Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari // Born Free Safaris

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Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari

At a glance

East Africa

Kenya, Tanzania

12 days/11 nights

All Year except April-May

From $11,550 USD/PER PERSON

Overview
Itinerary
Accommodations

Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari

12 Days Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Maasai Mara

12 days/11 nights

Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Follow the Great Migration

Our Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari follows the migration herds as the travel the great plains of East Africa. You will follow the Great Migration as you circle the region's premier national parks and game reserves, beginning and ending in Kenya. The Serengeti and Maasai Mara form a single ecosystem, divided only by the invisible border between Tanzania and Kenya. With no fences, the herds roam freely. Witness hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle on their annual migration in search of fresh grazing and water.

Four flights are included, so you spend less time on the road and more time watching wildlife.

Amboseli National Park: Mount Kilimanjaro

Your safari begins with a short flight to Amboseli National Park at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli is famous for its elephant herds, with nearly a thousand roaming the park. Enjoy your first game drive in the shadow of Africa's snow-capped giant, where you can also spot cheetah, kudu, zebra, oryx and buffalo.

Crossing into Tanzania: Ngorongoro, Olduvai & the Serengeti

Cross into Tanzania, traveling by land on short drives, enjoy ever-changing scenery, from the lush Ngorongoro Highlands to the ancient man site Olduvai Gorge and the vast wildlife habitat of the Serengeti National Park. Follow the migrating herds as you board a flight to Kenya and the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Best Time to Go & Where You'll Stay

Every lodge and camp is carefully chosen to maximize wildlife viewing. From July to September, we spend more time in Kenya's Maasai Mara, when migrating herds are typically at the Mara River crossings. During the rest of the safari season, we extend your stay in Tanzania's Serengeti.

This is the ultimate East Africa safari for wildlife lovers, photographers and anyone who wants to experience the best of Kenya and Tanzania.

Highlights

Choice of accommodations
Strategic locations to optimize seasonal game viewing
Private Safari in Tanzania's Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Small safari camp in the heart of the Maasai Mara
Kenya - Professional Resident Guides in Camps
Unlimited game drives within park rules
4 Strategic Bush Flights Included
Game viewing at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Olduvai Gorge and Museum
Treetop Walkway in Lake Manyara
Visit with the Maasai

Journey Rates & Details

Rates displayed represent starting prices for the categories shown. Under the Born Free flexible “Choice of Accommodations” option, prices are estimated and can be dynamically scaled up or down to align with your specific requirements.

Rates are based on 2 guests traveling in one room.

Request Rates for Solo traveler, Triple Rooms, Children

2027 Travel	Platinum	Gold	Silver
April-May	$17,500	$14,880	$11,550
March; November-December 15	$18,460	$16,300	$12,680
July-October	$19,880	$19,290	$13,160

Day-by-day itinerary

Day
01

Nairobi, Kenya

Touch down in Nairobi, where you are welcomed with a warm friendly smile by our Born Free VIP host, who will assist with formalities and escort you to your hotel. Get a good night’s sleep, as your adventure will begin in the morning!

Nairobi is a surprising city, with excellent large hotels, small boutique properties, and world-class restaurants. There is a strong British influence with everything from high tea to their bit of formal friendliness.

"Karibu" = "Welcome" in Swahili

Dinner

Optional:
A second day can be spent in Nairobi to visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center.
Day
02

Amboseli National Park

On Safari

A short flight takes you to the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Amboseli National Park. You are met at the airstrip and escorted out on your first game drive. The park is home to large herds of elephant, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, and Cape Buffalo, to name just a few.

Amboseli is a place of stark contrast, the name meaning “salty dust” in Maasai. Amboseli, despite its sometimes dry and dusty appearance, has an endless supply of water filtered through thousands of feet of volcanic rock from Mt. Kilimanjaro’s snow melt. These underground streams converge into clear freshwater springs in the heart of the park.

Do not miss the dawn game drives, when the plains are golden with the new day’s sun and the predators are most active. This is a magical time in Amboseli.

Flight time: approximately 45 minutes

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
03

Amboseli National Park

Up at dawn, head out for some game viewing to one of the five main swamp areas where elephant & hippo gather.

This is also the time that the lions go on their hunts. Every turn will bring a new wildlife surprise. Herds of zebra and wildebeest are easily seen.

