13-Day Amboseli, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
An Amboseli, Mara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti safari offers the ultimate East African wildlife experience, combining Kenya’s elephant-filled Amboseli and predator-rich Masai Mara with Tanzania’s vast Serengeti plains and the “Big Five” haven of Ngorongoro Crater.
Views of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli, Mara lions, the stunning Manor in Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti Great Migration are just a few of the highlights of this luxury safari across Tanzania and Kenya. Throughout East Africa, you may stay in opulent safari lodges and enjoy some of the best wildlife viewing in the region.
For some New York City friends, we put together this East Africa Highlights Safari: Amboseli, Mara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. They had set their sights on seeing the Ngorongoro Crater and the Great Migration, but their itinerary was completely flexible. We included Amboseli National Park, which is home to hundreds of elephant herds, after learning from the clients that they all liked elephants. We seated them in the plush Sky Safari cabin because they planned to cover a lot of ground between Tanzania and Kenya.
A night at a stunning boutique hotel in Karen, just outside of Nairobi, was their first stop. The next stop was Tortilis Camp in Amboseli National Park, where they took a plane. Surrounded by the amazing splendour of the African savanna, the camp offers breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. A once-in-a-lifetime trip for the companions, thanks to the plush tents, welcoming hosts, and extraordinary wildlife sightings.
Afterwards, we dispatched our friends to the Laikipia plateau and Loisaba Conservancy so they could experience the East African highlights: Amboseli, Mara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti Safari. The region is home to a wide variety of animals, such as elephants, lions, and the endangered Grevy’s zebras, and it has unspoiled wilderness with panoramic views of Mount Kenya and the Laikipia Plateau. The lodge is well-known for its avant-garde environmental initiatives and plush rooms; the friends thoroughly enjoyed their stays, and one night they even tried the Star Bed.
They continued on to the renowned Masai Mara, where they spent time in a tented camp. On their first night together, they sipped exquisite wine while cuddling up to the fire. One of Mother Nature’s most spectacular displays, the Great Migration, was their target the following morning, so they started off with a picnic basket in tow. One of the top safari destinations all year round, the Mara is home to an abundance of animals, including the Big Five and more than four hundred and fifty species of birds.
After that, we boarded the Great Migration and headed for the Serengeti! They were granted privileged access to the Great Migration for their three nights at Serengeti Pioneer Camp. While on safari, guests may unwind in style at their opulent tented camp. They resisted leaving even when it was time to go.
Amboseli, Mara, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti Safari came to a close after a breathtaking flight over Lake Manyara, with a last stop at the Ngorongoro Crater. This stunning natural wonder was created when a volcanic caldera collapsed; it is now home to a remarkable concentration of animals, including the Big Five. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, encircled by verdant mountains, provides an extraordinary opportunity to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. Here, in this breathtaking setting, the buddies spent their final nights on safari.
Afterwards, we returned to Arusha. Shanga offers locals with disabilities full-time employment through distinctive glasswork and beadwork, and they enjoyed a unique lunch experience there. They were able to take a tour of the workshop after lunch before catching a flight back home.
A Detailed 13-Day Amboseli, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari
Day 1:
Giraffes and zebras graze freely within the municipal limits of Nairobi, a city that welcomes you with open arms. We will make your arrival as smooth as possible by transferring you quickly from the airport to Hemingways, a sanctuary of refined serenity, away from all the chaos. At the base of the Ngong Hills, in vast gardens frequented by birds, lies this five-star all-suite retreat—the ideal place to unwind with a hearty meal and a couple of cocktails before setting sail on your SkySafari.
