Classic Highlights of Kenya and Beach

CLASSIC HIGHLIGHTS OF KENYA AND BEACH

 ITINERARY IN BRIEF:

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1 : NAIROBI
JAMBO! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be met by Classic Journeys Africa Customer Care Representative who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel. Before checking in at hotel, he will brief you on your program ahead and introduce the Driver Guide who will be with you throughout the safari.

Accommodation: Longview Suites – Karen
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 2 : MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
After breakfast and a short briefing by your driver guide, drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to ‘the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest.  Arrive in time for lunch at your camp.
Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya’s most popular reserve. Arrive back in camp in time for campfire cocktails and dinner.

Overnight: Mara Leisure Camp    
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 3 : MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Your day will be spent on safari in Africa’s richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya’s largest lion prides and elephant herds. Other predators include leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena; while in the Mara River you will see fat pods of hippo and vast Nile crocodiles.
Other highlights include giraffe tops, gazelle, zebra, buffalo and over 550 species of birds.
Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon at an extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild! If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience. Alternatively visit a Masai village and get learn the Masai culture at an extra cost.

Overnight: Mara Leisure Camp    
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 4 : LAKE NAIVASHA
After your breakfast, you will depart for Lake Naivasha to arrive in time for check in and late lunch followed by relaxation at your camp.
This afternoon at an extra cost enjoy an optional boat ride to the crescent island – The Park where you walk with the Animals! There is just one “Crescent Island Game Park” and it is located on Lake Naivasha, Kenya in the Great Rift Valley. There are more animals per acre than any other Kenyan Park, hence many film companies have been to the Island to film the herds of Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Zebra and Gazelle.
They are not fenced in, which allows the wildlife on the mainland to come in as they lose their habitat to development and the ever increasing population. Hippo graze all over us at night then sleep under the acacia or rest in the water by day. The giraffe who were born on the Island return to give birth; sometimes you see three generations at a time. Hyena come to hunt at night but are not resident on the island, the many python that live here can be seen occasionally with a kill. Groups of Buffalo come and go but they are always monitored.
From the top of the hill there is a 360 degree view across the Lake from Longonot to Hell’s Gate to the Mau Escarpment to Eburu and onto the Aberdares.  Walking along the ridge in the golden hour before sunset whilst watching the animals grazing with the water shimmering beyond is what Africa is all about. Take a boat back to the lodge.

Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5 : AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
This morning you will drive to Amboseli National Park which is famous for its large elephant population roaming across the vast grassy plains, the big five, and the majestic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa among other species of flora and fauna.

Arrive at Amboseli in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game viewing drive in the park.
You drive through across this vast lake bed, often dry but swampy in some areas. We have a lot of game here like cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, gazelles and herds of elephants all set against the amazing back drop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro showing all its glory.
If you wish, for a nominal fee, you can also visit a Masai Village to experience this nomadic tribe’s way of life and see their colorful culture.

Accommodation: Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 6 & 7 : TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
Drive to Tsavo West National Park arriving in time for lunch, at just over 8,000 square miles; Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Because of its size the park was split into two, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, for easy administration. Located midway between Nairobi and the coast, the area boasts volcanic hills, four rivers, more than 60 major mammal species and 1,000 plant species. The northern part of Tsavo West is the most developed and has spectacular scenery with a rolling volcanic landscape carpeted in long grass and dense bush.
Although the tall vegetation makes game spotting trickier than in some of the other parks, Tsavo West’s bio-diversity is amazing. The landscape is a mixture of grassland and forest shrub vegetation. Thus driving and exploring the vegetation almost assures you close encounters with the following animals: lions, leopard, cheetah, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, kongoni, waterbuck, klipspringer, impala, gazelles, buffalos, and elephants. Apart from Tsavo’s elephant population there are many lion –some undoubtedly the descendants of the infamous and feared “Man-eaters of Tsavo” popularized in the film Ghost in the Darkness.  In addition to lion the resident carnivores in Tsavo include serval, hyena, leopard, cheetah, and caracal. The landscape is dominated, especially off the hills, by the giant baobab, a tree which is reputed to live 1,000 years.

Tsavo West is famous for the Mzima Springs. This star attraction is a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing hippos where a gushing supply of fresh, crystal clear water has created an oasis for wildlife. A specially constructed underwater observatory provides visitors with a unique view into the underwater world of Mzima. The water catchment is divided into two pools; here you can view hippos and crocodiles. The upper pool is occupied by the hippos and lower pool by the crocodiles.  In your stay you will also visit the rhino sanctuary in Ngulia where most of Tsavo’s surviving rhino, plus a number of re-located animals, have been moved and where a meter-high electric fence surrounds an area of 70 sq km now designated an official sanctuary for approximately 40 rhinos. The Sanctuary also offers shelter to a broad range of other threatened wildlife to include cheetahs and leopards and the rare frog (Afrixalus pygmaeus septentrionalis).

