Highlights: This amazing safari takes you to visit some parks and reserves in northern Kenya and Tanzania, as well as the famous Maasai Mara for the annual wildebeest migration. The northern circuit is ideal for the adventure loving visitors as it includes some of the most challenging terrain. However the attractions, scenery and game drives are by their very nature extremely rewarding. After your wildlife safari, you will fly to enjoy a beach holiday in the extensive white bleached beaches of the island of Zanzibar. During your safari, you will fly using scheduled local flights between far destinations as well as drive where distances are shorter using a private 4×4 customized open roof land cruiser which will offer you uninterrupted game viewing and photography. You will spend the nights in specified luxury hotels, lodges and camps inclusive of 3 meals per day.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi Kenya, you are welcomed and received by our team of representatives who will give you a short introduction and briefing about the safari. After the briefing you will be transferred to your city hotel for check in and rest from the long flight. The rest of the day is spent in Nairobi visiting various historic sites such as the Nairobi Museum, Nairobi Railway museum; as well as have an opportunity to buy some personal items or change money into local currency.
Nairobi Museum show cases allot of features, like nature exhibition (geology, natural diversity, evolution of diversity, adaptive radiation and human origins) a hall of wonders and a space for audio visual presentations. In addition, there is a reception area, KMS shop and space for temporary exhibitions. There is additional space provided for the ecological dioramas; culture exhibition including cycles of life, contemporary culture and arts; history of Kenya (and history of Nairobi) and a multipurpose education space.
Hotel: Nairobi Serena Hotel
Day 2: Nairobi – Sweetwaters Private Ranch
After breakfast you will check out of the hotel and meet with your driver at the hotel lobby for road transfer to the Sweetwaters Private Ranch. You will be driven through beautifully farmed lands and scenery and approach the semi-arid countryside as you enter into the pristine and private Sweetwaters Conservancy; stopping shortly at the equator for photos. You will arrive for check in and lunch at the luxury tented camp, which is built around a water hole and set in the calm and charming natural wilderness. The ranch is also home to the big five, bird life, chimpanzee sanctuary and beautifully landscaped surroundings. Spend the rest of the day at leisure at the camp enjoying game drives. Night game drives are also available on special request within the private conservancy.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000 acre wildlife conservancy in the foothills of Mount Kenya incorporating Sweetwater’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees. A safari on Ol Pejeta is the ultimate Kenyan holiday experience. It is a chance to see the Big 5: elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, lion and leopard. You will be accommodated in one of two luxurious facilities and have a unique opportunity to meet a tame rhino, Morani, as well as seeing the only chimpanzees in Kenya.
Camp: Sweetwaters Tented Camp
Day 3: Sweetwaters Conservancy – Samburu National Reserve
After breakfast you will spend the morning at leisure at the sanctuary which has a higher wildlife to area ratio than any Kenyan national park and is one of only four private game conservancies to have been founded in Kenya. The conservancy also boasts the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. Optional activities available at the camp at an extra cost include camel treks, guided nature walks, bird watching and cultural dances. Afterwards, you will depart from Sweetwaters and be driven to the semi-arid Samburu countryside arriving at your camp for check in and lunch. After lunch depart for afternoon game drives within the park. Samburu has one of the most spectacular game viewing experiences in Kenya because a large part of it is unexplored. It is home to the big five, prolific bird life, a variety of reptiles and aquatic species in the flowing Ewaso Nyiro River, as well as rich cultural and community attractions.
Samburu National Reserve is a wildlife haven. Here you will spot Africa’s big cats – lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this northern Kenya Park: Gravy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. The Ewaso Nyiro River, the boundary with the neighboring Buffalo Springs National Reserve, is where the elephants, buffalo and other animal species gather for a drink. You will find the scenic semiarid landscape quite dramatic. The reserve is located within the lands of the colorful semi-nomadic Samburu tribesmen.
Camp: Samburu Intrepids Camp
Day 4: Samburu National Reserve
Spend the day in the quiet serene wilderness, probably giving you the rare opportunity to spot the predators as they hunt for the day’s meal. The lodge is strategically built atop a raised ground to allow panoramic views of the distant Samburu hills to one side and Mt. Kenya on the other side. Whether you drive east, west, south or north, the lodge will offer an equal opportunity to see and appreciate nature. Other activities available on special request at the camp include guided nature walks, cultural visits, sundowners and cocktails, bush breakfast, and evening entertainment / dances from the local Samburu tribesmen.
