12-Day Kenya & Tanzania Private Lodge Safari: Big Five to Ngorongoro
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
12 days
Fitness Level
Reasonable mobility for long game-drive days; able to enter/exit safari vehicles and walk short distances at reserves.
Overview
A private 12-day loop from Nairobi across Kenya and Tanzania that covers Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara. Expect Big Five sightings, flamingo-studded lakes, crater rims and expert local guides—pack layers and a long lens.
12-Day Kenya & Tanzania Private Lodge Safari: Big Five to Ngorongoro
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The Land Cruiser hums to life before dawn and the red Nairobi sky thins into gold. You ease into your seat as the city sloughs off behind you and the highway unfurls toward the Rift Valley — a ribbon of escarpments and mirrored lakes that seems to breathe with the continent’s deep history. Over the next 12 days this private lodge safari threads through highland forests, acacia-lined plains and the bowl of Ngorongoro, each day revealing a different pulse of East Africa’s wild.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Carry layered clothing
Temperatures vary from hot plains to cool crater rims—pack a warm fleece for early mornings and evenings.
Bring a good zoom lens
A 200–400mm telephoto will get clean animal portraits from the jeep without disturbing wildlife.
Keep hydrated and use sunscreen
Long open-vehicle drives and equatorial sun require a refillable water bottle and high-SPF sunscreen.
Have paperwork ready
Cross-border segments require passports and any necessary visas; photocopies and digital scans speed border formalities.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Rothschild giraffe
- Tree-climbing lions (Lake Manyara area)
History
The Great Rift Valley shaped human and animal migration routes for millennia; Maasai communities have grazed these plains for centuries and remain cultural stewards.
Conservation
Tour fees and lodge partnerships often support local conservation and community projects; practice low-impact safari etiquette to minimize disturbance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Nairobi
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Binoculars (8–10x)
Essential for picking out far-off game and birdlife across open plains.
Telephoto camera lens (200–400mm)
Provides tight, high-quality wildlife shots without getting too close.
Lightweight warm fleece or down jacket
Nights and crater rims can be surprisingly cold—bring an insulating mid-layer.
winter specific
Sun hat and reef-safe sunscreen
Protection against strong equatorial sun during long daytime drives.
summer specific