The Best of Kenya & Tanzania

Related Links » Price/Included Features

The Best of Kenya & Tanzania
Oct 22 to Nov 07, 2007

Highlights ......
Return airfare from Canada
In depth Safari briefing, Samburu National Reserve, Mt. Kenya National Park, Masai Mara Reserve, Serengeti Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara - Custom-designed safari vehicles for game drives.

Our Program :

3 nights Nairobi (2 nights at beginning, 1 night at end of program)
2 nights Samburu
1 night Mount Kenya National Park
1 night Lake Nakuru
2 nights Masai Mara
1 night Lake Victoria
2 nights Serengeti
1 night Ngorongoro Crater
2 nights Lake Manyara

Detailed Itinerary -

Oct 22 - depart Canada for overnight flight

Oct 23 - arrive Nairobi - transfer to the Serena Hotel Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel

Oct 24- Welcome to ARICA !
Our hotel is a member of 'The Leading Hotels of the World' and an oasis set amongst extensive tropical gardens overlooking Nairobi's Central Park. Nairobi is a bustling staging area for Safaris and capital of Kenya. It is situated at an elevation of 1,660 meters (5,450 feet) in the highlands of the southern part of the country. As Kenya's principal economic, administrative and cultural centre it is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Africa. After a sumptuous breakfast we depart on today's outing - first to Daphne Sheldrick - an Elephant Orphanage, Lunch will be served at Macushla house. In the afternoon we will visit the home of "Out of Africa" novelist Karen Blixen then continue to the Giraffe Center where you have the opportunity to feed a Rothschild giraffes from an elevated platform. We will have our safari briefing this evening followed by dinner.

Nairobi Serena Hotel - Breakfast, Dinner

Oct 25 Nairobi to Samburu National Reserve
Following breakfast we board our custom-designed safari vehicles and travel through the fertile farm lands of central Kenya to reach Samburu Game Reserve - endless skies, dust-red plains and palm-fringed rivers against a backdrop of the far-distant hills and the great red table mountain known as Lololokwi. This reserve is a haven for the endangered Grevy's zebra, the rare beisa oryx and the blue-shanked Somali ostrich. Large herds of elephant roam the gaunt hills during the day, before returning to bathe on the banks of the river in the evening. Rugged and remote, this wildlife reserve provides some of the best and most colourful game viewing in the country. We arrive in time for lunch with time to settle in before our afternoon game drive. -Samburu Serena Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Oct 26- More Samburu
Morning and afternoon game drives. Coffee, Tea and pound cake are available at 6:00am in the main lodge as we gather for our early morning game drive. We will explore the riverine forest areas and the rugged plains. Our naturalist driver/guide will also introduce us to Samburu's spectacular birdlife. The mornings are bright and crisp offering lots of animal activity and great lighting for photography. We return to the lodge around 8:30 for a great full breakfast. In the heat of the day we relax, enjoy a lovely lunch, a swim in the pool and catching up on reading and journal notes. About 4:00pm we go out for our afternoon game drive to view the elephants taking a late afternoon bath in the river and whatever else we can see. We then return to the lodge for dinner. -Samburu Serena Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Samburu National Reserve is a lava plain with steep-sided gullies and rounded hills - physically dramatic with the great Ololokwe table mountain in the background. The central feature of the reserve is the winding and looping Ewaso Nyiro River. On either side of the river, a green ribbon presents a gallery of forest Acasia, Doum palm and Tamarind, which act as host to a multitude of bird life. Some of Kenya's rarer species like the long-necked gerenuk, Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx and the blue-shanked Somali ostrich can be seen here.

You will have the option to visit a nearby Samburu village. You will be welcomed by a village elder who will introduce you to the families of the village and their way of life. You will be taken into their homes and learn about their traditions, dress and art. The children are always an amazing hit with our passengers.

Samburu Serena Lodge is renowned for the timeless beauty of its landscape and serene tranquility of its setting. Nestled amidst the acacia groves that border the crocodile-filled reaches of the Uaso Nyiro River, the lodge stands centre-stage to miles of lion-stalked grasslands, elephant-studded plains and wildlife-teeming bush. The Samburu Eco Programme- The Lodge provides water to four villages in the immediate area as well as the local school. The lodge has also undertaken a tree-planting programme to replace some of the riverine woodlands destroyed by local elephant herds. To support the local community, the hotel shop features a selection of handicrafts produced by local Samburu crafts people and Samburu dancers perform for the guests during the evenings in a specially constructed amphitheatre where they also stage a handicrafts market of local Samburu art, spears, and headdresses.

