13-day East African Explorer – Serena Lodges

Upon arrival, clients will be met and transferred to the Nairobi Serena Hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.  Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis  (Check in time is 1400hrs approx. And will be adhered to. Clients arriving in the middle of the night must book a pre-night as they will not be permitted to wait in the hotel lobby for check-in at 1400hrs.)

Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you travel towards Kenya’s fertile highlands and head down the rift escarpment on the road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. On the way, spot the charming chapel built at the foot of the escarpment.  Pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite
station as you head across the valley to Narok; continue your travels across acres of wheat and barley before reaching the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch, set off on your first game drive, returning to the lodge as the sun sets. Accommodation Mara Serena Safari Lodge on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Following an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the camp mid-morning. After lunch, and perhaps a siesta, set off on another game drive and visit the Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sunsets. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplementary cost.) Overnight at Mara Serena Lodge on a full-board basis

Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now, travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley and stop en route for a picnic lunch.  Keep an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai-Mahiu before arriving at Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingos.  It is also home to Black and White rhinos and the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. In the late afternoon, depart to your camp situated in Soysambu Conservancy. Accommodation Elmenteita Serena Camp on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Following an early breakfast, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch, depending on road conditions) and continue south towards Amboseli, arriving at your lodge by late afternoon. Accommodation Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.  Overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge on a full board basis.
 

Following an early breakfast, catch your last views of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro as you depart Amboseli.  You travel by road to the Namanga border, where you will say goodbye to your Kenya driver/guide and perhaps some of your fellow travellers who will return to Nairobi. You meet your Tanzanian transfer driver and travel by road to Arusha, where you have lunch (excludes drinks).  You meet any other travellers joining the trip in Arusha and continue to Tarangire National Park.  Once you pass the park gate, you begin game viewing as you go to the lodge, arriving for dinner and overnight. Accommodation Tarangire Sopa Lodge on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)  

Morning game drive and lunch at the lodge.  Then depart to Lake Manyara National Park arriving at your lodge perched above the Rift Valley escarpment for dinner and overnight. Accommodation Lake Manyara Serena Lodge on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park.  Return to the lodge for lunch.  Depart for Serengeti National Park.  Once you pass the Naabi Gate – the gateway to Serengeti National Park –you game view en route to the lodge arriving for dinner and overnight.  Accommodation Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.  Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full-board basis (excludes laundry and drinks) 
 

Depart the lodge and game view as you go to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.  A picnic lunch box is served en route.  Arrive at your lodge perched on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater for the afternoon at leisure, dinner and overnight. Accommodation Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full-board basis (with picnic lunch box) (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Depart early and descend to the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater.  You game drive in this paradise.  With a space of only 102 square miles and a resident wildlife population of more than 30,000 mammals, there is a great chance that you might see all of the big five.  A picnic lunch box is provided on the crater’s floor at a scenic location.  In the afternoon, you return to the crater’s rim and continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Accommodation Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on full board basis (with picnic lunch box) (excludes laundry and drinks) 

Those who wake up early enough will be able to enjoy the sunrise across the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.  Following breakfast, you depart the lodge and begin your journey back to Arusha, arriving in the city for lunch (excludes drinks).  Then transfer to Nairobi and drop off at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your departure flight (flight not included).  End of our services.