13-Nights Ultimate Great Migration Safari - Small Group Journeys from $17,995

1 Arrive Nairobi, Kenya

Arrive in Nairobi, a microcosm of the African continent and the capital of Kenya. It serves as your gateway to a dramatic procession of natural spectacles here and in Tanzania, two of the most thrilling destinations in the world.

Drive to Amboseli National Park, home to prolific herds of elephants. Spanning 150 square miles of Kenyan savanna, woodlands, wetlands and ephemeral lakebed — with Mount Kilimanjaro’s distinctive profile as its centerpiece — this iconic park also harbors giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions and hundreds of bird species. After viewing game roam the dusty plains by day, join fellow guests for a welcome dinner.

Watch elephants up close from a safari vehicle that seats just six (giving every guest a window seat), and view other game such as Cape buffalo, wildebeest, hippos and hyenas. After lunch back in camp, head out again to seek out more of East Africa’s natural wonders.

After crossing the border into Tanzania and stopping for lunch in Arusha, fly to Tarangire National Park and settle into your luxurious accommodations. Set among vast, baobablined savannas, the park boasts a large population of elephants. Life here revolves around the Tarangire River, which draws large concentrations of wildlife — a cornucopia for safari enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.

Embark on morning and afternoon game drives to explore Tarangire National Park and its stunning concentration of animals — herds of elephants, impala and zebra. Look, too, for pythons and the twitching tail of a leopard hiding in high branches. This afternoon, partake in a chef-led cooking demonstration of local dishes such as ugali, makande and kachumbari.

Learn how Tanzanians live today, exploring a local village and strolling the local market to see the colorful produce on display. Head to your restful lodge, set near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, for lunch. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken ancient caldera in the world and a likely place to view lions, elephants, hyenas and gazelles. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Walk with a Maasai Healer, discovering the uses of over 20 different indigenous plants in the Ngorongoro forest.
• Bicycle Village Streets and Back Roads, getting a feel for life as the locals live it.
• Enjoy a Traditional High Tea on the veranda overlooking the gardens at Gibb’s Farm; meet the artist-in-residence.

Descend into Ngorongoro Crater to explore the panoramic, game-rich prairies of this ancient volcanic caldera. With its crater walls nearly 2,000 feet high, Ngorongoro offers the safari experience of a lifetime. Observe profuse and diverse wildlife roaming freely in an authentic “Lost World,” where it’s possible to encounter every member of the Big Five in a single day. Pause for a picnic lunch in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fly to Serengeti National Park, a vast Tanzanian landscape that during part of the year hosts one of earth’s greatest wildlife spectacles: the annual Great Migration. Over the next three days, immerse yourself in this incredible setting, with camera at the ready for flash encounters with the circle of life.

Spanning some 5,700 square miles of rolling, golden grassland, Serengeti National Park supports one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in the world, including antelopes, hyenas, leopards, giraffes, lions and buffalo. Your expert wildlife trackers get you face-to-face with it on twice-daily game drives, with each day ending in the comfort and company of your lodge.

Your explorations continue, perhaps with an optional hot air balloon excursion (for an additional cost), an unrivaled way to experience the true majesty of the Serengeti.

Fly to the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s finest wildlife experience, offering excellent game viewing year-round. The unending landscape hosts some 450 bird species, 95 animal species and many of the great predators, including the country’s largest lion population. At your safari lodge, set on a private stretch of the Mara River, head out on an afternoon game drive, watching for crocodiles basking in the sun, hippos as they wallow in muddy water and monkeys sparking mischief overhead. Toast day’s end with a refreshing sundowner, followed by dinner.

Continue exploring the open savanna, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers of the Maasai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives. Amid the stunning scenery, you may view Maasai tribesmen traversing the plains or herding goats and cattle.

Connect with local residents on a village visit and stop by a primary school, when in session, supported by A&K Philanthropy to learn how our partnership with LifeStraw is changing lives by providing locals access to safe, clean drinking water. On your final night of safari, gather for a memorable farewell dinner.

Fly back to Nairobi with a comfortable dayroom at your disposal before being privately transferred to the airport for your departing flight or starting your Post-Tour Extension to Uganda.