10 Days Kenya Safari and Zanzibar Beach Tour

As is the routine with safari, you will start early with a pick-up from your hotel, residence, or the airport by your dedicated driver and guide and immediately embark on your adventure. Your first destination is the Masai Mara, heading southwards. During the drive you will be moving through the heart of the Great African Rift Valley, a place of raw and rugged beauty where you can stop for opportune photographs – your guide will know all the best spots.

Before arriving at the Masai Mara, you’ll stop in a local town to have your first taste of Kenyan food on safari. The town will be a typical Kenyan place and will afford you chance to learn about urban life, in contrast to the rural and coastal areas you’re going to spend most of your time. Appetite sated, it’s off into the park with a game drive to take you to your chosen accommodation.

Once your bags are down, you’ll get a full game drive, seeing you through to sunset when the sky will light up in near-impossible shades of oranges, pinks, and purples. This action-packed first day on safari in Kenya is concluded with dinner at your camp or lodge and time to rest and relax, readying yourself for the next day

If you want to add some extravagance into your Kenyan safari experience, opt to take a fresh perspective on the Masai Mara. A hot air balloon ride at dawn is a delightful way to watch the morning break over the savanna. The sunlight will drench the grasses, waking the animals from their slumber; you can watch the action unfold from your unique vantage point high in the sky. Breakfast adds to the luxurious morning, with a bubbly bush breakfast served on a platform high above the plains. As an optional activity, there’s an additional cost of $425 per person.

Whether you spend your morning floating above or driving through the dust-red lands of the Masai Mara, the rest of your day is spent dedicated to spotting the animals of the plains, including the three most famous big cats of Africa

That stalk the plains, hunting for their prey. Your whole day is spent out in the reserve, including having lunch as a picnic next to the Mara river, where you may spot crocodiles and hippos. You can track the changing mood of the day, from the playfulness and purpose of the morning to long afternoons spent lounging in the heat.

As the sun sets on another day, you will finally return to the camp or lodge you have chosen and have dinner before taking time to relax and reflect on a beautiful day traversing the Masai Mara.

Dawn is an important time out on the plains; a time when the air is cool and a lot of animals are moving around the Masai Mara to graze or find good stalking spots. You have an early game drive to be able witness the dawn chorus over the lands and take one more chance to spot more wildlife roaming through the savanna of the Masai Mara. Once the day has begun, it’s back to your selected accommodation for breakfast and to head out to the next stop – Lake Nakuru.

This part of Africa sits on a major fault line in the Earth’s crust, making it prone to volcanoes and depressions. You’re safe from eruptions on your tour, but can still marvel at the epic landscape this fissure in the Earth creates as you pass through the Great African Rift Valley. Lake Nakuru is one of the largest lakes in this valley, with alkaline water and an abundance of algae that feed the hundreds of thousands of bright pink flamingos that call this water home.

Which are just part of the 400-strong roster of avian species that nest or feed here. All of these birds you will have chance to discover once you reach your accommodation, have lunch, and take a moment to relax.

The afternoon game drive will give you ample time to explore the lake and the birds, as well as the mammals that make their life there. Once finished, it’s back to your camp or lodge for dinner and time to reflect on the things you’ve experienced so far.

By now, you’ll be used to the early starts that come with safari adventures, and this day will follow your new routine. The early morning is the perfect time to spot rare animals like the rhinos who live in a specially protected area of the park, which you will be able to visit and catch sight of them as they graze the dew-drenched grasses. Birds out fishing and herds of zebra eating should also be on show on this dawn game drive.

After breakfast back at your accommodation you’ll begin to make your way south and east towards the Tanzanian border, where you’ll find Amboseli National Park. During the drive, you’ll pass by the rolling landscape of Kenya, crossing numerous states as the villages and farmlands rush past the window of your vehicle. Your guide will stop you for lunch during the drive, offering another opportunity to interact with parts of the country that aren’t protect parks.

Arriving in Amboseli in the late afternoon, you’ll likely first notice the breath-taking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. The cloud covered peak will loom large over your time in this park, it’ll be your companion on your game drive to your accommodation now, and for the rest of visit to Amboseli. Once at your camp or lodge, it’s time for dinner and an opportunity to unwind after the long travels of the day.

After your brief introduction to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, on the previous day, this morning is chance to get better acquainted. An early morning game drive should reveal the peak in all its snow-capped glory, before the clouds roll in for the day. As the sun ascends over the horizon, watch the shades change on both the mountain and the landscape, whilst the wildlife awakens around you. After this magical experience out on the savanna, you’ll return to your camp or lodge for breakfast. Your day is scheduled to be spent criss-crossing the plains in search of the multitude animals that live here

And plenty more that you’ll discover during the day. Your expert Kenyan safari guide will be able to help identify the different species that you see, as well assist you in understanding the plant and bird species that you’re going to encounter in Amboseli. On this day, you can choose to pay a visit to a village of the Masai people, a tribe that has lived on these lands for thousands of years. You will be greeted with a traditional song and dance and then offered a tour of their village as well as visit to one of the homes. For this unforgettable experience you will need to pay an additional $20 per person.

