East Africa Safari | 2025
East Africa Safari | 2025
East Africa Safari | 2025
11 Days Starting in Nairobi, Kenya and ending in Arusha, Tanzania
Visiting: Maasai Mara National Reserve, Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Amboseli, Tarangire National Park, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AAESMP20
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of East Africa with our 2025 Safari tour, exploring the breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania. Begin your adventure in Nairobi, then traverse the iconic Maasai Mara, where you'll witness the majestic Great Migration and encounter Africa's Big Five. Experience the awe-inspiring vistas of Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro as your backdrop, and delve into the cultural tapestry of local Maasai communities. Cross into Tanzania to explore the elephant-rich Tarangire National Park and the endless plains of the Serengeti, home to countless predators and prey. Conclude your safari with a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wonder teeming with wildlife. With guided tours, cultural visits, and all transportation included, this safari promises an immersive and enriching experience, complete with comfortable accommodations and delicious meals throughout your journey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi To Maasai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara National Reserve
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Mara (or similar)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Today your adventure begins. You’ll meet your guides and your fellow travellers, and then we’ll load up the safari vehicles and be on our way. Passing through the Great Rift Valley, we’ll get to our Maasai Mara lodge just in time for lunch – and then head out for our first game drive. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife large and small as we make our way across those magnificent rolling hills.
Day 2: Maasai Mara
Location: Maasai Mara
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Mara (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, you'll get the chance to head out on a hot air balloon ride to check out the African Savannah as the sun rises. Then, after a champagne breakfast to top it all off, you'll rejoin the morning's game drive. At midday, we’ll head back to the lodge for lunch and a swim, and then embark on our second game drive this afternoon – in search of Africa's elusive big cats. The Maasai Mara is the setting for one of nature’s greatest phenomena: The Great Migration. If you’re here at the right time of year, you’ll have the chance to witness millions of wildebeest and zebras en route to greener pastures.
Day 3: Maasai Mara To Nairobi
Location: Nairobi
Accommodation Name: 2.5.4. Ole Sereni (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Rise and shine, Kenyan explorers! With the Maasai Mara lodged firmly in our memories (and our hearts), we'll make our way back to Nairobi this morning - where plenty more magic awaits. This afternoon we head back to Nairobi, where something truly special awaits us. We'll visit the Kibera Slum to see the incredible work being done by the Mirror of Hope Foundation - working to break the cycle of poverty through education, helping the women and children to improve their quality of life. Afterwards, the afternoon is yours to relax and choose from a variety of hotel restaurants with views of the Nairobi National Park.
Day 4: Nairobi To Amboseli
Location: Amboseli
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Amboseli (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Back in Nairobi, we'll have the chance to take a unique game drive in Nairobi National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for waterholes, cityscapes and the elusive white rhino too. We'll also visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant rehabilitation centre to watch baby elephants play and bathe in the water (the most beautiful chaotic mess you'll ever encounter), and hear the fascinating story of their road to recovery too. After a picnic lunch and a visit to a local Curio shop, we’ll head for our lodge (right on the edge of the Amboseli National Park, might we add, with views of Mt Kilimanjaro too!) to enjoy a delicious included dinner.
Day 5: Amboseli
Location: Amboseli
Accommodation Name: Sentrim Amboseli (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After our morning's buffet breakfast, we will do a short safari walk to a Maasai village, guided by Maasai warriors as they teach us about their culture and everyday lives co-existing with wild animals. After lunch we will head out to Amboseli National Park, famous for its iconic shots of elephants and wildlife feeding in the foreground while the peak of Africa rises in the background: Mt Kilimanjaro. It's a photographer's dream, and it's all yours. Our final dinner in Kenya will be included back at the lodge.
Day 6: Amboseli To Tarangire
Location: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Roika Tented Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we will have one final game drive in Amboseli before we head across to the Tanzanian border. We say goodbye to our Kenyan guides as we are welcomed by our Tanzanian guides and drive to the town of Arusha. This morning we will have one final game drive in Amboseli before we head across to the Tanzanian border. We say goodbye to our Kenyan guides as we are welcomed by our Tanzanian guides and drive to the town of Arusha. After lunch we will head off to our first lodge and national park in Tanzania - Tarangire. Famed for its two African giants; the elephant and baobab trees.
Day 7: Tarangire
Location: Tarangire National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Roika Tented Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start this morning will take us into the Tarangire National Park for a full day, in the hopes for a glimpse of some of its elusive predators and changing landscapes. We'll stay here for most of the day with a packed lunch provided to give us the most opportunity of exploring this wildlife wilderness. Afterwards, we'll visit a Maasai village, meeting some of the locals to learn all about their customs and way of life. There'll be a buffet dinner tonight too, so be sure to save some room!
Day 8: Tarangire To Serengeti
Location: Serengeti
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Kon tiki Serengeti Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we'll set out in our safari vehicles to our next destination: the Serengeti. We take in views of the Rift valley and the rim of Ngorogoro Crater as we make our way to the main gate of the Serengeti, stopping off to visit Mto Wa Mbu Village and a local market. We'll drive through the endless plains of this vast reserve to reach our accommodation for the night. Tonights accommodation will be a safari-style lodge in the middle of the Serengeti. A buffet meal will be served for dinner, and you're free to sit outside and listen to the sounds of nocturnal animals waking up to forage or hunt, all while sitting under the bright canopy of stars in the African sky.
Day 9: Serengeti
Location: Serengeti
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Kon tiki Serengeti Camp (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll spend a full day seeking out the game of Africa's plains, with predators in hot pursuit of their prey. If the wildebeest migration is around, then you are in for a wildlife treat: millions of wildebeest and zebra grazing for as far as the eye can see really is one of Africas' greatest spectacles to observe. If you want to make today even more unforgettable, you can opt in for a once-in-a-lifetime Balloon safari. A buffet dinner awaits us back at our safari camp.
Day 10: Serengeti To Ngorogoro Crater
Location: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Name: Eileen’s Tree Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy some breakfast before we depart the Serengeti with a morning game drive on our way to our next destination, the Ngorogoro Crater. In the late morning we reach the Ngorogoro Crater, an ancient volcano, boasting one of the highest densities of predators stalking the abundant wildlife enclosed inside the volcano's centre. We'll stop here for a picnic lunch before we ascend the plateau. A true natural wonder, only found in Africa.
Day 11: Ngorogoro Crater To Arusha Via Lake Manyara
Location: Arusha
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Its our last day on safari and our last chance for some wildlife viewing. Opt to jump on one last game drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Renowned for its famed tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara is a completely different ecosystem to the other parks we have visited with grassy floodplains and massive forests to spot unique wildlife and bird-life to this region. With full hearts and memories made, it's time to say fond farewells to your new lifelong friends, and to our African adventure.
What's Included
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Meals
Meals are included throughout the tour, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided on most days.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours and game drives are included, led by experienced guides in both Kenya and Tanzania.
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National Park Fees
Entrance fees to all national parks and reserves visited during the tour are included.
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Cultural Visits
Visits to local communities and cultural experiences, such as the Maasai village and the Mirror of Hope Foundation in Kibera Slum, are included.
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Transportation
All transportation during the tour, including safari vehicles and transfers between locations, is included.
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Accommodation
Accommodation is provided at various lodges and camps throughout the safari, including Sentrim Mara, 2.5.4. Ole Sereni, Sentrim Amboseli, Roika Tented Camp, Sound of Silence Camp, and Eileen’s Tree Inn.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights to and from Nairobi are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, and tips are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees for entry into Kenya are not included.
Dining Summary
- 8 Lunch (L)
- 9 Dinner (D)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
Included Experience
- Maasai Mara National Reserve: How to make the most of our time in Maasai Mara? This afternoon/evening, you’ll have the chance to set off in search of whatever wildlife you missed in the morning – binocs at the ready!
- Maasai Mara National Reserve: Known for its grassy plains and rolling hills, home to lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos, the Maasai Mara is a jewel in Africa’s wildlife crown – don’t miss your chance to explore it at sunrise.
- Maasai Mara National Reserve: It’s your last evening in the Mara to see the epic wildlife on this vast savannah.
- Nairobi: Meet the dedicated team and see for yourself the work being done to help the women and children who live here in the Kibera slum.
- Amboseli: Get that iconic wildlife shot with the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
- Arusha: Support this social enterprise that employs local disabled people with artisanal skills. Watch weaving, glass blowing, beading, paper making and metal work.
- Amboseli: Get up early in search of the famous elephants in this iconic Kenyan National Park.
- Tarangire National Park: Take a drive through the ‘land of giants’. This national park is known for its elephants and sprawling Baobab trees.
- Serengeti: Watch out for local wildlife as we head to our camp, which is bang in the middle of these endless plains. Could the location be any more epic?
- Serengeti: Was that lion we heard last night? Let’s go find out. Take an incredible morning drive in search of the wildlife we heard throughout the night.
- Serengeti: Cruise around the plains at sunset to explore new areas and spot a few more animals before they head off to bed.
- Serengeti: Another day, another game drive, giving us the most amount of opportunities to see the wildlife that roams these plains.
- Ngorongoro Crater: Experience a one-of-a-kind drive inside an ancient volcano that’s packed with incredible wildlife and right in the heart of the action.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the safari?
During the safari, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, hippos, and possibly the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras in the Maasai Mara. In Amboseli, you might see elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. In Tarangire, look out for elephants and baobab trees, and in the Serengeti, you may witness predators in pursuit of their prey. The Ngorongoro Crater is known for its high density of predators and diverse wildlife.
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Are there any cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes cultural experiences such as visiting a Maasai village to learn about their culture and everyday lives, and visiting the Mirror of Hope Foundation in the Kibera Slum in Nairobi to see the work being done to help women and children improve their quality of life.
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What is the accommodation like during the safari?
Accommodation is provided at various lodges and camps throughout the safari, including Sentrim Mara, 2.5.4. Ole Sereni, Sentrim Amboseli, Roika Tented Camp, Sound of Silence Camp, and Eileen’s Tree Inn. These accommodations offer a mix of lodge and tented camp experiences.
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What meals are included in the tour?
Meals are included throughout the tour, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided on most days. The tour offers a dining summary of 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners.
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Is transportation included during the tour?
Yes, all transportation during the tour is included. This covers safari vehicles and transfers between locations.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities available, such as a hot air balloon ride over the African Savannah in the Maasai Mara and a balloon safari in the Serengeti.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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