Monday, January 9, 2012

Kenya & Tanzania: Safari Under the Stars


Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 : DEPART USA

EN ROUTE
Depart on your KLM overnight flight to Amsterdam.

DAY 2 : AMSTERDAM / ARUSHA

KIGONGONI LODGE
Transit Amsterdam airport and connect with your flight to Arusha, safari capital of Tanzania.

DAY 3 : ARUSHA / LAKE MANYARA

LAKE MANYARA TREE LODGE
Depart for Lake Manyara at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Manyara is famous for tree-climbing lions and boasts over 40 species of mammals and 380 species of birds. Lake Manyara is tinged pink with countless flamingoes. Afternoon game drive. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 : NGORONGORO CRATER

NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE
Morning game viewing followed by drive to Ngorongoro Crater, a giant terrarium with permanent concentrations of game. The caldera is a haven for lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Your lodge is at the rim of the crater. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 : NGORONGORO CRATER

NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE
Descend by 4X4 vehicle into a crater nine miles in diameter and 2000 feet below the forested rim. Take a picnic lunch and spend the day amongst the wildlife. Return to the lodge for a sundowner, overlooking one of the most remarkable sights you will ever see. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 : NGORONGORO / SERENGETI

GRUMETI RIVER/KLEIN’S CAMPS
Depart for Olduvai Gorge where the Leakeys discovered a 1.75 million year-old skull in 1959, placing man’s beginnings in East Africa. Continue to the Serengeti, Africa’s most splendid ecosystem and home to every animal variety imaginable, from large predators like lion and cheetah to the gentle herbivores. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 : SERENGETI

GRUMETI RIVER/KLEIN’S CAMPS
Awake to the prospect of a full day in the Serengeti with morning and afternoon game drives. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 : SERENGETI / NAIROBI

NORFOLK HOTEL
Morning flights to Arusha and on to Nairobi. Transfer to the historic Norfolk Hotel. Free afternoon. (B,L)

DAY 9 : NAIROBI / OL PEJETA

SWEETWATERS CAMP
Drive north through Kenya’s scenic central highlands, arriving at your tented camp in time for lunch. Visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary and pet a tame rhino, Morani, in the Rhino Sanctuary. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 : OL PEJETA / SAMBURU

SAMBURU INTREPIDS
Continue north into the semi-desert bush country to meet the nomads of the desert – the Samburu tribe. Your tented camp lies on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in the Samburu Game Reserve. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 : SAMBURU

SAMBURU INTREPIDS
Rise with the sun for a game drive. See reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, elephant, gerenuk, oryx, the tiny dik dik, and perhaps leopard. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 : SAMBURU / NANYUKI

MT. KENYA SAFARI CLUB
Drive past snow-capped Mt. Kenya to the incomparable Mt. Kenya Safari Club, founded by actor William Holden. Enjoy the beautifully manicured grounds, swim, go horseback riding, play tennis, golf, or visit Stephanie Powers’ wonderful animal orphanage. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 : MASAI MARA

BATELEUR CAMP
Morning flight over the great Rift Valley to Kenya’s premier game reserve, the Masai Mara, home to the venerable tribe of the same name. Stay in a luxury permanent tented camp. (B,L,D)

DAYS 14-15 : MASAI MARA

BATELEUR CAMP
The Masai Mara has the highest concentration of plains game in the country. See elephant, giraffe, prides of lion, cheetah and thousands of impala, topi and gazelle. It is the scene of the annual migration – one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Take an optional balloon ride or fish for giant Nile Perch in Lake Victoria. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 : MASAI MARA / NAIROBI / DEPART

NORFOLK HOTEL (DAYROOM)
Bid “Kwaheri” to the camp staff and fly to Nairobi. The afternoon is free. Evening KLM flight to Amsterdam. (B)

DAY 17 : AMSTERDAM / USA

EN ROUTE Transit Amsterdam and connect with your flight home.

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