Kenya and Tanzania Combined Camping Safari

Camping is among the best ways to experience all Kenya and Tanzania have to offer. Check out this popular, pre-planned itinerary for some great ideas about roughing it in the wilderness. 

Day 1: Nairobi- Samburu Game Reserve 
Pick up from your hotel at 0700 hrs and passing the majestic Mt. Kenya en route to the open savannah of Samburu Game Reserve. We camp in the narrow stretch of palms and woodland by the Ewaso Nyiro River which provides water for the animals and some relief from the equatorial sun. 
 
Day 2: Samburu National reserve. 
Full day spent exploring the park. Dinner and overnight at a campsite. 
 
The highlights of Samburu game reserve is the spectacular scenic beauty, rivers and forests. It is an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage. The reserves have numerous permanent springs and a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard, hippo, elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra and crocodile in the Ewaso Nyiro River. Over 365 species of birds have been identified in the sanctuaries. 
 
Day 3 Samburu- Mt. Kenya/Sweet waters 
Depart Samburu and proceed to Mt.Kenya region. Lunch at Mountain Rock lodge followed by after noon game drives at the Sweetwater’s game ranch. Children can also enjoy a full hour of Horse riding Dinner and overnight stay at Mt.Rock campsite 
Sweetwater’s is the only sanctuary for rehabilitation in Kenya of these widely abused chimpanzees with two groups living in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. The site is also a dedicated black rhino breeding area. 
 
Day 4 Mt. Kenya – Lake Nakuru National park. 
We break the camp soon after breakfast and proceed to Lake Nakuru National park. Lunch enroute followed by an afternoon game drives as the pick lake. Dinner and overnight at Lake Nakuru Guest House 
 
Lake Nakuru is a shallow alkaline lake on the edges of Nakuru town and lies a distance of 160 kilometers from Nairobi. The lake is world famous as home to millions of flamingoes. The number of flamingoes depends on the water level which determines the quantity of algae on which the birds feed. Flamingoes are known to migrate to other Rift Valley lakes whenever the water level is low. The National Park surrounds the lake and was gazetted to protect the colony of flamingoes as well as provide sanctuary for endangered species such as the rhino. There are about 25 white and black rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country. Predators are also residents to this park while Rothschild’s giraffe have been trans-located into the park for safety 
 
Day 5: Lake Nakuru- Naivasha 
We break the camp soon after break fast and proceed to Lake Naivasha. Morning visit to hells gate national park- this park can be explored on foot or by cycling- bicycles are available for hire at an extra cost. Dinner and overnight stay at fisherman’s camp 
 
Hells gate national park is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer, but it is now thought that the famous pair of birds may not have nested in the park for several years. 
One is encouraged to hike and cycle in the park. This is a rarity in Kenyan National Parks, and is only made possible due to the lack of large predators such as lions and cheetahs 
 
Day 6 : Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National park 
Break the camp and proceed to Amboseli national park. Via Nairobi –Amboseli is the magnificent park at the foot hills of Mt.Kilimanjaro.After noon gamedrives followed by dinner and overnight stay at a campsite. 
This small park (at 392 sq km) is the second most popular park in Kenya after Maasai Mara, mainly due to the spectacular backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the southern boundary. 
 
Day 7 : Amboseli National park 
Full day spent exploring the park. Optional visit to Maasai villages can be arranged with our guide between game drives. Overnight stay at a campsite. 
 
Amboseli National park is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Kenya. It is situated close to Kenya. It is situated close to Kenya- Tanzania border, The Park lies at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa (5,896m) whose snow-capped summit presents a splendid view on clear days. Amboseli National Park is often referred to as “The home of Elephants’ some of the largest Elephant herds are found here. The Game Park also contains vast groups of Zebras, Wildebeests, Giraffes, Buffalos, Hippos and Antelopes. Also to be found in Amboseli are lions, leopards, Cheetahs, Rhinos and many species of plain game. 
 
Day 8: Amboseli – Lake Manyara 
After breakfast, we drive into Tanzania via the Namanga border. We also pass through Arusha to Lake Manyara National park with lunch enroute. Regardless of the direction we approach Manyara from, the view is always fantastic. We proceed to a campsite for dinner and overnight stay. 
 
Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake that is part of the Rift Valley wall; the lake is at the base of this dramatic western escarpment giving it a beautiful and serene setting. In addition to this peaceful setting, Lake Manyara’s main attractions are its rich bird life, tree climbing lions and its hippos, which you can see at a closer range than many other places. Lake Manyara also hosts thousands of flamingos at certain times of the year and has diverse vegetation ranging from savannah, to marshes and acacia woodland, enabling a variety of wildlife habitats including butterflies. 
 
Day 9: Lake Manyara – Serengeti National park 
Morning gamedrives at Lake Manyara National park then proceed to Serengeti national park. Game is viewed as we proceed to the campsite for dinner and overnight stay. 
 
Day 10 /11 Serengeti National park 
Full days spent exploring the park. Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and Tanzania’s largest park covering 14,736 sq km and is adjoining with the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. With a wildebeest population of about 2 million and several other hoofed species (which include zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, impala, topi, Grants gazelle, Kongoni, Eland, Kirk’s dik dik, klipspringer, roan, Oryx, oribi, waterbuck, buffalo, giraffe and warthog), the Serengeti is sure to attract a string of prey such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, golden jackals and bat eared foxes. Elephants are relatively scarce and the few remaining black rhinoceros are restricted to the Moru Koppies area. Serengeti also offers rewarding bird viewing with ostrich and kori bustard being common, a variety of larks, finches, and raptors can be seen but the most distinctive small bird is the lilac breasted roller. 
 
Day 12: Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge 
After an early breakfast, we drive south to the magnificent Ngorongoro crater via the historical Olduvai Gorge whilst game watching only interrupted by a picnic lunch en route. We stop and set camp at the Simba (Lion) Campsite. 

The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals. 

The Olduvai Gorge cuts through rock beds layered in time sequence from 2 million years ago to the present. It is here where humanoid bones have been found dating back to over 1.75 million years including a direct ancestor of modern man. Fossil footprints (over three million years old) have also been found here and are the most ancient footprints yet discovered. There is an excellent site museum where you can explore the diggings with a guide and it is also a great place to view birds. 
 
Day 13 : Ngorongoro- Tarangire national park 
Morning crater tour then proceed to Tarangire national park. Dinner and overnight at a campsite. 
 
Day 14: Tarangire – Arusha 
Full morning gamedrives the return to the camp for lunch. Break the camp soon after lunch and drive to Arusha town for overnight at Arusha Crown hotel. 
 
Herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. It’s the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem – a smorgasbord for predators – and the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed 
 
Day 15 : Arusha – Nairobi 
Board a Nairobi bound shuttle bus and drive to Nairobi – to arrive at 1400 hrs.