Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya for your 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari. A tour representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for rest. This initial day in the capital allows you to recover from travel and prepare for the early mornings and travel days ahead for this 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari. You can settle in at your accommodation and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Depending on your arrival time, optional activities within Nairobi can be arranged at an additional cost. The focus is on relaxation before starting the safari adventure that defines the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

After an early breakfast, depart Nairobi for Amboseli National Park. The drive takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Amboseli sits at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, offering classic photographic opportunities of elephants with the mountain as a backdrop on clear days. You will arrive at your lodge or camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go on a game drive. The park has a large elephant population, as well as a variety of animals including giraffes, zebras, lions, cheetahs, and over 400 species of birds, especially in the wetlands. This part of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari offers excellent dry plains viewing.

The day involves a long drive from Amboseli to Lake Nakuru National Park, which takes around 8 to 10 hours total driving time. You will depart Amboseli early and head back towards Nairobi, then continue north into the Great Rift Valley. This route provides varied scenery as you leave the dry plains of Amboseli for the escarpments and eventually a soda lake environment. You will arrive at your accommodation near Lake Nakuru in the late afternoon or early evening. The focus of the day is transit, with stops for rest and meals along the way. This long travel day is a necessary part of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari logistics.

After a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru to focus on animals like black and white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes, and waterbucks, you will drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve. The drive from Lake Nakuru takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. The journey is scenic, passing through hilly country and then onto the open plains near the reserve. You will arrive at your camp or lodge around lunchtime. An afternoon game drive will introduce you to the Masai Mara's open grasslands, known for its high concentration of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. This is a primary component of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

A full day is dedicated to exploring the Masai Mara Game Reserve. You can choose a full-day game drive with a packed lunch at a picnic spot or opt for early morning and afternoon drives with a break at the camp. The reserve is contiguous with Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and is known for its high concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five. You have excellent chances of seeing lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, and potentially the elusive leopard and rhino. The open plains offer superb visibility for animal spotting. An optional hot air balloon safari at sunrise is also available for an extra charge, a key offering of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

This is a long travel day involving an international border crossing. You will depart the Masai Mara early and head towards the Isebania or Sirari border post to cross into Tanzania. The entire journey to the Seronera area in Central Serengeti takes approximately 9 to 12 hours of driving, including border formalities and vehicle changes (Kenyan vehicles cannot operate in Tanzania and vice versa). The route takes you through rural areas before entering the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park and finally Central Serengeti, a year-round wildlife hotspot. This cross-border leg is crucial to the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

Spend a full day on game drives in the Central Serengeti (Seronera region). This area is famed for its predator activity and as a central hub for the Great Migration. You will see a variety of animals, including lions, leopards, hyenas, and a massive number of plains animals such as wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles. The vast open plains provide a true sense of African wilderness. Morning and afternoon game drives allow you to follow animal movements during different times of the day, with a lunch break at your camp or a designated picnic spot. This focus on the Serengeti is a highlight of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

Another full day is dedicated to exploring different sections of the Central Serengeti. The wide variety of habitats, including riverine areas, means you can observe different animal behaviors and species. Focus on finding elusive species like leopards, which often rest in trees along the riverbanks, or observing a lion pride resting or hunting. The area is also rich in birdlife. Your guide will use their knowledge to track animals and find the best viewing spots. This second day allows for a deeper exploration of the park's diverse wildlife populations within the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

After a morning game drive in the Serengeti, you will drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, depending on the exact location of your accommodation and game viewing along the way. The route takes you past Naabi Hill gate and offers scenic views as you ascend the outer wall of the Ngorongoro Crater. You will arrive at your lodge or camp located on the crater rim or nearby in the late afternoon. Rest at your accommodation and prepare for the next day's early start into the crater, a core part of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

Today you will descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a half-day game drive. The crater floor is home to a very dense animal population. You have excellent chances of seeing the Big Five, including the rare black rhino. Common animals include lions, hyenas, elephants, buffalos, zebras, wildebeest, and various antelopes and bird species. You will have a picnic lunch inside the crater. In the afternoon, you will ascend the crater rim and drive towards Arusha for your overnight stay. The drive to Arusha takes about 3 hours. This crater visit is a defining moment of the 12 Days - Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Amboseli Kenya Tanzania safari.

After breakfast, you’ll depart from Ngorongoro and make your way to Karatu, located roughly an hour away. This day offers a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of Tanzania while transitioning to your next destination.

In Karatu, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and settle in at your accommodation. Depending on your preferences, you may also explore local attractions or simply enjoy the surroundings. This day serves as a gentle transition, allowing you to take stock of your incredible safari experiences so far.

On your final day, you'll depart from Karatu to Arusha, where your journey concludes. After breakfast, take in the beautiful Tanzanian landscapes one last time before arriving in Arusha.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a brief city exploration. You will then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward flight.

As your 12 Days safari adventure comes to an end, you'll carry with you lasting memories of breathtaking wildlife and diverse environments that define Kenya and Tanzania.