14 Day Highlights of Kenya & Tanzania Camping Safari

This excellent-value for money 14-Day Highlights of Kenya & Tanzania Camping Safari visits some of the best game parks in Africa, as well as several top attractions in East Africa.

Departing from Nairobi this safari visits the Great Rift Valley Lakes of Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, famous for its massive flocks of flamingos. Next we explore the vast plains of the famous Masai Mara Reserve teeming with wildlife. Then we visit the Amboseli Park, boasting spectacular views of majestic Mt Kilimanjaro and considered the best place in Africa to encounter free-roaming elephants at close range.

Crossing into Tanzania we head to Arusha from where we go game viewing in the game-rich Tarangire National Park, home to large elephant herds, and on to the world-renowned Serengeti Park. We spend two days game viewing in the Serengeti, one of Africa's best game parks best known for the vast, annual Wildebeest Migration. Visit the famous Olduvai Gorge archaeological site and the Ngorongoro Crater, home to the highest concentration of predators in Africa. 

Meet the Hazabe hunter-gatherers at Lake Eyasi and finish off with a stopover in the culturally diverse town of Mto wa Mbu. The cultural, scenic and wildlife adventure of the Highlights of Kenya & Tanzania Camping Safari comes to an end in Tanzania's Arusha.

Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Naivasha – Kenya

Departing from Kenya’s capital Nairobi this Kenya and Tanzania Camping Safari heads northwest to Lake Naivasha National Park.

We spend the day relaxing on the shores of freshwater Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley. Over 400 bird species are found at the papyrus-fringed lake, which is also home to a healthy population of hippos. At Lake Naivasha we enjoy excellent bird watching and keep an eye open for game in this compact game park. You have the option of going on a short hike near Naivasha or heading into the bush on a bicycle for some game viewing.

Alternatively we can visit nearby Elsamere, formerly the home of Joy Adams, author of Born Free her famous autobiographical novel about her work with a lioness. At Elsamere you have the option of enjoying high tea in the afternoon. Tonight we camp just south of Lake Naivasha inside the Hells Gate National Park. 

Optional Activities: Bicycle hire,High Tea at Elsamere

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Lake Nakuru – Kenya

In the morning we embark on an included game drive in Hells Gate National Park, home to a variety of wildlife.

Named after a narrow break in the tall cliffs in this area, the tiny park established in 1984 covers a mere 68 km² of mostly savannah terrain. Wildlife commonly sighted includes lion, leopard and even cheetah. The game park is also home to zebra, buffalo, baboons and numerous antelope species as well as over 100 bird species.

This afternoon we drive north to Lake Nakuru, a Great Rift Valley soda lake famous for the huge numbers of flamingos found here. In the afternoon we head out into the savannah on a game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.

This recently expanded 180km² game park is home to more than 25 black rhinos, one of the highest concentrations in Kenya, as well as about 70 white rhinos. Wild animals commonly sighted include impala, gazelle, warthog, waterbuck, resident hippos and large tree pythons. Lion, cheetah, buffalo, Rothschild giraffe, eland and leopard also inhabit Lake Nakuru Park. Originally established as a bird sanctuary this national park is home to a wide array of birds, with over 400 resident species as well as various migratory birds.

We spend the night camping inside Lake Nakuru National Park at one of the park’s campsites. Be warned to keep your tents zipped up or the monkeys and baboons may raid your supplies.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Masai Mara Game Reserve – Kenya

On day three we get up early and set off on our final game drive in Lake Nakuru Park. From Lake Nakuru we make our way southwest to the world-renowned Masai Mara Game Reserve, home to the highest concentration of wildlife in Kenya.

Located along the Kenya-Tanzania border the Masai Mara Reserve is best known for the great annual migration that takes place between its vast plains and the Serengeti Park in Tanzania. In the afternoon our game viewing adventure in Masai Mara begins as we enter this game-rich park known for its spectacular scenery. The rolling grasslands inhabited by an abundance of game make for excellent photographic opportunities and game sightings.

