East Africa Highlights
East Africa Highlights
East Africa Highlights
10 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in Arusha
Visiting: Nairobi, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Victoria, Serengeti National Park, Karatu, Arusha, Arusha / Nairobi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
YGSA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Physical rating:
Low, Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$3935
$2951 (USD)
Operator discount: -$984
-25%
Tour Overview
Discover the best of East Africa on this 10-day journey beginning in Nairobi, Kenya. Travel to some of Africa's most famous areas including the Masai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, where you'll take multiple game drives in search of the Big Five animals and more. Take in the enormity of Africa's largest lake and switch Africa's animals for people as you spend time with the Maasai and Hadzabe people and learn about both their ancient traditions and more modern way of life from an elder.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation: Hotel
Welcome to Nairobi, Kenya’s buzzing capital city. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm where you’ll meet your local leader and the other travellers joining you on your journey. If you arrive early, perhaps head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village. Once you've met your new travel buds, join them for an optional group dinner or alternatively strike out on your own.
Day 2: Masai Mara National Reserve
Location: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Permanent tented camp
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Transfer from Nairobi to the famous Masai Mara, one of the best game reserves in all of Africa. On the way you'll stop in Loita Hills, a remote region that's home to the traditional Maasai people. This is one of the key places where the Maasai people still practice their traditional way of life, with little influence from the western world. Make a stop at Tepesua Village, which is known for championing Maasai women’s health and education. You’ll be welcomed by Maasai Warriors by way of traditional song and dance. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture. Take a walk to the community village which was founded for widows who had lost their cows due to drought, and can never remarry. The village offers support, safety and economic growth through the ‘Tepesua Widows Income Project’. Here the women are engaged in making handicrafts and sewing eco-friendly handbags, washable sanitary pads, and backpacks to sell to visiting travellers and locals. Learn about village life and be shown around a traditional Maasai home, and their cattle enclosures. Continue to the outskirts of the Masai Mara, where your permanent tented camp can be found.
Included Activities:
-
Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve
Location: Masai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation: Permanent tented camp
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Explore the Masai Mara in 4WD safari vehicles with game drives in both the morning and the afternoon. This is the quintessential African experience and with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and some of the world's most impressive animals, one you won't soon forget. Keep your eyes peeled for wildebeest, lions, leopards, antelope and giraffes, to name but a few.
Included Activities:
-
Optional Activities:
-
Day 4: Lake Victoria
Location: Lake Victoria
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Prepare for a long travel day as you head towards the border separating Kenya and Tanzania, then on to the small town of Musoma on the shores of Lake Victoria. Not only is this the largest lake in Africa, it's also the largest tropical lake in the entire world and shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The next three days will be spent in the wilderness, so make the most of your afternoon and evening by stocking up at the local market, grabbing cash from the town's ATM and kicking back with a cold drink as the sun goes down.
Day 5: Serengeti National Park
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Travel on from Lake Victoria to Serengeti National Park and enjoy a picnic lunch at the entrance to the famous expanse. Continue to your campsite on your first Serengeti game drive in your overland vehicle, keeping an eye out for the hoofed animals and predators that call this place home. Tonight you'll have a true African safari experience, camping in an unfenced site within the national park, right in the heart of the animal action. Your leader will give you a full safety briefing once you arrive.   
Included Activities:
-
Day 6: Serengeti National Park
Location: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Wake to another glorious day in the Serengeti. Start the day with an early morning overland vehicle game drive to search for animals when they're at their most active, then return to the campsite for a relaxed brunch. Spend the hottest part of the day relaxing in camp – don't stress, the animals will be doing the same – then head off again in the afternoon for another drive through the park. Return to the campsite for dinner and another night under the Serengeti's stars.
Note: there's also an option of an early hot air balloon ride here. Please ask your leader at the start of your trip if you're interested.  Â
Included Activities:
-
-
Optional Activities:
-
Day 7: Karatu
Location: Karatu
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Enjoy a final game drive through the Serengeti as you exit the park this morning and cross over to the Ngorongoro Conservation area where you'll descend to the Ngorongoro's crater floor for a 4WD excursion. If all goes to plan, you'll see some or maybe even all of the Big Five animals that reside here and better yet, the vehicle has an open roof so you can really feel like a part of the action. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles and as a result it's easier to watch them from up close. Take in the spectacular views from the rim of the crater as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lion, zebra, cheetah, buffalo, gazelle and the endangered black rhino, as well as the colorfully dressed Maasai people who often water their cattle at the lake here.
In the afternoon, we leave the Ngorongoro Crater and drive to Karatu, a small town on its outskirts and your base for the next two nights.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 8: Karatu
Location: Karatu
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast this morning, you’ll make your way to Lake Eyasi, a huge seasonal soda lake. Lake Eyasi has been home to the Hadzabe people for more than 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Today’s visit to the Hadzabe lands offers incredible insight into this ancient culture and a chance to learn about their way of life today. You’ll have the opportunity to meet members of the community and join in on daily activities like hunting, gathering and traditional dance. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, which is thought to be one of the oldest languages still in use today. Return to your lodge in Karatu later in the day for a chance to put your feet up and relax.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 9: Arusha
Location: Arusha
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Today is a free day to relax or choose from the various optional activities
available from your base in Karatu. You might like to head to a local coffee plantation or take a Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park.
Perhaps opt for a hike through the Ngorongoro Reserve Forest to Elephant Caves accompanied by an expert local guide and armed ranger. It's the perfect way to stretch your legs after a few days of overland travel. You'll hike through the Ngorongoro rainforest as your local guide explains the ins and outs of the area here and points out interesting animal tracks and footprints. Marvel at the wild landscape and spot beautiful birdlife as you walk.
In the afternoon, we head to Arusha, where we will spend our last night.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
Day 10: Arusha / Nairobi
Location: Arusha / Nairobi
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. A departure transfer can be booked, at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can continue on with our crew to finish in Nairobi. Please see 'Special Information' below for more details.
What's Included
-
Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
-
Nairobi - Farm to Feast Community Visit
-
Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
-
Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
-
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
-
Meals
9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
-
Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Lodge (1 night), Permanent Tented Basic Lodge (2 nights), Camping with basic facilities (2 nights)
-
Transport
Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle
-
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
-
Lake Eyasi - Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
International Travel
Transport
- Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. Your vehicle type may differ from those listed above. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air. Each seat will have access to a power socket to charge your devices. This outlet will use a UK/Kenyan 3 pronged outlet.
- There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.
- African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.
Accommodation
- Accommodation within the Serengeti is in two-person canvas dome tents with sleeping bags and camping mattresses supplied. The campsite does have facilities but they are very basic and are not to the same standard you would find in western countries. There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower pressure is often reduced to a trickle of cold water.
- If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.
Included Activities
- Nairobi - Farm to Feast Community Visit
- Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
- Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
- Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
- Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. This trip includes 2 nights camping within the Serengeti National Park. Tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags will be provided. Please bring a pillow (or travel pillow) for these 2 nights.
- 3. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Serengeti National Park is possible on this itinerary. Please see Day 7 for full details of this activity. As the balloon only holds 16 people, places are limited and we recommend that you book in advance. Please inquire when booking your trip to book this optional activity.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
-
Are international flights included in this tour?
No
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
-
Is this trip right for you
Camping in the Serengeti National Park with no barriers between you and the animals is amazing, but it's important to heed the safety advice of your leader. You'll be briefed on arrival.
This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘big five’. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
You may also want to check out East Africa Safari & Coast if you have more time to explore in Tanzania. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
2024 Jun
2024 Jul
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025
Friday - Sunday
May 17, 2024 - May 26, 2024Friday - Sunday
May 24, 2024 - Jun 02, 2024Friday - Sunday
May 31, 2024 - Jun 09, 2024Friday - Sunday
Jun 07, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 11, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024Friday - Sunday
Jun 21, 2024 - Jun 30, 2024Friday - Sunday
Jun 28, 2024 - Jul 07, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 09, 2024 - Jul 18, 2024Friday - Sunday
Jul 12, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 23, 2024 - Aug 01, 2024Friday - Sunday
Jul 26, 2024 - Aug 04, 2024Friday - Sunday
Aug 02, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Aug 20, 2024 - Aug 29, 2024Friday - Sunday
Aug 30, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 17, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024Wednesday - Friday
Sep 18, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024Friday - Sunday
Sep 20, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 03, 2024Friday - Sunday
Sep 27, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Friday - Sunday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 08, 2024 - Oct 17, 2024Friday - Sunday
Oct 11, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024Friday - Sunday
Oct 18, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Friday - Sunday
Oct 25, 2024 - Nov 03, 2024Friday - Sunday
Nov 01, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Friday - Sunday
Nov 15, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Friday - Sunday
Dec 13, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024Friday - Sunday
Dec 27, 2024 - Jan 05, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jan 03, 2025 - Jan 12, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jan 17, 2025 - Jan 26, 2025Friday - Sunday
Feb 07, 2025 - Feb 16, 2025Friday - Sunday
Feb 14, 2025 - Feb 23, 2025Friday - Sunday
Feb 28, 2025 - Mar 09, 2025Friday - Sunday
Mar 07, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025Friday - Sunday
Apr 25, 2025 - May 04, 2025Friday - Sunday
May 09, 2025 - May 18, 2025Friday - Sunday
May 23, 2025 - Jun 01, 2025Friday - Sunday
May 30, 2025 - Jun 08, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jun 20, 2025 - Jun 29, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 24, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jun 27, 2025 - Jul 06, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 22, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Friday - Sunday
Jul 25, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Aug 05, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 08, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Aug 12, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 22, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Aug 26, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025Friday - Sunday
Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025Friday - Sunday
Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 09, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Friday - Sunday
Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025Friday - Sunday
Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 23, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Friday - Sunday
Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 30, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025Friday - Sunday
Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025Friday - Sunday
Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025Friday - Sunday
Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025Friday - Sunday
Oct 24, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025Friday - Sunday
Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025Friday - Sunday
Nov 07, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025Friday - Sunday
Nov 21, 2025 - Nov 30, 2025Friday - Sunday
Dec 12, 2025 - Dec 21, 2025Friday - Sunday
Dec 26, 2025 - Jan 04, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
Terms and Conditions