From horseback safari to authentic bush camping with the Maasai, to Lake Victoria and Serengeti Safari Marathon, this is the once-in-a-lifetime wildlife and cultural experience in Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa!
10 days, 9 nights
Min 6-Max 12
18+
Nairobi/Kilimanjaro Airport
Get ready for an immersive wildlife experience through Kenya and Tanzania on this activity-packed lodge safari including an authentic bush camping night with the Maasai! An exclusive African safari like no other!
We’ll get deep into the wilds of Kenyan National Parks including Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, taking in all the major highlights of Kenya as well as off-the-beaten-path private conservancies for the ultimate safari experience, and this from 4-different vantage points: from boat, on foot, 4×4 jeep, and horseback! As an added bonus, we will spend an authentic (free from staging and commercialization) bush camping night out with the Maasai warriors!
In Tanzania we will visit Lake Victoria, the largest African Great Lake by area, the world’s largest tropical lake, and the second largest fresh water body in the world. We’ll go on Big 5 game drives in the incredible Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, visit the diverse Lake Manyara National Park, and of course we will run the Serengeti Safari 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon! Note: Secure your participation in advance, as spots for the race are extremely limited!
The Serengeti Safari Marathon attracts runners and spectators from all parts of East Africa and now all over the world. International and local tourists are offered an exceptional platform to experience the amazing nature and numerous attractions of Tanzania.
Another remarkable aspects is that a majority of animals give birth to their young at this time of year. Impala, warthogs, hartebeest, and various other animals are already nursing their young by early November. One often feels a sense of joy when observing these new inhabitants of the earth, and you might even have the exciting opportunity to witness a live birth!
You’ll be immersed in the wild comforts on this outstanding 10-day safari experience in Kenya & Tanzania in the most exciting and authentic way possible!
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime African experience and secure your spot now on our exclusive Kenya and Tanzania wildlife and cultural safari tour including Serengeti Safari Marathon!
You can easily combine this trip with our Zanzibar Island Tour.
Please note: This trip can be customized and organized for your party and dates upon request. Simply chat to us.
Karibu Kenya!
Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to our lovely eco lodge, where your Kenya & Tanzania safari adventure begins. Time-permitting, you may want to visit the Bomas of Kenya, which is a short ride away from the lodge and a great introduction to Kenyan culture, or simply relax with a drink by the pool before we meet for a welcome dinner in the evening.
Note: Should you wish to arrive earlier and extend your stay, please get in touch with us.
Get excited as today is an activity filled day! After breakfast we leave busy Nairobi and drive to Lake Naivasha with a brief stopover at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for sightseeing and photography.
Upon arrival at Lake Naivasha, we will hop on a boat to explore the unique and diverse flora and wildlife on the lake and its surroundings including numerous water birds and huge hippo pods. After, we will go on a walking safari on the Crescent Island in the company of a local guide AND giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. The Crescent Island is a sanctuary for these animals, so we won't encounter any predators on our walk with the mammals.
In the early afternoon, we will drive to our lodge near Lake Nakuru for check-in, lunch and a short rest before we head to a non-profit private wildlife conservancy on Lake Elmenteita in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. Here we will experience game viewing from a different vantage point: on horsebacks!
We will take a leisurely horseback ride on the conservancy while absorbing the stunning views of Lake Elmenteita. Horseback ride is suitable for any level of ability and you will be provided with a helmet and accompanied by an experienced rider guide.
We will then return to our lodge by sunset to enjoy a lovely dinner before we fall asleep after a successful start to our safari adventure!
This morning after an early breakfast, we drive to Lake Nakuru National Park for morning game viewing, where we will have a chance to see thousands of flamingos, rhino, and Rothschild giraffe, lion, leopard, and buffalo among other wildlife.
We will then drive to our authentic Maasai Camp for lunch, located in Loita Plains of Masai Mara Natural Reserve. Today we have a super special experience on agenda for the rest of the day: an authentic bush camping experience with the Maasai!
After lunch, we will have a bit of time to rest before we set off for a walk of about 1.5 hours with the Maasai warriors to our Bush Camping set deep within the Loita Plains through spectacular landscapes and nature trails. Once arrived at the sacred campsite, all you need to do is to simply let the magic unfold: relax, settle in and enjoy a traditional Maasai evening in the real Kenyan bush.
We will have a delicious feast traditionally prepared around the campfire, and as the flames keep you warm, the Maasai warriors and elders will share their stories, songs, blessings and all. Tonight you will fall asleep on a traditional hand-made sage mattress under the stars, hearing the hyenas howl in the distance. A truly magical and exclusive night on the sacred land of local people, offering a true glimpse into the ancient way of life (free from staging and commercialization).
A tented bush toilet will be available at the edge of the camp.
Please note: This bush camping experience is a true highlight and an upgrade to the standard accommodation options available at the Maasai basecamp. However, those who don't feel comfortable sleeping outside may return to the basecamp after dinner at no additional cost, where a limited number of Maasai mud huts are available (we won't be keeping any reservations for huts, unless you advise us to do so upon booking). In adverse weather conditions, igloo-tents will be set up by our Maasai hosts to keep us safe from elements.
We will leave our bush camp early in the morning and walk back to the Maasai basecamp to freshen-up and have breakfast. If you don't wish to walk, optional transfer by motorbikes (boda boda) is possible for a small fee to be paid to the local guys from the village.
After bidding farewell to our Maasai hosts at the basecamp, we will drive to Masai Mara National Reserve just in time for a mid-morning game drive. We will be in search of the Big 5 as we cover different areas of the wildlife reserve.
We will have lunch at our tented safari camp in Masai Mara. In the afternoon we will head out on another game drive until sunset and will be back at our lodge in time for a sundowner. Dinner will be served at the safari camp.
Optional: While we would have experienced the horseback riding and walking safaris in other wildlife reserves the day before, you may want to take another horseback or walking safari this afternoon in the Masai Mara's oldest conservancy, Ol Kinyei, at an extra fee of US$220 per person, or a walking safari at an extra fee of US$60 per person. These activities are bookable onsite and include the conservancy entry fees and a sundowner drink.
After an early morning breakfast, we will spend the whole day on game drive in Masai Mara National Reserve.
We will enjoy a nature walk along the Mara River in the company of an armed ranger to see the wildebeest crossing, hippos and crocodiles. We will have a picnic lunch at one of the picnic spots in the national park, so as to spend the entire day on the game drive having not to come back to the camp for meals.
After a successful day full of animal sightings, we will return to our camp for dinner and overnight.
Optional: Early morning Balloon Safari (1 hr.) followed by champagne breakfast at an extra fee of US$500 per person bookable onsite.
After breakfast, we will check out from the camp and drive to Isebania (Kenya-Tanzania border town). After completing the border formalities, we will change vehicles for the Tanzanian part of our safari adventure.
We will arrive in the late afternoon at our lovely eco camp near Lake Victoria, where you will have time to admire the bird life all around the camp.
The rest of the day is at your leisure. Simply relax at your veranda before the big day tomorrow, or take a sunset boat safari on Lake Victoria exploring the islands and birdlife (optional).
Dinner will be taken at the camp.
Today is the day to participate in the only marathon that starts in Serengeti National Park: Serengeti Safari Marathon (SSM).
We will raise early to get to the Ndabaka Gate (ca. 15 km/ +/- 30 mins). From the gate shuttles will bring the runners to the start line. Starting point for all categories is located inside Serengeti National Park along the road from Seronera to Ndabaka Gate, which lies at around 1150 m altitude. The races will combine both gravel and tarmac terrains with different routes each one with the first 8-10 km conducted inside the Serengeti National Park. Outside the park, the road is tarmac. All races are running towards the shores of Lake Victoria with finish line at Ndabaka Gate.
Enjoy the unique experience of running amidst the wildlife of the Serengeti! With a bit of luck, you may see some Wildebeest or Zebra’s cross the road. It is very unlikely to encounter lions, leopards or cheetah in this far-western section of the park at this time of the year, but rangers will be present to safeguard all beings involved.
After the marathon, we will drive to our lodge in Serengeti National Park in game drive mode where you will have time to relax before dinner.
Please note: Non-runners may join the event as spectators or opt for to enjoy the facilities and the views of the camp to the fullest, take an optional hot air balloon ride, or a boat ride on Lake Victoria etc. Today, fun for all is guaranteed.
