16 Days Explore East Africa Safari Holiday: For travellers seeking for a safari experience that captures some of the best locations and experience on offer across Kenya and Tanzania, with exotic and tropical Zanzibar, this 16 Days Explore East Africa Safari Holiday is perfect itinerary for you.
Your 16 days adventure begins in Kenya with a night in Nairobi, before quickly moving on to the private Mara Naboisho Conservancy, which embraces excellent game viewing opportunities, walking safaris and unforgettable night safaris. Then, head to Tanzania’s Serengeti for its sweeping savannah plains and the chance to witness the annual Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra and the predators that rely on them for sustenance. Finally, top off your incredible journey with a visit to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the Big Five – lion, leopards, buffaloes, elephants and rhinos.
Then head to the exotic and beautiful Zanzibar Island, a historical Indian Ocean Spice Island for sun, relaxation, water sports and marine wildlife adventures.
Locations: Kenya- Nairobi, Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Tanzania – Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Zanzibar Island.
Start: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya (NBO)
End: Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ)
Highlights of 16 Days Explore East Africa Safari Holiday
- Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
- Day 2: Naboisho Conservancy
- Day 3 & 4: Naboisho Conservancy
- Day 5: A Serengeti Safari
- Day 6,7 & 8: Serengeti Safari
- Day 9 &10: Savor the Serengeti’s Vistas and Wonderful Wildlife
- Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 12: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 13: Transfer to Zanzibar
- Day 14 & 15: Savor the Rhythms of Romance and Adventure
- Day 16: Farewell
Detailed itinerary of 16 Days Explore East Africa Safari Holiday
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Our driver will be ready to meet you at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer you to Nairobi National Park, in the tranquil neighbourhood of Karen. Named after the Karen Blixen, the famous author of Out of Africa, this is where you will stay tonight at the stylish Hemingways Nairobi Hotel.
Day 2: Naboisho Conservancy
After breakfast, you will meet your driver for your short transfer to Wilson Airport for your flight to Ol Seki Airstrip. On arrival, your personal driver-guide will meet you at the airstrip to welcome you to the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. After a quick briefing of the area and what to expect, set off on a game drive as you slowly approach the camp, settle in for lunch, followed by the opportunity to enjoy the swimming pool, relax, and acclimatize to your new surroundings.
In the afternoon, gather in the lounge for a cup of tea and a slice of a freshly baked camp before setting out for an afternoon game drive across the plains of the Mara Naboisho Conservancy. This wildlife rich environment offers remarkable game viewing experience, from significant prides of lion to families of cheetah and large herds of elephants. Enjoy a refreshing sundowner and snacks while soaking up the silence and tranquillity and watching the sun slip slowly below the endless horizon. On return to the camp, there is time to enjoy a hot shower before some conversation by the crackling fire followed by a delicious three course dinner. Spend the night in the African bush, enjoy the sounds of the night as they gently evelop and lull you to sleep.
Day 3 & 4: Naboisho Conservancy
Have early breakfast and head out for a walking safari, usually they start early to take advantage of the milder morning hours before the temperature rises and when wildlife is most active. They can be customised in length to meet the group’ needs. Alternatively, an excursion to a neighbouring Maasai Village offers an opportunity to learn about the different culture and traditional way of life.
Game drives are also on offer in the early morning often with a packed breakfast to enjoy a suitable location before returning to camp in the late morning. A second game drive sets out late afternoon to explore a different area of the conservancy, stopping at sunset for a cool drink. For different experience, enjoy a night game drive to explore the darkness and seek out some elusive, rare and shy nocturnal animals. Take the time to look up, too as the night skies will mesmerize you.
Overnight at Naboisho Camp
Day 5: A Serengeti Safari
After a delicious breakfast in camp, you will be transferred to Ol Seki Airstrip for your flights to Tanzania and the Serengeti. You will fly to the Kenya Border and cross by road to complete immigration formalities, before a final flight hop into the heart of the Serengeti. You will welcomed by our guide and transferred to the camp in time for lunch.
Settle into your tented accommodation and enjoy some afternoon tea and cake, before joining your guide for an adventurous game drive on the stunning Serengeti savannah plains. Have dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight at Olakira Migration Camp
Day 6,7 & 8: Serengeti Safari
Game drives are the main activity to do in Serengeti, they depart twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, when the wildlife is most active, returning to camp for lunch in the heat of the day.