Overnight: Ngulia Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 8, 9 & 10 :DIANI BEACH
Today marks the end of your bush expedition. Have breakfast at your lodge after which you will check out. Your driver guide will meet you at the lobby and after packing all your bags in the customized safari minibus, depart Tsavo West with a game enroute. You will then rejoin with the Nairobi – Mombasa highway and head for Diani Beach. Arrive at Amani Tiwi your home for the next three days. You will spend your days relaxing at Diani!
Your Resort Amani Tiwi Beach Resort is a breathtaking five star development, offering a beautiful blend of eco, African and Swahilli influences in design, lush landscaped gardens and a private white sandy beach overlooking the Indian Ocean.
In your beach stay days stroll along the soft white sands, take a cool dip in the pool, simply relax on the beach, watch the sunrise & sit back and enjoy the charms of the African wilderness – the Amani Tiwi Beach Resort love to pamper you!  With all the comforts of the modern day, Amani Tiwi Beach resort is an ecofriendly haven. They invite you to explore the private and pristine paradise.

Enjoy private beach, 5 restaurants, 4 bars, thematic kids club, Onsite Diving Padi Course Diving School , Floodlit tennis courts Separate vegetarian Kitchen & 167 meter swimming pool with three islands.

Overnight: Amani Tiwi
Meal Plan: Half Board

DAY 11 : DIANI BEACH
Today marks your last day at Diani, spend the day at your resort, transfer to Ukunda airstrip for your flight to Nairobi!

Say good bye to the wonderful country and promise to join us on another expedition!

Inclusions

• Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary.
• Flight Diani to Nairobi.
• Transportation in a private chauffeur driven custom made safari minivan throughout the safari. Supplement for using a 4 X 4 land cruiser is quoted separately.
• Services of an English speaking driver-guide, game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Complimentary 1500 ml mineral water per person per day in the safari vehicle.
• All meet and greet services.
• All arrival and departure transfers.
• 24 hours stand-by contact number.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Exclusive use of the vehicle.
• All park entrance fees.
• Two-way long range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle.
• On safari accessories in each vehicle: – First-aid kit, wildlife books, a pair of binoculars, cool box and fire extinguisher.
• Flying doctors coverage which covers you within East Africa for a period of 14 days. In the eventuality of a medical emergency, you will be airlifted to Nairobi where you will be taken to a good hospital. Hospital bills are born by the patient.

Exclusions

• All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc.
• Tips and gratuities to hotel, lodges, camp staff and driver- guide(s).  Budget approx. $ 2.00 – $ 4.00 per person per day for lodge and hotel staff, $ 1.00 per bag for porters and $ 5.00 – $ 10.00 per person per day for driver-guides).
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks,
• Any local or international flight and departure taxes.
• Laundry services.
• Any other item(s) not included in our itinerary.
• Visa fees

TYPICAL DAY ON SAFARI
Our professional guides are there to assist you every step of the way.  Even though there is a general outline of your safari, your guide will talk with you regarding each day’s plans.  He will tell you about the country you are visiting, its history, traditions, the area you are visiting, what you see; he will take you to the loveliest places, look after any formalities or negotiations with the local people, and take care of your safety and comfort. They all are proficient in bush craft, and can also tell you about the local traditions, wildlife, identify the birds, and help you learn more about the world around you. All our guides speak English as well as their local language and some speak French and Spanish as well. Days will vary depending on your specific schedule, road conditions, and what you would like to do. A typical day may unfold like this:

You will get up before dawn when hot coffee and tea are served.  The air is cold as the sun rises and shimmers on the open plains.  This is the best time to see the wildlife.  Your camera is ready to go and you have layered your clothing to keep you warm.  Head into the bush and search for lions, elephant, giraffe and plains game.   Each turn will offer something unique – a lioness and her cubs, a herd of elephant moving to a waterhole, a cheetah stalking a gazelle.  Your morning game drive lasts about two hours, depending on what you see.  Return to the lodge for a delicious breakfast.  After breakfast there is time to relax from being up at sunrise or now is the time to participate in any additional activities that the lodge may offer – such as walks, village visits, or bike rides.

Lunch is usually served in camp/lodge, unless you are out for a full day’s game drive, when they will have a picnic lunch.  You will head out again in the afternoon; searching for the special species that may have eluded you.  As the sun sets, return to camp for a hot shower. Then indulge in a delicious dinner and after dinner drinks in the lounge. There may also be a chance to sit around the campfire exchanging tales of the bush. Everyone retires early with great anticipation of the next day’s adventure!

When you are out on safari your schedule is flexible at most locations; however, some locations have set times for game drives or walks.  You can always talk with the hosts of the camps/lodge to adjust schedules and they will try to accommodate you.  The restriction will be to stay within park rules and travel times required to get you to your destination.  Your guides will always give their recommendations but are there to listen to your needs.