Masai men under Acacia trees | Kenya
FROM: USD $3,265 pp

Go wild on this game viewing overland adventure through the best of East Africa's reserves. From Kenya's Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara to the vast plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania and then relax on the idyllic island of Zanzibar.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Campsites
COVID SAFE GUIDE
Reviews

Trip Highlights

Nairobi - begin your African safari adventure in the lively Kenyan capital city and head out to explore as you please
Ngorongoro Crater - Spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and camp on the rim of the spectacular crater
Zanzibar - relax on the sandy beaches, explore Stone Town, opt to visit a spice plantation or enjoy a relaxing sunset dhow cruise
Musoma - spend a night in the charming fishing town and camp on the shore of one of the African Great Lakes - Victoria
Serengeti National Park - explore one of Africa's most wildlife-rich game reserves and camp out in the wilderness, surrounded by the sounds of the animals
Masai Mara - see the traditional Masai people and game drive through one of Africa's most famous reserves in search of the iconic Big Five
Lake Nakuru National Park - spot rare black and white rhinos on a game drive through the small reserve, which is a sanctuary for the species
Dar es Salaam - camp on the beach and finish your holiday in the coastal Tanzanian city

Included

11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners
3 night Zanzibar Excursion including ferry transfer, accommodation, Spice Tour and Dhow Sunset Cruise
Park entry and game drives - Nakuru NP, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro NP and Serengeti NP
Services of 3 person crew (leader, driver, cook)
All road taxes and tolls
1st night dormitory accommodation at Kenya Comfort Hotel, 11 nights camping. Tents and sleeping mats provided
Arrival transfer from Nairobi Airport
A fully equipped overland truck for transportation and game drives
All camping fees and appropriate equipment

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Local Payment: $1620pp, paid in USD
Sleeping bag - please bring your own
Optional activities

Itinerary

Day 1

Nairobi

Monday. Welcome to Nairobi! We’ll be there to collect you at Nairobi Airport and transfer you to the Kenya Comfort Hotel. Tonight you will stay in shared dorms. There will be a pre departure meeting at 17.00.
Overnight: Nairobi

Day 2

Masai Mara

Nairobi - Masai Mara. After breakfast we continue on to the Masai Mara National Reserve. We enter Masai land where these habitual pastoralists are often seen tending their cattle from the side of the road. We pass through the town of Narok, and continue our drive possibly getting a glimpse of some wildlife along the way. The main section of road between Nairobi and the Reserve is in a very poor state, so be prepared for a rough ride! We arrive at our campsite, Acacia Camp in the evening. Acacia Camp looks on to the Meguarra hills and the stream that meanders by on the bottom end forms a natural border to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The Reserve remains unfenced, allowing wildlife to roam freely across into the surrounding area and if they choose – through our own camp! No need to be afraid, as the local ‘Askari’ will keep a look out for any unwanted predators.
Overnight: Masai Mara  |  Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Masai Mara

Masai Mara. We depart shortly after sunrise on our game drive into the Masai Mara Reserve. The Masai Mara is well known as one of East Africa’s best National Reserves and is home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Most famous for the Annual Migration, that consists of the impressive herds of over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle that cross over from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania; the Masai Mara is most popular between July and October when these vast herds feast on the fresh grazing here. Following these herbivores are Africa’s predators that are often seen at a kill during this period. We game drive through a section of the park in search of the ‘Big 5’- elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion & leopard; along with the many other species of animals, reptiles and birds who make call this wilderness home.

