Kenya & Tanzania
Big Five Expedition
8 Days · Kenya & Tanzania · Luxury
Quick Price Estimate
8 Days Kenya & Tanzania Big Five Expedition
* Seasonal pricing applies. Excludes international flights & visas.
Get This QuoteFive Icons
The Classic Circuit — Kenya & Tanzania's Big Five Expedition
Track lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino across four of East Africa's most storied ecosystems. From Amboseli's elephant herds beneath Kilimanjaro to the Maasai Mara's big cats, the endless Serengeti plains, and a descent into Ngorongoro's crater, this 8-day expedition is the definitive Big Five journey.
- All of the Big FiveExceptional odds of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino in a single trip
- Amboseli & Kilimanjaro ViewsTwo nights among free-roaming elephant herds beneath Africa's tallest peak
- Maasai Mara Big CatsPrime lion, cheetah and leopard territory on the banks of the Mara River
- Endless Serengeti PlainsResident predators and vast horizons across Tanzania's iconic ecosystem
- Ngorongoro Crater DescentA full day inside the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, home to black rhino
Five Legendary Destinations
Your journey begins beneath Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, tracks west into Kenya's famous Maasai Mara, then crosses south into Tanzania's boundless Serengeti plains before descending into the Ngorongoro Crater for a grand Big Five finale.
- Nairobi, KenyaArrival & Safari BriefingDay 1
- Amboseli, KenyaElephant Herds & Kilimanjaro ViewsDays 1–2
- Maasai Mara, KenyaBig Cats & Big Five CountryDays 3–4
- Serengeti, TanzaniaEndless Plains & Resident PredatorsDays 5–6
- Ngorongoro CraterCaldera Descent & Black RhinoDays 7–8
Your 8-Day Journey
From Nairobi arrival to your final crater-rim morning — every day crafted for maximum Big Five encounters across Kenya and Tanzania.
Arrival & First Game Drive
Depart Nairobi by road or light aircraft into Amboseli National Park, home to some of Africa's largest free-roaming elephant herds. Settle into your tented camp, then head out for an afternoon drive with Kilimanjaro rising on the horizon.
Elephants Beneath Kilimanjaro
A full day tracking Amboseli's famed elephant families against the backdrop of Africa's tallest peak. Visit the swamps where buffalo and hippo gather, and keep watch for lion prides resting in the acacia shade.
Fly to Big Cat Country
Board a scenic domestic flight from Amboseli into the rolling Maasai Mara savannah. Settle into your riverfront luxury tented camp, then head straight out for an afternoon cat-tracking drive.
High Predator Activity
Traverse the Mara River networks tracking large lion prides, elusive leopards and cheetah coalitions across the plains. In the evening, savour a premium twilight sundowner on a private hilltop as the plains glow gold.
Cross Into Tanzania
Cross the border smoothly into Tanzania's iconic Serengeti ecosystem. The landscapes open into vast plains teeming with resident lions and leopards. Settle into your canvas lodge as the sky transitions from amber to deep indigo.
Endless Grass Plain Safaris
Dawn and dusk drives map the central granite kopjes. Heavy-maned lions defend territories across vast acreage while buffalo herds and giraffe move across the golden grasslands. The scale of this landscape is genuinely humbling.
Journey to the Crater Highlands
Travel south towards the lush volcanic highlands of Ngorongoro, stopping en route for one final Serengeti game drive. Settle into an elegant stone lodge perched right on the caldera rim, where rolling mist drifts in from the crater floor 600 metres below.
Volcanic Caldera Finale & Farewell
Descend 600 metres into the world's largest enclosed caldera for a final morning tracking rare black rhinos, massive bull elephants, and dense lion prides. Return to the rim for lunch before your transfer to the airstrip for your onward flight home.
Handpicked Luxury Stays
Premium en-suite tented camps and lodges positioned along the migration route.
Amboseli Elephant Camp
Intimate tented camp set among acacia woodland, with unobstructed views of Kilimanjaro and the elephant herds that pass through daily.
Amboseli · Days 1–2
Mara Riverfront Camp
Exquisite canvas luxury set on the Mara River with spectacular wildlife corridors and private decks overlooking the crossing points.
Maasai Mara · Days 3–4
Serengeti Canvas Lodge
Bespoke tented setup positioned to closely track resident predators across the central Serengeti plains.
Central Serengeti · Days 5–6
Ngorongoro Rim Lodge
Cosy stone-crafted chalets on the crater rim with panoramic views across the caldera — especially magical in the morning mist.
Ngorongoro · Days 7–8Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All internal safari bush flights (Amboseli to Mara) as specified in your quotation
- 7 nights' luxury tented camps & crater-rim lodge
- Full board throughout the safari
- 4x4 game drive vehicle with pop-up roof, arranged per your tier and quotation
- Expert local safari guide throughout
- Applicable national park and crater conservation fees as specified in your quotation
- Ngorongoro Crater access subject to applicable authority charges and quotation
- Bush breakfasts and sundowners as arranged (premium options separately quoted)
- Bottled water and soft drinks on game drives
- All airport and airstrip transfers
- 24/7 safari concierge service
Excluded
- International flights to/from Nairobi
- Kenya and Tanzania tourist visas
- Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory)
- Hot air balloon safari (optional add-on, separately quoted)
- Premium bar tabs within camps
- Gratuities for guides, camp staff and drivers
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Personal items and medications
- Anything not specified under Included
Have questions about what's included? Our specialists are happy to clarify.
Speak to a SpecialistChoose Your Experience Level
Select the accommodation tier that matches your style. All tiers include the same guiding and routing.
- Comfortable tented camps & crater lodge
- En-suite tents
- Full board throughout
- All activities and transfers as specified in your quotation
- Expert safari guide
- Premium luxury camps & crater lodge
- Plunge pools & private decks
- Full-board dining as specified in your quotation
- Private vehicle (exclusive use, subject to tier confirmation and quotation)
- Bush dinner and sundowner experiences as arranged (premium options separately quoted)
- Senior master guide
- Singita / &Beyond flagship camps
- Private suites & crater-view villas
- Full-board dining as specified in your quotation; spa services separately quoted where available
- Dedicated private guide & vehicle (tier-specific arrangement, confirmed at quotation)
- Hot air balloon safari available as a separately quoted optional extra
- Personal safari concierge
What Our Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
We map an assisted transfer. Our team handles your luggage at each bush airstrip and coordinates every connection between Amboseli, the Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. You simply enjoy the view from your window seat.
We recommend neutral-coloured safari layers (khakis, olives, tans) for game drives, plus a warm layer for Ngorongoro's cool mornings and evenings on the crater rim.
Applicable national park fees and Ngorongoro Crater-related charges depend on your itinerary and quotation — your specialist will confirm exactly which authority charges apply to your trip.
The Big Five live across these parks, and this route is designed around strong Big Five country, including Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most reliable places on the continent to see black rhino. As with all wildlife encounters, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
June to October offers drier conditions and excellent game viewing across all four parks. We recommend booking 4–6 months in advance for peak season dates, particularly for the luxury and ultra-luxury tiers where camp capacity is limited.
Don't see your question? We're happy to help.
Ask Us AnythingBegin Your Big Five Journey
Spaces on this safari are strictly limited to preserve exclusivity. Contact our specialists today to check availability and begin planning your perfect Kenya & Tanzania expedition.