{AdmirorGallery}gallery{/AdmirorGallery}
KZV003 - KENYA/TANZANIA - THE BEST OF EAST AFRICA
11 days safari - 7 nights camping 1 night Ngorongogo Lodge 1 night gueshouse Kericho 1 night Spekes bay Lodge
Taking an unusual route this safari offers an incredible variety of landscapes and wildlife, combining the best of Kenya and Tanzania. The diversity of the different tribes from Luo fishermen to Masai will make this journey a complete and memorable experience in some of the most dramatic, beautiful and unspoilt parts of East Africa.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
|
Click to enlarge |
ITINERARY |
- Day 1 Nairobi Lake Naivasha. Camping
- Day 2 Lake Bogoria. Camping
- Day 3 Njoro. Cottages
- Day 4 & 5 & 6 Masai Mara game Reserve. Camping
- Day 7 Lake Victoria. Lodge
- Day 8 & 9 Serengeti national park. Camping
- Day 10 Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 11 Return Nairobi or Arusha
|
Day 1 NAIROBI – LAKE NAIVASHA Nairobi was established in 1896 due to the construction of the Mombasa - Lake Victoria railway line. It was on this plateau at 1600m altitude that the Masai grazed their cattle along the small river called the 'Enairobi', which means in Masai, 'cool' or 'cold'. Nairobi is now a modern city with a cool and healthy climate and a population of almost three million. It's difficult to imagine that early last century we could have come face to face with a lion or rhinoceros whilst walking down Moi Avenue. Almost two hours drive from Nairobi lies the fresh water Lake Naivasha at 1890m above sea level. The road to the region climbs over the eastern escarpment giving spectacular views of the Rift Valley before descending towards the lake. The amazing variety of both aquatic and terrestrial bird life around Lake Naivasha is one of its main tourist attractions. Over 340 bird species have been spotted in a single visit! Other wildlife species in the area include buffalo, zebra, giraffe, eland, Chandler’s reedbuck, kongoni, gazelles and hippo. A visit to Crescent Island will see us walk near the lake edge amongst giraffe and gazelle and marvel at the variety of bird life. Camp on a private farm. |
||
|
Day 2 LAKE BOGORIA Lake Bogoria is a small reserve of only 100 square Kms. Formerly known as Lake Hannington this is one of the most beautiful of the Rift Valley lakes. The Laikipia Escarpment drops sharply into the lake on the eastern side and along the shore we find geysers spurting high in the air, and pools of hot water bubbling from the ground. It is shallow soda lake which was established as a National Reserve in November 1983. The reserve covers the whole lake and its surroundings. It is a geological wonder no-one can afford to miss. Jets of steam and boiling water shoot out of geysers and fumaroles indicating the sort of volcanic activities which created the Great Rift Valley millions of years ago. We see hot geysers shooting into the air against a background of flamingos feeding in the warm waters. Masses of pink flamingos line the shores of the lake. This reserve is a birdwatchers paradise with flamingos, pelicans, avocets, ducks, cranes and hornbills, just to mention a few. It is the best place in Kenya to see the greater kudu which lives on the western shores of the lake. There are no predators in this reserve so we can take a walk peacefully along the lake shore to observe the many different species of birds. Camping in the reserve. |
||
 |
|
|
|
Day 3 NJORO After a stroll along the waters edge to watch the flamingos feeding in the early morning light we leave Lake Bogoria Reserve. Passing small African farms and homesteads with neat round huts nestled on the hot dry floor of the Rift Valley the road winds up the western escarpment offering fantastic views over the immense Rift Valley far below. Upon reaching the top of the escarpment at 2000m altitude we arrive into another world of expansive green plantations of tea stretching out over thousands of hectares. The green fertile highlands of Kericho are responsible for the major part of Kenya’s famous tea production and offer a very picturesque scenery. Night at cottage located on a large farm on the countryside. |
||
|
|
|
|
Day 4/5 KERICHO/MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE In the morning and after a few hours crossing Kipsigis country dotted with small farm holdings and small villages of round huts with neat thatch roofs we arrive onto the plains of Masai Mara. We begin to see wildlife long before arriving at the reserve as the animals are not aware of the borders created by man. Soon the wildlife becomes denser as we arrive near to our camp. Masai Mara covers an area of some 1812 square km and is totally unfenced. The Masai are permitted to graze their cattle in the exterior section, but the interior park of 518 square km is reserved strictly for the fauna. Although these people of Nilotic origin were feared by the first explorers to the region, the proud warriors of today spend most of their time herding cattle in search of fresh pasturage. A living tapestry of grassy savannah, spreading thorn trees, rounded hills and tall gallery forests, this feast of wildlife is a paradise for wildlife observation. In addition to the wildebeest and hordes of zebra which join them in their annual migration to the ever-changing pastures, the Masai Mara supports lion, cheetah, elephant, Kongoni, Topi, Thomson’s gazelle and Defassa waterbuck, as well as eight species of primate. Game drives in the reserve. Private Camp in the reserve FB. |
||
|