Today is all about animals. We'll spend full day from sunrise to sunset on game drives in Serengeti to see the Big 5 and other countless species while we cover further parts of the Serengeti plains, the world's best game park.
The Serengeti is home to the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard), and our safari guide will be doing his best to ensure you see all of these magnificent animals.
We will have lunch at one of the picnic sites in the park, and return to our safari camp before sunset.
This morning after breakfast, we will head toward Ngorongoro Conservation Area and drive down into Ngorongoro Crater floor for a game drive like no other.
A visit to Tanzania is not complete without experiencing the incredible beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater. The volcanic landscape is rich and fertile and attracts thousands of grazing animals and their predators. We'll visit the crater floor in search of Big 5 and abundant wildlife for 4-5 hours (max time on the crater floor is limited by the authorities).
We will have a picnic lunch in the crater, where we will spend the most of the day before heading to our lodge near Lake Manyara with breathtaking panoramic views of the Great Rift Valley and the lake ahead.
After breakfast, we will do one last game drive in Lake Manyara National Park, where we will admire the diverse landscape and wildlife. After having picnic lunch in the park, we will head to Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward journey.
If you have to bid farewell today though, you’ll be taking home joyful memories, one-of-a-kind tales and new friendships.
*It's not recommended to book any international flights departing before 7pm tonight. For those joining Zanzibar extension, we'll catch the flight at 4:30 pm in Arusha.
Trip Destinations: Nairobi (1), Lake Nakuru (1), Masai Mara Loita Plains (1), Masai Mara Reserve (2), Lake Victoria (1), Serengeti (2), Ngorongoro, Mto Wa Mbu (1), Lake Manyara, Arusha
The accommodation on this tour is a mixture of mid-range safari lodges and permanent tented camps (7 nights), bush camping (1 night) and luxury safari lodge (1 night) specially chosen for their location, uniqueness, value for money, or excellent activities.
All rooms and tents on this trip are shared with two people in each room/tent with ensuite bathroom facilities, except the bush camping night and the night in Mto Wa Mbu town where we will enjoy the panoramic views of Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara from our camp's infinity pool. You'll have the option of a double bed or two single beds. Rooms vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.
Solo travelers will be paired up with another participant. There is no single room option on this trip.
We will be staying inside the national parks for a truly immersive wildlife experience. You should not miss the experience of falling asleep under the African starry sky, hearing the hyenas or lions roaring in the distance, and being woken up in the morning by the unique African sunrise.
While bush camping, all camping gear will be provided by our local partners.
Please note that this is Africa and one cannot expect the western standards in the places visited. Especially with respect to service, expect a lovely “laid back, unhurried” environment. In the bush, one should not expect Wi-Fi at all. Safari tented camps will run on solar powered lights and bucket showers providing a decent level of comfort yet maximum bush adventure.
On safari days, breakfasts and dinners will be taken at the dining facilities of the accommodation. Lunch will be packed and provided at check out, so that we can maximize the time spent on safari. On this trip, all meals are included.
Vegetarians can be catered for if you inform us upon booking, however, note that the options can be extremely limited. For other dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.), please contact us to discuss the best course of action for you.
We'll use 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and guaranteed window seat with 6 or less travellers per vehicle. Our group size is limited to 2 safari vehicles (12 pax at most).
Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Kenya and Tanzania and have at least four blank pages, two facing each other.
Holders of ordinary passports issued by most nations, including EU nationalities (except Malta, Cyprus), the US, the UK, Turkey, need a visa to enter Tanzania. Please check the up to date list of visa-free countries here: https://visa.immigration.go.tz/guidelines
Tanzania has introduced an e-visa system through which applications can be submitted and approved online prior to travel (allow 2-3 weeks for processing). Please check the progress of the visa yourself on the visa.immigration.go.tz website using your application number. The visa is usually NOT sent by e-mail.
Alternatively, It's also possible to obtain a tourist visa on arrival for a single entry at the main ports of entry to Tanzania. You may be required to provide a proof of return ticket. Visas currently cost $50 USD for a single entry, with the exception of US citizens for whom a single-entry visa cost $100 USD.
