Wildebeest grazing across Kenya’s grassy plains are the stars of first-light sightings in East Africa. Another star: Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the continent and something to see from Amboseli National Park.

Morning game drives mean an abundance of wildlife activity in East Africa, where your chances of seeing elephants and other Big Five animals are excellent. A&K travellers are at an advantage in custom-made vehicles with unobstructed views from every seat.

A&K safari guides have no equal when it comes to their super keen ability to track wildlife and depth of first-hand knowledge. In no time at all, you’ll understand why they’re an essential part of an incredible safari experience.

The African bush takes on a jaw-dropping perspective from the air. In Kenya, opt for a hot air balloon flight at dawn over the Masai Mara followed by champagne and breakfast on the plains of the reserve.

First encounters with predators like the cheetah give “thrilling” a new meaning in Serengeti National Park. Amplify the experience on a luxury safari that follows the Great Migration, when abundant prey set the stage for the dynamic circle of life.

Exceptional for its abundant wildlife, the Serengeti becomes even more memorable for A&K safari goers, who can enjoy an elegant picnic lunch, served under trees at an ideal location in the wilderness.

Afternoon game drives in Kenya and Tanzania can lead to massive hippos pools, a surprisingly thrilling sight to behold as these creatures stretch their mouths open to show they are also keenly aware of you.

Action-packed days in the bush require time to relax and soak it all in. Count on it with luxurious accommodations with pools and amenities perched right above popular animal watering holes.

No African safari is complete without a classic tented camp experience. Also primly located in the heart of the African bush, accommodations like those at Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp set right in the rim valley conjure up a more stylish version of Ernest Hemmingway’s Africa.

It’s possible to see the lion and all of Africa’s Big Five in the lush “Lost World” known as Ngorongoro Crater. A&K safari guides with their incredible tracking skills put the odds increasingly in your favor.

In the Masai Mara, take a moment to positively impact the local community with A&K Philanthropy when you visit a local school and take part in the LifeStraw program, which provides access to clean drinking water for students there.

The nomadic Maasai warriors have a long history in East Africa. Spend time with this beautiful tribe in Kenya and enjoy a walk with a Maasai healer in the Ngorongoro forest.

The ritual of the sundowner originated in late 19th century colonial Africa as a way to mark the transition from day to night. Partake in the tradition and sip a chilled cocktail set right on East Africa’s grassy plains.

A&K travellers seeking luxury safari lodge accommodations in the famed Masai Mara game reserve find it at Sanctuary Olonana, where 14 contemporary glass-sided suites overlook a private stretch of the Mara River.

The best way to cap off a whirlwind East Africa safari? Magical nights under African skies and around a campfire, swapping stories with family and new friends that you will stay with you for a lifetime.