| Starts | Nairobi, Kenya |
|---|---|
| Ends | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Region | Kenya |
| Duration | 15 days |
| Tour Operator | Intrepid Travel |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Nairobi & Finishing: Nairobi
On arrival in Nairobi, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel by an Intrepid representative. You may wish to speak to the representative regarding any additional tours or activities that you might wish to do while you’re in Nairobi. There will be a trip briefing at the hotel at approximately 6 pm this evening. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. Please note this is an arrival day – you can arrive at any time. Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, was established at the turn of the 20th century by Europeans as a stores depot during the construction of the East African Railway. Without plan or design, it established itself as the capital of the British protectorate, and today has a population of around three million.
Day 2 - Starting: Lake Nakuru National Park & Finishing: Lake Nakuru National Park
Depart Nairobi and head north-west towards Lake Nakuru National Park (approximately 4 hours), arriving in time for lunch. Afterwards climb into our truck for an afternoon game drive and watch as hundreds of pink flamingos converge on Lake Nakuru, all under the watchful eye of nearby rhinos and zebras. Lake Nakuru is a soda lake which is home to massive numbers of flamingos - up to two million on occasion - and thousands of other birds. It has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle and, at times, the lake is literally a sea of pink. There is quite a good chance of seeing white rhinos, whilst black rhinos may prove to be more elusive. After spending the day in the park, we return to our private lodge. Perched on natural cliffs skirted with giant fig trees, the lodge grounds are home to numerous reptiles species, rock hyraxes and birds.
Day 3 - Starting: Lake Naivasha & Finishing: Lake Naivasha
Enjoy a scenic drive across Kenya, travelling south along a road sandwiched between two impressive natural reserves, to Lake Naivasha (approximately 3 hrs). One of the few freshwater lakes in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is bordered with flat-topped acacias and has floating islands of papyrus reeds. It's also home to a healthy population of hippos and a tremendous variety of birds. There is an option to venture out on a boat ride through the crater lake.Â
Day 4 - Starting: Lake Naivasha & Finishing: Lake Naivasha
Today is free to explore at your leisure. See all that this vast lake has to offer on a waterside bike ride or opt for time on the water instead and head out on a boat trip. If hiking is more to your tastes then there are two spectacular walks to consider – the first through the leafy hills and mountains of the Crater Lake Game Sanctuary, and the second to Hell's Gate National Park. Hell's Gate is a dry trail compared to the Crater Lake path, winding its way along scenic paths through narrow cliff breaks, and is home to rare bearded vultures. Return to the Camp at Lake Naivasha.
Day 5 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
Head south-west to your next destination, the Masai Mara - arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa (300kms, approximately 8-9 hours). The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, we may be lucky to observe black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah. These predators find an abundant food supply in the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle that roam the grasslands. On the way pass by the remote region of Loita Hills, home of the traditional Maasai people. Here you will make a stop to visit the Maasai, known for their vibrant red dress and elaborate jewellery, and gain an insight into the culture and ancient ways of this proud East African Community. Meet your Maasai hosts and enjoy a fascinating talk, full of insights into this remarkable and ancient culture, from a local elder. Enjoy being shown around a traditional Maasai home and their cattle enclosures. You will have an afternoon game drive on the way to a permanent tented camp. The camp is situated within the Masai Mara Eco-system and on the banks of Ololaimutia River. If you're lucky you will find Elephants, buffalos, and antelop stopping by for a drink. All tents have hot showers, toilet, built-in fly screens, and a private front verandah.
Day 6 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
Today, wake before dawn to start a morning game drive when the sun comes up, one of the times of the day when most animals tend to be more active. After what is hopefully an exciting morning's drive, return to camp for lunch and to relax during the heat of the day. Set off again in the afternoon and expect to return to camp around sunset. However, depending on wildlife movements, you may on occasion do a full day's game drive, and in this instance you'll stop en-route for a picnic lunch.
Day 7 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
If you missed out on seeing one of the Big 5 (lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinoceros) yesterday, never fear! Today is a free day and you might like to head out on an optional morning or afternoon 4x4 game drive. Each day on the reserve is a shifting narrative, with new encounters and stories to be found as you cruise across the plains. An optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity (please see 'Important Notes') you will be picked up and driven to the launch site, receive a safety briefing from your pilot and help inflate the balloon. You then glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, providing amazing wildlife photography opportunities; sometimes ascending to get an overview of the enormity of the Masai Mara plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. Upon landing you'll be treated to a bush breakfast before being returned to your vehicle. Please note if you are taking a balloon ride over the Mara you will be taken to the launch place from our camp before dawn and returned to the group when you have finished your ride. Notes: The balloon ride is offered as a pre-booked service, which will guarantee you a spot in a balloon. If you choose to wait and book this activity locally on the ground you may get a better price. However this is a popular activity and places are limited. It is at your own discretion if you wish to pre-book this service with us or try and book it locally while you are on your trip.
Day 8 - Starting: Nairobi & Finishing: Nairobi
After breakfast, return to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon (240 km, approx 7-8 hrs). This eveing is free to soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Nairobi.
Day 9 - Starting: Lake Manyara National Park & Finishing: Lake Manyara National Park
This morning, jump back on the overland vehicle and head for Arusha, Tanzania (approximately 7 hours). Meet up with fellow group members, then head on to Lake Manyara. Enjoy a game drive enroute to your permanent tented camp, which is tucked away in a quiet corner of acacia forest. Permanent tents are raised on platforms, all with en-suite bathrooms and a private veranda overlooking the lush forest. All the tents are discretely placed around a central glade, offering shade and privacy, but still only a short walk to the restaurant and bar. Lake Manyara National Park is renowned for its black-maned, tree-climbing lions and large herds of buffaloes and elephants, not to mention the flocks of flamingos and pelicans that can be found on the shores of the lake itself.
Day 10 - Starting: Serengeti National Park & Finishing: Serengeti National Park
You will depart Lake Manyara for the wide open plains of the Serengeti. To reach the Serengeti you must travel through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, skirting the Ngorongoro Crater before entering into the Serengeti. You will spend the afternoon on a game drive covering the more southern regions of the Serengeti before reaching your camp site for the evening. Your tented camp for the next two nights is set against a backdrop of savanna and skies. Traditional Meru tents, each under thatch have ensuites, and private verandahs overlooking the impressive plains of the Serengeti. The central restaurant and bar area boast a large camp fire – an ideal spot to unwind with a chilled drink after a long days of exciting game viewing. The Camp is ideally situated at the border of the world-renowned Serengeti National Park, along the path of the migrating wildebeests between Kenya and Tanzania.
Day 11 - Starting: Serengeti National Park & Finishing: Serengeti National Park
The seemingly endless Serengeti Plains capture the essence of Africa. They are home to massive numbers of grazing animals and also various predators, and the interaction between the many species often provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Today you will start around sunrise for a morning game drive and follow that up later on with an afternoon game drive, as the animals tend to be more active in the cooler hours of the day. You will usually return to camp during the hotter hours in the middle of the day, where you will enjoy a hearty meal, relax and maybe take a siesta. Depending on wildlife movements and opportunities for sightings, the drive may continue through lunch and last all day. In this case, you will return to camp in the late afternoon.
Day 12 - Starting: Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Finishing: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This morning you will have time to further explore the Serengeti and perhaps visit Simba Kopjes, an outcrop of rocks favoured by lion and cheetah, who can often be seen basking in the morning sun. You will spend your time game viewing and will stop for a picnic lunch on the drive from Serengeti National Park back toward the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Accommodation for the next 2 nights is in a small eco-friendly tented camp located on a highland coffee plantation at an altitude of 1,800 metres, directly bordering the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Tents are set on raised platforms and offer some magnificent views over the surrounding hills and coffee plantations. Enjoy a sundowner from your veranda, watch wildlife like elephants roaming through the dense forest, and hear the lions roar in the distance.
Day 13 - Starting: Ngorongoro Crater & Finishing: Ngorongoro Crater
Today you will explore the world-renowned Ngorongoro Crater, widely regarded as a microcosm of natural habitats in Africa and often touted as a veritable Garden of Eden. Within this crater lies every type of ecosystem, including riverine forests, open plains, freshwater and alkaline lakes. Ngorongoro Crater is the remnants of an ancient volcano caldera, and within its 300 square kilometres is a remarkable concentration of wildlife. The scenery is spectacular as you descend almost 600 metres down to the crater floor. There is every chance that you will see a considerable variety of wildlife in this compact area, including the highly endangered black rhinoceros. In the afternoon you will leave the crater and return to camp for a second night. (National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater). The late afternoon can be spent relaxing at the camp, soaking up the wonderful scenery.
Day 14 - Starting: Tarangire National Park & Finishing: Tarangire National Park
Head to Tarangire National Park passing through Mto Wa Mbu before reaching your final Tanzanian national park. Tarangire National Park lies to the south of the Masailands and is defined by large open savannahs dotted with acacia woodland and large baobab trees. With the presence of the Tarangire River, this park forms a refuge during the dry season for many migratory animals, ensuring that Tarangire's wildlife concentration is second only to that of Ngorongoro Crater. At Tarangire you will enjoy an afternoon game drive en route to your tented camp set in a typical African thorn-tree bush landscape, right next to the Kwakuchinja Wildlife Corridor. The corridor is used by the animals to migrate from Tarangire to Lake Manyara in search of water and grasses. During the migration periods, you may be lucky enough to witness the migration of zebras, wildebeest and elephants right from the veranda of your tent. Canvas tents with permanent thatched ramadas have ensuite bathrooms with each shower being fed by 15L tank filled manually by lodge staff. This is the real African bush experience!
Day 15 - Starting: Arusha & Finishing: Arusha
Enjoy an early morning game drive in Tarangire National Park before returning to Arusha in time for lunch. It is then time for fond farewells. A departure transfer can be booked, at an additional expense, to either Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK). Please esnure you do not book flights to depart prior to 5pm.
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