DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
Nairobi Arrival
Giraffe Centre at dusk. Team dinner in Karen, the leafy suburb named for Blixen.
Masai Mara — Arrival
Fly west to the Mara. Evening game drive. The density of wildlife here requires recalibration.
Masai Mara — Full Day
Dawn balloon optional. The Big Five possible before 9am. Masai guide leads afternoon bush walk.
Masai Village + Transit
Masai boma visit. Crossing into Tanzania at Isebania.
Serengeti — Western Corridor
The wildebeest corridor. Migration timing can mean witnessing thousands of animals moving as one.
Serengeti — Central Plains
The classic savanna image. Flat-topped acacia, lion on termite mound, the horizon just sky.
Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Camp on the crater rim at 2,400m. Cloud forest. Stars through the forest canopy.
Ngorongoro Descent
600m descent into the crater floor. Highest wildlife density on earth within a contained area.
Olduvai Gorge + Tarangire
The birthplace of humanity. Then elephant country — Tarangire's enormous herds around the river.
Lake Manyara
Flamingo-pink shores. Tree-climbing lions in the fever acacias.
Mount Kilimanjaro View Day
Amboseli for the classic Kilimanjaro + elephant composition. The mountain that earns its own section of sky.
Coast Drive to Dar es Salaam
Transition from savanna to coast. Indian Ocean first glimpsed from the escarpment edge.
Zanzibar — Stone Town
Ferry to the island. Spice market, coral stone labyrinth, rooftop sunset over the dhow harbor.
Zanzibar — North Coast
Nungwi beach. Snorkel the reef. Dhow sailing at sunset. Seafood straight from the catch.
Jozani Forest
Red colobus monkeys — endemic to Zanzibar. Mangrove boardwalk. Final inland journey.
Departure
Flights from Zanzibar direct. Expedition closed.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
OVERLAND guide + local Masai and Chagga specialists
All accommodation (lodges and luxury tented camps)
All meals
Private safari 4WD (Land Cruiser) full route
All park and conservation fees
Domestic flights Nairobi–Mara, Zanzibar–home airport
Ferry Dar–Zanzibar
RECOMMENDED GEAR
Neutral-tone clothing (khaki, olive, tan — bright colors disturb wildlife)
Binoculars (10×42 recommended)
Long sleeve sun protection
Wide-brim hat
Insect repellent with DEET
Malaria prophylaxis (consult physician 4 weeks before)
Camera with long zoom (wildlife distances)
Lightweight daypack
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
Duration
16 days
From
$4,200 per person
Difficulty
moderate
Destination
East African Savanna