On Safari in Kenya + Tanzania

Upon disembarking your flight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and assisted through immigration and custom formalities. Once through, you’ll be escorted to the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel. In the heart of the city, our luxury landmark has been the starting point for some of history’s greatest safari expeditions.

After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive to Amboseli National Park, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries, nestled at the foot of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro (approx. 4 ½ hours). As you approach the park, keep an eye out for wildlife:  Amboseli is home to some of the largest elephant herds in Africa, as well as diverse species of plains game and vibrant birdlife.  Check in to the beautiful Ol Tukai Lodge, which offers stunning views of the surrounding wilderness and Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peaks. Enjoy a hearty lunch before venturing out on your first exhilarating game drive with opportunities to spot giraffes gracefully moving through the savanna, lions lounging in the shade, and zebras grazing in the golden afternoon light. Return to the lodge to unwind before enjoying a delightful dinner, reflecting on the day’s adventures. Meals: B+L+D

Join our expert safari guide this morning and set out across the dew-touched landscapes of Amboseli. The animals are up with the first light of day, and the early light is one of the best times to experience the full majesty of Kilimanjaro. With clear weather and a bit of good luck, today offers a chance to capture that classic shot of an elephant or giraffe silhouetted against the dramatic backdrop of Africas highest peak. But even if Kilimanjaro is hidden by clouds, your wildlife-viewing promises to be spectacular. Although best known for its vast herds of free ranging elephants, the greater Amboseli eco-system is also home to hippos, wildebeests, zebras, Thomsons and Grants gazelles, giraffes, impalas, and baboons. The great predators are well represented with healthy populations of lions, spotted hyenas and pointy-eared caracals. Cheetah and leopards can also be observed along with more than 400 species of birds. Take some time after lunch to enjoy the amenities of our safari lodge. The day ends with an afternoon game drive and then dinner back at the lodge.  Meals B+L+D

 

Cross the border into Tanzania and continue your journey to the charming Arusha Coffee Lodge for lunch. Nestled amidst lush coffee plantations at the foothills of Mount Meru, this serene retreat offers a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal.

Then head northwest toward the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site  and the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Spanning nearly 12 miles in diameter, this awe-inspiring natural wonder is framed by a towering volcanic rim that rises 2,000 feet above the crater floor, creating a landscape that seems almost otherworldly. As you drive, the route is dotted with expansive views, allowing you to witness the beauty of the regions diverse ecosystems.  You’ll stop to visit a local school, offering an opportunity to spend time with the students and staff. This experience will give you an intimate understanding of the challenges and successes that shape daily life in Tanzania. Through conversations and interactions with the community, you’ll gain valuable insights into their resilience and spirit.  In the late afternoon, you will be welcomed at your intimate safari lodge, nestled within 50 acres of unspoiled Tanzanian bushland, deep in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The lodge, designed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, offers a serene and luxurious retreat where nature’s presence is ever-apparent. Later in the day, Meals: B+L+D

There is no place like this anywhere else in the world. Ngorongoro truly offers an absolutely unique environment for wildlife viewing. First, you wont see any giraffe or impala inside the crater; though they would love to graze the abundant vegetation, these delicate-legged animals find it nearly impossible to navigate their way down the steep cliffs. But because it is so enclosed and the crater floor is mainly open grassland, this conservation area is easy for game officials to patrol, and the result is a healthy population of endangered species like the Black rhino and cheetah.

In the company of our expert safari guide, youll descend to the Crater floor this morning for unmatched wildlife viewing in this singular environment. Weve arranged for a packed lunch prepared by the Neptune Lodges chefs, so youll be able to spend all morning and a good part of the afternoon here on the Crater floor. Take in the views as you relax over your midday meal and later visit Maasai villagers and see the challenges and rewards of life in East Africa. Return to your lodge with time to refresh before dinner.  Meals B+L+D

Travel into the fabled landscapes of the Serengeti to stay at one of our intimate Lemala camps. With strategic settings in the Southern, Central and Northern Serengeti, our safari camps are situated to ensure the best game-viewing year round - whenever you travel:

From April to June and in November, youll travel overland from Ngorongoro to Lemala Ewanjan, set within the game-rich Seronera Valley in a secluded part of the Central Serengeti. This region is renowned for terrific game viewing all year long - due to its abundance of water. But during the months that our guests are here, the Seronera Valley receives the annual wildebeest migration - turning the area into an exciting wildlife amphitheater!

From July to October, well take you from Ngorongoro to the Manyara airstrip for your included flight into the Northern Serengeti. On arrival, youll be escorted to the inviting Lemala Mara Camp - set close to the Mara River, yet far enough away so as not to interrupt wildebeest behavior as they mass along the steep river banks! Indeed, this intimate camp is in the heart of the best game-viewing area in the Northern Serengeti and - at this time of year - is perfectly situated to witness the dramatic spectacle of the Great Migration river crossings.

