East Africa Safari | 2025
East Africa Safari | 2025
East Africa Safari | 2025
11 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in Arusha
Visiting: Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli, Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AAESMP20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 20
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the East Africa Safari (2025) for an unforgettable adventure through Kenya and Tanzania. Begin in Nairobi, exploring the vibrant city and visiting an elephant orphanage. Journey to the Maasai Mara National Reserve for thrilling game drives, witnessing the Great Migration, and experiencing a hot air balloon ride over the savannah. Continue to Amboseli National Park for iconic views of elephants against Mount Kilimanjaro. Cross into Tanzania to explore Tarangire National Park, famous for its elephants and baobab trees, and the Serengeti, where you'll seek out predators and witness the wildebeest migration. Conclude your safari with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wonder teeming with wildlife. This tour offers a perfect blend of wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi To Maasai Mara
Location: Nairobi, Maasai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Mara (or similar)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Today your adventure begins. You’ll meet your guides and your fellow travelers, and then we’ll load up the safari vehicles and be on our way. Passing through the Great Rift Valley, we’ll get to our Maasai Mara lodge just in time for lunch – and then head out for our first game drive. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife large and small as we make our way across those magnificent rolling hills.
Day 2: Maasai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Mara (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, you'll get the chance to head out on a hot air balloon ride to check out the African Savannah as the sun rises. Then, after a champagne breakfast to top it all off, you'll rejoin the morning's game drive. At midday, we’ll head back to the lodge for lunch and a swim, and then embark on our second game drive this afternoon – in search of Africa's elusive big cats. The Maasai Mara is the setting for one of nature’s greatest phenomena: The Great Migration. If you’re here at the right time of year, you’ll have the chance to witness millions of wildebeest and zebras en route to greener pastures.
Day 3: Maasai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Name: 2.5.4. Ole Sereni (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine, Kenyan explorers! With the Maasai Mara lodged firmly in our memories (and our hearts), we'll make our way back to Nairobi this morning - where plenty more magic awaits. This afternoon we head back to Nairobi, where something truly special awaits us. We'll visit the Kibera Slum to see the incredible work being done by the Mirror of Hope Foundation - working to break the cycle of poverty through education, helping the women and children to improve their quality of life. Afterwards, the afternoon is yours to relax and choose from a variety of hotel restaurants with views of the Nairobi National Park.
Day 4: Maasai Mara To Nairobi
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Nairobi
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Amboseli (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Back in Nairobi, we'll have the chance to take a unique game drive in Nairobi National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for waterholes, cityscapes and the elusive white rhino too. We'll also visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant rehabilitation centre to watch baby elephants play and bathe in the water (the most beautiful chaotic mess you'll ever encounter), and hear the fascinating story of their road to recovery too. After a picnic lunch and a visit to a local Curio shop, we’ll head for our lodge (right on the edge of the Amboseli National Park, might we add, with views of Mt Kilimanjaro too!) to enjoy a delicious included dinner.
Day 5: Amboseli
Location: Amboseli
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Amboseli (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After our morning's buffet breakfast, we will do a short safari walk to a Maasai village, guided by Maasai warriors as they teach us about their culture and everyday lives co-existing with wild animals. After lunch we will head out to Amboseli National Park, famous for its iconic shots of elephants and wildlife feeding in the foreground while the peak of Africa rises in the background: Mt Kilimanjaro. It's a photographer's dream, and it's all yours. Our final dinner in Kenya will be included back at the lodge.
Day 6: Amboseli To Tarangire
Location: Amboseli, Arusha, Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Roika Tented Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we will have one final game drive in Amboseli before we head across to the Tanzanian border. We say goodbye to our Kenyan guides as we are welcomed by our Tanzanian guides and drive to the town of Arusha.Â
This morning we will have one final game drive in Amboseli before we head across to the Tanzanian border. We say goodbye to our Kenyan guides as we are welcomed by our Tanzanian guides and drive to the town of Arusha.Â
After lunch we will head off to our first lodge and national park in Tanzania - Tarangire. Famed for its two African giants; the elephant and baobab trees.
Day 7: Tarangire
Location: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Roika Tented Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start this morning will take us into the Tarangire National Park for a full day, in the hopes for a glimpse of some of its elusive predators and changing landscapes. We'll stay here for most of the day with a packed lunch provided to give us the most opportunity of exploring this wildlife wilderness. Afterwards, we'll visit a Maasai village, meeting some of the locals to learn all about their customs and way of life. There'll be a buffet dinner tonight too, so be sure to save some room!
Day 8: Tarangire To Serengeti
Location: Tarangire National Park, Serengeti
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Sound of Silence Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we'll set out in our safari vehicles to our next destination: the Serengeti.
We take in views of the Rift valley and the rim of Ngorogoro Crater as we make our way to the main gate of the Serengeti, stopping off to visit Mto Wa Mbu Village and a local market. We'll drive through the endless plains of this vast reserve to reach our accommodation for the night. Tonights accommodation will be a safari-style lodge in the middle of the Serengeti. A buffet meal will be served for dinner, and you're free to sit outside and listen to the sounds of nocturnal animals waking up to forage or hunt, all while sitting under the bright canopy of stars in the African sky.
Day 9: Serengeti
Location: Serengeti
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Sound of Silence Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll spend a full day seeking out the game of Africa's plains, with predators in hot pursuit of their prey. If the wildebeest migration is around, then you are in for a wildlife treat: millions of wildebeest and zebra grazing for as far as the eye can see really is one of Africas' greatest spectacles to observe. If you want to make today even more unforgettable, you can opt in for a once-in-a-lifetime Balloon safari. A buffet dinner awaits us back at our safari camp.
Day 10: Serengeti To Ngorogoro Crater
Location: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Name: Eileen's Tree Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy some breakfast before we depart the Serengeti with a morning game drive on our way to our next destination, the Ngorogoro Crater.
In the late morning we reach the Ngorogoro Crater, an ancient volcano, boasting one of the highest densities of predators stalking the abundant wildlife enclosed inside the volcano's center. We'll stop here for a picnic lunch before we ascend the plateau. A true natural wonder, only found in Africa.
Day 11: Ngorogoro Crater To Arusha
Location: Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Arusha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Its our last day on safari and our last chance for some wildlife viewing. Opt to jump on one last game drive to Lake Manyara National Park.
Renowned for its famed tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is a completely different ecosystem to the other parks we have visited with grassy floodplains and massive forests to spot unique wildlife and bird-life to this region.
With full hearts and memories made, it's time to say fond farewells to your new lifelong friends, and to our African adventure.
What's Included
-
Meals
Meals are included throughout the tour, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided on most days.
-
Guided Tours
Guided tours and game drives are included, led by experienced guides in both Kenya and Tanzania.
-
National Park Fees
Entrance fees to all national parks and reserves visited during the tour are included.
-
Cultural Visits
Visits to local communities and cultural experiences, such as the Maasai village and the Mirror of Hope Foundation in Kibera Slum, are included.
-
Transportation
All transportation during the tour, including safari vehicles and transfers between locations, is included.
What's Not Included
-
International Flights
International flights to and from Nairobi are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
-
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and tips are not included.
-
Optional Activities
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
-
Visa Fees
Visa fees for entry into Kenya are not included
Mode of Transport
All transportation during the tour, including safari vehicles and transfers between locations, is included.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various lodges and camps throughout the safari, including Sentrim Mara, 2.5.4. Ole Sereni, Sentrim Amboseli, Roika Tented Camp, Sound of Silence Camp, and Eileen’s Tree Inn.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of accommodation is provided during the East Africa Safari?
Accommodation is provided at various lodges and camps throughout the safari, including Sentrim Mara, 2.5.4. Ole Sereni, Sentrim Amboseli, Roika Tented Camp, Sound of Silence Camp, and Eileen’s Tree Inn.
-
Are meals included in the East Africa Safari?
Yes, meals are included throughout the tour, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided on most days.
-
What kind of guided tours are included in the East Africa Safari?
Guided tours and game drives are included, led by experienced guides in both Kenya and Tanzania.
-
Are the entrance fees to national parks included in the tour price?
Yes, entrance fees to all national parks and reserves visited during the tour are included.
-
What cultural experiences are included in the East Africa Safari?
