NAIROBI, MASAI MARA, ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK, SAMBURU, LAKE NAIVASHA, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Take a walk on the wild side with this small-group Kenya and Tanzania tour including airfare from the U.S.! Begin your adventure in Nairobi, before venturing out to explore captivating scenery and spot exotic animals. Visit the home of Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa, and have the amazing opportunity to feed and admire giraffes. Then, witness exciting wildlife on safari in the Samburu National Reserve, Aberdare National Park, and Masai Mara National Reserve. Game drives flourish with animals, both fierce and docile—from noble lions and fleet-footed cheetahs to strong, but peaceful elephants. At Lake Naivasha National Park, you’ll also find a rhino sanctuary and pink flamingos huddling around the lake. And during your stay at Lake Naivasha, enjoy a chance to unwind in tranquil surroundings. Continue on to Tanzania where you’ll visit Serengeti National Park (with the chance to look for the Big 5!) and Ngorongoro Crater.
Shorten Your Trip! Enjoy our 12-day Kenya Wildlife Safari tour visiting Kenya’s highlights from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru.
For COVID-19 updates, please scroll down to our Before You Depart section.
Did you know that you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options for groups of 10 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
2022 Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Nairobi
- 2 nights Samburu – Buffalo Springs
- 1 night in Aberdare
- 2 nights in Lake Naivasha
- 2 nights in Masai Mara
- 1 night in Nairobi
- 1 night in Lake Manyara
- 2 nights in the Serengeti
- 1 night in Ngorongoro
2023 Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Nairobi
- 2 nights Samburu – Buffalo Springs
- 2 nights in Lake Nakuru
- 3 nights in Masai Mara
- 1 night in Nairobi
- 1 night in Lake Manyara
- 2 nights in the Serengeti
- 1 night in Ngorongoro
Tour
Highlights
- Giraffe Center (Nairobi)
- Samburu National Reserve
- Aberdare National Park
- Lake Naivasha
- Masai Mara
- Opportunity to see The Big 5
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
To get a closer look at this amazing Kenya safari experience, click here to take a look at photos taken by a smarTours traveler!
Max. Group Size: 17 Passengers
Your Tour
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from New York, JFK airport with direct flights to/from Nairobi (passengers may also book this tour without flights)
- Airfare taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges
- Accommodations at first class hotels & safari lodges
- 40 meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and game-viewing drives
- Guaranteed window seat and access to pop-up roof hatch, 4 X 4 Vehicles, maximum 6 guests per safari vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking safari driver-guide/game spotter
2022 Tour Itinerary on Emirates
2022 Tour Itinerary on Kenya Airways
2023 Tour Itinerary on Emirates or British Airways
2023 Tour Itinerary on Kenya Airways
Guided Tour Pricing
Prices and dates below include round-trip airfare from New York (JFK). Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only, and arrange their own arrival in destination.
2023 Tours | Tour Only | With Flights | |
---|---|---|---|
Saturday
January 21 Monday
February 6 |
Tour only not available. |
From
$8,298
$7,898
|
Select |
Saturday
June 17 Monday
July 3 |
Tour only not available. | Flights not available |
Call to book |
Saturday
July 22 Monday
August 7 |
Tour only not available. |
From
$8,798
$8,398
|
Select |
Saturday
August 5 Monday
August 21 |
Tour only not available. |
From
$8,798
$8,398
|
Select |
Saturday
August 26 Monday
September 11 |
Tour only not available. |
From
$8,598
$8,198
|
Select |
Saturday
September 16 Monday
October 2 |
Tour only not available. |
From
$8,598
$8,198
|
Select |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
July 2022 Departures: These departures will use Kenya Airways.
All Other 2022 Departures: These departures will use Emirates.
Kenya (& Tanzania) visa fees are not included.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 5:30pm EST) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. For 2022 departures, full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. For 2023 departures, full payment is due 125 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
COVID-19 UPDATE
Departing the U.S.: For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours has implemented COVID-19 travel requirements which apply to all tours regardless of destination. To learn more, click here.
Please note destination entry requirements are changing rapidly. smarTours will communicate entry requirements in your Tour Documents 10-14 days prior to departure. For up-to-date information, please click the links below.
- Entry requirements
- State Department Travel Advisory Updates (Kenya, Tanzania)
- Center for Disease Control Updates & Information (Kenya, Tanzania)
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your flights are on the following airlines with the corresponding schedules. We recommend that you arrive at the airport at least 3 ½ hours before the scheduled departure. On your return, please make sure to allow sufficient time for clearing immigration and customs if you are planning a connecting flight, and we again recommend at least 3 ½ hours. Please keep in mind that flight schedules are always subject to change.
Depart | Airlines | Airport | Depart | Extension Return |
2022: Jul. 9 | Kenya Airways | New York (JFK) | 1:45 PM | 7:35 AM |
2022: Aug. 13, Aug. 27, Sep. 17, Oct. 1 | Emirates | New York (JFK) | 11:20 AM | 2:25 PM |
ADVANCE SEAT ASSIGNMENT
American Airlines and Emirates do not assign seats in advance. Seat assignments can only be arranged upon check-in at the airport.
LAND-ONLY TRAVELERS
International flights to/from the U.S. are not included. Land-only travelers are responsible for arranging the entry and exit flights, as well as their arrival and departure transfers. smarTours cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by air schedule changes and delays. Unused land services are non-refundable.
Main Tour + Extension: Land-only services start upon independent check-in at Nairobi hotel on Day 2 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. Land-only services end after return to the international airport in Nairobi on Day 16 of the itinerary listed on our tour page. International round-trip flights from Nairobi to Tanzania are included in your package.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
You must be in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Additionally, a visa is required for American passport holders traveling to Kenya. If you are taking the Tanzania extension, a Tanzania Visa is also required and you must have a minimum of two blank visa entry pages in your passport. You are not required to apply for a double-entry visa. You need to obtain a “Visitor’s Pass” on entering Kenya. The pass will specify the period of time the person is allowed to stay in Kenya and in this regard it will be until the last day of departure from Kenya. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the respective consulates as to the most current visa requirements to all their travel destinations. The Kenya e-visa must be obtained prior to arrival in Kenya. smarTours strongly recommends obtaining an e-visa prior to arrival for Tanzania to allow the most seamless process, avoid delays at the airport and to keep the group together.
Tourists wishing to visit Kenya need to apply for their visa online by visiting evisa.go.ke/evisa. Please note the following:
Kenyan Visas must be used within 90 days of their date of issue. For this reason, you should not apply for your visa more than 3 months before your scheduled departure.
Visa applications must be made in advance online using the approved website. During the application process, you will be asked for the following:
- Travel itinerary
- List of hotels you are booked to stay at
- Copy of your return flight ticket
- Scan or photo of your passport’s main data page
- Clear passport-style photograph
The acceptable formats for the attachments are PDF, JPG, or MS Word. The visa fees are payable online by major credit or debit card with a $1 USD processing fee.
To obtain a Tanzania visa, please apply at eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/. Guidelines are available at
eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/guidelines. This will advise you of the items you will need to make your application.The visa, once issued, is valid for travel within three months of issue.
Alternatively, we arranged for “CIBT” to facilitate this for you for a handling fee. Please use the following link to download instructions and forms at http://www.cibt.com/home.aspx?Login=50002. If you do not have access to a computer please contact CIBT to have a form mailed to you. If you have any questions regarding obtaining your visa, you may call CIBT at 1-800-406-1523.
smarTours strongly recommends obtaining an e-visa prior to arrival for Kenya & Tanzania to allow for the most seamless process, avoid delays at the airport and to keep the group together.
Also, please note that visa procedures may change at any time. You should check with CIBT online at http://www.cibt.com, for the most up to date instructions and rates before submitting your paperwork. We suggest that you apply for your visa no more than 60 days before departure. Please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary travel documents before the trip.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Please note that days are spent in a safari vehicle traveling from point to point on unpaved roads.
TICKETS AND FINAL DOCUMENTS
Final instructions and additional travel tips will be sent to you 14-21 days before the scheduled start of your tour via email. If you have not received your final documents, please check your spam folder or contact smarTours.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Please consult your personal physician or local public health authorities regarding taking anti-malaria pills. For passengers taking the Tanzania extension, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required. Any other health requirements or recommendations, please consult your own physician or CDC (Center for Disease Control: Tel. 800-232-4636.
CLIMATE
Kenya is located on the Equator. Generally speaking, the weather is temperate with average daytime temperatures in the 60’s – 80’s. However, in higher elevations you may experience cooler temperatures, cool enough for a sweater at night year-round. In the arid, desert like region like Samburu National Park, temperatures may be hotter.
NON-INCLUDED MEALS
You may dine at either of the hotels used on this tour or in another nearby restaurant recommended by your guide. Food costs in Kenya are very reasonable compared with USA. Average cost for dinner (excluding drinks) in the coffee shop is about $10-15 a meal per person. Your hotel will accept credit cards for your non-included meals.
WATER IN KENYA & TANZANIA
Disposable water bottles are now banned in Kenya and Tanzania. Filtered water will be provided on the safari vehicles, but we recommend travelers bring their own reusable water bottle that can be refilled at the lodges, camps, or in the vehicle during the safari.
CREDIT CARDS AND LOCAL CURRENCY
Hotels, lodges, and some stores accept major credit cards. However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. Dollars. Your hotels will be able to exchange for you cash to local currency. It is recommended that you bring along cash in small denominations.
BAGGAGE
Each passenger may bring one piece of checked-in luggage (soft duffel bag only), (max. 33 pounds) and one carry-on piece (no more than 18”x10”x8”). Due to the extremely limited storage space in Safari vehicles, please pack light. If your luggage does not fit into the vehicle, you will have to store it in Nairobi or Arusha at your own expense. We recommend that you do not over-pack and that you take a variety of separates with climate and comfort in mind.