Kenya and Tanzania Safari Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1: NAIROBI

Transfer from Nairobi airport to the Nairobi Eka Hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: RIFT VALLEY LAKES (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

Have breakfast and depart on safari. Take a morning drive enjoying scenic views of tea and coffee plantations and then descend into the Rift Valley with its stunning volcanic landscapes. Lunch at a Lodge overlooking Lake Nakuru. Afternoon birdwatching around Lake Nakuru, seasonal home to millions of Flamingo and a multitude of other exotic birdlife. Lake Nakuru also contains prolific wildlife and is one of the best places in East Africa to see rhinos. Dinner and an overnight stay at Nakuru Sopa or Flamingo Hill Camp.

Day 3: MASAI MARA (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

A morning drive to Masai Mara Game Reserve, passing by the dormant Longonot volcano and arriving in time for lunch at a lodge. Continue through the reserve, game viewing en route. The next two nights are spent at Mara Ashnil Camp with its wonderful views across paradise plains.

Day 4: MASAI MARA (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

A full day game viewing at the Mara, Kenya’s finest wildlife reserve. Elephants and buffalos abound in the riverine forests, while out on the grasslands impalas and Thompson's gazelles can be seen together with their attendant predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals. The Mara is, in fact, the northern part of the Serengeti ecosystem and plays host to the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra during the months of July to October. Lesser known species such as topi, hartebeest, waterbuck Eland and many small mammals create a kaleidoscopic picture of wildlife. An optional balloon safari, guided nature walk or breakfast in the bush may also be booked in advance.

Day 5: SERENGETI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

After breakfast transfer to the airstrip for scheduled flight to Serengeti with a stop en route to clear border formalities at Isebania. Meet and transfer to camp. Lunch and afternoon game drive at Serengeti National Park. Spend the next two nights at Serengeti Serena lodge.

Day 6: SERENGETI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

Morning and afternoon game viewing at the Serengeti, perhaps the greatest symbol of African wildlife heritage. Being centrally located, Serena lodge is an ideal base for exploring this hugely diverse park.

The short grass plains dotted with rock outcrops "kopjes" dominate the south and supports a combined population of more than 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle during the wet season, December to April. As drier weather approaches in May, the wildebeest migrate to the center and western corridor of the park where acacia savannah dominates and giraffe are more likely to be found. Don't forget to look out for leopards and hippos along the riverine forest. By July, the herds arrive in the north where the plains give way to densely wooded hills and elephant country. Here they remain until the coming of the short rains in November signaling the start of the Great Trek south again.

Day 7: NGORONGORO (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

Morning drive to Ngorongoro. Lunch and afternoon free to relax and enjoy the spectacular views across the crater or swim in the pool. Optional guided excursion to a Masai village or hike to nearby Olmoti Crater (additional costs). Spend the next 2 nights at Ngorongoro Serena lodge.

Day 8: NGORONGORO (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

A full day game viewing in the crater with picnic lunch (max 6 hours in the crater). A first glimpse of Ngorongoro leaves one literally breathless. Once a huge volcano, probably larger than Kilimanjaro, it is now a vast circular amphitheater, spectacularly beautiful and a Garden of Eden for huge numbers of wildlife. The animals are resident throughout the year including all of the "Big Five" elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos and leopards. The centerpiece of the extensive floor is Crater Lake with its pink mantle of flamingo and other birdlife

Day 9: LAKE MANYARA (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner )

A short morning drive to Lake Manyara and time to relax by the pool before lunch. Afternoon game drive at Lake Manyara Park, unique for its diverse and distinct ecological zones ranging from the rocky rift wall and ground water forest to woodland, open grassland, thermal springs and swamp. This diversity of habitat allows the visitor to see a wide variety of wildlife in a relatively small area. Look out for the rare tree-climbing lions, monkeys galore in the tropical rain forest, hippos and flamingos around the lake and plenty of plains game grazing on the savannah. Stay overnight at Manyara Serena lodge.

Day 10: DEPART (Breakfast)

Morning drive to Arusha for lunch (payable locally). Transfer to Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport for departure.