Lodge: Hemingways Nairobi
Day 2
Your first morning in Africa is upon you, so get up and about. After breakfast, we will whisk you away to the runway where your SkySafari flight will take off, heading straight to Amboseli National Park. Your butler will be familiar with your tea preferences. Unlike most Amboseli lodges, which are located in the park’s center, Gold Eco-rated Tortilis is situated on the park’s pristine southwest border, offering the best mountain views, complete access to Amboseli and an exclusive private conservancy, and in no time at all you’ll be relaxing at Elewana Tortilis Camp, enjoying lunch under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The development of community-owned conservancies, which protect property outside of national parks for the preservation of wildlife, is largely attributable to Tortilis. Animals, natives, and you all benefit from this area because big game interactions are more common, exciting, and generally of higher quality. In addition, very few tourists visit this region, so you can expect to see abundant wildlife on your afternoon game drive, including cape buffalo, hyenas, giraffe, zebra, and more than 600 bird species, as well as large herds of habituated elephants (the guides at Tortilis are well-versed in the histories of each elephant family). Enjoy a hearty camp meal while reminiscing about the events of the late afternoon. Then, retire to your luxurious tent for a restful night in the wilderness.
Lodge: Elewana Tortilis Camp
Day 3
Your alarm will go off at an ungodly hour, so make sure you’re ready. Nevertheless, waking up at 5 in the morning to go on a game drive is well worth it, because that’s when the plains are at their liveliest and the big cats are coming back after hunting. As the sun rises and casts a rose hue over the savannah, and with Kilimanjaro likely to be cloudless, these are the ideal hours for photographers. Indulge in a sumptuous bush breakfast under the shade of the acacia trees after an exciting morning. Back at camp, you can unwind with a swim, a massage, or a sunbathing with a nice book before lunch. Then get ready for an up-close and personal experience with nature: on a walking safari, you’ll be led by local guides who are familiar with nearly every blade of grass. Along the way, you’ll see animal trails, taste bush herbs, appreciate the finer points, and maybe even come across something bigger… This new viewpoint is exciting and exciting. Cheers at the end of another day with a traditional African Sundowner. As the sun sets and you sip your refreshing G&T, there’s nothing more reminiscent of a safari than a romantic candlelit meal under the stars.
Lodge: Elewana Tortilis Camp
Day 4:
After enjoying your morning meal with the majestic Kilimanjaro in the background, you will never look at breakfast the same. Immerse yourself in the scenery before hopping in the camp’s specially-built 4WDs for a last game drive – your final opportunity to witness the majestic big cats, abundant herds, and thrilling drama of Amboseli. After that, we’ll rush you to the runway so you may take a beautiful and uneventful flight to Loisaba Conservancy in the Laikipia Plateau. Among the most fascinating places to visit in Kenya, this area boasts the country’s second-highest wildlife population and a pioneering approach to environmental protection. The game drive from the airport to Loisaba Tented Camp will make you feel like a celebrity as you’re ushered into the excitement. You may see a wide variety of species, from the endangered Grevy’s zebra to the Big Five, in Laikipia, one of the few sites in Africa where wildlife populations are on the rise. Loisaba Tented Camp, which has been awarded the prestigious Gold Eco-label, is situated on the cliffs above a river valley, providing uninterrupted views of lush forests, open grasslands, and Mount Kenya. The Loisaba Community Trust now owns the camp, which is both a center for innovative conservation and an intimate and beautiful place to stay. Over dinner and cocktails, you can learn more, and then head to your tent for some unrivalled stargazing from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Lodge: Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp
Day 5
You get to decide how your day starts, so getting out of bed won’t be a problem. Could we go on another gaming drive? Why not go for a run or bushwalk with your Samburu guide instead? An exciting alternative would be to go on a ride in a camel or horseback, which would let you to get up close and personal with exotic creatures. After your adventure, treat yourself to a refreshing spa treatment and a bush breakfast. Enjoy lunch on the balcony before your afternoon game drive: Loisaba is a terrific place to see uncommon animals like beisa oryx and greater kudu, and it’s a major migration route for Laikipia’s massive elephant population, so you’re sure to see plenty of elephants. This evening, you have the option to select something very remarkable. Sibling property to the Tented Camp, Elewana Loisaba Star Beds provides an opportunity to sleep outside in elegance while perched atop a rocky kopje. Relax on the verandah when you roll out your rustic four-poster and gaze up at the limitless, unspoiled, star-studded African sky.
