16 Day Serengeti & Masai Mara Explorer
Small Group Max 12 Travellers
Fully Escorted by Naturalist Guide
Premium Lodges in Game Reserves
7 Day Change Of Mind
International Flights Included
Day by Day Itinerary
Nairobi, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli NP, Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater
Highlights
- Traverse the Masai Mara Game Reserve with three included game drives with an expert naturalist guide
- Explore the open savannas of the Serengeti National Park with an afternoon & full day game drives
- Witness the incredible wildebeest migration with dedicated departures
- Take a game drive through Lake Nakuru National Park renowned for its rich birdlife offering opportunities to spot flamingos
- Stay on the shores of Lake Elmenteita and take a wildlife walk through Soysambu Conservancy home to over 450 migratory and endemic birds
- Visit Amboseli National Park famed for its large herds of elephants
- View Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro
- Safari game drives through Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park in search of wildlife and the famous tree climbing lions
- Stay on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and take a game drive of the crater floor
- Cultural interactions with local villagers and Maasai tribe learning the different tribal customs
Itinerary
Home 
Board your flight today bound for Nairobi.
Meals: In-flight
Please note: depending on the airline booked, you may depart Australia the day prior.
Arrive Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya! On arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) you will be warmly greeted outside the terminal and transferred to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Nairobi Serena Hotel 5* or similar
Please note: if booking the land only option please ensure that you arrive on this day of the itinerary.
Nairobi 
Masai Mara National Reserve
Leaving Nairobi in the morning, we traverse Kenya’s highlands and descend the rift escarpment via a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Passing the impressive Longonot earth satellite station, we cross the valley towards Narok, journeying through vast fields of wheat and barley before reaching the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve in time for lunch.
After enjoying a relaxed lunch, we set off on our first game drive through the stunning Masai Mara National Game Reserve. This reserve not only hosts the famous “Big 5” but also showcases a diverse array of wildlife roaming its picturesque plains. Following the game drive, we return to our lodge for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge 4* or similar
Masai Mara National Reserve
This morning enjoy a unique breakfast experience at the Mara River Hippo Pools. Welcomed by the chefs and Masai warriors with a friendly “Jambo,” you’ll indulge in a buffet featuring cold cuts, fruits, cereals, and hot dishes, including eggs prepared to your liking, all amidst the company of the hippos. (Please note: The Hippo Pool Breakfast is not available if you opt for the Hot Air Balloon Safari)
Following breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive through the National Reserve in search of game before returning to the lodge by mid-morning. After lunch, and time to relax, head out for another game drive and a visit to a Masai Village. As the sun sets, return to the lodge in time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge 4* or similar
Optional tour: Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari Over the Masai Mara & Champagne Breakfast
This is the ultimate way to view wildlife in Africa. You will be woken before dawn and then driven in the shared vehicle of the balloon company to the balloon staging area, often a remote location. You are provided a safety briefing by the pilot as the crew inflates the envelope. Taking off as the sun rises, you will drift quietly above plains, rivers and forests while gazing at spectacular scenery and with luck, take some incredible photographs. The flight is approximately one hour and gives a ‘birds- eye’ experience to game-watching which many find to be the climax of their safari. On landing in the middle of nowhere there will be a shared full bush-style breakfast set up served with Champagne, a table decked in silver cutlery, fresh Kenyan coffee, tea and fruits. It is a truly magical experience.
Masai Mara Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Elmenteita
Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, we travel across the expansive plains of the Rift Valley floor, pausing en route for a picnic lunch.
Look out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you ascend the Mai-Mahiu escarpment, before reaching Lake Nakuru National Park for an exciting game drive. This renowned park is celebrated for its rich birdlife, offering opportunities to spot flamingos. It is also home to Black and White rhinos and the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. In the late afternoon, proceed to your camp located on the shores of Lake Lake Elmenteita,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Elmenteita Serena Camp 4* or similar
Lake Elmenteita Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast, join a bird walk guided by a knowledgeable resident naturalist. With over 450 bird species found in the Soysambu Conservancy, this area is renowned for its diverse array of both migratory and endemic birds. Departing from the Rift Valley, head towards Nairobi for an early lunch before continuing southward towards Amboseli. Arrive at your lodge by late afternoon where the rest of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the lodge facilities.
Nestled in the shadow of Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli National Park is famed for its large herds of elephants, as well as wildebeest, antelope, and other wildlife gathering to graze.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge 4* or similar
Amboseli National Park
Today unfolds with a captivating exploration of Amboseli National Park, beginning with a morning game drive. Set out early to witness the park come alive with wildlife activity—spotting elephants bathing in mud pools, graceful giraffes browsing acacia trees, and perhaps catching a glimpse of lions on the prowl.
