| Day 1 |
Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya’s Capital City |
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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 |
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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. |
| Days 4-5 |
Drive Across the Border to Arusha – Drive to Tarangire National Park |
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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 driving to Nimali Tarangire in Tarangire National Park for a two-night stay in this exclusive, intimate camp. After settling in, head out for an exciting afternoon game drive in search of birds and other safari wildlife, followed by dinner at the lodge.
Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania is a hidden gem renowned for its massive concentrations of African elephants, often seen in herds of hundreds gathering along the Tarangire River and swamps during the dry season. The park’s ancient baobab-dotted savannah, acacia woodlands, and seasonal wetlands support impressive numbers of buffalo, lions (including occasional tree-climbers), giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and various antelopes, as well as rare African wild dogs. Birdlife is outstanding, with over 500 species recorded, including vibrant yellow-collared lovebirds, ashy starlings, rufous-tailed weavers, lilac-breasted rollers, hornbills, and large flocks of waterbirds around the wetlands. |
| Days 6-8 |
Visit Lake Manyara National Park and Drive to the Lake Ndutu Region |
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After breakfast, enjoy a short, scenic drive to Lake Manyara National Park, which lies at the foot of the dramatic Great Rift Valley escarpment in northern Tanzania. This wonderfully diverse and compact park offers a fantastic safari experience. Fed by mineral-rich springs, the shallow alkaline Lake Manyara attracts huge flocks of flamingos and hundreds of other bird species (over 400 recorded). The varied habitats of groundwater forest and acacia are home to a rich array of spectacular wildlife, including large herds of elephants, troops of blue monkeys, and baboons — along with the park’s famous tree-climbing lions.
Afterward, have a delicious farm-to-table lunch at Gibb’s Farm, a true haven for bird lovers. The lovingly tended gardens, coffee plantations, and forest trails attract a rich variety of birdlife, with over 200 species recorded on the property alone. After a relaxing lunch amid the sound of songbirds, you’ll take a 1–2 hour drive to the Ndutu region in the southern Serengeti, a rewarding destination with over 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Seasonal wetlands and the soda lake attract large numbers of waterbirds, including flamingos, pelicans, storks, and various ducks, while the surrounding acacia savannah and woodlands host an impressive variety of raptors, rollers, bee-eaters, and many more species. There will be an off-road late afternoon game drive, dinner, and a two-night stay at Ndutu Luxury Camp. Off-road game drives and birdwatching here is a delightful complement to the thrilling big cat sightings you’ll experience during your stay. From February to early April, the migration of wildebeests are calving in this area. |
| Days 9-11 |
Drive to Northern Serengeti |
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Start your day with a savory breakfast, collect a delicious picnic lunch, and begin your scenic drive north through the Serengeti ecosystem toward the Northern Serengeti. This full-day journey allows you to enjoy 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 either the beautiful Kuria Hills Lodge or Sayari Camp, your home for the next three nights. Perfectly positioned in the heart of the Northern Serengeti, these lodges offer excellent access to the famous Mara River region and superb birding and game viewing.
The scenic hills, golden grasslands, and riverine woodlands near Kuria Hills Lodge and Sayari Camp offer superb birdwatching in the heart of the Northern Serengeti. This beautiful corner of Tanzania combines open savannah with rocky outcrops and lush vegetation along the Mara River, creating ideal conditions for a wonderful variety of resident and seasonal birds.
Guests staying here can enjoy spotting striking species such as the bold vulturine guineafowl marching in lively groups, graceful grey crowned cranes dancing in the meadows, and the dazzling lilac-breasted roller flashing its brilliant colors during flight displays. You’ll also frequently see the shimmering superb starlings, various hornbills, bee-eaters, and impressive raptors like the bateleur and martial eagle soaring overhead. The mix of habitats makes every game drive or short walk rewarding, especially during the great wildebeest migration from July to October, when the herds move through the Northern Serengeti. This period brings heightened bird activity as the massive numbers of wildebeest, zebras, and predators attract even more scavengers and insectivores to the area. |
| Days 12-13 |
Flight to the Maasai Mara National Reserve |
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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 birding and game viewing. 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.
Over 500 bird species have been recorded across its vast open plains, acacia woodlands, and riverine habitats of the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Mara is particularly famous for its spectacular raptors, including soaring martial eagles, bateleurs, and African fish eagles, as well as large gatherings of vultures around predator kills. Guests frequently admire the statuesque Secretarybird striding through the grasslands, colorful bee-eaters, and hornbills. During the wildebeest migration from July to October, bird activity surges with increased numbers of storks, egrets, and insect-eating species following the herds. This rich avian diversity adds an extra layer of excitement to every game drive, making the Maasai Mara a favorite destination for both serious birders and general wildlife enthusiasts. |
| Days 14 |
Fly from Maasai Mara to Nairobi for International Flight Home |
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After a final early morning game drive (weather and flight schedule permitting), you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi. You will arrive in Nairobi and 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. |
