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Your Zanzibar Journey Begins!
Day 1 - Get In and Get Some Rest!
Upon your arrival at the airport, an English-speaking Explore Kenya representative will greet you at customs and immigration. The representative will be holding a clearly marked page board with your name on it as you exit the arrivals hall. This representative will walk you through your welcome package documents and itinerary, which may include details about Explore Kenya packages, and they will answer any questions you may have.
Additionally, the representative will facilitate the visa process for you. After completing the visa process, you will continue to the baggage claim hall and passenger pick-up. Here, you will be met by your driver for a private transfer to your hotel.
After arriving at your hotel, you will have the option to visit local shops and restaurants or relax at your hotel. You might also want to consider planning some activities related to Kenya safari tours or exploring a Zanzibar travel itinerary.
Where you’ll be staying:
Radisson Blu Nairobi Upperhill (or similar)
Superior Room
About the neighborhood:
Located in Nairobi Upper Hill, a neighborhood in Nairobi, Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill is in the suburbs and near the airport. Don't miss out on a visit to Arboretum.
What's nearby:
Nairobi Hospital - 3 min drive
Uhuru Park - 3 min drive
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - 5 min drive
Nyayo National Stadium - 5 min drive
Strathmore University - 5 min drive
Day 2 - Your Zanzibar Journey Begins!
This morning, you'll meet your guide and set off on an unforgettable journey to the Masai Mara as part of your Kenya safari tours. The approximate travel time is six hours, where you'll first travel on paved roads before transitioning to the rough and bumpy terrain. Once you arrive, head directly into the park for game viewing or check in at your lodge, such as Mara West (or similar), before embarking on an exciting afternoon game drive. Consult with your guide for their recommendation based on your arrival time and park hours.
This afternoon, get ready to explore Kenya packages that include thrilling game viewing adventures. Your expert guide will determine the best locations to visit, utilizing their intimate knowledge of animal behaviors to track elusive wildlife, including the spotted leopard. These magnificent cats can be challenging to spot as they blend seamlessly into their surroundings, especially among tall grass and trees. During your exploration, your guide will lead you to nearby watering holes, where, with a bit of luck, you may glimpse many birds and mammals, including the elusive leopard. After a thrilling afternoon game drive, you will return to your lodge in time to freshen up for a delicious safari dinner, reminiscing about your day's adventures as you plan your Zanzibar travel itinerary.
Mara West (or similar)
Tent Room (Package)
Day 3 - Rare Sightings
Just like the wildlife, your day’s adventure will begin bright and early this morning. Alongside an experienced tracker-guide, set out for the day’s first game drive and discover the dazzling bio-diversity of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. This iconic destination is a highlight of many Explore Kenya packages, especially for those eager to see the renowned African Big 5: the African elephant, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard, and the majestic lion, often referred to as the king of the beasts.
The term “Big 5” was first coined by big-game hunters to signify the most challenging and dangerous species to track and hunt. However, over the years, the tourism industry has embraced this term, focusing on the preservation and protection of these magnificent creatures. A wealth of other species also inhabit this dynamic region, including hyenas, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, zebras, vultures, cranes, eagles, falcons, and ostriches, many of which you’ll spot on this morning drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve.
On today’s afternoon game drive, the opportunities for adventure are endless! You can search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover some of the region's lesser-known animals. The Masai Mara not only boasts a rich mix of both large and small mammals but is also home to an incredible variety of birdlife, featuring approximately 450 different species, from the fierce bateleur (short-tailed eagle) to the melodious sooty chat.
Where you’ll be staying
Mara West (or similar)
Tent Room (Package)
For those considering an extended trip, a Kenya safari tour can be seamlessly combined with a Zanzibar travel itinerary, enhancing your wildlife adventure with stunning beach relaxation.
Day 4 - The Mane Attraction
The Mane Attraction
The famed Masai Mara Game Reserve, named after the indigenous inhabitants of this land, the Masai, and the life-giving Mara River, is a highlight in many Explore Kenya packages. Game viewing is almost guaranteed at some point along the Mara River, and your experienced tracker-guide will know all the best spots to explore to maximize your chances of seeing some of the many animals that call this land their home. Be sure to have your camera handy as amazing photo opportunities will present themselves; elephants on the riverbanks and hippos in shallow waters are common sights in this area.
Set out this afternoon with your tracker-guide on another exciting game drive through the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The Mara is one of only a few places left in Africa where guests can still spot free-roaming rhinos in the wild, as – troublingly - it is estimated that there are only 4,000 black rhinos left on the continent. Today your guide will take you to locations where rhino sightings have been recently reported, with an aim to bring you within camera range of these lumbering, beautiful giants. This experience is a must for those considering Kenya safari tours.
Where you’ll be staying
Mara West (or similar)
Chalet
If you're also planning to extend your travels, consider adding a Zanzibar travel itinerary to your adventure!
