Safari style 06
First Safaris
Short, well-shaped routes for a first trip to East Africa.
What it means
Routes with sensible driving, reliable wildlife and enough time in one place to settle in.
A first safari should not be an endurance test. The routes that work best keep the driving manageable, put you somewhere with good wildlife density, and give you at least one full day that does not begin with packing.
In Kenya that usually means the Maasai Mara, with Lake Nakuru or Amboseli added if you have the days. In Tanzania it means the northern circuit, with the Serengeti given more than a single night.
If you are not sure how long to go for, three days is the honest minimum and five to seven is where a trip starts to feel complete.
Is this you?
This style suits you if…
- This is your first safari
- You want reliable wildlife rather than a specialist destination
- You would rather not spend the trip in a vehicle
- You want somewhere that works at any accommodation level
Routes
9 routes that work this way.
Kenya · 3 daysclassic safari
3 Days Maasai Mara Safari
One full day in the reserve, framed by the drive in and the drive out.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Nairobi
Kenya · 4 daysclassic safari
4 Days Maasai Mara & Lake Nakuru Safari
Open plains, then a Rift Valley lake with one of Kenya's best rhino populations.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Nairobi
Kenya · 5 daysclassic safari
5 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha Safari
Two safari parks and a freshwater lake, at a pace that leaves room to breathe.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Nairobi
Kenya · 6 daysclassic safari
6 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Amboseli Safari
Three of Kenya's best-known parks, with a full day in two of them.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Nairobi
Kenya · 7 daysclassic safari
7 Days Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha & Amboseli Safari
A full week across Kenya's Rift Valley and south to Kilimanjaro's shadow.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Amboseli · Nairobi
Tanzania · 3 daysclassic safari
3 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The shortest route that reaches both the Serengeti plains and the crater floor.
Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 4 daysclassic safari
4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The standard northern circuit shape, with Manyara as the way in.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 5 daysclassic safari
5 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The northern circuit with room in it: three habitats and a full Serengeti day.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 9 daysclassic safari
9 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Arusha, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro
The Kenyan Rift Valley, then across the border to Manyara and the crater.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Plan your safari
Plan a first safaris.
Tell us your dates and how long you have, and we will shape a first safaris around them.
A guided enquiry, not an instant booking. No obligation.