After our game drive, we have the option to visit one of the nearby Masai Manyatta’s – this is a traditional hamlet where the Masai still live in their traditional way. This evening we sit around the camp fire, and watch the sun set over this “Garden of Eden”.
Overnight: Masai Mara  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Lake Nakuru

Masai Mara - Lake Nakuru. After breakfast we make our way to Nakuru - Kenya’s 4th largest town and capital of the Rift Valley Province and lies adjacent to the small but wildlife rich Lake Nakuru National Park.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Lake Nakuru

Lake Nakuru NP. This morning we begin our exploration of the Lake Nakuru National Park. The park was established as a sanctuary for black and white rhino, which are often seen. We spend the day searching for these pre-historic looking beasts as well as the elusive leopard, encountering buffalo, giraffe, various antelope and the occasional hippo along the way. After our game drive, we head back to camp arriving in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Kisii & the Gusii Highlands

Lake Nakuru - Kisii/Kericho Area. After breakfast we leave the Masai Mara and head to Kisii/Kericho passing through the picturesque tea plantations along the way. These towns are the main commercial centres in the Gusii Highlands, where cash crops like tea and coffee thrive because of its equatorial climate. We replenish our stocks before heading for Tanzania tomorrow.
Overnight: Kisii/Kericho Area  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Musoma

Kisii/Kericho - Musoma. We depart Kenya and head south into Tanzania. After border formalities, our drive takes us through the scenic granite landscapes adjacent to Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria. We spend the night at a campsite on the banks of Lake Victoria in the fishing town of Musoma.
Overnight: Musoma  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Serengeti National Park

Musoma - Serengeti. Today we head to the Serengeti National Park, entering the park after lunch. The Serengeti (Masai for “endless plains”) is famous for its enormous concentration of game (especially the big cats) and for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles. The abundance of plains game in this area is truly astounding. We enter the park through the lesser travelled western corridor and game drive en-route to our campsite in the centre of the park. Tonight we bush camp (no ablutions) in the wild surrounded by the sounds of the African bushveld, pierced only by the calls of the nocturnal wildlife.
Overnight: Serengeti National Park  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Ngorongoro Crater

Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater. After an early start we pack up our camp and continue our game drive through the Serengeti National Park in search of the resident wildlife and head to the southern part of the park where we have the chance to see the endless plains this park is renowned for. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! We cross from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation area at lunch time and begin our climb up the steep Crater edge. Tonight’s camp (basic ablutions) on the crater rim sharply contrasts the warmer plains below - we suggest you bring your winter woollies as it can get very cold at night.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Crater  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Arusha

Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha. The Ngorongoro Crater with its 600 m high walls and 20 km width is a natural marvel. The Crater’s rim offers spectacular views, but the true scale of this caldera is only appreciated from the floor itself where the abundance of its animal inhabitants becomes apparent. It is home to nearly every species of African animal and offers a chance to view an incredible concentration of East African mammals, such as elephant, rhino, buffalo, hippo, lion and plain’s game. After spending the morning game driving in The Crater we continue to our campsite outside Arusha where we spend the evening musing over our thrilling wildlife experience.
Overnight: Arusha  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Pangani

Arusha - Pangani. This morning we continue our journey towards Dar es Salaam. On the way we drive through the town of Moshi situated at the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain. Moshi is the base for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions, and weather permitting; we may even catch a glimpse of this magical mountain’s snowy summit - a photo opportunity not to be missed! We pass through vast sisal plantations surrounded by The Usambara and Pare Mountain ranges, before reaching our lovely campsite nestled between these mountains, midway between Arusha and Dar es Salaam.
Overnight: Pangani  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Dar es Salaam

Pangani - Dar es Salaam. Today we continue on to Dar es Salaam. Travelling through lush scenery and palm trees, we near the warm Indian Ocean. Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam we make our way to our lovely seaside campsite and prepare for our departure to Zanzibar the next morning.
Overnight: Dar es Salaam  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 13-15

Zanzibar

Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar. A ferry from Dar Es Salaam takes us to ‘Spice Island’, where we have the option to spend the next three nights.* Zanzibar is steeped in history and offers a wealth of experiences. Wander the streets of Stone Town, take an excursion around a spice plantation or simply laze on one of the pristine white sandy beaches, the choice is yours!
Overnight: Zanzibar  |  Breakfast x 1

Day 16

Dar es Salaam

Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Leaving Zanzibar in the afternoon, we return to the mainland. Arrival back to camp is usually in the late afternoon, or early evening, when our adventure comes to an end.

