25-day Kenya Tanzania wildlife safari is an in-depth, off-the-beaten-path adventure for travelers who want to go beyond the classic parks. Begin with rhino tracking at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy and unhurried days exploring the private conservancies of Laikipia, before heading north to the Samburu-Buffalo Springs ecosystem and the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Continue south through the Aberdare National Park, Thika, and the volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West National Park, with a stop at the unique Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, before reaching Amboseli National Park’s postcard views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Itinerary

Cost

Practical Notes

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Practical Notes

25-Day Kenya Tanzania Wildlife Safari - Overview

This 25-day Kenya Tanzania wildlife safari begins with rhino tracking at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy and unhurried days exploring the private conservancies of Laikipia, before heading north to the Samburu-Buffalo Springs ecosystem and the community-run Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. Continue south through the Aberdare National Park, Thika, and the volcanic landscapes of Tsavo West National Park, with a stop at the unique Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, before reaching Amboseli National Park’s postcard views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Crossing into Tanzania, the safari continues through elephant-rich Tarangire National Park, the big-cat stronghold of Lake Ndutu, and the endless plains of the Serengeti National Park, before finishing with a final descent into the Ngorongoro Crater on the way to Arusha. Spanning two countries and more than a dozen parks, reserves, and private conservancies, this is one of the most comprehensive wildlife safaris available across East Africa, staying in a curated mix of lodges and tented camps chosen for comfort, location, and authentic safari atmosphere.

Best time to travel: This route can be done year-round. December–March offers the best odds of witnessing the wildebeest calving season around Lake Ndutu, while July–October is prime time for migration movements further north in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and offers excellent dry-season game viewing throughout.

Highlights

Rhino tracking and the last two northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy
Off-the-beaten-path game viewing and walking safaris across the private conservancies of Laikipia
Northern Kenya's rare Samburu Special Five species at Samburu and Buffalo Springs
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Africa's first community-owned elephant sanctuary
The Ark Lodge's floodlit waterhole game viewing in the Aberdares
Mzima Springs' underwater viewing chamber and volcanic scenery in Tsavo West National Park
Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary's unique stilted lodge and waterhole viewing tunnel
Mount Kilimanjaro views and elephant herds in Amboseli National Park
Tarangire National Park's ancient baobabs and dense elephant herds
Big cat concentrations and (seasonal) wildebeest calving at Lake Ndutu
Great Migration herds and year-round game viewing in the Serengeti National Park
A final descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rhino stronghold

Day 01 :

Nairobi – Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy

Your 25-Day Kenya-Tanzania Wildlife Safari begins in Nairobi with a morning drive north to Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, a private, non-profit conservancy on the equator at the foot of Mount Kenya. Ol Pejeta is home to the last two northern white rhinos on Earth, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and healthy populations of lion, leopard, and African wild dog. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the conservancy's rolling savannah.

Overnight: Serena Sweetheart Tented Camp

Day 02 :

Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy

A full day exploring Ol Pejeta, with morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Five. Optional add-ons include a guided rhino tracking experience on foot with conservancy rangers and a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya where chimpanzees can be seen.
Overnight: Serena Sweetheart Tented Camp

Day 03 :

Ol Pejeta – Laikipia

Depart Ol Pejeta and drive into the wider Laikipia Plateau, a vast mosaic of private conservancies and community-run wildlife areas that together protect one of Kenya's most important populations of endangered species outside the national park system. Settle into your tented camp on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River for an afternoon game drive.

Overnight: Ewaso Camp

Day 04 :

Laikipia

A full day in Laikipia, one of the best places in Kenya to see African Wild Dog, Grevy's Zebra, and Reticulated Giraffe alongside the more familiar Big Five. Activities can include game drives, guided walking safaris, and visits to community conservancies working alongside local Maasai and Samburu communities on conservation. Most of the day will be spent in search of Giza the melanistic leopard

Overnight: Ewaso Camp

Day 05 :

Laikipia

A second full day to explore Laikipia's varied habitats at a relaxed pace, with the option of a horseback safari, a camel trek, or further game drives across the plateau's open plains and riverine woodland.

Overnight: Ewaso Camp

Day 06 :

Laikipia – Samburu/Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Drive north to the Samburu-Buffalo Springs ecosystem, a semi-arid landscape along the Ewaso Nyiro River famed for its "Samburu Special Five": Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk, and Beisa Oryx — species found almost nowhere else in Kenya. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive.

Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge

Day 07 :

Buffalo Springs National Reserve

A full day of game drives across Buffalo Springs National Reserve and neighboring Samburu National Reserve, tracking healthy populations of elephant, lion, and leopard along the Ewaso Nyiro River, with excellent birdlife throughout.

Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge

Day 08 :

Buffalo Springs National Reserve – Reteti – Naro Moru

Depart after breakfast and visit the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, Africa's first community-owned and run elephant sanctuary, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and abandoned elephant calves from the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. Continue south to Naro Moru, a small town on the western slopes of Mount Kenya.

