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Summary

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Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari

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Duration

10 Days

Starts In

Nairobi

Route

Karatu, Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Elementaita , Amboseli National Park, Tarangire National Park

This classic 10-day overland safari links Kenya's iconic Masai Mara with Tanzania's legendary northern circuit, traveling in comfort aboard shared 4x4 safari vehicles with guaranteed window seats throughout. Track the Big Five across the Mara's endless plains, spot flamingos and rhino at Lake Nakuru and Lake Elementaita, and watch elephant herds move against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, with an optional sunrise hot air balloon safari along the way. Crossing into Tanzania, the journey continues through Tarangire's baobab-studded plains before descending into the volcanic amphitheater of the Ngorongoro Crater, home to over 30,000 animals. With expert bilingual driver-guides, full-board accommodation throughout, and a collection of stylish tented camps and lodges, this seat-in-vehicle safari delivers an effortlessly organized journey through two of Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations.

PRIVATE SAFARI - 10 Days / 9 Nights featuring Kenya and Tanzania. Includes private arrival & departure transfers, accommodations in Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Elementaita, Amboseli National Park, Tarangire National Park and Karatu, and game drives sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary. This itinerary is fully flexible and can be amended to suit your interests.

Includes

Accommodations as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary; breakfast (B), lunch (L), dinner (D)
Driver/Guide: Private as per itinerary
Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance
Private arrival and departure transfers as per itinerary
National Park Entrance Fees
Game Drives: As Per Itinerary

Excludes

Items of a personal nature
All other items not mentioned as included
Domestic flights; please inquire with your Keytours travel consultant
Travel insurance; please inquire with your Keytours travel consultant
Gratuities for drivers, guides, and escorts

Itinerary

Day
1

Day 1: Karibu Kenya — Touching Down in Nairobi

Your journey begins with a private transfer to the Hilton Garden Inn Airport Hotel, ideally located near the international airport just 15 km from Nairobi's city center. With the afternoon at leisure, settle in and shake off travel fatigue, or consider an optional excursion for early arrivals — the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Elephant Orphanage, an Out of Africa-themed outing, or the Nai Nami Cultural Walking Tour all offer a gentle introduction to Kenya. Modern, stylish, and equipped with a pool, fitness center, and complimentary WiFi, the Hilton Garden Inn makes for a relaxed first night before the safari proper begins tomorrow.

Day
2

Day 2: Into the Rift — Nairobi to the Masai Mara

Breakfast is followed by a scenic drive through Kenya's fertile highlands and down the dramatic rift escarpment, along a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Pass a charming chapel at the escarpment's foot and the striking Longonot earth satellite station before crossing the valley to Narok and on through fields of wheat and barley, arriving in the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Your first game drive follows immediately after, tracking the reserve's abundant wildlife as the light softens toward sunset. Tonight's stay is at Sentrim Mara Camp, its 31 tents spread beneath acacia trees with private balconies overlooking the hills.

Day
3

Day 3: Mara Magic — Game Drives and Maasai Culture

An optional sunrise hot air balloon safari offers early risers a silent, aerial view over the plains, descending to treetop level to observe wildlife from above before a celebratory bush breakfast (offered at additional cost). For everyone else, an early breakfast precedes a morning game drive through the Mara's golden grassland, returning to camp mid-morning. After lunch and perhaps a siesta, a second game drive pairs with a visit to a local Maasai village, offering genuine cultural insight before returning to camp as the sun dips below the horizon. Overnight at Sentrim Mara Camp.

Day
4

Day 4: Breadbasket to Birdland — Masai Mara to Lake Elementaita

Leaving the Mara behind, the journey crosses Kenya's agricultural heartland through Narok before descending onto the Rift Valley floor, arriving at your lodge on the shores of Lake Elementaita around midday. After lunch, a game drive through nearby Lake Nakuru National Park reveals the park's famous birdlife — flamingos among them — alongside thriving populations of black and white rhino and the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Returning to the lodge as the sun sets, tonight's stay is at Sentrim Elementaita Lodge, a haven for bird lovers set on the shores of one of the world's great ornithological spectacles.

Day
5

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Calling — Elementaita to Amboseli

An early start brings a stop at Lake Naivasha for a scenic boat ride before the journey turns south, leaving the Rift Valley behind. Passing through Nairobi for an early lunch, the road continues toward Amboseli, arriving at your camp by late afternoon. Famous above all for its unobstructed views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, Amboseli is home to some of the continent's largest elephant herds alongside lion, cheetah, and giraffe across its swamps, savannah, and acacia woodland. Tonight's stay is at Sentrim Amboseli Camp, its deluxe ensuite tents set near Kimana Gate with fantastic views of Kilimanjaro.

Day
6

Day 6: Giants of Amboseli — A Full Day of Game Drives

Today is dedicated entirely to Amboseli's extraordinary wildlife, with a full day game drive revealing the park's famous elephant herds against the ever-present backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. A picnic lunch is enjoyed out in the park before returning to the lodge by 1600 hrs, leaving time to unwind in your room or lounge, or take a quick dip in the pool before dinner. Beyond elephants, keep an eye out for lion, cheetah, zebra, and the more than 400 bird species recorded within the park's boundaries, with Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak rarely far from view when the clouds allow.

