Ultimate Big Cat Safari
A Safari in Africa is never complete without seeing the big cats in their natural environment. Travelers from all over the world come to Africa to see lion, leopard, and cheetah-the most sought-after animals on safari. East Africa is by far the best destination to see the big cats. It is here that half of Africa’s lion population is to be found. The open plains of the Masai Mara and rocky kopjes of the Serengeti make it easier to find these big cats than anywhere else in Africa. This big cat safari with Rhythms of Nature is not only a great opportunity to see these predators but to tune in to their rhythm- a rare chance to learn about their survival and struggle in an untamed, unforgiving wilderness.
12 Days, 11 Nights
From USD 4900
Nairobi
Hub of East Africa
Naboisho Conservancy
The Roaring Rhythm
Masai Mara National Reserve
Big Cat Country
Serengeti National Park
The Endless Plains
Ngorongoro Crater
Ancient Volcanic Caldera
Zanzibar
The Spice Islands
Homebound Flight from Nairobi
Kwaheri!
Day 1
Welcome to Kenya. This is where your safari dream begins. You will be met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi by our driver guide and proceed to your hotel for overnight stay. Nairobi city is the first beat of an exhilarating rhythm that will intensify as you continue your safari for the next 6 days.
Accommodation: Pride inn Azure Nairobi
Day 2
Today you will have breakfast at the hotel and your guide will pick you at 7 AM and you proceed to Amboseli National Park. The park is one of the top Kenya safari national parks that is known for having big herds of elephants and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The park covers an are of about 392 square kilometers and the vegetation of this park is dominated by acacia woodland, rocky thorny bushes, swamps marshland and a Pleistocene lake known as Lake Amboseli. Once you arrive Amboseli National Park, your guide will take you to your Lodge for lunch and evening game drive at 3.45 PM. Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.
Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3
Early start of the day with breakfast at the lodge and depart for your morning game drive. You will visit the observation point- one of the few places where visitors can exit their vehicles and soak in the park's atmosphere. This highest point in Amboseli offers astonishing views of surrounding marshes and lakes, elephants and on clear days, Mt. Kilimanjaro itself. and be back for lunch and rest. Head out for a game drive in the evening. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4
Today, you will begin your day with breakfast and then check out of your lodge. You will get the opportunity to visit a Masai Manyatta and learn about their culture. You then begin your journey to Lake Naivasha. You will arrive at your lodge for lunch and later go for a boat ride. The most distinct way to see Lake Naivasha is on a boating excursion. These excursions get you right in the middle of all of the action on the lake. You have a good chance of spotting hippos. Return to your lodge for dinner and Overnight stay. Optional Visit: Hells Gate National Park for Cycling in the wild.
Accommodation: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5
Following breakfast, proceed to the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve. Arguably the most famous wildlife area in the world and a must-see place during a Kenya safari, the Masai Mara National Reserve lies in the southwest of the country, bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. This is an ecosystem of vast grasslands prowled by lions, leopards and cheetah, peppered with acacia thickets in which leopards lurk, and divided by the Mara, Sand and Talek rivers. Arrive at your lodge In time for lunch and depart for an evening game drive in the evening. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Accommodation: Mara Maisha Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6
Enjoy a full day exploring the mighty mara river. From July to September each year, the great wildebeest herds arrive in Masai Mara. To reach the grasslands of the Mara, they must risk their lives crossing the Mara River, where famished crocodiles wait in the swollen waters. After nervously milling about on the banks, it takes just one wildebeest to leap in, and then the herd follows in a cacophony of grunts, thundering hooves and splashing water. You will get the opportunity to visit the mara river and look for its inhabitants; hippos and nile crocodiles. Full day game drive with picnic lunch in between. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Accommodation: Mara Maisha Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7
Like all good things come to an end, your African safari in the wild ends here with moments and memories to last a lifetime. The rhythm of Africa will constantly bring you back in memories to this wonderful continent. Check out of camp after breakfast and your guide will drop you off at JKIA International airport for your flight back home. (For late evening flights only otherwise extra night may be required).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 1
Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Nairobi, the hub of East Africa and a focal point for many wildlife safaris in East Africa. You will be met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, by our transfer representative and you proceed to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport
Day 2
Naboisho Conservancy
Start your day with an early breakfast and your guide will pick you at 7 AM as you traverse the Great Rift Valley and its scenic viewpoints to reach the greater Mara ecosystem. Your first stop in this big cat safari is Naboisho Conservancy, a privately owned conservancy adjoining the renowned Masai Mara. Here, game drives are more exclusive due to the limited number of vehicles at any given time. It is possible to experience the African wilderness without the crowds. The density of lions within Naboisho is one of the highest in Africa. You will arrive at your camp for lunch and possibly spend the afternoon absorbing the views from the camp. In the evening, you will embark on your first safari drive that culminates in our signature night safari. Back at camp, you will enjoy dinner before possibly falling asleep to the distant roaring of lions. If you have ever imagined going to bed under the African sky whilst listening to lions roaring, Naboisho could be the place!
