Kenya & Tanzania Safari Experience

13 Days , NAIROBI to ARUSHA

What's Included

● Entrances and safari game drives in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Ngorongoro

Conservation Area, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti.● Masai village visit and the Planeterra-supported Clean Cookstove project.● Entrance to Olduvai Gorge.● Traditional lunch and walk in local community.● Overseas Medical Insurance for the duration of the tour (Sum of US$ 2,50,000 covered)● 3 nights accommodation at the Comfort hotels mentioned or similar● 2 nights accommodation in Safari Lodges● 7 nights accommodation in Comfort Tented Camps● Meals Included: 12 Breakfast, 11 lunches and 9 dinners. (Allow USD120-150 for meals

and drinks not included)● 7-seat 4x4 safari vehicle, private minibus, walking.● All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.● Arrival Airport Transfer on Day 1 in a shared Vehicle● Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout and certified driver/guide.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details toreview a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affectyour plans.

Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive Nairobi

On arrival at Nairobi airport you are met and transferred to your hotel. A briefdeparture meeting will be held in the hotel reception area in evening on Day 1of your tour. Upon arrival look for information from your tour leader on thehotel bulletin board regarding the meeting time.

The name Nairobi is derived from the Masai word for cool waters, which theMasai people gave to a water hole known as Ewaso Nyirobi. In modern times,the sprawling, cosmopolitan city of Nairobi combines the first-world glamourof reflecting-glass skyscraper buildings with abject developing-world poverty.It originated in 1899 from a handful of shacks that marked the end of therailhead during the building of the Uganda railway. Due to big game hunting

bringing tourists from Britain, the city expanded dramatically in the early1900's. A large number of British nationals settled in the area, prompting moregrowth and this angered both the Masai and Kikuyu people, as they werelosing hunting ground due to the expansion of the city limits. The frictionincreased and, eventually led to the Mau Mau uprising, which saw JomoKenyatta, the future president jailed. Kenya was granted independence fromBritain in 1963, with Nairobi as the capital.

Apart from being Kenya's capital and the main centre of government andcommerce, Nairobi is the most significant city in East Africa and an importantplayer on the pan-African stage. It is the diplomatic base for many counties inAfrica, with its broad spectrum of international embassies and headquartersfor the United Nations, multi-national companies, non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs) and press correspondents. It's also the center of thegrowing safari business of East Africa.

Take today to wander the streets of central Nairobi, taking in old colonialarchitecture and the brightly coloured crowds to get a feel for Africa. The city'sbest attraction is the National Museum, home to most of the great prehistoricfinds made by the Leakey family in East Africa, from Ethiopia to the OlduvaiGorge in Tanzania. It also has sections on wildlife, art, geology, local historyand a snake park.West of the city, the suburb of Karen is named after Karen Blixen, author of"Out of Africa". Her house is now the Karen Blixen Museum, complete with agarden and tea house, it tells the history of the famous author.

South of Nairobi, in Langata, are a number of the city's best attractions. At theGiraffe Centre, you'll have the option of hand-feeding the rare Rothschildgiraffes, plus embarking upon a nature walk with 160 species of bird. TheSheldrick Animal Orphanage cares for young, orphaned elephants. The Bomasof Kenya is a living open-air museum of the tribes of Kenya, including regulardance performances. The Nairobi National Park is just south of the city, andcovers 114 sq km. It has over 400 bird species of and populations lions,leopards, and one of the country's few thriving populations of black rhino.

DAY 2 Masai Mara National Reserve

After breakfast, we depart for the world famous Masai Mara Game Reserve.With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, no visit toKenya would be complete without a visit here! In the afternoon we will arrivein the area, and get settled at our safari lodge, our base for our time here.Then we make our way into the reserve for an afternoon game viewing drive,with excellent chances of seeing the "Big 5" - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephantand rhino.

Days 2-3 both begin with early morning game drives, since the best time tospot wildlife is in the early hours of the morning.

Approximate Distance: 368 kmEstimated Travel Time: 6 hrs

DAY 3 Masai Mara National Reserve

The days continue with more game viewing as you criss-cross the rolling hillsof the African savannah. With this amount of time in the reserve, you will havea chance to venture further than most safari groups, into territoties in thewestern part of the reserve, considered to be the best areas for wildlifeviewing.

