eco-cultural tour
NATCO40: ECO-CULTURAL TOUR
Kenya & Tanzania Cultural Safari
14 DAYS CULTURAL / WILDLIFE SAFARI
Day
01: Arrive Nairobi
‘Karibu Sana’ so we are welcomed as we arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport. We are transferred to our hotel, which is ideally situated
within the city centre. Balance of the day is at leisure. Overnight
at the Intercontinental Hotel /Nairobi Serena Hotel subject to availability.
Day 2: Nairobi- Maasai Mara
We depart by road and go across
the Rift Valley before mounting its western rim into Maasai land. Red-clad,
with spears always on hand, Maasai warriors tend their herds of cattle
among the wildlife, commendably unmoved by the presence of large predators.
Afternoon we have the first game drive in search of wildlife. Maasai
Mara is probably the best-known game reserve. Overnight at Mara Serena
Safari Lodge subject to availability. Meal Plan {B, L, D}
Days 03 & 04: Maasai Mara
Morning and afternoon game drives in this spectacular game reserve,
all with splendid photographic opportunities. The most stunning feature
is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains
of Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the
Mara's grasslands from late June, tracked by predators: lion, leopard,
cheetah, hyena and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. Apart
from the seasonal migration, game viewing is brilliant year round. Meal
Plan {B, L, D}.
Day 05: Maasai Mara / Lake Naivasha
Breakfast at our lodge and we
proceed to Lake Naivasha - the highest and purest of the Great Rift
Valley lakes. Lunch at the Club after which we enjoy a refreshing boat
cruise on the lake. This area is famous for its bird life - a breeding
ground for pelicans, fish eagles, cormorants and more. We will also
find other animals such as hippos, zebra, antelope, colobus, monkeys,
etc.
Overnight at Lake Naivasha Country Club subject to availability. Meal
Plan {B, L, D}
Day 06: Lake Naivasha -Amboseli
Today we drive to Nairobi to arrive
in time for lunch at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant after which we
proceed to Amboseli National Park situated at the foothills of the Majestic
5895m (19342 ft) Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa.
Overnight at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge subject to availability. Meal
Plan {B, L, D}
Day 07: Amboseli
Morning and afternoon game viewing
against the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro. The park offers a wide variety
of wildlife but the principal attraction is its vast herds of elephant
within the park. The bull elephants here have some of the largest tusks
in Kenya. Other game includes zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, leopard,
caracal and several different species of cats. The park boasts a rich
bird life such as ibis, egret, avocet, common and saddle-billed stork,
secretary bird, heron, vultures, ducks, and geese. Meal Plan {B, L,
D}
Day 08: Amboseli-Arusha
we drive to the border post of Namanga
where after clearing immigration formalities, we change vehicles and
enter Tanzania. Drive to Arusha, to our overnight lodge situated on
a working coffee plantation at the foot of Mount Meru. Arusha is the
exact center between Cairo and Cape Town.
Overnight at Mountain Village subject to availability. Meal Plan {B,
L, D}
Day 09: Arusha / Ngorongoro
An interesting drive through a rural area
dotted with villages gets us to the Ngorongoro Highlands. Our lodge
is situated on the rim of the crater. The crater covers over 250 square
kilometers (over 100 square miles) of land and is home to the rare black
rhino, lion, elephant, cheetah and great herds of buffalo, antelope
and wildebeest.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge subject to availability. Meal Plan
{B, L, D}
Day 10: Ngorongoro
we tumble down 600m (nearly 2000 ft) to
the floor of the crater for a game drive and picnic lunch. Explore the
forest areas inhabited mainly by monkeys and elephants. Around the lake
area, we see flamingos and the open savannah where the lions hunt for
food. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge subject to availability.
Meal Plan {B}
Day 11: Ngorongoro -Arusha –Zanzibar.
Our ‘Spice’ game drive ends with a transfer
to Arusha, to catch our scheduled flight to Zanzibar. Zanzibar invokes
so many different images for so many different people, history, culture,
the sultans of Oman once ruled romance...This ancient island and Pirates
and explorers considered it their stepping-stone into the Africa. Upon
arrival, we are welcomed in the typical Swahili culture and are transferred
to our hotel.
Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Inn. Meal Plan {B}
Day 12: Zanzibar
We establish our Zanzibar experience with
a half-day tour of the World Heritage Site Stone Town and enjoy a fragrant
and colorful tour. The tour of the historical town includes the City
Market, Anglican Church, Zanzibar Museum and Sultan's Palace. The architecture
of the stone town captivates the eye with its wooden Arab inspired doors
ornately carved, some with pointed brass bosses. There is so much history
to Zanzibar that you find sensitive juxtapositions. The Cathedral church
was built over the former slave market, its high altar on the site of
the whipping post. Continue on the with the Tour, which is sure to your
senses. Drive through the countryside to visit the plantations with
an opportunity to pick, smell and savor exotic fruits and spices. Meal
Plan {B}
Day 13: Zanzibar
Breakfast at our hotel. Today our day is
at leisure to lounge around the pool, explore the narrow streets, or
enjoy the Indian Ocean silver sands. Meal Plan {B}
Day 14: Depart
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the
airport for your onward flight. Meal Plan {B}
