| This magnificent safari combines a popular safari in Kenya with one of our best selling safaris in Tanzania.
Travelling through some of the richest game areas in the world, the Masai Safari presents excellent opportunities for viewing the 'big five'.
The Samburu Reserve, home to the colourful Samburu people, is a dramatic and rugged landscape which is truly rewarding. A host of plains game along
with the 'big five' are accompanied by a variety of exotic birds including eagles, falcons and bateleurs.
As you approach Lake Nakuru, you may be fortunate enough to witness a pink cloud on the horizon which gradually reveals its source, thousands of pink
flamingoes, a magnificent sight of immense beauty. Around the lake a game reserve has been created where the endangered black rhino is protected and
may be seen along with antelope, giraffes, lions and hyenas.
Lake Manyara is an unusual park which lies in the shadow of the Great Rift Valley whose reddish brown escarpment wall looms on the
eastern horizon. The park is particularly known for its tree-climbing lions, who may be seen sleeping off the heat of the day on a branch instead of a shady spot
on the ground.
Then onto the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Serengeti means ‘endless plain’ in the Masai language. Here there are vast open savannahs dotted with
acacia trees and a few rocky hillocks. The Serengeti is Tanzania's largest and best-known national park, with a massive concentration of migratory animals who
move around the park according to the availability of food.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera whose steep sides form a natural enclosure for a wide variety of wildlife. An
estimated 25,000 animals, including the ‘big five’ inhabit the interior of the crater.
Day 1: Sunday - Heathrow–Nairobi
Fly from Heathrow overnight to Nairobi.
Day 2: Monday - Nairobi
Transfer to your hotel for a day at leisure or choose from a selection of optional excursions, which can be booked and paid for locally. Overnight: Nairobi Serena Hotel.
Day 3: Tuesday - Samburu
After an early breakfast drive to the Samburu National Reserve (360 km – approximately 6 hours) and check in to your lodge. Lunch. Late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 4: Wednesday - Samburu
Morning and late afternoon game drives. Overnight: Samburu Simba Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 5: Thursday - Aberdares
Drive to the slopes of Mount Kenya and check in to Mountain Lodge (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Spend the afternoon viewing game from the lodge, or join an optional nature walk (payable locally and weather permitting) led by a local guide. Overnight: Serena Mountain Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 6: Friday - Lake Nakuru
After breakfast continue to Lake Nakuru (240 km – approximately 4 hours). Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, before enjoying an afternoon game drive with possible sightings of rhino. Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 7: Saturday - Masai Mara
After an early breakfast drive through the Great Rift Valley and into the Masai Mara (370 km – approximately 7 hours). Lunch en route to your lodge. Enjoy a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 8: Sunday - Masai Mara
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge, or an early morning balloon flight over the Mara followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast (optional extra). Spend the rest of the day relaxing before a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Mara Serena Safari Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 9: Monday - Arusha
Return to Nairobi by road (360 km – approximately 6 hours), then fly to Kilimanjaro airport. Transfer to Serena Mountain Village (approximately 45 minutes), a haven of calm and serenity away from the hustle and bustle of Arusha. Overnight: Serena Mountain Village (lunch and dinner included).
Day 10: Tuesday - Lake
Manyara
After breakfast drive to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions (150 km – approximately 2 hours 30 minutes). Your lodge commands panoramic views across the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Here you have time to relax before an afternoon game drive. Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 11: Wednesday - Serengeti
Drive to the world-famous Serengeti National Park with game viewing en route (235 km – approximately 5 hours). Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 12: Thursday - Serengeti
Enjoy an early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge. Or take an early morning balloon flight over the Serengeti followed by a ‘bubbly’ bush breakfast (optional extra). Later enjoy an afternoon game drive. Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 13: Friday - Ngorongoro Crater
Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge (200 km – approximately 4 hours). Lunch at your lodge which is perched on the jagged rim of the Crater. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 14: Saturday - Ngorongoro Crater
Drive down into the Crater for a half-day of game viewing. This extinct volcano plays host to wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes, gazelles, elephants, rhinos and big cats. Visit a local Masai village (time permitting). Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (breakfast, lunch and dinner included).
Day 15: Sunday - Beach or return
Return to Arusha (200 km – approximately 3.5 hours). Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the airport and proceed with your chosen beach extension, or return to Heathrow via Nairobi (breakfast and lunch included).
Notes
The Samburu Simba Lodge is rated '4'.
This itinerary operates with a maximum of 6
passengers, all guaranteed a window seat.
On occasion the itinerary may operate in a
different order, or different lodges used according to
availability and road conditions.
Travel times vary on road conditions
and game sightings.
Pack a mixture of warm and light clothing
in soft bags, plus sunglasses,
camera and insect repellent.
Minimum age 8 years.
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