Lion Kingdom – Ultimate East Africa Safari

Following an early breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel for your flight to the Masai Mara, where the andBeyond Bateleur Camp team will welcome you.

Let the sights and sounds of the bush wash over you and reawaken Lion King memories. The Mara’s picturesque landscape provides a stunning backdrop, as you explore rolling grasslands and watch dramatic, watercolour sunsets.

Prepare to encounter a host of familiar animals – warthogs roam the camp, red-billed hornbills fly overhead and thrilling game drives take a tour of the savannah’s animal kingdom. Watch majestic lions hunt their prey, thundering wildebeest herds pour through valleys and trumpeting families of elephants play at watering holes. Giraffe, buffalo, cheetah and zebra are all on show too.

Besides traditional game drives, night time drives are also possible, exploring the different world that the Mara turns into when the sun goes down. Some predators wait until it’s dark to hunt in the cool, while other nocturnal creatures wake up only as the twilight begins. Nature walks are also included, allowing children to let off steam and guests to explore the land and wildlife before them. Nothing beats the sensation of grass underfoot.

For a truly unforgettable experience, a hot air balloon safari over the expanse of the Mara will remain with you for the rest of your life. This silent, aerial perspective of the reserve gives rise to views of wildlife and photography opportunities that can’t be found elsewhere.

Additionally, for those curious about the Maasai people, who’ve roamed this land for thousands of years, a local village visit can be arranged. Witness daily Maasai rituals in the company of a guide from the village itself.

Your tent at Bateleur Camp allows you the height of luxury as well as the feeling of proximity to nature. Bathe inside or al fresco in the great bush and soak up the magnificent views from your private deck. Interiors hark back to the safaris of old, while delicious pan-African dinners are served up beneath the stars – to be followed by port and cigars by the fire. The camp’s pool is ideal for relaxing in the warm afternoons, while massages on the banks of the Mara allow guests to reconnect with themselves and their surroundings.

Recommended activities (at additional cost):

• Hot air balloon over the Masai Mara
• Maasai village visit

Leave your tent flaps open and to watch an amazing Mara sunrise before catching your early flight, taking a short drive through Tarime and then another flight on to the Serengeti. You will be welcomed by the andBeyond Grumeti Serengeti team.

This is a secluded and flourishing area of the Serengeti, set on the banks of the Grumeti River – home to dramatic migration crossings and large families of crocs and hippos! As well as these extra-large river locals, there is a magnificent array of resident wildlife all year round. Game drives take you up close to the action, tracking the kings of the jungle at play or on the hunt. As well as being home to large lion prides, clans of hyena and the rare colobus monkey also live in Grumeti, and a pod of hippos can be found splashing in the river just outside the camp!

Freshen up between safaris in the glimmering pool and enjoy the rustic ambience of this nature-first camp. Shaded private verandas were made for lounging and are ideal for an evening cocktail. There are also spacious guest areas, a bar, pizza oven and traditional fires known as jikos. Sink into a comfy chair and let the sound of the bush at night carry you away.

After breakfast, you’ll head to andBeyond Serengeti Under Canvas. This very special camp moves five times per year to track the great migration, meaning it promises to bring you as close to the herds of millions of journeying animals as possible.

Expect vast herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra stretching over the landscape and descending en masse on watering holes and river crossings. Naturally, hungry big cats and hyenas are ever-present, with lions and cheetahs putting on a spectacular predatory show. Witness drama unfold as survival instincts contest each other and feel the sheer might of hundreds of thousands of animals moving in unison. Resident wildlife abounds and depending on which region of the Serengeti the camp is in, rhino and other rare creatures can also be found.

Delight in the experience of camping in true wilderness and decadent comfort. See more stars in the sky than ever before and dine with fine silverware and crystal to a lantern-lit African evening. Tents are lit by chandeliers and boast spacious, fluffy beds, while guests find the ultimate comfort in gazing into the fire as tales of the day’s adventures are exchanged.  Sip fine wines or toast marshmallows and revel in the beauty of the bush. Private butler service means that everything is taken care of and your mind is free to wander the Serengeti.

Wake up ready for a change of scene as you leave the Serengeti behind and travel to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Crater.

This huge, stunning caldera forms its own ecosystem within the walls of the crater, as mists swirl above and create the feeling of having stepped back in time. Fantastic views from the rim take in the crater floor below, where lions and giant-tusked elephants roam. Explore this varied landscape of jungle, grassland and lake on game drives where all of the Big Five can be witnessed as well as a cornucopia of birdlife and a mass of flamingos thronging the shores of the soda ash lake.

There’s never a dull day at Ngorongoro. Perhaps most highly recommended is a conservation experience with KOPELion, a non-profit who are working to secure the future of this majestic animal. Or, if you’re feeling energetic, take a full-day hike of the Empakai Crater, a haven for birds that offers spectacular views. Cap off the day in this unique location with sundowners on the crater rim, accompanied by a Maasai warrior performance.

andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is just as special as its setting, combining grand, elegant French-style interiors with local influences and incorporating the highest level of service to bring together an exquisite romantic retreat with dramatic vistas. Enjoy tea in bed, brought by a personal butler and watch zebras drink from the camp’s tap. Dine in grand halls lit by chandelier and delight in a well-stoked fireplace. There are even Maasai members of staff with whom guests can interact and learn skills like beadwork from.

Recommended activities (at additional cost):

• KOPELion conservation experience
• Crater view walk
• Empakai Crater hike
• Lake Eyasi walk
• Private sundowners on the rim

After a final breakfast, we wave a fond farewell before you are transferred to Manyara Airstrip for a flight to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your onward travel arrangements.