DAY 1 ARRIVE NAIROBI, KENYA

Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to your hotel. A microcosm of the African continent, this capital city is your gateway to a dramatic procession of natural spectacles in Kenya and Tanzania, among the most thrilling destinations in the world.

Nairobi Serena Hotel

DAY 2 AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK | GAME AND MOUNTAIN VISTAS

Drive to Amboseli National Park, known for its thriving big-game population. From a distance, take in views of the highest mountain in Africa, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, with its impressive Uhuru Peak soaring to 19,341 feet. Arrive at your luxury lodge set beneath acacia trees in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. After lunch, explore the acacia woodland, freshwater swamps, scrub brush and open plains in search of wildlife. Part of the park is composed of a dried-up lakebed, where mirages rise from the shimmering heat. This evening, share in a special welcome dinner with your fellow guests.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK | MOUNTAINSIDE SIGHTINGS

Enjoy your day on early morning and afternoon game drives, crisscrossing the landscape in search of elephants, zebras and wildebeests along the saltpan trails. Prepare for predator sightings, as opportunistic animals begin roaming the plains in search of prey. Return to your lodge for dinner followed by a relaxing evening under African skies.

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA | RIFT VALLEY

Travel by road to Arusha, crossing the border into Tanzania. After stopping for lunch in Arusha, continue to your lodge, located in a picturesque region of the Great Rift Valley. On arrival, settle in, freshen up and relax a bit before venturing to a nearby escarpment with picturesque views over the valley below. Here, enjoy a refreshing Scenic Sundowner as the equatorial sun slips toward the horizon. This evening, gather with fellow guests for a hearty dinner.

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAYS 5 NGORONGORO CRATER | SPOT THE TREE-CLIMBING LIONS

Set out this morning on a game drive in Lake Manyara in search of nonchalant baboons; dik-diks, which forage for food beneath acacia trees; and large herds of buffalo, wildebeests and zebras, who gather on the grassy, sun-drenched plains. Along a narrow belt of acacia woodland, you may even spot the region’s storied treeclimbing lions, who ascend branches for a cool breeze. After a farm-fresh lunch, travel to the Ngorongoro Crater, ascending its outer wall through dense vegetation. Ngorongoro is the largest unbroken ancient caldera in the world, and a likely place to view lions, elephants, hyenas and gazelles. This afternoon, participate in a Chef ’s Table demonstration in the hotel kitchen, at which you prepare and sample local dishes.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 NGORONGORO CRATER | EXPLORE A NATURAL WILDLIFE HAVEN

Wake to explore this “Lost World” of animals; its prairies are an ideal spot to see buffalo and elephants. Bird lovers can view flamingos, when in season, and countless other species on the crater’s 100-square-mile floor. You may even see the rare black rhino. Following lunch, visit a Maasai village to gain a better understanding of the nomadic cattle-herders’ daily life and culture. Experience an artisan visit here when you witness a demonstration in traditional beadwork and crafts.

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAYS 7 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK | IN ANCIENT FOOTSTEPS

Drive to vast, wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park, stopping en route for a privately guided tour of Olduvai Gorge, where ancient fossils offer insight into humankind. Pass through a spectacular mix of savanna grassland and volcanic hills, before dropping steeply downward into the gorge. Visit the small museum, take in views from the lookout point and examine the excavations, which revealed 3.7-million-year-old footprints and the skull of a 1.8-million-year-old man. Continue to your lodge, which is framed by commanding views of this land of lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, giraffes and topi. The park also serves as a setting for the Great Migration when it passes through each year. Enjoy your rondavel room with private balcony and unique decor styled to showcase cultural heritage and traditional art.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK | ICONIC SAFARI QUARRY

Spend your day in true safari country, searching for the Big Five (lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, elephants and rhinos), along with giraffes, gazelles and zebras. Along the rivers, plains and rocky outcroppings, you may also spot some of the Serengeti’s more diminutive denizens, such as leopard tortoises and rhinoceros beetles.

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE, KENYA | INTO THE WILD

Fly to the vast Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya’s finest wildlife spectacle. The unending landscape hosts some 400-500 bird species, 95 animal species and all of the great predators, including the country’s largest lion population. The Mara lies within the territory of the Maasai, who help administer the park and protect it from poachers. After familiarizing yourself with your luxurious tented accommodations, ideally situated at the confluence of the Mara’s four game-viewing regions, take a drive through the famed reserve.

Mara Intrepids | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY10 MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE | ENDLESS DISCOVERY

Explore a region bestowed with over 500 square miles of savannas, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers on morning and afternoon game drives. You may observe crocodiles basking in the sun, see ever-alert hippos wallowing in muddy water and catch the antics of mischievous monkeys overhead. Watch, too, as African elephants rumble along the forest edge and giraffes snatch leaves from branches high above. You may also choose to visit with students at a local school (when in session), for a glimpse of Africa’s bright future. Later, enjoy a Scenic Sundowner, sipping traditional cocktails while marveling at the incredible atmosphere just before dusk — a relaxing prelude to dinner.

Mara Intrepids | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY11 MASAI MARA GAM E RESERVE | ENDLESS DISCOVERY

Venture forth on a morning game drive or, if you prefer, choose a hot air balloon ride, for an additional cost, floating peacefully above the game-dotted plains and gaining a new perspective on life in the Mara. After lunch, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities: Set Out on a Guided Bird Walk for the opportunity to spot some of the nearly 500 species of birds in the region. Make Beads with the Maasai, learning the craft of beading from tribal members and creating your own jewelry. Throw the Rungu with Maasai Warriors, testing your skills with their traditional wooden hunting club. Then, go on a late-afternoon game drive, for a final look at the Mara’s treasures. Tonight, attend a memorable farewell dinner with your fellow guests.

Mara Intrepids | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY12 MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE | ENDLESS DISCOVERY

Return to Nairobi. Spend the afternoon at leisure in a reserved dayroom before your international departure flight home.

Nairobi Serena Hotel (dayroom) | Meals: Breakfast