Showcasing a panoramic north-south selection of Kenya’s most famous national parks in Kenya and crossing into Tanzania’s mighty Serengeti and thereafter descending into the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, the sensational Ngorongoro Crater. Uniquely varied, this essential travel itinerary also includes stays in both traditional safari lodges and tented camps. End your tour with a game drive in the lovely evergreen Lake Manyara Park.
Wildlife Highlights: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, zebra, antelope, gazelle, impala, waterbuck, topi, eland, plains game, giraffe and rhino
Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Hotel. Dinner can be taken at the hotel or at any of the cities many restaurants.
Day 2: Nairobi to Ol Pejeta
After an early breakfast, drive north travelling to Nanyuki onto Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Check-in to Sweetwaters Tented Camp. A sheltered oasis, clustered around a water hole and set in the pristine calm of the private Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Sweetwaters offers a charming blend of under canvas ambience and safari luxury. Located on the plains of Mount Kenya, the camp features thirty-nine luxury tents, each with its own private veranda overlooking the water hole. The central Rhino Restaurant, housed in the former manager’s house of this once colonial farm offers both regional and international cuisine. Also, within the house is the Kashoggi Bar and lounge, which centres on a blazing log fire. The Waterhole Bar, built in the style of a game-viewing hide, overlooks the waterhole and offers unrivalled wildlife-watching. Distance/drive time: 216 km / 3½ hours
Day 3: On Safari in Ol Pejeta
Spend all day on safari in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp. Visit the local Rhino and Chimpanzee Sanctuaries in the course of your game drives
About Ol Pajeta Conservancy: From a working cattle ranch in colonial Kenya to a trailblazer of conservation innovation – the story of Ol Pejeta is as enchanting as it is inspirational.
Today, Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhino. It is the only place in Kenya to see chimpanzees, in a Sanctuary established to rehabilitate animals rescued from the black market. It has some of the highest predator densities in Kenya and still manages a very successful livestock programme. Ol Pejeta also seeks to support the people living around its borders, to ensure wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare and infrastructure for the next generation of wildlife guardians.
Day 4: Ol Pejeta – Naivasha
After breakfast, drive south to Lake Naivasha in time for lunch at the charmingly located Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge. The lodge stands in 120 acres of lakeside land, most of which is covered in green riparian meadows, which sweep down to the shores of the lake, one of the most beautiful in the Great Rift Valley. A jetty has been built out onto the lake, from where guests can watch the antics of the hippos in the lake and experience 360-degree views, which include Crescent Island, Mount Longonot, the Mau Escarpment and the misty outline of the Aberdares. The grounds are alive with a colourful selection of birds, and the trees with monkeys.
Afternoon crescent Island walk & boat ride in Lake Naivasha (included in this safari).. Alternatively you may choose to just chill out at the lodge
About Lake Naivasha
A freshwater lake, the highest of the string of lakes that glitter down the vast trench of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Naivasha is infamous for its rapidly shifting moods. Enigmatic, and dotted with floating islands of Nile cabbage (water hyacinth) and papyrus, Lake Naivasha has no known outlet, and legends abound regarding the vast tunnels that supposedly run beneath its surface. Towered over by the brooding bulk of Mount Longonot (2,776 m), and featuring a submerged volcanic crater known as Crescent Island, this beautiful lake is best known for its high numbers of water birds. Also, for the haunting cry of the fish eagles, which feed on the black bass and tilapia of its waters. Distance/drive time: 240 km / 3½ hours
Day 5: Naivasha – Masai Mara
Leaving the lodge after breakfast, continue up the floor of Rift to arrive in the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, and at the Il Keliani Camp
Il Keliani Camp: Nestled in a river glade in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the area is a favourite for elephants coming to drink from the Talek River. The camp has been designed to combine the old traditional safari style with a modern and fresh feel. Ilkeliani Camp offers only 17 tents and each commanding views of the plains and the wildlife action throughout the day. It is a permanent camp designed along with eco-friendly principles. The ethos is to leave a minimum footprint on nature. Each well-equipped tent is stylish with an en suite bathroom. They are sited under its own cluster of shady indigenous trees and you do feel that you are out in the wilderness. The interiors are spacious and comfortable featuring a front verandah with a day bed and canvas safari chairs. Home-cooked meals combined with personal service contribute to an unforgettable safari experience
Enjoy lunch at the camp located on the edge of Talek River
In the afternoon, enjoy your first game-drive in the Mara. World-renowned for the breath-taking spectacle of ‘the greatest wildlife shows on earth’, the awe-inspiring annual migration of the wildebeest, the Mara is Kenya’s most visited protected area. Technically an extension of Tanzania’s renowned Serengeti National Park, the Mara constitutes only 4% of the entire Serengeti ecosystem but its rolling grasslands, meandering rivers and towering escarpments offer one of the world’s most rewarding and evocative wildlife arenas. Returning to the camp, enjoy some relaxation on your private veranda, sundowners and dinner in the central restaurant. Distance/drive time: 365 km / 5½ hours
Day 6: On Safari in Maasai Mara
Spend all day on safari in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific birdlife and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
Day 7: On Safari in Maasai Mara
Spend all day on safari in the reserve with morning and afternoon game drives and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp
When it comes to game-viewing, there is nowhere in Africa richer in wildlife or more eventful in encounters than the Mara. A pristine wilderness of haunting beauty, it promises its visitors a profusion of wildlife, prolific birdlife and the unprecedented opportunity of catching up with all the members of the ‘Big Five’ in one morning.
