13-day East African Explorer – Serena Lodges

Starting in Nairobi, this popular 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:             07:30 hours approx.
Returns on Day 13:             19:00 hours approx. (flights to be booked 23:00 hours onwards)
Pick up point Day 2:        Nairobi Serena Hotel
Drop off point:                    Nairobi Serena Hotel or Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Highlights

  • Nairobi
  • Lake Elementaita
  • Amboseli National Park
  • Tarangire National Park
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Central Serengeti
  • Lake Magadi
  • Tanzania
  • Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Kenya

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Nairobi

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.)

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Day 2 : Masai Mara National Reserve

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.
Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge on a full board basis

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Day 3 : Masai Mara National Reserve

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 to 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

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Day 4 : Lake Elementaita

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, stop en route for a picnic lunch. Keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai -Mahiu, before arriving Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingoes.  It is also home to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Late afternoon depart to your camp situated in Soysambu Conservancy.
Overnight at Lake Elementaita Serena Camp on a full board basis

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Day 5 : Amboseli National Park

Early morning bird guided walk.  Following an early breakfast, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch dependent on road conditions) and continue south towards Amboseli, arriving at your lodge by late afternoon.
Overnight at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge on a full board basis

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Day 6 : Amboseli National Park

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.

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Day 7 : Tarangire National Park

After breakfast, you continue the journey to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. After lunch you depart Arusha and pass through the Maasai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni continue to Tarangire National Park Gate to clear formalities.  Enter the park and begin exploring and game viewing as you continue to your lodge arriving for dinner and overnight
Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

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Day 8 : Lake Manyara National Park

Morning board your safari vehicle for game viewing within the park in search of its large lion prides and elephant herds.  Drive through the baobab tree lined park and explore the silale swamp.  Return to your lodge for lunch.   Afternoon drive north through the park and to the town of Makuyuni where you continue the journey through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.
Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

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Day 9 : Central Serengeti

After breakfast there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. Return to the lodge for lunch.  Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you begin spotting wildlife as you approach the entrance gate.  Complete the formalities and enter the park with game viewing en route to the lodge arriving for dinner
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

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Day 10 : Central Serengeti

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

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Day 11 : Lake Magadi

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing wildlife across the vast Serengeti plains, stopping en route for a picnic lunch.  Continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater arriving for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

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Day 12 : Lake Magadi

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife arena.  After an early breakfast, you drive to the crater entry gate and 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.  A truly unique wildlife experience.  A picnic lunch box is served near a pond populated with hippos.  Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on full board basis (with picnic box lunch)  (excludes laundry and drinks)

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Day 13 : Departure

Depart Ngorongoro after breakfast and drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch you continue the journey by road to Nairobi and onto a Nairobi City Centre restaurant for dinner. You are then transferred to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Nairobi Serena Hotel for your onwards arrangements.  End of our services.

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.
Airport taxes
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.
Balloon Safaris (sold separately).