Kenya and Tanzania Under Canvas

Daily departures
11
Nairobi, Kenya
Arusha, Tanzania

Most people planning their first African safari spend months trying to choose between Kenya and Tanzania. But you don’t have to. Over 11 days, this itinerary puts you in the middle of both – visiting places that genuinely can’t be replicated anywhere else on earth, at a pace that lets you absorb it all.

You’ll spend your nights under canvas in intimate, eco-friendly safari camps across Kenya and Tanzania – think real beds with warm duvets, hot showers, chef-prepared meals – with just the sounds of the African bush as your soundtrack instead of a hotel TV. These aren’t roughing-it camps; they’re the kind of places that make you feel genuinely connected to nature without sacrificing comfort.

The itinerary is structured so that each destination does something the others can’t. Ol Pejeta for rhino and chimp encounters. The Masai Mara for big-cat density and open-plain game drives. The Ngorongoro Crater for sheer spectacle. The sweeping Serengeti plains. Together, they cover ground that most people spread across three or four separate trips.

Everything is included: all meals, house drinks, park and conservancy fees, game drives, and internal flights. You arrive, and the rest takes care of itself.

Highlights

Close Encounters with Rare Wildlife
Unmatched Game Viewing
Guided Walking Safaris
Iconic Landscapes
Luxury Under Canvas

Pricing

AUD13,516

Limited single rooms available (surcharge applies).

Group Size

Max.

Trip Dates

Daily departures

Starting Point

Nairobi, Kenya

Ending Point

Arusha, Tanzania

Included

Transfers and accommodation as stated
Internal flights Nairobi-Ol Pejeta-Mara-Nairobi-Kilimanjaro and Serengeti-Kilimanjaro-Nairobi.
Crater visit on Day 7
All game drives as per itinerary.
All park entrance fees.
Shared game drives in 4×4 safari vehicle with qualified guide
Sundowners
Walks with Maasai warriors.
AMREF Flying Doctors medical evacuation cover
Wildlife Habitat Trust Payment (US$ 5 per person per night)

Not Included

Private game drives/vehicles
Hot air ballooning
Maasai Mara National Reserve park fees
Tips & gratuities
Visa
International Flights
Travel Insurance
Any personal items or anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Lunch on day 5 EXCLUDED. However, a light lunch is possible at Wilson airport, payable direct.

Your Kenya and Tanzania adventure begins at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where you’ll board a morning flight north to Nanyuki, arriving around 11:30am. From the airstrip, it’s a short transfer to Porini Rhino Camp, your home for the next two nights, tucked into the stunning Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the shadow of Mount Kenya. After lunch and a chance to settle in, your guide will take you out on your first game drive — a wonderful introduction to the African bush and a great way to shake off any long-haul travel cobwebs. Dinner back at camp under the stars, and your safari has officially begun.

Today is all about exploring one of Kenya’s best-kept wildlife secrets. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is home to endangered black rhino, and the last two northern white rhinos on earth. It’s the only place in Kenya where you can see chimpanzees, a joint venture with the Jane Goodall Institute. That’s a combination you won’t find anywhere else on your Kenya and Tanzania safari. Your guide will help you make the most of every moment, from early morning game drives to a guided walk that gets you closer to the landscape on foot. As the afternoon light turns golden, you’ll stop for sundowners at a scenic viewpoint before heading back to camp for dinner.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airstrip for a light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. The flight is around 75 minutes with spectacular aerial views of the Kenyan landscape below. You’ll be greeted at the airstrip and driven to Porini Mara Camp in the exclusive Ol Kinyei Conservancy. After lunch you’ll have time to relax in camp, before your afternoon game drive which ends with sundowners at a beautiful viewpoint. On the drive back, your guide will switch on a red-filtered spotlight to reveal the nocturnal world coming to life – one of those unexpected highlights that makes a Kenya and Tanzania safari so memorable.

Today you’ll venture into the iconic Masai Mara National Reserve itself – one of the greatest game viewing destinations in Kenya and Tanzania combined. Lions are spotted regularly, and elephant, buffalo, zebra and giraffe roam in impressive numbers. You’ll carry a picnic lunch into the Reserve so you can make the most of the day without heading back to camp. The evening brings another sundowner stop and a night game drive through the conservancy, spotting creatures that most safari-goers never see.

Rise early for a guided walk through Ol Kinyei conservancy, led by Maasai warriors who have grown up in this landscape. A walking safari is a completely different experience from a vehicle – you notice the smaller details, the tracks, the birdsong, the herbs. After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airstrip and fly to Kilimanjaro Airport, crossing from Kenya into Tanzania and beginning the second chapter of your adventure. Your local representative will meet you on arrival and transfer you to Arusha, where you’ll spend the night at the lovely Hamerkop House.