Return to the lodge for a delicious buffet lunch and then out again for an afternoon game drive.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
04

Arusha, Tanzania

Be sure to be up early. This is the best time to see the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Then with your guide, head to the border to meet your Tanzania specialist guide. Arrive in Arusha in time for late lunch at our country lodge nestled in the foothills of Mt. Meru. (Flights can be arranged instead.)

The lodge is located on an active coffee farm. Just steps away is the volcanic crater lake where you can take a guided walk to encounter the rich birdlife and local small wildlife. Guests can tour the on-site coffee farm as well.

Drive time: 4 hours

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
05

Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro Highlands

Treetop Walkway

This morning, head out early for the drive to Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.

Ernest Hemingway referred to Lake Manyara as “the loveliest place I have seen in Africa.”

More than two-thirds of the 127-square-mile Lake Manyara National Park is covered by lake, and the highlight of the park's wildlife is the large flamingo population when in season.

Elephant, giraffe, monkey, impala, and more than 380 species of bird are also to be found among the park’s five different vegetation zones. In addition, the park is known for its tree-climbing lions, which may be seen sleeping off the heat of the day on a nearby branch.

There is a treetop walkway that will take you high above the trees. Here, you can look to see the colorful bird life, monkeys playing in the trees, and possibly even a tree-climbing lion.

After your game viewing in Lake Manyara, continue up the Great Rift Valley wall to the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Drive time: 1.5 hours

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
06

Ngorongoro Crater

Early morning wake-up call, breakfast, and then head down into Ngorongoro Crater for prime-time game viewing. The area is inhabited by an impressive variety of wildlife, including lions with black manes and the highly endangered black rhino. The lake area in Ngorongoro is also one of the best places to see the large flocks of flamingo.

Picnic lunch by the hippo pool and continue for a few more hours exploring the Crater. The area has a very delicate ecosystem, and, in order to protect the area, travelers must start out of Ngorongoro by 3:30 p.m.

In order to get further into the bush and make our drive time shorter tomorrow, we can continue into the southern Serengeti region for tonight's stay.

Drive time from rim to Crater floor: 45 minutes

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
07

Serengeti National Park

Leave early this morning and stop if you wish at the Olduvai Museum and Gorge. This is known as the "Cradle of Mankind." The site is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Leakeys discovered one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world showing evidence of human evolution.

On to the Serengeti. This is the Africa you’ve been dreaming of! The Serengeti-Mara ecosystem consists of over 15,000 square miles of rocky outcroppings, grassy plains, savannah, and woodlands.

Born Free Safari itineraries are based on following the migrating herds, maximizing game viewing opportunities. Below is a general guide. There are no "best" times. It is where the wildlife is projected to be when you need to travel.

The Best of Kenya & Tanzania will generally follow this schedule:

June, October-March:
3 days in the Serengeti National Park
2 days in the Maasai Mara in Kenya

July-End of September:
2 days in Serengeti National Park
3 days in the Maasai Mara in Kenya

Drive time: will vary according to season you travel. Ngorongoro to Serengeti: approximately 2 hours

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
08

Serengeti National Park

With unlimited* game viewing, you can set the pace of the game drives. Early morning is the best time to see the wildlife in action looking for food to feed their young or just actively grazing the plains.

The average day is up early in the morning - hot tea or coffee wait. Out on a game drive for a few hours and then back to camp for breakfast. You can go out on full-day drives with picnic lunch as well. Late afternoon drives, sundowners (cocktails) out in the bush, and back to lodge for dinner, comparing stories of the bush with other guests.

*Park rules: no off-roading, but there are plenty of tracks, and no night drives within the Serengeti.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
09

Serengeti National Park

Head off exploring the Serengeti across the landscape as your guide tracks the predators and roaming herds. Spend time quietly observing elephants tending to their young, waiting in anticipation as a lion stalks its prey, or simply laughing at warthogs with tails held high as they skitter into the plains.

On full-day game drives, stop for a picnic lunch or head back to the lodge for a wonderful hot buffet. Venture out again in the late afternoon exploring the Serengeti.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
10

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Cross back into Kenya with an air and land transfer to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, the northern extension of the Serengeti Plains. It is here where the annual migration crosses over the river in search of greener grasses.

Sweeping views of rolling grasslands studded with acacia trees, rivers, and forests lend chance to see a range of animals, from the "Big Five" to cheetah, crocodile, and birds of prey.

Your base for exploration will always be selected to maximize game viewing during the time you travel.

Drive time: Flight and land transfers

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day
11

Maasai Mara National Reserve

We highly suggest the optional Hot-Air Balloon Safari this morning. Wake up just before dawn and head to the launch pad. Board the balloon, offering magnificent views of the Mara below.

