In early 2015, I booked the Kenya and Tanzania Adventure with Acacia Africa for the coming October. From the undulating Maasai Mara to the flat plains of the Serengeti, the majestic Ngorongoro Crater to the sun-kissed beaches on the tropical island of Zanzibar, the program promised an unforgettable experience.

Here is the day-by-day itinerary from my 13-day overland trip around Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar:

[Day 0] Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive in Nairobi. Full-Day Tour. Pre-Departure Meeting. Overnight at the Boulevard Hotel.

[Days 1-3] Nairobi – Maasai Mara National Reserve
Depart Nairobi early on Day 1 and travel across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Spend two nights camping at Chronicle Tented Camp on the edge of the Reserve with time to explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives. From the Mara, return to Nairobi, overnight at Indaba Camp before heading south to Tanzania the following day. Distance traveled: +/- 300 kilometers (about 186 miles) on Days 1 and 3.

[Day 4] Nairobi – Arusha, Tanzania
After crossing the border into Tanzania at the busy Namanga frontier, arrive at the destination, Arusha, in the late afternoon. After exploring the curio markets, head to the camp, Meserani Snake Park, just outside Arusha on the open plains to the west of the city. Distance traveled: +/- 270 kilometers (about 168 miles).

[Day 5] Serengeti National Park
Switch to smaller more “game park friendly” vehicles and drive west across the Great Rift Valley, passing through Mto Wa Mbu, and enter the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Pass into the park and drive around the “Crater’s” rim and down onto the Serengeti plains. Game drive to the designated (but unfenced) Bush Camp for the evening. Distance traveled: +/- 250 kilometers (about 155 miles).

[Day 6] Ngorongoro Crater
Drive out of the plains, game driving en route, and after lunch ascend the outer wall of the Ngorongoro Crater. Spend the night camping on the rim at Simba Camp.

[Day 7] Meserani Snake Park
Descend the steep dirt road of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving. After, ascend to the campsite on the rim for a final view over the Ngorongoro Crater, pack up the camp, and have lunch before retracing the steps to Arusha and the campsite at the Meserani Snake Park. Distance traveled: +/- 250 kilometers (about 155 miles).

[Day 8] Arusha – Pangani Camp
Enjoy a walk to one of the local Maasai villages to get an insight into everyday life and traditions of this colorful culture before heading south via Moshi to Pangani Camp. Distance traveled: +/- 350 kilometers (about 217 miles).

[Day 9] Dar es Salaam
Leaving Pangani Camp, make the way south to Dar es Salaam and the Indian Ocean. Set up camp on the beach just outside of the city at Kipepeo Beach Resort, take in the balmy Indian Ocean sea breeze, and prepare for the trip to Zanzibar. Distance traveled: +/- 350 kilometers (about 217 miles).

[Days 10-12] Zanzibar
Ferry crossing to Zanzibar. Explore and overnight in Stone Town on Day 10. Travel north and enjoy time at leisure on Days 11-12. Overnight in the north of the island at one of the beaches.

[Day 13] Zanzibar – Dar es Salaam
Ferry crossing to Dar es Salaam where the tour ends.

Want to see pictures? See galleries: The Maasai Mara, The Serengeti, The People of East Africa, and Zanzibar.