Return to the lodge for a relaxing lunch, then in the afternoon, embark on another exciting game drive traversing open plains dotted with acacia trees teeming with incredible wildlife. As the sun begins its descent, return to the lodge and enjoy delicious dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge 4* or similar
Amboseli National Park Tarangire National Park
Following an early breakfast we begin our journey towards the Tanzanian border with a stop in Arusha for a lunch, then onward to Tarangire National Park.
Named after the Tarangire River that flows through its 2,850 square kilometers, the park is celebrated for its abundant elephant herds and diverse wildlife. With over 550 bird species, including lions, leopards, zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes roaming amidst iconic baobab trees, Tarangire offers panoramic vistas of the Maasai Steppe and Rift Valley, making it a preferred destination for wildlife safaris and outdoor enthusiasts.
Upon entering the park gates, we embark on a thrilling game drive, immersing yourself in the park’s varied wildlife as you journey towards your lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tarangire Sopa Lodge 4* or similar
Please note:As we cross into Tanzania at the border, there will be a change of both guide and vehicle. Additionally, there may be guests departing and new guests joining your tour today.
Tarangire National Park Lake Manyara National Park
Enjoy a morning game drive of Tarangire National Park followed by lunch at the lodge, before departing for Lake Manyara National Park.
Deriving its name from Lake Manyara, this incredible park covers an area of 330 square kilometers and is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including large herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, baboons, and various antelope species. Notably, the park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a behavior seen in few other regions of Africa.
Arrive at your lodge, situated atop the Rift Valley escarpment, in time for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge 4* or similar
Lake Manyara National Park Serengeti National Park
Embark on a morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park followed by lunch at the lodge. Afterward, journey towards the famed Serengeti National Park. Enjoy game viewing en route to your lodge where you will arrive in time for dinner and an overnight stay.
Covering approximately 14,750 square kilometers, Serengeti National Park is famous for its expansive savannah grasslands, iconic wildlife, and the awe-inspiring annual wildebeest migration. The park boasts the “big five” animals: lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalos, alongside cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and numerous other mammals and birds. The annual wildebeest migration, featuring over a million wildebeest and other herbivores, is a spectacle of nature revered worldwide. Serengeti is also home to the Maasai people, who have inhabited the area for centuries, maintaining their traditional way of life. Renowned for wildlife safaris and hot air balloon safaris, Serengeti’s breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife attract visitors from across the globe.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge 4* or similar
Serengeti National Park
Today, we explore the legendary Serengeti with a full day of game drives across its expansive rolling plains, renowned for sparse vegetation that offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is a prime destination for sighting Africa’s iconic wildlife, including the largest lion population on the continent, as well as leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, hyena, hippo, rhino, and a variety of antelope and bird species.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Lodge 4* or similar
Optional tour: Optional Tour - Hot Air Balloon Over the Serengeti & Bush Breakfast
Experience the enchantment of a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti National Park. As the first rays of sunlight illuminate the sky with golden hues, ascend into the air for a mesmerizing journey above this untamed African savanna. Enjoy unparalleled views of wildlife and landscapes that unfold below, capturing the essence of the Serengeti’s natural beauty from a unique perspective. Upon landing, your pilot pops enjoy a bush breakfast before returning back to your lodge.
Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Leave the lodge and enjoy a game drive en route to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where a picnic lunch box is served along the way.
The Ngorongoro Crater is renowned for its extraordinary wildlife population, estimated at around 30,000 animals, making it one of the most densely populated wildlife areas globally. In addition to its rich biodiversity, the area boasts breathtaking landscapes including the Ngorongoro Crater itself, Olduvai Gorge, and Empakai Crater. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it presents a unique biosphere that has remained virtually unchanged since ancient times.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is perched on the very rim of the majestic Crater where each room has its own balcony with uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge 4* or similar
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Begin your day with an early departure, descending to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. Explore this wildlife paradise on a game drive, where within its compact 102 square miles, resides a diverse population of over 30,000 mammals. The Crater offers excellent opportunities to encounter all of the big five animals. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the crater before ascending back to the crater rim in the afternoon. Return to your lodge for a relaxing evening, complete with dinner and an overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge 4* or similar
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Nairobi
Early risers can catch the stunning sunrise over the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. After breakfast, we depart the lodge and commence our journey back to Arusha, where you will arrive in time for lunch. From Arusha we cross the border and transfer to Nairobi arriving at your hotel late this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Nairobi Serena Hotel 5* or similar
Please note: As we cross into Kenya at the border, there will be a change of both guide and vehicle. Additionally, there guests will be dropped off at various points en route to Nairobi
Nairobi Home
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in time for your onward flight.
Meal: Breakfast & in-flight
Accommodation: In-flight
Arrive Home
Welcome home, we hope you have a had a great trip to East Africa with AGV Travels.