We are almost guaranteed to see the Big Five of Africa – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo - in Masai Mara, as well as cheetah, hyena, giraffe and zebra. Masai Mara is also home to hippo, jackal, the bat-eared fox, wildebeest, baboon, warthog and numerous antelope species, such as impala and topi.

The Great Migration as the annual wildebeest migration is called is an awe-inspiring wildlife spectacle where thousands of wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle stampede across the open plains dashing through the Mara River dodging the Nile crocodiles lying in waiting.

Our overnight Safari Camp is located in the Masai Mara Game Reserve at the foot of Naunare Hills along the scenic banks of the Sekenani River. The safari bush camp features a dining area, bar, shared ablutions and a basic shop.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Masai Mara Game Reserve

We spend today game viewing in the Masai Mara, one of the best game parks in Africa. Our game drives take us in search of the Big Five, the big cats and the abundance of other interesting wild animals found in this beautiful 1500km² game reserve.

The large herds of plains game and plenty of predators move freely between the unfenced Masai Mara and Serengeti Park in Tanzania. You have the option of taking a scenic hot-air balloon ride over the fertile woodlands and open plains of Masai Mara, teeming with wildlife (at extra cost).

Optional Activities: Balloon Safari over Masai Mara (must be booked in advancde)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Nairobi – Kenya

In the morning we enjoy one last game drive in the world-class Masai Mara Game Reserve returning to the hustle and bustle of Nairobi in the afternoon. Tonight we eat out at one of the city’s excellent restaurants, going out into the bright lights for a taste of some lively Nairobi nightlife. 

Optional Activities: Dinner out in Nairobi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight is in a centrally located hotel in Nairobi, featuring a restaurant, bar and big terraces.

Day 6: Amboseli National Park – Kenya

On day 6 we leave Nairobi behind again and head south to the Amboseli National Park, said to be Africa’s best safari destination for getting up close to free-roaming elephants.

Amboseli, located in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya bordering Tanzania, boasts spectacular views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.  The game park consisting mostly of open savannah grassland with its stunning backdrop of majestic Kilimanjaro is an excellent place for photographing wildlife, especially the elephants, from close range.

In addition to the over 1000 elephants, Amboseli is home to leopard, cheetah, buffalo, rhino, lion, crocodile and wild dog. Giraffe, zebra, various antelope species and an abundance of bird species, to name a few, also inhabit this scenic wilderness area.

Visiting Amboseli is not only a remarkable wildlife experience, as you will also get to meet the local Masaai people involved in community wildlife and tourism initiatives. Meeting the distinctive Masaai pastoralists is a unique and memorable cultural encounter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the night at a comfortable campsite near the Amboseli Park entrance. 

Day 7: Arusha - Tanzania

This morning we take another game drive in game-rich Amboseli Park, before crossing into Tanzania at Namanga. From the border we make our way to Arusha in northern Tanzania. The diverse town of Arusha, located close to several of Tanzania’s top game parks, serves as a tourism hub boasting a lively nightlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tonight we camp at an oasis-like campsite near Arusha. The camp is fully equipped including hot showers and a bar as well as a snake park.

Day 8: Tarangire National Park – Tanzania

Today we travel southwest to Tarangire National Park, one of Tanzania’s lesser-known wildlife havens. Tarangire, Tanzania’s sixth largest national park, covers around 2600 km² of open grasslands scattered with baobab trees and acacia woodlands.

Tarangire is best known for its large number of elephants, with herds of up to 300 elephants. This untamed game park is also known for the baobab trees dotting its savannahs, numerous buffalos and elusive tree-climbing lions, as well as its African Pythons.

In the afternoon we embark on a game drive in Tarangire, boasting the highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania, outside of the famous Ngorongoro Crater. We keep an eye out for migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, rhino, various antelope species and an array of predators on our afternoon game drive.

After our rewarding game drive we set up camp just outside of Tarangire Park for another tranquil night in the African bush.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9-10: Serengeti National Park – Tanzania

Next we head to the vast plains of the famous Serengeti National Park, renowned for the annual Great Migration.

We spend the next two days exploring as much of this 14763 km² wildlife area as possible, on small and main roads.

