SFA.OT14 TANZANIA & KENYA 15 NIGHTS, 16 DAYS GETAWAYS WITH AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE The annual wildebeest migration of herds in Northern Tanzania and Kenya is one of the world's most spectacular wildlife events. Often referred to as the Greatest Show on Earth', The Great Wildebeest Migration is a movement of approximately 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra throughout the Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems. Despite the wealth of maps and illustrations showing the path of the migrating herds, as with anything in nature, the actual day to day pattern is unpredictable. We have studied and planned itineraries to fit in with the moving herds for many years, but cannot hope to say exactly where they will be next year! 1
DAY 1 Nairobi On arrival at the airport you will be met by a representative of Safaris for Africa and transferred to your hotel. Optional orientation half day city tour of Nairobi (or) afternoon at leisure. The tour covers the modern city center, the colorful market, Parliament, the Railway Museum and the renowned National Museum where there are spellbinding displays of early man, tribal regalia and flora and fauna of Kenya, A visit to the adjacent snake park is also included. Welcome dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant (highly recommended) Introduction by a representative of Safaris for Africa followed by a short overview on the history of Kenya & Tanzania. Overnight: Luxury en suite accommodation DBB DAY 2 Aberdare National Park After breakfast we depart for the Aberdare National Park, in the dense forest of the Rift Valley, Kenya's largest rainforest and rhino sanctuary. We arrive at our hotel in time for lunch. This is followed by our first evening game. DAY 3 Lake Naivasha After breakfast we depart for Lake Naivasha arriving in time for lunch Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha and a walking safari at Crescent Island, one of the few places in the world where one can walk on foot amidst wild animals - there are no predators. The bird life is an ornithological paradise. 2
Overnight: Luxury en suite accommodation DBB DAY 4 Lake Naivasha 3
DAY 5 Masai Mara After breakfast we travel south along the Great Rift Valley with a stop over at the Great Rift Valley view point. We continue our journey passing through the vivid green tea highlands of Kericho to the famous Masai Mara Reserve. We have lunch en route at Narok [a masai town-market] Arrive in the late afternoon at our camp, for your two night stay. Evening game drive to spot wildlife such as Elephants, Rhinos, Cheeters, Buffallos among others. DAY 6 Masai Mara After breakfast we enjoy a morning game drive in the game reserve which is Kenya's finest wildlife sanctuary. Including migrants, well over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. July, August and September are the months when the Mara plains are filled with migrating wildebeest and zebra, there is however resident wildlife year round. The famous Maasai tribesmen live within the dispersal area of the game reserve. We traverse the park looking for the big five and wild animals such as Leopards, zebras, gerenuks, gazelles and many others. 4
In the evening visit the Masai villages, to learn about their culture and how it has been maintained for centuries. DAY 7 Serengeti Today you leave for the Great Serengeti Plains and the 6 000 sq miles of the Serengeti National Park, home of the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth the Great Wildebeest Migration. The migration consists of some 300 000 wildebeest and 350 000 zebra and, at this time of the year your luxury lodge should be in the midst of all this activity. Besides the migration, this area has great prides of lion and many other species; including leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephant and crocodile, as well as large variety of antelope. After lunch your first Serengeti game drives. Overnight: Luxury Lodge en-suite accommodation DBB 5
DAY 8 & DAY 9 Serengeti Two full days are spent exploring this wonderful wildlife sanctuary and tracking the game. On these days we will experience morning and afternoon game drives or go out for a full day safari with a picnic lunch. Your professional guide will advise you on the best option at the time. Please note that all the wildlife touring is in 4 x 4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with a fridge and seating for 4 pax in order to maximize game viewing. DAY 10 Ngorongoro Crater This morning we are off on your next wildlife adventure! You leave the great plains of the Serengeti for one of the worlds natural wildlife wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is 10 miles across and 2 000 feet deep, it said to be home to some 30 000 wildlife residents. On the way we will stop off at the Oduvai Gorge, the Cradle of Mankind, where Dr Louis Leakey discovered the early remains of our ancestors. We will also visit a Masai Manyata (village), to understand how this warrior tribe has lived for hundreds of years. Accommodation for the next two nights will be at a luxury lodge, set a top the rim of the Crater, each room with a superb view looking 2 000 feet down. Overnight; Luxury en-suite accommodation DBB DAY 11 Ngorongoro Crater After breakfast a highlight awaits you this morning as you descend through the morning mist 2 000 feet to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater has been called the world s largest zoo, and the animals here can be approached fairly close, offering wonderful opportunities for photos. Here you can find lion, zebra, wildebeest, a variety of antelope, cheetah monkey, baboon and some of the largest bull elephant in Africa today. 6
It is also here that you have the chance of seeing the highly endangered Black Rhino including the black manned lion prevalent in this area and wild dog. This is a very special day. We enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater. Overnight: Serena Lodge DBB DAY 12 Lake Manyara Today we travel to Lake Manyara, an amazing wildlife sanctuary famous for its tree climbing lions and dramatic views. It is located in a depressed valley where the red and brown cliffs of the western wall of Great Rift Valley seem to rise up out of the lake itself. Springs rising from the base of the escarpment provide a welcome water supply. While the lions may be shy (visitors who spot them are lucky indeed), Manyara includes a variety of habitats, home to a variety of big game and a rich assortment of birdlife. We will enjoy a picnic lunch in the park amongst the wildlife. Late afternoon you will drive up the side of the Great Rift Valley to your luxury tented camp, which is set right on the edge of the Great Rift Valley with wonderful views over the vast plains. Overnight: Luxury en suite accommodation DBB DAY 13 Amboseli After breakfast we depart for Arusha where we will enjoy a light lunch. We continue our drive to the Namanga border where we proceed on to Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is a Maasai word for a 'place of fresh water and famous for its largest concentration of elephants 7
We enjoy and a late afternoon game drive as we make our way to the Lodge situated beneath Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa s highest mountain. The snows at certain times of the year form a majestic backdrop to one of Kenya s most popular spectacular displays of wildlife, creating Kenya s most sought after photographer s paradise. DAY 14 Amboseli We experience a dawn game drive in the park, returning to the lodge for breakfast. The remainder of the morning we spend at leisure. We enjoy lunch at the lodge followed by an evening game drive to see the elephants at close quarters DAY 15 Nairobi Breakfast and depart for Nairobi, arriving around noon. Afternoon at leisure. Farewell dinner @ Bomas of Kenya a short distance from the city centre. You will be treated to a rich traditional Kenyan music and dance show. DAY 16 Transfer ex hotel to airport TOUR ENDS 8