East Africa: Safari Drives, Mountain Hikes & Chimp Trekking

From culture to wildlife to active adventures, Kenya has it all and has well-earned its reputation as one of the best places for safari in Africa. But this adventure goes way beyond that, bringing you a step further off the beaten path. Welcome to Nairobi and to Kenya, where we invite you to leave your hesitations behind and dive straight into the most exhilarating ten days you'll ever have.

Without a doubt the Maasai people have become the symbol of East Africa in many ways. North of Nairobi, south of Samburu, sits a very special lodge with a very special story. Il Ngwesi is owned and operated by the local Maasai community. The aim is to invite travelers to meet the community and feel completely immersed into your surroundings. It can be hard to really understand a culture when you are limited to a quick hour-long visit, and this experience at Il Ngwesi is the exact opposite. Spend plenty of time with your hosts, asking questions and discussing life. Join them on a bush walk to learn local techniques, or visit the village to learn how to craft some beautiful beadwork. With a laid back pace and a completely private experience, your stay at Il Ngwesi is completely worthy of its OMG status.

Awake this morning at Il Ngwesi and with no front wall whatsoever, the fresh air wafts in as the sun rises. Rooms are built in the traditional style using wood and earth to afford travelers the opportunity to feel connected to traditional Maasai life in a very unique way. The lodge has an incredible location, set away from other tourist spots, and your hosts and guides are the Maasai men and women from the nearby community. Though not quite as modern as other facilities in Kenya, Il Ngwesi brings you straight into the heart of a Maasai community who are keen to welcome you and engage with you from the moment you arrive. Head out on safari to start the day.

Bid farewell to your Maasai hosts after an incredible two days of cultural discovery. Head south to Nanyuki where you will meet with 35 of your new best friends. While chimpanzees may not originate from Kenya, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy opened to ensure a safe, peaceful and lifelong refuge for orphaned and abused rescued chimpanzees. Habitat loss, disease and hunting are among the main reasons chimpanzees are endangered and why Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary opened their doors. Today you have a special opportunity to visit the furry residents here at Sweetwater and take a tour of the sanctuary.

Covered in afro-alpine flora and capped with glacier, Mt Kenya is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular landscapes in Africa. Experience another side of all that Kenya has to offer by hiking a portion of this impressive mountain. Starting from Sirimon Gate and trekking through 12 km of forested slopes, crossing rivers and enjoying wildlife filled panoramic views. Though you wont summit Mt Kenya, the views from the final viewpoint on the Sirimon route are undeniably breathtaking.

Hosting the safari Big Five, the Great Migration and offering unparalleled wildlife encounters, the Mara is a destination you could easily spend weeks discovering. With some of the largest populations of lions, leopards and cheetahs in the world, Maasai Mara is one of the most legendary safari destinations. After your flight, waste no time before your first unforgettable safari out in its rugged grasslands.

Today you get to choose! Do you want to hike or do you want to ride? If hiking sounds right for you, you'll head off to the Oloololo Escarpment for a hike along the granite plateau. The escarpment receives more rain than any other place in the Mara triangle so picture thick, green vegetation and full watering holes that attracts thirsty wildlife. The hike takes around 3.5 hours and has an elevation gain of around 300 metres. If you're looking for something a little less green or less physical, choose to join your local guide on a morning safari drive. Both options allow for amazing safari time out on the grasslands. At night we continue our adventure in the wild savannah with a dinner in the bush.

You start to recognize familiar sounds of wildlife at dawn, the smell of the fire in the evenings after a day on safari and the feel of the vehicle as it treads through the bush. The exhilaration of spotting something new, witnessing some incredible display of Earth's diversity, is hard to give up once you've felt it. Luckily one final day of safari awaits.

A final morning in the Maasai Mara brings the opportunity to capture a few final mental snapshots of your time on safari. Making your way north towards Nairobi, stop for a delicious lunch at Cafe Ubuntu, a social enterprise empowering women and families to provide for their communities through both the cafe and a crafts shop.

From one East African gem to another, its onward to Tanzania. Arusha is the gateway to all of your Tanzania explorations. After touching down, your CEO will get you familiar with the city.

Millions of years ago when the volcano erupted, the world's largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera was formed, creating Ngorongoro Crater. It is believed that animals like zebras, lions and rhinos fell into the crater almost 500,000 years ago and were trapped. The steepness of the crater is why you won't find a single giraffe inside. Travel to this incredible natural phenomenon after a day of cooking classes and a traditional lunch at your G for Good moment in Mto Wa Mbu.

Safaris don't always have to involve being seated, so set out today on two feet. On your OMG Day, choose between two incredible hiking options. The opportunity to explore the crater on foot provides a connected and humbling experience unlike any other safari adventure. If you are ready for a physical challenge, hike to the peak of Mount Makarot, arguably the most stunning view over the Ngorongoro plains. For a more mellow adventure, take Mt Makarot's more gentle trail to ascend to a view of Lake Eyasi on a laid back hike surrounded by the Ngorongoro highlands.

Ngorongoro Crater and The Serengeti are two of the world's most renowned safari destinations. Driving from one iconic spot to the next means three and a half hours of nonstop beauty, wildlife and adventure. But don't go anywhere, because your time in the Serengeti is just starting. So grab your binoculars and your camera and get ready to experience some of the most jaw dropping wildlife encounters.

The Serengeti is famed for its sheer numbers of wildlife. Millions of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles flock to this national park every year—accompanied by hungry predators. See for yourself how huge lions can blend into the golden backdrop of the savannah, or how giant giraffes can bend down so low that you don't see them until they're right in front of you.

The encounters you experience on safari are life changing and some are more rare than others. With so few places left on Earth that are home to wild chimpanzees, your trek into Gombe Stream National Park may be one of the most special moments on your Tanzania trip. Adventure to the national park where Dr Jane Goodall lived and conducted her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees. Her work there, and her lifelong commitment to conservation and the protection of animals, continues to inspire travellers to this day.

Spending an hour with a family of chimpanzees is a life changing event. With complex social hierarchies, intelligent communication and human-like behavior, it's easy to see why these are our closest relatives. Spend the day trekking to see the chimpanzees. With any luck, encounter them and spend an hour observing them in their natural habitat.

Since chimpanzees are gravely endangered, there are many efforts in place to help protect the species in Tanzania. Thankfully, there are legendary conservationists, like Dr. Jane Goodall, paving the way for their protection. Spend the day exploring some of Jane Goodall's most iconic spots. Visit her former house and the research station. Hike to Jane's Peak and take a moment to reflect on yesterday's adventures before travelling to Dar es Salaam.

On your final day in Tanzania, spend time by the coast to rest your mind and body before the return home. After an epic 10 days spent discovering Tanzania's diverse beauty, a free full day in Dar es Salaam's seaside coastal area is the perfect end to an incredible adventure.

Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today.