The Serengeti is one of Africa’s top safari destinations and most legendary wilderness areas offering superb game viewing. The world’s largest wildlife migration, the annual Wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is one of the most phenomenal wildlife spectacles on earth. Witness thousands upon thousands of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle stampeding across the open plains, attracting numerous predators.

Game viewing in the Serengeti Park is however excellent year-round, offering an unforgettable wildlife experience even when the migration is not taking place. The Serengeti is home to Africa’s Big 5 - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino – and an incredible number of plains game.

You have the option of taking a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti plains on the morning of the second day (to be pre-booked in advance). 

Optional Activities: Balloon Safari over the Serengeti

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tonight we spend another night camping under the African stars inside the Serengeti National Park, choosing the best camp for the season that we are in the game park.  

Day 11: Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Tanzania

From the Serengeti we drive to the famous Olduvai Gorge, a must-see on any trip to Tanzania.

Olduvai Gorge, known as The Cradle of Mankind, is the famous archaeological site where numerous hominid fossils, including some of the earliest known ancestral remains of man were excavated by Louis and Mary Leakey and later researchers.

We visit the Oldupai Museum to see the numerous animal, plant and hominid fossils including four different kinds of hominid specimens, numbering over 60 – an archaeological record. We listen to a short lecture that provides a great introduction to the history of hominids as well as other mammals.

We also visit a Masaai Boma to get a glimpse into the way of life of the culturally distinct Masaai people, an indigenous rural tribe that lives side by side with the wild animals of the Serengeti.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We stay at a campsite perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering sweeping views over the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The campsite is frequently visited by elephants and features a covered cooking and dining area, and shared ablutions.

Day 12: Ngorongoro & Lake Eyasi – Tanzania

Also known as Africa’s Eden the un-flooded Ngorongoro Crater is home to the highest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania. This caldera measuring more than 20 km’s across and 600m deep is the main attraction in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

This impressive volcanic formation, formed about 25 million years ago, consists of various habitats that are home to over 25 000 wild animals. We spend the morning game viewing in the Ngorongoro crater teeming with wildlife. We have excellent chances of spotting predators in the crater, home to the highest concentration of predators in Africa including lions, cheetahs and leopards.

After our thrilling game viewing drive in the Ngorongoro Crater we travel to Lake Eyasi, just south of the Serengeti in the Great Rift Valley. Some of East Africa’s last hunter-gather tribes, the Hadzabe, have lived in this area for over 10 000 years.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our overnight camp located on the shores of Lake Eyasi is set among palm and acacia trees overlooking the Great Rift. The camp consists of several tents raised on platforms and features an open dining area, bar and a hidden bird hide that can also be used for dining at the nearby spring. The stunning 2000 feet high Alipi escarpment wall forms a stunning backdrop as it rises into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Day 13: Lake Eyasi Hadzabe Hunting Tour – Tanzania

In the morning we meet the unique Hazabe people living near Lake Eyasi, an interesting cultural excursion where you gain insight into this tribes way of life. Of about 1000 Hazabe people, a mere 300-400 tribe members retain the traditional huter-gather lifestyle.  The Hazabe tribe, originally considered to be an East African branch of the traditional Khoisan people, as both tribes have clicking-sounds in their languages. However more current genetic research suggests that the Hazabe people may be more closely related to the Pygmies! 

We continue to the village of Mto wa Mbu (pronounced ‘umto wambu’) in the afternoon. Mto wa Mbu, meaning the River of Mosquitoes, is known for its cultural diversity as there are said to be members of around 120 different tribes living here.

We stay at a safari camp not far from the village on the last night of this Highlights of Kenya & Tanzania Safari.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Mto wa Mbu – Tanzania

On our last morning we take a guided walk exploring the village and surrounding areas on foot. Our village walk includes a visit to the Chagga Banana Beer brewery, where you have the chance to taste some of the local brew, as well as visiting some of the Mokonde people’s handicraft stalls.

We enjoy a traditional lunch at Mto wa Mbu before returning to Arusha where this adventure-filled Kenya & Tanzania Camping Safari comes to an end.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch