Classic East Africa

Classic East Africa

13 Days Starting in Nairobi and ending in Karatu

Visiting: Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Lake Elementaita, Amboseli National Park, Mount Meru , Rhotia, Serengeti , Serengeti, Ngorongoro

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

YGKA

Group size:

1 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

From: $8290

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

On this 12-day safari adventure through the everchanging landscapes of East Africa, you’ll take multiple game drives in the Maasai Mara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Amboseli National Park. With expert guides and a handy local leader, you’ll visit spots far off the tourist trail, including the base of Mt Meru, where you’ll go on a hike through the slopes of the mountain to a waterfall, and Lake Naivasha for a boat safari. Visit a Hadzabe tribe and learn about their way of life, getting a unique insight into a small community with ancient roots. Spend time in Arusha and take part in a traditional cooking class with a company that supports and empowers the local women and visit the Patinaai Osim project, supported by the Intrepid Foundation and working to fight inequality of women and girls in Indigenous communities. With all of this and more, you’ll hit all the iconic wildlife, landscapes and highlights of Africa and gain a special understanding of this incredible land – what are you waiting for?

Highlights

  • Take 4WD safaris through five iconic wildlife parks and spot the African wildlife you’ve always wanted to see, including herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, flamingos, hippos and so much more.

  • Hike at the base of Mt Meru – look out for local wildlife as you soak up the incredible views, on the way to a thundering waterfall for lunch. You might see buffalo, giraffes, zebras, Kilimanjaro colobus monkeys and Harvey’s red duikers along the way.

  • Learn about the Patinaai Osim Project – one of The Intrepid Foundation partners – and how they’re working to fight gender inequality for Indigenous communities, and how they provide a safe space or local women and girls.

  • Visit a small Hadzabe tribe to learn about their nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle and their unique ‘click’ language, which is believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use today.

  • Take a traditional cooking class in Arusha in Tanzania with local women who will show you the tips and tricks of local food before you tuck into a delicious breakfast together.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Nairobi

Location: Nairobi

Accommodation: Hotel

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. When you arrive at the airport today, you’ll be met by a representative and taken to your hotel. Your adventure then begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.

Day 2: Maasai Mara

Location: Maasai Mara

Accommodation: Permanent tented camp

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, drive to the famous Masai Mara National Park – with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and the world's most iconic animals living within its boundaries, this is the quintessential African experience. When you arrive, you can opt to explore this diverse environment on an afternoon 4WD game drive with expert local guides, looking out for the abundance of wildlife that call this park home.

Optional Activities:
-Masai Mara - Afternoon 4x4 Game Drive - Free

Day 3: Maasai Mara

Location: Maasai Mara

Accommodation: Permanent tented camp

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, you have the option to take part in a hot air balloon ride and bush breakfast, giving you a rare chance to see the Masai Mara from a different perspective, above the open plains at sunrise. Today, you’ll venture into the Masai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides for a day-long 4WD safari. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife – look out for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and hippos.

Included Activities:
-Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

Day 4: Lake Elementaita

Location: Lake Elementaita

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Today, you’ll drive to your lodge on Lake Elementaita, which sits between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley. This shallow soda lake is known for its huge concentrations of flamingos. This afternoon, you’ll head to Lake Naivasha – one of the few freshwater lakes in the valley, Naivasha has floating islands of papyrus reeds and a border of flat-topped acacias. It's also home to a healthy population of hippos, giraffes, zebras, and buffalos, which graze along the shores, and a huge variety of birds. Here, you’ll go on a boat safari – see how many kinds of birds you can spot while floating along the still waters!

Included Activities:
-Lake Naivasha - Boat Trip

Day 5: Amboseli National Park

Location: Amboseli National Park

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Board your private vehicle bound for Amboseli National Park. This park is home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya, many of which have impressively long tusks, known as ‘big tuskers’. Tusker elephants are increasingly rare in Africa due to poaching, but Amboseli is one of the few places where they can still be seen. You may even spot a ‘super tusker’ - a male bull elephant with tusks that weigh over 45 kg (100 lbs) each, usually so long they scrape the ground! If you're lucky to visit on a clear day, you'll be treated to amazing views of Mt Kilimanjaro. When you arrive, you'll have the option to set off on a night safari to spot predators, like lions and hyenas, and nocturnal animals, like porcupines and aardvarks that emerge once it gets dark.

Day 6: Amboseli National Park

Location: Amboseli National Park

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast today, visit the Patinaai Osim project – supported by The Intrepid Foundation, this project supports Indigenous Maasai women in creating sustainable livelihoods and rising above poverty and inequality. Learn how this Community Care Organisation is committed to changing the narrative of girls and women in Indigenous communities and how they work to protect their fundamental human rights. The project also provides access to information and safe spaces for young girls.

Included Activities:
-Patinaai Osim (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

Day 7: Amboseli National Park

Location: Amboseli National Park

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

‘Home of the African Elephant’ and crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya's most picturesque parks, and today you will spend the full day on safari exploring. With your expert guides, you’ll get a deep dive into the wildlife of Kenya's thriving natural world. Spot herds of elephants as you look out for the other wildlife that call this park home, including lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and leopards. Don’t forget your camera, the views of the wildlife backdropped by Kili are nothing short of epic!