Please consult the Tanzanian Embassy/Consulate (e.g. Berlin https://www.de.tzembassy.go.tz) in your country of origin for further information about visas, or visit the Tanzanian immigration website: https://www.immigration.go.tz
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for all foreign visitors from 1 January 2024, and instead implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system. All visitors including infants and children who intend to travel to the Republic of Kenya must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before the start of their journey. The eTA is good for single entry, but visitors who leave Kenya to other EAC countries (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) may re-enter provided that their eTA is still valid (90 days from issuance).
Applications can be submitted up to 90 days prior to travel and must be submitted at least 3 days in advance at this link: https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en. The eTA fee is USD 32.50 per traveler, plus bank and processing fees. Processing time is three (3) working days but in some cases it may take longer.
As part of MAHO on Earth services for our participants, we take care of your eTA application and the eTA fees are included in the tour price.
You must ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited. If your passport is in its final year, you should check with the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace professional advice. We, at MAHO on Earth, cannot guarantee that the following information is complete, up-to-date, accurate, or error-free.
On this trip, yellow fever vaccination certificate is required, and you must be inoculated at least 10 days before the start of the trip. Please consult with your local health authorities. Yellow fever vaccination is officially required for onward travel to Zanzibar.
The places visited on this trip pose a risk of Malaria. We do highly recommend that you obtain professional travel health advice at your doctor or an institute of tropical medicine with respect to your individual needs and your intended travel, including advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and other medications based on your past vaccination history, your present medical condition, and your intended itinerary.
To join this trip, you'll need to have a reasonable level of fitness. While not too strenuous, the tour involves somewhat long journeys on gravel roads (this is Africa), a fair amount of walking, early-morning wake-up calls, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, cold nights/mornings, and other similar scenarios.
This trip may not be suitable for people with special needs such as reduced mobility due to local conditions and activities. If in doubt, please contact us.
Please do not send sensitive information (such as health, accident or other highly personal information) through our contact form. You may want to get in touch with us directly via phone instead.
We do strongly recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as you make your deposit to ensure the most coverage. Your travel insurance policy should at least cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, activities you intend to do, and repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. We will reach out and collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details shortly before the departure date. Your trip price with us does not include any travel insurance. Travel insurance policies are generally speaking more economical when taken out locally in your country of origin.
On this trip, you are covered by Flying Doctors Services Insurance in case of emergencies in Kenya and Tanzania. Please note, this service does not replace a proper travel insurance. Flying Doctors Insurance policy solely covers a speedy first-aid treatment and air-transportation from the bush to the nearest hospital; medical care beyond this is not included.
While your trip with us cover most of the expenses, things such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, visa fee, and tips for local guides/driver are examples of a few additional costs that might arise during your safari. Any optional activity is mentioned clearly so that you don't have to worry about hidden costs.
Tanzania accepts the USD or EUR for tourism. While credit cards are accepted, there is usually an additional fee up to 10%. ATMs are scarce outside of bigger towns. We recommend carrying some cash and budgeting around $20 – $50 USD/EUR per day for incidental expenses and tips.
Please note: Our tour prices do not include tips/gratuities for the local guides, as tipping is discretionary and should be based on your satisfaction with the service provided. It is however customary to express your appreciation for a job well done, and guidelines will be given on tipping local guides.
Further details and recommendations on what to pack will be provided prior to departure.
We care about getting to know our fellow travellers, hence we keep our groups small and intimate. Our tours usually run with 12 or fewer participants and require a minimum of 6 participants to take place. It will be an international group and the main language will be English. We also speak German and Turkish.
People from all walks of life and nationalities, singles, couples, friends, and families with a sense of adventure, an open mind, and an open heart can join our tours. We consider each trip as an opportunity to cultivate our travel persona with humility, curiosity, and respect, what we call a "Mindful Adventure".
Maho and Tom, founders and owners of MAHO on Earth, curated this itinerary to make the best use of your hard-earned bucks and vacation days with lots of wonderful handpicked activities and locations included!
We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible. We take care of all the hassle of planning, and you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, not least because we support social projects and NGOs, and partner with the best local enterprises.
Join us on this Mindful Adventure, Highlands to Oceans!
To reserve your spot, please use our booking form.
Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 18.
Should you need any support with your pre or post-tour travel arrangements, we are here to help.
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Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to make your Africa dream a reality.
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