These 18 Days Ultimate African Primates & Wildlife Vacation take you across Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar for an unforgettable African experience. You will visit famous destinations such as Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, and the beautiful Zanzibar Island.
This trip offers incredible wildlife encounters, including the Great Wildebeest Migration, cultural experiences with the Maasai people, and a visit to Stone Town in Zanzibar. See the detailed East African safari itinerary below.
Trip Highlights
- Explore Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar in one safari
- Game drives in Samburu, Masai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire
- Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration
- Visit the Maasai cultural villages
- Enjoy a spice tour and Stone Town walk in Zanzibar
- Relax on the Indian Ocean beaches
Brief 18-Day East African Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Hotel Transfer
- Day 2: Transfer to Samburu Game Reserve
- Day 3: Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park
- Day 4: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
- Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
- Day 6: Cross to Tanzania – Serengeti National Park
- Day 7: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti
- Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Maasai Cultural Visit
- Day 9: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Day 10: Full Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 11: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 12: Transfer to Tarangire National Park
- Day 13: Full Day in Tarangire National Park
- Day 14: Travel to Arusha and Fly to Zanzibar
- Day 15: Stone Town Guided Tour
- Day 16: Spice Farm Tour and Jozani Forest
- Day 17: Beach Relaxation
- Day 18: Departure
Detailed 18-Day East African Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi and Hotel Transfer
On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, meet your driver guide who will brief you about the safari. Drive through Nairobi city and stop at places of interest if time allows. Check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Transfer to Samburu Game Reserve
After breakfast, drive to Samburu Game Reserve in northern Kenya. Enjoy the scenic views of the Great Rift Valley along the way. Arrive for lunch and an afternoon game drive to spot lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and antelopes. Bird lovers can look out for over 350 bird species found here.
Day 3: Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park
After an early breakfast, drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its large concentration of flamingos. Enjoy views of the Rift Valley and stop at viewpoints for photos. Check in at your lodge for lunch and later take an evening game drive to see rhinos, flamingos, and other wildlife. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 4: Drive to Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, take a morning walk along the shores of Lake Nakuru before driving to Masai Mara National Reserve. This is Kenya’s most popular wildlife reserve, known for its wide savannah plains and the Great Migration. Arrive for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 5: Full Day Game Drive in Masai Mara
After breakfast, set off for a full-day game drive in the reserve. Look out for the Big Five—lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos—as well as zebras, warthogs, giraffes, and antelopes. During migration months, watch the incredible movement of wildebeests and zebras across the plains.
Day 6: Cross to Tanzania – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive out of Masai Mara and cross into Tanzania via the Sirari border point. Continue to Serengeti National Park, one of Africa’s most famous wildlife destinations. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Full Day Game Drive in Serengeti
Enjoy a full-day game drive across the Serengeti plains, home to some of the largest animal populations on Earth. Spot the Big Five along with giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, gazelles, and antelopes. During the Great Migration, you will see thousands of animals moving in search of water and grass.
Day 8: Morning Game Drive and Maasai Cultural Visit
After breakfast, go for an early morning game drive to see more wildlife. Later, visit a Maasai cultural village for a community experience. Learn about their traditions, food, songs, and dances, and interact with the locals before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Day 9: Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to the world’s largest intact volcanic crater. Known as “Africa’s Eden,” the crater supports thousands of animals including lions, elephants, rhinos, and zebras. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 10: Full Day Game Drive in Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, descend into the crater for a full-day game drive. Enjoy close encounters with zebras, buffaloes, elephants, gazelles, lions, and rhinos. The crater is also rich in birdlife, making it one of Africa’s best wildlife viewing areas. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Travel to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Check in at your lodge for lunch and take a canoe ride on the lake to see flamingos and other birds. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Transfer to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a short game drive in Lake Manyara before continuing to Tarangire National Park. The park is known for its large elephant herds, buffaloes, and baobab trees. Arrive for lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to your lodge.
Day 13: Full Day in Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, spend the day exploring Tarangire National Park. Watch for elephants, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, and lions. If lucky, you may witness part of the annual migration. Enjoy lunch in the wild and return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Travel to Arusha and Fly to Zanzibar
After breakfast, drive to Arusha Airport and take your flight to Zanzibar Island. Upon arrival, check in at your beach resort, have dinner, and relax for the evening.
Day 15: Stone Town Guided Tour
After breakfast, go for a guided Stone Town tour. Visit the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum, the Old Fort, and the Anglican Cathedral. Explore the narrow streets, mosques, and local markets before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Spice Farm Tour and Jozani Forest
After breakfast, go for a spice tour to learn about the spices and herbs grown in Zanzibar. Have lunch at a local home before visiting Jozani Forest, home to the red colobus monkeys and other wildlife. In the evening, relax at your beach resort.
Day 17: Beach Relaxation
Spend the day relaxing on the Zanzibar beaches, swimming in the clear waters, sunbathing, or enjoying optional water sports. Dinner and overnight at your resort.
Day 18: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Zanzibar International Airport for your flight home.
End of 18-Day Ultimate African Primates & Wildlife Vacation.