Set down for a champagne breakfast and then back to game viewing around 9:30 a.m.

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Optional:
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Balloon safari at dawn over the Maasai Mara with a champagne bush breakfast, from $575 per person.
Day
12

Your Journey Onwards

Flight to Nairobi

After breakfast in the Mara, bid farewell to the bush and the friends you've made at camp. A short flight takes you back to Nairobi, and a dayroom waits for your convenience. Rest and relax until your flight onwards, taking with you memories that will last a lifetime.

"Kwa Heri" = "Goodbye"

Breakfast / Lunch

Available accommodation levels

From understated, high comfort stays to ultra-luxury lodges, Africa offers some of the most unique accommodations in the world. We believe where you stay, especially while on safari, is a core part of your journey, providing far more than just a place to sleep.

The properties shown are intended to spark inspiration. Born Free will discuss the choices and recommend those that align with your budget and comfort preferences. These selections are based on seasonality, site inspections, and—most importantly—feedback from our travelers. Most itineraries can mix and match the Platinum, Gold, and Silver categories.

Platinum
Overview
Platinum properties transcend 5-star standards to offer curated, flawless luxury. These are more than stays; they are unforgettable experiences.

Recommendations
Nairobi:
- Hemingways, Giraffe Manor, House of Waine
Amboseli National Park:
- Angama, Kibo Villas, Finch Hatton Camp, Ol Donyo Lodge
Arusha:
- Arusha Coffee Lodge, Kahawa House
Ngorongoro Rim:
- Crater Lodge, Lemala Osonjoi (pictured), Entamanu
Ngorongoro Highlands:
- The Manor, Ngorongoro Neptune
Serengeti National Park:
- Singita, Four Seasons, Mwiba, Elewana Explorer, &Beyond Grumeti River
Maasai Mara National Reserve:
- Bateleur Safari Camp, Sand River, Angama, Wilderness Mara
Mara Conservancies:
- Cottar's Camp, Mara Plains (pictured), Ngare Serian
Gold
Overview
Gold accommodations are only a "notch" below Platinum, generally in ambience. Nothing is left behind in comfort, location and overall experience.

Recommendations
Nairobi:
- Karen Blixen Cottages, Karen Gables, Hemingway's Eden
Amboseli National Park:
- Tawi Lodge, Tortilis Camp (pictured)
Arusha:
- Gran Melia
Ngorongoro Rim:
- Craters Edge, Melia Ngorongoro, Lemala Tented, Lion's Paw
Ngorongoro Highlands:
- Gibb's Farm
Serengeti National Park:
- Lemala Nanyukie, Elewana Pioneer, Kuria Hills, Namiri
Maasai Mara National Reserve:
- Soroi Mara Bush, Mara Intrepid, Ashnil Mara
Mara Conservancies:
- Mara Toto, Naboisho, Serian
Silver
Overview
Our most popular class of accommodations. Select locations and are often mixed with Gold level properties. Simply a good value.

Recommendations
Nairobi:
- Radisson Blu, Nairobi Serena
Amboseli National Park:
- Ol Tukai
Arusha:
- Rivertrees Inn, Lake Duluti Lodge
Ngorongoro Rim:
- Lion's Paw
Ngorongoro Highlands:
- Kitela Lodge, Plantation Lodge
Serengeti National Park:
- Togoro Plains, Mara River Post, Lake Masek Lodge
Maasai Mara National Reserve:
- Entim, Kichwa Tembo
Mara Conservancies:
- Mara Expedition, Encounter Mara, Karen Blixen Camp (pictured)
Value
Overview
Properties are straightforward without compromising the experience. Special rates are often offered by booking multiple nights in the same hotel portfolio.

Recommendations
Nairobi:
- Crowne Plaza, Four Points, The Tribe
Amboseli National Park:
- N/A (See Silver level)
Arusha:
- Arumeru
Ngorongoro Rim:
- Serena, Rhino Lodge
Ngorongoro Highlands:
- Bashay Rift, Ngorongoro Farmhouse
Serengeti National Park:
- Grumeti Hills
Maasai Mara National Reserve:
- Ilkeliani
Mara Conservancies:
- N/A (See Silver level)

Wishlist

Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari

At a glance

Best of Kenya & Tanzania Safari

12 Days Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Maasai Mara

Highlights

Journey Rates & Details

Day-by-day itinerary

Available accommodation levels

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Value

Associations

Insurance