13-Day Private Wildlife Safari Tour of Kenya and Tanzania

Wildlife takes center stage. This 13-day private safari links Kenya’s best-known reserves with Tanzania’s great game parks, from Samburu’s dry hills to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. I like the broad route and the promise of unlimited game drives, which gives you more time to search for lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo.

I also like the private format, since your group travels together rather than following a fixed coach schedule. The main drawback is the pace: you cover a huge part of East Africa in less than two weeks, so several days include long road journeys and early starts. At $8,086 per person, this is a major purchase, but it includes an unusually full safari circuit with lodging, border crossing, game drives, and a private guide arrangement.

Five details that shape this safari

• Seven major wildlife areas: You visit Samburu, Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire.
• Private touring: Only your own group participates, giving you more control over stops, game-drive timing, and meal arrangements.
• Unlimited game drives: The schedule allows morning, afternoon, full-day, and picnic-lunch drives rather than limiting wildlife viewing to one short outing.
• A Kenya to Tanzania crossing: The route crosses at Isebania, adding an international border transfer between the Maasai Mara and Lake Victoria.
• Mixed accommodation: Expect lodges and tented camps, including Samburu Sopa Lodge, Enkorok Mara Camp, Speke Bay Lodge, Mawe Tented Camp or similar, and Tarangire Roika Tented Camp.
• Strong company support: Asili Adventure Safaris has arranged longer private trips, honeymoon itineraries, and custom routes. Monica is specifically praised for tailoring trips and answering planning questions, while guides named in past trips include Hashim Mkya in Tanzania and Martin in Kenya.

Why this route works for a first East Africa safari

This is an ambitious route designed to give you range. Kenya supplies the opening act with Samburu, Lake Nakuru, and the Maasai Mara. Tanzania then brings the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire.

I like the contrast. Samburu feels dry, open, and distinctly different from the Mara. Lake Nakuru adds rhinos and birdlife. The Mara and Serengeti provide the big predator country most people picture when they think of safari. Ngorongoro changes the setting again, placing wildlife inside a vast volcanic crater.

The trip begins in Nairobi at 7:00 a.m. with a briefing from an Asili Adventure Safaris tour officer. From there, you head north toward Mount Kenya and Samburu National Reserve. The schedule is full from the first morning, so I would arrive in Nairobi at least one night before the safari rather than trying to land and leave immediately.

Samburu: dry country, river wildlife, and special species

The first drive takes you toward Samburu National Reserve, with Mount Kenya along the way. Lunch is planned at Samburu Sopa Lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive and an overnight stay at the lodge.

Samburu is a good first stop because it does not simply repeat the animal sightings you will seek later. The Ewaso Nyiro River, permanent springs, forests, and open country support elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, reticulated giraffes, and Grevy’s zebra. More than 365 bird species have been recorded in the reserve.

Day two gives you a full day here, with morning and afternoon drives. That matters. After a long journey on day one, a second day lets you get used to the rhythm of watching animals carefully rather than racing from one sighting to the next.

The area also connects wildlife with local culture. Samburu communities have a strong and colorful heritage, and the reserve feels different from the Maasai Mara both in scenery and atmosphere. If you have a special interest in birds, this is one of the more rewarding sections of the route.

Lake Nakuru: rhinos and a welcome change of scale

After breakfast, you continue to Lake Nakuru National Park, with lunch en route and an afternoon drive after arrival. The park covers about 180 square kilometers, making it much smaller than the Serengeti or Maasai Mara.

That smaller size can work in your favor. The park is known for warthogs, waterbuck, buffalo, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and black rhinos were introduced here, and white rhinos are particularly associated with the southern end of the park.

Lake Nakuru is also a major birding stop, with more than 400 recorded species. The lake has a long reputation as an ornithology destination, so pack binoculars if birds matter to you. This day is less about the sweeping scale of the Mara and more about finding animals in a compact park with a strong mix of mammals and birds.

The drawback is the transition day. You leave Samburu after breakfast and continue to another park, so the schedule may feel like a transfer with a game drive attached. Still, the rhinos make the stop worthwhile.

Maasai Mara: the trip’s main predator country

Day four takes you through the Great Rift Valley toward the Maasai Mara. After lunch at camp, you head out for an evening game drive and spend the night at Enkorok Mara Camp.

