This 12-day Masai Mara, Tanzania, and Zanzibar Holiday starts in Nairobi and ends in Zanzibar. We explore Kenya’s leading Masai Mara National Reserve before we transfer to Tanzania via Isebania land border crossing for yet another game experience in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. We also explore Lake Manyara National Park enroute as we depart Ngorongoro for our onward flight to Zanzibar for a beach relaxation experience on the coastline of Tanzania’s white sand beaches

Day 1: Transfer to Masai Mara Game Reserve from Nairobi

Depart Nairobi after breakfast and drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve, offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Settle into our booked accommodation for the next three nights. After lunch, enjoy your first game drive in the Mara. Returning to accommodation, enjoy some relaxation on your private veranda, sundowners, and dinner in the central dining area.

Day 2: Full day Masai Mara

The next 6 to 10 hours are spent game viewing in Kenya’s leading Masai Mara National Reserve. You will embark on two game drives in the Mara: morning game drive and the afternoon game drive with organized bush breakfast in search of the big five and other wildlife species to include: Masai giraffe, baboons, warthogs, Wildebeest, buffaloes, zebras, jackals, spotted hyenas, topi, impala, Hartebeests, nat eared foxes, the crocodiles and hippopotamus of the Mara and Talek Rivers.

Should your planned time to visit be in the months (July-Sept), you should brace yourselves to witness the thrilling Great Wildebeest Migration as it happens in the Mara. This natural movement of over 4 million grazers from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve is the sole reason why many visitors opt to come to Masai Mara National Reserve at this time of the year.

There is an optional cultural visit to the Masaai tribe community within the park; this visit grants you a chance to learn about the Masaai culture, customs, ways of living, and their traditional dance. You may wish to book an optional Mara Balloon Safari (extra cost).

After the amazing full day game viewing experience, we transfer back to the lodge/Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Full Day Masai Mara Game Drives

Depart again for a day of game drives in the Masai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives. In July – October, you may be lucky to catch the ‘Great Migration’. The camp is situated right on the Mara River. It is these mighty rivers that are the greatest obstacles for the hundreds of thousands of wildebeest on their journey north. The currents are strong, the banks are steep, and thousands perish in the jaws of massive Nile crocodiles. Crossings are spectacular and frenetic, and provide thrilling game viewing either from a vehicle or when simply relaxing in camp, watching from your tent

Day 4: Masai Mara to Serengeti

Bid farewell to the Maasai Mara and Kenya after an early breakfast and enroute game drive that takes you to the Isebania border crossing.

After the immigration formalities are done with our guide taking care of all the necessary documentation, you will meet your new Tanzanian guide/driver and continue on into the world-famous Serengeti National Park for an afternoon game drive. Home to huge populations of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes, the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as well as herbivores including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Alternatively, we can overnight at the shores of Lake Victoria to break the long transfer day; otherwise, this is a long day of driving. Be prepared for a tiring day!

Please note that there will be a switch of vehicle and guide, but this is seamless and should not distress you. Dinner and overnight at our booked accommodation in the western corridor of the Serengeti

Day 5: Full day Serengeti National Park

You will enjoy a full day of game drives in the Serengeti today, either with morning and afternoon excursions or a full day exploring the reaches of the Seronera area, the most wildlife-rich region of the Serengeti. Whilst the annual migration is the Serengeti’s most famous attraction, the park is also renowned for its wealth of lion, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, eland, impala, klipspringer, hippo, and warthog

Day 6: Full day Serengeti National Park

Spend all day on safari in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. The Serengeti is one of the most densely populated wildlife arenas anywhere on earth. You also have the option of doing a memorable morning Hot Air Balloon Safari at an additional cost.

Day 7: Serengeti to Ngorongoro Area

After breakfast, depart with a game drive en route through the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. We will stop for a visit to the world-famous Olduvai Gorge Palaeolithic site and reputed ‘Cradle of Mankind’. This afternoon, you will visit a traditional Masai homestead to gain insight into their life and customs. Continue to check into our booked accommodation located in the Karatu area for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater

Rise early with a packed breakfast to descend for a half-day game drive in the crater. Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world, ’ the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s best-known wildlife arenas. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world, covering a total area of 264 square kilometres. An utterly unique biosphere, the Crater harbours grasslands, swamps, forests, salt pans, a freshwater lake, and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. It boasts a high concentration of wildlife with exceptionally close-range viewing opportunities. Leaving the crater behind, we will continue to visit our local school project, Simba Milima Primary School, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the school and interact with the students. After this experience, continue to check into our booked accommodation for a late lunch and much-needed rest.

Day 9: Manyara NP to Arusha, Fly to Zanzibar

On day seven of this Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Holiday Package, we travel from our Lake Manyara lodge to Arusha after breakfast. The last leg of our safari in Tanzania takes us via the beautiful Great Rift Valley. Along the way, we pass through the rural villages of Mto wa Mbu and Makuyuni, gaining insight into local life in Tanzania. At about midday, we arrive in Arusha, where your guide drops you off at the airport. Say goodbye to your Tanzania safari guide and get ready to catch your included flight to Zanzibar Island.

This short flight takes you to the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago. upon arrival at the Zanzibar International Airport, at about 15h30, you are met by our friendly driver/guide. On arrival in Zanzibar, you will be met and taken to your historic hotel in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage City

Day 10: Stone Town

Today, you will enjoy a tour of the backstreets of Stone Town, a wonderful introduction to Zanzibar that gives you a feeling of the rich cultural heritage. Magnificent architecture, narrow alleys, sand and stone ancient built houses where some of which are over 200 Years old, that have Arab/Indian carved wooden doors. We begin this tour at the main City market, which was opened in 1904, where tropical fruits, vegetables, spices, and fresh fish from the island are sold. Our next stop will be at the Anglican Church of Christ, built by Bishop Steers in 1873 on the site where slaves were being auctioned. Other highlights include the Sultan’s Palace, House of Wonders, the Africa House, Jami ‘turi Gardens, and a visit to the Old Fort

Day 11: Zanzibar Coast

You will transfer to Nungwi. This large village at Zanzibar Island’s northernmost tip was once best known as a dhow-building centre. Today, it’s a major tourist destination, thanks in part to the beautiful beach and stunning sunsets. The result: a place where traditional and modern knock against each other with full force. Diving, snorkelling, fishing, and other water sports are the main attractions here. From Nungwi, frequented dive sites are mainly down the east coast or to Mnemba Island and reefs near Tumbatu Island. For swimmers, Nungwi’s local geography and tidal pattern mean swimming is possible at any time. Other activities available include yoga, cycling, and guided tours of the village.

Day 12: Depart Zanzibar

Today is the final day of our adventure; however, extra nights in Zanzibar can be arranged upon request. Breakfast is served and savoured at our hotel, after which we transfer to the airport or seaport according to the time of your departure back home or onwards, replete with images and memories of our magical adventure.