Oct 27 Samburu to Aberdares
After breakfast we will depart for Mount Kenya National Park where a 'Tree' lodge built on the edge of a forest glade awaits us. Here we will be treated to 24hour game viewing as wildlife visits the waterhole and saltlick by the lodge throughout the day. (by the way we had some of the least expensive spa treatments we have ever had here - great time for a full massage) -Serena Mountain Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Serena Mountain Lodge is the only 'tree hotel' ever to be built on the slopes of Kenya's legendary Mount Kenya (17, 057 ft, 5199 m.) and offers great game viewing, combining a glorious panorama of mountain vistas with primordial splendors of an ancient rainforest. The lodge lies at an altitude of 2,195 m. on the flanks of Kenya's highest mountain, secreted deep within her largest forest reserve.

The people of Mount Kenya - Mount Kenya represents the ancestral home and heartland of the Bantu-speaking Kikuyu people, Kenya's largest ethnic group. They were heavily influential throughout Kenya's history and provided Kenya with its first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. The Kikuyu have adapted to the challenges of Western culture better than any other tribe and are successful and progressive farmers who grow coffee, tea, pyrethrum horticultural crops, vegetables and flowers for the export market. The Kikuyu remain at the forefront of Kenyan development, as both successful business people and formidable politicians.

Oct 28 - Aberdares to Lake Nakuru
We will travel through Kenya's varied landscapes of the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, world famous for its flamingos. We will explore the acacia forests and the lake bed for buffalo, lion, leopard, waterbuck and huge flocks of birds. Nakuru's successful black and white rhino conservation program ensures that visitors are treated to regular rhino sightings. (this is particularly good news to me, as I did not see a rhino when I was in Kenya in 1984). We should also see the endangered Rothschild giraffe in the wild.
-Lion Hill Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lion Hill Lodge opened in 1986 and gets its name from the hill directly behind it, formerly that was a lions' abode. It consists of 67 chalets that all face Lake Nakuru and is a perfect place to experience one of the world's largest ornithological spectacles in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. Set in Nakuru National Park on Lake Nakuru, it is home to thousands of pink flamingoes and pelicans. This exotic park boasts a rich concentration of wildlife including black and white colobus monkeys and is also a rhino sanctuary.

Nov 29 - Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara
After breakfast, we depart for the great Masai Mara, famous for its large prides of lion and the annual wildebeest migration. Year round, the reserve has a huge variety of wildlife including hippo and crocodile found in the rivers. After settling in, we will enjoy an early evening game drive. -Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KICHWA TEMBO TENTED CAMP - Blessed with an Astounding concentration of animals the year-round and panoramic vistas across plains and dotted woodlands, the Masai Mara provides an unsurpassed wildlife experience. Overlooking endless game-filled plains and shaded by dense forest canopy, Kichwa Tembo nestles below the Oloololo Escarpment on the western boundary of the Masai Mara reserve. Each spacious tent affords total privacy, private facilities and the privilege of sweeping view over the greatest grassland on earth.

The Masai Mara Game Reserve (altitude 5000 ft) is frequently referred to as 'The Mara' which is the 'Maa' word meaning 'Mottled" - a reference to the patchy landscape. It offers breathtaking views (seen in the film "Out of Africa", much of which was filmed here) with an extraordinary density of animals including the 'Big 5' (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhinoceros). Birdlife is as profuse as the wildlife. Both spellings 'Masai' and 'Maasai' are acceptable, although the latter is more usual when referring to the people.

Oct 30 - More Masai Mara
Today we offer 3 game drives! During our first game drive, we will be searching for the predators and their prey, taking advantage of the morning light that is exceptional for photography. We will return to the lodge for breakfast and then partake in a mid-morning drive, returning for a late lunch. The rest of the afternoon is for relaxing and we will then end the day with an evening game drive before dinner. An optional balloon safari is recommended for a different perspective of the Mara and its wildlife. -Serena Mara Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Oct 31 - Masai Mara to Lake Victoria
After breakfast, we depart for the Tanzania border at Isebania. We will enjoy a picnic lunch en route to our lodge on the shore of Lake Victoria - here we have the option to go canoeing, fishing or bird watching walks. -Speke's Bay Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Speke's Bay Lodge is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania and resembles a small village, stretched out along the shore of the lake. The main buildings and luxury accommodation are round in form, thatched with a grass roof in the traditional style of the local tribe, the Sukuma. Excursions in boats on the lake or on mountain bikes make a great experience. You can fish from the beach for talipia, go out in a boat to catch Nile perch, or wander around on the Lodge's 100 hectares of savannah, ticking-off the many bird species.

Lake Victoria (also known as Nyansa) is the largest lake in all of Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It is also considered to be the source of the Nile River. The lakeshore is highly indented and there are many islands in the lake.

Nov 01 - Into the Serengeti
After breakfast, we travel through the remote yet stunning Grumeti area of Western Serengeti. Our drive takes us across rocky hills with beautiful vistas, acacia woodlands and savannahs to our lodge in central Serengeti. -Serena Serengeti Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Serena Serengeti Lodge is set high on the saddle of a tree-clad ridge commanding panoramic views of the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of the Serengeti. The Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is the ultimate fusion of traditional African architecture and world-class style. Drawing its inspiration form the circular 'Rondavel' dwellings and winding paths of a traditional Maasai village, the Lodge features thickly-thatched, stone built rooms, spaciously set amongst groves of indigenous trees that are cooled by sparkling streams and papyrus-fringed ponds.

