14-Day Classic Kenya & Tanzania Luxury Air Safari: The Ultimate East African Sky Expedition

Experience the pinnacle of East African wildlife tracking on this 14-day Classic Kenya and Tanzania luxury flying safari package. By combining scheduled light aircraft bush flights across Kenya with custom 4×4 Land Cruiser private tracking through Tanzania’s iconic Northern Circuit, this itinerary eliminates long, tiring highway transfers and maximizes your time deep in the wild.

Witness the royal court of elephants beneath Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, track the rare Samburu Special Five in Kenya’s rugged north, follow apex predators across the Masai Mara, cross into the river corridors and endless savannas of the Western & Central Serengeti, descend into the primeval caldera of the Ngorongoro Crater, and spot tree-climbing lions in Lake Manyara in this classic Kenya and Tanzania air safari tour.

Luxury fly-in safari Kenya and Tanzania Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi – Welcome to Nairobi Serena Hotel

Touch down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Meet your dedicated Bushtroop Tours & Safaris chauffeur-concierge at the arrivals hall.

Enjoy a private transfer through Kenya’s capital to the 5-star Nairobi Serena Hotel, an oasis of calm surrounded by landscaped tropical gardens and lush parkland. Check into your room, unwind after your international flight, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, or enjoy a drink at the Mandhari terrace.

Accommodation: Nairobi Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (Dinner available at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant)

Day 2: Fly Nairobi to Amboseli National Park – The Royal Court of Kilimanjaro

Flight Logistics: Private transfer from hotel to Wilson Airport (06:45 AM) → Scheduled flight departs 07:30 AM, arrives Amboseli 08:15 AM
Safari Focus: Aerial views of Mount Kilimanjaro, elephant matriarch herds, and freshwater marshes
Habitat: Semi-arid savanna, seasonal swamps, and acacia woodland

Wake up early for fresh tea and coffee before transferring to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport (WIL) for your scheduled morning light aircraft flight to Amboseli. As your plane descends toward the bush runway, take in aerial vistas of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) towering above the clouds.

Meet your driver-guide on the airstrip and transfer to Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, set inside a grove of flat-topped acacia trees overlooking the savanna. Enjoy a hot breakfast, check in, and embark on a mid-morning game drive.

Return for lunch before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Amboseli is world-renowned for having Africa’s densest and most habituated herds of free-ranging elephants. Track large bull elephants with massive tusks wading through the Enkongo Narok swamps, alongside Cape buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and resident lion prides. Return to the lodge at dusk for dinner and an evening watching wildlife at the floodlit waterhole.

Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 3: Full-Day Amboseli Safari – Observation Hill & Maasai Bush Barbecue

Safari Focus: Dawn Kilimanjaro photography, apex predators, swamp ecology, and Maasai culture
Activity: Morning and afternoon game drives, scenic observation point, and an evening bush dinner

Wake up early to catch the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro clear of cloud cover during golden hour—the optimal window for landscape and wildlife photography:

Swamp & Lakebed Tracking: Track cheetah coalitions hunting Thomson’s gazelles across the dry lakebed, spot spotted hyenas returning from nocturnal hunts, and observe pelicans and squacco herons feeding in the shallows.
Observation Hill Viewpoint: Climb to the summit of Observation Hill for a panoramic view of Amboseli’s vast marshlands, watching elephants bathe belly-deep in the reeds below.
Maasai Bush Barbecue: This evening, head out for a traditional bush barbecue dinner beneath the stars, featuring grilled specialties and a live performance by authentic Maasai tribal dancers.

Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Bush Barbecue Dinner

Day 4: Fly Amboseli to Nairobi onto Samburu Game Reserve

Flight Logistics: Scheduled flight Amboseli (08:30 AM) to Wilson Airport (09:15 AM) → Connect to Airkenya scheduled flight to Samburu (departs 09:45 AM, arrives 10:30 AM)
Safari Focus: Aerial crossing of Mount Kenya, semi-arid rugged landscapes, and Ewaso Nyiro River wildlife
Habitat: Arid volcanic plains, doum palm groves, and acacia-commiphora bushland

After breakfast, transfer to the Amboseli airstrip for your flight to Nairobi Wilson Airport, where you connect directly with your scheduled bush flight north to Samburu Game Reserve. Soar past the jagged, glacier-clad peaks of Mount Kenya before descending into the dramatic, sun-baked landscape of Kenya’s Northern Frontier.

Touch down on the Samburu gravel airstrip and set out on an introductory game drive en route to the lodge. Enjoy lunch at Samburu Serena Safari Lodge before checking into Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp, pitched under a leafy canopy of riverine acacia and wild doum palms along the brown waters of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

In the afternoon, set out on a wildlife drive tracking elephants crossing the river, leopards navigating the rocky outcrops, and Nile crocodiles basking on sandbanks. Return to camp for dinner by the river.

Accommodation: Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 5: In-Depth Samburu Wilderness – The “Samburu Special Five”

Safari Focus: Northern rare endemic species, riverine bird watching, and big cat tracking
Activity: Morning and afternoon game drives with dedicated naturalist guiding

Spend a full day exploring the rugged volcanic topography of Samburu:

The Samburu Special Five: This arid ecosystem is home to five rare, specialized species found almost exclusively north of the equator:
1. Grevy’s Zebra: The world’s largest and most endangered wild equid, known for narrow pinstripes and large rounded ears.
2. Reticulated Giraffe: Celebrated for its striking, geometric reddish-brown net pattern.
3. Beisa Oryx: Elegant antelopes with long, spear-like horns.
4. Gerenuk: The iconic “giraffe-necked antelope” that stands tall on its hind legs to browse high acacia branches.
5. Somali Ostrich: Distinctive for its steel-blue neck and legs.
Predator Tracking: Samburu’s riverine forest has a high density of elusive leopards, alongside lion prides and cheetahs that patrol the open lava plains.
Birding: Scan the canopies for over 450 recorded bird species, including vulturine guineafowl, pygmy falcons, and palm-nut vultures.

Accommodation: Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 6: Fly Samburu to Masai Mara National Reserve – Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Flight Logistics: Scheduled flight departs Samburu Airstrip ~09:15 AM → Arrives Mara Serena Airstrip 10:45 AM
Safari Focus: Boundless rolling savannas, big cat density, and Mara River vantage points
Habitat: Open rolling grassland, acacia thickets, and meandering river loops

Enjoy an early breakfast at camp before transferring to the Samburu airstrip for your direct bush flight southwest across the Great Rift Valley to the world-renowned Masai Mara National Reserve.

Touch down on the Mara Serena airstrip, perched high on a ridge at the epicenter of the Mara Triangle. Embark on a game drive straight from the runway down into the plains, spotting topis, zebras, and giraffes before heading to Mara Serena Safari Lodge. Designed to mimic a traditional Maasai village (Manyatta) with contemporary luxury, the lodge offers 360-degree panoramic views over the Mara River and the savanna plains below.

Enjoy lunch overlooking the valley, followed by an afternoon game drive tracking the Mara’s famous big cat prides. Return to the lodge for sunset cocktails on the panoramic deck, a multi-course dinner, and overnight rest.

Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 7: Full-Day Masai Mara Exploration – The Great Migration Theater

Safari Focus: Big cat hunts, wildebeest herds, Mara River crossings, and optional hot air ballooning
Activity: Dawn-to-dusk safari tracking with packed bush picnic or split morning/afternoon game drives

Spend a full day exploring Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuary:

The Great Migration Spectacle: Vast herds of wildebeests, zebras, and Thomson’s gazelles traverse these plains. Watch immense columns move along the hillsides, feeding on sweet grasses and defending newborn calves from predators.
Predator Action: The Masai Mara boasts the highest concentration of lions, cheetahs, and leopards in East Africa. Follow prides hunting along the Talek River, observe cheetahs scouting from termite mounds, and watch hyena clans contesting kills.
Optional Sunrise Balloon Safari: Soar silently over the Mara River and acacia savannas at dawn in a hot air balloon, touching down for a five-star champagne breakfast in the bush.

