Safari to Kenya and Tanzania, February 17 - March 2, 2019
Itinerary
Day 1: 17 February, Sunday
Have your flight depart Detroit Metro Airport for Nairobi in the evening. (Call Tammy for flights and pricing) Meals and inflight entertainment on board.
Day 2: 18 February, Monday - Arrival Nairobi
Arrive in the evening. Transfer airport to your hotel. Meals: None (Late Arrival).
Day 3: 19 February, Tuesday – Nairobi - Amboseli National Park
Depart for Amboseli after breakfast and drive south through Maasai country to the plains below Mt. Kilimanjaro where Amboseli is situated. After a picnic lunch enroute, we’ll enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park before settling into camp for the evening. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: 20 February, Wednesday – Amboseli National Park
Spend the whole day in Amboseli National Park, enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives. With the majestic backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the spectacular displays of wildlife - lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, buffalo and various plains' game. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ~ Optional: Visit Maasai Village and learn their rich culture (extra cost).
Day 5: 21 February, Thursday – Amboseli to Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast you will drive past and view Mt. Kilimanjaro to the boarder of Tanzania and Kenya. After the immigration clearance, you will be transferred to Lake Manyara with its famous Tree climbing lions. After lunch, leave for afternoon game drive. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: 22 February, Friday – Ngorongoro Crater
Day trip to the Ngorongoro crater, via Olduvai Gorge. Ngorongoro is an impressive 12 mile wide volcanic crater with 2000ft walls. The views from the crater rim are breathtaking, and there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife, due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor. Olduvai Gorge is famed for the discovery of 3.5 million year-old fossil fragments of an early human civilization. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: 23 February, Saturday – Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, transfer to the Serengeti National Park. This park in Tanzania and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya is a contiguous wildlife area. The Serengeti NP is dominated by vast, open plains with an abundance of wildlife. A picnic lunch will be provided enroute, and the afternoon will be spent viewing game and absorbing the breathtaking scenery of the almost treeless plains of the Serengeti. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: 24 February, Sunday – Serengeti – Maasai Mara National Park
After an early breakfast, drive through the Isebania border crossing on to Kenya's premier wildlife reserve. In the afternoon we will arrive and get settled at our safari lodge. a late afternoon game viewing drive, with excellent chances of seeing the "Big 5" - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. The varied wildlife and natural environment come together to provide a spectacular safari experience. The Maasai Mara is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Named for the Maasai tribe, who are the traditional inhabitants of the area, and the Mara River, which divides it. With an area of 1510 sq km, the Maasai Mara is not the largest game park or reserve in Kenya, but it is probably the most famous. The entire area of the park is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, with clusters of the distinctive acacia tree in the south-east region. The Maasai Mara is perhaps most famous for its lions, though the other members of the "Big 5" are found as well. Hippo, cheetah, zebra, impala, gazelles, hartebeest, warthog, ostrich, topi and the Maasai giraffe, among other mammals, all consider the "Mara" their home territory. Like in the Serengeti in Tanzania, the wildebeest are the dominant inhabitant of the Maasai Mara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: 25 & 26 February, Monday/Tuesday – Maasai Mara National Park
Enjoy, Tea, coffee and cookies before an early morning game drive in the reserve. This is usually the most popular game viewing time. During the early hours temperatures are low, thus providing a favorable atmosphere both for the game and the viewer. Return for breakfast. Later head out for a full day game drive. The spectacle of nature unfolding is always awe inspiring! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. ~ Optional: Balloon Ride over the Savannah. (Extra charge)
Day 10: 27 February, Wednesday – Maasai Mara – Lake Naivasha
Today after breakfast, our safari will be destined to Lake Naivasha the only freshwater lake in the Rift Valley. An afternoon boat ride among colonies of hippos is planned. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: 28 February, Thursday - Crescent Island
The Park Where You Walk With The Animals. "Crescent Island Sanctuary" is one of the only parks where you are allowed to walk. Located on Lake Naivasha, it is one of the most beautiful parks in Kenya. It is private, secure and patrolled by Guides who can accompany you for a guided walk. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: 1 March, Friday – Lake Naivasha – Lake Nakuru National Park
Depart for Lake Nakuru and ascend eastern wall of the rift Valley where lush coffee and tea plantations reveal themselves. Your guide will give you a brief talk about coffee farming in Kenya. Short stop-over at the Great Rift Valley view point for photographs and then proceed to Lake Nakuru. After lunch, a game drive searching for the big five along with other animals, lion, rhino, leopard and cheetah. Lake Nakuru is famous for its millions of flamingoes and migrant birds from over the world. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: 2 March, Saturday – Lake Nakuru - Nairobi
Early morning game drive, then depart for Nairobi. Bid farewell to East Africa as you are transferred via Great Rift Valley for your Evening flight home. (See Tammy for air pricing)
Notes:
- Indications of typical wildlife are sometimes listed in the itinerary. Specific sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Due to the nature of the trip, schedules are subject to change.
Included:
- All transfers by a private minivan
- All game drives by private pop-up roof / safaris style minivan (everyone’s guaranteed a window seat) 6 seat max. per van
- English speaking Guides
- Accommodation for 12 nights, (1) Nairobi, (2) Amboseli, (2) Lake Manyara, (1) Serengeti, (3) Maasai Mara (2) Lake Naivasha, (1) Lake Nakuru
- Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary
- Bottled water on the game drives.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (consisting of both western and local dishes)
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded:
- Visas for Kenya & Tanzania (call Tammy or the Embassies for pricing)
- Round trip airfare to Nairobi (call Tammy for pricing)
- Gratuities (suggested $197.00 independently paid, for 13 day tour)
- Any optional tours (Hot Air Balloon ride $410, Local Village visit $20.)
- Personal spending (Drinks at meals)
Optional Pre Safari 3 night add on $355 per person based on double
In order to overcome your jetlag and be fresh for the days ahead, join Tammy & Mike in Nairobi for a few relaxing days prior to the start of the tour. Includes: 3 night’s hotel, 3 breakfast and tour the Elephant orphanage and Giraffe Sanctuary.
Itinerary
Day 1 (15 Feb., Friday) Evening flight arrival, check into the hotel
Day 2 (16 Feb., Saturday) Breakfast is included, relaxing this morning. Afternoon, visit the Elephant orphanage and Giraffe sanctuary. Dinner is on your own.
Day 3 (17 Feb., Sunday) Breakfast in included, free day and evening safari briefing.
Day 4 (18 Feb., Monday) start tour