13-day East African Explorer – Sopa Lodges

Starting in Nairobi, this popular 4WD road-based safari takes in the best wildlife areas of Kenya and Tanzania.  Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of Africa’s best wildlife reserves.  Discover Amboseli National Park with its 400 different species of birds. Search for the Big 5, in their natural habitat during several game drives in the Serengeti National Park and see why this region is truly the game-viewing capital of the world.  And, admire the breath-taking scenery of Ngorongoro Crater in search of wildlife.

Safari Briefing:                  Day 2 at 07:00 hours approx.
Departs on Day 2:          0730hrs approx.
Returns on Day 13:          19:00 hours approx. (flights to be booked 23:00 hours onwards)
Pick up point Day 2:      Safari Park Hotel
Drop off point:                 Intercontinental Hotel or Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

This itinerary is available in 2 levels of accommodation:
DaySopa LodgesSerena Lodges
DaySOPA LODGESSERENA LODGES
1Safari Park Hotel & CasinoEka Hotel
2Masai Mara Sopa LodgeKeekorok Lodge
3Masai Mara Sopa LodgeKeekorok Lodge
4Lake Nakuru Sopa LodgeLake Nakuru Lodge
5Amboseli Sopa LodgeOl Tukai Lodge
6Amboseli Sopa LodgeOl Tukai Lodge
7Lake Manyara Kilimamoja LodgeLake Manyara Serena Lodge
8Serengeti Sopa LodgeSerengeti Serena Lodge
9Serengeti Sopa LodgeSerengeti Serena Lodge
10Ngorongoro Sopa LodgeNgorongoro Serena Lodge
11Ngorongoro Sopa LodgeNgorongoro Serena Lodge
12Tarangire Sopa LodgeTarangire Sopa Lodge
13EndEnd

 

Highlights

  • Nakuru
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Nairobi
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Serengeti National Park
  • Amboseli National Park
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Tanzania
  • Kenya

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Nairobi

Upon arrival into Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to the Safari Park Hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Safari Park Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.  Check in time is 14:00 hours approximately 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 14:00 hours.  Suggested Optional Nairobi Excursions for Early morning arrivals.

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Day 2 : Masai Mara National Reserve

Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you'll travel towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment.  You'll pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.  Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 3 : Masai Mara National Reserve

After an early breakfast, clients will depart on a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. After a siesta set off for an afternoon game drive and visit to the Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement).  Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

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Day 4 : Nakuru

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, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai -Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. Once in the park, view game en route to the lodge. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingos.  It is also home to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 5 : Amboseli National Park

After an early breakfast continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride. Later, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch dependent on road conditions). Later head south towards Amboseli arriving at your lodge by late afternoon.  Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

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Day 6 : Amboseli National Park

Depart the lodge after a sumptuous breakfast for a full day game drive, enjoy a picnic lunch at a picnic site returning to the lodge at 1600hrs. Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 7 : Lake Manyara National Park

After breakfast, you continue the journey to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. After lunch, drive across the Masai Steppe to the Great Rift Valley. Here, your hotel is perched high on the rim overlooking the park below. Overnight at Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 8 : Serengeti National Park

After breakfast enter your safari vehicle and spend the morning exploring and driving through Lake Manyara National Park. About midday return to the lodge for lunch and then depart for Serengeti National Park with some game viewing en route arriving at your lodge as the sun begins to set. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 9 : Serengeti National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park exploring this famous park and all that it has to offer. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement) Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 10 : Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, after a picnic lunch you continue towards the crater with a short visit of a Masai Village. Late afternoon, continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 11 : Ngorongoro Crater

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.

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Day 12 : Tarangire National Park

Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east en route to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu village and Tarangire beyond. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge. After lunch and perhaps a swim, the remainder of the afternoon will be spent on a game drive.  Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on full board basis

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Day 13 : Departure

Depart Tarangire after breakfast and drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch you continue the journey by road to Nairobi arriving in Nairobi late afternoon and proceed for dinner in Nairobi city centre before drop-off at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Nairobi city centre hotel.

Included

Meet and greet services with assistance at the airport or border.
All transport on the safari sector in Kenya and Tanzania will be in 4×4 safari vehicles (with seven window seats) with an English / Bilingual speaking driver-guide on shared basis.
All Airport transfers in Kenya and travel between Kenya and Tanzania may be in coach or safari bus.
Maximum of 7 passengers per vehicle.
Meals and accommodation as specified.
All park fees and government taxes.
½ litre bottle mineral water per person per day on game drives.

Excluded

Visas and international flights/regional flights.
Airport taxes (clients pay direct).
Driver-guide gratuities, drinks, dining rooms tips and porterage.
Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance.
Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature.
Extra transfer requests – applicable as per contract.