Accommodation: Mara Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 8: Masai Mara to Western Serengeti via Isebania Border (Kirawira Serena Camp)

Transit Logistics: 07:30 AM departure to Isebania/Sirari border for customs and vehicle transfer → Enter Serengeti via Ikoma/Ndabaka gate → Western Corridor game drive
Safari Focus: Cross-border transition, Grumeti River ecology, and Edwardian tented luxury
Habitat: Rolling grasslands transitioning into dense riverine forest and the Musabi plains

Following an early breakfast, board your Kenyan 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser and drive southwest toward the Isebania/Sirari border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. Complete immigration and customs formalities with the assistance of your Bushtroop guide, then meet your Tanzanian driver-guide in a fresh 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser.

Cross into the Serengeti National Park, entering the legendary Western Corridor. Arrive in time for a late lunch at Kirawira Serena Camp, an exclusive luxury tented property styled with vintage Edwardian safari aesthetics, mahogany furniture, brass fittings, and raised timber decks overlooking the plains.

Set out on an afternoon game drive exploring the Grumeti River valley, watching for 15-foot Nile crocodiles, pods of wallowing hippos, and black-and-white colobus monkeys in the riverine trees before returning for a gourmet dinner.

Accommodation: Kirawira Serena Camp (Western Serengeti)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

4 days Masai Mara Flying safari

Day 9: Full-Day Western Serengeti Wilderness Safari

Safari Focus: Grumeti River crossings, resident lion prides, cheetah hunts, and migratory herds
Activity: Morning and afternoon game drives with a chef-prepared picnic lunch

Dedicate a full day to exploring the Western Corridor of the Serengeti:

The Migration in Motion: During May, June, and July, the Great Wildebeest Migration funnels through this corridor, gathering along the banks of the Grumeti River for dramatic crossings against giant Nile crocodiles.
Permanent Resident Game: Outside the migration window, the Western Serengeti maintains high densities of resident game. Track large lion prides, leopards hunting along riverbanks, and cheetah coalitions across the Musabi and Ndoha plains.
Bush Supper: Return to camp at sunset for hot showers, followed by a lantern-lit dinner featuring fine wine and Swahili-spiced delicacies.

Accommodation: Kirawira Serena Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 10: Western Serengeti to Central Serengeti (Seronera Valley)

Drive Distance: ~110 km (68 miles) | Drive Time: 3 to 4 hours game-viewing transit
Safari Focus: Savanna transition, granite kopjes, and apex predator tracking
Habitat: Acacia river woodland to wide-open golden savannas and granite kopjes

After breakfast, depart the Western Corridor on a scenic game-viewing drive heading east toward the Central Seronera Valley, the predator capital of the Serengeti.

The Seronera river network provides permanent water year-round, supporting the highest concentration of big cats in Africa:

Granite Kopjes: Explore Moru, Simba, and Maasai Kopjes—smooth granite rock islands rising out of the sea of grass, favored by lions for panoramic views and shade.
Leopard Country: Keep your camera trained on large sausage trees (Kigelia africana) and yellow fever trees where leopards regularly drape themselves with freshly made kills.

Arrive for lunch at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, beautifully integrated into a ridge with traditional rondavel-style suites. Spend the late afternoon on a golden-hour game drive across the Seronera plains before returning for a multi-course dinner.

Accommodation: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 11: Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge

Drive Distance: ~140 km (87 miles) | Drive Time: 3 to 4 hours scenic transit
Safari Focus: Morning savanna wildlife, hominid archaeology, and crater rim panoramas
Habitat: Open savanna plains ascending to montane cloud forests at 8,000 feet (2,400m)

Set out on an early morning game drive across the Seronera plains to view predators active in the cool morning air. Return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and begin your drive toward the southeastern park boundaries.

Exit into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stopping at Olduvai Gorge, the famous paleoanthropological site known as the “Cradle of Humankind.” Tour the canyon museum where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey unearthed two-million-year-old fossils, including Homo habilis and Australopithecus boisei.

Climb the outer slopes of the volcanic caldera, ascending through misty highland cloud forests to an elevation of 8,000 feet. Arrive at Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, built entirely from local river stone and draped in indigenous vines along the crater rim. Gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows for your first look 600 meters straight down onto the caldera floor before enjoying dinner by the log fire.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 12: Full-Day Ngorongoro Crater Floor Safari – The Eighth Wonder of the World

Crater Floor Tour: 600m caldera descent, 5–6 hours game tracking with picnic lunch
Safari Focus: Big Five tracking, critically endangered black rhinos, and hippo pools
Habitat: 260 sq km volcanic caldera floor, alkaline soda lake, Lerai yellow fever tree forest, and open grasslands

Rise early and descend 600 meters (2,000 feet) down the steep, forested caldera walls onto the floor of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater—the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend the morning exploring this natural amphitheater, home to over 25,000 large mammals:

The Big Five: High probabilities of spotting resident lion prides, heavy bull elephants carrying long ivory tusks, Cape buffaloes, leopards, and northern Tanzania’s most stable sanctuary for the rare black rhino.
Lake Magadi & Ngoitoktok: Watch large flocks of pink flamingos wading in the alkaline lake and enjoy a picnic lunch beside the hippo pool at Ngoitoktok Springs.

As the sun sets over the western rim, ascend the caldera walls and return to the lodge for hot showers, fireside drinks, and a multi-course dinner.

Accommodation: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Bush Picnic Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 13: Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara National Park – Tree-Climbing Lions

Drive Distance: ~70 km (43 miles) | Drive Time: ~1.5 hours scenic descent
Safari Focus: Rift Valley escarpment, groundwater forests, and tree-climbing lions
Habitat: Montane highlands descending to lush spring-fed tropical forest and alkaline lake

Enjoy breakfast on the panoramic lodge terrace watching the morning mist clear from the crater floor. Depart the highlands, driving down the Great Rift Valley escarpment to Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, which features an infinity pool overlooking the valley floor.

Check in, enjoy an early lunch, and participate in a guided nature walk along the escarpment trails. In the afternoon, descend into Lake Manyara National Park for an extensive game drive:

Groundwater Primates: Wind through dense evergreen forests fed by natural mountain springs, watching troops of baboons and blue monkeys forage alongside forest elephants.
Tree-Climbing Lions: Keep binoculars focused on the horizontal limbs of giant mahogany and umbrella acacia trees for Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions.
Birding & Flamingos: Watch thousands of pink flamingos, pelicans, and storks along the soda lake shoreline.

Return to the lodge at sunset for a farewell bush dinner overlooking the Great Rift Valley.

Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Full Board)

Day 14: Lake Manyara to Arusha – International Departure

Drive Distance: ~125 km (78 miles) to Arusha | Drive Time: ~2 hours on smooth tarmac

Savor a final safari breakfast overlooking Lake Manyara. Check out and embark on a scenic drive back to Arusha.

Arrive at Arusha Serena Hotel (Lake Duluti) in time for a farewell lunch in the lush garden restaurant. After lunch, take time to repack your luggage, relax on the terrace, or pick up local Tanzanian coffee and Tanzanite gemstones at the gift boutique.

At the designated time, your private chauffeur transfers you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your international flight home, concluding an unforgettable 14-day Kenya and Tanzania luxury sky safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

PRICE PER PERSON FROM; USD$8990

Price includes:

– Transportation in a custom safari jeep with pop-up roof ideal for game viewing and sightseeing

– Services of a trained and experienced English speaking birding driver/guide

– Accommodations in Serena lodges

– Meals as indicated in the itinerary

– Bottled water for use during the safari

– Game drives and park entry fees

-Scheduled Flights as per the program

-Flying doctor rescue

-Airport transfers

Not included:

– International air transportation to and from Nairobi

– Expenses of personal nature such as visas, travel/baggage insurance, laundry, beverages, tips

For more Kenya 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