This 11 Day East Africa Safari allows you to take in the drama of life on the African savannah.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Nairobi | ||
| DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight. | ||
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| ITINERARY
Days of Operation – Daily
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END OF SERVICE
1
Transfer from Nairobi airport to the Nairobi Serena hotel for overnight BB.
2
Depart on safari after breakfast. Leave Nairobi, heading north through a patchwork of coffee plantations and small farms towards the Aberdare mountains located in the Kenya highlands. Gaining altitude, the scenery becomes more lush, the air cooler and the roadside becomes a fascinating ribbon of small shops and stallholders. Stop en route at Karatina market. Continue deep into the forests of the Aberdares for overnight at The Ark forest lodge. Safe in the comfort of the lodge, guests can observe the animals gathering to drink at the floodlit waterhole until well into the night. with luck, it may be possible to see elephant and rhino vying for the same piece of salt deposit while Buffalo, water buck, wart hog, bush buck, dik-dik and perhaps the rare kudu wait their turn.
3
Descend from the lush highlands into the Rift Valley with its stunning volcanic landscapes. lunch at a Lodge overlooking Lake Nakuru. Afternoon birdwatching around Lake Nakuru, seasonal home to great flocks of Flamingo lining the shores and and a multitude of other exotic birdlife. Lake Nakuru also contains prolific wildlife and is one of the best places in East Africa to see rhino. Dinner and overnight at Nakuru Sopa or Lion hill lodge.
4
A morning drive to Masai Mara game reserve, passing by the dormant Longonot volcano and arriving in time for lunch at a lodge. Continue during the afternoon through the reserve, game viewing en route. The next two nights are spent at Mara Serena lodge with its wonderful views across paradise plains.
5
A full day game viewing in the Mara, Kenya’s finest wildlife reserve. Elephant and Buffalo abound in the riverine forests, while out on the grasslands Impala and Thompson’s gazelle can be seen together with their attendant predators such as lion, Cheetah, Hyena and Jackal. The Mara is, in fact, the northern part of the Serengeti ecosystem and plays host to the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra during the months of July to October. Lesser known species such as topi, hartebeest, waterbuck Eland and many small mammals create a kaleidoscopic picture of wildlife. An optional balloon safari, guided nature walk or breakfast in the bush may also be booked in advance.
6
An early breakfast and drive to the shores of Lake Victoria, crossing into Tanzania at Isebania. Picnic lunch en route and remainder of the afternoon free to relax at the lodge overlooking Lake Victoria. Dinner and overnight at Speke bay lodge.
7
8
Morning and afternoon game viewing in Serengeti, perhaps the greatest symbol of African wildlife heritage. Being centrally located, Serengeti Serena Lodge is an ideal base for exploring this hugely diverse Park. The short grass plains dotted with rock outcrops “kopjes” dominate the south and supports a combined population of more than 2.5 million Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle during the wet season December to April. As drier weather approaches in May, the wildebeest migrate to the centre and Western corridor of the park where acacia savannah predominates and giraffe are more likely to be found. Don’t forget to look out for leopard and hippo along the riverine forest. By July, the herds arrive in the north where the plains give way to densely wooded hills and elephant country.
Here they remain until the coming of the short rains in November signal the start of the Great Trek south again.
9
Morning game viewing in Serengeti. Lunch at the lodge and afternoon drive to Ngorongoro, stopping en route to visit the small Archaeological museum at Olduvai where Louis and Mary Leakey found the fossilised remains of some of man’s oldest ancestors. Spend the next 2 nights at Ngorongoro Sopa or Serena lodge.
10
Drive down to the crater floor for a day game viewing with picnic lunch. Once a huge volcano, probably larger than Kilimanjaro, it is now a vast circular amphitheatre, spectacularly beautiful and a garden of Eden for huge numbers of wildlife. The animals are resident throughout the year including all of the “Big Five” Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard. Centrepiece of the extensive floor is Crater lake with its pink mantle of Flamingo and other birdlife.
11
Morning drive to Arusha for lunch. Transfer to ARK or JRO airport for departure.
View our fly in safari packages with air transfers between safari parks and camps
The Great Wildebeest Migration of East Africa is an amazing natural cycle and Masai Mara
You embark on an excellent safari that offers you an enchanting bush and beach experience on a budget.