After a good breakfast in Arusha, you’ll drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a full game drive – picnic lunches packed and ready. Lake Manyara is a wonderful surprise for first-timers; famous for its extraordinary birdlife and for the tree-climbing lions that have made it legendary. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you why Kenya and Tanzania together offer something no single destination can match. The afternoon drive to Karatu is scenic and relaxed, ending with dinner and an overnight at the comfortable Acacia Lodge.

Today is one of those days you’ll talk about for years. The Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed ancient volcano – the largest intact caldera on Earth – and descending into it is one of the true highlights of any Kenya and Tanzania safari. The crater floor is permanently home to an extraordinary density of wildlife: lion, elephant, black rhino, hippo, wildebeest, and zebra, all within a natural amphitheatre that frames the landscape in every direction. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring before driving up the crater wall to spend the night at Lemala Ngorongoro camp, tucked away in an ancient acacia forest near the crater rim.

This morning you’ll drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area into the Serengeti National Park – and the moment those sweeping golden plains open up before you, you’ll understand why this is considered the crown jewel of any Kenya and Tanzania itinerary. After lunch at the camp, you’ll head straight out on an afternoon game drive, because there’s simply too much to see to wait until tomorrow. Your home for the next three nights is Lemala Ewanjan, a wonderful tented camp perfectly placed for exploring the central Serengeti.

Two whole days with nothing to do but explore the Serengeti – and trust me, that’s not nearly enough. This is the moment many travellers realise why Kenya and Tanzania belong together on the same itinerary; the contrast between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti is extraordinary, yet the two ecosystems are deeply connected. Shared game drives take you deep into the park each day, following the wildlife and letting your guide lead you to wherever the action is. Evenings back at camp are spent swapping stories over sundowners and dinner.

After a final breakfast at Lemala Ewanjan, you’ll transfer to Seronera airstrip for the morning flight to Kilimanjaro, connecting onwards to Nairobi for your international flight home. Kenya and Tanzania have a way of getting under your skin – and as you head for home, you’ll already be thinking about when you can come back. We’re here when you’re ready to plan your next African adventure.

We have travelled on safari to Africa with Karen 5 times now and just can’t wait to get back there again. Africa is THE dream holiday destination and traveling there with Karen is the only way we would go now. Every day is absolutely brilliant – a feast of incredible animals, landscapes, cultures, and gobsmackingly gorgeous food and comfy camps. Helen & Patti Ranson, Rotorua

Karen you gave us a wonderful safari which we will remember for the rest of our lives. The tour flowed along without any hiccups and your choice of guiding companies could not have been better! Shayne & Collen Ivory, Auckland

This Kenya and Tanzania itinerary is perfectly designed for first-time safari-goers, and seasoned safari enthusiasts love the intimate small camps too.. Your guides are experienced at reading the bush and explaining everything as you go, so you’ll never feel out of your depth. In fact, many of our guests tell us that not knowing what to expect makes the whole experience even more magical. Just bring your curiosity and leave the rest to the experts.

No, the majority of your time on this Kenya and Tanzania safari is spent in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle, and most activities are relaxed in pace. The one exception is the optional morning walk with Maasai warriors on Day 5, which involves a gentle stroll through the bush – but even this is unhurried and suitable for most fitness levels. If you have any specific concerns, just let us know and we can advise.

Think of them as boutique hotels with canvas walls, that happen to be in the middle of the wilderness. Across both Kenya and Tanzania, the camps on this itinerary are spacious and well-furnished with proper beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers, and everything you need for a comfortable night’s sleep. The camps are small and intimate – usually just a handful of tents – which means attentive, personalised service and a real sense of being away from it all.

Yes. Kenya and Tanzania are both well-established safari destinations with a long history of welcoming international visitors. You’ll be in the care of experienced, professional guides throughout the trip, and the camps all have sensible safety protocols in place. The medical evacuation cover included in your package also gives extra peace of mind when you’re in more remote areas.

This Kenya and Tanzania safari can be enjoyed year-round, both countries offer excellent wildlife viewing in every season. The timing of the Great Migration – when millions of wildebeest move between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara – varies each year, but if witnessing this natural spectacle is on your bucket list, we can help you time your trip perfectly. Get in touch and we’ll talk through the options.

Tips and gratuities are not included in the tour price and are given at your own discretion. Tipping is greatly appreciated by guides and camp staff throughout Kenya and Tanzania, and we’ll give you clear guidance on appropriate amounts when you book – so there are no awkward guessing games.

Absolutely – and it’s one of the great advantages of a Kenya and Tanzania holiday. Tanzania’s Zanzibar island is a beautiful way to wind down after the excitement of the safari, with turquoise water, white sand beaches, and a fascinating Swahili culture to explore. On Kenya’s coast Lamu, the oldest Swahili site in Africa, is equally stunning. Just ask us and we’ll put together some options to suit your budget and travel dates.

Kenya and Tanzania Under Canvas

Kenya and Tanzania Under Canvas

Highlights

Kenya and Tanzania Under Canvas

AUD13,516

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