Overnight: Naro Moru River Lodge

Day 09 :

Naro Moru – Aberdare National Park – Thika

Drive to Aberdare National Park, a dramatic highland forest reserve known for its waterfalls, bamboo forests, and moorlands. Check in at the famous Ark Lodge, a treehouse-style lodge built directly overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick. Spend the evening watching a steady procession of elephant, buffalo, bushbuck, and — if you're fortunate — the rare bongo antelope, all visible from the lodge's viewing decks.
Overnight: The Ark Lodge

Day 10 :

Aberdare National Park – Thika

After an early wake-up call for late-night waterhole viewing, spend the morning exploring more of the Aberdares' forest and moorland before descending to the Thika area, home to the scenic Fourteen Falls and Ol Donyo Sabuk. Settle into your riverside camp for the night.
Overnight: Kariminu River Camp

Day 11 :

Thika – Tsavo West National Park

A long but scenic drive south to Tsavo West National Park, one of Kenya's largest protected areas, known for its volcanic landscapes, dense bush country, and populations of "red elephants" (colored by the park's red volcanic dust). Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive.

Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Day 12 :

Tsavo West National Park

A full day exploring Tsavo West, including a visit to Mzima Springs, where a glass-walled underwater viewing chamber offers close-up views of hippos and crocodiles, and the volcanic Chaimu Crater, a short, worthwhile walk for panoramic views over the park.

Overnight: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge

Day 13 :

Tsavo West National Park – Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Depart Tsavo West and drive to the neighboring Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, a private reserve bordering Tsavo West with excellent game density and dramatic hill scenery. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Sarova Salt Lick Lodge

Day 14 :

Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

A full day at Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, home to elephant, buffalo, lion, and a wide variety of plains game. Sarova Salt Lick Lodge's distinctive stilted design and underground viewing tunnel offer a unique perspective on the waterhole directly below the lodge.
Overnight: Sarova Salt Lick Lodge

Day 15 :

Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary – Amboseli National Park

Drive to Amboseli National Park, world-renowned for its enormous elephant herds set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the park's swamps and dry lake bed.

Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Day 16 :

Amboseli National Park

A full day in Amboseli National Park with morning and afternoon game drives focused on the park's famous elephant families, along with buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and — on clear days — unobstructed views of snow-capped Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania.

Overnight: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge

Day 17 :

Amboseli National Park – Tarangire National Park

After a final morning game drive, cross from Kenya into Tanzania at the Namanga border post and continue to Tarangire National Park, famous for its ancient baobab trees and Africa's highest concentration of elephants outside the Serengeti ecosystem. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive along the Tarangire River.

Overnight: Tarangire Simba Lodge

Day 18 :

Tarangire National Park

A full day of game drives across Tarangire's varied terrain of baobab-studded plains, swamps, and riverine forest, home to large elephant herds, lion, leopard, and an outstanding diversity of birdlife.

Overnight: Tarangire Simba Lodge

Day 19 :

Tarangire National Park – Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Depart Tarangire and drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, continuing on to the Lake Ndutu area in the southern Serengeti ecosystem, renowned for its resident predator populations and, in season, the wildebeest calving grounds.

Overnight: Lake Ndutu Lodge

Day 20 :

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A full day of game drives around Lake Ndutu and the surrounding short-grass plains, one of East Africa's best year-round destinations for big cat sightings, including large lion prides, cheetah, and leopard. Between roughly December and March, the Ndutu plains host hundreds of thousands of wildebeest during the annual calving season.

Overnight: Lake Ndutu Lodge

Day 21 :

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A second full day exploring the Ndutu area's woodlands, marshes, and open plains, with morning and afternoon game drives in search of resident wildlife and, season permitting, migration herds moving through the area.

Overnight: Lake Ndutu Lodge

Day 22 :

Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Serengeti National Park

Depart the Ndutu area and drive north into the Serengeti National Park proper, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the setting for the Great Migration. The Serengeti's endless plains support the largest concentration of plains game on Earth. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive.

Overnight: Kirimu Camp

Day 23 :

Serengeti National Park

A full day exploring the Serengeti's central plains, renowned for year-round resident wildlife and some of the best leopard and lion sightings in Africa, along with resident giraffe, topi, hartebeest, and elephant.

Overnight: Kirimu Camp

Day 24 :

Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater

After a final morning game drive in the Serengeti, depart for Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, packed with an estimated 25,000 large mammals including the endangered black rhino. Staying at our lodge located on the rim of the crater.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge

Day 25 :

Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha

After a final morning breakfast, depart for a last game drive descending into the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, packed with an estimated 25,000 large mammals including the endangered black rhino. After picnic lunch on the crater floor continue on to Arusha for onward international connections. This marks the end of your 25-day Kenya Tanzania wildlife safari.

Overnight: Kirimu Camp