between parks also makes the long travel distances more manageable and creates a more natural safari flow.

Accommodation on this safari is generally in comfortable 4-star to 5-star safari lodges and tented camps. Most properties are located either inside the reserves or close to the main wildlife areas to maximise time on safari.

Rooms are en-suite, and meals are typically included while on safari. Depending on the departure date and seasonal availability, accommodation may vary between similar properties of a comparable standard.

Arrive in Nairobi, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have an opportunity to relax after your flight or explore parts of the city before the safari begins.

Overnight: Nairobi (Bed and Breakfast)

After breakfast, enjoy a short introduction to Nairobi before travelling into Kenya's Great Rift Valley towards Lake Naivasha.

Lake Naivasha is known for its birdlife, hippos and scenic setting among acacia woodlands and volcanic landscapes. Optional boat excursions on the lake offer a different perspective on the area’s wildlife and birdlife.

Overnight: Lake Naivasha (Full Board)

Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park for game drives in one of Kenya's best-known rhino sanctuaries.

Lake Nakuru is particularly good for black and white rhino sightings and also supports lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants and a variety of birdlife. Seasonal water levels affect flamingo numbers, but the park remains one of the Rift Valley's most rewarding wildlife areas.

Overnight: Lake Nakuru (Full Board)

Continue to the Maasai Mara, Kenya's most famous safari destination and one of Africa's best wildlife reserves.

The Mara is known for its strong populations of big cats, large herds of plains game and excellent year-round game viewing. Depending on the season, the Great Migration may also be present.

Spending two nights here allows time to properly explore different parts of the reserve and enjoy morning and afternoon game drives.

Optional hot air balloon safaris are available.

Overnight: Maasai Mara (Full Board)

Cross into Tanzania and continue into the Serengeti ecosystem, one of the world's great wildlife regions.

The Serengeti's vast open plains support enormous numbers of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle, along with predators including lion, cheetah and leopard. Different areas of the park offer different landscapes, from river systems and kopjes to endless grasslands.

Multiple nights in the Serengeti allow time to experience the scale and diversity of the ecosystem before travelling towards the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Optional activities may include hot air balloon safaris, cultural visits or archaeological excursions to Olduvai Gorge.

Overnight: Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Full Board)

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing in one of Africa's most unique wildlife environments

The crater floor supports a high concentration of wildlife, including lion, elephant, buffalo, hyena and, occasionally, black rhino. The enclosed nature of the crater creates excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year.

Later, continue towards Lake Manyara.

Overnight: Lake Manyara (Full Board)

Explore Lake Manyara National Park, a compact but scenic park known for its groundwater forests, escarpment views, birdlife and diverse habitats.

Wildlife here may include elephant, giraffe, zebra, hippo and tree-climbing lions, although sightings are never guaranteed. Optional activities such as night drives, canoeing or canopy walks may also be available depending on the season.

Overnight: Lake Manyara (Full Board)

Travel back into Kenya and continue to Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Amboseli is particularly well known for its large elephant herds and classic views of Kilimanjaro on clear mornings and evenings. The park's open landscapes often make wildlife easier to spot than in more heavily wooded areas.

Overnight: Amboseli (Full Board)

Enjoy a final morning game drive in Amboseli before returning to Nairobi, where the safari ends.

Transfer to the airport or your onward accommodation.

Depending on the season and departure, optional activities may include:

• Hot air balloon safaris in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti 
• Lake Naivasha boat excursions 
• Maasai cultural visits 
• Olduvai Gorge excursions 
• Lake Manyara night drives 
• Canoeing and canopy walks at Lake Manyara 

This itinerary works particularly well for:

• first-time East Africa safari travellers 
• travellers wanting to visit both Kenya and Tanzania in one trip 
• wildlife-focused travellers interested in predator viewing 
• travellers looking for a social small-group safari experience 
• visitors wanting a broad introduction to East Africa's major safari ecosystems 

This safari is operated as a scheduled small-group tour with a maximum of seven guests per vehicle, ensuring everyone has a guaranteed window seat.

Because East Africa safaris are often planned well in advance, confirmed departure dates and routing are not always released far ahead of time and may vary from season to season. Please contact us for the latest confirmed departure dates and availability.

If your preferred travel dates do not match one of the scheduled departures, we can usually suggest a similar safari departure or tailor a comparable Kenya and Tanzania itinerary around your timing, budget and travel style.

Many travellers also use this itinerary as a starting point for a more customised East Africa safari. We can upgrade accommodation, add flights between parks, arrange private guiding, extend the safari to Zanzibar or other destinations, or redesign the route entirely as a private tailor-made journey.

If you like the overall flow of this itinerary but would prefer something more exclusive, more flexible or better suited to your travel dates, simply get in touch, and we'll help you plan the best option.