12 Day Best of East Africa Safari

12 Day Best of East Africa Safari

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 01

    Nairobi

  • Day 02

    Nairobi to Amboseli National Park

  • Day 03

    Amboseli National Park to Lake Naivasha

  • Day 04

    Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park

  • Day 05

    Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara Game Reserve

  • Day 06

    Full Day Safari - Masai Mara Game Reserve

  • Day 07

    Masai Mara - Lake Victoria

  • Day 08

    Lake Victoria – Serengeti National Park

  • Day 09

    Full Day Safari Serengeti National Park

  • Day 10

    Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

  • Day 11

    Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara to Arusha

  • Day 12

    Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport

Day 01

Nairobi

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to the Sarova Pan Afric Hotel or Eka Hotel where you overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

Sarova Pan Afric, Nairobi
Rooms at Sarova Pan Afric Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya

Day 02

Nairobi to Amboseli National Park

This morning, you will enjoy breakfast followed by a tour briefing by your safari guide. After your briefing, we travel to the Amboseli National Park a little over 200km to the southeast of Nairobi. Here we arrive in time for lunch at either the Amboseli Serena Lodge or Kilima Tented Camp. After lunch we enjoy our first safari in this iconic park known for its classic backdrops of the towering Mount Kilimanjaro. Late this afternoon we head back to camp for your first night on safari.

Views of Mount Kilimanjaro

Day 03

Amboseli National Park to Lake Naivasha

After breakfast you will begin your journey to Lake Naivasha via Nairobi, around midday we will stop for refreshments and lunch. Lake Naivasha is a great freshwater lake that forms part of the Great Rift Valley.  You will have a choice to embark on a boat safari (an optional extra) on Lake Naivasha after which we check in for (1) night at either Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge. (Recommended optional sightseeing: Boat Safari From USD$50.00 per person)

Wildlife in and around camp, Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Lounge area at Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Day 04

Lake Naivasha to Lake Nakuru National Park

After breakfast, we head out to the Lake Nakuru National Park for a full-day safari to this beautiful park, home to white rhinos, vast flocks of flamingos and other wildlife including the Rothschild giraffe and the eastern black rhino.
The landscape is defined by the lake and its abundant birdlife, but the bush and forests that line its edges make for excellent photo opportunities. We shall arrive at our next lodge in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.  Accommodation will be at either Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or Lake Nakuru Lodge.

Flamingos and Zebra at Lake Nakuru, Kenya

Day 05

Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara Game Reserve

This morning we depart on the 4-hour drive to the Masai Mara which is approximately 230km to the southwest. We arrive in time for lunch before embarking on an afternoon safari in Kenya’s best-known safari destination. In the late afternoon, we check into either the Mara Serena Lodge Lodge or Ashnil Lodge for (2) nights.

Mara Serena Lodge, Masai Mara, Kenya
Swimming pool at Mara Serena overlooks the plains

Day 06

Full Day Safari - Masai Mara Game Reserve

Today we spend the day enjoying the spectacle of the Masai Mara’s wildlife viewing. Known for its annual wildebeest migration that passes through these parts around August – Sep each year, the park is much more than that - it covers over 1500 sq km of grassland and open savanna and is home to a full spectrum of African wildlife, and parts of it a critical grazing for the pastoral Maasai people.

Game drives in the Maasai Mara

Day 07

Masai Mara - Lake Victoria

After an early breakfast, we depart on our 286 km drive to Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake which spans three African countries. We cross the border into Tanzania at the Isebania Border Post. It is here you bid farewell to your Kenyan guide and meet up with your Tanzanian guide who will take you onto the Speke Bay area of Lake Victoria. After the 7-hour journey, we check into either the Serenity On the Lake or Speke Bay Lodge for dinner and overnight. (Recommended optional sightseeing: Boat Safari & Cultural Fisherman Village Tour from $50.00 per person)

Hippo sighting at Lake Victoria

Day 08

Lake Victoria – Serengeti National Park

After yesterday’s long drive, you have the opportunity for a leisurely morning to enjoy the surroundings of your lodge on Lake Victoria. After an early lunch, we depart on a 200km drive, game viewing a lot of the time, to the central part of the Serengeti National Park.
Entering at the Ndabaka Gate we pass through the western corridor area en route to either the Serengeti Serena Lodge or Mbalageti Tented Lodge, where we base ourselves for (2) nights.

