Classic Across East Africa Expedition 2019

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Our Classic Across East Africa Expedition offers array of world wonders waiting to be discovered while staying in luxury and mid luxury accommodation properties that offer clients a unique experience due to their strategic locations, great personalized service and value they offer to clients & meaningful employment to the local people.

From the Serengeti and Masai Mara the arenas to one of the greatest spectacle on earth ~ the wildebeest migration that occurs as millions of herds of wildebeests and zebras follow fresh grazing that sprout in the wake of annual rains. The tour also highlights other great attractions such as Ngorongoro Crator a collapsed extinct volcano whose rich grasslands host more than 30,000 animals. The Amboseli National Park famous for its large herds of elephants and the most classic & breathtaking views of the gigantic Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Naivasha’s Cresent Island is one among Kenya’s beautiful secrets where you will get to enjoy game viewing on foot! The scenic Lake Manyara famous for its tree climbing lions, flamingoes and beautiful scenery is also a must visit in the program!

Throughout the safari you will drive and pass through the rich East Africa cultural lands amongst them being the Maasai the legendary tribe of nomad warriors and herdsmen that dominate the beautiful plains moving their households time to time in search of best pastures!

Indeed “The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to.” ~ Richard Mulli

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 for 4.5 Star / Nairobi Safari Club for 3.5 Star

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 for 4.5 Star / Mara Sopa Lodge for 3.5 star    

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 for 4.5 Star / Mara Sopa Lodge for 3.5 star    

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 for 4.5 star/Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge for 3.5 star

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 for 4.5 star / Amboseli Sopa Lodge for 3.5 star

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 for 4.5 star/Amboseli Sopa Lodge for 3.5 star

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 for 4.5 star / Bougainvellea for 3.5 star

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 for 4.5 star / Bougainvillea Safari Lodge for 3.5 star

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 for 4.5 star/Serengeti Kati Kati Camp for 3.5 star       

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 for 4.5 star / Serengeti Kati Kati Camp for 3.5 star       

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 for 4.5 star/Kirurumu Tented Lodge for 3.5 star

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!

Safari inclusions:   

• Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary.
• Transportation in a private safari minivan in Kenya and 4 x 4 land cruiser in Tanzania on safari with pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
• Services of an English or Spanish or French speaking driver-guide, unlimited game viewing drives and parks entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• All Government taxes and levies.
• 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.
• 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.          

Safari 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.