Lodge: Elewana Loisaba Star Beds
Day 6:
Assuming you can muster the strength to drag yourself out of your bush bed… have breakfast and, on your game-drive ride back to Loisaba’s airstrip, explore this breathtaking environment one last time. As soon as you’re ready to land in the unrivalled Masai Mara, an iconic African destination, board your SkySafari flight. You may encounter the majority of the Big Five before noon on your first game drive from the airfield to the remote Sand River Masai Mara Camp in the reserve’s southern region. Game abounds in these plains covered with acacia trees, so even if you don’t, you might be able to squeeze it in during your afternoon game drive. Hyenas, giraffes, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, and 500+ bird species are just some of the animals you might see. A sundowner in this traditional forest setting is the ideal way to celebrate a good day. Coming back to Sand River Masai Mara is like putting the finishing touch on a perfect cake. This glitzy 1920s hideaway is one of the most exquisite locations to stay. It was ranked ninth in Africa and one of the world’s 50 greatest resorts in the 2020 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. Beyond game drives, there are guided bush walks where you can observe the Big Five of Africa up close, and you can even experience the Serengeti in the morning from above on a hot-air balloon ride. In the downtime between safari outings, unwind with spa treatments influenced by the serene beauty of your surrounds while lounging on your private deck or swimming in the pool.
Lodge: Sand River Masai Mara Camp
Day 7:
In order to see more of the reserve, embark on a full day game drive after breakfast with a picnic basket. The amount of wildlife is unparalleled anywhere in Africa. Even while the Serengeti-to-Mara zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest migration is a natural wonder, the abundance of animals in the Mara (including the Big Five and 450 bird species) makes it a top safari destination all year. Naturally, you may have the most amazing sightings even if you don’t leave your house. Located on the yearly migratory route, the Sand River Masai Mara offers a prime vantage point over its namesake river; as a result, the action can unfold right outside your window. Even while you enjoy your last meal under the stars, the cries of nature will linger in the background.
Lodge: Sand River Masai Mara Camp
Day 8:
During your final hours, take in the scenery as you watch the river and woodland below, keeping an eye out for animals and birds that are about to have breakfast… Prior to returning to the airport for your subsequent SkySafari flights, we will assist you with clearing customs, allowing you to arrive in Tanzania’s expansive Serengeti in plenty of time for lunch. Gazing upon this massive African beast is a challenge. In the vast, seemingly endless Serengeti, life-giving streams wind across short-grass plains dotted with rocky kopjes and riffled by occasional hills. The area is also culturally rich with the Masai people and brimming with wildlife. You can enjoy the broader view, but you can also savour the little moments, like the suspense of a lion pride on the prowl, the awe of a crocodile leaping out of the water, or the spine-tingling charge of an enraged bull elephant. We will take you to the most suitable lodge according to the season. Perched on a kopje in the south of the park, we might show you the Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp’s bygone-luxe tents. Not only is the region famous for its enormous herds of wildebeest, but it is also filled with ancient rock art and adjacent Lake Magadi is a favourite spot for flamingos. On the other hand, we may drive you north to the Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp, where you can see elegant stilted tents. There aren’t many people in this tranquil area of the park, so it will feel like you’ve stumbled into your very personal wilderness. When the Great Migration comes through, the camp is in the ideal spot to see the herds negotiate the Grumeti River’s obstacles. The drama and variety of wildlife safaris in Tanzania and Kenya are unparalleled.A game drive in the afternoon on your first day will, in any case, reveal a world of species.
Lodge: Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp
Day 9:
Safaris in the Serengeti are full of unexpected surprises. The plot twists and turns at every turn. One of the most breathtaking things to do is to be there when over a million animals make the journey up the rivers in the north during the Great Migration. Because the Serengeti Migration Camp is right on their path, you won’t have to go far to witness a potentially fatal crossing. The grunts and chortles of the hippos in the surrounding ponds can be heard from camp. In order to make the most of your wild adventure, we will prepare a tasty lunch to eat while we are on the go, and then, as night falls, we will have dinner under the stars, with candles.
