12 Days Best of East Africa

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and assisted to transfer to Emakoko. Located a short 45-minute drive from Nairobi's major airports, The Emakoko is the ideal alternative to a city hotel when traveling to Kenya. Make yourself at home in our beautifully appointed suites featuring luxurious king-size beds, fireplaces, and private verandas. The Emakoko comprises 10 luxury suites, 5 of which are positioned along the cliff edge and 5 within closer proximity to the river and main lodge area below. While our Cliff Suites boast panoramic views of the vast landscapes, our River Suites are a more convenient option for their easily accessible location.

Prolific for its unique location bordering Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi National Park is both the oldest and smallest park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the park is home to predators including lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena as well as other large mammals such as buffalo, black rhino and giraffe. Located a short 45-minute drive from Nairobi’s major airports, The Emakoko is the ideal alternative to a city hotel when traveling to Kenya. The Nairobi National Park, despite its proximity to the capital city of Kenya, boasts a spectacular assortment of birds and wildlife, with over 400 species of bird recorded in one day. With an excellent possibility of spotting four of the Big Five, many Nairobi residents find the lodge a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life.

You will be met and transferred to Wilson Airport. Take a scheduled charter flight to Amboseli. On arrival you will met and transferred to Tortilis Camp. Named after the natural forest of flat-topped acacia tortilis thorn trees that give it shade, the charming Tortilis Camp is situated on a sprawling private concession, accessed from within the renowned Amboseli National Park. Guests can expect elegant accommodation and endless views stretching to the majestic snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru in Tanzania. The camp’s beautifully-appointed tents are spacious, with comfortable beds, lovely ensuite bathrooms and a private veranda. Guests travelling with children can make use of the Family Tent and small groups can enjoy the comforts of the Private House. All accommodation options at Tortilis have exceptional mountain views.

Located about a four-hour drive (240 km or 150 miles) southeast of Nairobi, Amboseli National Park is well known for its herds of big tusked elephants. A scenic park in its own right, Amboseli is synonymous with two particular things – majestic herds of elephant and glorious views of Mount Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania. Kenya’s second most popular national park after the Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli was declared a UNESCO-Mab Biosphere Reserve in 1991. During heavy rains, the basin at the centre of the park floods, attracting hordes of wildlife. The reserve is an excellent place to view the Big Five, as well as lesser known and rarer wildlife species.

This morning you will be transferred to the Tanzania-Kenya border at Namanga where you will clear customs and change vehicles before proceeding to Arusha for lunch. After lunch continue with your private guide and continue by vehicle to Tarangire National Park. You will check in at the Kuro Tarangire lodge - one of Tanzania’s newest camps and a classic Nomad safari experience. Tucked away in a secluded area of Tarangire National Park, this is a good option for those wanting Nomad’s tried and tested combination of luxury, environmental awareness and great guiding. Six large, light safari rooms made of canvas and thatch with verandahs and in door and outdoor showers and flush loos. Open-sided, airy, grass thatched lounge and dining room furnished with hides, canvas and a touch of colourful textiles. The family tent consists of two en-suite bedrooms.

Tarangire National Park, notorious for its huge elephant population that increases throughout the dry season, a stay in Tarangire is perfect at the beginning or end of a Northern itinerary for those who enjoy a safari of solitude. The meandering dry Tarangire River is beautiful to drive next to and the baobab studded horizon is perfect for photo opportunities. Buffalo herds number in their hundreds and about ten-percent of the park is also covered by an incredible swamp that attracts an abundance of animals (both prey and predators) during the heat of the day. The variety in landscapes also makes Tarangire is birders paradise, from the open plains to the swamp, there are hundreds of species to tick off here.

Depart this morning for a game drive in Lake Manyara. This afternoon continue on to the Ngorongoro Crater, which was a pioneer experiment in reconciling the interests of wildlife animals and indigenous forests with the needs of the local Maasai tribe. You will check in at the Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge. Set in 50 acres of virgin Tanzanian bush in the Ngorongoro volcanic landscape, this all suites wood log cabin style retreat is located a few steps from the Game Reserve Gate and 20 minutes drive away from the Ngorongoro Crater that is said to have the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. This all-inclusive property features 20 spacious private log cabins with a fireplace, a restaurant, a bar, and conference facilities. Indulge in moments of relaxation at the swimming pool or at the Earth & Rain Spa after a full-day game drive. The property has 20 luxury suites.

The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is home to more than 30 000 protected animals. It is an area of spectacular beauty and excellent game viewing, an utterly unique safari destination in Africa for couples in love. The Ngorongoro Crater, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Wake early to the views of the Crater, and after breakfast head off for a full day game drive on the Crater floor, abundant with wildlife – view black rhino that are protected within its rim, giant tusked elephants, big-maned lions stalking the grasslands, and bright pink flamingos crowding the soda lakes, an extraordinary experience awaits you both here.

Continue to the Serengeti stopping en route at Oldupai Gorge for a visit to Richard Leakey’s Museum and Archeological Site where traces of early man were unearthed. Game view enroute to your camp. Jul-Oct – This morning your guide will transfer you to the Lake Manyara airstrip. Board your scheduled charter flight to your camp, located in the northern Serengeti. Your guide will continue by vehicle and meet up with you later in the afternoon. Enjoy a late afternoon private game drive. Enjoy 3 days of game viewing in the park. Your days are very flexible where you can take a packed breakfast and leave at sunrise and return to camp for lunch. Or you can depart after breakfast and go for the whole day with a picnic lunch.

Nimali Central Serengeti Camp wil be your home for the 3 nights at Serengeti - a tented camp elegantly and comfortably furnished with all the necessary luxuries of a wild yet classic safari. The camp is located in the heart of the Serengeti close to Makoma Hill, offering utter seclusion and great access to the annual migration and the 'Big 5'. Each tent suite has beautiful views and a wide deck for armchair game viewing. Hot air balloon safaris can be pre booked and two tents are connected for families on safari. The camp enjoys stunning views over the plains from it’s elevated position and is in the path of the annual Great Migration. This area of the Serengeti is well known for very large herds of Buffalo, Elephant and Giraffe. Grazing is very good here.

Where there is prey, so too are the predators and the area has excellent populations of Lion, Cheetah and Hyena that can be seen hunting regularly. As the area has many small hills and kopjes it’s not uncommon to find Lions resting on large granite boulders, surveying their domain and looking for the next meal. The camp offers sundowners on game drives, hot air balloon safaris and decadent champagne breakfasts in the bush. A wide variety of spa treatments are also available.

This morning depart by scheduled charter flight to Arusha. An optional dayroom in Arusha can be reserved for you to freshen up. This evening transfer to Kilimanjaro for your departing international flight.