Classic East Africa Tour by Intrepid Travel

13 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Nairobi, Kenya

Ends

Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Highlights

Spot the African wildlife you've always wanted to see on 4WD safaris through five iconic wildlife parks, perhaps you'll see elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, flamingos, hippos and so much more.

Take 4WD safaris through five iconic wildlife parks and spot the African wildlife you’ve always wanted to see, including herds of elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebras, flamingos, hippos and so much more.

Hike at the base of Mt Meru – look out for local wildlife as you soak up the incredible views, on the way to a thundering waterfall for lunch. You might see buffalo, giraffes, zebras, Kilimanjaro colobus monkeys and Harvey’s red duikers along the way.

Learn about the Patinaai Osim Project – one of The Intrepid Foundation partners – and how they’re working to fight gender inequality for Indigenous communities, and how they provide a safe space or local women and girls.

Take up the offer of an optional visit to a small Hadzabe tribe to learn about their nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle and their unique ‘click’ language, which is believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use today.

Pop on an apron at a traditional cooking class in Arusha in Tanzania with local women who will show you the tips and tricks of local food before you tuck into a delicious breakfast together.

Itinerary

East Africa’s legendary wildlife and rich cultures await on the 'Classic East Africa' 13-day safari tour. Starting in Nairobi and ending at Kilimanjaro, this guided trip takes you deep into the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Amboseli National Park on thrilling game drives.

Beyond the iconic animals, you’ll hike the slopes of Mt Meru to a hidden waterfall, take a boat safari on Lake Naivasha, and meet the Hadzabe tribe for a glimpse into ancient traditions. In Arusha, participate in a cooking class supporting local women and visit community projects that champion equality for women and girls.

The unique selling point of this tour package lies in its balance of classic game viewing and immersive local experiences, offering travelers both Africa’s natural wonders and heartfelt cultural connections.

day 1 - Nairobi

Jambo! Welcome to Kenya. When you arrive at the airport today, you’ll be met by a representative and taken to your hotel. Your adventure then begins in Nairobi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe head out and explore the National Museum of Kenya, the Karen Blixen Museum or the highly recommended Bomas of Kenya, where traditional homesteads of several Kenyan tribes are displayed in an outdoor village.

included:Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Maasai Mara

This morning, drive to the famous Maasai Mara National Park – with sparse open plains, dramatic skies and the world's most iconic animals living within its boundaries, this is the quintessential African experience. When you arrive, you can choose to explore this diverse environment on an optional afternoon 4WD safari with expert local guides, looking out for the abundance of wildlife that call this park home.

accommodation:Permanent tented camp

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 3 - Maasai Mara

This morning, you have the option to take part in a hot air balloon ride and bush breakfast, giving you a rare chance to see the Maasai Mara from a different perspective, above the open plains at sunrise. Today, you’ll venture into the Maasai Mara National Reserve with expert local driver guides for a day-long 4WD safari. You'll explore this diverse environment and most likely see a multitude of wildlife – look out for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and hippos.

included:Maasai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

accommodation:Permanent tented camp

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 4 - Lake Elementaita

Today, you’ll drive to your lodge on Lake Elementaita, which sits between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru in the Great Rift Valley. This shallow soda lake is known for its huge concentrations of flamingos. This afternoon, you’ll head to Lake Naivasha – one of the few freshwater lakes in the valley, Naivasha has floating islands of papyrus reeds and a border of flat-topped acacias. It's also home to a healthy population of hippos, giraffes, zebras, and buffalos, which graze along the shores, and a huge variety of birds. Here, you’ll go on a boat safari – see how many kinds of birds you can spot while floating along the still waters!

included:Lake Naivasha - Boat Trip

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Amboseli National Park

Board your private vehicle bound for Amboseli National Park. On the way, visit the Patinaai Osim project – supported by The Intrepid Foundation, this project supports Indigenous Maasai women in creating sustainable livelihoods and rising above poverty and inequality. Learn how this Community Care Organisation is committed to changing the narrative of girls and women in Indigenous communities and how they work to protect their fundamental human rights. The project also provides access to information and safe spaces for young girls.

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 6 - Amboseli National Park

Enjoy a free day to relax and take in the beauty of your safari lodge and make use of the facilities. You may want to treat yourself to a leisurely morning sleep-in, unwind by the outdoor pool, If relaxing isn't your style, head out on an optional guided nature walk or join a range of optional safaris in Amboseli National Park, available throughout the day. This park is home to the largest population of African elephants in Kenya, many of which have impressively long tusks, known as ‘big tuskers’. Tusker elephants are increasingly rare in Africa due to poaching, but Amboseli is one of the few places where they can still be seen. You may even spot a ‘super tusker’ - a male bull elephant with tusks that weigh over 45 kg (100 lbs) each, usually so long they scrape the ground!

included:Patinaai Osim (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 7 - Amboseli National Park

‘Home of the African Elephant’ and crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya's most picturesque parks, and today you will spend the full day on safari exploring. With your expert guides, you’ll get a deep dive into the wildlife of Kenya's thriving natural world. Spot herds of elephants as you look out for the other wildlife that call this park home, including lions, cheetahs, zebras, wildebeest and leopards. Don’t forget your camera, if you're lucky enough to visit on a clear day, the views of wildlife backdropped by Kili are nothing short of epic!

included:Amboseli National Park - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 8 - Mount Meru

Today, drive to Arusha National Park to hike in the foothills of Mount Meru – Tanzania’s second highest peak and a colossal dormant volcano sitting at an altitude of 4566 m (15,000 ft). When you arrive, you’ll head to Kitoto viewpoint to start your day hike. A perfect spot for wildlife spotting and exploring the diverse landscape, this hike offers the chance to experience the lower slopes of Tanzania’s mountains. From your starting point, trek through the Afromontane Forest and into the crater, looking out for warthogs, giraffes and zebras along the way. As you gain altitude, you’ll be surrounded by dense forest – the prime habitat for Kilimanjaro colobus monkeys and forest duiker (a pint-sized antelope). Follow the trail up to Meru Falls, the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic lunch before you head back down the slopes.

included:Mount Meru - afternoon hike, walk around Mt. Meru

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 9 - Rhotia

Head to Arusha, often referred to as the ‘safari capital’ of Tanzania, and start the day with a traditional cooking class that supports local women. The Mamas (skilled local cooks) will teach you how to cook traditional Tanzanian dishes, as well as some simple words in Swahili. Connect with the women, then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labour for breakfast. After finishing your meal, head to Rhotia and enjoy a free afternoon to relax. If you're up to more adventures, you'll also have the opportunity to visit a Hadzabe community near Lake Eyasi. This area has been their home for over 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence. Learn how this community still lives the hunter-gatherer lifestyle – men typically hunt and bring home honey to feed their families, while women and children gather fruits, berries and roots – and how they use locally made poisons and camouflage. By connecting with the locals, you’ll gain an insight into an ancient culture and have a chance to learn about their ways of life. Maybe even join in on daily activities, like hunting, gathering and dancing. You’ll also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, believed to be one of the oldest languages still in use.

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 10 - Serengeti

Depart for the wide-open plains of the Serengeti today. The Serengeti landscapes see a huge contrast of colours during the year – green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry season. The never-ending land is home to thousands of animals travelling as herds across the plains. This region gets its name from the local Maasai word ‘siringet’, meaning the place where the land moves on forever. After entering the park gates, enjoy an en-route game drive to your accommodation for lunch. After lunch, you’ll head back out for an afternoon 4WD safari to spot the local wildlife. Tonight, listen out for the sounds of nocturnal animals as you drift to sleep.

included:Serengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari

accommodation:Permanent tented camp

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 11 - Serengeti

This morning, there’s the option of a balloon ride over the park to see Serengeti and its vast plains from a bird’s eye view. You’ll head out today for a full-day game drive through the wilds of the national park. A unique habitat with the riverine forests, this is a favourite spot for hippos and crocodiles, and you might also spot some long-neck giraffes, zebras, Topis, impala and gazelles.

included:Serengeti National Park - Full Day 4WD Game Drive

accommodation:Permanent tented camp

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 12 - Ngorongoro

Say goodbye to Serengeti National Park today and soak up the final views of this incredible spot, before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation area. When you arrive at the crater, take in the spectacular views from the crater's rim as you make your way to the bottom, where animals roam the lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. The animals here are less wary of humans and vehicles, and as a result, it's easier to watch them up close. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, lions, zebras, cheetahs, buffalo, gazelles and the endangered black rhino. Later, you have the option to head to the village of Mto wa Mbu for a guided tour and dinner. Here, you can acquaint yourself with the village and get a snapshot of small-town African life.

included:Ngorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 13 - Kilimanjaro International Airport / Nairobi

Set off early this morning to begin your final journey of the trip. Your first stop will be at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you'll have the option to end your trip. If it’s more convenient for you, there’s the option to travel back to Nairobi. You’ll be dropped at a centrally located hotel, however, no accommodation will be provided tonight. If you’d like to extend your stay in Nairobi, please speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights), Lodge (7 nights), Permanent Tented Camp (4 nights)

Meals

12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners

Transport

4WD Open Safari Vehicle, Private Vehicle

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)Maasai Mara National Reserve - Full Day 4WD Game DriveLake Naivasha - Boat TripPatinaai Osim (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visitAmboseli National Park - Full Day 4WD Game DriveMount Meru - afternoon hike, walk around Mt. MeruSerengeti National Park - Afternoon 4WD SafariSerengeti National Park - Full Day 4WD Game DriveNgorongoro Crater - 4x4 Game Drive

What's Excluded

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