Compare Kenya & Tanzania Camping Safari by G Adventures vs 10 Day Tanzania & Kenya Express Safari (Lodge) by Getaway Africa

Day 1 Nairobi

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2 Nairobi/Samburu National Reserve

Travel to Samburu National Reserve in time for an afternoon wildlife safari drive. Visit a Samburu village en route.

Depart Nairobi and drive north through the farmlands of the Kikuyu people, passing Mt Kenya, Africa's second highest mountain (5199m/17,060ft). Just outside the national reserve, visit a local Samburu village. Similar in appearance to the Masai but less known, the Samburu are a proud warrior tribe. Watch traditional Samburu dancing, and learn about Samburu tribal life and customs. The walk within the village is run by Samburu tribesmen for the benefit of the community. Continue to Samburu National Reserve, a wildlife haven to many species rarely found elsewhere. Enjoy an afternoon wildlife safari drive in search of large elephant and big cat populations living within this wild part of Kenya.

Day 3 Samburu National Reserve

Spend a full day on safari in search of Samburu's special five.

A full day wildlife safari drive to spot a group of animals only seen north of the equator, such as the beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy's zebra, the majestic reticulated giraffe, and the long-necked gerenuk, a graceful antelope that stands upright on its hind legs to feed on tall bushes.

Day 4 Samburu National Reserve/Lake Nakuru National Park

Descend into the Great Rift Valley enjoying stunning views of the escarpment on the way.

Nakuru, meaning “dusty place” in the Maasai language, is a cheerful and vibrant agricultural town with a variety of colourful local markets. Camp outside the town at the edge of Lake Nakuru National Park, the area’s principal highlight and best natural attraction. Time and weather permitting, there may be an opportunity to visit a local tea farm and see how the tea is grown, picked and produced.

Day 5 Lake Nakuru National Park

Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park, in search of the elephant, buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.

Day 6 Lake Nakuru National Park/Masai Mara

Travel to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Search for the "big five" on an afternoon wildlife safari drive.

Depart for the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve. With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit to this reserve. Arrive in the afternoon and get settled at the permanent tented camp, the base for exploring the Mara. Head into the reserve for an afternoon wildlife safari drive.

Day 7 Masai Mara

Enjoy a day on safari. Opt to take to the skies on a balloon safari.

Rise early for a wildlife safari drive during the best time to spot animals and criss-cross the rolling hills of the African savannah. With a full day to explore the area, we can cover a lot of ground. If time allows, visit the Mara River area. Opt to go for a balloon safari for a new perspective over the beautiful landscape.

If you have pre-booked a Masai Mara Balloon Safari, your flight will be in the morning. You will miss the morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have spectacular views from above.

Day 8 Masai Mara/Nairobi

Morning wildlife safari drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve before departing for Nairobi.

Breathe in the fresh morning air as you enjoy the African sun as it rises over the savanna of the "Mara". Visit a watering hole while on a morning wildlife safari drive, a perfect time and place for wildlife photography. Visit the G for Good supported Ubuntu Cafe for lunch, before heading back to Nairobi.

Day 9 Nairobi/Arusha

Spend the day travelling to Tanzania.

Journey across the border into Tanzania, arriving in the picturesque town of Arusha in the afternoon. Spend some time exploring the town and its bustling markets, and have another night in the comfort of a hotel. Upon arrival into Arusha, you may be joined by other G Adventures travellers starting the Tanzania portion of the trip.

Day 10 Arusha/Mto wa Mbu

Experience the Mto wa Mbu village with a guided cultural walk and traditional lunch with a local family. Take a wildlife safari drive in Lake Manyara NP.

Travel to Mto wa Mbu village and take part in a cultural walk to learn about village life in the area. Meet the women who run the village tours and enjoy a delicious home made traditional lunch. Spend the afternoon viewing wildlife along the main road that winds through a lush cool forests of Lake Manyara National Park, overgrown with ficus trees and covered with bromeliads. This area is truly stunning, as the western wall of the Rift Valley escarpment provides a gorgeous backdrop. Search for the phenomenal birdlife, tree-climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, and hippos.

Day 11 Mto wa Mbu/Serengeti National Park

Enjoy a wildlife safari drive en route to the central Serengeti.

Drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and on to Serengeti National Park. En route marvel at the sheer vastness of this territory, and spot the multitude of animal and birdlife while cruising through this acacia-accented savanna.

Day 12 Serengeti National Park

Rise early for a full-day wildlife safari drive in the Serengeti. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush and continue the search for the "big five" while taking in the vastness of the Serengeti plains.

If you have pre-booked a Serengeti Balloon Safari, your flight will be in the morning. You will miss the morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have spectacular views from above. If you have not yet pre-booked, add it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Day 13 Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro

Take a morning wildlife safari drive as you depart the Serengeti, then continue wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater, before getting a spectacular view of the crater from your campsite on its rim.

The rich pasture and permanent water of the Crater floor supports a resident population of more than 20,000 to 25,000 large mammals.

Please note that due to the high-altitude location of our camp, temperatures can drop at night. We recommend bringing extra layers to wear during the evening and following morning.

