THE WONDERS OF
KENYA & TANZANIA SAFARI TOUR

Tour Departs: 13 July 2012 • Tour Length: 20 Days

An African safari is a truly awe-inspiring and humbling experience where we become immersed in the rich history and culture of the local people as well as the spectacular wildlife of the region. So after many years of offering successful tours to Southern Africa, we are delighted to extend our African horizons and offer this tour to the regions of Kenya and Tanzania. With perhaps the most amazing and famous game reserves and national parks of anywhere on earth, the region offers an astonishing amount of game in the midst of ravishingly beautiful and dramatic panoramas that will simply take your breath away.

Discover and experience the landscapes, the wildlife and the culture in the ultimate Big Safari, areas of Kenya and Tanzania, from the open plains of the Masai Mara,to the snowy peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro. This adventurous safari (in absolute comfort) showcases the ultimate in East Africa’s national parks and diverse scenery and provides the perfect opportunity to spot the “Big Five” as well as the myriad of other wildlife that populate the region.

ACCOMMODATION:
• Serena Mountain Lodge on the slopes of Mt Kenya
• Mara Serena Lodge in the Masai Mara
• Amboseli Serena Lodge in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro
• Lake Masek Camp Lodge
• Serengeti Serena Lodge
• Ngorongoro Serena Luxury Camp

Some of the camps offer tented accommodation but these tents are something else. All the accommodation tents include ensuite bathrooms, wooden floors, electricity and heating and the finest of bed linen. The “mess” and lounge tents are furnished with your comfort in mind even to the point of chandelier lighting, grand sofas and bookcases. Enjoy sundowner drinks around the campfire in the evening before retiring to the “mess” tent for “silver service” dinner. Camping as you’ve never known it!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
The tour is full of daily highlights but some of the more prominent highlights include:
• Dubai
• Nairobi, the Kenyan capital
• Mt Kenya & Mt Kilimanjaro
• The Great Rift Valley & Masai Mara National Reserve
• Serengeti National Park, the former home of George & Joy Adamson of “Born Free” fame
• Amboseli, & Lake Nakuru National Parks

TOUR COST:
Per Person Share Twin Room:                 NZD $15,950                   AUD $13,250
Supplement for Single Room (if required): NZD $  3,100                   AUD $  2,550

COSTS INCLUDE:
• Economy Class air travel from Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch, Melbourne or Sydney- upgrade to Business Class available at additional cost
• Airport, government and security taxes as known at September 2011
• First Class hotel, lodge or camp accommodation
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
• Sightseeing, entrance fees and game drives as indicated in the itinerary
• Baggage handling of one suitcase per person
• Tips to local guides and coach drivers
• Fully escorted throughout

COSTS EXCLUDE:
• Any meals and sightseeing not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Travel insurance – advice and assistance offered
• Items of a personal nature such telephone charges, laundry, drinks etc

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Friday 13 July
Home – Dubai
Late this afternoon, we report to the airport and join the flight to Dubai.

Saturday 14 July
Dubai (D)
We arrive in Dubai early this morning and after clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a two night stay. The morning is free to rest up after the flight and late this afternoon we enjoy our first safari – albeit a desert one – as we join a four wheel drive excursion over rolling dunes deep into the heart of the desert. Watch the sun cast its orange glow over the shimmering sand and enjoy dinner and entertainment under the stars in Bedu tents.

Sunday 15 July
Dubai (B)
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of the city. A fascinating historical excursion, the route takes you to the magnificent Jumeirah mosque, past modern palaces sprawled along the coast. In Bastakiya, you stop for a while to admire the old wind-towered houses built by wealthy merchants. Close by stands the 150-year old Al Fahidi Fort. Here, the Dubai Museum records the city’s past as an important pearl diving and trading centre. We continue our journey by abra (local water taxi). As you cross the Creek, you see the modern metropolis with its splendid architecture, dwarfing the bustling alleys of our next destination – the gold and spice souks.

Monday 16 July
Dubai – Nairobi (B.D)
A morning transfer to the airport where we join the 5 hour flight to Nairobi. Met on arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport and transferred to the Nairobi Serena Lodge, Nairobi’s finest hotel for an overnight stay.

Tuesday 17 July
Nairobi – Mt. Kenya (B.L.D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we enjoy a morning drive to the Mount Kenya region, arriving in time for lunch at our lodge. In the afternoon, our game drive will take us to the Chimpanzees Sanctuary before we enjoy game viewing on our way back to the lodge for dinner. Our accommodation is at Sweet Waters Tented Camp, with magnificent views across the plains to the snow capped peaks of Mount Kenya. The 30 luxury tents overlook the waterhole, floodlit by night, providing excellent and rarely seen game viewing.

