EAST AFRICA: MAY-DEC – BIG CATS & MORE – 14 DAYS

Overview

This 14-day, 13-night Kenya and Tanzania safari adventure highlights the Big Cats — lions, leopards, and cheetahs — alongside incredibly diverse safari wildlife across six stunning parks and reserves. Your journey blends Kenya’s diverse landscapes with Tanzania’s legendary plains, timed to align with peak wildlife viewing opportunities, most likely the Great Migration in the Northern Serengeti/Maasai Mara region during July, August, and September.

Each day features thrilling game drives (and optional activities like hot-air balloon rides or cultural visits), insightful conservation stops, and warm hospitality. There are four internal flights to minimize road time and maximize your safari experience. You’ll stay in a curated selection of classic lodges, luxury tented camps, and intimate bush properties, all offering full-board meals (unless otherwise noted) with excellent cuisine and service.

The itinerary begins on a Sunday with your international arrival into Nairobi, Kenya, and concludes on a Saturday with your departure from Nairobi — perfectly aligned with typical long-haul flight schedules.

Dates

Departure Years	Departures 2027, Departures 2028
Departure Dates	Apr 30-May 13, May 2-May 15, May 28-Jun 10, May 30-Jun 12, Jun 25 – Jul 8, Jun 27 – Jul 10, Jul 23 – Aug 5, Jul 25 – Aug 7, Aug 20 – Sep 2, Aug 22 – Sep 4, Sep 17 – Sep 30, Sep 19 – Oct 2, Oct 15-Oct 28, Oct 17-Oct 30, Nov 12-Nov 25, Nov 14-Nov 27

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital City
	Nairobi, a warm welcome awaits. A dedicated Kalama Safaris representative will be there to greet you personally, assist with any formalities, and smoothly transfer you to the Hemingways Nairobi or Nairobi Serena Hotel. This first evening is yours to settle in, unwind from your journey, and begin soaking up the energy of Kenya’s vibrant capital.
Days 2-3	Drive to Amboseli National Park
	After breakfast, enjoy a scenic 4-hour drive south from Nairobi to Amboseli National Park. As the vast plains open before you, the majestic snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rises dramatically on the horizon — one of Africa’s most iconic and breathtaking views. Famous for its large elephant herds, Amboseli offers superb game viewing across its swamps and open savannah. You’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and over 400 species of birds, making it a photographer’s paradise. You will spend two nights at the charming Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, located inside the park. With its excellent location, warm hospitality, and comfortable rooms overlooking the plains, it provides the perfect base for immersive wildlife experiences with Kilimanjaro as your constant backdrop.
Day 4	Drive Across the Border to Arusha – Fly to the Lake Ndutu Region
	After a hearty breakfast, you’ll depart for the Kenya-Tanzania border. The scenic drive to Arusha takes approximately 4–5 hours, including border formalities. As you travel, the landscape transforms beautifully from the open Kenyan plains into the lush, rolling hills and coffee plantations of northern Tanzania. You’ll enjoy lunch in Arusha before flying to Ndutu Luxury Lodge for a two-night stay in this exclusive, intimate camp, ideally located in the heart of the Southern Serengeti. After settling in, head out for an exciting afternoon game drive in search of Big Cats, followed by dinner at the lodge.
Day 5	Experience Off-Road Game Drives in Ndutu
	The Ndutu area sits in the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti, close to Lake Ndutu. It remains one of the best places to see big cats — lions, leopards, and cheetahs — throughout the year. Even outside the calving season, the short-grass plains and open landscapes offer excellent visibility and strong resident predator populations. Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are frequently encountered, often with fewer vehicles than in busier parts of the Serengeti, creating more intimate and rewarding sightings. Ndutu is also home to smaller wild cats such as servals and caracals, which add further excitement to the cat-watching experience. With skilled local guides who know the area intimately, you’ll follow fresh tracks, prey alarm calls, and other signs to maximize your chances of remarkable encounters.
Days 6-7	Drive to Northern Serengeti
	Start your day with an exciting morning game drive in the Ndutu area, one of the best regions for close predator encounters and abundant wildlife. After the game drive, you will collect a delicious picnic box lunch and begin your scenic drive north through the Serengeti ecosystem toward the Northern Serengeti. This full-day journey allows you to enjoy your lunch in the wild while soaking in the ever-changing landscapes and possible wildlife sightings along the way. You will arrive in the afternoon at the beautiful Kuria Hills Lodge or Sayari Camp, your home for the next two nights. Located in the heart of the Northern Serengeti, the lodge offers excellent access to the famous Mara River region and superb game viewing.
Days 8-9	Flight to the Maasai Mara National Reserve
	After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This scenic flight takes you across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, offering beautiful aerial views of the vast savannah and the winding Mara River. Upon arrival at the Mara airstrip, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to Ilkeliani Camp or Sarova Mara Camp. Both lodges offer excellent locations with superb game viewing opportunities to see Big Cats. This afternoon you can enjoy your first game drive in the Maasai Mara, famous for its abundant wildlife, iconic savannah landscapes, and spotting the Big Cats. You will spend the next two nights in the Maasai Mara, immersed in one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations.
Days 10-11	Fly to North Samburu National Reserve
	After breakfast, you take a local flight north to Samburu National Reserve. Located along the scenic Ewaso Nyiro River, Samburu offers a completely different landscape and wildlife experience. In addition to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo), this arid wonderland is famous for its Samburu Special Five: the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and the long-necked gerenuk. You will spend two nights at either Soroi Larsens Camp or Elephant Bedroom Camp, both excellent luxury tented camps perfectly positioned for immersive wildlife experiences. Over the two days, you will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives along the river, with the dramatic red-earth landscapes and unique wildlife making Samburu one of Kenya’s most special reserves for the Big Cats.
Days 12-13	Drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
	After breakfast, you depart for a scenic 3-hour drive to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of Kenya’s leading private wildlife conservancies. Ol Pejeta is renowned for its outstanding conservation efforts and exceptional game viewing. It is home to all of the Big Five, including East Africa’s largest population of black rhinos and a significant number of white rhinos. The conservancy is also famous for housing the last two remaining northern white rhinos in the world. In addition to superb Big Five and Big Cats sightings, you will have the opportunity to visit the chimpanzee sanctuary and enjoy thrilling game drives across the conservancy’s diverse landscapes. You will spend two nights at the comfortable Sweetwaters Serena Camp, a classic tented camp beautifully positioned beside a busy waterhole, offering excellent wildlife viewing directly from your tent.
Day 14	Drive to Nairobi for International Flight
	After a final early morning game drive (weather and flight schedule permitting), you will depart for Nairobi. On arrival, you will be transferred to your day room at either the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi or the Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi near the airport. These comfortable day rooms provide a relaxing space to freshen up, rest, and use the hotel facilities before your international departure.

