Visit Africa's spectacular Great Rift Valley, with the wide open plains of East Africa streched out before us. Join us on this 16 day Overland camping adventure that explores Africa's tribal people and its wildlife, unchallenged in their diversity.
The National Parks and Reserves of Northern Tanzania need little introduction to Wildlife enthusiasts. Join us as we pitch our tents on this 16 day Overland camping adventure that explores Africa's spectacular Great Rift Valley, with the wide open plains of East Africa streched out before us.
Kenya and Tanzania – Nairobi to Nairobi:
The spectacular Rift Valley, with the wide-open plains of east Africa is stretched before you. On this stunning safari we take in some of the very best of Kenya’s Big Five game viewing National Parks and its
outstanding tribal people and scenery. The National Parks and reserves of northern Tanzania need little introduction to wildlife enthusiasts. The vast Serengeti National Park, is arguably the finest reserve on the continent, home to millions of plains animals and a profusion of predators. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, whilst Tarangire National Park is well known for it’s dense elephant population and magnificent baobab trees. Add to this, Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest mountain, at 4566 m, which dominates the horizon when visiting the bustling town of Arusha, the gateway to the reserves of northern Tanzania.
Africa's spectacular Rift Valley, with the wide open plains of East Africa stretched before us. This safari explores Africa's tribal people and its wildlife unchallenged in their diversity.
DAY 1 - Nairobi – Mount Kenya
Most clients arrive in Nairobi a few days prior to the official start day. Many may be joining our Southern Trails trip, which runs from Nairobi to Victoria Falls taking in all the highlights of Tanzania, Malawi and
Zambia, but will initially experience some of East Africa on this stunning short tour. Rhino Africa can organise any accommodation or activities you may require if you want to arrive early or stay on in Africa after your tour ends.
On the first day of the Kenya Highlights tour (Day 1), all clients should meet at Silver Springs Hotel, Valley Road, Nairobi for a pre departure meeting at 08h30. This meeting will give you all a chance to meet your fellow travellers and get to know your guides. The meeting will cover all the aspects of the trip.
Please note that hotel accommodation in Nairobi is not included as part of this tour and that the tour commences straight after the meeting with the vehicles departure to Mount Kenya on day 1.
We head out of the city and travel north to our campsite at the foot of Mt Kenya (5199m), the second highest mountain in Africa. You have the afternoon free to enjoy an optional walk in the forest around the base of Mt Kenya, known for its prolific bird life and black and white Colobus monkeys.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: CAMPING (Mountain Rock Bantu Lodge or similar)
DAYS 2 - 3 – Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is situated on the banks of the Uaaso Nyiro River in Kenya. This means plenty of water, trees and shade to attract wildlife like elephant, lion, giraffe and zebra from the surrounding savannah plains. Leopards are also regularly spotted. The Uaaso Nyiro River's magnificent displays are the long and huge crocodiles, which
exceed six meters (20 feet) from snout to tail.
We will enjoy a game drive en route to our campsite and on day three we will depart on a morning game drive and return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon once the temperature cools off we head out for an afternoon game drive returning in time to prepare dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: CAMPINGDAY 4 – Thompson’s Falls
We will travel to Thompson’s Falls and arrive at approximately lunch time – we have the afternoon free to explore the waterfalls which during the rainy season is particularly spectacular. The height of the falls is 75 metres high.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: CAMPING (Thomson Falls Lodge)
DAY 5 - Lake Nakuru
We depart for our campsite, on the Kenana Farm. Visit the Kenana Knitters, a local community development project, or the local school. We visit Lake Nakuru National Park, which is famous for the presence of up to two million flamingos, seasonally feeding on the abundant algae. The park is also well known for it’s leopard and, as it is a rhino
sanctuary, sightings of black and white rhino are common, as well as lion and buffalo. We enjoy an included game drive into the Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: CAMPING (Kembu Campsite or similar)
DAYS 6 - 7 – Masai Mara National Reserve
The famous Masai Mara Game Reserve is known for it’s density of animals including the ‘Big Five’ and 453 species of birds. It is one of the most visited reserves in Africa. This National Reserve’s plains are predominantly open savannah, interspersed with patches of acacia woodland, and along the Mara River, riparian forest. Whilst game viewing is excellent in the Mara all year round, the most popular time to visit is in late July into August where, over one million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra migrate from the Serengeti. The dramatic river crossings are a gruesome spectacle of survival of the fittest.
We will set up camp here for two nights and enjoy early starts, for our game drives, returning to camp for a late breakfast or brunch. Time to reflect and relax for the hotter part of the day and then out for another game drive in the afternoon. We enjoy our last night and dinner around the campfire, listening to the sounds of the open bush.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: CAMPING (Outside Sekenani Gate or similar)DAY 8 – Masai Mara to Nairobi
We enjoy a hearty breakfast, before we break down our camp and head back to Nairobi arriving around lunchtime,
where we check into our hotel in Nairobi. Rest of day at leisure to explore the city.
