Classic Kenya & Tanzania Great Parks Exploration

CLASSIC KENYA & TANZANIA GREAT PARKS EXPLORATION

YOUR ITINERARY

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/Longview Suites Karen
Meals: Breakfast

After your breakfast and a short briefing by our Customer Care Representative, 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/Sawela Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

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/ Zebra Plains Camp Mara
Meal Plan: Full Board

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/ Zebra Plains Camp Mara
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, leave the Mara game reserve with picnic lunch boxes and drive to Lake Victoria, stopping en route at Isebania border for Immigration formalities. Arrive at the Speke Bay in the late afternoon and spend the rest of day at leisure.
Embraced by savannah, the Lodge looks like a small village, stretched out along the shores of the Lake Victoria. The main buildings and luxury accommodation are round in form, built to perfection, painted white and thatched with a grass roof in the traditional style of the local tribe, the Sukuma. All eight bungalows are situated along the shore of the lake. Each bungalow is a separate structure designed to ensure your privacy.

Excursions in boats and on mountain bikes are offered, so you can truly experience Africa this afternoon; you can fish from the beach for Tilapia, go out in a boat to catch Nile perch, or wander around on the Lodge’s 100 hectares of savannah, looking for birds.

Overnight: Speke Bay      
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, drive into neighboring Serengeti National Park with game viewing. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge followed by afternoon relaxation and enjoy a classic safari supper

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

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

This morning depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch boxes 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 .The famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (NCCA) features rolling plains, lakes, craters, mountains and dormant volcanoes. Arrive at your lodge in time for dinner and relaxation or an optional cultural village visit.

Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge / Marera Valley Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

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 / Marera Valley Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board

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

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!

Inclusions

• Accommodation & Meals as stipulated in the itinerary.
• Transportation on safari will be in a private chauffeur minivan in Kenya and 4 x 4 land cruisers in Tanzania while on safari with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing & photography.
• Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide. French/Spanish speaking are at no extra cost
• All transfers
• All park fees
• All Government taxes and levies.
• 24 hours stand-by contact number.
• Guaranteed window seat.
• Two-way long-range high frequency radio communication in each vehicle.
• On safari accessories in each vehicle: First-aid kit, wildlife books, cools box and fire extinguisher.

Exclusions

• All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax/email bills etc.
• Gratuities and Tips to Hotels / Camps staff and Driver/Guide(s).
• Domestic & International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
• Laundry services.
• Visa fees. Visas are available on arrival at all Entry point/s
• Easter supplements of USD $ 40 per person per night on the Easter dates and Christmas supplements of USD $ 40 per person per night on the Christmas and New year period.

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.