9.0
Jan
8.8
Feb
6.0
Mar
4.0
Apr
4.0
May
9.5
Jun
10
Jul
10
Aug
9.5
Sep
8.0
Oct
7.0
Nov
6.5
Dec
Reviews 132 • Excellent
13 nights itinerary from $6,000
per person
The Discerning Safari
A trip full of authentic properties in the heart of the game
This exciting trip, just short of two weeks, will start up in the Laikipia Plateau where a wealth of safari activities and culture awaits! The next stop is the Masai Mara, where you will stay in one of the Greater Conservancies, offering a more intimate and private game experience. Once you've ticked off all the animals on your bucket list, fly to the idyllic island of Zanzibar to stay for 5 nights before heading back to reality!
Trip Highlights
This trip is fully customisable in terms of length, days on safari, days at the beach, safari activities, accommodation needs and luxury fine-tuning to meet your wildest dreams, budgets and party size. Do call us any time to price-up and customise this itinerary for you.
Trip Itinerary
NB. All of our trips are fully customisable in terms of length of time, regions, properties and budget. The below is just a sample of an itinerary that has worked well for clients in the past. Do call us any time to talk about this itinerary or any other element of your trip!
Day
1
Fly to Nairobi kenya
Fly internationally to Nairobi to arrive the following morning
Day
2-4
Laikipia Plateau kenya
Met on arrival and transferred to Wilson Domestic Airport in Nairobi for the flight to the Laikipia Plateau. Met on arrival and transferred to Ol Malo Lodge for 3 nights on a Full Board basis including all park fees and game viewing activities on a shared vehicle basis.
Laikipia is characterised by a patchwork of interlocking ranches and private concessions offering good game viewing alongside a whole host of family friendly activities such as riding (camels and horses), quad biking, tubing, hiking, fly camping etc.
Day
5-7
The Masai Mara kenya
Transferred back to the airstrip to fly direct to the Masai Mara National Reserve. Met and transferred to Richard's River Camp to stay for 3 nights on a Full Bord basis including all game viewing activities. Definitely the jewel in Kenyas safari crown, the Masai Mara National Reserve and the surrounding, Greater Mara Conservation Area, are still one of the greatest regions in Africa to head for if you are wanting to see plenty of game in a short amount of time. Generally seen as best during the period when the wildebeest migration herds are viewable (from June until the end of October), although the beauty of the park is that it is still host to plenty of resident animals and predators throughout the year.
Day
8-12
Fly to Zanzibar Island zanzibar
Transferred back to the airstrip in the Mara and fly to Zanzibar Island. Met and transferred to the Z Hotel in Nungwi, the north of the Island, to stay for 5 nights on a B&B basis. Certainly one of the most famous beach islands in the world, Zanzibar has gained a reputation for coral white sand beaches, mixed with the romantic idea of travellers and spice merchants.
Day
13
Back home!
Transferred back Zanzibar airport to connect onto international flights back home.
Please go to either of our Tailormade Safari Trips pages to see a lot more safari trips, ideas and budgets.
What kind of Wildlife should you see on the The Discerning Safari trip in 2026/27?
For 2026/27, we expect you’ll be able to find the following wildlife in the The Discerning Safari bearing in mind the quality of guiding, budgets, time of year and duration of stay all affect your chances of finding or seeing any of the following outstanding animals that dwell in The Discerning Safari…
The Parks & Regions featured in the The Discerning Safari itinerary...
A general introduction to the parks and regions featured in the The Discerning Safari for 2026/27.
Do visit our Africa Wildlife page for our full wildlife viewing guide...
What are the other great Camps & Hotels across the same The Discerning Safari parks and regions...
For 2026/27 we highly recommend all the following camps & hotels in the same The Laikipia Plateau, The Masai Mara, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches parks & regions — and let us help customise and price-up your ideal trip for you...
1 Mara Plains
The Masai Mara, Africa, Kenya
As you walk over a wooden bridge to Mara Plains, the first glimpse of the camp is a very luxurious and sleek one. Sat directly from the main area – as if… More…
2 Mnemba Lodge
Zanzibar beaches, Africa, Zanzibar
Arguably, along side destinations such as the North Island in the Seychelles, Mnemba Lodge holds the accolade of being one of the most expensive beach destinations in the world. It has hosted… More…
3 Baraza Resort & Spa
Zanzibar beaches, Africa, Zanzibar
A sister property to the nearby Breezes Hotel, Baraza Resort & Spa is still fairly young and sits nicely in the top end market, appealing to both families and couples alike. Baraza… More…
4 Breezes Beach Club & Spa
Zanzibar beaches, Africa, Zanzibar
As one of the first hotels on this stretch of Zanzibar, Breezes has long been the benchmark for other properties of this ilk. Today it can still firmly hold its head up… More…
And don't miss our Africa Wildlife page for a full guide to the amazing wildlife available...
What other Safari Trips & Tours do you have for the same regions in 2026/27?
An overview of what other tailor-made trips & tours The Africa Specialists have available to The Laikipia Plateau, The Masai Mara, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches parks & regions for 2026/27.
A Family Treat
Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Southern Beaches, The Laikipia Plateau
From $5,500 per person
See the Trip
Great Safari, Great Beach
Nyerere National Park, Southern Tanzania, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $3,500 per person
See the Trip
Beach Selous and Zanzibar
Mainland Coast, Nyerere National Park, South of Dar, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,500 per person
See the Trip
Selous Ruaha & Zanzibar
Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,500 per person
See the Trip
Northern Honeymoon June to November
Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,000 per person
See the Trip
Honeymooners Delight
Amboseli National Park, Southern Beaches, The Masai Mara
From $5,500 per person
See the Trip
Lions and Elephants
Amboseli National Park, Nairobi, Southern Beaches, The Masai Mara
From $4,500 per person
See the Trip
Go On, It Will Be Worth It!
Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Southern Beaches, The Laikipia Plateau
From $7,500 per person
See the Trip
The Discerning Safari
The Laikipia Plateau, The Masai Mara, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $6,000 per person
See the Trip
Zambia and Zanzibar
Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa National Park, Tanzania, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $7,000 per person
See the Trip
Lakes and Plains
Lake Naivasha and Nakuru, Nairobi, Southern Beaches, The Masai Mara
From $4,000 per person
See the Trip
Short & Sharp
Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Stone Town, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,000 per person
See the Trip
Best of Southern Tanzania
Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,500 per person
See the Trip
The Ultimate South
Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, South of Dar, Southern Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $7,000 per person
See the Trip
Best of the North and Beach
Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Zanzibar beaches
From $6,000 per person
See the Trip
Only Have A Week?
Nyerere National Park, Zanzibar and islands, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,500 per person
See the Trip
Simple but Classy
Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,000 per person
See the Trip
North and The Beach
Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar beaches
From $4,000 per person
See the Trip
The Ultimate Honeymoon
Nyerere National Park, South of Dar, Stone Town, Zanzibar beaches
From $5,000 per person
See the Trip
Do visit our Africa Safari Finder page to find more trips and locations for 2026/27
Other Safari/Holiday types recommended for the same regions in 2026/27...
Nick: The idea here is to show our safari and holiday ‘types’ (aka ‘what to do’ content) again using icons for the click-through, to break up the rythm of the page/s visually. Should be quite complimentary to the actual trips themselves (currently being shown in the previous paragraph)…
Why travel with The Africa Specialists™?
1
100% tailormade
We help plan your trip from start to finish
We make sure to include all your interests
We offer a range of accommodation types
It is your trip, made to suit you
2
Expert knowledge
We have over 40 years of destination know how
We all spend time in our destinations annually
Local contacts give us unique insight
We are true specialists
3
We have you covered!
We have full ATOL bonding for your financial peace of mind
We provide 24/7 emergency backup as you travel
We make sure that the properties and guides are the best!
4
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Established in 2010, you can totally rely on us.
Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.
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Begin Your Journey
Step with us into a world where every detail is curated, every moment considered, and every horizon feels like it was reserved exclusively for you.
Craft Your Bespoke Safari
Tell us what inspires you — and we’ll shape an African journey like no other — right down to the smallest detail.
Your Adventure, Tailored to Perfection
From private conservancies to remote luxury lodges, let us help you design your perfect safari adventure.
Please call us any time on USA +1-917-336-2937 or drop us a note via our contact us page.