The morning game drive usually departs with a picnic breakfast, allowing for an early start, but it is possible to have breakfast in camp and a later safari if preferred. An afternoon game drive will often stop for sundowners with drinks and snacks on the open plains.
The Serengeti is famed for its abundant and diverse wildlife, from pods of hippos to prides of lion. The Great Migration adds a whole new level of excitement with dramatic river crossings in the northern Serenget, and calving in the open plains of the South. Predators are never far from the migrating herds, taking their pick from the abundant prey.
At the end of an action-packed day, enjoy a delicious dinner and retire to your accommodation.
Overnight Olakira Migration Camp
Day 9 &10: Savor the Serengeti’s Vistas and Wonderful Wildlife
Have two full days of exciting game viewing. We recommend enjoying a picnic breakfast for the morning adventure to maximise time discovering the wildlife. Should the prospect of heading out for a full day game drive with a picnic lunch, only returning to camp in the mid-afternoon, appeal to you, this can easily be arranged.
With picnic lunch, a full-day game drive can reach the southern plains, some of the western corridor, and most central regions, providing a diverse game viewing experience. For an additional cost, there is the option of enjoying a hot air balloon safari and the opportunity for an entirely different perspective on game viewing.
Overnight at Dunia Camp
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater
After a delicious breakfast at the camp, you will head towards Seronera Airstrip for your flight to Lake Manyara. Upon arrival, your private guide will meet you and take you on a 3-hour scenic drive to Ngorongoro. During the drive, you will pass through the lively market town of Karatu, eventually passing through the gates of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road then steadily climbs the outer edges of the Ngorongoro Crater through a dense tropical jungle until you reach the crater rim road. Here, you can take a break, enjoy the stunning views and have a picnic lunch that you brought with you from Dunia Camp.
After lunch, you will continue your journey around the crater rim, into the lush green highlands of Ngorongoro. You will see herders of goats and school children enthusiastically waving at you along the way. You will circumnavigate the base of Olmoti Crater, arriving on its northern slopes and the warmth of The Highland’s Welcome fireplace.
After a long drive, you can relax in the camp and acclimatise to the altitude before having a dinner feast and overnight.
Overnight at The Highlands
Day 12: Full Day in Ngorongoro Crater
You will have an early start to the day and head to Ngorongoro Crater floor. When you leave the camp, it may be cold and dark, but you will be wrapped up in warm jackets and Maasai blankets. The cold will quickly be forgotten as you descend the inner walks of the unbroken caldera, an unforgettable and unique setting for a safari.
Once you reach the warmer temperatures of the crater floor, you will have some time to enjoy coffee and breakfast snacks while experiencing the unique game drive. Seek out rhino in the forest, or lion prowling the grasslands, before stopping for a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, where grunting rafts of hippo will accompany you. After lunch, you will start your journey up the caldera’s walls to the rim and return to the camp for a restful afternoon.
Perhaps indulge in a spa treatment or sauna, or simply unwind at your suite.
Overnight at The Highlands
Day 13: Transfer to Zanzibar
After having breakfast in the camp, you will depart from The Highlands and return along the crater rim and down the outer slopes of Ngorongoro until you reach Lake Manyara Airstrip and fly to Zanzibar.
Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport, our representative will meet you for your private transfer to the Beach Resort on the southeast coast.
Once you have settled into your romantic accommodations, the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the dazzling white sandy beach will beckon you. Enjoy a wonderful dinner after a fun-filled and variety-packed day.
Overnight at Breeze Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar
Day 14 & 15: Savor the Rhythms of Romance and Adventure
Life on the beautiful island of Zanzibar can be as relaxed or action packed as you prefer. You can discover the fascinating underwater world by visiting a diving centre, immersing yourself in the local culture by beach, or daring to try different water sports. Or do your best rendition of a happy beached whale and do nothing but soak up the sun beneath a palm tree.
Overnight at Breeze Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar
Day 16: Farewell
Before departing, indulge in a delicious beachfront breakfast while savouring the tranquil views. Afterwards, you will be taken to Zanzibar Airport, where it is time to say goodbye to the incredible highlands of Zanzibar as you check in for your flight home.