14-day Best of East Africa

This classic 14-day Kenya and Tanzania combination lodge safari includes all the best scenic and wildlife areas. Fully escorted but booked on a custom basis this safari includes the Samburu, the Highlands around Mt. Kenya, the Rift Valley lakes and magnificent Mt. Kilimanjaro, while the highlights will be the Masai Mara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Between them they form an area of truly remarkable scenic splendor and a wildlife spectacle unrivaled anywhere in the world.

Highlights: Samburu, Mount Kenya, Rift Valley and lakes, Masai Mara, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
Group Size: maximum 8 people
Type of Safari: Lodge
Vehicle: Minibus + 4WD

2010 Price: From USD$4115 per person sharing*

Includes: Accommodation and meals full-board, Government taxes and service charges as known at time of printing , Transport with driver/guide, Game drives and park entry fees, Internal flights where indicated Domestic airport departure taxes (except for flights from Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia). Other activities where indicated.

Excludes: Visas, inoculations and personal insurance, International flights and airport taxes, Drinks and laundry except where indicated, Optional excursions and activities, Tips and personal expenses.

Day 1 - NAIROBI
Transfer from Nairobi airport to the Nairobi Serena hotel for overnight BB

Day 2 - SAMBURU
Depart on safari after breakfast. Leave Nairobi, heading north through a patchwork of coffee plantations and small farms towards Mount Kenya and the highlands. Gaining altitude, the scenery becomes more lush, the air cooler and the roadside becomes a fascinating ribbon of small shops and stallholders. Stop en route at Karatina market. continue over the shoulder of Mount Kenya before descending the spectacular road down to the plains of Samburu game reserve. Arrival in time for lunch the Lodge. There will be time to relax by the pool before a late afternoon game viewing drive in the reserve. Spend two nights at Samburu Serena lodge, overlooking the Uaso Nyiro river.

Day 3 - SAMBURU
Morning and afternoon game viewing in Samburu, a game reserve unlike any other in Kenya with its dramatic scenery and unusual animal species. The Uaso Nyiro river forms the life blood of this arid area and is home to both crocodile and hippo while elephant, lion and leopard can be found along the shady river banks. Meanwhile, the rare and often more handsome species of well-known plains game such as Reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra and long necked Gerenuk graze in the more open bush land.

Day 4 - MOUNT KENYA
A morning drive back to the Kenya Highlands and drive deep into the forests on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya for overnight at Mountain lodge. Safe in the comfort of the lodge, guests can observe the animals gathering to drink at the floodlit waterhole until well into the night. with luck, it may be possible to see elephant and rhino vying for the same piece of salt deposit while Buffalo, water buck, wart hog, bush buck, dik-dik and perhaps the rare kudu wait their turn.

Day 5 - LAKE NAKURU
Leaving the green and fertile highlands, visit Thomson's water falls before descending into the Rift valley. Continue to Lake Nakuru National park. Lunch and afternoon game drive beside the lake, seasonal home to over 450 species of bird including millions of Flamingo lining the shore. Overnight at Lion Hill lodge or Flamingo Hill camp.

Day 6 - MASAI MARA
A morning drive to Masai Mara game reserve, passing by the dormant Longonot volcano and arriving in time for lunch at a lodge. Continue during the afternoon through the reserve, game viewing en route . The next two nights are spent at Mara Serena lodge with its wonderful views across paradise plains.

Day 7 - MASAI MARA
A full day game viewing in the Mara, Kenya's finest wildlife reserve. Elephant and Buffalo abound in the riverine forests, while out on the grasslands Impala and Thompson's gazelle can be seen together with their attendant predators such as lion, Cheetah, Hyena and Jackal. The Mara is, in fact, the northern part of the Serengeti ecosystem and plays host to the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra during the months of July to October. Lesser known species such as topi, hartebeest, waterbuck Eland and many small mammals create a kaleidoscopic picture of wildlife. An optional balloon safari, guided nature walk or breakfast in the bush may also be booked in advance.

Day 8 - NAIROBI
A scenic drive back to Nairobi for lunch at Serena hotel. Afternoon free to relax or go shopping in town. Tonight we recommend dinner at one of Nairobi's many excellent restaurants (pay locally). Overnight at Nairobi Serena.

Day 9 - LAKE MANYARA
Transfer to the airport for flight to Arusha and lunch at a restaurant. Continue on safari, crossing the Great Rift valley and ascending the escarpment for overnight at Manyara Serena lodge, with its panoramic views of Lake Manyara far below.

Day 10 - SERENGETI
A morning game drive in Lake Manyara National park. This park is unique for its diverse and distinct Ecological zones ranging from the rocky Rift wall and ground water forest to woodland, open grassland, thermal springs and swamp. This diversity of habitat allows the visitor to see a wide variety of wildlife in a relatively small area. Look out for the rare tree-climbing Lions, monkeys galore in the tropical rain forest, hippo and flamingo around the lake and plenty of plains game grazing on the savannah. Lunch at the lodge and continue West to the Serengeti plains. Spend the next two nights at Serengeti Serena lodge.

Day 11 - SERENGETI
Morning and afternoon game viewing in Serengeti, perhaps the greatest symbol of African wildlife heritage. Being centrally located, Serengeti Serena Lodge is an ideal base for exploring this hugely diverse Park. The short grass plains dotted with rock outcrops "kopjes" dominate the south and supports a combined population of more than 2.5 million Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle during the wet season December to April. As drier weather approaches in May, the wildebeest migrate to the centre and Western corridor of the park where acacia savannah predominates and giraffe are more likely to be found. Don't forget to look out for leopard and hippo along the riverine forest. By July, the herds arrive in the north where the plains give way to densely wooded hills and elephant country. Here they remain until the coming of the short rains in November signal the start of the Great Trek south again.

Day 12 - NGORONGORO
Drive to Ngorongoro, stopping en route to visit the small Archaeological museum at Olduvai where Louis and Mary Leakey found the fossilised remains of some of man's oldest ancestors. Lunch and remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Spend the next 2 nights at Ngorongoro Serena lodge.

Day 13 - NGORONGORO
A half day game viewing in the crater with picnic lunch. A first glimpse of Ngorongoro leaves one literally breathless. Once a huge volcano, probably larger than Kilimanjaro, it is now a vast circular amphitheatre, spectacularly beautiful and a garden of Eden for huge numbers of wildlife. The animals are resident throughout the year and it is not difficult to find the "Big Five" Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard. Centrepiece of the extensive floor is Crater lake with its pink mantle of Flamingo and other birdlife. In high season it may be necessary to continue to Manyara for overnight.

Day 14 - DEPART
Return to Arusha for lunch and afternoon scheduled flight to Nairobi. Transfer to hotel or airport for departure.