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KENYA – TANZANIA SAFARI COMBINED  ITINERARY:

DAY 1: NAIROBI

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, met and transfer to city Hotel. Overnight at INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL.(bed & breakfast)

DAY 2: NAIROBI – MAASAI MARA

Distance: 265 KMS – 5 hrs Drive

Early morning (at 07:00 hrs) collected from your Hotel by your driver/guide and depart for Maasai Mara National reserve, driving due west out of Nairobi, down the Great Rift Valley Escarpment to Mai Mahiu, where you connect with Road to Narok (the Maasai Capital) and onwards to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

Arrive at Sarova Mara Camp, at the heart of the Reserve, in time for lunch.

Afternoon game viewing, in what is generally acclaimed as the finest game viewing area in the world!

The day will culminate with dinner and overnight at SAROVA MARA CAMP.

 

DAY 3: MAASAI MARA

Rise at dawn for an early morning game drive – best time to capture Lions and other cats out for a hunt! Return to the Camp for breakfast. Thereafter depart for further game viewing in the extensive Mara plains. All meals and overnight at SAROVA MARA CAMP.

 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (At an additional cost denoted below):

• 01 Hour HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI over the Mara Plains, culminating with a Champaign bush breakfast

The Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) covers some 1,510 km2 (583 sq mi) in south-western Kenya. It is the northern-most section of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which covers some 25,000 km2 (9,700 sq mi) in Tanzania and Kenya. It is bounded by the Serengeti Park to the south, the Siria escarpment to the west, and Maasai pastoral ranches to the north, east and west. Rainfall in the ecosystem increases markedly along a southeast–northwest gradient, varies in space and time, and is markedly bimodal. The Sand, Talek River and Mara River are the major rivers draining the reserve. Shrubs and trees fringe most drainage lines and cover hillslopes and hilltops.

The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland with seasonal riverlets. In the south-east region are clumps of the distinctive acacia tree. The western border is the Esoit (Siria) Escarpment of the East African Rift.

Altitude: 1500-2180m; Rainfall: 83mm/month; Temperature range: 12-30℃

DAY 4: MAASAI MARA – NAIVASHA  

After sumptuous breakfast at the Camp, drive to Lake Naivasha at the base of the descent, lies the papyrus fringed Lake Naivasha, arriving in time for lunch at your Lodge on the shores of the Lake.

The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure, to enjoy the tranquility of the Lake, with interactions with a few plain game within the Lodge perimeters.

The region also offers a plethora of activities, such as a Boat ride, visit to Crescent Island or Hells Gate National Park.

(These activities / visits are at an additional cost!!!)

Dinner and overnight at LAKE NAIVASHA SIMBA LODGE.

This beautiful and expansive lake, set in the Rift Valley, gets its name from the Maa word for “tempestuous”, or moody. Located close to the now extinct volcano Mt. Longonot, the several vents and underwater caves that connect the two make it impossible to guess the exact depth of the lake, and the resulting currents and temperatures mean that the lake could be calm and serene in the morning, and choppy, cold and grey by the same afternoon! Naivasha was considered the heart of the opulent ‘Happy Valley’ settler population during the colonial era in the early 20th century, a trendy set equally renowned for their tempestuousness!  Lake Naivasha is extremely popular with visitors who would like to enjoy a lazy boat ride to admire the proliferation of over 350 species of birds which include fish eagles and ospreys, herons and egrets, purple gallinules, lily-trotters, red-knobbed coots and black crakes, or to admire the families of hippos that inhabit the lake. Those who prefer a faster pace could hire a speedboat and cruise the lake in spectacular style!

Crescent Island, which can be accessed by road at times, depending on the water levels, is a unique wildlife sanctuary found on Lake  Naivasha. An abundance of plains game inhabits the sanctuary, which is visited on foot; one of the main attractions on the island is an albino python, an amazing sight to behold, if it is in the mood to expose itself!

DAY 5 : NAIVASHA - AMBOSELI

After an early breakfast, depart for Amboseli region. Arrive at Oltukai Lodge, for lunch.

Late afternoon proceed on a game drive at the Amboseli National Park, with the immense grandeur of Mount Kilimanjaro as a picturesque background.

The game drive will culminate at sunset, with a return to OLTUKAI LODGE for dinner and overnight.

A shimmering landscape of mirages arising from the dried- up salt pan of the ancient Lake Amboseli, with the impossibly huge Mt. Kilimanjaro feeding the fresh water streams that water the marshes and swamps of Ol Tukai, and watching over park’s inhabitants, Amboseli is Kenya’s most popular destination for big game photography, home to the country’s largest elephants as well as buffalos, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, gazelle and other plains game. Hippos silently guard the pools and marshes, which are frequently invaded by the animals seeking solace from the midday heat, as well as by the park’s numerous bird species, which are in themselves a special attraction of Amboseli.

