Kenya Wildlife Safari plus Tanzania Extension

10 days from $3019*

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

On sale prices include savings of up to $800 per couple if you reserve before February 24, 2010!

Kenya Wildlife Safari plus optional Tanzania Extension

Wildebeest and Zebra migration in Masai Mara

Savvy travelers and novices alike include Kenya & Tanzania on their list of dream destinations, and for very good reason. Both countries are blessed with an abundance of spectacular wildlife and lavishly gorgeous, incredibly photogenic landscapes. Everywhere you go, from the teeming cities to the plains of the Masai Mara, the people are friendly and welcoming. Tourist infrastructure is amazing, often offering white glove service where the basics of running water and electricity appear impossible to find. Game reserves are magnificent, filled with all manner of wildlife, beautiful lakes and beaches, and sweeping vistas that seem to go on forever.

Kenya Wildlife Safari tour itinerary

With more than 50 parks to choose from in Kenya alone, and almost 25% of Tanzania protected as nature reserves, it's hard to decide where to go. But everyone agrees that the Masai Mara and Samburu parks in Kenya and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania are must-visit sites. Our Kenya Wildlife Safari plus optional Tanzania Extension includes them all plus a lot more! And like all Friendly Planet tours, you'll enjoy the best of Kenya and Tanzania at prices that are as amazing as the countries themselves.

Our Touring Program

Day 1: USA/Kenya. Depart from JFK this morning on your overnight flight to Kenya.

Day 2: Nairobi, Kenya. Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya's capital city and the starting point for your safari adventure. Meet your guide and transfer to your deluxe, centrally located Nairobi hotel. Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi

Samburu warriors & children, Kenya

Day 3: Mt. Kenya National Park. Depart after breakfast and drive north via Nanyuki to the sight of Kenya's highest mountain, Mt. Kenya. On the slopes of Mt. Kenya, some 2000 meters high, you will be surrounded by a dense rain forest, but will still be able to view breathtaking mountain panoramas. Experience game viewing from the lodge balconies and take in the trumpeting sound of nearby elephants. Serena Mountain Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Samburu Game Reserve. Following breakfast, travel north to the remote Samburu Reserve. This is the homeland of the nomadic Samburu people, whose culture attaches great value to tending their livestock of cattle, sheep, goats and camels as their main economic activity.

Samburu Reserve

Samburu is rich in species not seen in southern Kenya's more famous parks, such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. You'll also have a good chance at spotting lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. The semiarid landscape is dramatic, with the rugged outcrop known as Mt. Ololokwe a prominent feature.

Elephants bathing, Samburu Reserve, Kenya

The Ewaso Ngiro River, which forms the southern boundary of the reserve, attracts many birds and is a popular watering hole for elephants. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and some relaxation, then take an evening drive for more game viewing. Samburu Serena Lodge (B,L,D)

Cheetah, Samburu Reserve

Day 5: Samburu Game Reserve. Enjoy another day of game viewing drives in the Samburu Game Reserve during two safari drives, one in the morning and another in the early evening, in a safari vehicle with roof hatch access for perfect game viewing and photography. Guided by your expert driver, enjoy searching for animals native to this fascinating and beautiful area. (B,L,D)

Flamingos at Lake Nakuru

Day 6: Lake Nakura National Park. Early this morning, travel to Lake Nakura National Park. After lunch and some down time, enjoy a game viewing drive to view some of the two million flamingos at close range as well as other animals that inhabit the park.

This park is a rhino sanctuary, offering the rare opportunity to see these endangered animals. It's also home to rare Rothschild's giraffes as well as buffalo, leopards and lions, which are known to climb trees. This evening, take a guided nature walk in the sanctuary. Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or Flamingo Hill Camp (B,L,D)

Migrating wilderbeest & zebras, Masai Mara © Christophe Poudras - Fotolia

Day 7: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. After breakfast, board your touring coach for the Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Every year, between June and September, millions of wildebeests and zebras migrate into the Mara in search of water. The timing of this phenomenon varies, depending on the rains, but they usually start heading back to the Serengeti in October.

Ostriches & zebras

Whether you see the migration or not, the Mara almost guarantees you'll enjoy a magnificent time in Kenya. Here among the grassy plains and lush landscape, you'll find a huge variety of game, the largest in Kenya, including lions, cheetahs, buffalo and abundant bird life such as ostriches, cranes and storks. Enjoy lunch at your lodge then relax until later this afternoon when you'll take your first game drive through this haven of wildlife.

Masai traditional dance

This afternoon you'll have an optional opportunity to visit to a Masai Village for an in-depth look at this colorful and pastoral people in their natural setting ($25). Keekorok Lodge or similar (B,L,D)

Game viewing

Day 8: Masai Mara National Reserve. Today you will take two safari drives, one in the morning and another in the early evening, in a safari vehicle with roof hatch access for perfect game viewing and photography. You will have the option of replacing one safari drive with an optional balloon safari ($459) which provides a thrilling opportunity to soar high over the plain for animal viewing from above.

Giraffes, Masai Mara

Whether you go by air or land, you will enjoy searching for animals native to this fascinating and beautiful area guided by your expert driver, who will amaze you with his ability to spot game hidden in the bush. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Masai Mara/Nairobi/Depart Kenya This Evening. Enjoy a final early morning safari. After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Nairobi where you'll enjoy lunch.