Lodge: Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
Day 10:
Daylong, including a picnic in the woods, so you won’t have time to squander. If you’re lucky enough to go on an expedition with Elewana Serengeti Pioneer, you might see the Serengeti’s massive herds restocking: the southern part of the park is home to the birth of 400,000 wildebeest calves every year, an incredible occurrence that attracts a lot of predators. The Pioneer camp does indeed enjoy seeing huge cats. Lions enjoy soaking up the sun on the rocks of Moru Kopje, which is home to Masai art. Additionally, the camp is a sponsor of the Serengeti Cheetah Project, and there will be expert-led presentations that will familiarise you with the local cats and teach you how to spot them while you’re out on the plains. At the end of a long and amazing day, when the sun sets and the temperature drops, we can toast the Serengeti with one more Sundowner. After you’ve had your fill of campfire supper, take a moment to listen to the wildlife one final time. You’ll hear the hyena’s howl, the chuckle of the hippos’ bellies, and the roar of the lion, among other things.
Lodge: Elewana Serengeti Migration Camp
Day 11:
On the way to the airfield, you have one more opportunity to take in the Serengeti’s sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. The next stop is at Lake Manyara, which Ernest Hemingway called the “loveliest in Africa,” after which you’ll have a beautiful flight there. Despite its modest size, this park packs a surprising variety of wildlife. On a game drive across the park, you may see anything from cheetahs hunting antelopes in the grasslands to hippos wallowing in the mud, as well as bushbuck and blue monkeys in the forests and lions climbing trees in the acacia woodlands. Among the over 400 bird species that visit this area, the most spectacular is the flamboyance of the flamingos, which number in the hundreds. We will proceed through the highlands to reach The Manor, which is arguably the most desirable safari destination, after enjoying a picnic at the water’s edge. In the verdant grounds of a functioning coffee plantation, close to the Ngorongoro Crater’s periphery, sit a small cluster of Cape Dutch-style homes. Relax with a drink in hand while you watch the waves lap at the shore of the forest, and your butler will take care of the bags. Next, unwind in your luxurious Victorian bathtub, have a spa treatment, and then chow down on some of the best supper you’ve ever had here.
Lodge: The Manor at Ngorongoro Crater
Day 12
Even though your alarm will go off at the first sign of daylight today, you probably won’t hate it. When you’re getting ready to visit the “eighth wonder of the world,” having an early breakfast is totally worth it. Ngorongoro Crater is a geological wonder, a natural volcanic amphitheatre, and a wildlife festival; it is more than 20 kilometres wide and 600 meters deep. It has one of the greatest wildlife populations in Africa, with an estimated 30,000 animals swarming around its acacia thickets, riverine forest, and sparkling lakes. During a full day at Ngorongoro, you will be introduced to the park’s diverse population by our knowledgeable guides, who will show you lions, elephants, buffalo, serval cats, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, and black rhinos. More than that, The Manor has exclusive access to a secluded area of the crater, perfect for romantic bush lunches away from the madding throng. Without missing a second of the action-packed animal show, you can enjoy a picnic in style. As you and your fellow passengers reminisce about this once-in-a-lifetime experience, the atmosphere at The Manor will be electric over sundowners and dinner.
Lodge: The Manor at Ngorongoro Crater
Day 13:
Before we whisk you away for your last SkySafari flight, have one last sumptuous breakfast at the Manor. Be sure to gaze out the window so you can see the undulating hills and, if lucky, Kilimanjaro peeking through the clouds. No need to waste time at the airport; we’ll whisk you away to the tranquil Arusha Coffee Lodge, where you may unwind in a day room surrounded by birdsong and beans before we whisk you away to your departing aircraft, your spirit, mind, and heart infused with the enchantment of Africa.
End of the 13-Day Amboseli, Masai Mara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Safari