Best of East Africa | 11 Days Kenya circuit trip

DAY 1: Nairobi (No meals)

Upon entering this beautiful east African country, you may be greeted with the words of “jambo” (hello) or “hakuna matata” (no problem) by the friendly locals. With a population of nearly 42 million and land area of more than 580 000 sq km Kenya is home to an abundance of animals and colourful tribes people, making it the perfect getaway for a once in a lifetime safari. Tonight we will stay at Kenya Comfort Hotel (or similar) in twin share rooms.

DAY 2: Nairobi to Masai Mara (Breakfast/Lunch / Dinner)

Today we head 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 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. We arrive at our tented campsite for tonight and tomorrow night, Mara Springs Tented Safari Camp (or similar) in the late afternoon.

DAY 3: Masai Mara (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

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.

DAY 4: Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Leaving the Masai Mara we head towards Nakuru. We overnight outside Nakuru at a lovely tented campsite Punda Millas (or similar) for tonight and tomorrow night. Nakuru is 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.

DAY 5: Lake Nakuru National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

This morning we begin our exploration of the Lake Nakuru National Park - famous for the thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that flock to this soda lake’s edge. The numbers vary depending on the water level, and when it’s low, the lake almost turns pink. A truly spectacular sight! 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, and various antelope.

DAY 6: Kisii/Kericho Area (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After breakfast, we leave the Lake Nakuru area and head to Kisii/Kericho. These towns are the main commercial centres in the Gusii Highlands, where crops like tea and coffee thrive because of its equatorial climate. We replenish our stocks before heading for Tanzania tomorrow. Tonight we will be staying at Ray’s Place Inn (or similar).

Tanzania’s natural environment and geographical features have made it one of the best tourist destinations in Africa. Being the biggest country in east Africa, Tanzania has heaps to offer her visitors, including 13 game reserves and national parks. Tanzania also forms part of the world’s largest animal’s movements, the great migration. Inland are the vast Serengeti National Park and the animal-packed Ngorongoro Conservation area, and thousands of people every year fulfil their lifetime achievement of climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the highest mountain in Africa. On the coast, Zanzibar is exotic, intriguing and steeped in the unique Swahili culture.

DAY 7: Musoma (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

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 Tembo Beach (or similar) on the banks of Lake Victoria in the fishing town of Musoma.

DAY 8: Serengeti National Park (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After stocking up on supplies for the next couple of days, 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. In the morning, we head off for another game drive and explore the landscape in search of the resident wildlife. With some luck, we may see some of Africa’s ‘Big 5’! Tonight we camp at Seronera Campsite (or similar).

DAY 9: Serenegeti to Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After an early start, we pack up our camp and continue our game drive through the Serengeti National Park. We head to the southern part of the park where we have the chance to see the endless plains this park is renowned for. We cross from the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Conservation area at lunch time and begin our descent into the caldera, known as the Ngorongoro Crater. 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. Tonight we overnight in Karatu & camp at Kudu Lodge (or similar).

DAY 10: Karatu to Arusha (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

A late start today as we travel onto Arusha where we will camp at the Meserani Snake Park (or similar).

DAY 11: Arusha to Nairobi (Breakfast / Lunch)

After breakfast, we begin our journey back to Nairobi. On arrival in the late afternoon, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!