Signature: Tanzania & Kenya - Serengeti To The Maasai Mara

Arusha

Welcome to Tanzania. Your expedition begins at the airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel, a peaceful retreat situated in the verdant foothills of Mount Meru. Take time to settle into the rhythm of East Africa. If you arrive early, you may wish to explore the area - perhaps visit a local coffee estate to trace the bean from berry to cup, wander through colourful markets brimming with crafts and produce, or simply relax by admiring the views of Mount Meru in the distance as the sun dips behind the peaks.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Arrival Day

Arusha

The adventure begins tomorrow. Feel free to explore on your own before your welcome meeting on the morning of day two. Check for the meeting time in the welcome note at the hotel.

Arrival Transfer

Kilimanjaro International Airport - Arusha 0.75h - 1h 30km

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Accommodations:  Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa

Arusha/Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, meet your fellow travellers and National Geographic Expedition Leader. The adventure opens with an inspiring talk by a conservationist from African People & Wildlife, co-founded by National Geographic Explorer Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld. Then, travel to Tarangire National Park, a landscape defined by sweeping savannahs, the bulbous silhouettes of towering baobabs, and the rumble of Tanzania's largest elephant herds. Watch for giraffes, lions, and a whole host of birdlife as you make your way to the lodge. Upon arrival, check in to your inviting haven and enjoy lunch. Later, head out on an afternoon safari drive, watching the bush come alive in the amber light of dusk, before returning to the lodge to refresh and enjoy a warm welcome dinner served against the backdrop of the wild.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group

Arusha 1h

Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group on the morning of day two.

National Geographic Expert Talk by Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld

Arusha 1h

Enjoy a National Geographic Expert-led talk given by Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld where she will discuss African People & Wildlife (APW), co-founded in 2005 by herself and Charles Trout. Their mission? A world where Africa's people and wildlife not just coexist, but thrive together in healthy landscapes. Learn about innovative efforts on the ground and how community engagement plays a role in successful, lasting outcomes.

Private Vehicle

Arusha - Tarangire National Park 2.5h 140km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle. You will be able to search for wildlife after passing into Tarangire National Park along the way to your lodge stay.

Afternoon Safari Drive in Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park 2h

Enjoy the wildlife viewing opportunities inside Tarangire National Park. Admire the ancient baobab trees and the presence of far fewer crowds, in this lesser-known, but mighty national park.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Tarangire Kuro Treetops Lodge

Tarangire National Park/Ngorongoro

Ascend towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area this morning, climbing from the dry plains into the cool, mist-shrouded forests of the highlands. The drive offers chances to spot wildlife as you transition from Tarangire's savannas into the lush hills. Upon arrival, check in and have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, engage with the KopeLion Project, meeting conservationists dedicated to protecting lions in this shared landscape. Learn how the Maasai coexist with predators during a visit to a nearby boma, hearing stories of resilience and respect. Return to the lodge to refresh, then gather for sunset drinks and dinner overlooking the crater rim as the vast caldera falls into shadow.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Free Time

Ngorongoro

Enjoy free time to relax and take advantage of the property amenities. There will be sunset drinks and another expert discussion before dinner at the lodge.

Private Vehicle

Tarangire National Park - Ngorongoro 3h - 4.5h 160km

Enjoy the scenery on the drive from Tarangire to Ngorongoro. The entire Ngorongoro Conservation Area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its natural and cultural significance. Once through the gate, the group will drive 45 minutes to the lodge with a stop at the crater view point on the rim of the world's largest intact volcanic caldera in northern Tanzania.

KopeLion Presentation & Field Work Visit

Ngorongoro 2h

Meet with representatives from KopeLion, which was founded with the aim of finding a working model for coexistence together with the pastoralist communities, and alongside the conservation authorities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The group will be taken into the field to meet staff and see firsthand how the organization helps people live alongside lions on a daily basis. Many of the activities that are part of the visit will be demonstrated in a Maasai boma setting, adding a real-life glimpse into the harmony between humans and wildlife.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection

Ngorongoro

Descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, you enter a lost world - one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife havens. On a morning safari across the crater floor, the density of wildlife is staggering; watch for elephants, lions, spotted hyenas, and grazing herds roaming against the dramatic backdrop of sweeping volcanic walls. Pause for a scenic bush brunch set amidst the acacia, surrounded by the sounds of the wild and the cool morning breeze. Returning back to the lodge, spend the afternoon at leisure, soaking in breathtaking views of the crater from the rim. As the light softens, gather for sundowners and an engaging talk on conservation through tourism, before ending the day with dinner at the lodge.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Ngorongoro Crater Morning Safari Drive & Bush Brunch

Ngorongoro Crater 4h - 5.5h

Set an alarm and rise early and descend to the Ngorongoro crater floor for a morning wildlife safari drive and a bush brunch. Here you'll see Maasai herdsmen in the morning mist and all the best spots to view wildlife. Spot zebra, gazelles, buffaloes, and warthogs. The swamp and forest are home to hippos, rhinos, elephants, baboons, and monkeys. Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready to capture a pride of lions or a lone leopard walking along the crater floor. Enjoy brunch in the bush amid the sounds of the wild.