Day 8: The Mara to Serengeti (Travel by light flight via Migori & Tarime)
After breakfast transfer to the local airstrip in Masai Mara for a scheduled Airkenya Flight to Serengeti Seronera Airstrip via Migori and Tarime Airstrips near the border of Kenya and Tanzania respectively. The flight which departs Masai Mara approximately 08.45 0hours is half an hour to Migori Airstrip where upon arrival you are put on a road transfer across the border for immigration and custom procedures, then on to Tarime Airstrip to connect to Tanzanian domestic flight departing 1030hours to arrive approximately 1105hours in Serengeti National Park and to Serengeti Acacia Camp (Central) which is ideally located for safari game drives as well as optional activities such as balloon safaris. Lunch and afternoon game drive.
About the Serengeti
Covering 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah plains, the Serengeti is Tanzania’s first-established, largest and most famous park wherein tens of thousands of hoofed animals roam in a constant and unremitting search for the fresh grasslands upon which their survival depends. Distance/drive time: 250km / 5 hours
Day 9: On safari in the Serengeti
With a full day’s game-driving in the park, your options are wide. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the camp, where guided nature walks can also be taken. Game drives can be taken morning and afternoon. Whilst the annual migration is the Serengeti’s most famous attraction, the Park is also renowned for its lion, many of which have been fitted with radio-transmitter collars so that their movements may be tracked, and additionally for its wealth of cheetah, zebra, giraffe, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, eland, impala, klipspringer, hippo and warthog.
Day 10: On safari in the Serengeti
With a full day’s game-driving in the park, your options are wide. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the camp, where guided nature walks can also be taken. Game drives can be taken morning and afternoon. Whilst the annual migration is the Serengeti’s most famous attraction, the Park is also renowned for its lion, many of which have been fitted with radio-transmitter collars so that their movements may be tracked, and additionally for its wealth of cheetah, zebra, giraffe, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle, eland, impala, klipspringer, hippo and warthog.
Day 11: Serengeti to Ngorongoro
After breakfast depart the camp not later than 08.00AM with game drive en-route, drive through the Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, stopping en route for a visit to the world-famous Olduvai Gorge Paleolithic site and reputed Cradle of Mankind’. Thereafter proceed leisurely to Ngorongoro Crater to check in at Ngorongoro Serena for lunch in the afternoon proceed to visit a traditional Maasai Homestead within Ngorongoro Area
The remainder of the day spent at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, which offers the finest location of all the crater rim lodges, lying on the southern rim of the crater, directly above the yellow fever trees of the Lerai Forest.
Day 12: Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara
Rise early with a packed breakfast to descend for a half-day game drive in the crater.
Often referred to as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s best-known wildlife arenas. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world covering a total area of 264 square kilometres. An utterly unique biosphere, the Crater harbours grasslands, swamps, forests, salt pans, a freshwater lake and a glorious variety of birdlife, all enclosed within its towering walls. It boasts a high concentration of wildlife with exceptionally close-range viewing opportunities. Leaving the crater behind, we will continue to visit our local school project, Simba Milima Primary School where you will have the opportunity to learn about the school and interact with the students. After this experience continues to check in to Manyara Serena Safari Lodge for a late lunch and much-needed rest.
Day 13: Lake Manyara to Arusha/Kilimanjaro Airport
Check out of the lodge after breakfast. Drive into Lake Manyara National Park for morning game drives. A packed/box lunch will be provided from Manyara Serena Lodge to allow participants flying from Manyara Airstrip to connect in good time. For participants departing via Arusha time permitting stop for lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge. Transfer to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward flight.