With such a packed day, full of discovery and wonder, you’ll be ready for some down time as the sunlight begins to fade. Dinner is served at your accommodation and you can take advantage of any extra facilities, such as spa treatments, that may be on offer.

This is your last morning on safari, your last chance to spot the great animals of the savanna, your last glimpse of Mount Kilimanjaro. Take this time to breathe in the wonder of the plains and take all the photographs you can of the brilliant animals that roam over these lands. Once you’ve said your farewells, you will have breakfast back at your chosen camp or lodge, and then start the drive back to Nairobi.

Once more through the countryside, farms, hamlets, villages, and towns with the people all passing their days as you drive through this beautiful land. Your first destination is Nairobi, specifically Joma Kenyatta Airport, where you’ll take a flight to the wonderous island of Zanzibar, across the border in Tanzania.

Upon arrival on the island, you will be collected by a driver organised by your hotel or resort that will be located on the east coast. The centre of the island is forested, a striking difference to the white, sandy beaches you will end up at. Your hotel or resort will be at the beachside of your choosing; we can offer advice about which area will be suitable for your group. You will have dinner at your accommodation, with the cool sea breeze offering a refreshing contrast to the warm and dry air of the plains.

Following six days of early starts to pack in your safari itinerary, this morning you can choose what time to set your alarm. Whether you opt for a long, lazy morning in bed or an early start to be able to take full advantage of your surroundings, just be sure to arrive in the dining room of your hotel or resort in time for breakfast.

The beaches of Zanzibar are lined with soft, white, powder sand, giving you that perfectly delightful feeling underfoot. The gentle waves that roll back and forth come from the crystal-clear water of the Indian Ocean. The beach is lined with coconut trees and gentle forest, making the whole scene perfectly idyllic. You can choose to while away your days on a sun lounger with a good book or be more active in your choice of activities.

With all the time in the world and a gorgeous place to spend it in, you could easily forget your meal times. Remember that your lunch and dinner are included in your package and served at your hotel or resort; make sure that you check with them the times and locations of your meals so you can enjoy delicious Tanzanian food in such a quaint setting.

Waking up to the fresh breeze rolling in off the Indian Ocean is a reminder of how far away from the Masai Mara and Amboseli you truly are. Lazing away your days by the pool or beach, drinking fresh coconuts or cocktails, is a perfect pastime for this part of your African adventure.

If you prefer your beach time to be more active, there are a range of activities available on Zanzibar, such as:

Snorkelling
Scuba diving
Parasailing
Wakeboarding
Water-skiing

All of which, and more, can be arranged and paid for locally, through your hotel or resort. There are many ways to explore the nature under the ocean, or just to get your heart racing on the surface. To round off your day finding novel ways to experience Zanzibar, you can take a sunset cruise on a local style boat called a dhow and watch the sun fall off the coast of Stone Town. With such clear skies, the sunset promises to be very special and there’s just a small fee of $60 per person.

Days filled with action need sustenance, and you can discuss your options for lunch with your hotel or resort if you’re away of a trip. Be sure to be back in time for dinner service so you can experience the gourmet food that’s on offer.

After so many sunrises whilst exploring the plains of Kenya, you can find a wonderful contrast in the breaking of day on Zanzibar. Watch from the beach as the sun comes up over the calm water, with a frame of coconut trees if you’re lucky. There will still be plenty of birds to sing your day awake and plenty of beautiful photos to take. Sunrise cruises can be arranged locally or you can choose to stroll down the beach on your own; speak with your hotel to get the inside track on the best locations.

After a beautiful morning, take breakfast at your accommodation, and consider taking a Spice Tour of Zanzibar. The island has been at the heart of international trading routes for hundreds of years and has taken influences from all over the eastern world. You can visit plantations for herbs and spices such as:

Cinnamon
Black pepper
Cloves
Vanilla
Nutmeg
Turmeric
Lemongrass
Cardamom

Plus fruits such as jackfruit and oranges. Learn about the cultivation process and take the chance to taste some of the local produce. As an additional activity there’s a cost of $45 per person.

Your itinerary for your time on Zanzibar is completely up to you, but we are always on hand to be able to offer expert advice about activities that you’re seeking to do to make the most of your time here.

With one final morning on the island, take chance to get your last early morning photos of beach, ocean, and jungle around you before breakfast. After a final farewell to your corner of paradise, your hotel or resort will arrange your transfer to the airport. From here you can catch you flight back to Nairobi, or if you’d prefer to take your adventure in a different direction you can organise a different end destination which could incur additional costs.