Arrival

Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to Arusha Coffee Lodge, luxury boutique hotel situated in a working coffee plantation.  The balance of the day is at leisure.  The hotel has wonderful views of Mt. Meru, the fifth highest mountain in Africa, from the hotel’s balconies.  This evening you are free to dine on your own enjoying the hotel’s exceptional cuisine.

Spend a pleasant morning being driven to Manyara National Park where we check in at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, famous for its lovely views of the Rift Valley. Lunch at the lodge is followed by an afternoon game drive in the park, renowned for a large elephant and buffalo population.  Manyara was once famous for its tree-climbing lions and we may have the opportunity to locate a few perched high in the trees. 

Check-out after breakfast departing for the famous Ngorongoro Crater.  Enjoy a splendid lunch at Gibb’s Farm Coffee Plantation enroute. On arrival at the Ngorongoro Crater, check in at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.  The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy not only the scenery but take part in the evening activities the Lodge has on offer. 

Created 3 million years, this huge caldera of the once-active volcano, Ngorongoro became a sanctuary filled with a vast array of Africa’s wildlife. Within the towering walls that ring the crater lie forests, grasslands, fresh springs and a large soda lake.  This morning, packed with picnic lunch boxes, we descend to the crater floor where we will mingle with some of its 20,000 resident animals. Watch as the Black Rhino, in its last remaining refuge in Tanzania, emerges from the forests, a prehistoric figure making a surreal impression in the early morning mists.  At the Makat Soda Lake watch huge flocks of flamingos and other water birds. Then thrill to the scenes of the hunt as the predators hide in the marsh ready to ambush animals coming to drink where the river feeds into the lake. In the crater’s marshy areas look for elephant and hippos keeping cool in the African heat. And, in the wide-open grasslands, the herds of zebra, wildebeest and gazelles stretch as far as the eye can see.  Return to the lodge.  The evening is at leisure.

Today, we journey far back into human history when we visit the Oldupai Gorge en route to Serengeti national Park.  This archaeological site, often referred to as the ‘cradle of mankind’, is where Dr. Louis Leakey found traces of pre-historic man dating back 3.5 million years. Then we continue on and check-in at the Serengeti Serena Lodge for a 2-night stay.  Following a tasty lunch we take our first game drive through this park famous for its large concentration of plains game such as zebra, wildebeest and gazelle. Return to Lodge in the early evening to witness a spectacular sunset as we prepare for dinner.

We enjoy unmatched game viewing during morning and afternoon drives in what is arguably the best- known wildlife sanctuary in the world. ‘Serengeti’ means ‘endless plains’ in Maasai and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals. About 35 species of plains animals can be seen here including the ‘big five’ of which there are upwards of 1,500 lions alone. The Serengeti is also famed for its annual migration. Triggered by the seasonal rains, up to a million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thompson’s gazelle gather to undertake their long trek to new grazing lands. Starting with the wildebeest rutting season, a frenzied 3-week long bout of territorial conquest and mating, the trek begins. It is truly the survival of the fittest as to who gets through this great migration where crocodile-infested rivers must be crossed and where hungry predators who look on this long column of herbivores as a moveable feast, must be avoided.

Leaving the Serengeti after breakfast, we will travel to the Dutch owned Speke Bay Lodge situated on the shores of Lake Victoria with picnic lunch en-route. This very pretty lodge with bandas (bungalows) overlooking the lakeshore is a birder’s paradise.  Take the late afternoon to relax and simply enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Bidding farewell to Lake Victoria we travel to the Isebania border crossing point where we meet our Kenyan driver. After some brief border formalities, we proceed on safari in Kenya entering the famed Maasai Mara Game Reserve. We arrive at our lodge in time for lunch and later in the afternoon explore the rolling hills and plains for a wonderful sight of the great numbers of different species of animals found here. (NOTE: Today’s drive is very long from Speke’s bay to Mara Serena Lodge and can take upward of 8+ hours depending on road conditions, game sightings en-route as well as the border crossing time from Tanzania at Isebania into Kenya.)

Morning and afternoon game drives will be conducted in the Maasai Mara, considered one of Africa’s most important game reserves. In the afternoon, you have an option of relaxing by the poolside or another game drive.  Today is an opportunity to visit a Maasai village to meet with the elder and enjoy traditional dancing and bargain for beaded jewelry.

You have the option to embark on a game drive just after dawn.  An early morning wake-up call followed by tea or coffee and cookies and on the safari vehicles to catch the sparkling sunrise and the natural awakening of the wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check-out.  We transfer to the airstrip to board our flight en-route to Nairobi.  On arrival, we have lunch and drive to the Mount Kenya Safari Club. The Club is situated at the foot of Mt. Kenya (17,058 feet). The elitist membership of this club would include movie stars, aristocrats and politicians, both local and international. We spend the afternoon and evening in total relaxation in the beautiful landscaped gardens. For the more adventurous, optional activities include golf, tennis and horse-back riding.
(NOTE: Maximum baggage allowance on the light aircraft flight mentioned in the itinerary is 15 kgs per person in soft side bags only plus a reasonable amount of camera equipment).

We set off this morning with packed lunch for a day trip to Ol Pejeta Rhino Reserve, a haven for nature lovers. At Sweet Waters Tented Camp overlooking on one of the finest waterholes in the reserve we have an unforgettable opportunity to watch and photograph big game. We will also visit the Jane Goodall Chimp sanctuary. Return to Mt Kenya Safari Club for dinner and an evening at leisure.

After a sumptuous breakfast it is time to check-out and drive back to Nairobi with an early lunch en-route at the Trout Tree Restaurant.  Later we check in at the beautiful Nairobi Serena Hotel located amidst lush tropical gardens with panoramic views of the city’s Central Park.

After breakfast we enjoy a city tour of Nairobi and also visit the African Heritage Center for some last minute shopping.  Continue to the Nairobi Airport for your onward flight.