With Zanzibar Island Escape: 17 Days

African Safari Adventure

Journey into East Africa’s wild heart, where sweeping savannahs and shimmering lakes set the stage for the dramatic wildebeest migration. Watch hippos bask in tranquil waters and savor the bold fl avors of Swahili cuisine. This is more than a trip—it’s your invitation to experience the untamed beauty and vibrant culture of Kenya and Tanzania

  • Warm airport welcome by your Representative
  • Evening gathering with fellow adventurers and your Driver Guide
  • Memorable dinner at the iconic Carnivore restaurant 
  • Restful night at Tamarind Tree Hotel

Step into the vibrant heart of Nairobi, where your journey begins with a swirl of excitement and anticipation. From the moment you arrive, you’re enveloped in the city’s energy and the promise of wild horizons ahead. Tonight, laughter and stories are shared over a sumptuous dinner, setting the tone for the adventure to come.

  • Special Be My Guest experience at a historic home
  • Savor local cuisine and sample regional tea and coffee
  • Scenic drive to the Aberdare Highlands
  • Wildlife spotting near your charming lodge
  • Peaceful afternoon by the pool or Kiburi Plantation Visit
  • Two-night stay at Aberdare Country Club

Awaken to new fl avors and friendships as you’re welcomed into a family home, steeped in Kenya’s independence history. Sip fresh tea and coffee as you learn the secrets of the land, then journey north to the lush Aberdare Highlands. Here, zebras and impalas graze just beyond your window, inviting you to slow down and savor the moment.

  • Half-day game drive in rhino-rich Solio Game Reserve
  • Spot buffalo, zebra, giraffe, leopard, and lion 
  • Afternoon at leisure or nature walk within the sanctuary
  • Another night at Aberdare Country Club

Today, the dawn brings adventure as you venture into Solio, Kenya’s sanctuary for the mighty rhino. With Mount Kenya as your backdrop, watch wildlife roam free, far from the crowds. The afternoon is yours—perhaps a gentle walk through the sanctuary, or simply bask in the serenity of your surroundings.

  • Photo stop at spectacular Thomson’s Falls
  • Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park 
  • Overnight stay within the park at Lake Nakuru Lodge
  • Optional: Aberdare mountain biking, horseback riding, game drives, or sunset safari

The Great Rift Valley opens before you, revealing Lake Nakuru’s shimmering waters—a haven for over 400 bird species. With your expert guide, uncover the park’s hidden corners, where lions and leopards may be just a glance away. Tonight, fall asleep to the sounds of the wild, right in the heart of the park.

  • Sunrise game drive along Lake Nakuru’s shores 
  • Lunch at Lake Naivasha
  • Relaxing boat ride to spot hippos
  • Guided walk with zebra, impala, and giraffe on Crescent Island
  • Overnight at the historic Lake Naivasha Country Club

As dawn breaks, the air fi lls with the calls of fl amingos and pelicans. After a lakeside safari, journey to Lake Naivasha for a tranquil boat ride, gliding past hippos basking in the shallows. On Crescent Island, stroll among gentle giants, guided by a local specialist, before retiring to a storied country club surrounded by nature.

  • Scenic drive across the Great Rift Valley 
  • Afternoon game drive in the Maasai Mara
  • Stay at Keekorok Lodge in the heart of the reserve

The road leads you into the legendary Maasai Mara, where golden grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see. From the moment you arrive, wildlife sightings abound—this is the Africa of your dreams, and your lodge places you right at its heart.

  • Full-day safari in search of Africa’s Big 5 
  • Visit to an authentic Maasai village—MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
  • Optional: Bush picnic banquet with Maasai entertainment

Today, the Mara reveals its secrets. Lions lounge in the shade, elephants graze, and leopards slip through the grass. In the village, Maasai warriors share their traditions and stories, welcoming you into their world. For a special treat, savor a bush picnic beneath the stars, with the rhythms of Maasai dancers echoing into the night.