Camp Samburu Intrepid is a camp with a stunning location on the banks of River Ewaso Nyiro where you can easily site crocodiles the please is rich with culture of the Samburu people and a historical spring where a spring was formed after a bomb was dropped after a mistake of identity btw the British and the Italians. The please has a coastal atmosphere.
Camp: Samburu Intrepids Camp
Day 5: Buffalo Springs Game Reserve
This day will be spent in the neighboring Buffalo Springs Reserve, which is only separated from Samburu by the dusty red Ewaso Nyiro River which is dominated by huge Nile crocodiles. This countryside dotted with volcanic peaks offer a sanctuary to a wide variety of animals. These baboons,’ reticulate Giraffe’s, Elephants, waterbucks, gerenuks and grevy zebras. Lion and Cheetahs are not quite so common but plenty of leopards can be sighted. There are no longer any rhinos. It is however less hilly and less dense than Samburu but equally attractive. The Reserve takes its name from an oasis of limpid crystal clear water at the Western end of the Sanctuary. In the evening, you will return to your accommodation for rest, dinner and overnight.
Camp: Samburu Intrepids Camp
Day 6: Samburu National Reserve – Maasai Mara National Reserve
After early breakfast, you will check out of the camp and fly to the great and famous Maasai Mara to see the unforgettable wildlife experience the annual wildebeest migration which takes place every year from July to October. Your flight lands at the Siana Airstrip at approximately 1015hrs at which time you meet with your driver / guide for a welcome game drive within the vicinity. The game drive ends at your camp where you check in and have lunch before proceeding for another rewarding afternoon game drive till evening. Night game drives are also offered at the camp on special request.
Camp: Siana Springs Camp
Day 7: Maasai Mara Game Reserve
Spend the day within the Mara Reserve, home to the big five and numerous plains game. You will also visit the Mara River Ecosystem which is teeming with bird-life, hippo and crocodile, in the heart of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. It offers the best game and bird-viewing not only in Kenya, but anywhere in Africa. The views across the rolling golden grasslands studded with acacia trees, rivers and forests are dazzling, the sense of space overwhelming. You will explore the park and the vicinity, gently blending into the surrounding wilderness which remains in its virgin condition, while the landscaped gardens filled with indigenous trees at the back which draw a great variety of birds and butterflies.
The Maasai Mara, now The New 7th wonder of the world and 4th most preferred tourist destination in the world is a home to wildlife in such abundance and variety that it is difficult to imagine. The most spectacular event of the natural world takes place here; the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture while being followed on their heels by the predators of the savanna; lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Maasai Mara hosts over 450 species of animals which include lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephants.
Optional activities:
Hot air balloon safari
In the Maasai Mara it is possible to enjoy a hot air balloon ride. These balloons take off at dawn to avoid the heat which develops as the day progresses. They drift high over grazing herds which cannot be accessed by vehicles. After approximately an hour’s flight, a gentle landing is followed by a champagne-style bush breakfast on the landing site, where pilots and passengers toast yet another memorable experience.
OR
Cultural visit to a Maasai village
Early in the morning before breakfast, depart from the camp and visit a nearby Maasai Manyatta / Maasai village / Maasai Homestead, popularly known as “Enkang” in the Maasai Language, for a cultural tour. You will have an opportunity to intermingle with the colorful Maasai tribesmen amidst traditional songs and dances or folklore. These homesteads are made from cow dung and wooden sticks, fenced by a thick round thorn bush fence. The fence protects the people and their cattle from attacks by wild animals and rival tribes. Women are the ones responsible for putting up these homes. Each homestead consists of several houses arranged in order of ranking from the eldest members of the community to the youngest ones. Women also try to earn a living by making and selling traditional ornaments and curios such as necklaces, sandals, clothing, bracelets, chokers, and others. The tour ends after an hour when you return to the lodge for breakfast.
Camp: Siana Springs Intrepids Camp
Day 8: Maasai Mara National Reserve – Nairobi – Kilimanjaro – Serengeti National Park
After early breakfast, you will check out of the camp and enjoy a final morning game drive for an opportunity to see the park one last time as you spot early predators as they start off the day. An early morning game drive also gives you an opportunity to see the park when it is most active and lively. The game drives ends up at the Siana Airstrip where you board your morning flight back to Nairobi which departs and arrives at Wilson Airport. At Wilson Airport, you will immediately connect with your flight to Tanzania which departs and reaches Kilimanjaro Airport. You will again connect with your Serengeti flight which departs from Kilimanjaro Airport. You will reach Seronera Airstrip and meet with your driver / guide who will transfer you to your camp for rest, dinner and overnight.
