Serengeti Trail - 8 Days

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Nairobi. If you arrive early, you can head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village. Tonight, why not ask your leader for local dinner recommendations and head out to get to know your fellow travellers.

Today, you'll board your overland vehicle bound for Amboseli National Park. The park covers an area of about 392 square kilometres and is home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya, many of which are ‘big tuskers’ (elephants with large tusks). You may even spot a ‘super tusker’ – a male bull elephant with tusks that weigh over 45 kg each, usually so long they scrape the ground. If you're lucky to visit on a clear day, you'll be treated to amazing views of Mt Kilimanjaro. When you arrive, you'll set off on a game drive in your overland vehicle to explore the park and discover the wildlife that calls this place home.

This morning, you'll travel toward the Kenya-Tanzania border, heading to Mto wa Mbu, a charming village that offers a glimpse into small-town African life. In the afternoon, join the local community for a guided walk around the village, visiting farms, milling machines, and homes. You'll finish the day with a traditional dinner, experiencing local hospitality before settling in at your campsite in Mto wa Mbu.

Wake up early, load your camping gear and personal belongings into a six-person jeep and head out to the Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy a safari in the crater, spending 3 to 4 hours exploring this incredible, perfectly intact volcanic caldera. Keep an eye out for black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round (around 30,000 animals live here), and the photo opportunities are unrivalled. Next, continue to the wide-open plains of the Serengeti. Green after the rains and brown and burnt during the dry season, this is perhaps the quintessential image of Africa – home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators. Spend time in search of the Serengeti's abundant wildlife before continuing to your campsite within the national park. As night falls, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep.

Awake at dawn and embark on a game drive. You will head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch at around 11 am. After spending the middle of the day relaxing, just like the animals do, head out again as the day begins to cool. You'll return from this second game drive in time for dinner. There's also the option of a balloon safari over the Serengeti. If you have booked this activity, you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site. After a safety briefing, take off and glide through the dawn sky, sometimes at tree height, getting some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you'll ascend higher, giving you an overview of the vastness of the plains. After landing, celebrate with a glass of champagne before tucking into a special bush breakfast.

Enjoy a leisurely morning 4WD safari and picnic lunch on your way out of Serengeti National Park today. Soak up final views of this incredible spot before making the long drive to the town of Karatu – your base for the next two nights.

Kick off the day with an included visit to a local coffee farm, a hands‑on experience hosted at the farmer’s home. Pick a few ripe berries straight from the trees, see how the husk comes off, then roast, pound and grind the beans the traditional way, before enjoying a cup with your host.

Set off early this morning at around 7.30 am to begin your final journey of the trip. Your first stop will be in Arusha, where you'll have the option to end your trip. If it’s more convenient for you, there is the option to travel back to Nairobi, too. Your adventure comes to an end in Nairobi. You'll be dropped at a centrally located hotel, however, no accommodation will be provided tonight. If you want to extend your stay in Nairobi, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.