  • Farewell to Kenya and your Driver Guide (B, L, D)
  • Border crossing and warm welcome in Tanzania
  • Sunset stroll along Africa’s largest lake
  • Overnight at Serenity on the Lake

A new chapter unfolds as you cross into Tanzania, meeting your new Driver Guide and settling on the tranquil shores of Lake Victoria. As the sun dips low, the water glows gold—a perfect backdrop to refl ect on the journey so far.

  • Morning by Lake Victoria  Scenic drive into the legendary Serengeti
  • Afternoon game drive in search of predators and plains game
  • Stay at Serengeti Serena Lodge

The Serengeti calls, its vast plains promising adventure at every turn. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs roam these lands, and your 4×4 safari brings you close to their world. Each moment is a brushstroke in a living masterpiece of nature.

  • Full-day game drive tracking the Great Migration
  • Expert storytelling from your Driver Guide
  • Another night at Serengeti Serena Lodge

Today, witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles—the Great Migration. Over a million wildebeest thunder across the plains, pursued by predators and cheered on by your guide’s tales. Every sighting is a thrill, every landscape a memory in the making.

  • Scenic journey to Ngorongoro 
  • Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a picnic lunch
  • Wildlife encounters in lush forests and grasslands
  • Overnight at Acacia Farm Lodge

Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, where wildlife thrives in a lost world of forests and grasslands. Share a picnic on the crater fl oor, surrounded by elephants and zebras, before climbing to your lodge nestled in fertile farmlands.

  • Village walk and local lunch in Mto wa Umbu (B, L, D)
  • Afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara National Park
  • Stay at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Today, step into village life with a walking tour through Mto wa Umbu. Taste banana beer, learn local recipes, and connect with the community. Later, Lake Manyara’s tree-climbing lions await, hidden among the branches as you explore the park’s wonders.

  • Journey to Tarangire National Park 
  • Lunch and relaxation at your lodge
  • Final game drive amid baobabs and elephant herds
  • Farewell dinner at Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Tarangire’s landscape is a tapestry of ancient baobabs and bustling wildlife. On your fi nal game drive, marvel at the elephant herds and savor the magic of your last African sunset. Tonight, a festive farewell dinner celebrates the memories you’ve made.

 

  • Savor lunch at a renowned coffee plantation 
  • Heartfelt goodbyes to your companions and Driver Guide

Your adventure ends with the rich aroma of Tanzanian coffee and the warmth of new friendships. As you part ways, the spirit of Africa lingers—a promise that the wild will always welcome you back.

  • Guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Stone Town with a Local Specialist
  • Explore the winding alleys, ornate doors, and vibrant markets
  • Visit the former slave market, House of Wonders, Sultan’s Palace Museum, and Old Arab Fort
  • Dive Into Culture at a local shamba (spice farm) to taste, smell, and learn about Zanzibar’s legendary spices

Step into the living tapestry of Stone Town, where every carved doorway and bustling market whispers tales of centuries past. With your expert guide, uncover the island’s layered history—from the haunting echoes of the slave market to the grandeur of the Sultan’s Palace. Later, let your senses come alive at a spice farm, where the air is thick with the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla, and discover the secrets that earned Zanzibar its “Spice Island” nickname.

 

  • Leisure time to relax on powdery beaches and swim in turquoise waters

Let the rhythm of the waves set your pace as you sink your toes into Zanzibar’s sun-warmed sands. Whether you choose to unwind beneath swaying palms or set sail on a traditional dhow, adventure is always within reach. Join a full-day cruise, where you’ll glide across crystal-clear waters, snorkel vibrant reefs, and feast on fresh-caught seafood as dolphins play in the distance. Every moment here is a celebration of island life.

