Classic across East Africa expedition

YOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1
ARRIVAL /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: Nairobi Serena/Monarch Hotel
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 lodge.

Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya’s most popular reserve. Arrive back in lodge in time for campfire cocktails and dinner.
Overnight: Mara Serena Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge    
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 Serena Lodge/Mara Sopa Lodge    
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 4
LAKE NAIVASHA/LAKE ELEMENTAITA
After your breakfast, you will depart for Lake Naivasha/Lake Elementaita to arrive in time for check in and lunch. You will then spend the afternoon at leisure followed by an evening 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: Elementaita Serena Lodge/Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 5
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
This morning after breakfast, 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.

Enjoy a delicious Brazilian steak at Pampa Grill Nairobi before proceeding to arrive at Amboseli in the late afternoon for a game drive

Accommodation: Amboseli Serena Lodge/ Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 6
AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK
Full day in the Amboseli National Park with two game drives. 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 Serena Lodge/Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 7
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
This morning depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area through the Namanga Border point .The famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (NCCA) features rolling plains, lakes, craters, mountains and dormant volcanoes. Hot lunch will be at Arusha  Kibo Palace Hotel before driving to arrive at your lodge in time for dinner and relaxation or an optional cultural village visit.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Country Lodge Karatu
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 8
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
After breakfast, descend into the ‘8th Wonder of the World’, a unique biosphere that has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. Enclosed within its towering walls are grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife. Here too are all the members of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as a large cast of plains game and one of Africa’s densest populations of predators. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before climbing back up to the lodge in time for relaxation before dinner.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge /Country Lodge Karatu      
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 9
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, drive through NCCA with picnic lunch boxes and cross into neighboring Serengeti National Park stopping en route at Ol Duvai Gorge. Known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, this is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Pioneered by famous paleontologists Louis and Mary Leakey in the 1950s it offers a glimpse into life two million years ago.
Arrive at your lodge or camp in time to relax and enjoy a classic safari supper
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge/Serengeti Kati Kati Camp        
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 10
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, enjoy a full day’s game driving (meals taken in true safari style ‘in the bush’) in the vast and sensational Serengeti, which covers 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah. Venue for ‘the greatest wildlife show on Earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest, the park is
also renowned for its lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and plains game. Overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge/Serengeti Kati Kati Camp        
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 11
LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast drive to the beautiful Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that shimmers in a cleft in the Great Rift Valley.  Enjoy lunch and check in at your lodge. Then later enjoy an afternoon game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park famous for its tree climbing lions. Later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge/Kirurumu Tented Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

DAY 12
Drive to Arusha. Following lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge, spend time doing last minute shopping then later you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight back home.

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