The Best of Kenya and Tanzania

Experience the wonders of the Maasai Mara

and more on this remarkable 17-Day journey through Kenya and Tanzania.
Weekly on Thursdays Year Round

Compare with Botswana Edge of Eden 13-days . Or a simple 4 day in Tanzania
Compare with Zanzibar Version

Tour Highlights:

• Journey through unspoiled landscapes to view wildlife in its natural habitat at the world-famous Mount Kenya National Park, Samburu National Reserve and Maasai Mara National Reserve.
  
  
• Spot hippos on your cruise on Lake Naivasha.
  
  
• In addition, you'll enjoy a flight over the great Rift Valley and visit Amboseli National Park, situated at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, before heading to Tanzania.
  
  
• In Tanzania you'll enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park through a dense rain forest populated by baboons, impalas, elephants and giraffes.
  
  
• You'll also visit the 7,500-foot-high Ngorongoro Crater where you can descend to the crater floor in a four-wheel-drive Land Rover.

The Best of Kenya and Tanzania
Spectacular, 17 -Day journey to appreciate the natural beauty of some of the greatest, most pristine wilderness areas in Africa.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1: Departure
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

International airfare quoted from New York. Air Taxes are included. All airfares are subject to penalties and seasonal surcharges and based on availability. Fares also available from other major USA and Canadian Cities.

Day 2: Arrival in Europe. Departure for Nairobi, Kenya
Upon arrival in London or any other major European city we use , day rooms are provided near the airport if your connecting flight to Nairobi does not depart until evening ; if your connecting flight departs for Nairobi in the late morning or early afternoon, your Nairobi hotel room will be available this evening.

Day 3: Arrival in Nairobi
Welcome to Africa! Look forward to a journey through majestic, unspoiled landscapes to fabulous game reserves where the dark continent’s incomparable wildlife is protected in its natural habitat. Settle into your hotel, then maybe shop for a stylish safari outfit. An afternoon orientation drive takes you through Kenya’s modern, mile-high capital to the area of Karen Blixen’s farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Visit the fascinating MUSEUM dedicated to the author of Out of Africa; feed the gentle Rothschild’s Giraffes at the GIRAFFE CENTER; finally, admire authentic African art and crafts at UTAMADUNI. Tonight a short briefing about the safari routine. Later enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Accommodations : Nairobi Serena Hotel ( D )

Day 4: Nairobi-Mount Kenya
Head north into the well-watered, fertile area where members of the Kikuyu tribe grow corn, bananas, pineapples, coffee, and tea. Settle in at the luxurious Mountain Lodge. A specially constructed viewing bunker affords a most spectacular close-up of game at the lodge's waterhole. You'll spend hours watching the foresthog, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
Accommodations : Serena Mountain Lodge ( B L D )

Day 5: Mount Kenya-Samburu
This morning we make our way to the northern foothills of Mount Kenya, a 17,058-foot dormant volcano with a glistening cap of ice and snow. Lunch is reserved at the renowned MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB, which literally straddles the equator, and was co-founded by the late actor William Holden. In the afternoon proceed to the grassland area which forms the bridge between Kenya’s lush south and parched north. Watch out for herds of impalas, Grant’s gazelles, and African buffalo as you enter SAMBURU NATIONAL RESERVE.
Accommodations : Samburu Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 6: Samburu
A full day of game driving includes outings at dawn, when animals are most active, and in the late morning and afternoon, when the light is best for photography. Return to the lodge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Today you stay close to the Ewaso Nyiro River, where vast herds of plains game come to water, braving lions in the grass, leopards in the trees, and giant crocodiles. Stars of Samburu not easily seen elsewhere are the liver-red reticulated giraffe, the long-necked gerenuk antelope, and the elegant Grevy’s zebra.
Accommodations : Samburu Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 7: Samburu-Lake Nakuru
Visit the spectacular Thomson's Falls at Nyahururu, and then make your way down the eastern escarpment of the magnificent Rift Valley. After lunch take a leisurely drive through LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK, famous for its pink flamingos. Drive to the edge of the lake to view thousands of birds feeding in the alkaline water; see the sweeping view from the top of Baboon Rocks; then look for warthogs and waterbucks as you leave the park.
Accommodations : Lion Hill Lodge ( B L D )