Cost

NOTE: The number of tour days does not include your international travel days to and from Africa.

Per Traveler
2027
May-June, Oct-Nov	$20,300
Jul – Sep	$24,000
2028
May-June, Oct-Nov	$22,837
Jul – Sep	$27,000

Adult 18+ Double Occupancy
Single traveler at the same price as double occupancy – no supplements
Youth 75% Per Youth Age 13-17 Double/Triple Occupancy with at least one adult
Child 50% Per Child Age 4-12 Double/Triple Occupancy with at least one adult
Infant/Toddler No Cost – Do not include as a paid traveler.

Discounts

Groups of 4-6	$100 per traveler
Groups of 7-12	$150 per traveler
Groups of 13-18	$200 per traveler

Deposit & Balance

20% Deposit to secure booking – Per person cost for each traveler
Balance due 90 days prior to start date – Invoice for balance due will include deductions for youth, children, and group discounts.

Inclusions

All accommodations and meals
All transfers
All gratuities for porters and servers/hotel staff
Minimum gratuities for drivers and guides
Local flights (4)
All game park entrance and applicable concession fees (6 Parks)
Excursions in itinerary
Water included with meals and in safari vehicles.

Exclusions

International airfare to and from Nairobi, Kenya
Gratuities – housekeeping
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari (about $500 per person)
Excess baggage fee
Laundry services
ETA or Visa Fee for entrance into Kenya and Tanzania
Alcoholic beverages and other drinks (soft drinks and water) from the bar
Personal expenses such as travel insurance
Communication charges that include emails and phone calls

Cancellations

▪ Cancellation 90 or more days before start date (100% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 89-60 days before start date (75% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 59-30 days before start date (35% refund of price less a $300 administrative fee per person)

▪ Cancellation 29-0 days before start date (0% refund of price per person)

We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance!

Insurance

Travel worry-free with travel insurance from trusted insurers. Compare and buy online with safe and secure checkout and instant confirmation of coverage at www.travelinsurance.com.

Consider the following:

Trip Cancellation
Trip Interruption
Medical Evacuation
Medical Protection
Baggage Loss
Flight Accident
Accidental Death

Review the terms and conditions before deciding whether to purchase travel insurance. At a minimum, consider trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical evacuation, and medical protection.

Extension

Pre-Tour: Gorillas & More 4 Days 3 Nights

This intimate 4-day, 3-night primate safari in Rwanda is built around unforgettable encounters with the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. Blending world-class wildlife experiences with authentic cultural immersion, the journey also includes a gentle introduction to Kigali and meaningful visits with local communities.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the safari features guided gorilla treks and immersive village experiences, all supported by luxury accommodations and full-board dining throughout.

This adventure begins in Kigali, Rwanda, four days prior to the official start of your Kalama Safari tour. After enjoying these memorable opening days in Rwanda, you will take a short regional flight to either Nairobi, Kenya or Arusha, Tanzania, where your main safari adventure seamlessly begins.

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