Visits to local communities and cultural experiences, such as the Maasai village and the Mirror of Hope Foundation in Kibera Slum, are included.
-
Is transportation included during the East Africa Safari?
Yes, all transportation during the tour, including safari vehicles and transfers between locations, is included.
-
Are international flights included in the East Africa Safari package?
No, international flights to and from Nairobi are not included.
-
Is travel insurance included in the East Africa Safari package?
No, travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
-
Are personal expenses covered in the East Africa Safari package?
No, personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and tips are not included.
-
Are optional activities included in the East Africa Safari package?
No, optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
-
Are visa fees for entry into Kenya included in the East Africa Safari package?
No, visa fees for entry into Kenya are not included.
-
What activities are planned for the first day of the East Africa Safari?
On the first day, you will meet your guides and fellow travelers, load up the safari vehicles, and head to Maasai Mara lodge. After lunch, you will go on your first game drive.
-
What can I expect on the second day of the East Africa Safari?
On the second day, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride over the African Savannah at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast and a morning game drive. After lunch and a swim, you will go on a second game drive in the afternoon.
-
What is the highlight of the third day in the East Africa Safari?
The third day offers another chance for a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast and game drives in the Maasai Mara, with opportunities to witness the Great Migration if the timing is right.
-
What cultural visit is included on the fourth day of the East Africa Safari?
On the fourth day, you will visit the Kibera Slum in Nairobi to see the work being done by the Mirror of Hope Foundation, which helps women and children improve their quality of life through education.
-
What unique experience is offered on the fifth day of the East Africa Safari?
On the fifth day, you will do a short safari walk to a Maasai village, guided by Maasai warriors who will teach you about their culture and everyday lives co-existing with wild animals.
-
What happens on the sixth day of the East Africa Safari?
On the sixth day, you will have a final game drive in Amboseli before crossing the Tanzanian border. You will then drive to Arusha and head to Tarangire National Park.
-
What is the main activity on the seventh day of the East Africa Safari?
The seventh day includes a full day in Tarangire National Park, with opportunities to see its elusive predators and changing landscapes. You will also visit a Maasai village to learn about their customs and way of life.
-
What can I expect on the eighth day of the East Africa Safari?
On the eighth day, you will travel to the Serengeti, stopping to visit Mto Wa Mbu Village and a local market. You will then drive through the Serengeti to your safari-style lodge for the night.
-
What is the highlight of the ninth day in the East Africa Safari?
The ninth day is spent seeking out the game of Africa's plains in the Serengeti, with opportunities to witness the wildebeest migration if it is around. You can also opt for a Balloon safari.
-
What unique location is visited on the tenth day of the East Africa Safari?
On the tenth day, you will visit the Ngorogoro Crater, an ancient volcano with a high density of predators and abundant wildlife. You will have a picnic lunch before ascending the plateau.
-
What is the final activity of the East Africa Safari?
The final day includes an optional game drive to Lake Manyara National Park, known for its tree-climbing lions and unique ecosystem with grassy floodplains and massive forests.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025
Monday - Thursday
Dec 16, 2024 - Dec 26, 2024Monday - Thursday
Dec 30, 2024 - Jan 09, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jan 13, 2025 - Jan 23, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jan 27, 2025 - Feb 06, 2025Monday - Thursday
Feb 10, 2025 - Feb 20, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 10, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025Monday - Thursday
Mar 24, 2025 - Apr 03, 2025Monday - Thursday
Apr 07, 2025 - Apr 17, 2025Monday - Thursday
May 05, 2025 - May 15, 2025Monday - Thursday
May 19, 2025 - May 29, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 16, 2025 - Jun 26, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jun 30, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025Monday - Thursday
Jul 28, 2025 - Aug 07, 2025Monday - Thursday
Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025Monday - Thursday
Aug 25, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Monday - Thursday
Sep 22, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Monday - Thursday
Oct 06, 2025 - Oct 16, 2025Monday - Thursday
Oct 20, 2025 - Oct 30, 2025Monday - Thursday
Nov 17, 2025 - Nov 27, 2025Monday - Thursday
Dec 01, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025Monday - Thursday
Dec 15, 2025 - Dec 25, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions