Essential East Africa

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tourhub | Intrepid Travel | Essential East Africa | YGYE | Map

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10 Days From

~~$2165~~

$1959

Essential East Africa

10 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in Arusha

Visiting: Nairobi, Loita Hills Maasai Experience, Masai Mara National Reserve, Lake Victoria, Serengeti National Park, Karatu, Mto Wa Mbu, Arusha / Nairobi

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

YGYE

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 22

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-35 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Wildlife Tours

From: $2165 $1959 Operator discount: -$108 Travel Club discount: -$98

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Got 10 days, an adventurous spirit and a desire to see as much of East Africa as you can on a tight budget? Then this is the trip for you! With multiple 4WD safari drives in the Masai Mara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, you’ll have the best opportunity spot the Big Five and all your bucket list wildlife! Stop at remote market towns, spend a night in a Maasai village and another night by the largest tropical lake in the world and soak up all the chances to chat with the locals and learn about their culture. This trip is like a crash course in what East Africa is all about!

Highlights

Safari, safari, safari – what East African adventure would be complete without one? Well, this trip has six in three different areas. Which brings us to…
The animals! Go in search of hippos, lions, leopards, giraffes and more during 4WD game drives in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Masai Mara with your experienced local leaders.
Spend a night hanging with the red-clad Maasai folk in Loita Hills. A local elder will explain what the tribe is all about and show you around their house.
Crossing the Masai Mara in a purpose-built truck is just one of those classic East Africa experiences – vast plains spotted with thorn trees and herds of animals.
Stops in places like Mto wa Mbu and Musoma mean you’ll get time to chat with locals, and travelling with a local (your leader) makes it even easier.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, the East African Wildlife Society. Donations help them protect endangered wildlife, support conservation and promote sustainable management of natural resources in East Africa.
Safari, safari, safari – what East African adventure would be complete without one? On this trip, you’ll embark on multiple safaris within three different areas.
Go in search of hippos, lions, leopards, zebrasand more during 4WD game drives in the Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Masai Mara National Park with your experienced local leader.
Spend the night in a Maasai village to learn about life from community elders, visit a widows’ community and maybe even learn to throw a spear.
Cross the Serengeti in a purpose-built truck for one of those classic East African experiences – think vast plains spotted with thorn trees and herds of animals.
Stop in places like Mto wa Mbu and Musoma for the best opportunities to chat with locals, swap stories and get to know their culture.

Show all

Places You'll See

Baby Elephants In Nairobi

i77idnight

Serengeti National Park

Baby Elephants In Nairobi

i77idnight

Serengeti National Park

Itinerary

tourhub | Intrepid Travel | Essential East Africa | YGYE | Route Map

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Day 1: Nairobi

Location: Nairobi

Accommodation: Hotel

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Nairobi. If you arrive early, why not check out the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of some Kenyan tribes are displayed at an outdoor village. After your meeting tonight, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with your new fellow travellers.

Day 2: Loita Hills Maasai Experience

Location: Loita Hills Maasai Experience

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Depart Nairobi this morning, stopping in Narok along the way for some food shopping. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's huge divide – to the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the Maasai people and when you arrive, you’ll grab some lunch then visit the Maasai, known for their dazzling red dress and elaborate jewellery. Gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk about the Maasai and what they're about. You'll also be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept.

Included Activities:
-Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit

Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve

Location: Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Travel from Loita Hilla to Masai Mara today. The Masai Mara is one of the classic African experiences – wide open plains, perfect blue skies and some of the world's great wild animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch. Then, it's time to jump aboard your 4WD vehicle and go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara.

Included Activities:
-Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari

Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve

Location: Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Adventure into the reserve for a full day's 4WD game drive. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a lots of different wildlife. An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is well worth considering. If you have pre-booked this activity, you’ll be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you’ll ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast, then return to your campsite to meet up with your group. The rest of the day is free.

Included Activities:
-Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari

Optional Activities:
-Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price)

Day 5: Lake Victoria

Location: Lake Victoria

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Travel towards the Kenya-Tanzania border and to the shores of Lake Victoria. This is not only Africa's biggest lake – it's the largest tropical lake in the world. It shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, with time to chill out lakeside with a cold drink at sunset. Make the most of the ATM and local market to stock up for your next three days of wilderness adventures. You’ll be camping on the shores of the lake tonight, at one of its least visited campgrounds on the outskirts of a small town called Musoma, far from the tourist track.

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

謝學儀

Laszlo Szabo

i77idnight

Martin Kohler

Admission

Location: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Today, you’ll travel from Lake Victoria to the gate of Serengeti National Park on a smooth road. Stop for a picnic lunch at the entrance to the park, then enter the Serengeti and start your overland vehicle game drive on the way to your campsite. These plains – green after rain and brown and burnt in the dry season – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators, so see how many you can spot! Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep tonight.

Included Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive

Day 7: Serengeti National Park

謝學儀

Laszlo Szabo

i77idnight

Martin Kohler

Admission

Location: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Start the day with an overland vehicle game drive at dawn. You’ll head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch. After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing as the animals do, depart again in the afternoon for another adventure through the wild. You'll return in time for dinner. There's the option of an early-morning balloon ride here too, so if you didn't take one in the Mara, today's your chance!

Included Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive

Optional Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price)

Day 8: Karatu

Location: Karatu

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Rise and shine for a final chance to spot Serengeti wildlife as you make your way out of the park this morning. At Nabi gate, hop aboard a jeep and descend into Ngorongoro Crater. This gigantic, perfectly intact volcanic crater is home to some 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor is great for game viewing all year round and the photo-opportunities here are next level. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before heading back out on safari all afternoon. After, travel on to Karatu town and arrive at camp for a freshly prepared dinner with your group.

Included Activities:
-Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Safari
-Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive

Day 9: Mto Wa Mbu

Location: Mto Wa Mbu

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Take it easy this morning with a relaxed breakfast at camp before setting off for Mto Wa Mbu with your group. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore. Mto wa Mbu offers a snapshot of small-town East African life. You might consider joining a guided village walk or maybe take a bike ride around the farming areas, spotting milling machines, local homes and farmlands. Or, round up your fellow travellers to check out the craft market.

Optional Activities:
-Mto wa Mbu - Village bike ride and lunch
-Mto wa Mbu - Village walk and lunch

Day 10: Arusha / Nairobi

Location: Arusha / Nairobi

Meals Included: breaksfast

Pack up camp after breakfast for the final leg of your journey to Arusha where your adventure comes to an end. A departure transfer can be booked at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can continue to finish in Nairobi around 5 pm. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's Included

Accommodation
Hotel (1 night), Camping (with facilities) (6 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights)
Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Game Drive
Meals

9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari
Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Safari

What's Not Included

International Travel
Tipping and Gratuities

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 on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied.
The type and variety of accommodation are determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some, we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others, we also use hotels. In Africa, it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities, so we use hotel accommodations and eat out in local restaurants.
There may be the occasional night stop when we stay on the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite, which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case, there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD 40-100 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly, and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the night's accommodation. The day-by-day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability).
Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same-sex rooms.
Campsites do have facilities, but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in Western countries. For example, the bathroom facilities can be very basic. Toilet paper is rarely provided, and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all.
At times, there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately, these cannot be used without the purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip.

Included Activities

Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit
Masai Mara National Reserve - Overland Vehicle Game drive
Masai Mara National Reserve - Overland Vehicle Game drive
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle 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 starts in Nairobi on Day 1 at 6pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore. You have the choice on Day 10 of finishing your trip in Arusha or Nairobi. If you are continuing on to Nairobi, please do not book any flights until after 9pm this evening.
3. An optional sunrise balloon ride in the Masai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti National Park are possible on this itinerary. Please see Days 4 & 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.