Accommodation: Saruni Eagle view
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3
Masai Mara National Reserve
After breakfast, your guide will drive you to the Masai Mara reserve, typical big cat country. It is here that lions, leopards, and cheetahs can be spotted at a closer distance than most places in the world. The quintessential Masai Mara safari delivers many attractions, as the reserve is home to an excellent year-round concentration of wildlife which attracts many predators. You will arrive at your new camp for lunch and some rest before you head out in the late afternoon for your safari drive.
Accommodation: Mara Engai Wilderness Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Ol Tukai Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4
Masai Mara National Reserve
Departing after breakfast, you will enjoy a full day in the wild with a picnic lunch. From July to September each year, the great wildebeest herds arrive in Masai Mara from the Serengeti in Tanzania. To reach the grasslands of the Mara, they must risk their lives crossing the Mara
River, where famished crocodiles wait in the swollen waters. After nervously milling about on the banks, it takes just one wildebeest to leap in, and then the herd follows in a cacophony of grunts, thundering hooves and splashing water. The Mara River Safari route has something to see in each season. In the seasons when the migration is not in Kenya, you will look for the river’s inhabitants; hippos and Nile crocodiles as well as the crossing points used by wildebeest. At lunch time, your guide will spread a shuka (Sheet) in the shade
of a tree in preparation for your picnic in the wild. After the day’s adventure, return to camp for dinner.
This day is planned with your guide based on your month of visit and the season of the
wildebeest. The day may be different than the description.
Accommodation: Mara Engai Wilderness Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5
Serengeti National Park
Today, you will have to prepare yourself for a long drive from Masai Mara to the Serengeti. Geographically, the two parks are interconnected only to be separated by National borders. You will check out from the Mara after breakfast and arrive at the Isebania border for immigration procedures. Following this, your Kenyan guide will bid you farewell after handing you over to your Tanzanian guide who will complete your safari. With a boxed lunch and a mixed journey of bumpy and paved roads, you will arrive at the famous Serengeti National Park by late afternoon. With an enroute safari chancing up on surprise sightings, you will check in to your camp for dinner and overnight rest.
We do have flight options for those who want to take a flight from Masai Mara to Serengeti.
Accommodation: Sametu Serengeti Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6
Serengeti National Park
With the rising sun and an elevated safari spirit, begin your day with breakfast at camp and depart for your morning safari. The Serengeti is one of the most famous parks in Africa and is synonymous with wildlife and classic African scenery. It is Tanzania's oldest park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to the spectacular wildebeest migration and offers top-class wildlife viewing throughout the year. The Eastern Serengeti is one of the most beautiful regions of the park and offers less traffic on game drives during the high season. You have an option to visit the visitors centre and learn about Serengeti and the animals. Today’s game drive will focus on finding the Big 5 and the big cats. Return at camp for a sumptuous lunch before heading out for a sunset safari once again. Dinner at camp.
Accommodation: Serengeti Sametu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7
Serengeti National Park
Today, you have the flexibility of planning your day. You may choose to go on a safari from the sky and explore the endless plains beneath your hot air balloon. Alternatively, you can join the rangers in tracking the most sought-after member of the Big 5- The Rhinos. Both these activities are optional and attract an extra cost. What’s already included for you is a full day safari drive with a picnic lunch to enable you reach the far ends of the game rich Seronera valley. You could split this drive into early morning and late afternoon safaris with an afternoon siesta at camp.
Accommodation: Serengeti Sametu Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater
Early breakfast at camp and you bid farewell to the Serengeti. Today, you head to the Ngorongoro highlands passing through the famous and scenic Naabi hill from where you can have a bird’s eye view of Serengeti. You will have picnic lunch in the wild, and later descend into the Ngorongoro crater for an evening game drive. The Crater is a massive volcanic caldera that has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is home to a variety of animals including four of the Big 5. The highlight of a trip to the Ngorongoro is the breathtaking view from the rim. You will get the opportunity to take a memorable photo from a designated viewpoint during your safari. In the evening, you will check in to your camp for dinner and a chilly night.
Day 9
Zanzibar
Today is your last day in the African wilderness and you head to the beach. We believe this is the best way to end a safari as you get an opportunity to relax and rewind before heading back home. After breakfast, depart from your camp and your guides will drive you to Arusha airport for your flight to Zanzibar. In about 2 hours’ time, you will land in Zanzibar and meet our transfer representative who will drive you to your beach resort. Spend the evening at Leisure.
Accommodation: The Mora Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, and Selected Drinks.
Day 10 & 11
Zanzibar
The next two days are spent relaxing by the beach and absorbing the sun, sand, and Swahili culture. On the day of your choice, you will get to visit stone town, an ancient trading point where the sultans and Oman lived until the 18th century. As you walk the narrow streets with your guide, you will be amused by the history of this town frozen in time. You will visit the House of Wonders, Old fort, Sultan’s palace museum and other historic sites. Following this, you will tour a spice plantation and understand how spices are planted, harvested, and processed. At the end, you will be able to buy fresh spices if you wish.
As optional activities, you can book water sports or discover the most spectacular, colourful & untouched marine life of the Zanzibar archipelago onboard a submarine (Extra Costs).
Day 12
Homebound
Like all good things come to an end, your African safari in the bush and beach ends here with moments and memories to last a lifetime. The rhythm of Africa will constantly bring you back memories of this wonderful continent. Check out of your resort after breakfast and our transfer vehicles will drop you at Zanzibar airport for your flight back flight back home. Kwaheri! (Goodbye).
(Afternoon flights out of Zanzibar preferred so that you can get to the airport in good time.)
Meals: Breakfast
Timeless Masai Culture
Masai Mara- USD 25 per person
Safari From the Sky
Serengeti- USD 550 per person
Rhino Ranger
Serengeti- USD 100 per person
Submarine Experience
Zanzibar- USD 100 per person
**Extra night in any of the destinations (Contact us for pricing)
| Group Size | 2 Jan 2024- 31 March 2024, 01 Nov 2024- 21 Dec 2024, 01 Jun 2024- 15 Jun 2024 | 01 Apr 2024- 31 May 2024 | 16 Jun 2024- 31 Oct 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 People on Safari | USD 4900 | USD 4,300 | USD 5,300 |
| 4 People on Safari | USD 5,200 | USD 4,600 | USD 5,600 |
| 2 People on Safari | USD 6,000 | USD 5,500 | USD 6,500 |
** Price is an estimate per Person. Contact us for precise pricing.
** Price is based on 2 people sharing a room.
** Subject to amendment as per government policy and prevailing travel industry conditions.
** Please check with us for final rates based on your exact dates of travel. Since we are pre-releasing the rates, a precise quote needs to be given. Separate pricing is available for kids below 12 years.
Price Includes
- Private airport transfers.
- Full-board accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all camps and lodges in the national parks. We take care of any special dietary requirements.
- Bed and breakfast accommodation in Nairobi.
- Selected drinks at Beach resort.
- Transport and game drives in safari Landcruiser (exclusive use) with competent English-speaking guide.
- Night game drive in Naboisho conservancy.
- All Park and conservancy fees.
- Concession fees for Tanzania camps.
- Stone town visit in Zanzibar.
- All vehicle and guide’s costs.
- Bottled Mineral water on Safari.
- Consultation services in the USA with our destination specialist.
- Full time ground support from Kenya and Tanzania through your trip coordinator.
Price Excludes
- All drinks and laundry.
- Drivers/staff Tips
- International flights, Visas, and insurance.
- Lunch and dinner while staying in Nairobi hotel (Booked on Bed & Breakfast Basis)
- Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary or stated as optional extras.
- Credit card processing fees.
