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East Africa Highlights

10 Days | Serengeti, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro: highlights don't get more impressive than this

4.7 out of 5 based on 59 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
AUD $4,395
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Discover the best of East Africa on this 10-day journey beginning in Nairobi, Kenya. Travel to some of Africa's most famous areas including the Masai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, where you'll take multiple game drives in search of the Big Five animals and more. Take in the enormity of Africa's largest lake and switch Africa's animals for people as you spend time with the Maasai and Hadzabe people and learn about both their ancient traditions and more modern way of life from an elder.

Trip overview

Map of East Africa Highlights including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of
Start
Nairobi, Kenya
Finish
Arusha, Tanzania
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Tanzania, Kenya
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
YGSA
This trip generates 41.91 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Meet Kenyan Maasai warriors and visit a Maasai village that champions women’s health, and spend time with a Hadzabe community in Tanzania to see how their ancient culture exists today.
  • Venture into the incredible Masai Mara National Reserve for a full-day game drive in 4WDs.
  • Explore the Serengeti National Park in depth, with two early morning and two late afternoon game drives through this spectacular wildlife arena.
  • Take a mind-blowing safari across the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater in an open-roof 4WD for a chance to see the endangered black rhinoceros.
  • Accompanied by a local crew — a leader, driver and cook – you'll be in excellent hands for the duration of your adventure.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, the East African Wildlife Society. Donations help them protect endangered wildlife, support conservation and promote sustainable management of natural resources in East Africa.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Camping in the Serengeti National Park with no barriers between you and the animals is amazing, but it's important to heed the safety advice of your leader. You'll be briefed on arrival.
  • This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘big five’. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
  • There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
  • You may also want to check out East Africa Safari & Coast if you have more time to explore in Tanzania.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of East Africa Highlights including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)

Activities
  • Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
  • Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
  • Lake Eyasi - Soda Lake
Add on activities
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD500
  • Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
  • Karatu - Village Visit - USD20
  • Karatu - Coffee Tour - USD25
  • Ngorongoro Forest - Elephant Cave Trek - USD80
  • Lake Manyara Game drive - USD100

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip includes 2 nights camping within the Serengeti National Park. Tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags will be provided. Please bring a pillow (or travel pillow) for these 2 nights.
3. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see Day 7 for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and we recommend that you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 59 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Michelle · Traveled October 2023
Our trip was outstanding! The days are long when you reflect but in the moment they don't feel it as there is such wonder in the world around you. It was truly the experience of a lifetime to be so close to animals. Definitely do your research before embarking on a journey like this, but if you set your expectations properly, it's an absolute bucket-list experience.
Review submitted 08 Nov 2023

Kylie · Traveled October 2023
Game drives are amazing! We saw so many animals and had so many amazing encounters, everyday or every hour sometimes we had a new highlight, being in the 4wds to get up close was great, the Serengeti 2 day drives is done in the bus which wasn’t as good as the 4wds but you could still see, was just harder to get photos and not as comfortable What an adventure it was though Accommodation was better than expected, it’s Africa so forget well flushing toilets & good pressure showers for 10 days and you will be ok Always carry toilet paper on you as its often you will need it Take protein bars or snacks to help you through a missed meal if you dont like whats served up, very basic meals and hard for plain boring eaters like i am Camping in the Serengeti was amazing and facilities much better than expected including full toilet/shower block 13 hour day on a big very bumpy bus on very bumpy roads is full on, Ive never had motion sickness in my life but got it so maybe take dome tablets with you The visit to the womans village was a great day, the kids are so beautiful, we took some bubbles, stickers etc for them and they loved it We went a day earlier and did a tour of the Giraffe Centre & David Sheldrick Wildlife trustin Kenya - this was an amazing day so definitely recommend The tour last day was a wasted day IMO, none of the activities recommended were enjoyed by our tour group, we could of headed home a day earlier I over packed jumpers & jacket but didnt need them, one jumper would of been sufficient in October
Review submitted 05 Nov 2023

Sandra · Traveled October 2023
Our tour guide King Julius Leteele (I like to move, move it) for introducing me to the cultural of Kenya and Tanzania tribes and his knowledge of the wildlife in Africa. Also providing expert guides for the tribes were visiting or the conservation parks with visited. I liked that they encouraged us to participate and interact with the tribes we meet (welcome dance, using a bow and arrow). I noticed that he was also organizing in advance for our next destination accommodation and activities and our safety (hand sanitizer was on hand). Set up and dismantled the tents. Tim, our truck driver was an excellent driver as just about all the roads were very bumpy, four wall driving 90% of the time. (African massage). The bridges were not only very narrow and sometimes we had to wait for a bulldozer to flatten a road for us or repair a bolt by the side of the road, or the times I noticed him early morning repairs or starting the truck. He was also very helpful when he saw that you needed help, luggage, or tents. I will need a real massage now that I am home. Chef Judy, your food is delicious, and I would highly recommend it. Most meals were 3 courses. Your soup was so good I requested a copy of the recipe (zucchini, pumpkin, tomato, vegetable). You also introduced me to Kenya and Tanzania food. I know you had some very early starts and some late nights due to set-up/preparing and cooking our meals for us and I really appreciate it. I also suggested that you start a cookbook with your recipes. Joseph, you were the helper, and you were always helping set up and prepare the meals but unloading and loading the bus. You also went out of way to help with my luggage, getting it in and out the lockers on the bus and help with shotting the bow and arrow with the bush tribe. To my fellow travel buddies, thank you for your friendship and helping to make my African adventure the trip of a lifetime. I have some wonderful memories. Sandra
Review submitted 28 Oct 2023

Nicole · Traveled October 2023
I had an amazing time. Definitely not for everyone, but if you like adventure, getting out of your comfort zone, learning about life different than your own, and seeing some magical animals and nature, this trip is for you.
Review submitted 22 Oct 2023

Patrick · Traveled September 2023
This trip was outstanding. The crew were excellent, the game viewing opportunities were fantastic, and the accomodation was comfortable. I would strongly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 02 Oct 2023
East Africa Highlights
From
AUD $4,395