AFRICAN SKIES LUXURY SAFARI (SAFARI OF THE YEAR).

Transcription

1 AFRICAN SKIES LUXURY SAFARI (SAFARI OF THE YEAR). African Skies Luxury Safari is an extremely cozy, exclusive and intimate nuzzle-up to Kenya that spares no effort to deliver an exceptional once-in-a-lifetime experience. This tour is marked by rugged luxury and is truly the definitive African adventure that offers an unparalleled expedition. The African skies shall be for you to conquer as you travel exclusively on private charter aircrafts from destination to destination. For starters, can you remember the last time you bathed in an open-air Victorian tub with the magnificent Masai Mara Reserve in the foreground? Or, more intriguingly, have you ever spend the night under the African stars? Nestled in jaw-dropping settings of serenity and breathtaking beauty are private sanctuaries that offer exclusive and unique safari experiences in Africa. The wildlife you will see is mind numbling. The African Skies Luxury Safari offers you a rare opportunity to walk with local Masai tribesmen who are ready to share with you their legend and folklore in order to experience the country at its most elemental capacity. In all, about two weeks of uncommon exhilaration that will forever be a part of who you are. SAFARI HIGHTLIGHTS. Day 1 - The Nairobi Serena Hotel - Nairobi Day 2 Borana Laikipia Plateau, Northern Kenya Day 3 - Borana Laikipia Plateau, Northern Kenya Day 4 - Borana Laikipia Plateau, Northern Kenya Day 5 Shompole Great Rift Valley, Southern Kenya Day 6 - Shompole Great Rift Valley, Southern Kenya Day 7 - Shompole Great Rift Valley, Southern Kenya Day 8 Mara Explorer Masai Mara Nat. Reserve Day 9 - Mara Explorer Masai Mara Nat. Reserve Day 10 - Mara Explorer Masai Mara Nat. Reserve Day 11 - Nairobi and departure.

2 DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI, THE NAIROBI SERENA HOTEL. Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport - Nairobi on board flight at hrs, go through the passport control then down to the luggage collection hall. Collect your luggage from the conveyor belt and walk out to the arrival concourse. Someone shall be waiting for you holding a folder written 'TRAVEL CONNECTIONS'. Drive from the airport to Nairobi Serena Hotel and check in. Rest of the day at leisure. The Nairobi Serena is a beautiful garden hotel. The hotel's clean white silhouette rises at the edge of Nairobi's extensive Central Park. Surrounded by its own tropical garden, the hotel's rather stark lines are softened by cascades of plants and flowers growing on terrace areas and individual balconies. From the gardens, terraces, swimming pool, and many of the rooms, there is a striking view of modern Nairobi's distinctive skyline, especially beautiful at night. The Mandhari is one of Nairob's finest a la carte restaurants. The elegance of the food, fine linens and silver is perfectly complemented by the inspired use of Kisii stone from western Kenya. The popular and more informal Café Maghreb is North African in style with arched recesses displaying pieces of brass and copper, and colourful tapestry screens separating tables. The Kisima Bar is decorated to reflect the importance of water themes in Swahili coastal life. 'Kisima' means watering hole in Swahili. There are low divans and stools, Swahili implements and murals on the walls. Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel - bed and breakfast. DAY 2 NAIROBI TO BORANA (BY PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHT 1 HOUR) After a sumptuous breakfast, transfer to Wilson Airport for your private charter flight to Borana. Arrive at Borana Airstrip and drive to lodge. Borana has been called the Ritz Carlton of Africa, but the luxury at Borana exists as much for the eye as for the body. Perched on the lip of a spectacular gorge, this legendary lodge looks out over hundreds of miles of Kenya northern wilderness; over a deep dam that draws a regular procession of elephants, plains game and majestic Greater Kudu. The real achievement of Borana is not just its decadent comforts and end-of-the-world views, but its concerted efforts to preserve this precious wilderness. Do afternoon game drive. Overnight at Borana Lodge fullboard. DAY 3 AND DAY 4 BORANA. Both days are exclusively set aside for a wonderful stay at Borana with game drives. Overnight at Borana Lodge fullboard. DAY 5 BORANA TO SHOMPOLE (BY PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHT 1.5 HOURS) After breakfast, transfer to airstrip for your private charter flight to Shompole. Shompole is a unique and artistically appointed luxury eco-camp overlooking the stunning expanse of the Great Rift Valley and Mount Shompole. The camp sits between two major lakes, Kenya s Lake Magadi and Tanzania s Lake Natron. The lodge straddles a spur of the Nguruman Escarpment, with sweeping views over the 35,000 acres of savannah and swampland that the Shompole people have carved as a