The Mara receives three days on the schedule, which is one of the strongest parts of the plan. You get an arrival drive on day four, a full exploration day on day five, and another full day on day six. That gives you a better chance to find big cats than a brief one-night visit.

The reserve is known for lions, cheetahs, and leopards, along with large herds of grazing animals and a wide range of birds. It is also part of the annual movement of wildebeest and zebra between the Mara and the Serengeti. The migration is often linked with dramatic river crossings, but timing and location matter. A crossing is never guaranteed, so treat it as a bonus rather than the purpose of the entire safari.

Day six offers a useful choice. You can spend the full day out with a picnic lunch on the savannah, or return to camp for lunch before going out again. I prefer the full-day option when wildlife activity is strong, but returning to camp gives you a break after several early mornings.

The Mara is a highlight, but it can also be the busiest part of the route. A private vehicle helps because your guide can work with your group’s priorities, though wildlife sightings still depend on season, weather, and luck.

Crossing into Tanzania through Isebania

After breakfast on day seven, you leave the Maasai Mara and travel toward the Isebania border. You then continue into Tanzania and head for Speke Bay Lodge on the southeastern shore of Lake Victoria.

This is one of the longest and most logistically important days. You are not simply moving between parks. You are changing countries, crossing a border, and continuing to a lakeside lodge. Bring patience for the transfer and keep essential items easy to reach.

Speke Bay Lodge is described as a small village spread along the shore of the lake, surrounded by open country. The plan includes a boat ride, giving you a break from the safari vehicle and a chance to experience Lake Victoria from the water.

The lodge is about 15 kilometers from Serengeti National Park, so its location prepares you for the next stage. The stop also adds variety to a trip otherwise dominated by roads, camps, and game drives.

Serengeti: large spaces and serious wildlife viewing

On day eight, you enter the Serengeti through Ndabaka Gate for a full-day game drive. The route heads south and west toward the western corridor, with a picnic lunch along the way.

The Serengeti is Tanzania’s largest national park, covering about 14,736 square kilometers. It adjoins the Maasai Mara, but it does not feel like simply another day in the same reserve. The greater scale gives the drive a wilder, more open quality.

The park supports about two million wildebeest along with zebra, Thomson’s gazelles, impala, topi, Grant’s gazelles, kongoni, eland, dik-dik, klipspringer, roan, oryx, oribi, waterbuck, buffalo, giraffe, and warthogs. Those grazing herds support lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, golden jackals, and bat-eared foxes.

You have a full day on day nine, with morning and afternoon drives and lodging at Mawe Tented Camp or a similar property. The two Serengeti days are important because the park is so large. A short visit could leave you spending most of your time driving between zones, while this schedule gives you a better chance to pause at sightings.

The word unlimited is useful here, but it should be understood in practical terms. It means the safari is built around repeated game drives, not that you can drive endlessly without regard to park rules, daylight, or the daily schedule.

Olduvai Gorge: a pause for human origins

Day ten starts with a morning game drive before breakfast, then continues south toward Ngorongoro. The route passes Olduvai Gorge, with game watching along the way and a picnic lunch.

Olduvai Gorge adds an important human story to the animal-focused trip. Rock layers here extend through different periods, and humanoid remains dating back more than 1.75 million years have been found in the area. Fossil footprints more than three million years old have also been identified.

There is a site museum where you can learn about the excavations. This is a good stop for anyone who wants context beyond wildlife photography. It also breaks up the drive to Ngorongoro with a visit tied to archaeology and early human development.

Accommodation is listed at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge or a similar property. Since several stays use the phrase similar, ask Asili for the confirmed lodging and room details before paying the final balance.

Ngorongoro Crater: a concentrated wildlife day

On day eleven, you leave after an early breakfast with a picnic lunch and descend about 2,000 feet into Ngorongoro Crater in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The crater is the most concentrated wildlife setting on this route. Rather than covering enormous distances across a huge park, you spend the day exploring a contained volcanic basin known for its animal population and striking setting. The plan allows a full crater tour before returning uphill for dinner and the night at Hhando Coffee Lodge, Ngorongoro Farm House, or Farm House Valley.

The crater is one of Tanzania’s headline attractions, and rightly so. It gives you a chance to see a wide range of wildlife within one day, though the exact sightings remain unpredictable. The descent and climb also make this a physically and visually different experience from the open plains of the Serengeti.