Included
• Return International airfares
• Small group touring with a max 6 guests per vehicle
• 4 & 5-star hotels and lodges located in the heart of the wildlife corridors with private facilities
• Daily breakfasts, 12 lunches, 11dinners
• Escorted by professional, English-speaking naturalist guide
• Game drives and activities as specified in the itinerary
• Transportation and game drives by 4×4 vehicles with photo roof and a maximum 6 travellers per vehicle
• Guaranteed window seat for each guest for uninterrupted game viewing opportunities
• Cultural interactions with local villagers and Maasai tribe
• Filtered water provided in safari vehicles (Travellers should bring reusable water bottles)
• Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour
• All park fees and government taxes
Excluded
• Visas
• Travel insurance
• Tipping
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses
Fine Print
How to book and Payments
Asia Vacation Group offers you a “3 Instalment Payment Plan”, you will be required to settle a small deposit followed by a series of instalments when you select to book your departure tour.
- First payment: You will be required to settle $300 per person deposit online through our website link.
- Second payment: You will be required to settle the second payment $2,000 per person after 7 days when you receive our company invoice.
- Final payment: Final payment will be collected 120 days before your departure.
However, you will have 7-day cooling off period. Please refer to “Flexible Cancellation” section.
Flexible Cancellation
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to [email protected], including the reason for cancellation.
Flight Information
This package includes return flights from Melbourne & Sydney
Flights from Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth $400 surcharge.
Airline Selection: We book the best available airlines for your journey, which may include a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers. Specific airline requests can be made at the time of purchase. This includes upgrades to your preferred carrier, premium economy or business class cabins or specific seats. Whilst we will try our best, not all requests can be confirmed.
Flight Conditions: Flights may not be direct and could involve a maximum of two transits.
Ticketing Information: Once issued, tickets are non-refundable. Changes are subject to airline rules, airline change fees, and an Asia Vacations Group change fee of $250 per person.
Passenger Details: Please ensure all traveller names are as per passports. This includes all middle names. Errors may incur a name change fee of $150 plus airline charges, or may require a forfeit of the existing ticket and purchase of a new ticket at an additional cost.
Flight Schedule Changes: Any changes or cancellations to airline schedules are outside our control. We recommend staying updated with airline schedules before departure. Additional expenses for extended transits or alternative arrangements are the traveller’s responsibility.
Internal Airfares: Local flights included in your itinerary may utilise low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage is included; any additional baggage fees are payable at check-in.
Booking Considerations: If travelling with others on separate bookings, we may not be able to guarantee all flights are the same flight due to availability.
Luggage and Fees: You are responsible for your luggage at all times. Excess baggage fees, if incurred, are payable directly to the airline. All tickets will include 20 kg checked baggage per person, plus 7 kg of hand luggage. We recommend travelling with a max 20kg per person due to restrictions on internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Please note, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included.
No-Show Policy: Missing your flight may result in fees including a no-show fee, airline reissue fee, and possible new ticket purchase. AVG Travels charges a $250 admin fee for re-booking assistance.
Price Adjustments: Prices are final at the time of ticketing. Any subsequent changes may result in additional costs due to factors beyond our control, such as currency fluctuations or airline surcharges.
Flight requests, amendments or preferences
We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalized quote tailored to your specific requirements.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
- Airline Preferences – You may wish to fly with a particular airline
- Cabin Preferences – These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
- Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) – You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.
- Meal Requests – You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements.
- Seat Requests – If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.
Important Information
AVG Travels Trusted Partner Tour
AVG Travels have sourced a local, trusted partner to operate this tour. Our team has carefully vetted the itinerary and on-ground operations to ensure our AVG Travels clients are in good hands.
Physical Requirements
A reasonable level of fitness is required. There is very little walking as the majority of touring will by on a 4X4 safari vehicle. You must be able to comfortably get on and off a raised 4X4 vehicle.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. A gratuity of $10 – $15 per person/day can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry as they have done an impeccable job to serve you through your holiday.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,350 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Paired Solo Traveler
Not available.
Group size: 2-12 pax
Triple Share
Upon your request except for cruises
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with NibTravel Insurance to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply with us.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return and must have more than 2 blank pages.
A visa is required for travel to Kenya. You now need to apply online for an electronic travel authorisation prior to travel.
A visa is required for Tanzania. We recommend that visas are obtained prior to arrival in Tanzania to avoid lengthy queues and delays at the Namanga border.
Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry to Tanzania if arriving from or transiting through a yellow fever risk country.
IMPORTANT: Visa requirements may change at any tine without notice. You should always contact the nearest high commission/embassy or consulate for the latest details.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Children
Children under the age of 7 years will not be permitted to travel on this tour.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
How to Extend Your Stay
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can pay extra for arriving early or extension your trip.
Pre Tour Accommodation including breakfast & private arrival transfer – AUD 730 per room per night
Post Tour Accommodation including breakfast & private arrival transfer – AUD 730 per room per night
Dates & Prices
Real Travelers Reviews
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We were very happy and had no problem at all when booking
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