Camp: Serengeti Migration Camp
Day 9: Serengeti National Park
After breakfast experience the exquisite and luxurious Migration Camp which offers wonderful wilderness and excellent unlimited game drives which are conducted by the best qualified African expert Guides either in 4×4 land-rover vehicles or walking on foot.The Serengeti is probably the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the world. Within its 15,000 sq km area it hosts 3 million large mammals. More than 35 species of plain animals- zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe, and others are found here. And so for the big five: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino. The park is the staging zones for one the most spectacular events in the natural world- the annual migration of wildebeest. This commences around June when over 1 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle head for the Maasai Mara in Kenya in search of pasture. They are followed closely by the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures. The Serengeti also has over 500 species of birds.
Camp: Serengeti Migration Camp
Day 10: Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Conservancy Area
After breakfast, you will explore the park further with a rewarding morning game drive which takes you to places that you never got a chance to explore the previous day. You will then exit from the park and be driven to the Ngorongoro Highlands where you will enjoy scenic views of the escarpment as you proceed to your lodge for check in and late lunch. After lunch, you will have the afternoon at leisure to explore the vicinity of the crater as you enjoy walking safaris as you admire beautiful and splendid views of the crater. Your lodge is perched on the rim of the collapsed volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater, a world heritage site, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It has the most magnificent views over the crater floor, which is home to vast herds of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, the rare and endangered black rhino, elephant, cheetah, leopard, lion and herds of gazelle and wildebeest. Its position on the Eastern rim allows the most spectacular and uninterrupted views of the sunset.
Ngorongoro crater covering 260 sq. km, the crater is a great wildlife attraction. You will have no trouble spotting Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and many species of plains animals -Wildebeest, Zebra, Reedbuck, Thompson gazelle and many more. The crater is an attraction in its own right and is one of the wonders of the natural world. The crater supports a year round resident population of a variety of wildlife. You will have no trouble spotting lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and many species of plain animals- wildebeest, zebra, reedbuck, Thompson gazelle and many more.
Lodge: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Day 11: Ngorongoro Crater Tour
After breakfast your day eleven gives you the full day game drive to explore the breathtaking Ngorongoro Conservancy area with fantastic game viewing of animals in the Crater as well as learning the bush crafts art of the Maasai tribe who lived in the Crater with wildlife and their cattle for over two hundred years.
Lunch, dinner and breakfast at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Day 12: Ngorongoro Conservancy Area – Arusha – Zanzibar Beach
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and depart from the Ngorongoro Conservancy and be driven to Arusha, arriving at the Airport for check in for your afternoon flight to Zanzibar. Your flight lands at Zanzibar International Airport you meet with your driver for transfer to your hotel for beach relaxation. Zanzibar is still the best-kept secret in the Indian Ocean, with its fascinating historical Stone Town and magnificent beaches. Prison Island once the site of a goal for misbehaving slaves, the island lies just off the old stone town. It is fringed with a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a lovely white beach for sun-bathing.
Lunch, dinner and breakfast at Zanzibar Serena Inn
Day 13 – 15: Zanzibar
Spend these days at leisure at the hotel which is located on the sea-front of ancient stone town and enjoy various activities on offer such as a tour of stone town, spice visits, cultural visits, diving, dhow trips and dolphin watching.
All meals and overnight at Zanzibar Serena Inn
Day 16: Zanzibar Beach-Departure
After breakfast, you will spend the morning at leisure at the hotel. Afterwards, you will check out and be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport to board your flight back to Nairobi. You will reach Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your departure flight to your next destination.
End of Safari.
Cost
Cost Includes
– Full board accommodation and meals in hotels, camps and lodges as stipulated in the itinerary
– Transport in a private and customized 4×4 safari land cruiser safari vehicle with open roof for better game viewing and photography
– Local flights as mentioned: Samburu – Mara; Mara – Nbo; Nbo – Kili; Kili – Sero; Ars – Znz; Znz – Nbo
– Services of a professional English speaking tour driver/guide
– Flying doctors emergency evacuation insurance
– All park entry fees and game drives as per itinerary
– All Government taxes and levies
Cost excludes:
– Optional activities mentioned in the program such as hot air balloon safari, cultural visit to Maasai village, night game drives, e.t.c
– All items of personal nature e.g. telephone call bills, fax / email bills etc.
– Tips and gratuities to hotel, resort lodges staff and driver/guide
– Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
– Any international flight and departure taxes
– Laundry services
– Any other item not included in our itinerary
– Visa entry fees
Niche Africa Holidays 