The Masai Mara (also spelled Maasai Mara) is a game reserve in south-westernKenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti NationalPark in Tanzania. Named for the Masai tribes people, who are the traditionalinhabitants of the area, and the Mara River, which divides it, the reserve isfamous for its exceptional population of game and the annual migration of thewildebeest every September and October, a migration so immense to be calledthe Great Migration. Thousands of wildebeest die in the crossing due tocrocodile attacks. The Great Migration is one of the most impressive naturalevents worldwide, involving an immensity of herbivores: some 1,300,000wildebeest, 360,000 Thomson's gazelle, and 191,000 zebra.

With an area of 1510 km sq., the Masai Mara is not the largest game park orreserve in Kenya, but it is probably the most famous. The entire area of thepark is nestled within the enormous Great Rift Valley that extends from theMediterranean Sea toMozambique. The terrain of the reserve is primarily open grassland, withclusters of the distinctive acacia tree in the south-east region. The westernborder is the Esoit Oloololo Escarpment of the Rift Valley, and wildlife tends tobe most concentrated here, as the swampy ground means that access to wateris always good. The easternmost border is 224 km from Nairobi.

The Masai Mara is perhaps most famous for its lions, though the othermembers of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros) areas well found. This said, the population of black rhinoceros is severelythreatened, with a population of only 37 recorded in 2000. Hippopotami arefound in large groups in the Masai Mara and Talek Rivers, and many cheetah,zebra, impala, gazelles, hartebeest, warthog, ostrich, topi, the Masai giraffe,among other mammals, all consider the "Mara" their home territory. As well,the large Roan antelope and the nocturnal bat-eared fox, rarely presentelsewhere in Kenya, can be seen within the reserve borders. Like in theSerengeti in Tanzania, the wildebeest are the dominant inhabitant of the MasaiMara, and their numbers are estimated in the millions. Around July of eachyear these animals migrate in a vast ensemble north from the Serengeti plainsin search of fresh pasture, and return to the south around October. Thesenumerous migrants are followed along their annual, circularroute by a block of hungry predators, most notably lions and hyena.

The Masai Mara is a also major research centre for the spotted hyena.Additionally, over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park,including vulture, marabou, secretary bird, hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich,long-crested eagle, and pygmy falcon.

You will also have a chance to try the optional balloon safari, in addition tostopping at a Masai village to learn about, and interact with, the local Masaipeople.

DAY 4 Lake Nakuru

After breakfast, we embark to Lake Nakuru National Park for a hot lunch andan afternoon safari game drive in search of the resident black and white rhino,buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard. Our safari lodge is located within LakeNakuru National Park.

Lake Nakuru itself is one of the Rift Valley soda lakes. Avian attractionspresent include two large fish-eating birds, pelicans and cormorants. The parkis rich in other birdlife, including grebes, white winged black, stilts, avocets,ducks, and in the European winter, the migrant waders.

The park has recently been enlarged partly to provide the sanctuary for theblack rhino. This undertaking has necessitated a fence - to keep out poachersrather than to restrict the movement of wildlife. The park now has more than25 rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country, so the chances ofspotting these survivors are better than in other parks. There are also anumber of Rothschild's giraffe, again translocated for safety from westernKenya beginning in 1977. Numerous other mammals can be seen, includingzebra, impala, gazelle, waterbuck, lion, warthog, bushbuck, many buffalo, andeven at times leopard.

Approximate Distance: 340 kmEstimated Travel Time: 4-5hrs

DAY 5 Amboseli National Park

After a morning game drive venture south to the famed Amboseli NationalPark located at the foot of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.The snow-capped peak of the mountain dominates every aspect of the park,providing the ultimate photo backdrop. Amboseli covers only 392 sq km,though despite its small size and its fragile ecosystem the park supports a widerange of mammals (well over 50 of the larger species) and birds (over 400species).

A part of the park is composed of a dried-up lake bed which in the shimmeringheat produces mirages. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers fromKilimanjaro's melting snows, form permanent watering places for the wildlife

through times of drought. The snows of Kilimanjaro form a majestic backdropto one of Kenya's most spectacular displays of wildlife creating Kenya's mostsought after photographer's paradise. The park's best game drives are aroundthe swamps and there is a fine lookout on Observation Hill which offers viewsover the whole of the park and beyond.

Years ago this was the locale around which such famous writers as ErnestHemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big-game hunting in thewilds of Africa. In addition, the park that has been made famous by CynthiaMoss, the noted American naturalist and author who has one of thelongest-running studies on elephants. You might even see some of theelephants that Cynthia has immortalized in her many books and award-winningfilm Echo of the Elephants.