The main caution is that this is another early, full day after several demanding drives. You will appreciate the picnic lunch and the private setup, but you should be comfortable with long days in a vehicle.

Tarangire: elephants, dry-country wildlife, and a strong finale

Day twelve takes you to Tarangire National Park after breakfast. After lunch, you go on an afternoon game drive and spend the night at Tarangire Roika Tented Camp.

Tarangire is an excellent final park because it has a character of its own. Herds of up to 300 elephants are associated with the park, and animals gather near shrinking lagoons and dry riverbeds. Wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelles, hartebeest, and eland add to the scene.

The park is also known for dry-country species that are harder to find elsewhere in Tanzania. Fringe-eared oryx and the long-necked gerenuk are specifically highlighted, along with a high concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem. Predators follow the prey, so the afternoon drive can provide a satisfying last round of animal watching.

After breakfast on day thirteen, you drive to Arusha, arriving around noon. The final transfer is listed at about five hours, so do not plan an afternoon flight without confirming the timing and route with the operator.

Accommodation, vehicles, and the value of $8,086

The $8,086 price is not casual vacation money. Its value depends on what your group wants from a safari and how many people share the private vehicle.

You are paying for a 13-day route through two countries, multiple park entries, lodging in lodges and tented camps, private touring, border transfer, boat time at Lake Victoria, and repeated game drives. That is a large amount of included planning and transport.

The private format is especially valuable for couples, families, or friends who want their own pace. You can choose a full day in the Mara with a picnic lunch, for example, rather than follow a group back to camp. Private travel also makes it easier to focus on particular animals, birds, photography, or scenery.

Still, confirm exactly what the price includes before booking. The supplied details clearly describe pickup, lodging, meals at various points, game drives, and park visits, but they do not provide a full list of exclusions, vehicle specifications, room categories, or single-supplement charges. Ask about those items in writing.

The accommodation changes often, and some properties are listed as similar alternatives. That is normal on safari, but it means you should not assume every named lodge is guaranteed. The most useful questions concern the final property names, bathroom arrangements, meal plan, and location inside or outside each park.

Who should book this private safari

I would recommend this route if you want a broad first look at Kenya and Tanzania and do not want to spend your holiday organizing separate park transfers. It suits people who value wildlife time more than relaxed mornings, resort comforts, or a slow cultural itinerary.

It is also a good fit for a private group that wants flexibility. Asili has handled customized trips, honeymoons, longer safaris, and multi-country arrangements. Monica is specifically associated with careful trip planning, while previous Kenya and Tanzania arrangements have included guides such as Martin and Hashim Mkya.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, frequent hotel changes, or early starts. The route covers a lot of ground, and the Kenya to Tanzania transfer adds a full day of movement. If you have more time, adding extra nights in the Mara or Serengeti would make the trip less hurried.

Booking includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the experience requires a minimum number of participants, even though the booked activity itself is private.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if your priority is variety: Samburu’s unusual species, Nakuru’s rhinos and birds, Mara predators, Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire elephants all appear in one demanding but impressive circuit.

Before committing, confirm the final accommodations, what the $8,086 covers, the vehicle setup, and the border-crossing procedure. If those details suit your budget and you are ready for long days on the road, this is a strong choice for a private Kenya and Tanzania wildlife experience. If you prefer more rest, keep the same parks but add several days.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The safari starts at Standard Street in Nairobi, Kenya, with pickup offered. The scheduled start time is 7:00 a.m.

Where does the safari end?

The activity ends at the meeting point after the itinerary concludes. Day thirteen includes a drive to Arusha, arriving at about noon.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private tour or activity.

How long does the safari last?

The safari lasts approximately 13 days.

Which countries does the route visit?

The route visits Kenya and Tanzania. The border crossing is made through Isebania.

Which national parks and reserves are included?

The route includes Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire National Park.

Is Lake Victoria included?

Yes. The itinerary includes time at Speke Bay Lodge on Lake Victoria and a boat ride.

Are game drives included?

Yes. The schedule includes afternoon, morning, full-day, and picnic-lunch game drives in different parks. The tour description also states that unlimited game drives are offered.

What animals might I see?

The itinerary identifies lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, buffalo, white and black rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, reticulated giraffes, Grevy’s zebra, wildebeest, and many other species.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.