Mode of 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 on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied.
The type and variety of accommodation is determined by conditions on each of our routes. Each route is different - on some we use a mixture of campsites and wild camps; on others we also use hotels. In Africa it's not usually practical to camp when staying in towns and cities so we use hotel accommodation and eat out in local restaurants.
There may be the occasional night stop, when we stay in the grounds of a hotel or at a campsite which may also have rooms/cabins available. In this case there may be a choice of camping or upgrading to a room. Rooms cost approximately USD60-120 per room per night for a twin room and cannot be pre-booked. Standards of these rooms vary greatly and we recommend viewing the room before purchasing the nights accommodation. The day by day itinerary advises when upgrades may be possible (subject to availability).
Keep in mind that if we are staying in dormitory accommodation, you may have to share with other passengers or be split into same sex rooms.
Campsites do have facilities but they usually aren't to the same standard you would find in western countries. For example the bathroom facilities can be very basic. There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Wild camps have no facilities at all.
At times there may be spare tents in the vehicles. Unfortunately these cannot be used without purchase of a single supplement. This is to ensure the tents avoid wear and tear, or are clean and ready for the customers arriving on the next section of the trip.

Check out our Q&As

Is this trip right for you

In Loita Hills, you'll be staying in a secure bush camp with basic facilities, cold showers and no wi-fi.

Camping in the Serengeti means, well, camping in the Serengeti. No barriers between you and mother nature means there's no fence between you and the animals. We take safety seriously and your leader will brief you in detail on how to set up camp so as to deter animals from entering the camp.

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, 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 at https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland.
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

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole

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12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

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Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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Operator discount: -$126

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Book 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.
Terms and Conditions

Click here to read our full terms and conditions

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People that have booked this tour have also searched for the following:

