EAST AFRICA WILDLIFE ADVENTURE

14days Kenya and Tanzania Safaris

Day 1:
On arrival in Nairobi, Africa Joy Tours will have arranged transport for you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. The Kenyan capital stands at an altitude of 1670m above sea level on an elevated plain in the heart of the country and is surrounded by fertile land that yields coffee and maize. You might want to explore some of Nairobi’s attractions, such as Karen Blixen’s house or the Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage. Dinner and overnight is at Jacaranda Hotel or the Serena Hotel –if you upgraded.

Day 2:
LakeNaivasha
Africa Joy Tours will pick you up in the morning and drive you from Nairobi to Lake Naivasha, approximately 100km away, where you make your first overnight stop. You'll have an opportunity to experience the beautiful scenery of this freshwater lake and its resident wildlife, as we embark on a boat trip. We stay at the Naivasha Hotel or Sopa Lodge, if you upgraded.

Day 3:
LakeNakuru
LakeNakuru National Parkwas established in 1960 to protect flamingos and many other bird species in the surrounding area. The soda-rich waters here support a huge flamingo population. The sight of these magnificent birds congregating in large numbers is a huge thrill. You’ll also take game drives in the national park on the lookout for giraffe, eland and rhino both black and white. Driving time from Naivasha to Nakuru is around one hour each way and game drives within the national park also add to the time in the vehicle but is well worth it! We again stay at the Naivasha Hotel or Sopa Lodge, if you upgraded.

Day 4:
Maji Moto
This morning is free. Around midday you will depart to the south for the Loita Hills region. Dinner and overnight will be at the Loita Hills Lodge at Maji Moto which is approximately a 4 hours/230km drive away.

Day 5:
Maji Moto, village visit & extended walk
At Maji Moto there will be the chance to visit a traditional Masai village and enjoy an extended walk with Masai guides. The Masai are probably the best known of Kenya's tribal peoples largely due to their highly photogenic appearance. The young males in particular wear a striking costume of bright red cloth, with a cape slung from one shoulder, beads and jewellery and carry a spear, sword and club. Originally nomadic herders, the Masai used to live on a diet of cattle blood and fresh and curdled milk. Live cattle represent wealth so much energy was devoted to cattle raiding. They have a fearsome reputation as warriors and hunters, but in the face of immense pressure are gradually, reluctantly, starting to accept a more settled lifestyle. By walking with the Masai you get a glimpse of a way of life that is totally in tune with the environment. We dine and overnight at the Loita Hills Lodge.

Day 6:
Misaim Mara, game drive
Your route leads to the Masai Mara - a driving time of around 1.5 hours. The Masai Mara is effectively a northern extension of the Serengeti, the most famous of neighbouring Tanzania's national parks, which lies just across the border. Animals of course recognise no borders and immense herds of blue wildebeest migrate across the savannah, driven by the innate urge to find new grazing land. They arrive here each July/August before they start to head south again in October. At these times the plains teem with animals on the move and the photographic opportunities are unrivalled. This evening you’ll have your first game drive in the park. Dinner and our overnight stay is at the Mara Sopa Lodge or Serena Hotel, if you upgraded.

Day 7:
Masai Mara, game drive
You’ll spend a full day exploring the extensive grassy plains where elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and various gazelles spend their days grazing. Predatory lion, cheetah, jackal, hyena and perhaps even wild dogs are more elusive but still often seen. The usual routine for a game drive is in the early morning, returning to camp for a leisurely brunch then having some free time to relax before setting off again in the afternoon. When you return to camp we will have dinner beneath the stars, surrounded by the now familiar sounds of the African bush.  Camping in a national park is really the quintessential African experience. Dinner and overnight is at the Mara Sopa Lodge or Serena Hotel, if you upgraded.

Day 8:
Lake Victoria
Your Kenyan adventure comes to an end – but Tanzania beckons! You travel to Isabenia border, where you bid farewell to your Kenyanteam and meet the Tanzanian guides and drivers who will look after you on the next stretch of your journey. Your first night’s stop in Tanzania is on the western edge of the Serengeti National Park, just a stone’s throw away from Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world. We dine and overnight at the Lukuba Island Resort or Speke Bay Lodge, if you upgraded.

Day 9:
Serengeti NP
This morning you have some free time, during which you can choose to relax or participate in one of the activities available in your camp. After lunch you drive to the Ndabaka Gate, 110km/3 hours away and enter the Serengeti where you will start spotting game.  Dinner and our overnight stay is at the Serengeti Wildlife Lodge or Sopa Lodge, if you upgraded.

Day 10:
Serengeti game drives
You spend a full day exploring the sweeping grass plains, rocky outcrops (kopjes) and sparsely wooded river valleys of this incomparable park, where there is so much to be seen. The best aspect of an extended game drive is that you just don’t know where it will take you and what you will witness. You might get close to a herd of elephants, crowding protectively around their young,  find your way barred by hundreds of zebra and wildebeest moving to a waterhole, or wait patiently with camera in hand for a shy cheetah to raise its head above the long grass. Dinner and our overnight stay is at the Serengeti Wildlife Lodge or Sopa Lodge, if you upgraded.

Day 11:
Ngorongoro, Olduvai Gorge
Today you enjoy a morning game drive and then return to camp for lunch before you leave the Serengeti behind. There should be time to stop at Olduvai Gorge en route to the crater as well as some unscheduled stops to view the animals. This famous archaeological site is where some of the oldest humanoid skeletons have been discovered. You will have an opportunity to visit the small museum exhibiting many of the fossils and relics from the area. There may also be time for an additional optional stop at a local Masai village to witness some of their traditional ways of life. This will be an optional stop and is not included in the package. Dinner and overnight is at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge or Sopa Lodge, if you upgraded.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a vast volcanic caldera, some 19km wide. It offers tremendous game viewing opportunities including one of Africa's densest populations of predators. You spend the night on the rim of the crater. At 2333m it can be surprisingly cold here in the evening/early morning so make sure you have warm clothes with you. You’ll be able to enjoy the magnificent views over and down into the caldera.

Day 12:
Crater Tour to Lake Manyara
This morning you descend to the floor of the vast Ngorongoro Crater in 4WD vehicles. Ngorongoro is one of the most picturesque settings for experiencing wildlife with about 30,000 resident animals. There is excellent game viewing here all year round. The photographic opportunities are unrivalled. Encounters with animals are frequent and there is a wide variety of game to be seen. Lake Magadi, the soda lake, at the floor of the crater, is home to hundreds of flamingos. This is also a good place to see the endangered black rhino if you were not lucky enough to spot these imposing animals in Nakuru. Leaving the crater you follow the road climbing steadily up its precipitous inner edge and descend again on its outer rim heading into the plains on your way to the little village of Mto wa Mbu outside Lake Manyara National Park. Dinner and overnight is at the Manyara Wildlife Lodge or Serena Lodge, if you upgraded.

Day 13:
LakeManyara to Arusha
In the morning you head into the Manyara National Park for a final game drive. Keep your eyes peeled for its major attraction - the tree-climbing lions, although there is of course no guarantee. There are plenty of other things to see too - elephant, hippo, plains game as well as a huge variety of bird life, both resident and migratory. Leaving the park you travel to Arusha approximately 120 km/ 3 hours away. Set at an altitude of 1390m, the town is surrounded by fertile land yielding coffee, wheat and maize tended by the Waarusha and Wameru tribe’s. Arusha is once again the headquarters of the East African community as in the days when Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were members of a Communications and Customs Union. It remains one of Tanzania’s most attractive and lively towns. Your final night in Tanzania is spent in a comfortable lodge to give you a good night’s rest before your flight home. Dinner and overnight is at the Impala Hotel or The Arusha Hotel, if you upgraded.

Day 14:
Fly Home
After breakfast we check out of our hotel and Africa Joy Tours will transport you to the airport for your flight home.

End of Africa Joy Tours