DAY 6: AMBOSELI – TARANGIRE

After breakfast, depart for Namanga border town where you change vehicles and proceed to Arusha for lunch.  In the afternoon proceed to Tarangire National Park. Game view en route to the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE
           The 2600 sq Km Tarangire National Park covers an area of open country dotted with the  majestic baobab trees, acacias and palm trees. The orange- hued landscape alternates between   scrub, open plains, swamps and rivers, crossed by the Tarangire River. During the hot dry season, the park is at its prettiest. Everything is coloured brown or orange; the baobabs, the massive elephants that cover themselves in the red earth to protect themselves from the flies and the heat. At this time, the concentration of animals in the park rivals that of the Ngorongoro Crater, as animals from as far away as Kenya travel to the Tarangire River’scoolingPermanentwaters.    
As characteristic of the park as are the baobabs, the local Elephant population, estimated to be at about 5000, is Tarangire’s pride and joy. Other animals include wildebeest, zebra, eland, oryx- all under the watchful eye of cheetahs, leopards and lions.The less visited southern part of the park is covered by swamps, teeming with hippos and birdlife and by savannah plains, in which walking safariscanbearranged.    

DAY 7: TARANGIRE - SERENGETI

Early morning game before breakfast at the Lodge. Depart with picnic lunches for Serengeti National Park. Game viewing en route to the Lodge. Dinner and overnight at the SERENGETI SERENA  LODGE

DAY 8: SERENGETI

Morning and afternoon game viewing drives (or optional full day game drives, with picnic lunches).All meals and overnight at SERENGETI SERENA LODGE

Serengeti National Park lies in north western Tanzania, straddling the border with Kenya. The Park encompasses half of the 30,000 sq Km Serengeti- Mara Ecosystem, a range of land defined by the limits of the Wildebeest movements throughout the year.
Tanzania’s oldest park, with its even more ancient landscape forged by the past volcanic activity of the several volcanoes in the nearby Ngorongoro Highlands; the rich grasses of the plains play host to the most spectacular numbers of wildlife in the world. Almost every African animal species is represented in the Serengeti, birthplace of the millions of plains game that continually circle the ecosystem. Huge granite boulders, known as kopjes, are characteristic of the park, and provide sanctuary for birds, colourful Agama lizards and sombre snakes, adorable rock hyraxes, as well as the big cats that seek shelter from the elements. Although famed for its plains, the Serengeti encompasses woodland, thornbush, swamps and Lakes Lagaja and Magadi, supporting over 30 species of large herbivores and over 500 species of birds, including Eurasian migrants, with its diversity. The Gol and Moru Kopjes, the central Seronera area which is an oasis of springs, pools and surprisingly, palm trees, and the equally mysterious “Whistling Thorn” country- the Western Corridor which leads to the Grumeti River, home of Africa’s largest crocodiles, are some of the natural obstacles which the wildebeest and zebra encounter and must cross, during their annual migration up north towards the Masai Mara. 

DAY 9: SERENGETI - NGORONGORO

After a leisurely breakfast, depart with picnic lunches and drive to Ngorongoro Conservation area game viewing en route. Balance afternoon free.

Dinner and overnight at the NGORONGORO SERENA LODGE

                                                           Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers an area of 8, 280 sq Km.  An area of outstanding natural beauty, indeed one of the most breathtaking in the whole of Africa, the Ngorongoro area embraces rolling fertile green hills covered with flowers during the rainy season, while in the sheltered valleys and plains, Clusters of villages that are the home of the red-robed Maasai herdsmen, fierce in the protection of their prized cattle and traditions, abound. Forests, rivers, lakes and swamps, the silent silhouettes of mountain andvolcanic craters, including some of the oldest in Africa.
These extinct volcanoes, whose past activity contributed to the landscape and lush vegetation of Ngorongoro as well as that of the nearby Serengeti plains, include Lemagrut, Sadiman, Oldeani, Olmoti, Sirua, Lolmalasin and Empakaai, always a favourite with hikers, and last but not least, the Ngorongoro Crater- a World Heritage Site. Heading out of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and out towards the Serengeti, we find the Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site.

DAY 10: NGORONGORO

Breakfast at the Camp and depart for a full day crater tour with picnic lunches. Dinner and overnight at the NGORONGORO SERENA LODGE

The Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world measuring over 600m deep and some 8-19Km in diameter, is believed to be about 8 million years old. The steep descent into the crater is almost as exciting as the scene that awaits you within the crater; a fantastic showcase of nature’s best.
The diverse landscape within the crater, in which the savannah blends in to swamps, rivers, marshes, forests and cliffs, provides sanctuary for the black-maned lions, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants, and leopards that live side by side with thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras, both black-backed and golden jackals. The Crater is also home to some of Tanzania’s last remaining rhinos. Flamingos and hippos inhabit the alkaline lakes and fresh water pools; old elephants can be seen patiently wading through the papyrus ponds, while way up, on the slopes of the crater, unique and beautiful Afro-Alpine vegetation blankets the ground in a rich green cover, occasionally hidden by the mist and fog that occurs at the rim, which stands at over 2300m.

DAY 11: NGORONGORO – ARUSHA-ZANZIBAR

After breakfast, drive to Arusha for lunch.  In the afternoon transfer to Arusha Apt for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6° south of the equator. Zanzibar Island (known locally as Unguja, but as Zanzibar internationally) is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Stone Town was recently and deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Zanzibar's brilliant white beaches lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun and take a break from some busy sightseeing.The beaches in Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean.

Zanzibar also boasts several small offshore islands which are ideal for a day-trip. Prison (or Changu) island is the most popular with tourists because it is only a short trip from Stone Town. Originally, it was used by Arabs to detain recalcitrant slaves, and then a jail was built by the British, but it was never actually used.