Day 8: Lake Nakuru-Lake Naivasha-Maasai Mara
Lake Naivasha is the highest and purest of the Rift Valley lakes. Your boat cruise here takes you to the breeding grounds of pelicans, fish eagles, and cormorants. Spot primeval hippos lurking in the shallow water and zebras and antelopes grazing on Crescent Island. In the afternoon traverse the Rift Valley and ascend its western rim. You’re now in Maasai country, where sedentary crop farming gives way to nomadic cattle herding. Red-clad, spear-wielding Maasai warriors tend their multi-colored herds among the wild animals of the Loita Plains, admirably unimpressed by the presence of large predators.
Accommodations : Mara Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 9: Maasai Mara
Dawn, morning and afternoon game drives in the MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE, Kenya’s best and most scenic game park. At the northern extremity of the unique Serengeti ecosystem, blessed with a permanent water supply, the Maasai Mara has a thriving, permanent population of plains game, augmented in the dry season by the migration of two million gnus and zebras from the vast, parched Serengeti plains. Of the hunter’s "big five," elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard are quite common, while even the much rarer rhino might come out of the thicket for you. Hyenas are plentiful and the cheetah, a 60-mile-per-hour daytime hunter, is often seen.
Accommodations : Mara Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 10: Maasai Mara-Amboseli
Another early morning game drive to complete your list of Kenyan sightings. Gain an overview of Africa on your plane ride back to Nairobi. Fly over the great Rift Valley, part of the rift system that stretches from the Dead Sea in the Middle East to Mozambique.
After a brief refreshing break, drive over the Athi Plains, enjoy a picnic lunch, and enter AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK, situated at the foot of the impressive snow-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 19,340 feet.
Accommodations : Amboseli Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 11: Amboseli
Famed for its scenic beauty and enormous collection of big game, Amboseli has inspired countless artists and writers including Hemingway, who described it as the essence of Africa. Search for great elephant herds rummaging in the forests, leopards prowling the salt flats, antelopes grazing the dusty plains, exotic birds nesting in green marshes, and countless other classic images of Africa.
Accommodations : Amboseli Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 12: Amboseli-Lake Manyara, Tanzania
Your best chance to spot a black rhino is on your last morning game drive in Kenya. Motor south to the border town of Namanga and meet your Tanzanian driver/guide, every bit as friendly and eagle-eyed as the expert who looked after you in Kenya. Lunchtime break at Mountain Village Lodge in Arusha, the gateway to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. The town is the exact halfway point between Cairo and Cape Town and set amid coffee plantations at the foot of Mount Meru.
Accommodations : Lake Manyara Serena ( B L D )

Day 13: Lake Manyara-Ngorongoro
Spend a full morning on a game drive in this small but attractive park squeezed between the lake and the steep rim of the Rift Valley. Its most striking feature is a dense rain forest populated by baboons, impalas, elephants, giraffes, and myriad other creatures. With luck you’ll shoot a picture of a tree-climbing lion on your drive through the forest! See the Simba River, populated by hippos and bird life. Time to eat lunch and freshen up at the hotel before ascending towards the 7,500-foot-high Ngorongoro Crater. Your overnight is at a beautiful lodge overlooking the crater.
Accommodations : Ngorongoro Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 14: Ngorongoro Crater
The NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA, part of the Serengeti ecosystem, is certainly the most famous game park in the world. The caldera, 2,000 feet below the rim and covering 102 square miles, hosts an unbelievable variety and density of wildlife. Especially exciting: you’re nearly guaranteed to observe the rare and threatened rhino. Descend to the crater floor in four-wheel-drive Land Rovers. A day in the crater is an experience you’ll treasure all your life!
Accommodations : Ngorongoro Serena Lodge ( B L D )

Day 15: Ngorongoro-Nairobi, Kenya
Scenic drive back to Arusha. After your included lunch, fly back to Nairobi. Tonight compare notes with your safari companions as you enjoy dinner at the most famous of African restaurants, the Carnivore.
Accommodations : Nairobi Serena Hotel ( B L D )

Day 16: Depart Nairobi
If your flight leaves late, your room is available until 6 p.m.
Accommodations : Nairobi Serena Hotel (dayroom) ( B )

Day 17: Home - USA
Your homebound flight arrives today.

INCLUDED:

• Airfare from the USA to Africa and back , with tax included
  
• Internal Airfare
  
• Daily accommodations as shown in the itinerary & all hotel taxes and service charges
  
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B =Breakfast), (L = Lunch) , (D = Dinner).
  
• All hotel /airport transfers as indicated
  
• Transportation in air-conditioned in buses
  
• Game drives in open 4-wheel drive safari vehicles, conducted by experienced Tswana rangers and trackers Spotlight game drives at night
  
• Game walks accompanied by experienced Tswana ranger and tracker
  
• All sightseeing, game viewing, entrance fees and park fees as indicated in the itinerary.
  
• Expert planning assistance and pre-tour materials, including detailed travel tips, travel wallet, luggage tags and other amenities
  

NOT INCLUDED:

• Any international airport departure taxes.
• Passport and visa fees
• Travel insurance, please ask us for the flyer.
  
• Excess baggage charges.
• Shipping charges, and other items of a personal nature such as gratuities to drivers and guides, porters, telephone/telex/fax charges, laundry, and beverages.

General info on : Airport departure taxes: ( Subject to change without notice)

• Botswana , Zimbabwe Departure Tax payable in cash - Please note that No US$100 notes accepted, Zambia , Mauritius , South African Airport tax for domestic departures, South African Airport for regional departures , South African Airport tax for international departures , South African Government tax for regional departures , South African Government tax for international departures , (these South African taxes should be included in the cost of your ticket).
  
• Personal expenses including but not limited to beverages, laundry, communication costs, excess baggage fees (baggage is restricted to 26 lbs (Modify as required) per person in a soft sided bag where charter flights are included) ·
  
• Traveler's insurance (the purchase of travel insurance is required to protect your investment in case of unanticipated curtailment or cancellation of your tour).
  
• Medical expenses, medical insurance ( passenger must show proof of insurance or ask for the flyer to be mailed).
  
• Gratuities to drivers, guides or tour managers.
  
• Any sightseeing, safari activities, meals, or other activities not specified in the itinerary or indicated as optional.
  
• Please note that tipping is discretionary, however, the following guidelines are provided: $5-$10 per day for professional safari guides; $3-$5 per day for camp staff, e.g. waiters, housekeepers, which is a communal tip that is shared among the staff); porters - $1; driver/guides $5); restaurant waiters/waitresses - 10% of bill; hotel housekeeping - $2 per day per person .
  
• Excess baggage charges, shipping charges, items of a personal

Prices are subject to change due to currency fluctuations, increase in fuel prices, or other fees imposed by the government or tourism industry not within our control.

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