12 days ultimate east africa safari and adventure wildlife safari

Inspiring, breathtaking, and always authentic; this itinerary showcases East Africa at its finest. The destinations ignite the imagination. You'll be immersed in the great spectacles of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Lake Nakuru. Then, there is the incredible diversity of the lesser-known parks like Tarangire and Lake Manyara. This itinerary is about indulging in an unforgettable safari experience, one that shows you African wildlife in all its nuances and wonder.

OVERVIEW Starting point and ending point: Nairobi Main wildlife to be viewed: hippo, crocodile, the big five, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, warthog, waterbuck, antelope, wildebeest, gazelle, impala, eland, and topi HIGHLIGHTS Daily game drives Safari in Maasai Mara National Reserve Game viewing in Serengeti National Park Chances to encounter the Big Five Including park entrance fees 11 nights' accommodation 3 daily delicious meals Airport transfer SKILL LEVEL Beginner STYLES Big Five Safaris Giraffe Safaris Leopard Safaris Zebra Safaris Impala Safaris Cheetah Safaris Hippo Safaris Crocodile Safaris 11 activity days in English Spoken languages: English The maximum participants in the group is 7 Airport transfer included: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

DAY 1: NAIROBI - MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE Budget Holiday Safaris will pick you early in the morning from your hotel or from the airport, bring you to the office for a short briefing of the safari and later depart for Maasai Mara via the Great Rift Valley. Your first stop-over will be at the Rift Valley viewpoint where you will take a few minutes to see the scenic views of this amazing landscape.

Later, you will proceed for your safari with your lunch en-route in a Maasai town called Narok. You will arrive in time for your first game drive at this famous game reserve. The Big Five can be found in this park and many more species like the cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, antelopes, wildebeest, and many more. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Main destination: Maasai Mara National Reserve Accommodation: Miti Mingi Eco Camp (budget tented camp bordering Maasai Mara National Reserve without fences) Meals and drinks: lunch, dinner (breakfast is not included), and drinking water (other drinks are not included) DAY 2: MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE You will have an early morning breakfast and proceed for a full-day game viewing in the reserve. The Maasai Mara savanna grassland plains present a very scenic landscape filled with different wildlife species. You can also be one of only a few fortunate people to glide in a hot air balloon over the Maasai Mara plains (available at supplementary cost by pre-arrangement).

The Big Five can be spotted in this reserve as well. Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, impalas, elands, topi, and large herds of zebra are also found through the reserve. Other wildlife inhabiting this reserve are lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, Maasai giraffe, wildebeest, baboons, warthogs, buffalo, and elephants.

You will have your picnic lunches beside a hippo pool as you view the hippos and crocodiles. You will proceed for game viewing till evening. You have the option of visiting a Maasai village for a cultural experience at an extra cost. Your dinner and overnight will be at the camp.

Main destination: Maasai Mara National Reserve Accommodation: Miti Mingi Eco Camp (budget tented camp bordering Maasai Mara National Reserve without fences) Meals and drinks: lunch, dinner (breakfast is not included), and drinking water (other drinks are not included) DAY 3: MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE - LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK You will wake up early and start an early morning game viewing tracking wildlife. After that, you will go back to the camp and have your breakfast and depart for Lake Nakuru. Depart the Mara region for Nakuru, lunch en-route with scenic views of Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha from afar on the main highway.

Lake Nakuru National Park is an important haven for endangered species, particularly the Rothschild's giraffes and the black and white rhinos. Lions, waterbucks, zebras, buffalos, and baboons are also residing here. Your dinner and overnight will be at a budget hotel.

Main destination: Lake Nakuru National Park Accommodation: Hotel Citymax (budget hotel located just outside Lake Nakuru National Park) Meals and drinks: All meals and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 4: LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK - AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, proceed on a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Lake Nakuru has more than just flamingos. This is a major national park and an important sanctuary for rhino. There are huge herds of waterbuck, zebra, buffalo, the endangered Rothschild's giraffe and both black and white rhino are found here.

Lake Nakuru has unusual but beautiful vegetation. The forest vegetation is covered with euphorbia, tall cactus-like trees, and acacia woodland. The forest region is a host to over 400 migratory bird species from around the world. Later, drive to Amboseli National Park arriving late evening and check-in at your camp. Your dinner and overnight will be at camp.

Main destination: Amboseli National Park Accommodation: Kimana Amboseli Tented Camp (budget tented camp bordering Amboseli National Park without fences) Meals and drinks: All meals and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 5: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK A full day in this magnificent park. Amboseli National Park is situated at the foot of Africa highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro which snow-capped peaks presents a splendid view during clear days. The park offers some of the best opportunities to see African wildlife because its vegetation is sparse due to the long dry months.

It is renowned for its large herds of free-ranging big African elephants. There are over 900 African elephants in Amboseli as well as many other animals including giraffes, cheetahs, African lions, monkeys, zebras, hyenas and antelope, and bird species. Your dinner and overnight will be at the camp.

Main destination: Amboseli National Park Accommodation: Kimana Amboseli Tented Camp (budget tented camp bordering Amboseli National Park without fences) Meals and drinks: All meals and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 6: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK - ARUSHA You will have an early morning game drive and return to the camp for your breakfast. Later, proceed to the Namanga border where you will catch your shuttle bus to Arusha. You will arrive at your hotel for relaxing and resting as you wait to start the safari the following day. (Dinner on your own).

Main destination: Arusha Accommodation: Arusha Tourist Inn Hotel (budget hotel located in or near Arusha) Meals and drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 7: ARUSHA - LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK After breakfast in the hotel, you will depart for Lake Manyara National Park arriving in time for afternoon game drives. Dinner and overnight at a campsite. Lake Manyara National Park is mirrored by its varied fauna, with some of the more common and visible large mammal species being the buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and wildebeests. Prominently renowned for its tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is also home to troops of baboons and blue monkeys. The park is rich with fantastic birdlife, more than 200 species of birds can be seen here.

Main destination: Lake Manyara National Park Accommodation: Budget camping inside Lake Manyara National Park Meals and drinks: lunch, dinner (breakfast not included), and drinking water are included (Other drinks not included) DAY 8: LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK You will have early morning breakfast. Depart the camp and proceed to Serengeti passing through Olduvai Gorge, the archaeological site of the Leakey family. You will have an afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park. Your meals and overnight will be at Serengeti Seronera Campsite.

Main destination: Serengeti National Park Accommodation: Budget camping inside Serengeti National Park Meals and drinks: All meals and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 9: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - NGORONGORO CRATER You will have an early morning game drive in Serengeti National Park, later on, return back to the campsite for breakfast. Check out of the camp and drive with packed lunch game viewing en route to Ngorongoro Crater Rim. You will pass the Olduvai Gorge and you can visit the Olduvai Gorge museum at an extra cost.

Ngorongoro Crater is the world biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 square kilometers and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa largest population of large mammals. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Simba Campsite.

Main destination: Ngorongoro Crater Accommodation: Budget camping inside Ngorongoro Meals and drinks: All meals and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 10: NGORONGORO CRATER- TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, drive to Tarangire for afternoon game drive. Meals and overnight at Tarangire Campsite. Tarangire National Park has some of the highest population density of elephants anywhere in Tanzania, tree climbing African pythons and its sparse vegetation, strewn with baobab and acacia trees, makes it a beautiful and special location.

Main destination: Tarangire National Park Accommodation: Budget camping inside Tarangire National Park Meals and drinks: All meals and drinking water are included (other drinks are not included) DAY 11: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK - ARUSHA Enjoy breakfast after which you will be transferred back to Arusha. Thereafter, have lunch and leave the park viewing your last game while you drive back to Arusha arriving in the afternoon. You will be dropped at your hotel (dinner on your own).

Main destination: Arusha Accommodation: Arusha Centre Inn Hotel (budget hotel located in or near Arusha) Meals and drinks: Breakfast, lunch (dinner is not included), and drinking water (other drinks not included) DAY 12: ARUSHA - NAIROBI / AIRPORT After breakfast in Arusha Center Inn Hotel, you will be picked to catch the shuttle bus back to Nairobi arriving in Nairobi at 14:00 or be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to catch your flight home or to other destinations.

Main destination: Nairobi Accommodation: End of tour (no accommodation) Meals and drinks: Breakfast (lunch and dinner not included) drinks not included