9 Days Itinerary for Kenya and Tanzania

  • Day 1: Nairobi, Kenya
    JKIA International Airport to Nairobi CBD (16 km, 25 mins by car)

    Start your trip in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Visit Nairobi National Park, a unique park that is conveniently located just a stone's throw away from the busy city centre. It’s known for its rich diversity of wildlife including the Big Five. You could also visit the Giraffe Centre and feed the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe in person.

  • Day 2: Amboseli National Park, Kenya
    Nairobi to Amboseli National Park (240 km, 4 hours by car)

    Leave early for the Amboseli National Park, located south of Nairobi on the border of Tanzania. The park is famous for its large herds of elephants and stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. After your game drive, visit the Masaai Village located outside the park for an authentic cultural experience with the village people.

  • Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
    Amboseli National Park to Lake Manyara National Park (360 km, 7 hours by car)

    Drive to the Lake Manyara National Park, one of Tanzania's most scenic parks known for its flamingos and picturesque alkaline lake. The park is also a habitat for the famous tree-climbing lions, and a game drive will increase your chances of spotting them. Overnight in Karatu, located 20 minutes from the entrance.

  • Day 4: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
    Lake Manyara National Park to Serengeti National Park (220 km, 4 hours by car)

    Proceed to Serengeti National Park, Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park for wildlife viewing. Known for its massive annual migration of wildebeest and zebras, the park offers plenty of unforgettable game drives. You could also go for a sunrise hot air balloon safari for an amazing aerial view of the park.

  • Day 5-6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
    Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (145 km, 3 hours by car)

    Head to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Ngorongoro Crater. The caldera is one of Africa's greatest natural wonders and has a high concentration of wildlife. Spend two days in the area exploring the crater, visiting the Olduvai Gorge Museum, and taking a guided trek with the Maasai for an outdoor cultural experience.

  • Day 7-8: Zanzibar Island, Tanzania
    Ngorongoro Conservation Area to Zanzibar (350 km, 8 hours by car and flight)

    Take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region in Tanzania. Spend the next two days on the beautiful Zanzibar Island exploring Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the island's spice plantations. Go for some snorkelling, scuba diving, or beach relaxation before departing.

  • Day 9: Nairobi, Kenya
    Zanzibar to JKIA International Airport (1,540 km, 2 hours by flight)

    Depart from Zanzibar for Nairobi to catch your international flight back home.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Nairobi National Park (3-4 hours, KES 1,000-1,500)
  • Giraffe Centre (1-2 hours, KES 500-1,500)
  • Amboseli National Park (6-8 hours, USD 90-120 per person)
  • Masai Village (1-2 hours, USD 25-30 per person)
  • Lake Manyara National Park (6-8 hours, USD 50-60 per person)
  • Serengeti National Park (6-8 hours, USD 70-100 per person)
  • Hot air balloon safari (1-2 hours, USD 500-550 per person)
  • Ngorongoro Crater (6-8 hours, USD 200-250 per vehicle)
  • Olduvai Gorge Museum (1-2 hours, USD 10 per person)
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Tour (2-4 hours, USD 20-25 per person)
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour (2-3 hours, USD 20-50 per person)
  • Zanzibar Snorkeling Tour (3-4 hours, USD 50-80 per person)
  • Flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Zanzibar (KES 10,000-15,000)
  • Flight from Zanzibar to JKIA International Airport (USD 150-200)
  • Total Estimated Costs: USD 1,960-2,490 per person

Transportation

During the trip, transportation is by a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof. The estimated cost of the vehicle is USD 200-300 per day, including fuel and driver/guide fees. Domestic flights from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Zanzibar cost between KES 10,000-15,000, while flights from Zanzibar to JKIA International Airport cost USD 150-200 per person. Travel time estimates for each leg of the journey are included in the itinerary.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can extend your stay in any of the national parks for a more comprehensive wildlife experience. If you have less time, you can combine some of the destinations or skip Zanzibar Island altogether. Prices may vary depending on the time of year, and it's advisable to book your safari well in advance to secure reservations.

Airports

You'll arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, the main gateway to East Africa. Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is the main airport on Zanzibar Island, located 6 km south of Zanzibar City.

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