Day 5 - The Journey Continues…
Depart the Masai Mara Game Reserve with your guide and travel towards the Isebania border crossing as part of your Kenya safari tours. Enjoy the beautiful Kenyan countryside, driving past charming towns and villages along the way. Please be aware that this portion of the drive can be long depending on rains, as this is a dirt road. During the dry season, you can reach the border in approximately two hours.
Upon arrival at the Isebania Border Crossing, switch to a Tanzanian vehicle and continue your safari with a Tanzanian guide, enhancing your experience as you explore Kenya packages that include this exceptional transition.
Tanzanian visas can be purchased at the border, costing $100 USD for US citizens and $50 USD for all other nationalities. Please note: visas must be paid in USD, and in cash. No bills can be older than 2006 due to local counterfeiting safeguards. A single entry visa is valid for three months and allows multiple entries into both Kenya and Tanzania. Remember to have your Yellow Fever certification handy upon crossing.
After clearing the Isebania Border Crossing, you will continue your safari to the renowned Serengeti National Park. A portion of this drive will be partly on a paved highway and partly on bumpy dirt road. Approximate travel time to the Serengeti is between three and five hours, depending on road conditions. As you get closer to the Serengeti National Park, have your camera ready and enjoy a game drive upon entry into the park as you head towards your lodge or camp.
A boxed lunch will be provided today, allowing you to savor your meal in the midst of your adventure.
Where you’ll be staying
Lemala Ewanjan (or similar)
Tent
Day 6 - Hakuna Matata
This morning, your African adventure begins with an exploratory game drive through Tanzania’s oldest and most recognized National Park, the Serengeti. A land of unparalleled game viewing, from great herds of grazing herbivores to tactically cunning packs of carnivores, life on the plains of the Serengeti truly epitomizes the “circle of life.” A paradise for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, it is all but guaranteed that you will spot giraffes and elephants feasting on shrubbery, impalas, gazelles, and buffaloes traipsing carefully through the plains to avoid being noticed by on-looking lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, along with a spectacular range of birdlife flitting through the sky.
On today’s afternoon game drive, the choice is up to you: search for the Big 5 or expand your horizons to discover something different. The Serengeti not only has a rich mix of animals – it also has an incredible array of bird life with almost 450 different species.
If you're looking to explore Kenya packages, consider integrating this adventure into your Kenya safari tours, which can lead you to unforgettable experiences. Plus, after your wildlife encounters, don't forget to check out a Zanzibar travel itinerary for some relaxation on beautiful beaches.
Where you’ll be staying
Lemala Ewanjan (or similar)
Tent
Day 7 - A Dazzling Drive
Your African journey continues as you board a privately driven vehicle, accompanied by a local tracker-guide, to travel to the gigantic Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As you depart from the Serengeti National Park grounds slowly, taking in the wildlife along the way, be sure to visit the Serengeti Welcome Center to marvel at the panoramic view afforded from the lookout point. En route to your accommodations in Ngorongoro, take a break to enjoy a picturesque picnic lunch. Approximate travel time varies between five and seven hours, but can reach up to nearly nine hours depending on the location of your accommodation. Transfer times also depend on weather conditions and the number of stops made along the way. During the peak of the rainy season, longer travel times should be expected.
The massive Olduvai Gorge, or Oldupai Gorge, is often referred to as 'The Cradle of Mankind.' Beginning in the eastern Serengeti plains, this cavernous ravine stretches for some 30 miles and is the result of millions of years of natural erosion. The gorge features a steep-sided gully that cuts its way through the Great Rift Valley along eastern Africa and is named after a commonly used plant by the Masai people; Sansevieria-Ehrenbergii, or Olduvai for short. This plant grows plentifully in the area and is used for making bandages, rope, baskets, roofs, and clothing. Today, discover the Olduvai Gorge firsthand alongside your expert local guide.
During your stay in the Ngorongoro region, a range of optional activities are available to you. From bush picnics to cultural visits to local Masai villages, to guided wildlife discovery walks and sundowner cocktails, the choice is yours. For those looking to explore further, excursions to the massive Ngorongoro Crater can also be arranged where you’ll discover an incredible range of wildlife. If you would like more information on any optional activity or want to learn about Explore Kenya packages, please speak to your Destination Expert.
Where you’ll be staying:
Kitela Lodge (or similar)
Suite
Day 8 - Big-Game Galore
An experienced tracker-guide and private vehicle will accompany you today as you explore Ngorongoro National Park, a highlight of many Kenya safari tours.
Today, discover one of the most remarkable wildlife conservation areas in Tanzania; the Ngorongoro Crater. Departing from your camp in a privately driven vehicle alongside a local expert guide, make your way to the entrance of the park, then drive a further 20 minutes to reach the rim of Ngorongoro Crater: the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. This geological marvel was formed as the result of a gigantic explosion which caused the volcano to collapse on itself, thereby creating the massive crater.