Meals: Breakfast only
Accommodation: HOTEL - SILVER SPRINGSD AY 9 – Nairobi to Arusha
We depart at approx 09h30 (after a pre departure meeting for those joining this tour at this stage), and make our way from Nairobi and over the border into Tanzania. Your guides will assist with all formalities and after clearing customs and immigration we’ll be on our way to Arusha the gateway into the Ngorongoro and Serengeti National Parks. Arusha is a fairly developed and large town, and known as the ‘safari capital of Tanzania’. You will be able to use banks, communications, go shopping as well as sample restaurants, bars and local markets. Upon arrival at our camp in Arusha we will have a full brief on the days ahead so you are prepared for your excursion into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: CAMPING (Meseranti Snake Park)
DAY 10 – Arusha –Tarangire National ParkTarangire National Park has the highest concentration of game outside the Serengeti ecosystem. Here too there are tree climbing lions, leopards and pythons as well as plains game and elephant. Morning and afternoon game drives into the park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: CAMPING (Wildpalm Campsite or similar)
DAYS 11 - 12 - Excursion to Serengeti National Park
Serengeti, which means “endless plains” in Masai, is one of the best known wildlife areas in the world. The park is host to the spectacular annual migration of wildebeest in late May or early June, where over 6 million hooves pound the legendary plains of the Serengeti in search of greener pastures. The park is also famous for its abundance of larger game, such as lion, leopard and elephant. The rare and almost extinct wild dogs can also be seen here if you are lucky. Morning and afternoon game drives.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: CAMPING (Seronera National Park campsite or similar)
DAYS 13 – 14 - Ngorongoro CraterToday we drive to Ngorongoro Crater. The gigantic 259km2 crater is one of the wonders of the world, and is teeming with wildlife and birdlife, which are forever in the crater. We will descend into the crater using 4x4 vehicles for a full day of game viewing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: CAMPING (Simba National Park campsite or similar)
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARKSerengeti, which sprawls across 14,763 sq km (5757 sq mi), is Tanzania’s largest and most famous national park. The
chief herbivore of Serengeti is the wildebeest of which there are up to two million. The amazing annual migration of wildebeest herds is one of the biggest attractions of the Serengeti. It begins at the Serengeti National Park near the Kenyan border, when huge herds of wildebeests head for greener pastures in Kenya. Starting in April each year, these
animals migrate across the Serengeti's southern plains accompanied by zebras, antelopes, gazelles, lions and tourists.
The park is also famous for its lions, which can be tracked due to the fact that many have collars fitted with transmitters, as well as cheetah and large herds of giraffe.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Being one of the largest calderas in the world, 20km (12.4mi)-wide, 600m (1968ft) tall, with a variety of animals and vegetation, Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s most visited areas. The vegetation includes grasslands, swamps, forests, salt pans and a freshwater lake and has been compared to Noah's Ark and the Garden of Eden.
You should have no trouble finding lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many of the plains herbivores such as wildebeest, Thomson's gazelle, zebra and reedbuck, as well as thousands of flamingo wading in the shallows of Lake Magadi, the soda lake on the floor of the crater. Within the steep walls of the crater you will find considerable movement of animals and you may well come across local Maasai tribes people, who have grazing rights here, tending their cattle.
DAY 15 - Arusha.After breakfast we drive back to Arusha nestled in the shadow of Mt. Meru. You are free to visit the colourful markets in and around the town or just relax.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch. Dinner to your own expense.
Accommodation: CAMPING (Meseranti Snake Park or similar)
DAY 16 - Arusha to Nairobi.
Transfer to Nairobi after breakfast. Arrival in Nairobi around lunchtime, depending on time taken at border crossing.
End of services. Airport transfers and additional accommodation can be arranged through Rhino Africa central reservations. Rhino Africa can book airport transfers and additional accommodation through our central reservations office.
This is a 16 Day Camping Tour Tour that can split into two shorter modules:
Module 1: Nairobi to Nairobi - Kenya Highlights is a 8 Day Camping Tour
Module 2: Nairobi - Tanzania - Nairobi - Explore Tanzania Safari is 8 day Camping Tour
Drop us an enquiry to find out dates of our scheduled departures.
Includes:
Itinerary as specified, fully equipped safari vehicle, services of tour leader and camp courier, all accommodation, all camping and catering equipment and National Park entrance fees. Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D) where specified. Meals not shown will be to the clients account. Occasionally breakfast and lunch may be combined into a brunch where necessary e.g. mornings with early game drives.
Excludes:
Airfares, travel and medical insurance, personal spending money, visas, passports, vaccinations, personal taxes (including departure and border taxes) all optional activities, unscheduled or optional national / game parks and other activities, gratuities, sleeping bag if required, restaurant meals and all other items of a personal nature. All drinks, even on days with full board basis.
Notes:
Many of our tours, though not all of them, will require a kitty or local payment, that goes that goes into a communal fund to pay for campsite fees, food, and game park entrance fees.
Those tours that do not have a kitty are usually the shorter tours within one country where prices are more fixed and can be included in the tour cost. The tour leader manages the kitty and it covers all the local expenses the tour encounters on a day to day basis for all the passengers and crew. The kitty is paid to the tour leader at the pre-departure meeting or on the morning of departure. In almost all cases it must be paid in US$ cash – this is the easiest currency to change for local currency in Africa and the tour leader has no method of accepting your kitty by travellers cheques or credit cards.
It’s best to buy US$ from your own country before leaving home, as US$ cash is hard to obtain in Africa. The local payment applicable to this tour is
US $ 560. Please note single supplement applies.
This overland safari also occurs in two shorter modules. For more information, please
contact us.
This is a 16 Day Camping Tour Tour that can split into two shorter modules:
Module 1: Nairobi to Nairobi - Kenya Highlights is a 8 Day Camping Tour
Module 2: Nairobi - Tanzania - Nairobi - Explore Tanzania Safari is 8 day Camping Tour
Drop us an enquiry to find out dates of our scheduled departures.