Afterwards, take a tour of the city of Nairobi. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at the famous Carnivoire Restaurant. (Passengers taking the Tanzania extension will receive the tour and dinner on the day they return from Tanzania. Please see itinerary below). After dinner, transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to the USA. (B,L,D)

Tours departing in 2010 will visit the Karen Blixen Museum and the Langata Giraffe Center after lunch. The Blixen Museum, which opened in 1991, was owned by "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen and served as the farm house for her 4500 acre farm from 1917 till 1931. The Langata Giraffe Center was established to to protect the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. There are also several warthogs which roam freely with the giraffes. Guests are permitted to feed the giraffes from a raised feeding platform.

Day 10: Arrive USA. Your Kenya Safari ends today as you arrive in New York. Or, if your schedule permits, join us on a fabulous optional extension to Tanzania!

Optional Tanzania Extension**

Why not take advantage of your already-included international airfare and extend your stay to three of Tanzania's magnificent game parks: The Ngorongoro Crater, often described as the "eighth wonder of the world," is the remnant of an ancient volcano and has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa; Lake Manyara, home of the famous tree-climbing lions; and Tarangire National Park, famous for its abundant birdlife as well as plentiful big game.

Day 9: Masai Mara/Nairobi/Depart Kenya This Evening. Enjoy a final early morning safari. After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Nairobi and enjoy a lunch with your group. Afterward, transfer to your hotel and the balance of the day is at leisure.Intercontinental Hotel (B,L)

Elephants on the march

Day 10: Arusha & Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. After breakfast, drive to the Kenya/Tanzania border at Namanga. Continue to Arusha and enjoy lunch at the Arusha Hotel. (Tours departing in 2010 will fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro and than transfer to Arusha.)

Rhino & egret, Tarangire Park

After lunch drive to Tarangire National Park, home to thousands of elephants, and, in the dry season, game which congregates along the river after having migrated from the Masai Mara. Tarangire is an ornithologist's paradise, rich in an incredible diversity of birds. In addition, large herds of antelope, zebras, gazelles, buffalo, wildebeest, leopards, elephants, rhinos and lots of smaller mammals make the park their home. Arrive at your lodge later in the afternoon, with game viewing en route. Tarangire Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 11: Lake Manyara National Park. After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Located at the base of the Great Rift Valley, the park is covered with forest, woodland, grasslands, and swamps. After lunch, take a game drive in search of tree climbing lions and the flamingos that congregate in the thousands on the lake. Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 12: Ngorongoro Conservancy. After breakfast drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area arriving at in time for lunch at the lodge. This extinct volcano, whose completely intact rim rises 1800 ft above the floor, offers among the very finest game viewing in Africa. It is considered one of the world's greatest natural wonders, and its abundant game, including rare species such as black rhinos and cheetahs and magnificent scenery will thrill even the most experienced safari traveler.

Wildebeest herd, Ngorongoro Crater

After lunch, descend into the crater, whose floor, with the passage of time, has become grassland with a lake in the middle that is a sanctuary and source of water for the abundance of wildlife found. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 13: Tanzania/Depart Kenya. After breakfast, drive to the airport for your flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival, depart for a tour of the city and then enjoy a farewell dinner at the famous Carnivoire Restaurant. Finally, say a reluctant goodbye to Africa as you check in for your overnight flight to the USA. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Arrival in USA. Your magnificent adventure in Africa ends as you arrive at JFK International Airport this morning.

** The Tanzania Extension requires a minimum of 4 passengers to operate.

Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife Safari Optional Tours

To enhance your visit to Kenya and make it more complete and memorable, here are some optional tours that will be available to you through your guide or tour manager. More information, including updates on pricing and availability, will be included with your travel documents.

A group of Masai men

Masai Mara: Masai Village Tour
This is an opportunity to experience what the Masai tribal life is like as you walk through a traditional village compound. You'll be greeted by the village chief and be escorted around the village by a local host who will explain the history, culture and practices of the Masai. Before departing the village, enjoy a cultural performance by the young men of the tribe, the famed warrior "morans". $25 per person, credit card not accepted for this tour.

Masai Mara: Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast
Take to the sky over herds of wildlife in the Masai Mara game reserve, flying in a hot air balloon. The balloon can soar over the most inaccessible and undisturbed parts of the reserve and offers a bird's eye view of the plains below. At the conclusion of your incredible flight, you'll be treated to a champagne breakfast in the bush. Before returning to your lodge, your balloon pilot will present you with a Balloon Flight Certificate. This is certain to become a once in a lifetime experience you will remember long after returning from Kenya! (Please be advised that flight may not operate if weather conditions are not suitable for balloon flying). $459 per person.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Kenya, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Tanzania, click here.

My safari to Kenya [was] a dream come true...absolutely wonderful. We saw all the animals & birds to see thanks to our guide and driver... I loved the way [Friendly Planet] organized this tour from Mt. Kenya, Samburu, Lake Nakura, Masai Mara, and Nairobi, I enjoyed it all... A trip of a lifetime to remember forever. Thank you all.

— Jenny-Rose Klasner

The trip to Kenya and Tanzania was absolutely wonderful. The game driver and guides were excellent, and the accommodations were very very nice. I also took the Dubai extension and the place was fabulous and fun. Friendly Planet does a great job. I have traveled with them many times and will continue to make my travel plans with them.

— Ronald Underwood, Oak Park, CA

Our congratulations regarding the tour to Kenya we took with Friendly Planet last October. The tour guide was willing to satisfy our desires for pictures and was clever enough to spot the wild animals. We saw wonderful scenery, such as lions eating their prey and many other kinds of wild animals. All that in a quite relaxing atmosphere, vehicles spacious enough for 6, excellent accommodations, fulfilling my high expectations for an African photo safari. Even though I'm 71 and walking with a cane, this tour was very enjoyable for me.

— Chantal Bouyssounouse, Novato, CA