I3 Days / 12 Nights Luxury Tented Road Safari Kenya / Tanzania
HIGHLIGHTS
Nairobi – Lake Elementaita – Lake Nakuru National Park – Masai Mara National Reserve – Lake Victoria – Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater – Arusha
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to the historic 5-star Sarova Stanley Hotel for your overnight accommodation on bed and breakfast basis.
DAY 2: NAIROBI TO LAKE ELEMENTAITA (drive time: 140km / 2.5 – 3 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Lake Elementaita in time for lunch at the Lake Elementeita Serena Camp. The camp is small and exclusive and is uniquely situated on the shoreline of the sapphire-blue lake. After lunch, enjoy a game drive in the conservancy before returning to the camp in time for a swim, optional cocktails, dinner and overnight
About Lake Elementaita
Lake Elementaita, also spelled Elmenteita, is a soda lake, in the eastern limb of East Africa’s Great Rift Valley, about 120 km northwest of Nairobi, Kenya. Elmenteita is derived from the Maasai word muteita, meaning “dust place”, a reference to the dry and dusty quality of the area, especially between January and March. In the south-to-north sequence of Rift Valley lakes, Elmenteita is located between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru. At the southern end of the lake lie the “Kekopey” hot springs, in which the Tilapia Grahamii breed. The reed beds nearby are fishing grounds for Night Herons and Pelicans.
DAY 3: ON SAFARI IN LAKE NAKURU
After breakfast, drive to nearby Lake Nakuru National Park with picnic lunch to spend the day enjoying game drives in the park. In the late afternoon, return to the camp for the evening with some time to freshen up, unwind and perhaps enjoy a swim and a cocktail before dinner and overnight. .
DAY 4: LAKE ELEMENTAITA TO THE MARA (290km / 5 hours)
Leaving the camp after breakfast, continue up the floor of Rift to arrive in the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, and at the Ashnil Mara Camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy your first game-drive in the Mara. Returning to the camp, enjoy some relaxation on your private veranda, sundowners and dinner in the central restaurant.
About the Mara
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
DAY 5: ON SAFARI IN THE MARA
Spend all day on safari in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives. The camp offers a list of activities and facilities that are an excellent complement to your safari: a swimming pool, Guided Nature Walks with an in-house naturalist, in-house cultural activities, sundowners, Hippo Pool breakfast with ‘bubbly’ (sparkling wine), bush & riverside dinners, massage services. All meals and overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp.
DAY 6: ON SAFARI IN THE MARA
Spend another day on safari in the Masai Mara reserve with morning and afternoon game drives and breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the camp. When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific bird life and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
DAY 7: MARA INTO TANZANIA AND ONTO LAKE VICTORIA (470 km/ 8.5 hours)
After breakfast drive to the border cross between Kenya and Tanzania at Isabenia then drive to the shores of Lake Victoria with a picnic lunch on the way. Check into the Serenity on the Lake. Dinner at the lodge.
DAY 8: LAKE VICTORIA
Day spent at the shores of Lake Victoria with 1.5hour Canoe ride and bird walk. All meals and overnight at Serenity on the Lake.
DAY 9: LAKE VICTORIA TO SERENGETI (250 km / 5 hours)
After breakfast drive to the Serengeti National Park and to Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp which is scenically located in a glade, known as ‘the place of the klipspringer’ (mbuzi mawe), and guarded by three million year-old granite towers. The camp is cleverly located on one of the main annual migration corridors. Enjoy lunch and afternoon game drive, dinner and overnight at the camp.
About the Serengeti
Covering 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah plains, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s first-established, largest and most famous park wherein tens of thousands of hoofed animals roam in a constant and unremitting search for the fresh grasslands upon which their survival depends.
DAY 10: ON SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI
With a full day on safari (morning and afternoon game drives included) your options are wide. The Serengeti, whose Maasai name ‘Siringet’ translates as ‘the endless plains’, offers unparalleled ornithological opportunities and an unrivalled natural arena wherein the glory and harmony of nature can be appreciated as nowhere else on earth. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the camp.
DAY 11: TO THE NGORONGORO CRATER VIA OLDUVAI GORGE (145 km/ 3 hours)
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive as you leave the Serengeti with picnic lunch and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area via Olduvai Gorge. Popularly know as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, Olduvai is the site of one of the most important and controversial Palaeolithic finds in recent history. In the late afternoon, arrive at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, a unique lodge clinging to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. Designed to blend completely into the landscape, it is entirely invisible from the floor of the Crater 600 metres below. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
About the crater
Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s best-known wildlife arenas. A World Heritage Site, it is also one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometres wide, 610-760 metres deep and covering a total area of 264 square kilometres). An utterly unique biosphere, the Crater harbours grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. Due to its high concentration of wildlife, close-range viewing opportunities and striking scenery it is also Tanzania’s most visited destination.
DAY 12: NGORONGORO TO ARUSHA (223 km/ 4.5 hr)
After breakfast enjoy a morning tour of the crater then drive to Arusha – to the foot of the wooded slopes of Mount Meru and into the coffee plantations on the shores of tranquil Lake Duluti. Check-in to the Serena Mountain Village Arusha hotel and enjoy some lunch. The uniquely designed lodge hotel offers a range of tastefully presented cottage-styled rooms set amid extensive landscaped grounds, echoing the traditional style of colonial coffee farms. Relax and unwind in the serenity of the lakeside where you can enjoy some walking, mountain biking, canoeing on the lake, and trips to the nearby Arusha and Mount Meru national parks. Dinner and overnight at the lodge hotel.
DAY 13: DEPART
After breakfast, drive to Arusha in time for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport
GROUP SIZE: 2–12 clients
ACCOMMODATION: All accommodation is chosen for its unique location and scenic beauty. All offer en-suite facilities and full bedding in Luxury tented camps and safari lodges
MEALS: All meals are undertaken at each luxury tented camp as per itinerary
TRANSPORTATION: Road on a 6 seater 4×4 Land cruiser in Kenya and Tanzania
STAFF: One dedicated professional driver / guide. He is selected for his experience of the African bush, thus ensuring your travel experience is enjoyable and successful. Detailed information on the history of the area, fauna and flora is given to participants during the safari. The safaris are conducted in English.