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 6 persons. Prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a tent. Solo travellers will be matched up and share a tent with another solo traveller of the same gender.

Local payment - $1620pp, paid in USD

Please note that this is payable locally on day 1 of your trip in the currency specified.

New Year's departure, book early!
New Year's Departure
Available
Contact us to book
Not Available
2022
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $3,825
N/A
USD $3,825
N/A
USD $3,825
N/A
USD $3,605
N/A
USD $3,605
N/A
USD $3,605
N/A
26 Dec - 10 Jan New Year's departure, book early!
New Year's departure, book early!
USD $3,825
N/A
2023
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $3,265
N/A
USD $3,605
N/A

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

Kenya Comfort Hotel, Nairobi

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 3 Star Hotel

Comfortable dormitory accommodation in central Nairobi (upgrades available on request). The Kenya Comfort Hotel also features an outdoor pool, restaurant serving a good array of local and international dishes as well as a fully stocked bar - perfect for relaxing before or after your epic overland adventure.

Kipepeo Village , Dar es Salaam

Our Category: Simple   |   Regional Category: Campsite

The Tanzanian bush meets the blue waters of the Indian Ocean at Kipepeo Beach & Village, situated on the south coast of Dar Es Salaam. The campsite is right on the beach itself and is a popular destination for watersports adventures or simple relaxation. Facilities include a beach bar and restaurant.Upgrades are available to the twenty elevated ensuite chalets, built in the bush and decorated in traditional Swahili style, provide a stunning ocean views.

Reviews

Travellers have rated this tour as 4.75 out of 5 based on 4 recent reviews

Amazing adventure through Africa, saw plenty of wildlife. Tour leader, driver and cook all worked well. Food a plenty and very good. Leah (tour leader) very knowledgable and approachable.

• Submitted 20 Sep 2017
Tour
Guide
Country

Linda was fantastic, very knowledgeable, caring and helpful.

• Submitted 13 Jul 2015
Tour
Guide
Country

Godfrey was fantastic! He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. He was a great guide and we enjoyed his stories.

• Submitted 28 Jan 2015
Tour
Guide
Country

The tour was very good. I thought it had a good pace and variety to it. I do wish we'd arrived at the Arusha campsite a little earlier or had more time the next day to see the things there.

My only other comment was that most of the campsites were without toilet paper and often no hot water - which I realise is often am issue in Africa - but given the cost of this particular tour they seem like something a guest could expect.

Godfrey was good, friendly and knowledgable.

• Submitted 18 Oct 2014
Tour
Guide
Country

In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Nairobi
Ends
Dar es Salaam
Departs
Mondays
Group Size
Min 6 / Max 30
Hotel Rating
Camping
Local Payment
$1620pp, paid in USD
Tour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour leader
Meals
Breakfast: 11, Lunch: 11, Dinner: 11
Visiting
Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
Countries
Masai Mara tribespeople standing in a row wearing colourful clothes
Rhino standing in front of a flock of flamingos at a water hole at Lake Nakuru
Click to play videoFamily of elephants walking across the road in front of a jeep in the Serengeti National Park
Click to play videoZanzibar Highlight

Extra Tour Info

Tourist Visas
Visa requirements for Africa and info on getting your visa
Spotting Africa's Big 5
Our guide to the best places to see the BIG 5
The Great Migration
The best places and times to see the great migration
About Overland Safaris
Information on travelling in Africa on an overland safari
Updated
9th January 2020

Amazing adventure through Africa, saw plenty of wildlife. Tour leader, driver and cook all worked well. Food a plenty and very good. Leah (tour leader) very knowledgable and approachable.

Frank Molinaro
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