Essential East Africa

10 Days | Game drives by day, star gazing by night

4.9 out of 5 based on 31 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
Overland
Wildlife
From
EUR €1,715
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 35 year olds

Got 10 days, an adventurous bent, a desire to see as much of East Africa as you can as you can and a tight budget? We’ve designed this trip just for you – it’s a memory-maker, but not a bank-breaker. With multiple 4WD safari drives in the Masai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Parks, stops at remote market towns, spend a night in a Maasai village and another night by the largest tropical lake in the world, this tour is like a crash course in what East Africa is all about.

Trip overview

Map of Essential East Africa including Kenya and Tanzania, United Republic Of
Start
Nairobi, Kenya
Finish
Arusha, Tanzania
Theme
18 to 35s, 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
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
YGYE
This trip generates 35 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
  • Safari, safari, safari – what East African adventure would be complete without one? Well, this trip has six in three different areas. Which brings us to…
  • The animals! Go in search of hippos, lions, leopards, giraffes and more during 4WD game drives in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Masai Mara with your experienced local leaders.
  • Spend a night hanging with the red-clad Maasai folk in Loita Hills. A local elder will explain what the tribe is all about and show you around their house.
  • Crossing the Masai Mara in a purpose-built truck is just one of those classic East Africa experiences – vast plains spotted with thorn trees and herds of animals.
  • Stops in places like Mto wa Mbu and Musoma mean you’ll get time to chat with locals, and travelling with a local (your leader) makes it even easier.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about 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. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Staying in Loita Hills is a proper adventure – you'll be staying in a secure bush camp with basic facilities, cold showers, and no Wi-Fi. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and nature.
  • Similarly, camping in the Serengeti means, well, camping in the Serengeti. No barriers between you and mother nature means there's no fence between you and the animals. We take safety seriously and your leader will brief you in detail on how to set up camp so as not to attract any unwanted visitors (not hanging raw meat to dry on your lines is a good start).
  • 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, 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 at https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland.

Itinerary

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

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Camping (with facilities) (6 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights)

Activities
  • Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Game Drive
  • Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Game Drive
Add on activities
  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price) - USD500
  • Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price) - USD745
  • Mto wa Mbu - Village bike ride and lunch - USD32
  • Mto wa Mbu - Village walk and lunch - USD20

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 starts in Nairobi on Day 1 at 6pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore. You have the choice on Day 10 of finishing your trip in Arusha or Nairobi. If you are continuing on to Nairobi, please do not book any flights until after 9pm this evening.
3. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park are possible on this itinerary. Please see Days 4 & 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

4.9 out of 5 based on 31 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.

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Cosmin · Traveled November 2023
If you want an unforgetable experience, even if the lack of facility, this is the best trip you’re gonna get
Review submitted 27 Nov 2023

Simran · Traveled November 2023
This trip was absolutely amazing! Everyone we met (game drive drivers, walking tour leaders, tribe members and locals etc) were so kind and welcoming. We were able to learn so much about the culture and history of Kenya and Tanzania. The safari game drives were incredible and it was great to see the animals in the wild. Flo, Njenga and Keziah are an amazing team and went above and beyond in every aspect; this trip was made even more special because of them. Flo was an amazing leader, very knowledgeable and welcoming, Njenga made sure all of journeys were smooth and always had funny stories to share and Keziah’s food was so delicious and she was attentive and adapted to anyone’s needs. I would highly recommend this trip to everyone!!
Review submitted 27 Nov 2023

Garrett · Traveled November 2023
Great way to see East Africa. Mix of nature and local culture.
Review submitted 27 Nov 2023

Alberto · Traveled October 2023
Perfect trip to live the African experience at it's fullest. The nature, fauna and landscapes will leqve you astonished. Local people are friendly and warm. I strongly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 23 Oct 2023

Ebony · Traveled September 2023
It was the most incredible experience; unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Can not recommend Intrepid and the East African Experience crew enough; they went above and beyond and made my experience one I’ll never forget!
Review submitted 25 Sep 2023
Essential East Africa
From
EUR €1,715