Free Time

Ngorongoro Afternoon

Enjoy an afternoon to relax, enjoy the amenities of the lodge, opt for a guided walk on the rim of the crater, and later watch the sun set over the crater from the lodge.

National Geographic Expert Talk - Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro 0.75h

During a discussion this afternoon, learn more about conservation through tourism from one of your National Geographic Experts on tour.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Ngorongoro Lodge Meliá Collection

Ngorongoro/Serengeti National Park

Travel across the highlands to Olduvai Gorge, the dusty ravine where a National Geographic- supported expedition led by Louis and Mary Leakey uncovered Homo habilis. Explore the museum and drive into the gorge to learn about this groundbreaking discovery that rewrote history. Continue into the vast plains of Serengeti National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch under the open sky. This afternoon, enjoy your first safari drive through the Serengeti's iconic landscapes - a sea of gold grass alive with wildebeest, zebras, impala, and the big cats stalking the herds. Arrive at the lodge to check in and enjoy dinner beneath the stars, accompanied by the distant calls of the wild.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Ngorongoro - Olduvai Gorge 1.5h 44km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Olduvai Gorge Private Tour

Olduvai Gorge 2h

The Olduvai Gorge is a steep ravine in the Great Rift Valley of Tanzania. It is one of the world's most important paleoanthropological sites. Beginning in 1931, excavations by Louis Leakey revealed evidence of early man dating back nearly 2 million years. Enjoy a private visit to the Olduvai museum and see bone fossils along with fragments of ancient stone tools, and depart with an intriguing glimpse into the origin and evolution of man in the Serengeti Plains of Africa. The group will also see the Mary Leakey Living Museum.

Private Vehicle

Olduvai Gorge - Serengeti National Park 4.5h 223km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Olduvai Gorge and your lodge in Serengeti National Park. Please note there will be an hour-long picnic lunch stop at the Naabi Hill Gate. The remainder of the drive will be a safari through the park to the lodge in the Central Serengeti.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Meliá Serengeti Lodge

Serengeti National Park

Rise to the sounds of the savannah - the dawn chorus of birds and the low grunts of hippos - and set out early for a morning safari drive across the Serengeti's golden plains. Watch the drama of the bush unfold: elephants stripping bark from trees, lions seeking shade, and herds of antelope bounding through the tall grass. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed morning before gathering for a talk to deepen your understanding of the Serengeti's intricate ecosystem. After lunch, enjoy time at leisure before venturing out again for an afternoon safari drive to track predators on the move. As dusk settles, return to the lodge for dinner and share the day's stories around the fire.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Central Serengeti Morning Safari Drive

Serengeti National Park 3h

Begin the day with a morning safari drive in the Central Serengeti for a classic African wildlife experience. The park is known for its consistent and exceptional wildlife viewing year-round.

Free Time

Serengeti National Park

Listen to an expert talk before lunch and then enjoy a few hours of free time around the middle, hottest part of the day. Sample the lodge's amenities or lounge with a good book. The group will reconvene for high tea together before the afternoon safari drive.

Central Serengeti Afternoon Safari Drive

Serengeti National Park 3h

Enjoy an afternoon safari drive in the heart of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. With luck, you may encounter the impressive herds of the famed wildebeest migration.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Meliá Serengeti Lodge

Serengeti National Park

Wake early and set out on a safari drive across the park's sweeping savannahs, seeking out the elusive sightings: lions, elephants, cheetah, and other wildlife moving against the endless horizon. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then enjoy free time to relax or explore the lodge's surroundings, perhaps watching wildlife from your private deck. This afternoon, gather for high tea - a refined pause in the wilderness - then venture out on one last wildlife drive in the national park as the sun paints the sky in hues of violet and orange. Return to the lodge for a farewell dinner, celebrating the sights, sounds, and memories of your Serengeti adventure.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Central Serengeti Morning Safari Drive

Serengeti National Park 3h

Begin the day with a morning safari drive in the Central Serengeti for a classic African wildlife experience. The park is known for its consistent and exceptional wildlife viewing year-round.

Free Time

Serengeti National Park

Enjoy free time at the lodge to try out the various amenities available to guests. During the hottest part of the day, it's best to relax and recharge before more time in the bush. The group will reconvene for high tea before the afternoon safari drive.