Included Activities:
-Amboseli National Park - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

Day 8: Mount Meru

Location: Mount Meru

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Today, drive to Arusha National Park to hike in the foothills of Mount Meru – Tanzania’s second highest peak and a colossal dormant volcano sitting at an altitude of 4566 m (15,000 ft). When you arrive, you’ll head to Kitoto viewpoint to start your day hike. A perfect spot for wildlife spotting and exploring the diverse landscape, this hike offers the chance to experience the lower slopes of Tanzania’s mountains. From your starting point, trek through the Afromontane Forest and into the crater, looking out for warthogs, giraffes and zebras along the way. As you gain altitude, you’ll be surrounded by dense forest – the prime habitat for Kilimanjaro colobus monkeys and forest duiker (a pint-sized antelope). Follow the trail up to Meru Falls, the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic lunch before you head back down the slopes.

Included Activities:
-Mount Meru - afternoon hike, walk around Mt. Meru

Day 9: Rhotia

Location: Rhotia

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Head to Arusha, often referred to as the ‘safari capital’ of Tanzania, and start the day with a traditional cooking class that supports local women. The Mamas (skilled local cooks) will teach you how to cook traditional Tanzanian dishes, as well as some simple words in Swahili. Connect with the women, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour for breakfast. After finishing your meal, head to Rhotia and enjoy a free afternoon to relax. If you're up to more adventures, you'll also have the opportunity to visit a Hadzabe community near Lake Eyasi. This area has been their home for over 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Learn how this community still lives the hunter-gatherer lifestyle – men typically hunt and bring home honey to feed their families, while women and children gather fruits, berries and roots – and how they use locally made poisons and camouflage. By connecting with the locals, you’ll gain an insight into an ancient culture and have a chance to learn about their ways of life. Maybe even join in on daily activities, like hunting, gathering and dancing. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use.

Day 10: Serengeti

Location: Serengeti

Accommodation: Permanent tented camp

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Depart for the wide-open plains of the Serengeti today. The Serengeti landscapes see a huge contrast of colours during the year – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season. The never-ending land is home to thousands of animals travelling as herds across the plains. This region gets its name from the local Maasai word ‘siringet’, meaning the place where the land moves on forever. After entering the park gates, enjoy an en-route game drive to your accommodation for lunch. After lunch, you’ll head back out for an afternoon 4WD safari to spot the local wildlife. Tonight, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift to sleep.

Included Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari

Day 11: Serengeti

Location: Serengeti

Accommodation: Permanent tented camp

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, there’s the option of a balloon ride over the park to see Serengeti and its vast plains from a bird’s eye view. You’ll head out today for a full-day game drive through the wilds of the national park. A unique habitat with the riverine forests, this is a favourite spot for hippos and crocodiles, and you might also spot some long-neck giraffes, zebras, Topis, impala and gazelles.

Included Activities:
-Serengeti National Park - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

Day 12: Ngorongoro

Location: Ngorongoro

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Say goodbye to Serengeti National Park today and soak up the final views of this incredible spot, before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation area. When you arrive at the crater, take in the spectacular views from the crater's rim as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles, and as a result, it's easier to watch them up close. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lions, zebras, cheetahs, buffalo, gazelles and the endangered black rhino. Later, you have the option to head to the village of Mto wa Mbu for a guided tour and dinner. Here, you can acquaint yourself with the village and get a snapshot of small-town African life.

Included Activities:
-Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

Day 13: Kilimanjaro International Airport / Nairobi

Location: Kilimanjaro International Airport / Nairobi

Meals Included: breaksfast

Set off early this morning to begin your final journey of the trip. Your first stop will be at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you'll have the option to end your trip. If it’s more convenient for you, there’s the option to travel back to Nairobi. You’ll be dropped at a centrally located hotel, however, no accommodation will be provided tonight. If you’d like to extend your stay in Nairobi, please speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (1 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (4 nights)

  • Meals
    12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners

  • Masai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

  • Lake Naivasha - Boat Trip

  • Patinaai Osim - Village Visit

  • Amboseli National Park - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

  • Mount Meru - afternoon hike, walk around Mt. Meru

  • Serengeti National Park - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

  • Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

  • Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari

  • Patinaai Osim (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

Transport

  • On this trip we use 8 seater 4x4 safari vehicles. For smaller groups of up to 6 travellers we will use 1 safari vehicle and for larger groups between 7-12 we will use 2 vehicles.
  • There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.
  • African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
  • If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
  • 2. This itinerary offers two optional sunrise balloon safaris—one in the Masai Mara and another in Serengeti National Park. We offer both as a pre-booked service, which will guarantee you a place. If you would rather wait and try to get a better price by booking this locally on the ground, you are welcome to – but keep in mind that this is a popular activity, and places are limited.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This is a 4WD overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in 4WD vehicles, visiting remote communities and world-renowned wildlife parks. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.

    There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

    This trip includes a hike in the foothills of Mount Meru. The hike is quite steep and takes approximately 4 hours. A reasonable level of fitness is required. We recommend bringing sturdy, comfortable hiking or trail shoes with good support. Please see Day 8 of the Itinerary for more information.

    The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider, and all activities are subject to availability.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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May 26, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025
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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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