Approximate Distance: 405 kmEstimated Travel Time: 7-8hrs

DAY 6 Amboseli National Park

Today's day offers morning and afternoon safaris criss-crossing the park insearch of lions, buffaloes, elephants, rhino, cheetah, and of course the photo ofa lifetime.

DAY 7 Arusha

Today we cross into Tanzania, stopping at Arusha, a picturesque town that sitsat the foot of rugged Mount Meru, Africa's fifth highest mountain. Spend sometime exploring the town and its bustling markets, and try a sample or two ofthe fresh locally grown coffee. Upon arrival into Arusha, you may be joined byother G Adventures travellers starting the Tanzania safari portion of the trip inArusha.

Arusha, also known as Tanzania's "safari capital", is undoubtedly the mostimportant center in northen Tanzania. With many protected national parks,reserves, and mountains nearby (on a clear day, it may be possible to see Mt.Kilimanjaro in the distance), Arusha is a modern town, and with its markets,services, and fine location, it is a great base for your safari trip.

Arusha officially became a city on the 1st of July 2006. The primary industry ofthe region is agriculture with large vegetable producers sending high-qualityproduce to Europe. The city and its environs are also spotted with large coffeeplantations, adding to the area's charm. Though in recent years, due to thecoffee crisis, many local farmers have been badly hit, and now subsistencefarming is the most common source of livelihood.

Arusha owes its name from the local Wa-arusha people who resided here forhundreds of years, and is historically and politically significant city within East

Africa. In 1961 the official documents ceding independence to Tanzania weresigned by the United Kingdom in Arusha. Six years later the ArushaDeclaration of Self Reliance in Tanzania was signed. On the 4th of August 1993the Arusha Accords were signed by representatives of competing factions inthe civil war in neighbouring Rwanda. After the Rwandan genocide, the UNSecurity Council decided by its Resolution 955 of 8 November 1994 thatArusha should host the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Theestablishment of the tribunal with its employees has influenced the localeconomy of Arusha. The tribunal is expected to end its mandate in 2008.

Approximate Distance: 286 kmEstimate Travel Time: 7-8 hrs depending on the road conditions

DAY 8 Mto wa Mbu Village/Lake Manyara

After breakfast continue on to Mto wa Mbu which means Mosquito River. Herewe take part in a cultural walk to learn a little about what a typical village inthe area is like. The village has over 18,000 inhabitants from 120 tribes. Thistwo hour tour will take you from the village's local market through severaldifferent farms, local huts, and artisan shops, and back to the market, givingyou the opportunity to get a true glimpse of northern Tanzanian culture. Afterour walk we have a local traditional lunch before continuing on to LakeManyara National Park for game viewing in the park.

This area is truly stunning, as the western wall of the Rift Valley escarpmentprovides a backdrop for your search of the park's phenomenal bird life,tree-climbing lions, elephants, giraffes, and hippos. The afternoon is spentgame viewing along the main road that winds for several kilometers through acool, lush, mature groundwater forest dominated by large fichus trees and atangle of green epiphytes.

The name Manyara is derived from the Masai word "Emanyara", which is aEuphorbia species of plant that is found around a family homestead in the area.The lake itself is a shallow, alkaline lake stretching 50km at the base of thesheer 600-metre high Rift Valley escarpment. This forms part of the nationalpark that covers an area on roughly 330km sq.

Lake Manyara National Park is home to the giant fig trees, acacia woodlands,mahogany trees and grassy flood plains. The contrasts of this area are simplybreathtaking, with the open plains, huge escarpment, central soda lake, densewoodlands, and distance volcanic peaks coming together in an area bestdescribed by Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa".

Animals such as blue monkeys, hippo, impala, elephant, wildebeest, buffalo,warthog, and giraffe all roam the park's territory. The park is also home tolegendary tree-climbing lions, and also has small populations of leopard.Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania's bird life, with over

400 species having been recorded within the parks boundaries. Highlightsinclude thousands of pink-hued flamingos on their perpetual migration, as wellas other large water birds such as pelicans, cormorants and storks.

Approximate Distance: 130 kmEstimated Travel Time: 2-3 hrs

DAY 9 Serengeti National Park

Travel to the world famous Serengeti, one of Africa's premier game parks.Travel through the Rift Valley and visit a Masai village to learn about thefascinating Masai people. Visit the Planeterra-supported Clean Cookstoveproject and meet the local women engineers who have installed cleancookstoves throughout these communities. Experience the impact of whatcooking over an open fire is like before witnessing the transformation thatoccurs when a clean cookstove is installed. Learning about this project ispaired with information about the day to day lives of the famous Masai people.