 

  • Morning at leisure to soak up the last moments of paradise

Savor a final sunrise over the Indian Ocean, letting the gentle breeze and the scent of spices etch Zanzibar into your memory. As you bid farewell to this enchanting island, you carry with you the warmth of its people, the fl avors of its cuisine, and the magic of its shores—ready for your next adventure.

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Package Includes

Package Excludes

FAQ

Accommodations include:

  • Nairobi: Tamarind Tree Hotel
  • Aberdare National Park Area: Aberdare Country Club (2 nights)
  • Lake Nakuru National Park: Lake Nakuru Lodge
  • Lake Naivasha: Lake Naivasha Country Club
  • Maasai Mara National Reserve: Keekorok Lodge
  • Lake Victoria (Tanzania): Serenity on the Lake
  • Serengeti National Park: Serengeti Serena Lodge (2 nights)
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Acacia Farm Lodge
  • Lake Manyara: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
  • Tarangire National Park: Tarangire Sopa Lodge
  • Zanzibar: Blue Bay Beach Resort Zanzibar (2 nights)

Most meals are included throughout the tour:

  • Day 1: Dinner
  • Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Day 15: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 16: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Day 17: Breakfast

Included unique experiences are:

  • A welcome dinner at the iconic Carnivore restaurant in Nairobi.
  • A “Be My Guest” experience at a historic home in the Kenyan highlands, including a regional supper and coffee/tea tasting at Kiburi Plantation.
  • Game drives in Aberdare National Park , Solio Game Reserve , Lake Nakuru National Park , Maasai Mara National Reserve , Serengeti National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , Lake Manyara National Park , and Tarangire National Park.
  • A visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, East Africa’s largest black rhino sanctuary, to learn about conservation efforts (in the 9-day itinerary).
  • A cultural excursion to an authentic Maasai village, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supporting sustainable communities.
  • A picnic lunch in the bush during the Maasai Mara safari.
  • A tranquil boat ride on Lake Naivasha to spot hippos, followed by a guided walk on Crescent Island among zebra, impala, and giraffe.
  • A walking tour of UNESCO-listed Stone Town in Zanzibar with a local specialist, exploring its winding alleys, ornate doors, and historic sites.
  • A cultural tour to a local spice farm (shamba) in Zanzibar to taste, touch, and smell various herbs and spices.
 

Yes, the tour includes a Local Expert guide for several destinations, ensuring a rich and informed travel experience.

The safari portions of the trip in Kenya and Tanzania utilize 4×4 safari vehicles. You may experience bumpy rides due to varying roads and terrains, which is part of the experience.

This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking a comprehensive East African safari experience, combining the wildlife and cultural highlights of both Kenya and Tanzania. It’s suited for those interested in extensive game drives to spot the Big 5, cultural interactions with local communities like the Maasai, and experiencing diverse landscapes from lush highlands to vast savannahs and serene lakes. The trip also offers relaxation on the beaches of Zanzibar.

Yes, optional activities include:

  • Aberdare: Mountain biking, horseback riding, game drives, or sunset safari.
  • Samburu National Reserve: Guided nature walk ($30 per person) , The Sundowner Experience ($60 per adult/child, weather dependent) , Samburu Bush BBQ ($55 per adult/child, minimum 4 guests, weather dependent).
  • Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Ol Pejeta Guided Bush Walk , Ol Pejeta Lion Tracking with conservation experts ($90 per adult/child).
  • Maasai Mara: Bush picnic banquet with Maasai entertainment , Bush Dinner with Maasai Entertainment ($90 per adult/child).
  • Zanzibar: Full-day traditional dhow cruise with snorkeling, sandbank swims, and a Zanzibar seafood lunch ($240 per adult/child).
 

On Day 17, you will have a leisurely morning in Zanzibar before being transferred to Zanzibar Airport for your onward journey.

 

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Sharon Wangari- Regional Planner Kenya

With her deep roots and broad experience across Kenya, Sharon curates rich, native group travel experiences that connect visitors to the country’s vibrant traditions, natural beauty, and welcoming communities.