Serengeti - here you experience the soul-stirring feeling of space. Serengeti comes from the Masai word 'Siringlit', meaning 'the place where land runs on forever' and refers to the flat grassy plains which make up about a third of the park. It is these grasslands and savannahs that ensure that the area is jam-packed full of game. There are animals here at any time of year, but from October to May, the area teems with life, including wildebeest, zebra, impala, warthogs, topi, gazelles and hyena. Lion, leopard, cheetah and caracal can be more easily spotted in the Kopjes, granite inselbergs scattered across the landscape. The Serengeti is well known for the wildebeest migration, when every year, two million animals move clockwise around this 14,763 sq.km ecosystem in search of grazing spots and water. The predators follow the wildebeest and zebra closely and a Serengeti Safari is an ideal opportunity to view lions and other big cats.

Nov 02 - More Serengeti
Today we have two game drives (morning and afternoon). The great plains of the Serengeti are dotted with numerous species of mammals and birds. Our game drives will cover the varied habitats and eco-systems present in the Serengeti, plus focus on the migration if it is passing through the area. -Serena Serengeti Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nov 03 - Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater
We will have one more morning game drive before breakfast.

After breakfast, we will set out for Olduvai Gorge, "The Cradle of Mankind". It was here that early human remains were found (from about 1.75 million years ago). A small museum explains these finds. Later we drive on to Ngorongoro Crater, a natural wonder. We enjoy a glorious sunset and views of the crater from our lodge on the crater's rim. -Ngorongoro Serena Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Once the site of the British Governor's Private hunting lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge perches on the Rim of the ancient volcanic crater, one of the wonders of the natural World. Designed to be all but invisible from the crater itself, the lodge is perfect post-modern architecture, referring to past styles yet adapting them to its own purpose. Externally it is a wonder- fully stylized Masai village sitting handsomely, yet unobtrusively, within the landscape. Within a gloriously baroque decorative style forms an opulent and entirely delightful interior featuring antiques, African art and English country house furnishings in perfect harmony.

Ngorongoro Crater - the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world and a natural enclosure for the thousands of animals that never leave it. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area stretches from the Karatu Highlands to the Serengeti and covers an area of around 8300 sq kms. Formed by the same immense geological upheavals as the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro was once a mountain as high as Kilimanjaro. About 3 million years ago, it blew up, covering the Serengeti in ash. The crater floor sank leaving the rim to form a natural enclosure 2,285 meters high.

Viewing the Ngorongoro crater for the first time is a most amazing experience. As your vehicle slowly ascends through mountain forests you will feel it getting cooler and cooler. Eventually you reach the rim, and dropping sharply off in front of you is Ngorongoro Crater.

Ngorongoro Crater is the best self-contained safari destination in the world. The world's largest unbroken caldera, it is often referred to as the "Garden of Eden". The rich pasture and permanent water of the crater floor shelters a large population of animals. In fact, the crater floor is one of the most densely crowded game areas in the world and is home to about 20,000 animals. The open grassland makes it easy to police, so it is also a stronghold for endangered species like black rhino and cheetah.

Nov 04 - Ngorongoro Crater then on to Lake Manyara
Our safari vehicle takes us down the steep walls of the caldera into primeval paradise of woodland, lake, river, swamp and plain that shelters approximately 20,000 animals. When the water stocks are low elsewhere the animals within this micro-world turn to the swamps for fresh water and food. A soda lake attracts water birds, including flamingoes.
-Lake Manyara Serena Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nov. 05 - Lake Manyara
After breakfast we take a game drive through a beautiful park renowned for large elephant and buffalo population, flamingo, hippo and tree climbing lions. -Lake Manyara Serena Lodge - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lake Manyara Serena Lodge stands high on a bluff of dramatic ochre and terracotta streaked cliff above the flamingo-frosted expanse of Lake Manyara's gleaming alkaline waters. The lodge has the design motif of a traditional Maasai Manyatta (encampment) reflecting the brilliance of Lake Manyara's unique birdlife and commanding panoramic views across the Volcano-studded floor of the Great Rift Valley.

Nov 06 - Lake Manyara to Arusha to Nairobi
After breakfast we drive on to Arusha where we have reserved lunch then on to Nairobi. Breakfast, Lunch

Nov. 07 - Nairobi
Day room at Nairobi Serena Hotel
Evening transfer to Nairobi airport for departure to Canada
Breakfast

COSTING :

Cost for full program from Toronto - $7199.00 CAD / $5989.00 USD
All taxes430.00 " / $ 360.00 "

(rate quoted is per person based on sharing twin accommodation)