3 conservancy. This spring-fed wilderness includes a broad diversity of ecosystems, from acacia woodlands and grassy plains to riverine forests and swamps, providing vital dispersal area for wildlife. Overnight at Shompole fullboard DAY 6 AND DAY 7 SHOMPOLE. Shompole s diverse landscape surrounding provides the unique opportunity for a great range of activities. Of course there will be game drives with ample opportunity to see and photograph wildlife. You will soon find out that the itinerary at Shompole is somewhat flexible, written mostly according to your wishes. Think about early morning and evening walks, river trips, picnics or sundown visits to Lake Natron to see the flamingoes in all their pinkness! You are sure to find that the experience and skills of our Masai guides and trackers will push this experience to legendary status. Their knowledge of animals, birds and plants is phenomenal as you will be introduced to tribal legends and culture. Overnight at Shompole fullboard DAY 8 SHOMPOLE TO MASAI MARA (BY PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHT 30MINS) After breakfast, take your private charter flight to the Masai Mara Nat. Reserve. Pick up at airstrip and drive to camp. Location may not be everything, but with this level of luxury in the very heart of the world s greatest game reserve, Mara Explorer has all the ingredients of the perfect wildlife safari. Picture yourself lounging in an open-air bathtub on a wooden deck overlooking a gently meandering river. As the sun sets in a strident show of crimson and orange, a huge bull elephant ambles quietly through the bush and stops to admire you from the far bank. You are perfectly safe on your separate shores and you both have time to take in the unique apparition before you. There is nothing better in this life than to pass time, in complete comfort, in the company of greatness. Mara Explorer is an exclusive 5 star camp that is private and thoughtfully designed. Your luxurious tent has its own private deck overlooking the Talek River and well furnished with hand-carved mahogany furniture, rich African artifacts and all the amenities of home, including a private open-air Victorian bathtub. Do afternoon game drive. Overnight at Mara Explorer Camp fullboard DAY 9 AND DAY 10 MASAI MARA NAT. RESERVE. These days are solely reserved for game viewing the great national reserve. Once in the Mara, you will discover why it s arguably the most famous reserve in all of Kenya. It s no wonder the film Out Of Africa was shot here, for it is a beautiful slice of a beautiful country. With breathtaking views as a backdrop, your game drives will reveal an extraordinary density of animals, including the big five. In the summer months, there is a thunderous spectacle to behold; the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles to the Mara grasslands. Their dramatic river crossing is a sight to see. Apart from the migration, viewing game in the Masai Mara is superb. Overnight at Mara Explorer Camp fullboard

4 DAY 11 MASAI MARA TO NAIROBI (BY PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHT) THEN DEPARTURE. After breakfast, you will be picked by your private charter aircraft and fly back to Nairobi s Wilson Airport. Day room at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. Farewell dinner then transfer to the airport for your international departure flight. COST: USD 7,650.- PER PERSON SHARING IN A DOUBLE ROOM SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT - USD 1,460.- NOTE: THIS SAFARI DOES NOT RUN IN THE MONTHS OF APRIL, MAY AND NOVEMBER. Cost includes- All transfers Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary Private charter flights to all destinations Experienced English speaking driver guide during the safari All park entrance fees. Included in Borana. Game drives, day and night. Guided walks. Horse riding. Game blinds. Mountain biking Soft drinks, local beer, house wine, Airstrip transfers Laundry Included in Shompole. Game drives, day and night. Guided walks. Soft drinks, local beer, house wine, Airstrip transfers Canoe trips Sundowner to Lake Natron Laundry Included in Mara Explorer. Game drives, day. Guided walks. Soft drinks, local beer, house wine, Airstrip transfers Laundry Not included- International flights and taxes Visa fees Personal insurance policy Personal effects and toiletries Laundry unless specified. Drinks unless specified Tips.

5 OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION CURRENCY Kenya money is called Kenya Shillings, abbreviated as Kshs. 100 cents makes 1 shilling. 1 US$ is equivalent to about Kshs. 75/= but this may change from more to less from bank to bank and lodge to lodge depending on the percentage of the commission charged. Most banks in Kenya open between 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs. There are however bureau de changes in every urban center and they open as earlier as 08:00hrs and close at 17:00hrs. Hotels and lodges change currencies as well. VISA/MASTER CARDS Most lodges and hotels included shops accept the use of Visa/Master cards. WATER On the whole safari, it is recommended that you use only mineral water for drinking. Tap water may be used for shower and brushing of teeth, but we do not recommend that you drink it. The hotels and lodges have enough mineral water and you may also purchase this en-route when you make short breaks between the destinations. WEATHER July is the cold in Nairobi with little or no rains at all. South Eastern Kenya and Northern Tanzania would have cool evenings and a spell of sun during the day. Temperatures would range from 20 to 24 degrees Celsius during the night and as high as 27 degrees Celsius during the day. You will require warm clothing during the evenings i.e. jackets, long sleeved blouses and shirts, trousers etc. For the day, you may need casual clothing as t-shirts and shorts. PHOTOGRAPHY Generally, photography is allowed in Kenya and Tanzania. The animals get a monthly wage for posing for the photos, so you are encouraged to take a much as you wish. Do not take photos of strangers, police officers, military personnel, presidential motorcade, masai herdsmen and women or any other traditionally dresses persons. You may seek permission first before taking shots of strangers and masai people. Your driver will be at your service for any assistance that you may need. POWER VOLTAGE All regions in Kenya and Tanzania are supplied with 240 volts. Almost all sockets you will find on safari are those that take in the rectangular prongs plug. You may however need to carry an adaptor just in case the two bottom holes are too wide apart for the charger prongs to go in. Most lodges and hotels will provide you with an adaptor if you do not have one. It will be very rare to find sockets with rounded prongs. TIPPING As a sign of appreciation, you may offer some tips to those who offer services at the hotels on the entire safari. However, tipping remains entirely on you. Should you feel like tipping for services rendered, we recommend that porters and waiters be given at least US$ 1.- For the driver-guide, we recommend an average tip of USD 5.- per person per day. DO'S AND DON'TS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES. Do not throw litter or leave litter. There are litter bins at designated places or you may leave them in the bus. Do not feed the animals, i.e. monkeys, baboons etc Do give the animals the right of way and do not disturb wildlife Do not take any plant or animals, dead or alive. Do not start fires or throw cigarettes Do stay in your vehicle except at designated viewing points Do not shout, laugh loudly, play radio or cassettes as this will keep away the animals. Do enjoy yourself to the fullest

6 Travel Connections wishes you an unforgettable African safari. For any further details, please contact, Felix Koskei Managing Director ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Travel Connections Ltd, P. O. Box 3698, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: Tel/Fax: Mobile: Website: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~