15-Day Best of Kenya & Tanzania Luxury Fly-In Safari: The Ultimate East African Sky Safari

Skip the grueling overland drives and soar directly between Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuaries. This handcrafted 15-day Kenya and Tanzania Luxury Flying Safari connects the dramatic wilderness of both countries using scheduled private bush flights, pairing remote 5-star tented retreats with front-row seats to the world’s most spectacular wildlife displays.

Track the unique “Samburu Special Five” in Kenya’s rugged north, follow the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration in the Masai

Mara and Serengeti, explore the private mahogany forests of Lake Manyara, and descend into the predator-packed volcanic basin of the Ngorongoro Crater in the best Kenya Tanzania fly in safari tour.

15-Day Sky Safari Highlights

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights (Cross-border multi-country luxury fly-in safari)
Logistics: Private air transfers connecting Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Samburu, and Masai Mara—bypassing bumpy highways to maximize game-viewing time
Destinations Explored:
- Tanzania: Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Central

& Northern Serengeti National Park o Kenya: Samburu National Reserve, Masai Mara National Reserve, and Nairobi

Luxury Safari Lodging:
- Fairmont The Norfolk: Historic colonial elegance in central Nairobi o Lake Manyara Tree Lodge: Exclusive luxury treehouse suites nestled in ancient mahogany boughs
- The Manor at Ngorongoro Crater: Historic organic farm cottages and cliff-top suites
- Serengeti Pioneer Camp / Four Seasons Safari Lodge: Elevated luxury overlooking game corridors
- Elephant Bedroom Camp / Soroi Larsens Samburu: Open-front luxury villas overlooking the Ewaso Nyiro River
- Mara Plains Camp / Governors’ Camp: World-class tented luxury along the Mara River

Iconic Wildlife Sightings: The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and endangered black rhino), the Samburu Special Five (Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, and gerenuk), cheetah coalitions, and immense migration columns
Bespoke Inclusions: All park conservation permits, domestic scheduled bush flights, custom 4×4 open-sided safari vehicles, dedicated silver/goldlevel naturalist guides, and all-inclusive bush dining

Detailed Day-by-Day Sky Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha

Step off your international flight into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will be met by your Bushtroop Safaris concierge. Enjoy a private transfer to the landmark Arusha Coffee Lodge, an iconic hotel steeped in early safari history.

Spend the evening unwinding in private tropical courtyards or relaxing beside the heated outdoor pool before a gourmet dinner prepared with locally sourced Tanzanian ingredients.

Accommodation: Arusha Cofffee Lôdge (Deluxe Room)
Meal Plan: Dinner included

Day 2: Arusha (ARK) – Gateway to the Northern Circuit

After breakfast, start your adventure at 1100hrs with a drive to Arusha National Park. Arusha National Park is northern Tanzania’s most versatile day trip. Located just 45 minutes from Arusha town, it offers the rare opportunity to conduct an armed ranger walking safari, view herds of giraffes against the dramatic volcanic cone of Mount Meru, and spot thousands of pink flamingos along the alkaline Momella Lakes. Arrive back at your hotel in Arusha for dinner,

Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Bush Flight: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park (Treehouse Luxury)

Flight Time: ~30 minutes scenic hop
Safari Focus: Groundwater forests, treehouse suites, and tree-climbing lions

Board a morning bush flight to Lake Manyara Airstrip. A short safari transfer brings you into the private, secluded southern sector of Lake Manyara National Park, checking into exclusive luxury treehouse suites built in the boughs of ancient mahogany trees.

Set out on an afternoon game drive exploring diverse eco-zones—from dense subterranean spring-fed forests to the shimmering alkaline shores of Lake Manyara. Keep your eyes sharp for the reserve’s famous tree-climbing lions, browse large troops of baboons, and photograph over 387 species of birds, including vibrant flamingos and silvery-cheeked hornbills. Savor a candlelit dinner in the forest boma under the African stars.

Accommodation: &Beyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge (or luxury equivalent)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (All-Inclusive)

Day 4: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater Highlands via Gibb’s Farm

Drive Time: ~1.5 hours scenic ascent up the Rift Valley escarpment
Safari Focus: Highland waterfalls, organic farm-to-table lunch, and crater rim panoramas

Embark on an early morning game drive along the lakeshore floodplains to catch hippos returning to deep freshwater pools.

Depart Manyara and ascend the cool, forested slopes of the Crater Highlands. Stop at Gibb’s Farm, a historic coffee estate established in the 1920s. Stroll through the lush organic gardens, take a short guided hike to a forest waterfall and elephant caves, and savor an award-winning farm-to-table buffet lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to your lodge perched directly on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, offering panoramas 600 meters down into the caldera.

Accommodation: The Manor at Ngorongoro Crater
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater Floor Safari (The Eighth Wonder of the World)

Activity: 600m caldera descent, Big Five tracking, and lakeside bush picnic Descend early down the steep, forested caldera walls onto the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater—the world’s largest intact, unflooded volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend the entire day tracking Africa’s dense predator populations across the 260square-kilometer wildlife haven. This is your premier opportunity to spot the critically endangered black rhino, heavy-maned black lions, cheetahs, and giant bull elephants carrying ivory that brushes the ground. Stop midday for a chefprepared picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitoktok Springs before ascending to the crater rim at sunset.

Accommodation: The Manor at Ngorongoro Crater
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Days 6 & 7: Bush Flight to Serengeti National Park (The Great Migration Engine)

Flight Time: ~45 minutes scenic flight from Manyara/Lake Ndutu Airstrip to Seronera/Kogatende
Safari Focus: Endless plains, granite kopjes, big cat tracking, and seasonal migration

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your flight into Serengeti National Park. Gaze out the aircraft windows as the jagged crater highlands flatten into the boundless short-grass savannas of the Serengeti.

Touch down on the bush runway and meet your luxury camp guide for an en-route game drive to your 5-star tented camp. Spend two full days tracking wildlife across Africa’s most famous ecosystem:

Apex Predators in Action: Observe prides of lions surveying their territory from granite kopjes, leopards hunting along sausage-tree-lined riverbeds, and cheetah coalitions pursuing gazelles across open plains.
The Migration Rhythm: Follow immense herds of wildebeest and zebras as they navigate river crossings or graze across open savannas.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Safari: Rise before dawn for a sunrise balloon safari over the vast herds, concluding with a champagne bush breakfast.

Accommodation: Serengeti Pioneer Camp / Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (All-Inclusive)

Day 8: Serengeti to Arusha – Scenic Flight to Nairobi

Flight Connections: Serengeti bush airstrip to Arusha; Arusha to Nairobi (WIL)
Evening Highlight: Iconic dining experience at the world-famous Carnivore Restaurant

Enjoy a final morning game drive along the Seronera river network, watching hyenas return to dens and giraffes browsing in golden morning light. Board your scheduled bush flight back to Arusha for your connecting flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL).

Your private driver transfers you back to Fairmont The Norfolk. In the evening, head out for a celebratory dinner at Nairobi’s world-famous Carnivore Restaurant, savoring traditional charcoal-grilled meats carved directly at your table, or dine in the quiet luxury of the Lord Delamere terrace.

Accommodation: Fairmont The Norfolk
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Fly Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve (The Wild North)

Flight Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes heading north over Mount Kenya
Safari Focus: Semi-arid scrub, Ewaso Nyiro River, and northern endemic wildlife

Board your morning bush plane at Wilson Airport, soaring past the jagged, snowcapped spires of Mount Kenya before descending into the arid, ochre-red savannas of Samburu National Reserve.

Touch down on the gravel airstrip and embark on an introductory game drive along the banks of the brown Ewaso Nyiro River, the lifeblood of this rugged landscape. Arrive at your luxury tented lodge, where spacious canvas suites sit beneath wild doum palms. Watch herds of elephants bathe directly in the river from your private wooden veranda.

Accommodation: Elephant Bedroom Camp / Soroi Larsens Samburu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (All-Inclusive)

Day 10: In-Depth Samburu Exploration – The “Samburu Special Five”

Safari Focus: Rare northern endemics, leopard tracking, and Maasai/Samburu culture

Dedicate a full day to exploring Samburu’s rugged volcanic topography. Set out on morning and afternoon game drives with your expert Samburu warrior guide, tracking the “Samburu Special Five”—species adapted to this arid ecosystem found only north of the equator:

Grevy’s Zebra: The world’s largest and most endangered wild equid, identified by large rounded ears and narrow stripes.
Reticulated Giraffe: Distinctive for its striking, geometric reddish-brown net pattern.
Beisa Oryx: Elegant antelopes with long, spear-like horns.
Gerenuk: The “giraffe-necked antelope,” known for standing on hind legs to browse high acacia thorns.
Somali Ostrich: Distinguished by its steel-blue neck and legs.

In the afternoon, enjoy sundowner cocktails atop a dramatic granite rocky outcrop, watching the sunset paint the Mathews Range in deep crimson.

Accommodation: Elephant Bedroom Camp / Soroi Larsens Samburu
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Fly Samburu to Masai Mara National Reserve

Flight Time: ~1.5 hours direct scenic bush flight across the Great Rift Valley
Safari Focus: The Greater Mara ecosystem, riverine big cats, and savanna horizons

Following an early morning wildlife drive and bush breakfast, board your direct flight southwest to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, the northern continuation of the Serengeti ecosystem.

Touch down in the Mara and immediately set out on a midday game drive across rolling, emerald-green savannahs dotted with umbrella acacias. Arrive at your luxury safari camp positioned in a prime wildlife corridor. Settle into your handcrafted tented suite, take a dip in the plunge pool, and head out on a goldenhour game drive tracking prides of lions and hunting cheetahs.

Accommodation: Mara Plains Camp / Governors’ Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (All-Inclusive)

Days 12 & 13: Full Days in the Masai Mara (Predator Capital of Africa)

Safari Focus: Big cat density, Mara River crossings, Maasai culture, and ballooning

Spend two exhilarating days fully immersed in the wildlife capital of East Africa:

Predator Tracking: The Masai Mara boasts the highest concentration of big cats in Africa. Track famous lion prides, follow stealthy leopards through riverine forests, and watch cheetahs hunt on the open plains.
The Great Migration Spectacle (Seasonal July–October): Witness columns of wildebeest and zebras mass along the banks of the crocodileinfested Mara River before plunging across the currents.
Cultural Immersion: Visit a traditional Maasai cultural village (Manyatta) to witness welcoming ceremonies, jumping dances (adumu), and beadwork crafts.
Optional Hot Air Ballooning: Drift above the Mara River at sunrise, spotting wildlife from the air before a five-star champagne bush breakfast.

Accommodation: Mara Plains Camp / Governors’ Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (All-Inclusive)

Day 14: Masai Mara Bush Flight to Nairobi – Farewell Leisure

Flight Time: ~45 minutes to Wilson Airport (WIL)

Enjoy a final dawn game drive across the Mara plains, catching big cats active in the cool morning air. Return to camp for a full brunch before boarding your flight back to Nairobi.

Your private transfer driver meets you at Wilson Airport and escorts you to your hotel for an afternoon of leisure, day-room relaxation, or souvenir shopping at the local Kazuri Bead Factory and Maasai craft markets. Enjoy a farewell celebration dinner recounting the finest moments of your two-week East African sky safari.

Accommodation: Fairmont The Norfolk / Hemingways Nairobi (Day Room or Overnight)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Special Farewell Dinner

Day 15: Farewell East Africa – International Departure

Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast. At the designated time, your private chauffeur transfers you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) for your onward international flight home, carrying memories of an unforgettable luxury flying expedition across Kenya and Tanzania.

Meal Plan: Breakfast included

➢ Prices from ;

Nov, Jan, May – USD $39,950 per person

Jun, Oct, Dec – USD $44,000 per person

The Price Includes:

Airport transfers on arrival and departure in Arusha as per the itinerary
Transportation & inclusive use of our 4 wheel drive safari landcruiser throughout your safari
Services of an experienced English Speaking driver / guide throughout your safari
Unlimited game drives during the day as per itinerary
Park entrance fees for the above mentioned game parks & reserves
Accommodation as per the Itinerary
Meals as per the itinerary

Excluded

Items of personal nature i.e. beverages, laundry, telephone, souvenirs etc.
Travel / medical / cancellation insurance
Tips / gratuities for driver / guide and hotel / Lodge / Camp staff
Extra cost incurred if change in itinerary
Excursions / additional accommodation / meals in Nairobi
Any extras not mentioned above e.g. extra meals, activities on safari & beach etc
Visa fees for Tanzania

For more Tanzania Safaris, contact Bushtroop tours and Safaris on www.bushtroop-safaris.com, by email at: info@bushtroop-safaris.com, bookings@bushtroop-safaris.com or call/whatsApp us on +254 715087096