The Great Migration is a natural event with herds typically in the Maasai Mara from August to early November. Movements and river crossings of migrating herds can be challenging to predict year to year. When possible, we’ll modify game viewing when advised of reported sightings. Since this safari includes Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, you’re guaranteed to see the herds no matter when you visit. All game viewing is done at your own risk and requires a signed liability waiver prior to travel. Due to rough driving on/off road and in/between game parks, this vacation is not recommended for guests with serious back problems or mobility issues.
Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN NAIROBI, KENYA
Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins!Welcome to Nairobi, gateway to your dream safari. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.NAIROBI-CITY-CENTER.jpg
Day 2 NAIROBI–OL PEJETA CONSERVANCY
To the Foot of Mount KenyaDrive north out of the city to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest rhino sanctuary in East Africa. After lunch and some time to settle in, embark on a game drive to begin your search for the “Big 5”—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. End the day with a 
welcome barbeque dinner in the bush.TOUR HIGHLIGHTSMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION A guest favorite, Sweetwaters Serena Camp is in the heart of the conservancy with magnificent views of Mount Kenya. Globus guests are always given tents directly in front of the floodlit waterhole where wildlife comes to drink day and night, improving the opportunity to see fascinating wildlife directly from your private verandah!LOCAL FAVORITEA WILD WELCOME Join your traveling companions for a special welcome dinner in the bush overlooking the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Share stories of the day over food and drink and learn what adventures lie ahead. OL-PEJETA-WHITE-RHINO.jpg
Day 3 OL PEJETA
Safari SensationRise early for a morning game drive with beautiful Mount Kenya as the backdrop. Beyond the “Big 5,” you may spot cheetah, zebra, gazelle, and more. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare wild dogs. After some down time and lunch, visit the Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary then set out on an afternoon game drive. Dinner at camp concludes your first full day on safari!LOCAL FAVORITESMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Learn more about the plight of chimpanzees and the great work being done for their welfare during a visit to Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute, the sanctuary offers a long-term home to orphaned and abused chimpanzees—a moving example of wildlife conservation for future generations. For the welfare of the chimps who call the sanctuary home, our small group visits are broken into groups of six, also affording a more personal visit for our guests. SWEETWATERS-CHIMP.jpg
Day 4 OL PEJETA–NYAHURURU FALLS–LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
Natural HighsLeave Ol Pejeta and journey through the beautiful Kenyan highlands, one of the most fertile agricultural areas in all of Africa. TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Discover the wonders of the Kenyan highlands with a stop at scenic Nyahururu Falls and then on to Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive and a chance to see giraffe, impala, flamingo, striped hyena, and a variety of birdlife along the water’s edge. Lake Nakuru National Park is home to the largest euphorbia forest in Africa, an important pollination and food source for bees and black rhinos, yet toxic to many animals.KENYAN-HIGHLANDS.jpg
Day 5 LAKE NAKURU–MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Jewel of KenyaThis morning, depart for Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s most famous game area. “The Mara,” as it is called by locals, is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and boasts a strong permanent population of game. When the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra arrive, typically from August to early November, their population grows by almost 2 million - a bountiful food source for predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena. After lunch at your lodge, set out on an afternoon game drive.TOUR HIGHLIGHT RICH IN CULTURE Neutral tones are encouraged for safari expeditions but the village visits provide spectacular visions of vibrantly beaded necklaces and red clothing traditional to the Maasai culture, symbolizing strength and courage, as well as serving to ward off predators from afar.MAASAI-MARA-CHEETA.jpg
Day 6 MAASAI MARA
Magical MaraRise early for a morning game drive including an exclusive bush breakfast. Be sure to watch for elephant, rhino, giraffe, topi, hyena, and much more. Return to the camp and relax prior to your afternoon game drive.LOCAL FAVORITEBREAKFAST IN THE BUSH As part of your morning game drive, you’ll be treated to this time-honored safari experience in Africa’s unmatched landscapes, reminiscent of Africa’s early explorers. Sip mimosas as you savor this memorable experience in the wild.MAASAI-MARA-WILDEBEESTS.jpg
Day 7 MAASAI MARA–AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
In the Shadows of “Kili” After breakfast, fly to Amboseli National Park, known for spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro or “Kili” as the locals call it, the highest mountain in Africa. After lunch at the lodge, embark on an afternoon game drive.TOUR HIGHLIGHTSAFARI LODGE Spend leisure time at the lodge exploring the grounds on a guided nature walk or participate in eco-tourism activities by planting an indigenous tree to improve the dry area. Cooking classes, language lessons, massage services, and a free-form pool enrich your experience.AMBOSELI-MOUNT-KILLIMANJARO.jpg