Wednesday 18 July
Mt. Kenya – Great Rift Valley (B.L.D)
After breakfast, our drive takes us to the floor of the Great Rift Valley up the Mau Escarpment, destination Lake Nakuru National Park where the waters of the lake are often coloured shimmering Flamingo pink from thousands of birds lining the shore. We enjoy a hot lunch before proceeding on an afternoon game-viewing drive. We end the day at nearby Kigio Wildlife Conservancy and the Lion Hill Lodge, with stunning views of the Lake and the Park. The Lodge incorporates natural landscaping with tall acacia trees, winding walkways and greens dotted with bird feeds. The Lodge is a natural haven for bird life and attracts over 50 species of birds amongst the 400 species that inhabit the Park.

Thursday 19 July
Great Rift Valley – Masai Mara (B.L.D)
We drive to the Masai Mara National Reserve offering wonderful scenery and plenty of game. It is perhaps the only region left in Kenya where the visitor may see animals in the same super abundance as existed a century ago. We arrive at our camp in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Our home for 3 nights is the Mara Serena Lodge. No other Kenya safari lodge has such a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape than Mara Serena Safari Lodge. It is on this very terrain where the great annual migration takes place, when millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle traverse the landscape to feed on rich new grass and give birth to their young calves. The Masai Mara National Reserve is home to gazelle, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, the legendary black-manned lion and many more.
Set on a high ridge, Mara Serena is a modern incarnation of a traditional African village of domed huts. The huts are distanced apart so guests of each room have uninterrupted views of the landscape.

Friday 20 July
Masai Mara (B.L.D)
We spend the full day in the area with morning and afternoon game drive visits to neighboring Masai communities. The game viewing is excellent with a large population of the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard, together with prolific wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, elephant, cheetah and hyena. The early risers may wish to enjoy an optional balloon ride offering spectacular views over the region.

Saturday 21 July
Masai Mara (B.L.D)
Today, we can take some time out to relax and enjoy our surroundings.  Maybe an optional hot air balloon ride or you may wish to have another morning game drive.  For some, just sitting by the wonderful pool will suit just fine. 

Sunday 22 July
Masai Mara - Serengeti (B.L.D)
Today, we drive to the Serengeti National Park, undoubtedly the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and the greatest concentration of game anywhere. The exquisite Kirawira tented camp is the epitome of classic safari camp luxury and a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. Standing high on the bluff of a bush-cloaked ridge, commanding panoramic views over the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of the Serengeti National Park, Kirawira Camp is the epitome of colonially-styled safari luxury.

Monday 23 July
Serengeti (B.L.D)
After breakfast we explore the Serengeti during a morning game drive on our way to the Serengeti Serena Lodge. Set high on the saddle of tree-clad ridge commanding panoramic views over 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.

Tuesday 24 July
Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area (B.L.D)
We drive to the Ngorongo Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world. Its endearing charm stems from its overwhelming physical beauty and the abundance of wildlife permanently resident on the crater floor. En route, we visit Olduvai Gorge, site of archeological findings where traces of pre-historic man dating back 3.5 million years have been discovered. We arrive at our lodge in time for lunch with the remainder of the day at leisure. We spend 2 nights at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, set in a delightful acacia forest on the rim of the crater.

Wednesday 25 July
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (B.L.D)
After breakfast we descend into the crater with picnic lunches before returning to our lodge.

Thursday 26 July
Ngorongoro – Lake Masek (B.L.D)
After breakfast, we drive by Lake Manyara which, apart from its abundant bird and animal life, is renowned for its tree climbing lions. Overnight accommodation is at the Lake Masek Luxury Tented Camp. The views are terrific especially at sunrise. Sunset, however is best viewed while enjoying “sundowners”.

Friday 27 July
Lake Masek - Amboseli (B.L.D)
Today we drive to Amboseli enjoying lunch enroute at the Savanna Grill. Amboseli National Park is set below the most famous symbol in Africa – Mt. Kilimanjaro. Our home for the next 2 nights is Amboseli Serena Lodge in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro set beside acacia trees and a natural spring amidst more big game than perhaps anywhere else in Africa. The Lodge is in harmony with its environment offering unique guest services and exceptional amenities.

Saturday 28 July
Amboseli (B.L.D)
We will have plenty of time for morning and afternoon game drives, enjoying the view of “The Roof of Africa”, Mt Kilimanjaro. Here the major attraction is the large herds of Elephants.

Sunday 29 July
Amboseli – Nairobi (B.L.D)
After breakfast, we depart for Nairobi, Kenya’s colourful capital city for an overnight stay. Enjoy dinner together on our final night in Africa.

Monday 30 July
Nairobi – Dubai (B)
The morning is at leisure and this afternoon we transfer to the airport and join the flight back to Dubai. Arrival time is late evening and overnight accommodation is reserved near the airport.

Tuesday 31 July
Depart Dubai – Home (B)
We return to the airport this morning in time to report for our flight for home.

Wednesday 01 August
Arrive Home
Our flight arrives home around lunchtime with plenty of time for domestic connections.