Accommodation units at Serengeti Serena, Tanzania
Breakfast table at Serengeti Serena, Tanzania

Day 09

Full Day Safari Serengeti National Park

Today we enjoy a full-day safari in the Serengeti. The high concentration of plains game on these grasslands attracts an array of predators including lions, cheetahs, leopards and others. Given the open nature of the terrain game viewing in the Serengeti is almost always excellent and in this particular area, the months of March – April is when the annual wildebeest migration passes through. Dinner and overnight at either the Serengeti Serena Lodge or Mbalageti Tented Lodge. (Recommended optional sightseeing: Hot Air Balloon Safari Overlooking Plains of Serengeti from USD$600.00 per person).

The annual Wildebeest Migration

Day 10

Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

After an early breakfast leave the lodge with a picnic lunch and descend 2200 feet into the Ngorongoro Crater, the only perfectly preserved caldera in the world for a safari on the crater floor. This unique safari area allows visitors sightings of Africa’s big 5 (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and the rare black rhino). This afternoon we check into either the Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge or Ngorongoro Farm House for dinner and overnight.

Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge Luxury Rooms
View into the Ngorongoro Crater

Day 11

Ngorongoro Crater to Lake Manyara to Arusha

After an early breakfast, we depart the lodge for a 2-hour cultural tour of the village Mto wa Mbu as well as the surrounding areas of Lake Manyara. During this walking tour, you will learn about the traditions of the locals, and how tourism benefits their communities as well as have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs from your trip to Tanzania.  Lunch will be a home-cooked meal of traditional African foods.  After lunch, we make our way to the city of Arusha where our safari comes to an end, you will be transferred to Kahawa House where you can relax and unwind before your flight back home tomorrow.

Wildebeest crossing the water
A relaxing evening at Kahawa House

Day 12

Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport

This morning after breakfast, you will be collected and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport.  You will depart Kenya and Tanzania with wonderful memories as you travel back to your home country.

Tour Costs

Please click on the link for the 2025 Departure Dates and Rates

Costs Include

Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary (11 Breakfast, 5 Lunches, 6 Picnic Lunches, 9 Dinners)
All transfers
Park Fees
Game viewing as per itinerary with the English-speaking guide
Transportation on a 4X4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
1 Single entry park fees for Masai Mara are included per day, in case of on-demand for Second Park fees at Trans Mara clients will have to pay direct from US$100 up to US$200 per person per day
Luggage allowance on safari is 15kg per person in a soft bag
All Entry visas to Kenya and Tanzania must applied in advance online.

Costs Exclude

Laundry
Item of personal Nature
Travel Insurance
Internal or International Flights
Entry visa to Kenya US$50 and Entry Visa to Tanzania US$50
Drinking Water
Gratuity & Tipping
Phone, Fax, and any other item which is not mentioned in the itinerary
Add on excursions 1 Boat Safari in Lake Naivasha US$50.00 per person
Arusha Upgrade to The Arusha Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, from USD$75.00 per person
Cross-country Safari Kenya and Tanzania Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory, clients must produce a certificate

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Michael Sump
Michael Sump
13 June 2025
We had a wonderful trip to Africa with everything arranged by Bianca Gersbach. She was extremely attentive to our wishes, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wanted a full overview for our first trip to Africa, and we received it. We went on Safari in 3 countries: South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. We saw so many animals! But that wasn't all, we had a delightful visit to the South African wine country, and deep-dive experiences in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. The township tours and trip to the Apartheid Museum really opened our eyes. At times, Bianca knew what we wanted better than we did. She insisted that we'd enjoy the Okabango Panhandle, and we did! It was magical. A real highlight. A less engaged travel consultant might have let me make a suboptimal choice. We also enjoyed several days in Victoria Falls. I can't praise Bianca and African Travel Gateway enough. We will certainly use them again when we decide to return, and we will return. Once is not enough!
Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
Teresa Harrison
Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
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