Kenya and Tanzania Safari: The Heart of East Africa

Journey overview

The Heart of Kenya and Tanzania

Our Kenya and Tanzania safari, The Heart of Kenya and Tanzania, brings together the region’s most iconic destinations in just under two weeks. Whether you are discovering East Africa for the first time or returning to familiar ground, this journey leads you to places whose like exists nowhere else on earth. From the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara to the vast Serengeti and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, each day reveals new wonders. Expert guides lead game drives at dawn and dusk, tracking the Big Five and witnessing the Great Migration when the season allows. Comfortable lodges and tented camps place you close to the action while ensuring restful nights. This is more than a holiday; it is a profound connection with wild Africa.

Route at a glance

Nairobi → Tarangire → Ngorongoro → Serengeti → Maasai Mara → Nairobi

Duration 12 days · 11 nights

Journey Guided private safari

Pace Balanced

Minimum age All ages

Programme summary

Your journey at a glance

Day	Place / route	Highlights	Stay
1	Arrive Nairobi; afternoon activities in Nairobi	Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum	—
2–3	Nairobi	Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust	—
4	Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater	Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for exceptional game viewing; look for black rhino, lion, elephant and flamingo on Lake Magadi; enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor.	Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
5–6	Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park	Drive into the Serengeti, afternoon game drive, sundowner drinks overlooking the plains	Serengeti Sopa Lodge
7–8	Maasai Mara to Nairobi	Morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, scenic return journey, farewell dinner	—
9–10	Maasai Mara to Nairobi	Morning game drive, return flight to Nairobi, day room at Nairobi hotel, evening departure.	Tamarind Tree Hotel
11	Maasai Mara to Nairobi	Morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, scenic flight to Nairobi, day room at a Nairobi hotel, transfer to international airport for departure.	—
12	Nairobi to International Departure	Farewell to East Africa	No accommodation

The essentials

What your journey includes

Included

Luxury accommodations and all meals.
A highly-credentialed Micato Safari Director and Driver-Guide during your journey.
A variety of activities, individualized for you by your Safari Director at every safari location.
24/7 Concierge Team poised to meet last minute, unexpected, and unusual requests.
Every last gratuity, even substantial ones to Safari Directors, Driver-Guides, waiters, porters… and everyone else, from beginning to end of your safari.
Regional wine and beer at mealtimes, vehicles stocked with soft drinks and bottled water.
Daily valet laundry service. You can pack less and even return home with a bag of clean clothes… now that’s luxury!
Complimentary in-vehicle Wi-Fi as well as free Wi-Fi wherever else it exists on safari, including camps and lodges.
All airport transfers, game park, national park, and conservancy fees.
Extensive safety protocols perfected by 60 years of on-the-ground expertise.
Sublime safari swag! Bush hats, specially designed Micato Safaris duffels, luggage tags, document wallets, flashlights, and more.
For every guest on safari, Micato sends an African child to school through our One for One Commitment.

Not included

International Flights
Visa Fees
Tips for Guide
Personal Items
Alcoholic Drinks

Day by day

Your itinerary

12 days

Day 01

Nairobi explorations

Arrive Nairobi; afternoon activities in Nairobi

HighlightsNairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you are met by your private guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore Nairobi’s wildlife and cultural attractions. A visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust offers a heart-warming encounter with orphaned elephants, while the Giraffe Centre allows close-up views of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes. Alternatively, Nairobi National Park—just a short drive from the city centre—offers a surprising chance to spot rhinos, lions, and buffalo against a backdrop of urban skyscrapers. The Karen Blixen Museum, set in the former home of the author of Out of Africa, provides a glimpse into Kenya’s colonial history. This evening, relax at your hotel and prepare for the safari ahead.

MealsBreakfast

Days 02–03

Nairobi explorations

Nairobi

HighlightsNairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Your second day begins with a morning visit to Nairobi National Park, a unique wildlife sanctuary just outside the city centre. Here, against a backdrop of urban skyscrapers, you may spot rhinos, lions, giraffes and a variety of antelope. Afterwards, proceed to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you can witness the devoted care given to orphaned elephants and learn about conservation efforts. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore Nairobi's vibrant culture.