Central Serengeti Afternoon Safari Drive

Serengeti National Park 3h

Enjoy an afternoon safari drive in the heart of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. With luck, you may encounter the impressive herds of the famed wildebeest migration.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Meliá Serengeti Lodge

Serengeti National Park/Nairobi

Take to the skies for a flight back to Arusha, watching the sprawling ecosystem shrink to a patchwork of green and gold below. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and some time to refresh at the lodge - a final moment of calm - before your onward transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Nairobi. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to the hotel to settle in and relax. In the evening, join a reception to welcome any new travellers joining the tour for the next leg of the expedition.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Serengeti National Park - Seronera Airport 1.5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Plane

Seronera Airport - Arusha Airport 0.45h

Sit back and enjoy the views from above on a short flight between Serengeti National Park and Arusha.

Private Vehicle

Arusha Airport - Arusha 1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between the airport and the hotel in Arusha. Here, have lunch, refresh, and wait for your departing flight.

Private Vehicle

Arusha - Kilimanjaro International Airport 0.75h 30km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Plane

Arusha - Nairobi 1h

Bid farewell to Tanzania as you take to the skies en route to Kenya.

Arrival Transfer

Nairobi 0.25h 6km

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in Nairobi.

Welcome Meeting for Travellers on Combos

You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Argyle Grand Hotel

Nairobi/Samburu Game Reserve

Gather for a welcome breakfast with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers. Next, board a short flight over the sweeping, rugged landscape to the Kalama airstrip in Samburu. After checking into your lodge and enjoying lunch, enjoy an insightful presentation over high tea. As the heat of the afternoon fades, embark on your first wildlife safari drive. Search for majestic elephants and lions, keeping a keen eye for the rare species that call this rugged northern frontier home. Watch the sun dip low, painting the sky in deep shades of crimson and orange, before gathering for a spectacular dinner under a canopy of stars.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Nairobi 0.5h 14km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Plane

Nairobi - Samburu Game Reserve 1h

Depart on your flight from Wilson Airport, crossing the Equator to Northern Kenya's remote Samburu Kalama Airstrip.

Private Vehicle

Samburu Game Reserve 1h 28km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Safari Drive and Sunset Experience

Samburu Game Reserve 3h

Explore Samburu's dramatic red-earth wilderness in the late afternoon, tracking iconic wildlife through the sun-baked terrain.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Soroi Larsens Camp

Samburu Game Reserve

Wake to the early morning calls of the wild before departing for Reteti Elephant Sanctuary - the world's first Indigenous-owned African elephant sanctuary. Photographer and National Geographic Explorer Ami Vitale has documented Reteti's pioneering community-led conservation model for global audiences, and today you experience it firsthand. Meet a researcher to learn about the sanctuary's vital work, then witness a private feeding session with rescued calves. Savour a picnic lunch near the sanctuary before an afternoon safari drive back to the lodge, tracking elephants and leopards through the brush.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Safari Vehicle

Samburu Game Reserve 2h - 3h 95km

On your journey to the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, transition from a relaxed wildlife drive into a scenic and culturally rich off-road expedition that passes through traditional Samburu Maasai villages.

Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Samburu Game Reserve 2h

Meet a researcher at the Reteti Visitor Centre before viewing a private feeding session. Highlighting the meaningful work of Reteti's passionate team of Samburu keepers, researchers, and rangers, the centre is also a testimony to generations of coexistence between the area's Indigenous people and the wildlife with whom they share this land.

Safari Vehicle

Samburu Game Reserve 2h - 3h 95km

Take in the savanna scenery as you make your way back to the lodge.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Soroi Larsens Camp

Samburu Game Reserve

Set off on an early morning safari drive as the wilderness awakens, stopping to scan the brush for unique wildlife. Return to the lodge for a hot breakfast, followed by a quiet morning at leisure to soak in the serene surroundings. After lunch and high tea, return to the savanna for an afternoon wildlife drive. Pause as the shadows lengthen to enjoy private sundowner drinks, watching the landscape turn to gold. After dinner, a resident naturalist guides you to a special clearing to decode the night sky, revealing how the Maasai and Samburu use constellations as a living calendar.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Morning Safari Drive

Samburu Game Reserve 3h

Set out at dawn across acacia-dotted plains to track iconic wildlife. Keep your binoculars ready to spot grazing elephants, migrating wildebeest, and stealthy predators at their most active. Experience East Africa's raw, untamed beauty firsthand.

Afternoon Safari Drive

Samburu Game Reserve 2h - 3h

Venture into the rugged expanses of Samburu as the midday heat gives way to a gentle, golden light. Scan the Ewaso Ng'iro River banks and thornbush scrub for Northern Kenya's rare "Samburu Special Five"-including reticulated giraffes and Grevy's zebras. Watch predators emerge from the shade as you immerse yourself in an untamed, dramatic landscape rarely touched by crowds.

