| Starts | Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya |
|---|---|
| Ends | Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania |
| Region | Africa |
| Duration | 15 days |
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Nairobi & Finishing: Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya's capital. Meet your Peregrine representative and be driven to your hotel (approximately 45 minutes). There will be an important group meeting at 6 pm this evening. More details about this meeting can be found at the hotel reception. Spend free time today at your leisure. 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. Perhaps visit the Karen Blixen Museum, the Langata Giraffe Centre, or have a meal at the famous Carnivore Restaurant, where meat lovers can taste a variety of barbecued game meat. Notes: Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel, to organise the transfer.
Day 2 - Starting: Lake Elementeita & Finishing: Lake Elementeita
Depart Nairobi after breakfast and head north, driving along the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley (approximately 4 hours of driving in total). You'll head for Elsamere, stopping for lunch with the lake as a serene backdrop. 'Elsamere' is the former home of the writer Joy Adamson, whose 1960 book 'Born Free' helped bring wildlife conservation into the mainstream. The house is a veritable museum that dedicated to the works of Joy and George Adamson, with many photos of Elsa, the lioness that started it all. After lunch, you'll embark on a boat trip across Lake Naivasha, the highest of all lakes in the Great Rift Valley and home to many a hippopotamus. Continue to your tented camp, arriving in the early evening. The camp is located on a lava outcrop commanding stunning views. The Camp’s dining area features an outdoor terrace with camp fire pit and a safari bar. The terrace overlooks a water hole which attracts wildlife in the mornings and evenings.
Day 3 - Starting: Lake Nakuru National Park & Finishing: Lake Nakuru National Park
This morning you will visit Lake Nakuru National Park by 4WD. Mornings can be cold so it's important to bring warm clothes. You might see why this great soda lake has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle; it amazingly turns into a sea of pink on occasion. Flooding in recent years has unfortunately caused a decline in birdlife. The park boasts substantial numbers of other species, including waterbuck, reedbuck and gazelle. Leopards are also to be found here, and the chances of sighting one are significant. Keep your eyes peeled, too, for one of Africa's most endangered creatures, the elusive black rhinoceros (white rhinos are much easier to spot).Â
Day 4 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
Today you will head southwest to the Masai Mara (approximately 6–7 hours). This is arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa. You'll embark on an afternoon game drive in the truck on the way to your tented camp. Set in what is considered Kenya's prime wildlife area, Mara Leisure Camp is located along the Talek River, on the northern boundary of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Facilities at the camp include a swimming pool, business centre, gift shop, bar and restaurant.
Day 5 - Starting: Masai Mara National Reserve & Finishing: Masai Mara National Reserve
Explore more of the park by 4WD today with further game drives in the morning and afternoon. Witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabits the area. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful, and you might even spot predators keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephants, giraffes and elands are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life. The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, a black-maned lion, leopard or cheetah might appear, with some luck. Once we return to the tented camp there is an option to go back out and visit a Maasai Village. These visits can be fascinating to learn about the different culture and way of life of traditional Maasai people. However, please note that these villages exist primarily as businesses. You will be charged an entry fee of USD20-25 and they will try very hard to sell souvenirs to you. An optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity you will be picked up from camp before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing with your pilot. You then glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, making the most of the amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you'll ascend 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 rejoining your group. As dusk falls, a variety of animals might be visible in the vicinity of your camp also.
Day 6 - Starting: Migori & Finishing: Migori
Say goodbye to the Mara and head to Migori (approximately 6.5 hours). On the way you will stop for lunch (at your own expense) and visit a local soapstone factory in Kisii. This town is home to the best soapstone carvers on the continent. Their products are quite popular around the world. It's a favourite stopover for travellers seeking a taste of the exquisite Kisii carvings. Notes: Accommodation tonight is quite basic, due to very few options in the area and the need to break up the journey.
Day 7 - Starting: Serengeti National Park & Finishing: Serengeti National Park
Cross into Tanzania before heading to the Serengeti National Park (approximately 8 hours, not including time spent at the border). These 'Endless Plains' span some 14,700 square kilometres, but their main claim to fame is 3 million or so animals. The game most likely to be seen in the Serengeti are the wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, lion, cheetah, warthog, hyena, hippo and ostrich. You'll take a game drive en route to your camp and watch the landscape change within the park from the vast treeless central plains to thick scrub and forest in the north. Linking these areas is the savannah, dotted with acacia trees and magnificent rock outcrops. The next two nights are spent at the feature stay of the trip: Kati Kati mobile tented camp. Meru-style tents are a great place to relax at the end of the day with their big beds, table, clothes rack, sink, shower and a toilet. The camp has a comfortable lounge area, and a cosy mess tent located in the centre of the camp where meals are served. The campfire is ready every evening for appetizers before dinner. It's also eco-friendly, with solar power.
