Into the Wild—The Ultimate East African Safari
February 25 – March 7, 2027
Itinerary
Feb 25 & 26 | From home to Arusha, Tanzania
Your journey of a lifetime begins today as you board your overnight flight to Tanzania, connecting through Europe en route to East Africa. Sit back, relax, and anticipate the extraordinary experiences ahead. Upon arrival this evening at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Universal Travel representative and escorted to your hotel in Arusha. Nestled at the base of majestic Mount Meru, Arusha is a vibrant gateway to Tanzania’s famed northern safari circuit. Check in to the elegant Gran Meliá Arusha, a tranquil oasis set amid lush gardens and working coffee plantations. With its refined design and sweeping views of Mount Meru, the hotel offers the perfect introduction to the beauty and serenity of Tanzania. Take time to un-wind after your journey and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Overnight: Gran Meliá Arusha
Feb 27| Arusha National Park
Enjoy a relaxed morning before setting out to explore Arusha National Park, a true hidden gem renowned for its remarkable diversity of landscapes—from open savannah and acacia woodland to dense rainforest and shimmering alkaline lakes. Begin your adventure with a guided walking safari, accompanied by a professional ranger. This rare experience allows you to connect with the African wilderness on a deeper level—hearing the sounds, sensing the movement, and observing wildlife up close. Encounter giraffes, zebras, and antelope as your guide shares fascinating insights into the region’s ecosystems. Continue with a game drive through the park, where you may spot buffalo, warthogs, flamingos, and the striking black-and-white colobus monkeys that inhabit the forest canopy. Pause midday to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch surrounded by nature’s beauty before re-turning to your hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight: Gran Meliá Arusha (B/L)
Feb 28 | Arusha to Karatu | Cultural Immersion
Depart this morning for Karatu, traveling through the lively village of Mto Wa Mbu, one of Tanzania’s most culturally rich communities, home to over 120 tribes. Experience daily life firsthand with a guided village walk and tuk-tuk tour. Visit local rice paddies, artisan work-shops, banana plantations, and meet talented local painters. Along the way, gain a deeper understanding of the traditions, customs, and rhythms of rural Tanzanian life. Today’s lunch is served at the Cultural Tourism Centre, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional flavors. Continue to the beautiful Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge, ideally situated near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Surrounded by rolling green hills and coffee plantations, the lodge offers a serene and scenic retreat. Its spacious cottages, designed in a contemporary African style, feature private verandas overlooking the lush landscape. In the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll through a working coffee plantation. Learn about the coffee-making process—from harvesting and roasting to brewing—followed by a tasting.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge (B,L,D)
Mar 1 | Ngorongoro Crater Safari
After an early breakfast, set out for one of Africa’s most breathtaking natural wonders—the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Descend into the volcanic caldera, where a self-contained ecosystem supports an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Throughout the day, enjoy game drives across the crater floor, with opportunities to spot the iconic “Big Five”—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and the rare black rhino—alongside hippos, hyenas, and flocks of flamingos. Pause for a picnic lunch at a scenic spot within the crater, surrounded by dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Continue your exploration before ascending the crater walls in the late afternoon. Return to your lodge where the remainder of the day is yours to relax—perhaps un-wind by the pool, take in the tranquil surroundings, or enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over the highlands.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge (B,L,D)
Mar 2 | Karatu to Serengeti via Olduvai Gorge
Journey toward the legendary Serengeti National Park, traversing vast highlands and endless plains that define the African landscape. En route, visit Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most significant paleoanthropological sites, often called the “Cradle of Mankind.” Here, discoveries by the Leakey family have provided invaluable in-sight into early human evolution. Continue onward to the Serengeti, arriving in time for a late lunch at Serengeti Explorer by Elewana. Perched atop the Nyaboro Hills, the lodge offers breathtaking panoramic views across the plains and an exceptional vantage point for wildlife viewing. Later this afternoon, embark on your first Serengeti game drive. The vast, open plains are alive with wildlife and form the stage for the Great Migration—one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles.
Overnight: Serengeti Explorer by Elewana (B,L,D)
Mar 3 | Serengeti National Park
Spend a full day immersed in the wonders of the Serengeti. Early morning and afternoon game drives offer prime opportunities to witness the drama of the wild—lions on the hunt, cheetahs sprinting across the plains, and elusive leopards resting in the trees. You’ll also encounter vast herds of wildebeest, zebras, and elephants moving across the landscape. With the expertise of your guides, each game drive becomes a deeper exploration into animal behavior, ecosystems, and the delicate balance of nature. Between activities, relax at the lodge and take in the sweeping views of the Serengeti stretching endlessly to the horizon.
Overnight: Serengeti Explorer by Elewana (B,L,D)
Mar 4 | Serengeti to Maasai Mara
After breakfast, transfer to the Seronera Airstrip for your scheduled flight to the Tanzania–Kenya border, where you will connect seamlessly with your onward journey to the world-renowned Maasai Mara. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by your expert safari guides and transferred to the luxurious Fairmont Mara Safari Club, beautifully set along the banks of the Mara River. This elegant tented camp combines classic safari charm with modern comfort, offering an unforgettable stay in the heart of Kenya’s iconic wilderness. Nestled at the foot of the Aitong Hills and surrounded by unspoiled landscapes, the camp enjoys a truly unique setting—often bordered on multiple sides by the river. From the comfort of your tent, you may spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of wildlife drawn to the water’s edge. After a delightful lunch, set out on an afternoon game drive across the Mara’s rolling savannahs. Renowned for its remarkable concentration of wildlife and breathtaking scenery, this is your first glimpse into one of Africa’s most spectacular safari destinations.
Overnight: Fairmont Mara Safari Club (B,L,D)
Mar 5 | Maasai Mara Safari
Today, discover the magic of the Maasai Mara with morning and afternoon game drives in one of Africa’s most iconic reserves. Known for its exceptional wildlife viewing, the Mara is home to large lion prides, cheetahs, elephants, and vast herds of plains game. As the day winds down, enjoy a truly unforgettable experience—a bush dinner under the stars. Surrounded by the sounds of the African night and illuminated by lantern light, this magical evening will be one of the highlights of your journey.
Overnight: Fairmont Mara Safari Club (B,L,D)
Mar 6/7 | Departure – Nairobi
Transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival, enjoy access to a comfortable dayroom at an airport hotel to relax and refresh before your evening departure. As your extraordinary journey comes to a close, reflect on the unforgettable landscapes, remarkable wildlife encounters, and warm hospitality that have defined your African adventure—memories that will last a lifetime. (B)
INCLUSIONS:
- Roundtrip airport transportation from FSM or XNA
Airfare from FSM or XNA to Tanzania and from Kenya to FSM or XNA - 4×4 vehicle while on safari
- 8-nights in 5-star accommodations:
2-nights | Gran Melia Hotel – Arusha
2-nights | Ngoro Ngoro Coffee Lodge
2-nights | Serengeti Explorer Lodge
2-nights | Fairmont Mara Safari Club - 1-day room | Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel – Nairobi
- Daily breakfast, 7-lunches, 6-dinners
- All resort, service, government fees
- Admissions, Park Fees, Conservancy Fees and inclusions as per itinerary
- Airline tickets for three flights segments
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- Universal Travel duffel bag
- Daily complimentary water bottle in your room/ tent
- Maisha-Air Ambulance Coverage within Tanzania and Kenya
- Universal Travel Safari Director
- All gratuities for Driver Guide | Safari Director
An optional Travel Protection plan is available with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, see enclosed product flyer for more information.
A valid passport is required on this itinerary and must be valid for at least 6 month after returning back to the USA.