From December to March, a scenic overland drive takes you from Ngorongoro into the Southern Serengeti to stay at Lemala Ndutu Camp. Perched on the edge of a permanent marsh, our safari camp is ideally situated for the wildebeest migration as the animals arrive in search of water and to feed on the nutritious grasses that surround our Camp. By February, the calving season has begun and the vast herds continue to feed in preparation for the never-ending cycle that comprises the annual wildebeest migration!

Upon arrival at your Lemala Camp, your first afternoon game drive will make it abundantly clear why the Serengeti is hailed as a safari paradise. Fittingly, this day ends with Sundowner cocktails in the bush followed by dinner back at our luxury camp. Meals B+L+D

The Maasai call it Siringitu - "the place where the land moves on forever." Indeed, these wide open expanses are awe-inspiring in their natural beauty. But the Serengeti is also renowned for its extraordinary concentration of plains game - including of course the Big Five - so todays morning and afternoon safari drives are sure to be heart-pounding and inspiring. And in the company of our engaging, impassioned and knowledgeable safari guides, todays activities will also deepen your understanding and appreciation for Africas abundant natural wealth. Meals B+L+D

Featured in numerous nature documentaries, Serengeti National Park is certainly the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. Established in 1952, the Park covers 5,700 square miles - larger than the state of Connecticut. Its ecosystem is one of the oldest on Earth. Indeed the essential features of climate, vegetation and wildlife that you see today have changed little in the past million years! Unequaled in its abundant natural beauty and high-density of wildlife, the Serengeti boasts an enormous variety of exotic birds, horned bovines, ungulates, wild dogs and big cats. After breakfast and again this evening, youll set out with our expert safari guides on game drives that promise up-close unobstructed wildlife viewing. Meals B+L+D

Transfer to the airstrip for your included flight into the Maasai Mara. Upon arrival in the Mara, your expert local safari guide will be waiting to greet and escort you to the luxurious Fairmont Mara Safari Club—your elegant riverside retreat surrounded by wildlife. After lunch, embark on an afternoon game drive across the savanna for your first adventure in the Mara. In the golden light of sunset, sip cocktails in the bush, as wildlife silhouettes drift across the horizon—an unforgettable end to the day.  Meals: B+L+D

Arise early this morning for an unforgettable experience... As the sun is rising to cast its first golden rays across these endless landscapes, youll be floating silently above in a hot air balloon. Thrill to this incredible birds-eye view of the Maasai Mara - and the animals as they begin their day. Back on the ground, enjoy a champagne breakfast before embarking on a morning game drive with our expert safari guide.  Return to the Fairmont Safari Club where youll have lunch and time to relax; take in the views from your verandah or join your fellow guests in the Clubs main lodge or at the pool.

 

Visit the Rhino Sanctuary where the care of two white rhinos protects the species to prevent their extinction. Then, youll thrill to a second safari expedition. With its undisturbed panoramas of rolling savanna punctuated by the iconic silhouette of acacia trees, the Maasai Mara is ravishing in its wild beauty and celebrated as one of the richest wildlife habitats on Earth. Accompanied by our sharp-eyed safari guides, todays game-viewing activities offer a chance to see all of the Big Five - lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo. The term was coined by big game hunters and refers not to their size but the danger and difficulty of tracking and hunting these animals on foot. Meals: B+L+D

Enjoy another full day of unmatched wildlife viewing adventures including game drives and nature walks with our engaging sharp-eyed safari guides. The Maasai Mara is one of the few places in Africa where visitors can still see big game in the same super-abundance that existed a century ago. The Reserve is home to healthy populations of the Big Five plus giraffe, zebra, cheetah, hyena, jackal, impala and gazelle. In addition, there are more than 450 bird species including spectacular birds of prey.  As your day eases into evening, gather for sundowner cocktails overlooking the Mara. Meals: B+L+D

After breakfast, well take you to the airstrip for your included flight back to Nairobis Wilson Airport.  Upon arrival, your exploration of Nairobi continues with a visit to the Giraffe Center, established in 1979 to protect the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. At that time, only 130 remained in the wild, but thanks to the Center’s dedicated conservation efforts, Kenya is now home to nearly 500 of these majestic creatures. As you observe these gentle giants up close, you’ll learn about the pioneering work of the family who founded this initiative, their commitment to giraffe conservation, and the ongoing efforts to protect this unique subspecies.

 

Next, immerse yourself in Nairobi’s colonial past with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum, set on the former coffee farm where the renowned Danish author lived and worked until her return to Denmark in 1931. The beautifully preserved house and grounds offer insight into Blixen’s life in Kenya, her literary legacy, and the challenges she faced. Stroll through the tranquil gardens and woodlands, which featured prominently in the 1985 Oscar-winning film Out of Africa, where Meryl Streep portrayed Blixen’s remarkable story.  After your exploration, enjoy a leisurely lunch at the nearby Karen Blixen Coffee Gardens, a charming spot that complements the experience with its peaceful ambiance and delicious offerings. Relax under the shade of towering trees or in the cozy indoor dining area as you savor freshly prepared dishes, many inspired by the region’s culinary heritage.  We’ll escort you to the airport to meet your onward flight.  Meals: B+L