Day 14 Ngorongoro/Arusha

Visit an authentic Maasai village and the G Adventures-supported Clean Cookstove Project, then return to Arusha where the tour ends on arrival. Onward flights can be booked from 6pm, or extend your stay in Arusha by a night, or two.

Day 1: Arusha – Tarangire National Park

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Maramboi Tented Camp

After a safari briefing, you will travel southwest towards the Tarangire National Park. With its interesting landscapes – from swamps to baobab trees, it is considered as one of the most beautiful parks in northern Tanzania. Elephants can be seen in herds of up to 600, along with wildebeests, Masai giraffes, buffaloes and zebras. With a bit of luck, you might even be able to spot rarer animals such as kudus, blesbucks and the fringed-eared oryx, as they travel from the dry Masai plains to the Tarangire River in search of water. You will spend the afternoon on game drives before you head to the Maramboi Tented Camp.

Day 2: Tarangire Region – Mto wa Mbu – Karatu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Endoro Lodge

After breakfast and a short drive, you arrive at the multi-cultural town of Mto wa Mbu. Here, a local guide will take you to experience the daily life in the town. You will walk through banana plantations, see traditional wood carvers at work, visit the local brewery and see local art in the making – giving you a real insight into the daily village life. For lunch you will enjoy traditional African food. In the afternoon the journey continues to Karatu in the Nogorongoro Crater highlands. You will notice how the landscape changes from the dry lowlands to the fertile and moist highlands. There will be time for photo stops and to admire the stunning views over the plains below. After your arrival at Endoro Lodge there might be time for an optional walk in the coffee plantations to learn about coffee production.

Day 3: Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp

Rise and shine! After breakfast you will see the sunrise over the crater rim as you take on the steep trail into the crater with a 4x4 safari vehicle. Here, within a few square kilometres, you will find all the animals that can be found in the East African savannah. Furthermore this is one of the best places to see the magnificent but almost extinct black rhino. You will spend the morning on a game drive in the crater followed by a picnic lunch. During the early afternoon, you will leave the crater and travel to the Serengeti. The Serengeti National Park is the most famous park in Tanzania and it is here where the biggest animal migration in the world takes place. The herds cross the border between Tanzania and Kenya in search of fresh grass and water and the predators are never far behind... Tonight you will stay at the Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp in the central Serengeti.

Day 4: Serengeti National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp

As the sun rises you will leave the camp for an early morning game drive and return in the late morning to a hearty breakfast. Adventurous guests wanting to experience the Serengeti from the sky may choose to book a hot air balloon ride, followed by a champagne breakfast. This activity is optional and needs to be booked in advance. A visit to the Serengeti Visitor Centre can be arranged. There will be another game drive in the afternoon and in the evening you will once again be able to enjoy the campfire at Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp.

Day 5: Serengeti National Park – Lake Victoria

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Speke Bay Lodge

After an early start, you will continue through the Serengeti National Park on your way out. There will be more time to see animals you may not have seen already. After leaving the park, the journey will take you to Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the second largest in the world. The area around Lake Victoria is the most fertile and densely inhabited region of Tanzania. Here at the ocean-like lake, you will see another side of Tanzania – away from the masses you will see how the local people live. You can watch the fishermen at work and visit a local school – an experience unavailable on the usual tourist routes. You will overnight at the Speke Bay Lodge.

Day 6: Lake Victoria – Masai Mara Region

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mara West Camp

After breakfast you will join the local fishermen and a guide on a canoe trip on Lake Victoria. You will witness how the locals catch fish the traditional way and admire the previous night’s catch. Back on dry land you will depart on the longest journey of your safari – the trip to the Masai Mara. The road towards the Kenyan border is a long an adventurous one, but it should be worth it as the “Mara” is reputed to have the highest lion population of all reserves in Africa. Other large cats also live here and can be spotted all year round, as their sightings are not dependent upon the seasons or the great migration. You will overnight at the Mara West Camp.

Day 7 - 8: Masai Mara Game Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mara Ashnil Tented Camp

Today, you might be rewarded for yesterday's extensive drive and see the king of the animals. The next two days you will go on game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle you’re your experienced guide. You will take a trip to the Mara River, the greatest hurdle for the wildebeests and zebras on their yearly trek. At the end of October and the beginning of November, an incredible scene is set when the river has swollen to almost bursting levels. Tens of thousands of animals must cross it, knowing that certain death awaits them – crocodiles lurking below the surface of the swirling water. It can be a gruesome sight…At other times of the year, hippos, hungry crocodiles and other animals can also be seen at the river. You will spend two nights at the Mara Ashnil Tented Camp.

Day 9: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Lake Nakuru National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Flamingo Hill Camp

After breakfast you will leave the Mara to reach Lake Nakuru in the early afternoon. The alkaline lake attracts gigantic flocks of flamingos – a bird lover's dream – giving the lake a shimmering pink hue from afar. Not only can you see over 450 bird species and 50 mammals, but you might spot both the endangered white and black rhino. Tonight you will stay at the Flamingo Hill Camp.

Day 10: Lake Nakuru National Park – Nairobi

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast you will leave Lake Nakuru to travel to Nairobi, Kenya's bustling and often chaotic capital. You will arrive in the early afternoon. Depending on the rest of your travel plans, you will be taken to a hotel or directly to the airport.