Day 1: Nairobi
On your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for relaxation and overnight.
Day 2: Nairobi - Masai Mara
After breakfast if time allowing, we visit the Kazuri Beads Centre and workshop for those interested in shopping. Kazuri means "small and beautiful" in Swahili and it describes each striking ceramic bead which is shaped by hand by the women employed at the Kazuri workshop. Afterwards we head to the Masai Mara, the traditional land of the Maasai people, who are permitted to graze their cattle in this area. The Masai Mara covers an area that includes the riverine forests along the banks of the Mara and Talek Rivers, acacia forests and the open plains of the savannah.
Day 3: Masai Mara National Reserve
Today we spend the whole day game viewing in the world famous Masai Mara National Park. Here the various habitats are home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are also plentiful in the rivers and the bird life is very abundant.
Day 4: Masai Mara - Lake Victoria
This morning we continue our journey southwards across the border into Tanzania and on to Lake Victoria. Some leisure time in the afternoon, or to possibly take a bird walk along the lake shore. Kindly be advised there will be a change of guide and vehicle at the border crossing into Tanzania.
Day 5: Lake Victoria - Serengeti National Park
This morning you have the opportunity to take part in a boat excursion to one of the local fishing villages, before we bid Lake Victoria farewell and continue our journey Southwards to Serengeti National Park. We pass through the villages of the Sukuma tribe, who grow ground nuts, sorghum and cassava as well as keeping livestock. Life carries on here simply as it has done for ages, but with a few poignant reminders of the 20th century. We head towards the Serengeti through the stunning central Plains. This is the area that the Serengeti is best known for – the endless, undulating grass savannah with rocky outcrops that serve as isolated wildlife refuges.
Day 6: Serengeti National Park
Today you will be spending a full day game driving around the Seronera area of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is divided into three main areas: Seronera is the most central and accessible region and this is where the Park HQ is based, as well as most of the larger lodges and communal campsites. This part of the Serengeti is characterised by open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing all year round. It is also particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats, the leopard.
Day 7: Serengeti National Park
We have another exciting day of exploring the Serengeti National Park ahead of us. With lunch boxes provided we continue with game drives throughout the afternoon, scanning the endless plains, spotting many animals and truly realizing just why this national park is so famous. In the late afternoon we drive back to the lodge for overnight.
Day 8: Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro - Karatu
This morning we have an early departure through stunning Southern Plains of the Serengeti. We continue for a game drive in the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater. For many, this wildlife spectacle is the pinnacle of their safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater boasts all of the ‘Big 5’, including a small population of endangered black rhino. In the late afternoon we arrive in the small village of Karatu for overnight.
Day 9: Culture tour - Lake Manyara - Karatu
After breakfast, we set out to experience the cultural diversity of Mto-wa-Mbu, starting at the market and visiting a Chagga family producing banana beer and passing by many different farms. On the way, your guide will introduce you to the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area and explain the irrigation system that sustains local crops. After having a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mama’s home, we enjoy a visit to the Maasai Boma for the cultural encounter of a life time. The Maasai people are seminomadic herders, who choose to live a traditional lifestyle and are known for their distinctive traditional attire. In the late afternoon we embark on a walking tour to Lake Papyrus. Here clients can view this magnificent lake filled with abundant birdlife and hippos. If time allows we can do some light trekking up to the waterfall. From here you will view the lake on top of the Rift valley wall; then onto the banana plantation and rice field, ending off the tour with a local village visit. On completion we return to the lodge for dinner & overnight.
Day 10: Manyara National Park - Tarangire
After breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and set off towards Lake Manyara National Park. The spectacular reserve is located at the north-western corner of Lake Manyara, a hallow soda lake, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. We enjoy a scenic drive in the park known not only for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions.
Day 11: Tarangire National Park - Arusha
After breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and set off towards Tarangire National Park for a half day’s game drive. The breath-taking views of the Maasai Steppe, and the mountains to the south, make a stop at Tarangire a truly memorable experience. Tarangire is as well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the centre of an annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra. In the late afternoon we arrive in the town of Arusha – the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park.
Day 12: Arusha - Amboseli
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the border and then onwards to Amboseli. En route, we pass the Marangu waterfalls – which is a moderately strenuous walk (we do recommend sturdy shoes and a degree of walking fitness). We continue north to Amboseli National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon. Kindly be advised there will be a change of Guide and Vehicle at the border crossing into Kenya.
Day 13: Amboseli National Park
Today we will head into the Amboseli National Park for a full day of game viewing in one of Kenya’s most famous parks. Amboseli is known for its huge elephant bulls with their magnificent tusks, which make for the ultimate safari picture with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
Day 14: Amboseli National Park - Nairobi
After breakfast, we continue back to Nairobi. After Lunch we visit the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is the beautiful and historic farmhouse where Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”, lived between 1917 and 1931 until she left Kenya after a series of personal tragedies. Thereafter, we head to the Giraffe Centre and the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage for a visit. The institution is named after the wife of the late famous Naturalist, David William Sheldrick who was the founder warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya from its inception in 1948 to 1976. The baby animals are brought from the national park for a mudbath at the orphanage, where for an hour you will be around them. In the late afternoon arrive at your hotel.
Day 15: Nairobi
The tour ends after breakfast this morning and you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.
