15 days / 14 nights East Africa Migration Discoverer
HIGHLIGHTS
Lake Manyara National Park, Village tour with traditional lunch, Orphanage visit, School visit, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Lake Victoria canoe trip / boat cruise, Masai Mara, Masai Warrior walk, Karen Blixen (Out of Africa) Museum, Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Amboseli National Park.
DAY 1: NAIROBI
On your arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met, thereafter transferred to your city hotel for relaxation and overnight. Overnight at Eka Hotel or similar (meals own account)
DAY 2: NAIROBI – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we explore Nairobi with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is the beautiful and historic farmhouse where Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”, lived between 1917 and 1931 until she left Kenya after a series of personal tragedies. Thereafter, we head to either Giraffe Centre or Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage for a visit. The institution is named after the wife of the late famous Naturalist, David William Sheldrick who was the founder warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya from its inception in 1948 to 1976. At 11:00, the baby animals are brought from the national park for a mud-bath at the orphanage, where for an hour you can get close to them and sometimes touch them. Lunch will follow before driving down to Amboseli National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon. Overnight at AA Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 3: AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Today we will head into the Amboseli National Park for a full day of game viewing in one of Kenya’s most famous parks. Amboseli is known for its huge elephant bulls with their magnificent tusks, which make for the ultimate safari picture with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Overnight at AA Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 4: AMBOSELI – ARUSHA
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the border and then onwards to Kilimanjaro Airport. On the way, we pass the Marangu waterfalls, and then drive to KIA via Moshi town which is the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park. You will be transferred to your lodge outside Arusha for overnight. Overnight Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 5: ARUSHA – MANYARA NATIONAL PARK – LAKE MANYARA
After breakfast you will get picked up from your hotel in Arusha for an early start to the experience of a lifetime! We visit the Arusha Market for some last minute shopping, before setting off towards Lake Manyara National Park, part of today’s destination. Manyara NP is not only known for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions. Overnight Rift Valley Photographic Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 6: CULTURE TOUR – LAKE MANYARA
After breakfast, we set out to experience the cultural diversity of Mto-wa-Mbu, starting at the market and visiting a Chagga family producing banana beer and passing by many different farms. On the way, your guide will introduce you to the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area and explain the irrigation system that sustains local crops. After having a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mama’s home, we go back to the lodge for a rest, before our visit to the nearby children orphanage centre and school in the afternoon. Overnight Rift Valley Photographic Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 7: TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
Today we set out to the Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive. The breath-taking views of the Maasai Steppe and the mountains to the south, make a stop at Tarangire a truly memorable experience. Tarangire is as well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the centre of the annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra. Overnight Rift Valley Photographic Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 8: MANYARA – NGORONGORO – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
This morning we depart early for a game drive in the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater. For many this wildlife spectacle is the pinnacle of their safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater boasts all of the ‘Big 5’, including a small population of endangered black rhino. After a picnic lunch, we head towards the Serengeti through the stunning Southern Plains. This is the area that the Serengeti is best known for – the endless, undulating grass savannah with rocky outcrops that serve as isolated wildlife refuges. Overnight Kati Kati Tented Campsite or similar (BLD)
DAY 9: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA)
Today you will be spending a full day game driving around the Seronera area of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is divided into three main areas: The Seronera is the most central and accessible region and this is where the Park HQ is based, as well as most of the larger lodges and busier campsites. This is the part of the Serengeti that you will have seen in wildlife documentaries, characterised by the open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing all year round. It is also particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats, the leopard. Overnight Kati Kati Tented Camp or similar (BLD)
DAY 10: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA)
We have another exciting day of exploring the Serengeti National Park ahead of us. With lunch boxes provided, we continue with game drives throughout the afternoon scanning the endless plains, spotting many animals and truly realizing just why this national park is so famous. In the late afternoon we drive back to the lodge for overnight at Kati Kati Tented Camp or similar (BLD)
DAY 11: SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – LAKE VICTORIA
After breakfast we make our way to Lake Victoria. We pass through the villages of the Sukuma tribe, who grow ground nuts, sorghum and cassava as well as keeping livestock. Life carries on here simply as it has done for ages, but with a few poignant reminders of the 20th century. We will take an afternoon boat cruise (depending on the weather) on the Lake to enjoy the view or bird walk. Overnight Speke Bay Lodge or similar (BLD)
DAY 12: LAKE VICTORIA – MASAI MARA
This morning you have the opportunity to take part in a canoe paddle before we bid Lake Victoria farewell and continue our journey northwards across the border into Kenya, before heading to the Masai Mara National Park. This is the traditional land of the Masai people, nomadic herders, who choose to live a traditional lifestyle and are permitted to graze their cattle in this area. The Masai Mara covers an area that includes the river line forests along the banks of the Mara and Talek Rivers, acacia forests and the open plains of the savannah.
Overnight Mara Eden Tented Camp or similar (BLD)
DAY 13: MASAI MARA NATIONAL PARK
Today we spend the whole day game viewing in the world famous Masai Mara National Park. Here the various habitats are home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are also plentiful in the rivers and the bird life is very abundant.
Overnight Mara Eden Tented Camp or similar (BLD)
DAY 14: MASAI MARA – NAIROBI
After breakfast we enjoy a guided walk with the Masai warriors to experience their way of life and visit their village before we head off towards Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. We have the afternoon at leisure or to explore the city. Time allowing, we visit the Kazuri Beads Centre and workshop for those interested in shopping. Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili and it describes each striking ceramic bead which is shaped by hand by the women employed at the Kazuri workshop. Nairobi is a cosmopolitan, lively and interesting city. Its central business district is nicely compact and it is therefore a great place to tune into modern urban African life. Later in the afternoon, we head to the hotel to refresh and relax before being transferred to the famous Carnivore Restaurant for dinner. Overnight Eka Hotel or similar (BLD)
DAY 15: NAIROBI – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
The tour ends after breakfast this morning and you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight. (B)
GROUP SIZE: 4–12 clients
ACCOMMODATION: For this fully accommodated lodge safari, we make use of typical, mid-range African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps, all with en-suite facilities. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
MEALS: Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by the lodge where you are staying. They will also prepare lunch or a lunch pack depending on the itinerary for the day. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.
TRANSPORTATION: A fully equipped customized 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles, Toyota Land Cruisers or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing and a music system. The vehicles are fully air-conditioned and equipped with pop-up roofs to facilitate the best game viewing. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle roof rack or trailer to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle
STAFF: One dedicated professional driver / guide. He is selected for his experience of the African bush, thus ensuring your travel experience is enjoyable and successful. Detailed information on the history of the area, fauna and flora is given to participants during the safari. The safaris are conducted in English.
