Serengeti, Masai Mara, Crater and Zanzibar 12 days/13 Nights

Upon Arrival at International Airport, you will be welcomed by Across Africa Tours Travel team. Once you have cleared customs formalities, our Guide will smooth through the rest of the arrivals process. You will be transferred directly to your hotel for dinner.

Accommodation: Ole Sereni Hotel
Meals: Dinner

A morning departure from Nairobi to Maasai Mara, after breakfast depart on your Safari flight to the world-famous Maasai Mara. The highlight of includes unlimited morning/night game drives, visit authentic Maasai Village. Enjoy the morning and night game drives at Masai Mara, which include witness to the great wildebeest migration and the beauty of big five wildlife. Enjoy a scenic game drive as you head to the Sand River Mara where you will watch the crowd of crocodiles on the rocks. A rich and mottled landscape of rolling plains, acacia thickets, and thunderous rivers, the Maasai Mara is home to abundant resident and migratory animals. The place sure lives up to its reputation as one of nature’s greatest theatres. In addition, it packs over 60 species of mammals and over 500 recorded species of bird. The Maasai Mara is a true African Eden.During August- October, you will witness one of the world’s wonders of the wildebeest migration. You will enjoy the local delicacies from bush breakfasts, tasty lunches, to the amazing sundowners dinner. In the evening you will admire the lavish African sunset as you sip your favorite drink or cocktails.

Optional activity: Hot air balloon

Your day’s adventure will begin early this morning much like the wildlife. Alongside an experienced guidetracker, set off on the first safari of the day and discover the dazzling biodiversity of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The most recognized animals in the world are known as the Big 5 Africans, and this group includes the African elephant, Cape buffalo, rhino, leopard, and king of beasts, lion. The term “Big 5” was first coined by big game hunters to recognize that these species were the most difficult and dangerous to track and hunt. However, in the following years the term was adopted and reused by the tourism industry and painted in a clearly positive light, now focusing on the preservation and protection of these magnificent creatures. Many other species of birds and wildlife also inhabit this vibrant region, including hyenas, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, zebras, vultures, cranes, eagles, hawks and ostriches, which you will see a lot on this morning walk in the Masai Mara. Hunting reserve. Set off this afternoon on an exciting game viewing adventure. The places visited will be determined by your expert guide as they have an intimate understanding of the animals’ daily routines and how best to follow them. On this afternoon excursion, visit several wildlife hotspots in an effort to spot elusive animals such as the leopard. These spotted cats blend in almost perfectly with tall grasses and shrubs, and are even harder to spot when in theirfavorite spot, trees. As you explore the area, your guide will take you to nearby waterholes where, on a hot day, you will spot many birds and mammals, including, with luck, the elusive leopard. After an exciting afternoon game drive, you will be returned to your lodge in time to cool off for a delicious game drive dinner.

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today your guide will drive you for Serengeti through Isebania border. This full-day tour includes game viewing in the Serengeti along the way, as well as a multi-hour drive on the highway and bumpy roads to the border. Depending on the location of your camp and the stops on your safari en route, the trip to the Isebania border takes between three and five hours. Upon arrival at the Isebania border post, change to a Kenyan vehicle and continue your safari with a Kenyan guide. After crossing the Isebania border post, you will continue to the Masai Mara. This last section of driving will be partly on a paved highway and partly on a dirt road. The approximate travel time to the Masai Mara is two to four hours, depending on road conditions. In between game drives, there are plenty of activities to make sure your free time is filled with engaging or relaxing activities. Host a boma-style dinner and dine by the fire, chat with other guests in the common areas and share your adventures, relax in the grounds of the property and watch the wildlife pass before your eyes, have a refreshment and relax with a good book and enjoy cocktails at sunset to welcome the starry sky; the choice is yours! Alternatively, a range of optional (for a fee) activities are also available, including balloon safaris and interactive school tours.

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena safari
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rise and shine for a full day safari at the Serengeti. Today, our local guide will give you a little history about the park, the conversation efforts, and the various species you will encounter. Diverse wildlife transverse this spectacular ecosystem, including hippos, fierce honey badgers, lions, giraffes, the famed wild beasts, and the Nile crocodiles. Be on the lookout for them.

Option: Balloon Safari
Enjoy the surreal hot air balloon safari across the Serengeti. The flights offer a different and unique
experience, including a spectacular view of the parks and access to areas not penetrable by car. Catch a
glimpse of the animals in their natural environment undisturbed by humans.

You will have one last tour of the Serengeti national park before you embark on the journey to the incredible Ngorongoro Crater. One of the seven natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO world heritage site, the crater is the world’s largest caldera formed from the volcano’s collapse. The site’s unique biodiversity makes it an ideal location for over 30000 animals. Also, do not leave the crater without seeing the endangered black rhino and the rare black-maned lion. Learn why the region is referred to as the cradle of humanity by learning the history behind the oldest evidence of home sapiens found in the caldera.Finally, enjoy the sun’s setting from the crater’s rim, providing a unique view of the caldera. You will then retire to your lodge with the Ngorongoro conservation area.

You’ll set out early this morning to get the most out of the Ngorongoro crater. Here, you’ll have a full day enjoying its spectacular biodiversity, learning its geology and history, and spotting the various animal species. This is your last game safari of the trip, relax and have fun enjoying it, spotting as many species on your list as possible. You will enjoy lunch before driving back to Arusha for an evening flight to Zanzibar.

For the next week, explore the Zanzibar archipelago. Off the coast of East Africa, the semi-autonomous region in Tanzania’s epic tourist destination due to its beautiful idyllic b3eaches, cool weather, and tropical waters. Another fun fact is that it’s Freddy Mercury’s birthplace. Here, get to plan how you will spend time exploring the fantastic destination as part of Tanzania safari and Zanzibar packages. Believe it or not, a week will soon be over before you know it.

Beach Days:
Zanzibar’s main attraction is its idyllic beaches, considered among the best across the West African coats. If you choose to, you can spend a few days or the entire week swimming, lounging, or getting a tan. For extra spice, head to Nungwi to party, michamvi for some alone time, and Bwejuu for calm and relaxation.

Nature Encounters
Snorkeling and diving are the main things to do to encounter nature. Matembwe offers the perfect place to undertake either activity because of its access to the Mnemba atoll and surrounding coral reefs. For more natural encounters, visit the home of the endemic red colobus monkey at Jozani forest and explore the Kuumbi caves in Jambiani.

History & Culture:
Stone Town boasts rich culture and history from its beautiful beaches and nature. Named a UNESCO world heritage site, it is home to some buildings and monuments, including the Arab fort. Explore the town admiring its unique Arabic architecture and its Indian cultural influences. Learn the island’s dark history by visiting the Former Slave Market

Gastronomy:
The Zanzibar cuisine is splendid because of the unique cultural blend of middle eaten, Muslim, African, Indian and Arab cultures. Visit the Stone Town market for fresh meals, spices, and snacks if you are a kitchen lover. You can also arrange for a spice tour in the local firms. The visit would be incomplete without visiting the Rock Restaurant, famous for its location on a small rock in the ocean.

Sports
Sports enthusiasts are not left behind. Beyond swimming, there are several activities to stay fit and active while on vacation. Try biking on the island, kayaking along the mangroves—kite surfing, surging on the southeast coast, or deep-sea fishing for those who are more daring.

Enjoy your last day in Zanzibar by showering on the beach and sunbathing afterward. We will get you to the airport for your departing flight in the afternoon.