Day 04

Zig-zagging into the fabulous Ngorongoro Crater

Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater

HighlightsDescend into the Ngorongoro Crater for exceptional game viewing; look for black rhino, lion, elephant and flamingo on Lake Magadi; enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor.

After an early breakfast, leave Tarangire behind and drive through the Rift Valley escarpment towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road climbs through lush highlands dotted with Maasai villages and coffee plantations before reaching the crater rim. Here you descend the steep, winding track to the crater floor—a natural amphitheatre teeming with wildlife. Spend the day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the density of animals is astonishing: herds of wildebeest and zebra graze alongside buffalo and gazelle, while predators lurk in the tall grass. Keep an eye out for the endangered black rhino, often seen in the open plains. A picnic lunch is served by a hippo pool or beneath an acacia tree. In the late afternoon, ascend to the rim and settle into your lodge, with breathtaking views over the caldera.

MealsBreakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation

Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Full Board · Double Room

Days 05–06

Game viewing and sundowners in the Serengeti

Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park

HighlightsDrive into the Serengeti, afternoon game drive, sundowner drinks overlooking the plains

After breakfast, depart the Ngorongoro Highlands and drive to the Serengeti National Park, entering through the Naabi Hill Gate. The journey takes you through the southern plains, where the landscape opens into vast grasslands. Arrive at your camp in time for lunch and a short rest. In the late afternoon, set out on a game drive, exploring the Seronera area, known for its resident big cats and plentiful plains game. As the sun lowers, pause for sundowner drinks at a scenic spot, watching the golden light wash over the savannah before returning to camp for dinner.

MealsBreakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation

Serengeti Sopa Lodge

Full Board · Standard Room

Days 07–08

Back to Nairobi and thence to home

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

HighlightsMorning game drive in the Maasai Mara, scenic return journey, farewell dinner

Begin the final full day of your safari with an early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, when wildlife is most active. After breakfast, bid farewell to the camp and travel overland back to Nairobi, enjoying the changing landscapes of the Great Rift Valley. Arrive in Nairobi by late afternoon, with time to relax before a farewell dinner.

MealsBreakfast, dinner

Days 09–10

Back to Nairobi and thence to home

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

HighlightsMorning game drive, return flight to Nairobi, day room at Nairobi hotel, evening departure.

Enjoy a final early morning game drive in the Maasai Mara, with the chance to spot any elusive wildlife before breakfast. After packing up, you'll transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to a Nairobi hotel where a day room is reserved for you to freshen up and relax before your international flight home. In the evening, you'll be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey.

MealsBreakfast, lunch

Accommodation

Tamarind Tree Hotel

Day room only · Standard Room

Day 11

Back to Nairobi and thence to home

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

HighlightsMorning game drive in the Maasai Mara, scenic flight to Nairobi, day room at a Nairobi hotel, transfer to international airport for departure.

Your final morning in the Maasai Mara begins with an early game drive, offering one last chance to see the Big Five and the sweeping savannahs at sunrise. Return to camp for breakfast before transferring to the airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival, you'll be met and driven to a comfortable Nairobi hotel where a day room is reserved for you to freshen up and relax before your onward journey. Later, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international departure, marking the end of your unforgettable East African safari.

MealsBreakfast, lunch

Day 12

Departure from Nairobi

Nairobi to International Departure

HighlightsFarewell to East Africa

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Your driver-guide will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your onward journey, marking the end of your safari.

MealsBreakfast

Accommodation

No accommodation

Season	Travel dates	Adult sharing
November & January – MayRate Type: Double Occupancy	November & January – May	USD 22,550
June – OctoberRate Type: Double Occupancy	June – October	USD 24,950
DecemberRate Type: Double Occupancy	December	USD 25,750

Kenya and Tanzania Safari: The Heart of East Africa

The Heart of Kenya and Tanzania

Your journey at a glance

What your journey includes

Included

Not included

Your itinerary

Nairobi explorations

Nairobi explorations

Zig-zagging into the fabulous Ngorongoro Crater

Game viewing and sundowners in the Serengeti

Back to Nairobi and thence to home

Back to Nairobi and thence to home

Back to Nairobi and thence to home

Departure from Nairobi

Journey rates USD · Per person sharing

Frequently asked questions

Make this trip entirely yours.

Group Safari Experiences

Beyond The Safari