Roughly 12 miles wide and some 2,000 feet deep, the trip from crater rim to floor takes approximately 45 minutes by vehicle. The extremely fertile crater floor has attracted incredibly dense populations of wildlife, and at present over 25,000 large animals call the crater home, including some of the world’s last remaining black rhinos. The crater floor is also host to some of the highest concentrations of carnivores in the world, featuring large prides of lions, packs of hyenas, and solitary predators like cheetahs and jackals. A keen eye paired with expertly procured search patterns from your guide is sure to help you spot a wide range of wildlife and perhaps some of the more elusive species like leopards, servals, and bat-eared foxes.
If you're planning to explore Kenya packages and want to extend your adventure, consider a Zanzibar travel itinerary to complete your journey.
Where you’ll be staying
Kitela Lodge (or similar)
Suite
Day 9 - Sun and Sand
A representative from your lodge will provide you with a transfer to the Manyara airstrip, taking approximately 45 minutes to an hour depending on the location of your camp. This is an ideal start for those looking to explore Kenya packages that include seamless travel to Zanzibar. Board a flight in Manyara with service to Zanzibar, with an approximate flight duration of two hours.
Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) A maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at an extra cost; please speak to your Destination Expert for more information on this, especially if you're planning Kenya safari tours that require extra gear.
As of October 1st, 2024, all travelers entering Zanzibar must possess valid Inbound Travel Insurance, which can only be obtained from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). Travelers are required to purchase this additional insurance, regardless of any existing travel insurance from their home country. This new insurance provides coverage for emergency medical expenses, personal accidents, baggage delay, theft, legal expenses, personal liability, and repatriation expenses.
You can purchase the insurance by following this link: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/insurance. It is highly recommended that you obtain the insurance in advance rather than upon arrival. You will be transferred between the airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with a driver, ensuring a comfortable start to your Zanzibar travel itinerary.
Where you’ll be staying:
Breezes Beach Club and Spa (or similar)
Deluxe Room (F/B)
Day 10 - Island Time
Zanzibar provides visitors with a variety of activities to enjoy as part of their Zanzibar travel itinerary. You can choose from a range of tours that focus on Swahili culture, the historic spice routes, insightful explorations of Stone Town, and culinary courses. Other adventures include picnics at the Dolphin Sandbank, visiting Mangapwani Beach, and touring the former Slave Market. Of course, your lodging, such as Breezes Beach Club and Spa, offers a range of other activities to enjoy, including snorkeling, deep sea fishing, and reef kayaking. If you're also interested in exploring Kenya packages, consider adding Kenya safari tours to your travel plans. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to find plenty of exciting and informative activities to fill your leisure time while staying in gorgeous Zanzibar.
Where you’ll be staying:
Breezes Beach Club and Spa (or similar)
Deluxe Room (F/B)
Day 11 - A Town Frozen in Time
For centuries, Stone Town has been a vibrant center for spices and cosmopolitan culture, making it a key highlight in many Zanzibar travel itineraries. On a private tour led by an expert guide, you will uncover the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. First, visit a nearby spice farm village to understand the regional landscape while sampling delicious Swahili dishes and in-season fruits. Then, walk in the footsteps of the sultans through the winding, narrow streets of Stone Town, absorbing the district's impressive architecture, vibrant colors, and enticing fragrances, all while learning its fascinating, and at times troubling, history as a prominent gateway to Africa.
As part of your exploration, you will visit incredible relics from the 17th and 18th centuries, including the former Slave Market, the Anglican Cathedral, the House of Wonders, the Sultans’ Palace Museum, the Old Arab Fort, and the Old Dispensary, before being returned to your accommodations. Be sure to bring sunscreen, comfortable walking or hiking shoes, and a sun hat. Note that transit time ranges from 30 to 90 minutes in either direction based on the location of your accommodation.
If you're considering Kenya safari tours, this experience seamlessly complements your journey through East Africa.
Where you’ll be staying:
Breezes Beach Club and Spa (or similar)
Deluxe Room (F/B)
Day 12 - Until Next Time…
Your guide will pick you up in the morning for your Kenya safari tour, where you will travel to the nearby airstrip for your return to Nairobi. The approximate flight duration is 90 minutes.
Please note that strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) A maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at an extra cost; please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.
Upon your arrival in Nairobi, you will have the chance to explore the local markets and shops as part of our Explore Kenya packages. This is a great opportunity to interact with local vendors while searching for the perfect handicraft or souvenir for yourself or loved ones. Your guide will inform you of the time you need to be prepared to depart for the airport. Traffic can get tricky, so it is recommended to prepare for an early arrival at the airport!
When you are ready to depart your hotel for the airport, a private transfer between your hotel and the airport is provided. Your guide will help you navigate Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to ensure a stress-free and timely departure. Don't forget to take plenty of pictures and share them with us, especially if you're also planning a Zanzibar travel itinerary!