Day
7

Day 7: Crossing Borders — Amboseli to Tarangire

A final glimpse of Kilimanjaro accompanies your departure from Amboseli as the road leads to the Namanga border, where farewells are exchanged with your Kenyan guide before a Tanzanian driver takes over for the onward journey. Lunch is taken in Arusha, gateway to Tanzania's northern safari circuit, before continuing to Tarangire National Park, arriving at your tented lodge in the late afternoon for time at leisure. Named for the river running through its heart, Tarangire is known for its immense elephant herds, ancient baobab trees, and sweeping views across the Maasai Steppe. Dinner and overnight await at Tarangire Simba Lodge.

Day
8

Day 8: Baobab Country to Karatu — Tarangire's Farewell

A morning game drive through Tarangire's elephant-rich plains precedes lunch back at the lodge before departure. The route winds through surrounding bushland, passing small Maasai villages and farms on a well-maintained unpaved road, before reaching Makuyuni and joining the paved road toward Lake Manyara, the Great Rift Valley, and on to Karatu town. Known for its proximity to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and its lively local market, Karatu offers a small-town, rural Tanzanian pace after days on safari. Tonight's stay is at Karatu Simba Lodge, nestled against the lush Ngorongoro Forest Reserve, with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day
9

Day 9: Into the Crater — A Day Among 30,000 Animals

An early departure carries you into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, climbing the crater's back wall to the rim before descending to the floor of one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife arenas. Within just 102 square miles, more than 30,000 resident mammals create exceptional odds of spotting all of the Big Five in a single day. A picnic lunch is enjoyed at a scenic spot on the crater floor before the afternoon return to the rim, and back to Karatu Simba Lodge for dinner and overnight. Few wildlife experiences anywhere in the world match the sheer density and drama of a full day spent within this ancient volcanic caldera.

Day
10

Day 10: Journey's End — Karatu to Arusha

Following breakfast, the journey retraces its route back to Arusha, arriving in the city for lunch. From there, a transfer to Kilimanjaro International or Arusha Airport brings this extraordinary 10-day overland safari to its close. From the Mara's golden plains to the Ngorongoro Crater's volcanic floor, this journey has delivered the very best of Kenya and Tanzania's safari country — the Big Five, Kilimanjaro's iconic silhouette, and some of the greatest wildlife density found anywhere on the continent — via a well-organized, seat-in-vehicle route built for comfort and ease from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari package?

The Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari package includes: - Accommodations as per itinerary - Meals as per itinerary (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - Private driver/guide throughout the tour - Keytours 24-hour emergency assistance - Private arrival and departure transfers - National Park entrance fees - Game drives as indicated in the itinerary Please note that items of a personal nature, domestic flights, travel insurance, and gratuities are not included.

How will I travel between the different destinations in this itinerary?

Travel between destinations in this itinerary will be conducted in shared 4x4 safari vehicles, ensuring guaranteed window seats throughout the journey. The tour covers significant wildlife areas, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tarangire National Parks, with scenic drives that provide opportunities to enjoy the landscapes and wildlife along the way. Private transfers are arranged for your arrival and departure.

Can I customize the Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari itinerary to suit my interests?

Yes, this package is fully flexible and can be amended to suit your interests. Keytours Vacations can assist you in customizing aspects of the itinerary, including accommodations, activities, and additional destinations. Whether you want to add extra nights or specific excursions, your travel consultant will work with you to create a personalized experience.

What types of accommodations can I expect during this tour?

During the Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari, you will stay in stylish tented camps and lodges, including Sentrim Mara Camp, Sentrim Elementaita Lodge, Sentrim Amboseli Camp, and Tarangire Simba Lodge. These accommodations are chosen for their comfort and proximity to wildlife, providing a unique safari experience while ensuring a restful stay.

Are there any optional activities available during the safari?

Yes, there are several optional activities available during the safari. For instance, you can choose to take a sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara, which offers a unique perspective of the wildlife and landscape. Additional excursions may also be available, depending on your interests and the specific locations visited. Your Keytours travel consultant can provide more details.

Is this itinerary suitable for families or first-time safari travelers?

Yes, this itinerary is suitable for families and first-time safari travelers. The Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari offers a well-rounded introduction to Kenya and Tanzania's wildlife, with comfortable accommodations and experienced guides. The itinerary includes a mix of game drives and cultural experiences, making it accessible and enjoyable for travelers of all ages.

What should I know about travel insurance and personal expenses for this tour?

Travel insurance is not included in the Classic East Africa Overland Private Safari package. It is highly recommended that travelers purchase travel insurance to cover any unexpected events. Additionally, personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional excursions not included in the itinerary, and gratuities for guides and drivers will be the responsibility of the traveler. Please consult with your Keytours travel consultant for more information on travel insurance options.

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