The Great Rift Valley cuts through both Kenya and Tanzania, and this itinerary follows its chain of lakes on both sides of the border — Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, itself a collapsed Rift volcano, in Tanzania.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Nairobi, then a drive to Lake Naivasha, a freshwater Rift lake known for its hippos and birdlife.
Arrive Nairobi, Transfer to Lake Naivasha
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeLake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
LuxurySawela Lodges
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
A boat safari on the lake followed by a walking safari on Crescent Island, one of the few places in Kenya where you can walk freely among giraffe and zebra without a ranger escort.
Boat Safari and Crescent Island Walk, Lake Naivasha
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
A drive to Lake Nakuru, arriving for an afternoon game drive.
Transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park
Accommodation Options
BudgetNaishi House
Mid-rangeLake Nakuru Lodge
LuxurySarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A full day among Nakuru’s flamingo-lined shores and healthy black and white rhino populations.
Full Day Lake Nakuru Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
A drive across the Namanga border, continuing to Lake Manyara National Park, tucked beneath the Rift Valley escarpment.
Cross Border to Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeLake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryTarangire Treetops
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A full day beneath the escarpment, known for tree-climbing lions and large elephant herds along the groundwater forest.
Full Day Lake Manyara Game Drives
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A drive up the Rift Valley escarpment to the Ngorongoro Crater rim, itself a collapsed Rift volcano.
Transfer to Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeNgorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
LuxuryNgorongoro Crater Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
A full day descended onto the crater floor among lion, elephant and black rhino.
Ngorongoro Crater Floor Game Drive
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
A transfer to Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Lake Naivasha boat safari & Crescent Island entry | ~$50 per person |
| Lake Nakuru park entry | ~$60 per person per day |
| Lake Manyara park entry | ~$60 per person per day |
| Ngorongoro Conservation Area fee | ~$70 per person per day, plus crater descent |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers drawn to landscape and geology as much as wildlife — this route traces one continuous geological feature across two countries.Tour Includes
- All ground transport in 4×4 safari vehicles
- Lake Naivasha boat safari & Crescent Island walk
- Cross-border transfer with all paperwork handled
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides in each country
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- Park entry & crater descent fees
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance