10 Days Best of East Africa

A full day in the Masai Mara. The northern Mara Triangle and Mara River area are the focal points — your guide will track wildebeest herd movements and position you at the river crossings. Between July and October this is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.

The Mara is home to some of Africa's most celebrated lion prides and cheetah coalitions. Elephant herds, buffalo, leopard, hippo pools, and an extraordinary diversity of raptors and plains birds are all present year-round.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the Olare Motorogi or Mara North Conservancy — private wildlife areas bordering the reserve where off-road driving, bush walks, and night game drives are permitted. These conservancies have some of the highest big-cat densities in Africa.

Afternoon return to camp. Optional visit to a traditional Maasai village to meet local communities, see traditional jumping dances, and learn about the culture that has coexisted with the Mara's wildlife for centuries.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, cross the Kenya–Tanzania border at Isebania/Sirari and enter the northern Serengeti. The landscape is seamlessly continuous — the same open plains, the same wildlife, but now in Tanzania's largest and most celebrated park.

The northern Serengeti (Lamai/Kogatende area) hosts the Mara River crossing points from the Tanzanian side — a perfect continuation of the migration experience from the Masai Mara. Arrive in the afternoon for your first Serengeti game drive.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation options: Lamai Serengeti  |  Sayari Camp  |  Serengeti Under Canvas (North)

Full day in the northern Serengeti. This remote area sees the fewest tourists in the whole park yet offers some of the most dramatic wildlife encounters. The Mara River crossings continue here — the same crocodile-infested waters, the same chaos of hooves and spray.

Your guide has crossed the border with you and carries full knowledge of both ecosystems — a rare advantage that allows seamless continuity of wildlife tracking across the two countries.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive south through the Serengeti to the Seronera Valley in the central park — the year-round wildlife heartland. The Seronera River provides a permanent water source that attracts an extraordinary concentration of animals regardless of season.

Seronera is famous for its resident leopard population — large males are often found resting in the branches of sausage trees with their kills. Lions are abundant, and the central plains support massive cheetah, hyena, and jackal populations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation options: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge  |  Four Seasons Safari Lodge  |  Namiri Plains

Morning game drive in central Serengeti, then drive south to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Descend to your lodge perched on the rim of the crater with sweeping views over one of the world's natural wonders.

The drive through the Ngorongoro highlands passes Maasai bomas and highland forest — a completely different landscape from the Serengeti plains. Sunset from the crater rim is one of Africa's great views.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation options: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge  |  andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge  |  Lemala Ngorongoro

Descend 600 metres into the Ngorongoro Crater for a full day game drive. The crater floor covers 260 square kilometres and is home to an estimated 25,000 large animals — an extraordinary concentration that makes every drive productive.

Tanzania's remaining black rhino population can be found here, along with lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, elephants, and the famous Ngorongoro hippo pools. The crater's alkaline lake attracts vast flocks of flamingos. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive from Ngorongoro to Tarangire National Park (approximately 2–3 hours). Enjoy a full day game drive in one of Tanzania's most underrated parks — famous for its massive elephant herds, ancient giant baobab trees, and dramatic riverine scenery.

During the dry season (June–October), the Tarangire River is the only permanent water source for hundreds of kilometres, drawing vast numbers of animals. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded here. Lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog can all be found.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation options: Tarangire Treetops  |  Oliver's Camp  |  Sanctuary Swala

After breakfast, drive to Arusha (approximately 2 hours from Tarangire). Arrive in time for afternoon international flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport, or connect for a short flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to extend your journey.

Tour ends on arrival in Arusha. International flights from Nairobi at the start and Arusha/Kilimanjaro at the end are the most convenient routing — we are happy to advise on the best flight options.

Meals: Breakfast