Day 8 AMBOSELI
Adventure in Amboseli Morning and afternoon game drives are included today. Amboseli affords you a terrific opportunity to get close to the mighty elephant. You may spot Cape buffalo, zebra, wild dog, and more. Stop for sundowner drinks prior to returning to your lodge for dinner.TOUR HIGHLIGHTSUNDOWNER DRINKS This evening, as the sun sets with “Kili” as the backdrop, savor a memorable happy hour in the bush! The origin of the tradition dates to British colonialism in Africa in the 18th century and was born out of necessity rather than enjoyment. Containing quinine-infused tonic and gin, colonizers drank it to ward off malaria. As the British Empire expanded into Africa, the popularity of gin and tonic spread with it. Today, Sundowners mark the transition from day to night. AMBOSELI-MOUNT-KILIMANJARO-ELEPHANTS.jpg
Day 9 AMBOSELI–ARUSHA, TANZANIA–LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
Border Duties & Into TanzaniaThis morning, enter Tanzania at the Namanga border. Enjoy lunch in Arusha. Check in and enjoy leisure time prior to dinner. Consider a visit to a local village for a market experience or a nature walk on the safari lodge property. TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Witness the colorful culture in the villages and diverse ecosystems en route to your lodge along the rim of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. MANYARA-LAKE-FLAMINGOS.jpg
Day 10 LAKE MANYARA–KARATU–NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
From Forest Floor to Crater’s EdgeLake Manyara National Park is a small, ecologically diverse park with groundwater forests, grassy plains, and alkaline Lake Manyara itself. The park is also home to the world’s largest concentration of baboon. Watch for these mischievous primates, giraffe, hippo, and more on your morning game drive. After a BBQ lunch, journey to Karatu where you’ll visit a local primary school. Continue to your lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, which is part of the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area. LOCAL FAVORITE SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Today, your small group is invited for a personal visit to a local primary school to meet the children and learn about the educational system in rural Tanzania.AFRICA-SCHOOL-CHILDREN.jpg
Day 11 NGORONGORO
Into Africa’s EdenDescend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unflooded caldera, more than 2,000 feet deep with a floor covering over 102 square miles. Game viewing here is fantastic, as most of the animals stay in this area year-round. This is your best chance to see the rare black rhinoceros, lion, Cape buffalo, hippo, elephants, and a variety of birds during this extraordinary experience. An exclusive bush lunch will be served in the crater. LOCAL FAVORITE SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Because of the time it takes to descend into and ascend out of the crater, it’s common to eat lunch in the crater. While standard safari fare is typically a cold box lunch, your small group is treated to an exclusive, freshly cooked bush BBQ lunch served under a grove of Acacia trees, while not missing a moment of wildlife viewing time. NGORONGORO-CRATER.jpg
Day 12 NGORONGORO–SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
On the Endless PlainsDrive to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most famous park. The Serengeti covers an area of roughly 5,700 square miles. The name comes from the Maasai word siringit, meaning “endless plains.” Enjoy lunch at your tented camp before an afternoon game drive. You have the chance to see the big cats—lion, leopard, and cheetah—as well as an abundance of other animals, including the Nile crocodile, giraffe, gazelle, and eland. You may even spot a caracal, a rare, beautiful cat with distinctive ears and strong hind legs.TOUR HIGHLIGHT SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp provides a refined retreat within the spectacular natural landscapes of Serengeti National Park. With just 16 custom-made canvas tents, your small group enjoys all the comforts of home for a restful retreat after a day on safari. Each tent features two queen beds, free Wi-Fi to send your daily photos back home, and a private tented bathroom. Enjoy room service and sip your morning coffee or settle in at day's end on your outside private terrace to take in the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding glades.SERENGETI-ZEBRA.jpg
Day 13 SERENGETI
Serengeti SerendipityContinue your exploration during morning and afternoon game drives. Home to the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra, generally between late November and July, the Serengeti attracts visitors from around the world and is great for year-round game viewing. Tonight, join a farewell dinner in the bush featuring a traditional Maasai dance performance.LOCAL FAVORITESMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE The Maasai people bring a history of colorful culture tied to this wilderness known as the Cradle of Life. Your special farewell dinner in the bush includes a traditional Maasai dance performance celebrating an ancient culture amid the majestic wildlife who find sanctuary here. The perfect ending to a spectacular safari small group adventure!MAASAI-PERFORMANCE.jpg
Day 14 SERENGETI–ARUSHA
A Furry FarewellEmbark on one final game drive before flying back to Arusha, where a day room has been reserved for your use. Schedule departing flights after 5 pm. SERENGETI-SUNRISE.jpg
Breakfast