Day 6 TANZANIA – LAKE VICTORIA Leaving the wildlife behind us we cross again a region of traditional African farmlands to arrive at the busy border post of Serare. We meet with queues of transport lorries that are ferrying goods into central Africa and here we must present our passports for entry into Tanzania. A good tarmac road leads us into Tanzania and in a few hours we are crossing plains cultivated principally with cotton, cassava & maize. We meet our first Luo fishermen as we near the shores of Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria was discovered by Speke, the first European who was to proclaim that this vast freshwater lake was the source of the Nile. Fishing is the main activity of the Wa-Kerewe people on this immense lake of 68854 km². Overnight in a small hotel in bungalows on the shores of Lake Victoria FB |
||
|
|
|
|
Day 7 LAKE VICTORIA/SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Passing through the Western corridor, we enter into the most famous wildlife sanctuary in Africa with game drive on route. The Western Corridor of the Serengeti was created to ease the passage of the wildebeest migration through the Serengeti to Lake Victoria. The Grumeti River which flows into Lake Victoria is the home to thousands of crocodiles. The crocodiles feast only once a year when the migration passes the river & the wildebeest come to drink. Hundreds of animals lose their lives to the hungry crocs that are eager to build up a reserve for the months of drought & hunger. Serengeti National Park is one of the largest animal reserves in Africa and covers an area of 14500 km². During the annual migration we can observe immense herds of several hundred thousand animals. The last aerial census counted 1.2 million wildebeest, 700 000 zebra, 400 000 gazelle, and of course all the predators that follow and hunt the feebler of the animals. Over 2 million animals follow the rhythm of the seasons. During the few days spent here we join their rhythm and follow the procession, observing this magnificent wonder of nature. We pass through a wide variety of ecosystems from savannah dotted with acacias, to open plains with the occasional rock kopje of Seronera. Camping in a private site among the acacia trees near the Seronera River (or other location according to availability) |
||
|
Day 8/9 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Full day of game drives in Serengeti National Park The name Serengeti in Maa language means endless plains. Common animals in these plains include lions, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, waterbucks, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, gazelles and rhino. Serengeti provides sanctuary to the highest concentration of plain animals in the world. For the ornithologist, there are over 400 species of birds in the Serengeti. Camping FB |
||
|
|
|
|
Day 10 SERENGETI/NGORONGORO CRATER Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created with a separate entity to the Serengeti to protect the Masai herdsmen. The Masai had in fact found themselves thrown out of their traditional pasturelands. It was decided that to protect the ancestral rights of the Masai they should be given the right to graze their cattle in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area but not in the Serengeti. This compromise seems to be a success as we are able to observe an enormous variety of wildlife against the backdrop of some spectacular landscapes. The amateur photographer will appreciate the contrast of the cloud charged skies which surround the hill tops, the brilliant golden sunlight illuminating the vegetation on the crater floor, and the white soda lake where pink flamingos search for food. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only an animal reserve but also a very important location for research into the roots of mankind. At Olduvai and Laetoli, Louis Leakey discovered several Australopithecus as well as footprints that date back 3.5 million years. O/night in lodge FB |
||
|
Day 11 NAIROBI / ARUSHA Leaving the animal kingdom for a region cultivated by man we cross again the Rift Valley and with the pointed peak of Mt . Meru in sight we reach Arusha. Continuing onto the Kenya border at Namanga and after immigration formalities we return to Nairobi. |
||
|
|
||
| Due to migration patterns January to June extra day in Serengeti National Park - July to December extra day in Masai Mara | ||
2012 Departure dates
8 Jan / 5 Feb / 11 March / 1 April /10 June / 8 July / 19 Aug / 09 Sept / 7 Oct / 2 & 16 Dec
Price
Price in Usd per person Standard camping based on minimum of 3 passengers for fixed departures dates| HIGH SEASON | MID SEASON | LOW SEASON |
| USD 3232 + PARK FEES | USD 3016 + PARK FEES | USD 2908 + PARK FEES |
Park fees per adult in US Dollars 705
FAMILY FRIENDLY SAFARI 10% Reduction for children up to 12 yrs sharing with parents
Seasons
| LOW SEASON | March/April(Exept Easter week end)* May*/June*/Nov*/1 to 20 December |
| MID SEASON | Jan/1 to 7 July/27 August to end of Sept/October/Easter week end |
| HIGH SEASON | February/8 July to 26 August/20 Dec to 4 January |
* Beware of rain
Include
- Transport in 4WD safari vehicle with roof hatches
- Experienced African Latitude driver-guide and cook;
- Full board except meals in Arusha and Nairobi;
- Treated drinking water
- All camping equipment including tables, chairs, igloo-type tents, mattress, wash bowls, bush toilet & shower (water supply permitting)
- One Ngorongoro Crater Visit;
- Transfer between Nairobi, Arusha & Namanga will be by regular shuttle bus.
Exclude
- Drinks, sleeping bag, personal torch and personal toiletries. (all these can be provided on request)
- Tips & items of a personal nature, ie. laundry etc.
- Optional activities at Lake Victoria;
- Optional visit Lake Manyara National Park on the last day