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[{"title":"Day 1: Nairobi","name":"Nairobi","description":"Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Nairobi. If you arrive early, why not check out the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya where traditional homesteads of some Kenyan tribes are displayed at an outdoor village. After your meeting tonight, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner with your new fellow travellers. ","lat":"-1.291","lng":"36.822"},{"title":"Day 2: Loita Hills Maasai Experience","name":"Loita Hills Maasai Experience","description":"Depart Nairobi this morning, stopping in Narok along the way for some food shopping. Today's drive crosses the Great Rift Valley – Africa's huge divide – to the remote region of Loita Hills. This is the home of the Maasai people and when you arrive, you’ll grab some lunch then visit the Maasai, known for their dazzling red dress and elaborate jewellery. Gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African community. A local elder will deliver a fascinating talk about the Maasai and what they're about. You'll also be shown around a traditional Maasai home and see where the resident cattle are kept. Included Activities: -<description>Loita Hills - Maasai Village Visit</description>","lat":"-1.666667","lng":"35.833333"},{"title":"Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve","name":"Masai Mara National Reserve","description":"Travel from Loita Hilla to Masai Mara today. The Masai Mara is one of the classic African experiences – wide open plains, perfect blue skies and some of the world's great wild animals. After setting up camp, sit down to some lunch. Then, it's time to jump aboard your 4WD vehicle and go for a game drive through the wilderness of the Mara. Included Activities: -<description>Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari</description>","lat":"-1.581981","lng":"35.2451"},{"title":"Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve","name":"Masai Mara National Reserve","description":"Adventure into the reserve for a full day's 4WD game drive. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a lots of different wildlife. An optional balloon ride over the Mara at sunrise is well worth considering. If you have pre-booked this activity, you’ll be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then, glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, which provides amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you’ll ascend, getting an overview of the enormity of the plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. After landing, you'll be treated to a bush breakfast, then return to your campsite to meet up with your group. The rest of the day is free. Included Activities: -<description>Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Safari</description> Optional Activities: -<description>Masai Mara National Reserve - Balloon ride (from price)</description>","lat":"-1.581981","lng":"35.2451"},{"title":"Day 5: Lake Victoria","name":"Lake Victoria","description":"Travel towards the Kenya-Tanzania border and to the shores of Lake Victoria. This is not only Africa's biggest lake – it's the largest tropical lake in the world. It shares its shores with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. You'll arrive in the late afternoon, with time to chill out lakeside with a cold drink at sunset. Make the most of the ATM and local market to stock up for your next three days of wilderness adventures. You’ll be camping on the shores of the lake tonight, at one of its least visited campgrounds on the outskirts of a small town called Musoma, far from the tourist track. ","lat":"-1.510191","lng":"33.802046"},{"title":"Day 6: Serengeti National Park","name":"Serengeti National Park","description":"Today, you’ll travel from Lake Victoria to the gate of Serengeti National Park on a smooth road. Stop for a picnic lunch at the entrance to the park, then enter the Serengeti and start your overland vehicle game drive on the way to your campsite. These plains – green after rain and brown and burnt in the dry season – are home to thousands of hoofed animals and fierce predators, so see how many you can spot! Your campsite is right in the action, within the park itself, so listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift off to sleep tonight. Included Activities: -<description>Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive</description>","lat":"-1.893601","lng":"34.685651"},{"title":"Day 7: Serengeti National Park","name":"Serengeti National Park","description":"Start the day with an overland vehicle game drive at dawn. You’ll head out while the animals are at their most active, then head back to camp for brunch. After spending the warmer part of the day relaxing as the animals do, depart again in the afternoon for another adventure through the wild. You'll return in time for dinner. There's the option of an early-morning balloon ride here too, so if you didn't take one in the Mara, today's your chance! Included Activities: -<description>Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive</description> Optional Activities: -<description>Serengeti National Park - Balloon Ride (from price)</description>","lat":"-1.893601","lng":"34.685651"},{"title":"Day 8: Karatu","name":"Karatu","description":"Rise and shine for a final chance to spot Serengeti wildlife as you make your way out of the park this morning. At Nabi gate, hop aboard a jeep and descend into Ngorongoro Crater. This gigantic, perfectly intact volcanic crater is home to some 30,000 animals. Among these are endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, impalas, zebras and hippos. The crater floor is great for game viewing all year round and the photo-opportunities here are next level. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater before heading back out on safari all afternoon. After, travel on to Karatu town and arrive at camp for a freshly prepared dinner with your group. Included Activities: -<description>Ngorongoro Crater - 4WD Safari</description> -<description>Serengeti National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive</description>","lat":"-3.345404","lng":"35.66968"},{"title":"Day 9: Mto Wa Mbu","name":"Mto Wa Mbu","description":"Take it easy this morning with a relaxed breakfast at camp before setting off for Mto Wa Mbu with your group. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore. Mto wa Mbu offers a snapshot of small-town East African life. You might consider joining a guided village walk or maybe take a bike ride around the farming areas, spotting milling machines, local homes and farmlands. Or, round up your fellow travellers to check out the craft market. Optional Activities: -<description>Mto wa Mbu - Village bike ride and lunch</description> -<description>Mto wa Mbu - Village walk and lunch</description>","lat":"-3.372125","lng":"35.852451"},{"title":"Day 10: Arusha / Nairobi","name":"Arusha / Nairobi","description":"Pack up camp after breakfast for the final leg of your journey to Arusha where your adventure comes to an end. A departure transfer can be booked at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Alternatively, you can continue to finish in Nairobi around 5 pm. If you need to organise additional accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. ","lat":"-3.365789","lng":"36.67445"}]

Essential East Africa

Essential East Africa

Essential East Africa

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This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Highlights

Places You'll See

Baby Elephants In Nairobi

Serengeti National Park

Baby Elephants In Nairobi

Serengeti National Park

Itinerary

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Day 1: Nairobi

Location: Nairobi

Accommodation: Hotel

Day 2: Loita Hills Maasai Experience

Location: Loita Hills Maasai Experience

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve

Location: Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Masai Mara National Reserve

Location: Masai Mara National Reserve

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Lake Victoria

Location: Lake Victoria

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

Location: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: Serengeti National Park

Location: Serengeti National Park

Accommodation: Camping (with basic facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Karatu

Location: Karatu

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: Mto Wa Mbu

Location: Mto Wa Mbu

Accommodation: Camping (with facilities)

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Arusha / Nairobi

Location: Arusha / Nairobi

Meals Included: breaksfast

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