Classic East Africa - 13 Days

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. When you arrive at the airport today, you’ll be met by a representative and taken to your hotel. Your adventure then begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or join an Intrepid Day Trip where a local guide will show you the sights, then lead you to the perfect lunch spot.

This morning, drive to the famous Maasai Mara National Park – with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and the world's most iconic animals living within its boundaries, this is the quintessential African experience. When you arrive, you can choose to explore this diverse environment on an optional afternoon 4WD safari with expert local guides, looking out for the abundance of wildlife that call this park home.

This morning, you have the option to take part in a hot air balloon ride and bush breakfast, giving you a rare chance to see the Maasai Mara from a different perspective – above the open plains at sunrise. Today, you’ll venture into the Maasai Mara National Reserve with expert local guides for a full-day 4WD safari. You'll explore this diverse environment and will likely see heaps of wildlife – look out for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and hippos.

Leave the Maasai Mara today and travel to Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. One of the few freshwater lakes in the valley, Naivasha has floating islands of papyrus reeds and a border of flat-topped acacias. It's also home to a healthy population of hippos, giraffes, zebras, and buffalos, which graze along the shores, and a huge variety of birds. When you arrive, head out on a boat safari and see how many kinds of birds you can spot while floating along the still waters.

Board your private vehicle bound for Amboseli National Park. On the way, visit the Patinaai Osim project – supported by The Intrepid Foundation, this project supports Indigenous Maasai women in creating sustainable livelihoods and rising above poverty and inequality. Learn how this Community Care Organisation is committed to changing the narrative of girls and women in Indigenous communities and how they work to protect their fundamental human rights. The project also provides access to information and safe spaces for young girls.

Venture into the ‘Home of the African Elephant’ today. Crowned by Mt Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya's most picturesque parks, and you’ll spend the day on safari, with a break for lunch. With your expert guides, deep dive into the wildlife of Kenya's thriving natural world. Spot herds of elephants as you look out for the other wildlife that call this park home – lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and leopards. If you're lucky enough to visit on a clear day, the views of wildlife backdropped by Kili are nothing short of incredible, so don’t forget your camera! You may even spot a rare ‘super tusker’ – a male bull elephant with tusks weighing over 45 kg (100 lbs) each, usually so long they scrape the ground. Today, you also have the option to explore Amboseli from above. Venture out early on a hot air balloon safari as the sun rises, then enjoy a bush breakfast.

Today, you’ll head out on one final morning 4WD safari in Amboseli, then cross the border from Kenya into Tanzania and continue to Arusha. Enjoy the changing landscapes along the way before arriving at your hotel, where you’ll have some free time to explore and make use of the hotel facilities before settling in for the night.

This morning, head to Arusha National Park to hike in the foothills of Mount Meru – Tanzania’s second-highest peak and a colossal dormant volcano sitting at an altitude of 4566 m (15,000 ft). When you arrive, you’ll head to Kitoto viewpoint to start your hike. A perfect spot for wildlife spotting and exploring the diverse landscape, this hike offers the chance to experience the lower slopes of Tanzania’s mountains. From your starting point, trek through the Afromontane Forest and into the crater, looking out for warthogs, giraffes and zebras along the way. As you gain altitude, you’ll be surrounded by dense forest – the prime habitat for Kilimanjaro colobus monkeys and forest duiker (a pint-sized antelope). Follow the trail up to Meru Falls, the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic lunch before you head back down the slopes. After finishing your hike, head to Rhotia and enjoy a free evening.

Depart for the wide-open plains of the Serengeti today, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area along the way – explore by 4WD in the morning, then continue into Serengeti National Park. The never-ending Serengeti sees a huge contrast of colours during the year – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season. Its name comes from the local Maasai word ‘siringet’, meaning ‘the place where the land moves on forever.' As you make your way to your accommodation within the park, keep your eyes open for wildlife. Tonight, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift to sleep.

Spend a full day on a 4WD safari through the Serengeti’s vast plains, searching for the wildlife that makes this one of Africa’s most celebrated national parks. You can also opt for an early-morning balloon safari, gliding over the plains at sunrise before enjoying a special bush breakfast.

Enjoy a final morning 4WD safari before leaving the Serengeti and travelling towards Karatu. This evening, you might like to take a guided village walk and have a local dinner for a glimpse into everyday small-town life in Tanzania.

This morning, you’ll head to Arusha to join the ‘Mamas’ – skilled local cooks who will host your hands-on Tanzanian cooking experience. Learn how to prepare regional dishes, pick up a few simple Swahili phrases and hear about local life as you cook and eat together. Tonight, gather with your group for a farewell dinner.

There are no activities planned after breakfast, so you are free to leave your accommodation at any time. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of Arusha and its surrounds, just speak to your booking agent.