KENYA & TANZANIA
16 DAYS

Kenya and Tanzania will encompass your dreams of Africa and more. With their world’s last vast concentration of plains wildlife, snow-capped tropical peaks, endless rolling savannahs, fiery deserts and deep Rift Valley, Kenya and Tanzania offer you an adventure in paradise.

We are going to spend a night in a tree hotel amidst the mountain forest to observe animals at water-holes at close proximity. Moving on, we will see Samburu’s famous “unique five”. We continue to Lake Nakuru to admire flamingos and rhinos grazing next to us. We will visit a Masai village to learn about their traditional way of life. We will admire the view of snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro (weather permitting) from the Amboseli National Park. We will spend many hours game driving in Masai Mara and Serengeti observing a kaleidoscope of wildlife in its full variety among rolling plains and bushes. We will roam the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater.

Come and see nature as it was meant to be. The powerful ‘circle of life’ in its constant motion…

Day 1.             Nairobi

Upon arrival in Nairobi, you are met at the airport and transferred to our comfortable hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon we will have a tour of the city that covers the historical sites, shopping bazaars and the National Museum.

Day 2.             Aberdares

After breakfast depart for Aberdares, a beautiful mountain range in the central highlands of Kenya. The lower slopes of this mountainous terrain are covered with lush rain forest, home to elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, leopard and the endangered black rhino.

In the afternoon we are transferred to the tree hotel, where the Queen of England first ascended the throne in 1952. Night spent watching animals on the floodlit water holes.

Note: Only an overnight bag allowed at the tree hotel, the rest of the luggage will be stored at the facilities at the base hotel. Use of flash cameras is prohibited at the tree hotel as it is distractive to the animals.  

Day 3.             Samburu

We proceed to the Samburu National Reserve. Rugged and remote, this wildlife reserve provides some of the most colorful game viewing in the country. The drive goes via Mount Kenya region, with a stop over at the Equator where certificates are issued for crossing the Equator. Afternoon at leisure. Evening game viewing drive.

Day 4.             Samburu

We spend full day at Samburu. In spite of the dry climate, permanent water in the reserve ensures an abundance of wildlife all year round. The reserve contains certain species unique to the Northern Kenya: reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, the beisa oryx, gerenuk and Somali ostrich. Also found are elephant, lion, cheetah and leopard.

We go on early morning game viewing drive.  This is when it is cool, the animals are still in the open grasslands and less bushy areas. It is also the best time to see cats hunting. We return to the hotel for breakfast. Rest of the morning is at leisure, probably to relax by the pool or watch documentaries on wildlife. Evening game drive.

Day 5.             Lake Nakuru

We drive via Thompson’s Falls to the Lake Nakuru National Park, famous as the home to thousands of Lesser and Greater flamingo. The park is part of a system of lakes that lie along the Great Rift Valley and contains a rich diversity of habitats including woodland, bush, grassland and rocky escarpments. Recently the park was established as a Rhino Sanctuary, and is also home to lion, leopard and a variety of plains antelope. We go on an afternoon game viewing drive.

Day 6.             Masai Mara

Drive via Narok to the Masai Mara National Reserve, offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super-abundance as existed a century ago. Evening game viewing drive.

Day 7.             Masai Mara

Full day is spent viewing game in the reserve on the early morning, mid-morning and evening game drives. 

It is a country of breath taking views, a panorama of vast rolling plains and rounded hills, acacia woodland and riverside forest. And in every direction there are seemingly endless herds of game animals. The Mara is home to the “Big Five”, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, hyena, jackal, crocodile and a variety of plains antelope and birds.

Today we will also visit a traditional Masai village, the ethnic tribe of this area, to learn and experience a bit of their way of life. Note: A US$ 10 (per person) donation to the Masai village is expected.

Day 8.             Nairobi

After breakfast we depart for Nairobi to arrive in the early afternoon. Afternoon is spent at leisure. Dinner is at the Carnivore Restaurant – popular for the selection of game meat!

Day 9.            Amboseli

After early breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the Amboseli National Park. On arrival we settle in at our hotel, and proceed on a game drive.

Amboseli is famous for the spectacular views of Mt. Kilimanjaro (weather permitting) and the profusion of wildlife attracted to the permanent water that filters through the volcanic rock from Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Afternoon is at leisure to relax by the pool. Evening game viewing drive, culminating at the Observation Hill, where we can have some sundowners as we watch the sun go down.

Day 10.             Tarangire

After breakfast we drive to the border town of Namanga, clear customs and immigration formalities and proceed to Tarangire National Park, named after the Tarangire River. The river lures thousands of plains game to its banks. The park is also very good for birdwatching, with over three hundred species of birds recorded. Evening game viewing drive.

Day 11.             Tarangire. Ngorongoro

We go on a morning game drive at Tarangire National Park.

We proceed from Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world. Its enduring charm stems from its overwhelming physical beauty and the abundance of wildlife permanently resident on the crater floor.

Day 12.             Ngorongoro. Serengeti

Early breakfast and descend to the wildlife-packed Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game viewing drive. Lunch at the lodge located on the rim of the crater.

In the afternoon we drive to the Serengeti National Park, undoubtedly the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and the greatest concentration of plains game anywhere. Evening game drive at Serengeti.

Day 13.             Serengeti

We have a full day of game viewing at Serengeti and observe a kaleidoscope of wildlife in its full variety among rolling plains and bushes. The game drives take us deep into the heart of the vast Serengeti savannah. Its vastness supports every variety of wildlife imaginable, from large predators like lion, cheetah and leopard to the herbivores on which they feed.

Day 14.             Lake Manyara

After breakfast we depart for the serene and beautiful Lake Manyara National park with a stopover en-route at the Olduvai Gorge – the cradle of mankind. In the afternoon we will choose one of the activities like canoeing on Lake Manyara, nature walk or bike trek. Any of these activities will give you a unique safari experience.

Day 15.             Nairobi

After breakfast we drive to Arusha and onward to Nairobi.

Day 16.             Nairobi

We will have some time for last minute shopping before transfer to the airport and our flight back home.

SUMMARY

Inclusions: All meals, transportation, National Parks and Reserves entrance fees, guaranteed window seating on all game drives, escorted throughout

Start and Finish: Nairobi

Group Size: Maximum 16 travelers

Accommodation: Comfortable accommodation with private facilities. 1 night in a tree hotel

Trip Grade: Moderate

Dates: 
Jan 21-Feb 5, 2008

Land Cost: US$ 5,695

OPTION: Serengeti Balloon Safari
Glide in a balloon over the Serengeti wilderness. Top up your experience with a Champagne breakfast.
Cost: US$ 465

Note: Please note that all itineraries and prices are subject to change.

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