14 Day Kenya and Tanzania Family Safari
Countries: Kenya , Tanzania
Destinations: Nairobi , Amboseli National Park , Lake Manyara National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , Serengeti National Park , Masai Mara
Group Size: 4
Duration (days): 14
Number of Adults: 2
Number of Children: 2
Child Ages: 7, 9
An incredible family journey to some of the most iconic wildlife locations in Africa.
Itinerary Outline
| Day | Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | Emara Ole Sereni Hotel |
| 2 | Amboseli National Park | Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli |
| 3 | Amboseli National Park | Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli |
| 4 | Lake Manyara National Park | Lake Manyara Tree Lodge |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Crater | The Highlands |
| 6 | Ngorongoro Crater | The Highlands |
| 7 | Serengeti National Park | Sayari Camp |
| 8 | Serengeti National Park | Sayari Camp |
| 9 | Masai Mara | Naboisho Camp |
| 10 | Masai Mara | Naboisho Camp |
| 11 | Masai Mara | Naboisho Camp |
| 12 | Nairobi | Giraffe Manor |
| 13 | Nairobi | Giraffe Manor |
| 14 | Day of Departure |
Day 1 : Nairobi
Kenya
Kenya - The grand old dame of African safaris, Kenya has been at the forefront of the industry for decades, and with iconic reserves such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu and Tsavo, it has earned its place in safari royalty.
Kenya's wildlife is legendary, as is its hospitality, friendliness, and scenic beauty. With the Great Rift Valley running through the country, Kenya is home to some stunning landscapes, with lakes, valleys and mountains adding to the beautiful plains of the Masai Mara.
To add to the spectacular wildlife, Kenya is one of the best countries to experience the local tribes and cultures, in particular the Masai and Samburu.
Kenyan roads are notoriously bad however, so the majority of safaris we recommend are fly-in options to the various parks. The small group scheduled safaris all operate by road, so you would need to be prepared for what is called "the African massage".
The diversity of areas to visit in Kenya is astounding, with each game reserve offering something truly unique. And to top it off, the country has a splendid coastline which invites some pure relaxation after spending time in the bush.
Nairobi
One of Africa’s major cities, Nairobi is the UN’s fourth “World Centre,” East Africa’s commercial, media and NGO hub, and a significant capital in its own right, with a population of approximately 3 to 4 million.
Little more than a century old, it has real claims to Western-style sophistication and displays enormous vitality and buzz. On the surface the city accepts everyone with tolerance, and, in any downtown street, you can see a complete cross section of Kenyans, every variety of tourist, and migrants and refugees from many African countries.
If you plan to stay in Nairobi for any length of time, you’ll soon get the hang of balancing reasonable caution with a fairly relaxed attitude - thousands of visitors do it every year. If you’re only here for a few days, you’re likely to find it a stimulating city.
Emara Ole Sereni Hotel
Located just off Mombasa road Ole-Sereni is the only hotel bordering a National Game Park. The title of the hotel is taken from the Maasai name for the area meaning place of tranquillity. Ole-Sereni captures the essence of Nairobi, which is the only city in the world that boasts a natural game park within its precincts. The hotel offers its guests views of animals in their natural surroundings at the waterhole in the park from the restaurants, bar, swimming pool and other parts of the hotel.
As The City Hotel by the Game Park Ole-Sereni combines the best features of a modern City Hotel and a traditional wildlife lodge where guests can enjoy natures tranquillity from a very close range. Ole-Sereni is strategically positioned close to the Airport and the city centre, offering world-class facilities and personalized services to business as well as leisure travellers.
The hotel also enjoys proximity to the central business district, international organizations, financial institutions, government offices and the industrial areas of Nairobi.
Day 2 : Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park
The combination of masses of animals, diverse eco-systems, and the splendid views of Mount Kilimanjaro make Amboseli National Park high up on the must-see list of any Kenyan safari.
With desert landscapes to lush green swampland, the scenery changes entirely during game drives, with new photo opportunities presenting themselves all the time.
Amboseli is famous for its huge elephant herds, and is home to a remarkable concentration of species and birdlife, all the while being watched over by the highest peak in Africa.
Elewana Tortilis Camp Amboseli
Amboseli is also known for its magnificent elephants – a population of over 1000 elephants reside in the parks eco-system that features some of the largest in Africa.
Tortilis Camp has a prime location for witnessing the majesty of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.
Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and embraces a hill in one of Amboseli’s areas of Acacia Tortilis woodland. Located in a private conservancy bordering the national park, game drives, walks, sundowners and bush meals take place both inside the national park and in the conservancy, where guests enjoy exclusivity.
The tents are all spacious, with king or twin beds and elegant en suite bathrooms. There is a main lounge, bar and dining area, all exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs. The Private House and Family Tent are located slightly separate to the main camp, upon the hill where they share a pool.
Tortilis Camp was one of the first eco-lodges of its size, and is very proudly 100% solar. Guests can rest assure they are leaving a minimal footprint during their stay.
Day 3 : Amboseli National Park
Day 4 : Lake Manyara National Park
Tanzania
A land full of icons, with the names Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro and Zanzibar immediately evoking images of exotic locations and abundant wildlife. A Tanzanian safari is an experience for all of the senses, and caters for every kind of traveller.
Tanzania is a country which was seemingly designed with the word "safari" in mind. There are enough national parks and different safari activities to keep travellers coming back year on year, with the added benefit of easily combining beautiful tropical beaches with the wildlife rich plains.
A Tanzanian safari is a journey in the true sense of the word, with each itinerary feeling like an exploration out into the wilderness. Moving from park to park, either by road or air, the countryside offers something new at each stop.
The plains of the Serengeti have become synonomous with an African safari, and by visiting the right areas and camps, you will be able to see the legendary wildebeest migration as it moves across the grasslands in constant search of fresh grazing and water.
To the south of the country are the remote reserves of Selous and Ruaha, while in the west you can trek into the mountains to witness chimpanzees along the shores of the mystical Lake Tanganyika.
Lake Manyara National Park
Being a relatively small park, and with Lake Manyara taking up the majority of the area, Lake Manyara National Park can be covered easily on half-day game drives, but these drives are usually very rewarding despite their brevity.
The scenery and birdlife are Lake Manyara's major attractions, with the lake being perfectly located to offer spectacular views along the Great Rift Valley.
Lake Manyara is not necessarily worth a diversion to visit, however, as it is so well located close to Arusha and on the road to the Ngorongoro Crater, it is ideal to use as a stop-off point on a road safari, and acts as a great introduction to a Tanzanian safari.
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Lake Manyara National Park offers a true wilderness experience in diverse habitats, from its Rift Valley soda lake to dense woodlands and steep mountainsides. Cradled in the boughs of an ancient mahogany forest, &BEYOND Lake Manyara Tree Lodge melts into the natural beauty of its breathtaking surroundings.
Nine stilted treehouse suites, crafted from local timber and makuti palm fronds, weave a sophisticated blend of intimacy and romance, offering privacy and exclusivity in the cool, leafy surroundings, with elephant visitors passing through.
Most people think that the famous tree-climbing lions here have developed their climbing habit to get away from annoying insects. At &BEYOND, we have our own theory – they’re in awe of our magnificent treehouse suites.
Designed to exert minimal impact on the environment and provide a tranquil haven, the Lodge offers an exclusive interpretive safari in a more remote area of the National Park. Gentle Tanzanian hospitality is exuded from the team, who have a passion for delighting guests, whether you are on honeymoon or a family safari.
The ultimate spot to rejuvenate mind, body and soul, wellness is a pivotal thread at the Lodge and the lush forest environment is an idyllic cocoon to recharge. Holistically centred, enjoy healing therapies, organic practices and connecting with nature. Dine on nourishing dishes with our food-to-table philosophy, sip the freshest juices and smoothies. Work out in your room with our convenient Gym in a Basket and unwind with a massage in the massage sala.
Overlooking a forest boma, or outdoor dining area lined with traditional dugout canoes, guest areas are characterised by soaring spaces that house local artworks and tactile fabrics. An interactive kitchen allows guests to observe, or help with, the preparation of delectable menus that are served in the theatrical boma or on the open dining decks. Relax at the sparkling pool in the heat of the afternoon or spend time with the Maasai running through local communities.
Day 5 : Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater
A unique and fascinating game viewing destination in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see on any Tanzania safari.
Being the world's largest intact caldera, and the result of a collapsed volcano thousands of years ago, the 260 square kilometres of crater floor hosts up to 25 000 animals at all times of year. This makes it one of the most dense wildlife areas in Africa, and allows for many memorable sightings.
Driving down the steep walls of the Crater early in the morning is an experience in itself, and you can always sense the excitement of heading deep into one of the world's natural wonders.
With lodges perched directly on the rim, hundreds of metres above the Crater floor, Ngorongoro accommodation provides you with some of the most incredible views, and the location will surely be a highlight of your holiday.
While being criticised at times for the number of vehicles on drives along the Crater floor, it is necessary to expect that tourist numbers here will be quite high, and be prepared to share this phenomenon with other travellers. Once your mind is not concerned with other vehicles, you can enjoy the Ngorongoro Crater for what it is; one of the world's truly remarkable wildlife areas.
The Highlands
The Highlands has redefined the Ngorongoro Crater experience, offering an array of activities afforded by the camp’s exclusive location and a combination of comfort and contemporary style.
