The Best of Kenya and Tanzania

20-Day Kenya–Tanzania Wildlife Safari Itinerary

Route: Nairobi → Aberdare → Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate → Maasai Mara → Isebania Border → Serengeti → Ngorongoro → Lake Manyara → Tarangire → Namanga Border → Amboseli → Nairobi

Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi

Meet and greet at the airport.

Safari briefing.

Overnight in Nairobi at Tamarind Tree Hotel

Days 2 & 3 – Aberdare National Park (2 nights)

Drive through the central Kenya Highlands to the Aberdares.

Accommodation

The Ark Lodge (excellent wildlife viewing from the lodge)

Wildlife highlights

African Elephant

African Buffalo

Black Rhino

Leopard

Spotted Hyena

Giant Forest Hog

Bushbuck

Waterbuck

Olive Baboon

Black-and-white Colobus Monkey

Sykes' Monkey

If fortunate, the rare Mountain Bongo

Birdlife Over 250 species including:

Hartlaub's Turaco

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill

African Crowned Eagle

Jackson's Francolin

Sunbirds and forest specialists.

Other highlights

Dense montane forest.

Waterfalls including Karuru Falls.

Excellent night wildlife viewing from the lodge.

Days 4 & 5 – Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park (2 nights)

Accommodation at Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort

Activities

Boat ride on Lake Naivasha.

Walking on Crescent Island (optional).

Cycling or driving through Hell's Gate.

Wildlife

Hippos

Giraffes

Zebras

Buffalo

Warthogs

Eland

Impala

Waterbuck

Klipspringer

Birdlife

African Fish Eagle

Great White Pelican

Cormorants

Kingfishers

Herons

Ospreys (seasonal)

Days 6–8 – Maasai Mara National Reserve (3 nights)

Accommodation at Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Wildlife highlights

Lions

Leopards

Cheetahs

African Elephants

Buffalo

Black Rhino (rare)

Wildebeest

Zebra

Giraffe

Topi

Hartebeest

Hyena

Jackal

Birdlife Over 500 species.

Activities

Full-day game drives.

Mara River.

Balloon safari (optional).

Maasai cultural visit (optional).

Day 9 – Maasai Mara to Serengeti via Isebania Border

Cross into Tanzania.

Continue into northern Serengeti with an afternoon game drive.

Accommodation at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Days 10 & 11 – Serengeti National Park (3 nights total including Day 9)

Wildlife

Huge lion populations

Leopard

Cheetah

Elephant

Buffalo

Black Rhino (very rare)

Wildebeest

Zebra

Gazelles

Giraffe

Hyena

African Wild Dog (occasionally)

Birdlife Over 500 species.

Highlights

Endless plains.

Kopjes.

Predators in action.

Great Migration (season dependent).

Day 12 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Descend into the crater for a full-day safari.

Accommodation at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Wildlife

Excellent chance of seeing the Big Five in one day.

Black Rhino.

Lions.

Hyenas.

Hippos.

Flamingos (seasonal).

Day 13 – Lake Manyara National Park

Accommodation at Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Highlights

Tree-climbing lions.

Large elephant herds.

Thousands of flamingos (water level dependent).

Groundwater forest.

Days 14 & 15 – Tarangire National Park (2 nights)

Accommodation Tarangire Sopa Lodge

Wildlife

One of Africa's largest elephant populations.

Lions.

Leopard.

Cheetah.

Buffalo.

Giraffe.

Zebra.

Oryx.

Greater Kudu.

Eland.

Birdlife More than 550 species.

Highlights

Giant baobab trees.

Tarangire River.

Outstanding dry-season wildlife concentrations.

Day 16 – Tarangire to Amboseli via Namanga Border

Cross into Kenya.

Afternoon game drive in Amboseli.

Accommodation at Ol Tukai Lodge

Days 17–19 – Amboseli National Park (4 nights total including Day 16)

Wildlife

Famous giant-tusked elephants.

Lions.

Cheetahs.

Hyenas.

Buffalo.

Giraffe.

Zebra.

Wildebeest.

Hippos.

Birdlife Over 400 species.

Highlights

Spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Swamps rich in wildlife.

Sunrise and sunset photography.

Day 20 – Amboseli to Nairobi

Morning game drive (time permitting).

Drive back to Nairobi.

Transfer to the airport or your hotel.

Safari Highlights

Three ecosystems: Kenyan Highlands, Great Rift Valley, and the Serengeti ecosystem.

Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (includes Lake Naivasha region), and the vast Serengeti ecosystem (adjacent to the Serengeti National Park).

Exceptional opportunities to see the Big Five.

East Africa's richest predator populations.

The world's greatest wildebeest migration (seasonal).

Mountain forests, lakes, savannahs, volcanic landscapes, and baobab woodlands.

More than 1,000 bird species can be recorded across the entire itinerary, making it ideal for both general wildlife enthusiasts and dedicated birdwatchers.

This itinerary balances travel time with quality game viewing, giving guests multiple nights in the premier wildlife areas rather than rushing between destinations. It is well suited for international visitors seeking a comprehensive East African safari experience.