We continue on, driving through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to theSerengeti National Park. Along the way, we begin to experience the vastness ofthis territory and marvel at the multitude of animal and bird life while cruisingthrough this acacia-spotted savannah.

En route we visit the archeological site of Olduvai Gorge where we will receivea brief history of the gorge with a professional guide from the Olduvai center.and then take a walk around the museum (approximately 10-15minutes) . Wefinally reach the Serengeti in the late afternoon in time for a game drive enroute to our camp.

The Olduvai, or Oldupai, Gorge is commonly referred to as The Cradle ofMankind. It is a deep ravine that is roughly 30 miles (48 km) long. It is famousfor the discovery of the 3.5 million year-old fossil fragments of an early humancivilization. Accordingly, it is one of the most important prehistoric sites in theworld and has been instrumental in furthering an understanding of earlyhuman evolution.

The Serengeti National Park is to Tanzania what the Masai Mara Game reserveis to Kenya, but with an area of 5,678 sq miles (14,763 sq km), it is actuallyover 7 times as large. The Serengeti, which derives its name from the Masaifor "endless plain", is the jewel of Tanzania's protected areas. Combined withthe Masai Mara and the Ngorongoro Conservation area it protects the mostvaried and greatest collection of wildlife on earth. With the Big Five, the SmallFive and extensive amounts of wildlife, this region offers arguably the bestwildlife viewing in the world. That said, with its vast size and varied terrain,game viewing is only one aspect of the Serengeti - the scenery is simplybreathtaking.

Approximate Distance: 135 miles (220 km)Estimated Travel Time: 5-6 hr

DAY 10 Serengeti National Park

There is no bad time to visit the Serengeti as every season has its own specialhighlight. Changing seasons and light patterns form the most beautifulbackdrop to view Africa's majestic wildlife. It has more than 1.6 millionherbivores and thousands of predators. Blue wildebeests, gazelles, zebra andbuffalo are the animals most commonly found in the region.

This area is most famous for the migration that takes place every year; inOctober over a million herbivores travel toward the southern plains, crossingthe Mara River from the hills to the north. They continue west across theSerengeti, and then north once again, crossing the Mara River, after the rainsaround April. This phenomenon is sometimes also called the circular migration.Over 250,000 wildebeest alone will die along the journey from Tanzania toMasai Mara reserve in Kenya.

Note: If you have pre-booked a Serengeti Balloon Safari Theme Pack, yourflight will be early in the morning of Day 10. You will miss the morning gamedrive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above.

DAY 11 Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Games drives as we continue out of the Serengeti then rest you head thisevening at a comfortable tented camp, enjoying the African sunset with a cooldrink in hand over looking Lake Eyasi.

Approximate Distance: 160 kmEstimated Travel Time: 4 hrs

DAY 12 Ngorongoro Crater/Arusha

Depart early into Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for gamedrive and picnic lunch. Afternoon drive to Arusha for our final night.

The rich pasture and permanent water of the Crater floor supports a residentpopulation of more than 20,000 to 25,000 large mammals. They are notconfined by the crater walls, and can leave freely; they stay because conditionsare favorable. Since most of the crater floor is grassland, grazing animalsdominate: zebra, gazelles, buffalo, eland, and warthogs. The swamp and forestprovide additional resources for hippos, some of Tanzania's last remainingblack rhinos, giant-tusked elephants, waterbucks, reedbucks and bushbucks,baboons and vervet monkeys. All these animals in turn support large predatorssuch as the lion and leopard, and scavengers such as hyenas and jackals.

The 5,150 sq miles (8,300 km) Ngorongoro Conservation Area is named afterits central feature, the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcaniccaldera. Ngorongoro Crater has often been described as one of the wonders ofthe world, not only because of its inherent geological significance, but alsobecause it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa'smost dense population of large mammals. The Ngorongoro was part of theoriginal Serengeti National Park proclaimed in 1951, but it was made aseparate conservation area in 1956 so that the Masai could graze their cattlethere. The Ngorongoro Crater became a World Heritage Site in 1978.

Land in the conservation area is unique to Tanzania as it provides protectionfor the wildlife while allowing human habitation. The landscape is a blend ofvolcanoes, grasslands, waterfalls and mountain forests. The southern andeastern boundaries are defined by the rim of the Great Rift Valley, which alsoprevents animal migration in these directions. The annual ungulate migrationpasses through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with wildebeest and zebramoving south into the area in December and moving north in June.

Approximate Distance: 125 miles (200 km)Estimated Travel Time: 4-5hrs

DAY 13 Depart Arusha

Depart Arusha at any time.