Stargazing

Samburu Game Reserve 0.75h

Gather beneath a canopy of stars as your resident naturalist guides you through the celestial wonders adorning the Samburu sky. Decode the ancient "living calendar" of the wilderness, learning how Northern Kenya's indigenous communities have long used these constellations to navigate the rugged landscapes.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Soroi Larsens Camp

Samburu Game Reserve/Masai Mara

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before boarding a flight to the legendary Maasai Mara National Reserve. Transfer to your new lodge, where lunch awaits. In the afternoon, attend high tea before setting out into the Maasai Mara for a thrilling afternoon safari drive. Feel the gentle breeze across the open grasslands and listen to the distant wildlife as you track the great herds before returning to the lodge for a refined dinner.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Samburu Game Reserve 1h 28km

Take in the rolling grasslands from a private vehicle as you transfer from your Samburu lodge to the Kalama Airstrip.

Plane

Samburu Game Reserve - Masai Mara 2h

Depart Samburu on your AirKenya flight for the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Afternoon Safari Drive

Masai Mara 2h - 3h

Venture into the Maasai Mara's sweeping grasslands just as the afternoon heat begins to soften and the savanna springs back to life. Scan the golden plains for grazing elephants, prides of lions, and elusive leopards descending from acacia branches.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Fairmont Mara Safari Club

Masai Mara

Venture out on a morning safari drive as the golden light of dawn washes over the endless plains. Watch prides of lions stirring and herds of zebras moving across the savannah. Return to the lodge for a restful midday break and a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, embark on another wildlife safari drive through the reserve, scanning the horizon for cheetahs pacing through the tall grass or hippos wallowing in the river channels. As dusk falls, return to the comfort of your lodge to share stories over a beautifully prepared dinner.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Morning Safari Drive

Masai Mara 3h

Set out at first light across the golden, acacia-dotted savannas of the Maasai Mara to track legendary wildlife. Raise your binoculars to scan sweeping grasslands for roaming elephant herds, wildebeest, and prowling lions at their most active. Connect directly with the raw, untamed spirit of the Mara.

Bush Breakfast at Maasai Mara

Masai Mara 1h

Savor an exclusive open-air breakfast served in the heart of the Maasai Mara, where the golden savanna is your dining room. Toast the sunrise with freshly brewed Kenyan coffee as wildlife grazes in the distance, elevating a classic safari tradition into an unforgettable, immersive encounter with nature.

Afternoon Safari Drive

Masai Mara 2h - 3h

Venture into the Maasai Mara's sweeping grasslands just as the afternoon heat begins to soften and the savanna springs back to life. Scan the golden plains for grazing elephants, prides of lions, and elusive leopards descending from acacia branches.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Fairmont Mara Safari Club

Masai Mara

Savour coffee and fresh fruit before an early morning safari drive, capturing the wilderness at its most active. Return to the lodge for a hot breakfast and a peaceful morning at leisure. During high tea, reflect on the incredible wildlife and heritage uncovered. Embark on your final afternoon wildlife safari drive in the Maasai Mara, soaking in the cinematic vistas of the acacia-dotted plains one last time. Celebrate the end of your Kenyan safari with a festive farewell dinner at the lodge.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Afternoon Safari Drive

Masai Mara 2h - 3h

Venture into the Maasai Mara's sweeping grasslands just as the afternoon heat begins to soften and the savanna springs back to life. Scan the golden plains for grazing elephants, prides of lions, and elusive leopards descending from acacia branches.

Morning Safari Drive

Masai Mara 3h

Set out at first light across the golden, acacia-dotted savannas of the Maasai Mara to track legendary wildlife. Raise your binoculars to scan sweeping grasslands for roaming elephant herds, wildebeest, and prowling lions at their most active. Connect directly with the raw, untamed spirit of the Mara.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Fairmont Mara Safari Club

Masai Mara/Nairobi

Enjoy breakfast before flying back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, transfer to Amani ya Juu, a remarkable community social impact success story. Visit the workshop to see how local women achieve economic independence by handcrafting beautiful, culturally symbolic textiles. Engage in warm conversation to learn about their history and share a locally sourced lunch prepared by the community youth. For those with late international departures, a day-use room is available to relax and refresh as you prepare for your journey home.

Please do not book departing flights prior to 7:30PM.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Plane

Masai Mara - Nairobi 1.5h

Board your flight out of the Maasai Mara, bidding farewell to the savanna as you return to Nairobi.

Amani ya Juu Workshop and Lunch

Nairobi 1h

Step inside Amani ya Juu, a sanctuary where women from across post-colonial East Africa find safety, empowerment, and economic independence through fair-trade entrepreneurship. Tour the vibrant workshop to watch artisans transform local fabrics into culturally symbolic handicrafts. Conclude your visit by sharing an authentic, locally sourced lunch prepared by community youth, engaging in meaningful conversation that connects you to the resilient spirit of Nairobi.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch