3-Week Kenya and Tanzania Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Kenya And Tanzania tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineKenya and Tanzania travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Day East Africa Itinerary, incl. Victoria Falls and Serengeti

  From Serengeti's endless plains to Zanzibar's beaches, this multi-day safari reveals Kenya and Tanzania's natural treasures. Discover Ngorongoro Crater, Maasai villages, and Mount Kilimanjaro base. Specialized 4x4 safaris, crater rim camping, and cultural interactions in Stone Town create lasting memories.

  

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  • Days 1-4

    Zambia's Wildlife Circuit

    Begin your journey at Victoria Falls before taking the 7-8 hour drive to Lusaka. The next day, travel east to Petauke to access South Luangwa National Park. One traveler shared: "We were fortunate to get VERY close to a pair of lions in heat at South Luangwa - the concentration of wildlife here is incredible." Schedule your game drives at dawn when wildlife is most active. The park offers excellent opportunities for leopard spotting.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Malawi's Lake Life

    Head into Malawi for three days at Lake Malawi. You can stay at Kande Beach and try snorkeling, kayaking, or walking through local villages. Keep in mind that rough lake conditions can affect water activities, so check with locals before planning your day. Travel north through Mzuzu town to get supplies before reaching Chitimba Beach.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Tanzania's Southern Circuit

    Enter Tanzania at Songwe Bridge and climb through tea plantations to reach Iringa at 1,600m. Pack warm clothes for the elevation. Continue to Mikumi National Park where you'll often spot wildlife right by the main road. Your final stop is Dar es Salaam. Plan your arrival outside rush hours to avoid the city's heavy traffic.

    
  • Days 11-14

    Zanzibar Island

    Take the 2-3 hour ferry to Stone Town. A important note from previous travelers: "Choose accommodations carefully in Zanzibar and stay alert - some travelers reported harassment issues at certain hotels." Spend one night exploring Stone Town's markets before moving to Nungwi's beaches for three days of rest.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Kilimanjaro Region

    Return to the mainland and drive north past the Usambara Mountains to Marangu. Try to catch Kilimanjaro at sunrise between 6:00-8:00 AM when views are usually clearest. Visit Maasai communities near Arusha but remember to ask permission before taking photos.

    
  • Days 18-21

    Serengeti & Ngorongoro

    Switch to 4x4s for safari time. According to one visitor: "Seeing The Great Wildebeest Migration was spectacular - time your visit between July-October for best chances." Start your Ngorongoro Crater visit early when animals are most active. Bring warm clothes for nights at the crater rim camps at 2,400m. End your journey by crossing into Kenya at Namanga to reach Nairobi.

    

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• 21 Days in East Africa, incl. Rwanda and Tanzania Safari

  The finest parks of Kenya and Tanzania showcase their wildlife over several days. The Great Migration thunders through Serengeti, the Big Five roam Ngorongoro Crater, and elephants gather among Tarangire's baobabs. Luxury camps serve as base for discovering spectacular wildlife concentrations.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Kigali, Rwanda

    Start your journey in Rwanda's capital by visiting the Genocide Memorial Centre and Nyamata Memorial. Get a taste of local life at Kimironko market and sample traditional Rwandan coffee. A recent visitor shared: "the early morning market buzz and aroma of fresh coffee is unforgettable."

    
  • Days 3-5

    Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Track endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Prepare for a challenging 4-hour trek through dense forest. Bring gardening gloves for grip and rain gear. A visitor recalled: "The muddy climb was challenging but seeing a silverback just meters away made it worthwhile." Take time to learn about local Batwa tribes on the Cultural Trail.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Nairobi, Kenya

    Stop in Nairobi for a breather. Check out the Nairobi Gallery or rest at your hotel. Join other travelers for group dinners featuring local specialties like tilapia and samosas.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Lake Naivasha & Nakuru

    Stop by Joy Adamson's former home and spot hippos on a Lake Naivasha boat trip. Take an early game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park. Pack warm clothes for chilly mornings. Look for black rhinos, leopards and pink flamingos.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Masai Mara

    Sleep in luxury tented camps with reserve views. Go on game drives early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active. Book a hot air balloon ride if you want a birds-eye view. Stop at a Maasai village to experience their traditions.

    
  • Days 14-16

    Tarangire & Ngorongoro

    View Tarangire's massive baobabs and elephant herds. Travel through local markets on your way to Ngorongoro Crater. Bring a good camera with zoom for amazing wildlife shots.

    
  • Days 17-18

    Serengeti National Park

    Take full-day game drives across the sweeping plains. Get up early when wildlife is most active. Pack clothes you can layer. Watch the sun set over the savanna with a drink in hand.

    
  • Days 19-21

    Ngorongoro & Arusha

    Go down into the crater to explore its diverse wildlife. Visit a coffee plantation to see how coffee is made. End your trip in Arusha. Book flights after 6pm to allow enough transfer time.

    

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• 21 Day Kenya & Tanzania Itinerary, incl. Nairobi and Serengeti

  A grand 21-day tour across Kenya and Tanzania spans 20 locations including Masai Mara, Serengeti, and Kilimanjaro. Wildlife encounters in seven national parks, summit Africa's highest peak, and unwind at Diani Beach. Accommodations include distinctive stays at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge and Amboseli Kibo Camp.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Kenya Safari Circuit

    Start in Nairobi and head to Hell's Gate National Park (2.5 hours away) for a cycling safari. The terrain can be rocky so bring sturdy shoes. You'll do a 7km ride and gorge walk before continuing to Lake Naivasha to spot hippos. Spend the next two days in the Masai Mara. The best predator sightings happen during early morning game drives starting at 6:30 AM. You might want to book a hot air balloon safari ($450) to see the savannah from above. Pack warm clothes for those chilly morning drives.

    
  • Days 4-6

    Tanzania's Northern Circuit

    Plan for 1-2 hours when crossing the Isebania border into Tanzania. The Serengeti is huge so plan carefully. Your best bet for big cats is the central Seronera Valley. Visit Ngorongoro Crater early since afternoon fog can limit visibility. It gets crowded on the crater floor so try to enter right when the gates open at 6 AM.

    
  • Days 8-13

    Kilimanjaro Trek (Machame Route)

    The 6-day Machame route takes you from rainforest through several climate zones. Most people get altitude sickness above 3,000m. Drink plenty of water (4L daily) and walk "pole pole" (slowly). Summit day starts around midnight in freezing temperatures so bring good thermal gear. The walk down is rough on your knees. Bring trekking poles.

    
  • Days 14-17

    Kenya Southern Parks

    Back in Kenya visit Amboseli to see elephant herds with Mt. Kilimanjaro as their backdrop. Take photos at dawn before clouds cover the peak. Then explore the Tsavo parks. West Tsavo has volcanic landscapes while East Tsavo shows off red earth. Stop at Mzima Springs to watch hippos from the underwater viewing chamber.

    
  • Days 18-21

    Diani Beach Finale

    Spend your last three days relaxing at Diani Beach. The drive from Tsavo takes 10 hours but you can fly from Ukunda instead. Check tide tables since they affect when you can swim at this beautiful beach.

    

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