14 Day Serengeti, Masai Mara & The Best Of East Africa
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Small group tour, up to 24 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including game drives through seven national parks, game reserves and conservation areas across Tanzania and Kenya in search of the “Big Five”
✓ Game drives in 4x4 vehicles with photo roof and a maximum 6 travellers per vehicle, guaranteeing a window seat for each guest for uninterrupted game viewing opportunities
✓ 13 nights in 4-star hotels and lodge accommodation, located in prime game viewing corridors
✓ Breakfast daily, 12 lunches and 11 dinners
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour
✓ Fully escorted by expert naturalist guide, plus safari guides at each park
✓ All park entrance fees
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Nairobi! Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Nairobi is a cosmopolitan, lively and interesting city. Its central business district is nicely compact and it’s a great place to tune into modern urban African life.
While also a thriving modern capital, it’s known as the safari capital of Africa with some of the world’s most exciting national parks right on its doorstep.
The rest of the day is free for you to relax in Kenya’s capital city.
Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, we’ll travel towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the rift escarpment on the road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. On the way, spot the charming chapel built at the foot of the escarpment and the impressive Longonot Earth Satellite Station. We’ll reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch before setting off on the first of many unforgettable game drives to come.
This is one of Kenya’s oldest and most loved safari destinations. Here the various habitats are home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are also plentiful in the rivers and the bird life is abundant.
The Great Wildebeest Migration here is world famous, with around two million animals – mainly wildebeest, with some zebra and antelopes – arriving here from the Serengeti, from about July through to October.
Today we’ll spend the whole day game viewing in the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve. Following an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the camp mid-morning for lunch, and perhaps a siesta, before setting off on another game drive and visiting the Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
This is the ultimate way to view wildlife in Africa. You will be woken before dawn and then driven to a remote location. Taking off as the sun rises, drift quietly above plains, rivers, and forests while gazing at spectacular scenery. The flight is approximately one hour and gives a ‘birds-eye’ experience to game watching, which many find to be the pinnacle of their safari experience. Upon landing, there will be a full "champagne" bush-style breakfast with fresh Kenyan coffee, tea, and fruits. It is a truly magical experience not to be missed!
Meeting Point: Lodge Reception
Includes: Transfers, 1 hour balloon flight, bush-style breakfast
Start Time: Pre-dawn, exact time will be advised locally
Note: Depending on the landing location, you will either be transferred back to your lodge to freshen up or be collected by your guide to head straight out on your morning game drive.
Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape. Be sure to keep an eye out for herds of giraffes and gazelle as we travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley and head up the Mai-Mahiu before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday.
Following lunch and a siesta, we’ll embark on an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge at sunset. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a fantastic chance to view flamingos in their natural habitat. It is also home to both black and white rhinos as well as the endangered Nubian (Rothschild’s) giraffe.
Following an early breakfast, continue to Lake Naivasha for a spectacular boat ride. One of Africa’s most renowned freshwater lakes, chances are good for spotting some of its inhabitants including the protected hippopotamus.
Then, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch and continue south towards Amboseli National Park. We’ll arrive at our lodge by late afternoon. With five main wildlife habitats – open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland – it’s famous for its big game and scenic beauty. There are over 80 different mammals to be found and more than 400 bird species.
Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, the Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya's most popular parks. The name "Amboseli" comes from a Maasai word meaning "salty dust", and it is one of the best places in Africa to view huge elephant bulls. There are over 1000 elephants in the park and visitors can see herds of up to a hundred at a time. With snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, this makes for the ultimate safari picture!
Today, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli where you can get up close to these amazing beasts in their natural habit before returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
After breakfast, our journey continues to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. After lunch, we’ll pass through the Maasai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations.
We’ll enter Tarangire National Park at the town of Makuyuni after clearing formalities. Keep an eye out for game viewing as we continue to our lodge, arriving in time for a hearty dinner.
This morning, board your safari vehicle for game viewing within Tarangire National Park in search of its large lion prides and elephant herds. We’ll drive through the baobab tree-lined park and explore the Silale swamp.
After returning to our lodge for lunch, the afternoon kicks off with a drive north through the park and to the town of Makuyuni. We’ll then continue home on a scenic journey through the escarpment that brings you to the lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.
After breakfast, enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park in search of its famous tree climbing lions before returning to the lodge for lunch. Leaving Lake Manyara behind, we’ll travel north-west across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you begin spotting wildlife as we approach the entrance gate. Stay alert for the incredible game viewing en route to the lodge as we arrive in time for dinner.
Today is a full day dedicated to the incredible plains of the Serengeti, with both morning and afternoon games drives.
The Serengeti is divided into three main areas; Seronera (Central Serengeti) is the most central and accessible region. This is where the park’s main headquarters and visitor centre are located, as well as most of the larger lodges and communal campsites.
This part of the Serengeti is characterised by its quintessential African scenery – open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing year round. Also referred to as the big cat capital of Africa, It’s particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats – the leopard.
For those travelling at the end of the rainy season (May - July), you’ll also have the chance to experience the annual ‘migration' of over one million wildebeest and their attendant cast of predators.
You may book a hot air balloon safari for this day. Early this morning you will be transferred to the balloon staging site where you will meet the pilot for an unforgettable experience. At sunrise, your hot air balloon lifts off over the Serengeti plains and at times, your pilot will ascend to a higher altitude to give you an overview of the ecosystem and then descend to just above treetop level to silently observe the wildlife below. After about 50 minutes, you land and are met by the balloon staff to transport you to your bush breakfast before returning to the lodge.
After breakfast we’ll depart for Ngorongoro, viewing wildlife across the vast Serengeti plains and stopping en route for a picnic lunch. Our lodge this evening is set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest caldera.
Sometimes referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa's best-known wildlife areas. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a unique biosphere, which has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. Deep within the crater, enclosed by towering walls, some 25,000 large mammals wander the plains, lakes and forests of ‘the land that time forgot', dominated by enormous bull elephants, rhinos and lions.
A highlight awaits you this morning as we depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the world’s largest natural wildlife arena. After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to the crater entry gate and descend 2,000 feet into the crater through the early morning mist.
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and even some sandy dunes. Marvel at this truly unique wildlife experience as you relax with a picnic lunch box, served near a pond populated with hippos before returning to the lodge in the late afternoon.
We depart Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive back to Arusha. After lunch you are transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Arusha.
Enjoy breakfast before your transfer today to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where your tour comes to an end. We hope you’ve enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure!
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”. By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package.
Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.
Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal.
The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:
The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers
Travelling in Africa
Travelling by road in Africa can include some long travel days. Road quality can vary from comfortable sealed roads to rough & bumpy dirt roads. Distances covered can be in excess of 300 km (180 miles) per day or more than 6 hours journey time, subject to the road conditions.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”4”
Active Tour: A very good level of fitness and mobility is required for you to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary, as this is considered a fast-paced tour. While there is some free time scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, there are many full days of sightseeing with minimal rest and some early starts. You will be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,745.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport Information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Kenya;
All visitors to Kenya are required to obtain an e-visa before arrival. Your passport must have at least two blank pages and have at least 6 months expiry.
You must be able to show proof of yellow fever immunizations, otherwise you will be denied entry.
To apply for your e-visa, please wait until approx 30 days before your departure as the visa is only valid for 90 days. Please visit - http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html
Tanzania;
All visitors to Tanzania are required to obtain an e-visa before arrival. Your passport must have at least two blank pages and have at least 6 months expiry.
To apply for your e-visa, please wait until approx 30 days before your departure as the visa is only valid for 90 days. Please visit - https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Group Size
2-24 people
Children
Children must be 7 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
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