Nairobi to Zanzibar: Serengeti & Sunsets

Arrival in Nairobi

Land in Nairobi, grab your bags, and get to the hotel. The first night is for settling in and meeting the rest of the crew, likely at the hotel bar. It's a chill night to get acquainted before the early start tomorrow.

Overland to Tanzania

It's an early start for a long day on the road. The shuttle heads south across the semi-arid lands of the Maasai people, making for the Tanzanian border. The crossing itself is straightforward. Keep an eye out for views of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance as you make your way to Arusha, the gateway city for the safari circuit.

DIY Reality Check: Crossing overland from Kenya into Tanzania requires navigating a strict, multi-step administrative process. Because Kenya is a designated country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission, Tanzanian authorities mandate that all travelers arriving from Kenya present a valid vaccination certificate. Beyond health checks, most nationalities need a visa, which is best acquired in advance online to avoid potentially long queues for a visa on arrival at the border. The process involves disembarking, handling luggage through customs, and securing exit and entry stamps from two different countries—all while navigating the busiest land border in East Africa. A trip with pre-arranged transport and a guide to manage the crossing logistics removes these administrative hurdles.

Into the Serengeti

Today is what you came for. Swap the shuttle for specialized 4x4 safari vehicles and head into Serengeti National Park. The drive takes you into the vast golden plains, dotted with acacia trees and hippo-filled rivers. This is the start of a three-day, two-night excursion into the park, beginning with an afternoon wildlife drive. Tonight, you'll camp inside the park itself, with the sounds of the savannah all around.