Day 8 - Starting: Serengeti National Park & Finishing: Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a full day of game drives in the truck in the magnificent Serengeti. Perhaps the ultimate way to go game viewing is on a hot air balloon safari over the great plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Hot-air ballooning in East Africa can be an unforgettable experience, an exceptional way to see this part of the world. We strongly recommend booking this extra activity prior to departure if you're interested.
Day 9 - Starting: Ngorongoro Highlands & Finishing: Ngorongoro Highlands
After an early morning game drive, it's time to leave the park and travel to the Ngorongoro Crater (approximately 5 hours). It's one of Africa's most beautiful nature reserves and the world's largest intact caldera. Upon arrival you will check into your accommodation, which is located just outside of the crater. This small and exclusive lodge faces the Oldeani Volcano, and is located approximately 5 kilometres from the Ngorongoro Lolduare gate.
Day 10 - Starting: Ngorongoro Highlands & Finishing: Ngorongoro Highlands
In the morning, climb aboard the 4WD for your descent to the crater floor. Hopefully you'll see some or all of the 'big five' creatures that rule here. Animals within the Ngorongoro Crater are less shy of people and safari vehicles, so it's easier to see them up close. Views from the rim of the crater are sensational. On the crater floor, grassland blends into swamps, lakes, rivers, woodlands and hills. The Masai are permitted to water their cattle at the permanent lake and can be seen leading their animals in and out of the crater. The most commonly seen animals are the lion, wildebeest, zebra, eland, bushbuck, cheetah, jackal, buffalo, Grant's gazelle, Thompson's gazelle and black rhinoceros. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please, perhaps with optional walking activities or a coffee tour.
Day 11 - Starting: Stone Town & Finishing: Stone Town
After breakfast head to Arusha (approximately 4 hours) where some of the group may be leaving the trip, along with your tour leader from the East Africa sector. Those continuing to Zanzibar are transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for a flight. You will be unescorted for the Zanzibar sector, but our local representatives will be on hand to look after you. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel in the atmospheric and historic centre of Stone Town. Just the name Zanzibar conjures up images of a remote island paradise where the water is transparent and the air is filled with the heady scent of spices. Only 40 kilometres off the mainland coast of Tanzania lies this beautiful island, known to the locals as Ungudya. It has an area of 1,400 square kilometres and a population of about 100,000, of whom more than half reside in the capital, Stone Town. This evening, maybe get a toast of local flavours at Forodhani Night Markets along the seafront.
Day 12 - Starting: Stone Town & Finishing: Stone Town
Today is a free for you to explore Stone Town’s maze of narrow streets with whitewashed coral stone buildings, magnificently carved, brass-studded teak doors, quaint shops and bazaars that all reflect a unique blend of architectural traditions. The market and bazaars are fascinating and are ideal spots for topping up your spice collection at home or shopping for souvenirs. Zanzibar was also one of the headquarters for slave trading and the starting point for many of the famous explorers such as Speke, Livingstone, Burton and Grant. From here they ventured into the vast interior of east Africa. Perhaps learn more about the island’s history at the Old Fort, the Slave Markets, or at the House of Wonders (so-called because it was the first building on the island to have electricity and running water), which houses the Zanzibar National Museum of History and Culture. Later, maybe enjoy a dawa cocktail as you watch dhows sail along the coastline.
Day 13 - Starting: East Coast Zanzibar & Finishing: East Coast Zanzibar
In the morning you will exchange the narrow lanes of Stone Town for the beaches of the east coast (approximately 1.5 hours drive). The interior of the island is covered with clove and spice plantations as well as groves of tropical fruit tree, and the coral reefs, sandy beaches, mangrove and coastal forests are home to rare and endangered species such as the red colobus monkey, the green sea turtle and the blue duiker. On the coast you can run your hands through the perfectly fine white sands and enter the warming embrace of the Indian Ocean – deep blue in colour, filled with marine life, and perfect for swimming and snorkelling. This is the perfect place to climb into a hammock with drink and a book, watch a gorgeous sun set and then relax underneath a blanket of glowing stars.
Day 14 - Starting: East Coast Beach Resort & Finishing: East Coast Beach Resort
During your time on the coast you can enjoy swimming or simply relax on the beach – your wonderful resort is situated along beautiful white sands. There are a number of optional activities to take advantage of, from full or half-day deep sea fishing expeditions, sailing trips on a dhow ship, snorkelling, or a visit to Prison Island (named for its former use but now home to giant land tortoises). There is a fitness centre at the accommodation for those who want to exercise to work off all the excellent meals that are served in the restaurant. There’s also a swimming pool, water sports, restaurants, bars and shopping bazaar. It's a perfect place to unwind at the end of your busy African journey.
Day 15 - Starting: Zanzibar & Finishing: Zanzibar
After two nights on the coast, your tour ends with a group transfer back to Stone Town either at the airport or the hotel. If you would like to extend your stay in Zanzibar, additional accommodation and transfers can be pre-booked (at additional expense). Please contact your booking agent for more information. Please note flights departing Zanzibar are not included in the tour price. Flights out of Zanzibar should not be booked to depart prior to 3pm on the final day.
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