13 Days Best of Kenya & Tanzania Vintage Parks
13-Day Best of Kenya & Tanzania Vintage Parks Safari
Two countries. Five iconic ecosystems. One extraordinary East African safari.
Experience the timeless landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania on a 13-day safari through some of East Africa's most celebrated wildlife destinations.
From the sweeping grasslands of the Maasai Mara and the elephant-rich plains of Amboseli, cross into Tanzania to discover the wildlife and landscapes of Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
This classic East African safari is designed around the region's most enduring safari experiences: abundant wildlife, dramatic landscapes, birdlife, photography, cultural encounters and the legendary Maasai Mara–Serengeti ecosystem.
The journey begins in Nairobi and takes you through the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara before continuing south to Lake Nakuru and Amboseli, with Mount Kilimanjaro providing a spectacular backdrop.
From Amboseli, cross the Kenya–Tanzania border at Namanga and continue into northern Tanzania.
Discover the famous tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara, explore the endless plains of the Serengeti, and descend into the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife landscapes.
The safari concludes in Arusha before your return journey to Nairobi.
This is an ideal itinerary for travellers who want to experience the classic safari landscapes of both Kenya and Tanzania in a single journey.
Safari Highlights
- 🦁 Big Five wildlife opportunities
- 🐘 Amboseli elephant encounters
- 🏔️ Mount Kilimanjaro views
- 🦩 Lake Nakuru birdlife and wildlife
- 🦁 Maasai Mara predator sightings
- 🐆 Leopard and cheetah opportunities
- 🦒 Giraffe and plains-game viewing
- 🦓 Serengeti wildlife
- 🐃 Ngorongoro Crater game viewing
- 🦁 Lake Manyara's famous tree-climbing lion habitat
- 🌍 Kenya–Tanzania cross-border experience
- 📷 Wildlife photography
- 🛖 Optional Maasai cultural experiences
- 🌅 Great Migration opportunities depending on season
- 🍽️ Full-board safari accommodation
- 🚙 4WD safari vehicles
- ✈️ Optional beach or Zanzibar extension
DAY-BY-DAY SEO ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival in Nairobi
Overnight: Sarova Panafric Hotel or equivalent | Bed & Breakfast
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where your Afrika Hub Vacations representative will meet, greet and transfer you to your Nairobi hotel.
Relax and prepare for the cross-border safari adventure ahead.
Day 2 – Nairobi → Maasai Mara
Overnight: Mara Sopa Lodge or equivalent | Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and depart Nairobi for the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Travel down the Great Rift Valley escarpment with opportunities to appreciate some of Kenya's most spectacular landscapes.
Arrive at the Mara in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.
The Maasai Mara forms part of the larger Mara–Serengeti ecosystem, famous for its extraordinary concentration of wildlife.
Day 3 – Full-Day Maasai Mara Safari
Overnight: Mara Sopa Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
Enjoy a full day exploring the Maasai Mara.
Morning and afternoon game drives provide opportunities to search for:
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Wildebeest
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Hyena
- Numerous bird species
The Mara is particularly rewarding for wildlife photographers because of its open grasslands and concentration of predators.
A picnic lunch can be enjoyed in the reserve, subject to park regulations and operational arrangements.
Day 4 – Maasai Mara → Lake Nakuru
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
Depart the Mara after breakfast and travel towards Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru is an important wildlife and birding destination within Kenya's Rift Valley.
Look out for:
- Black rhino
- White rhino
- Lion
- Leopard
- Buffalo
- Waterbuck
- Giraffe
- Warthog
- Flamingos and other waterbirds
The park is also recognised for its significant bird diversity.
Day 5 – Lake Nakuru → Nairobi → Amboseli
Overnight: Amboseli Sopa Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
After breakfast, depart Lake Nakuru and travel towards Nairobi.
Continue south to Amboseli National Park, arriving in time for lunch.
Depending on arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Amboseli is renowned for its large elephant populations and spectacular views towards Mount Kilimanjaro.
Day 6 – Full-Day Amboseli National Park
Overnight: Amboseli Sopa Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across Amboseli.
The park's wetlands, open plains and woodland areas attract a remarkable variety of wildlife.
Possible sightings include:
- Elephant
- Lion
- Cheetah
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Wildebeest
- Hippo
- Hyena
- Numerous bird species
An optional Maasai cultural experience can be arranged.
Day 7 – Amboseli → Namanga → Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
After breakfast, depart Amboseli and travel towards the Namanga Kenya–Tanzania border.
Complete border formalities before continuing towards Arusha and onward to Lake Manyara National Park.
Lake Manyara offers a fascinating combination of alkaline lake, woodland, groundwater forest and open grassland.
The park is particularly associated with its tree-climbing lions, although sightings are naturally not guaranteed.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to your lodge.
Day 8 – Full-Day Lake Manyara National Park
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
Spend a full day exploring Lake Manyara.
The park offers excellent opportunities for wildlife and bird photography, with elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and numerous bird species.
The lake's changing water levels and surrounding habitats create a dynamic environment for wildlife.
Day 9 – Lake Manyara → Serengeti National Park
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
After breakfast, depart Lake Manyara for Serengeti National Park.
The journey takes you towards one of Africa's most iconic wildlife landscapes.
Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive.
The Serengeti's vast plains support large populations of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and predators.
Day 10 – Full-Day Serengeti Safari
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
Enjoy a full day of game viewing in the Serengeti.
Morning and afternoon game drives provide opportunities to search for:
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Giraffe
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Hyena
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Numerous bird species
The Serengeti is one of the principal landscapes associated with the Great Wildebeest Migration.
Migration movements are seasonal and rainfall-dependent, so sightings and locations cannot be guaranteed.
Day 11 – Serengeti → Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
After breakfast, depart the Serengeti with game viewing en route towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The landscape changes dramatically as you approach the highlands and the Ngorongoro Crater.
Arrive at the lodge for lunch and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Day 12 – Full-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge or equivalent | Full Board
After an early breakfast, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater with a picnic lunch.
The crater is one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife environments, with a remarkable concentration of animals within its enclosed ecosystem.
Possible sightings include:
- Lion
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Zebra
- Wildebeest
- Hippo
- Hyena
- Gazelle
- Black rhino
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area operates under its own authority rather than TANAPA, with separate entry and crater-service charges.
Day 13 – Ngorongoro → Arusha → Nairobi
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, depart for Arusha.
Enjoy lunch in Arusha before boarding a scheduled shuttle service towards Nairobi and if your target is JKIA, the shuttle will drop you there in time to catch your onward flight.
