Day 1
Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 1
Your safari begins here, in one of Kenya’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. We’ll meet you on arrival, introduce you to your guide, and set off into the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve. This is a land where the wild feels close enough to touch — where lions lounge in the shade, hyenas patrol the plains, hippos laze in muddy pools, and herds of elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, impalas, and zebras roam freely.
With over 500 recorded bird species, the Mara is also a paradise for birdwatchers. You may spot leopards draped across tree limbs, cheetahs scanning the horizon for prey, or even elusive black rhinos in the Mara Triangle. The sweeping savannahs, dotted with flat-topped acacias, make the perfect backdrop for every encounter.
One of today’s highlights may be tracking cheetahs on foot. These sleek, lightning-fast predators are the world’s speed champions, and with your guide using expert tracking techniques, you’ll walk across uneven terrain to get close. The exhilaration of standing within sight of such a magnificent animal will stay with you forever.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, inside the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Day 2
Masai Mara National Reserve
Day 2
A new dawn, and another chance to explore the magic of the Mara. Early morning brings soft golden light, cooler air, and animals fresh from the night’s adventures — perhaps your favorite time of day for a game drive.
This morning offers something truly unforgettable: a hot-air balloon safari. As you rise silently above the plains, the landscape unfolds in a breathtaking panorama. Wildebeest herds become moving shadows, elephants graze below, and the horizon stretches endlessly. Upon landing, you’ll be welcomed to a sumptuous bush breakfast in a scenic, wildlife-safe location.
The afternoon’s game drives bring fresh opportunities — from lions on the hunt to rhinos grazing quietly, from crocodiles basking by the Mara River to the elegant stride of giraffes. As the sun dips low, your evening game drive offers those magical twilight moments when the bush seems most alive.
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, inside the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Day 3
Serengeti National Park
Day 3
Today we cross into Tanzania and enter the world-famous Serengeti — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s greatest safari landscapes. Here, endless grasslands stretch to the horizon, alive with predators and prey. Look for leopards along the riverbanks, cheetahs poised in the open, elephants and giraffes moving in stately lines, and vast herds of wildebeest and zebra. Lion prides dominate this land, their roars echoing at dusk.
Your base is the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, perched on a prime hilltop in the central Serengeti. From here, you’ll enjoy sweeping views over some of the richest wildlife territory on Earth — the perfect vantage point for the days ahead.
Day 4
Serengeti National Park
Day 4
Another day to immerse yourself in the Serengeti’s wonders. Rise early for a game drive in the golden morning light, when predators are active and prey grazes in the cool air. This is prime photography time — lions lit by sunrise, elephants backlit in the mist, and birds taking flight against a pastel sky.
A bush breakfast awaits you in the wild, followed by mid-morning explorations where you may encounter thomson’s gazelles, elands, waterbucks, hippos, and Nile crocodiles along the waterways. Later, an evening game drive brings a renewed sense of anticipation — dusk is when the bush comes alive, and you never know what drama may unfold before your eyes.
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.
Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater
Day 5
Few sights compare to your first glimpse of Ngorongoro Crater from the rim. The vast, emerald-green bowl stretches out below, a self-contained world teeming with life. Descend into this ancient volcanic caldera and step into a timeless wilderness where nature reigns supreme.
On the crater floor, you’ll find a remarkable variety of wildlife: black rhinos, large tusker elephants, prides of lions, hyenas, flamingos on shimmering soda lakes, and countless grazers. No one is permitted to spend the night inside the crater, making your daytime exploration even more special.
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, perched on the crater rim with panoramic views.
Day 6
Zanzibar – East Coast
Day 6
This morning brings your final Tanzanian game drive before a scenic transfer to Arusha and onward flight to the spice island of Zanzibar. White sand beaches, turquoise waters, and the scent of cloves in the air welcome you to a completely different rhythm.
Your base is Baladin Beach Hotel, a charming seaside retreat perfect for unwinding after your safari. Spend the evening with your feet in the sand, a fresh ocean breeze in the air, and the sound of the waves at your doorstep.
Day 7
Zanzibar – Jozani Forest & Southern Coast
Day 7
Begin with a visit to Jozani Forest, home to the rare red colobus monkey and atmospheric mangrove swamps. Continue to Kizimkazi for a dolphin-watching experience, then head offshore by boat to a private island for snorkeling in crystal waters and a fresh seafood picnic on a secluded white-sand beach.
Return to Baladin Beach Hotel for a well-deserved evening of relaxation — perhaps with a spa treatment as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
Day 8
Zanzibar – Spice Tour, Stone Town & Northern Beaches
Day 8
Explore Zanzibar’s heritage as the “Spice Island” with a guided spice plantation tour, where cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla grow in abundance. In Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, wander through narrow alleyways filled with history, colorful markets, and ornate doorways.
In the afternoon, set out for Mnemba Island and Nungwi for snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs, a chance to spot dolphins, and time to stroll the powdery beaches before heading back to your hotel.
Day 9
Zanzibar – Sailing & Sunset
Day 9
Today is yours to enjoy the ocean’s allure. Sail aboard a traditional dhow, explore hidden mangrove channels, and watch the coastline drift by. As the day draws to a close, a sundowner cruise offers the perfect farewell to your time in Zanzibar — golden light, gentle waves, and memories made.
Accommodation: Baladin Beach Hotel.
Day 10
Departure
Day 10
All adventures must eventually come to an end. After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Zanzibar Airport for your onward journey, carrying with you the sights, sounds, and stories of a journey through East Africa’s wild heart and sunlit shores.