Wildebeest Migration Kenya & Tanzania - 11 days (June to October)

8am: Nairobi National Museum

You'll be picked up from your hotel after breakfast and proceed immediately to the National Museum of Kenya. A fascinating place to learn about Kenya's history and culture, the National Museum aims to share Kenya's rich cultural heritage with visitors to the city through a variety of exhibits including Kenyan art, a hall dedicated to the Kenyan War for Independence, and the prehistory of man, among others.

You'll spend approximately an hour and a half here.

11am: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

You'll arrive at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust at 11am. Sometimes known as the Elephant Orphanage, you'll have your chance to have an up close and personal interaction with these adorable orphaned elephants. Over the course of your hour long visit you'll observe the resident baby elephants as they feed, exercise, and bathe. You even have the option to sponsor one of the orphans.

12pm: Giraffe Centre

Your next stop will be the famous Giraffe Centre, where you'll have the rare opportunity to come face-to-face with these beautiful creatures. Both a breeding centre for the Rothschild's Giraffe and an education centre, lucky visitors might even get a kiss from these unique creatures!

1pm: Lunch

You'll be spoiled for choice at lunch, with your choice of the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant, the local flavours of the Utamaduni Centre, or the family friendly atmosphere of Mamba Villabe with its crocodile and ostrich farms.

Lunch is at your own expense. Ask your Shadows of Africa safari expert about including lunch in your quote.

2.30pm: Bomas of Kenya

You'll wrap up your day with a visit ot the famous Bomas of Kenya, a one of a kind living museum that aims to display the multitude of tribal cultures that make up Kenya's rich cultural tapestry. In addition to re-creations of traditional housing and displays of traditional arts and crafts, your tour will include a fascinating display of tribal dance and music that is not to be missed.

5pm: Tour concludes

Your driver will take your hotel.

You'll depart from Nairobi after breakfast and begin the long drive south to the Masai Mara.

Stopping along the way to take in the stunning view of the Great Rift Valley, you'll arrive at the park in time for lunch at your lodge before enjoying an afternoon game drive through the iconic park. Home to the entirety of the Big Five, the Maasai Mara also plays host to the Wildebeest Migration each year and makes for a stunning backdrop for your first day of safari.

Wake before the dawn for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a Maasai Mara sunrise. After a quick cup of coffee, you'll head out into the park to watch as the sun sets fire to the savannah and the big cats take advantage of the morning cool to search for a meal.

Alternatively, you can take to the skies with a hot air balloon safari that will see you soar above all of the action before setting down on the plains for a champagne breakfast among the wildlife. Ask your safari expert about adding a hot air balloon adventure to your safari. You'll then return to your lodge for a late breakfast before packing a picnic lunch and heading back out into the park for a day-long exploration of the Maasai Mara. You may also opt to relax at your lodge in the morning, enjoy lunch on site, and then head out again in the afternoon once the weather has cooled off a bit.

You'll make your way to the Mara Airstrip after breakfast for your flight into Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

Upon arrival in the park, you'll be met by your new Shadows of Africa driver and proceed for an afternoon game drive in the famed park.

Home to huge populations of wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes - the picturesque Serengeti is an excellent place to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and cheetahs as well as herbivores including elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

After breakfast, we'll start our game drive around the Kogatende area, searching around the kopjes looking for carnivores and the large migration groups that will be preparing to cross the Mara River into Kenya.

Home to large numbers of hippos and Nile crocodiles, the Mara River is the last major obstacle standing between the Wildebeest Migration and the relative safety of the Masai Mara. If you're patient and a little lucky, you may even get to witness the death-defying crossing itself where wildebeest and zebras brave the river's currents and crocodiles in an attempt to reach safety on the opposite bank.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

We'll start our day immediately after breakfast, driving through the plains of Togoro and the Mbuzi Mawe kopjes on our way to cross the Banagi River into the Seronera region of the Central Serengeti. Along the way, you'll spot everything from the enigmatic dik-diks to towering elephants, and everything in between.

The Seronera is often known as 'big cat country', and its kopjes and acacias provide an excellent opportunity to spot prides of lazy lions, sleek cheetahs out on the hunt, and leopards overseeing everything from their lofty perches.

The region's hippo pools and wide open spaces provide ample opportunities for game viewing.

Dinner and overnight in the heart of the Serengeti National Park according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

After breakfast, we get right on the road back towards the Ngorongoro Crater National Park.

Our drive takes us back through the Serengeti via a different route, offering plenty of opportunities to spot the animals that eluded you on day two. As far as the eye can see, you’ll spot thousands upon thousands of animals in herds; wildebeests and zebras migrating together, tall and graceful giraffes, jumping antelopes and gazelles, the powerful African elephant and the most respected group of animals: the predators.

You will have the chance to spot lean cheetahs and shy leopards, foraging hyenas, and last but not least, the king himself; the lion.

Dinner and overnight on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater or in nearby Karatu Town according to the standard and the type of accommodation requested from our options.

After breakfast, you'll depart for Ngorongoro Crater; considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. When you get your first glimpse of this vast, verdant caldera from the panoramic viewpoint, you'll soon understand why it has earned such a lofty reputation.

Home to over 120 species of mammal including the fabled Big Five, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after safari destinations in the world. It's a particularly good place to see the endangered black rhinoceros enjoying a lonely meal out on the grass plains, as well as a place to see large numbers of hippopotamus enjoying the cool water.

From the comfort of your open-top vehicle, you'll be able to observe and photograph some of Africa's most recognisable faces. The crater is home to a large number of predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, and hyenas, as well as a large population of wildebeest, zebras, antelope, cape buffalo, and more. It is truly one of Africa's premier safari destinations.

You'll then overnight nearby.

You'll make your way to Lake Manyara National Park shortly after breakfast, with the scenic two hour drive whetting your appetite for your day of exploration.

The park is truly a photographer's playground and offers some of the best game viewing in the world. You can expect to see many of Africa's most well-known animals, with the tree-climbing lions a particular treat. These proud predators lounge in acacia trees practically begging to be photographed.

Bird-watchers will find Lake Manyara is an absolute delight, with a huge variety of birds on display in the park. Even the novice can expect to be amazed by large flamingo flocks, circling birds of prey, and the brightly coloured lilac breasted roller.

You'll then proceed to Arusha to overnight.

You'll depart Arusha after breakfast and begin your trip back towards Kenya.

The drive itself is a scenic one, and you'll once again go through immigration and meet with your new driver before proceeding to the park.

Amboseli National Park is called the "Royal Court of Kilimanjaro" with good reason, and you'll enjoy an afternoon game drive where you'll see herds of wildebeest and zebras, proud lions, skulking hyenas, a variety of antelopes, and some of Kenya's largest herds of elephants - all set against the startling backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.

You'll be up early today for your opportunity to see Kilimanjaro at dawn. The Roof of Africa is often shy, but in the early morning light, you'll have your best chance to see the tallest mountain on the continent.

You'll then make your way back to Nairobi, where you'll be taken to the airport or your hotel.