Kilimanjaro view from Ol Donyo Lodge / Courtesy of Great Plains Conservation
14 Days | Starting at approx. $35,000
Dec 25: Depart Houston
Dec 26: Arrive at Kilimanjaro 8pm – Transfer to hotel
Dec 27: Flight to Southern Serengeti (3nt)
Dec 28: Serengeti
Dec 29: Serengeti
Dec 30: Flight to Chem Chem (3nt)
Dec 31: Chem Chem
Jan 1: Chem Chem
Jan 2: Flight to Arusha and 5hr Drive to ol Donyo (3nt)
Jan 3: ol Donyo
Jan 4: ol Donyo
Jan 5: Leave safari in the AM. Giraffe Manor, Garden Room
Jan 6: Giraffe Manor day room. Depart Nairobi late evening.
Jan 7: Arrive in Houston
Arusha & Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (1nt)
Tanzania itineraries often start at Kilimanjaro airport and sometimes require a layover in Arusha. There are many charming hotels for an overnight stay or longer.
There are many nice places to stay in Arusha, but Legendary is one of the best. You can sometimes get specials when paired with Mwiba, Chem Chem, and Songa.
Serengeti, Tanzania (3nt)
Songa Migrational Camp / Courtesy of Legendary Expeditions
The Serengeti National Park lies across the border from the Maasai Mara and is quite a bit larger. It’s the furthest from Nairobi on this list, but it will be your best chance of seeing the Great Migration if you are interested. In December, the herds should be calving in the south, and I would focus on the nearby camps.
Walking safari at Chem Chem Lodge / Courtesy of Chem Chem Safaris
Chem Chem is a private reserve I would love to use on a Tanzania itinerary instead of Ngorongoro Crater, which has gotten overcrowded. Chem Chem is located between Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. It is a conservation success story and has great wildlife and cultural opportunities. There are a couple of interesting properties I like in Ngorongro like Gibb’s Farm for food and hiking.
This property is a fun break from safaris if you are interested in staying at a Tanzanian farm and eating well for a couple of days.
Tsavo and Amboseli, Kenya
Elephant at Ol Donyo Lodge / Courtesy of Great Plains Conservation
The southeastern part of Kenya has the highest density of elephants in the country – including some of the old bull “super tuskers.” There aren’t as many safari options here, but ol Donyo was the first image that came to mind when you said luxury lodge with elephants around a water hole. They have a fantastic hide that can get you just a few yards from elephants drinking.
This is one of Kenya’s nicer luxury safari lodges, and it has an epic watering hole. Kilimanjaro can be seen on the horizon – Quintessential safari luxury.
This is the most modern style lodge in the area if you like that style.
Nairobi
I’ve built the itinerary around Giraffe Manor, which is only available on January 5th unless you book another Safari Collection camp. If you book one of those, it is also available on December 28th. If you don’t stay overnight at Giraffe Manor, you can always visit the adjacent Giraffe Centre to feed the giraffes and/or get a day room at the retreat at Giraffe Manor.
These are the day rooms you can have for the afternoon for late flights. Giraffes only have access to the pool, but you can also visit the Giraffe Centre nearby.