12 Days The Heart of Kenya and Tanzania Safari Tour Package

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Priced From: $6,350 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Jul - Dec, Jan - Aug

 

This safari is an ingeniously crafted programme offering both Kenya and Tanzania in less than two weeks away from home. For travellers with a limited timeframe, yet who desire to see both countries, it is the ideal safari. The focus is on wildlife and the big herds, visiting four of East Africa’s most renowned game viewing areas: the Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Tarangire. Three flightsmake the programme as comfortable as it is comprehensive.

Our adventure begins in Nairobi with exciting events: a Safari Briefing, a lecture by Maasai Elder Rakita and safari outfitting. A city tour follows during which we see the most interesting elements of Nairobi, including the home of Karen Blixen. A highlight is our private luncheon at the homestead of Kenya’s oldest tea plantation, hosted by the original settler’s granddaughter. During a tour of Giraffe Centre, we enjoy an exclusive briefing by a resident warden.

The day includes lunch or dinner at the home of Felix and Jane Pinto overlooking Nairobi, or at their country residence, Ideal Farms. Felix and Jane take great pleasure in getting to know travellers. Warm camaraderie forges fond friendships.

Day 2
Europe – Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya’s capital city. An awaiting Safari Director accompanies us to the venerable Norfolk Hotel where our rooms are ready and waiting.

Day 3
Nairobi
The first day is always a busy and exciting one. It begins with a Safari Briefing in the hotel, followed by an in depth lecture by Maasai Elder Rakita. Next is the city tour, including a private luncheon at the homestead of Kiambethu Farms, hosted by the granddaughter of the original settler. A visit is also made to Giraffe Centre, an elevated treetop aerie where we may hand feed giraffes, quite literally face-to-face. Here a resident expert also presents a private briefing on the Centre’s work to save the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Our sightseeing continues to the former home of renowned author Karen Blixen, who penned the inspired autobiography, Out of Africa. The Pintos take great pleasure in meeting all guests personally, and sharing together with them an evening where fond friendships are always forged.

Day 4
Tarangire National Park
We take to the air over the tapestry of East Africa to a gorgeous reserve celebrated for its millions of ancient baobab trees, creating one of the most dramatic landscapes imaginable. And with a permanent water source, Tarangire is virtually guaranteed excellent game viewing at all times, including lion (some tree-climbing!), leopard and a herd of 3,500 elephants. We stay at Tarangire Sopa Lodge, a tranquil oasis overlooking the rolling plains.

Day 5
Ngorongoro Crater
Daybreak over the rolling plains is transcendentally lovely as viewed from our room’s private verandas. Then we’re off on the next leg of our journey to Ngorongoro, the eighth wonder of the natural world. Along the way we drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area—a region created to accommodate the grazing needs of the Maasai people and a unique test of the idea that humans leading a pastoral lifestyle can coexist with wildlife. We arrive at Ngorongoro in time for lunch at our stunning lodge, situated on the rim of the crater. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Day 6
Ngorongoro Crater
This morning we descend 2,000 feet into the giant caldera of this extinct volcano. This magnificent natural amphitheatre contains the largest concentration of animals in all of Africa. Prides of lion, black rhino and elephant share this land with the legendary Maasai tribesmen. Because the grasses are short, game is easily spotted and can be approached quite closely. We spend a splendid morning on the floor of the crater observing wildlife in this ageless World Heritage Site.

Day 7 – Day 8
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is our destination today. En route we stop at Olduvai Gorge, the “cradle of mankind,” where the Leakey family uncovered the fossil of Homo habilis, who lived 1.75 million years ago. Arriving at our lodge in time for lunch, we find ourselves deep in the heart of this famous migration corridor. With its wide-open spaces, bright blue skies and creature-filled landscape, over the next two days we will discover why the fabled Serengeti typifies the dream of “Old Africa.” Large prides of lions laze in the long grasses, plentiful families of elephants feed on acacia bark and trumpet to each other across the plains, while giraffes, gazelles, monkeys, eland and the whole range of African wildlife present themselves in awe-inspiring numbers. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge.

Day 9 – Day 10
MaasaiMara
We wing our way across the great plains to the Maasai Mara via Arusha and Nairobi. A game reserve shared with the Maasai people, the Mara most certainly offers the finest game viewing in Kenya as well as the ideal location for an exhilarating Hot-Air Balloon Safari. During our time in the Mara, we also visit a Maasai village in the company of an insightful tribal Elder. And, romance awaits in the form of an extraordinary sunset cocktail party in the bush overlooking the Great Rift Valley. Our accommodations will also thrill in an exclusive tented camp: Mara Safari Club/Kichwa Tembo Camp.

Day 11
Nairobi –Departure
Flying back to Nairobi this morning, we may wish to visit an AmericaShare project, revisit a favourite site or simply relax in our dayroom. Later this evening we proceed to the airport, already fondly recalling the trip of a lifetime.

Day 12
Europe –United States
We arrive in Europe and continue to homebound flights.

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

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