The award-winning camp with its eight domed canvas and glass suites is situated on the edge of a forest that skirts Olmoti Volcano. The surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The camp feels remote, but is within easy reach of Ngorongoro, where guests can go on day-long game drives to spot lions, elephants and giraffes, with a midday picnic break under a shady tree. From camp, hike up to the top of Olmoti for staggering views, or take a half-day trip to the soda lake in Empakaai Crater, where thousands of pink flamingos congregate. Guests can also interact with the local community, learning about Maasai culture and walk the cattle back to the boma at the end of the day.
At night, gather around a crackling fire with a glass of wine or whiskey before sitting down to a delicious three-course dinner.
Day 6 : Ngorongoro Crater
Day 7 : Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
The word "Siringit" means "endless plains," and this is understandably from where the Serengeti National Park takes its name. The iconic, endless, golden plains of Africa are nowhere more evident than within this national park, as they stretch off into eternity, dotted throughout with thousands of animals.
Located in the north-west corner of Tanzania, alongside Lake Victoria, the Serengeti has earned its place as one of the world's most famous wildlife areas. While best known for the enormous herds of the wildebeest migration, there is far more to the Serengeti than this, and the national park can be enjoyed even when you are not in the vicinity of this spectacle.
The national park itself is roughly 14 500 square kilometres, but it forms part of the greater Serengeti eco-system, which comprises the neighbouring Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the bordering Masai Mara, in Kenya, with the country boundary between Kenya and Tanzania seperating the two.
The Serengeti can be accessed on a road safari, usually in combination with the Ngorongoro Crater, or there are regular daily flights into the park from Arusha.
Sayari Camp
The award-winning Sayari camp is based in the north of Serengeti National Park, with a prime location to witness thousands of wildebeest crash across the Mara River as part of their Great Migration.
Besides the herds, there’s a healthy population of predators, including lions and leopards. When the European migrant birds arrive, the number of bird species swells to 500, many of which can be spotted on game drives or walking safaris.
Overlooking the golden plains, our 15 bright and spacious suites have walk-in showers, al fresco tubs and verandas on which you can laze away the afternoon with a book. Sayari’s rim-flow pool is set between natural rock formations for guests to cool off in while watching elephants or zebras ambling past camp. After a dip, treat yourself to a calming massage or a beer at the Serengeti’s first solar-powered microbrewery before an afternoon game drive and sundowners around the campfire.
Regularly voted as one of the top safari escapes, Sayari offers a superior guiding experience in this beautiful wildlife region. The camp’s latest upgrade includes a plush library and information centre which incorporates a rich cultural focus on the colourful Kuria tribe who call the northern Serengeti home. Further additions include the striking Asilia Spa offering an array of treatment options, and an innovative solar-powered micro-brewery, the first of its kind in the bush. The brewery will produce four unique beers for you to enjoy as well as producing a selection of soft drinks, purifying water, and producing sparkling water for you to enjoy as well.
Day 8 : Serengeti National Park
Day 9 : Masai Mara
Masai Mara
It is no surprise that the Masai Mara ranks up near the top of most famous game reserves in the world. The land of the Mara is consistently covered with herds of antelope, interspersed with prides of lions, journeys of giraffe, dazzles of zebra, and almost every other collective animal noun you can think of.
The sightings are nothing short of fantastic, and it is definitely the park to visit to tick off your "wildlife of Africa" list. The scenery of the park is similar to the open plains of the Serengeti, although the Mara is dotted with more trees, and the game viewing is equal to, or can be better than, its southerly sister.
Within the boundaries of the reserve, there are certain areas which can seem quite crowded with travellers, although there are places to escape from the crowds, and enjoy the Mara in some exclusivity. Private concessions surround the Masai Mara, allowing more private safari experiences, and additional activities.
The Masai Mara is easily accessed from Nairobi, with a number of scheduled flights operated each morning and afternoon. It can also be reached by road, but be prepared that it can be quite a bumpy 6 hour drive, with sections being particularly broken up.
Naboisho Camp
There are nine spacious tents at Naboisho Camp. And because it’s based in a private conservancy adjacent to the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho is one of the best camps for your safari in the Mara, known for its amazing guiding. A Kenyan safari at Naboisho goes beyond the usual game drives. Explore the Mara on foot, keep your eyes peeled on a night drive or spend an unforgettable night camping in the bush for a real safari adventure. With 266 species of birds to spot, there are also ample birdwatching opportunities.
Day 10 - 11 : Masai Mara
Day 12 : Nairobi
Giraffe Manor
Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel, owned by The Safari Collection. Often referred to as one of the most instagrammed properties in the world, Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi. Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. The historic manor house has extraordinary appeal, that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film Out of Africa: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author Karen Blixen.
One of the most fascinating things about Giraffe Manor is its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes who may visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. Giraffe Manor can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made Kenya safari with The Safari Collection.
