AFCON 7-Day Safari: The Complete Tanzania and Kenya Experience (2027)

This 7-day safari combines wildlife viewing in Tanzania with a visit to Kenya for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) experience. The itinerary covers Tanzania’s northern safari circuit before continuing to Nairobi, where travelers can enjoy the city and attend a football match if the official fixtures, venue and tickets align with their travel dates.

The program is planned to keep travel practical while allowing enough time for game drives and cross-border arrangements. Since the safari lasts seven days, the main priority is to enjoy Tanzania’s wildlife without spending too much time on the road before continuing to Kenya.

AFCON 7-Day  Safari overview

• Duration: 7 days, 6 nights

• Countries visited: Tanzania and Kenya

• Travel period: 2027

• Starting point: Arusha, Tanzania

• Ending point: Nairobi, Kenya

• Main destinations: Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park and Nairobi

• Activities: Game drives, wildlife photography, scenic drives and AFCON-related activities

• Transport: Private 4×4 safari vehicle in Tanzania, with a scheduled flight or road transfer to Kenya

• Accommodation: Safari lodges, tented camps and a Nairobi hotel

• Pace: Active, with several early starts and one major cross-border travel day

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha. The drive generally takes about one hour, depending on traffic and the location of the hotel.

After check-in, take time to rest after your flight. If you arrive early, you may explore Arusha town, visit a local market or relax at the hotel while preparing for the safari.

Your guide will explain the following day’s schedule, the expected driving times and the items you should carry during game drives. The team can also review the planned transfer to Kenya and confirm any AFCON arrangements already made.

Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha Meals: Depending on your arrival time and package Activities: Airport pickup, hotel check-in and safari briefing

Day 2: Arusha – Tarangire National Park – Karatu

After breakfast, depart Arusha for Tarangire National Park. The journey usually takes around two to three hours, depending on traffic and the entrance gate used.

Tarangire is known for its large elephant population, baobab trees and wildlife that gathers around the Tarangire River, particularly during the dry season. During the game drive, you may see giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, antelopes and a variety of bird species. Lions and leopards are also present, although sightings are never guaranteed.

Enjoy a game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park. Your guide will select the route according to road conditions, available time and recent wildlife sightings.

In the afternoon, leave the park and continue to Karatu for dinner and an overnight stay. Staying in Karatu provides a convenient starting point for the following day’s visit to Ngorongoro Crater.

Accommodation: Lodge in Karatu Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Driving time: Approximately 2–3 hours from Arusha to Tarangire, followed by the transfer to Karatu Activities: Game drive and wildlife photography

Day 3: Karatu – Ngorongoro Crater – Serengeti National Park

The crater is home to a variety of animals, including zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, hippos, hyenas and lions. It is also one of the places where visitors have a chance of seeing the endangered black rhinoceros.

A picnic lunch can be arranged at an authorised site during the crater visit. After several hours of wildlife viewing, ascend the crater wall and continue towards Serengeti National Park.

The journey into the Serengeti takes several hours, depending on the chosen camp, road conditions and wildlife stops. Game viewing may begin along the route once you enter the park.

Arrive at your camp in the late afternoon or evening, depending on the day’s conditions. Because this is a long day, an early departure is important.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Activities: Ngorongoro Crater game drive and transfer to the Serengeti

Day 4: Serengeti National Park – Full-Day Game Drive

Spend the day exploring Serengeti National Park with your driver-guide. An early morning game drive provides an opportunity to look for predators and other animals before the temperature rises.

The Serengeti’s wide grasslands, rocky kopjes, river areas and woodland support a large range of wildlife. Depending on the location and recent sightings, you may encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas and different species of antelope.

The Great Migration is another major attraction. The movement of wildebeest and zebras changes throughout the year according to rainfall and grazing conditions, so the location of the herds depends on your travel dates.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park or return to camp if the location and schedule allow. Continue with an afternoon game drive before returning to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Serengeti lodge or tented camp Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives

Day 5: Serengeti National Park – Arusha – Transfer to Nairobi, Kenya

After breakfast, transfer to a Serengeti airstrip for a scheduled flight to Arusha, subject to availability and the operating timetable. A road transfer is another possibility, but it takes considerably longer and may make the same-day connection to Kenya difficult.

From Arusha, continue to Kenya using the confirmed transport arrangement. This may involve a flight connection or a road transfer through the Namanga border crossing. The best option depends on the flight schedule, border procedures and the final itinerary.

If travelling by road, allow sufficient time for immigration checks and vehicle arrangements. Cross-border vehicle permissions should be confirmed in advance rather than assumed.

On arrival in Nairobi, check into your hotel and rest. If time permits, you can have dinner at a local restaurant or review the arrangements for the following day’s AFCON activities.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nairobi Meals: Breakfast and other meals according to the package Activities: Transfer from Tanzania to Kenya

Important: This is the main travel day of the itinerary. Flight schedules and border arrangements must be confirmed before bookings are finalized.

Day 6: Nairobi – AFCON Experience and City Activities

After breakfast, spend the day in Nairobi. The programme should be arranged around the official AFCON fixture schedule and the location of the match you intend to attend.

If a suitable match is scheduled, travel to the stadium according to the organiser’s entry requirements and recommended arrival time. Match tickets should be secured through authorised sales channels, and transport should be arranged in advance.

If no suitable match is scheduled, the day can be used to explore Nairobi. Depending on your interests and available time, you may visit the Nairobi National Museum, explore local markets or enjoy the city’s restaurants and cafés.

Travellers interested in additional wildlife can discuss a short visit to Nairobi National Park, subject to the day’s schedule. However, a match-focused programme should leave sufficient time for traffic, security checks and stadium entry.

Return to your hotel in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nairobi Meals: Breakfast, with other meals as arranged Activities: AFCON match attendance if available, or Nairobi sightseeing

Day 7: Nairobi – Departure

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Your driver will transfer you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight.

The transfer time depends on your hotel’s location and traffic conditions. Allow enough time for check-in, security procedures and any airline requirements.

If your flight departs later in the day, a short activity may be possible, but it should not interfere with your airport transfer.

Your seven-day journey ends in Kenya after combining Tanzania’s wildlife parks with the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of AFCON.

Accommodation: Not included unless an additional night is booked Meals: Breakfast, depending on departure time Activities: Hotel checkout and airport transfer

AFCON 7-Day Safari package inclusions

The final quotation should clearly state which of the following services are included:

• Airport pickup on arrival in Tanzania.

• Six nights of accommodation, subject to the final routing.

• Private 4×4 safari vehicle and professional driver-guide in Tanzania.

• Park and conservation fees for the listed safari activities.

• Meals as specified in the daily itinerary.

• Scheduled domestic flights, if included in the confirmed package.

• Transfer arrangements between Tanzania and Kenya.

• Nairobi hotel accommodation and airport transfer.

AFCON 7-Day Safari  Exclusions

• International flights to Tanzania and from Kenya.

• AFCON match tickets and VIP hospitality packages.

• Visas and other applicable entry fees.

• Travel insurance.

• Tips and personal expenses.

• Drinks and meals not listed in the package.

• Optional activities and additional accommodation.

• Any extra transport or fees arising from changes to the confirmed itinerary.

AFCON 7-Day Safari Important information for 2027 bookings

AFCON fixtures: The safari dates should be planned around the official match schedule. Confirm the intended match, venue and ticket availability before promising attendance.

Travel between countries: A Serengeti-to-Arusha flight followed by onward travel to Nairobi can make the journey more manageable, but connections must be checked for the chosen date.

Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings depend on natural conditions. The itinerary provides opportunities to see wildlife but cannot guarantee particular species or Great Migration events.

Accommodation: Lodge and camp locations should be selected to reduce unnecessary driving and allow early starts for game drives.

Entry requirements: Check the latest passport, visa and border-crossing requirements for both Tanzania and Kenya before travel.

Luggage: If using a small safari aircraft, check the airline’s baggage allowance in advance. Soft-sided bags are commonly required, and weight limits may be restrictive.

AFCON 7-Day Safari Recommended itinerary approach

For a seven-day trip, the most practical arrangement is to spend four nights travelling through Tanzania’s northern safari circuit and two nights in Kenya. This gives travelers a worthwhile wildlife experience while reserving time for Nairobi and AFCON activities.

The schedule is active, particularly on Day 3 and Day 5. If attending a specific football match is the main purpose of the trip, the itinerary should be adjusted around the confirmed fixture rather than treating the match as an optional activity.

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