12 Days Magical Kenya – Tanzania Tour

Routing (1 night Nairobi, 1 night Samburu, 1 night Aberdare, 2 nights Mara, 1 night Lukuba, 1 night Serengeti, 1 night Ngorongoro, 1 night Tarangire, 1 night Arusha, 1 night Nairobi Departure)

 Day 1: Arrival – Nairobi
Upon arrival you will be met by our airport representative and transferred to your hotel in the city centre. After check in, you will have a pre-safari briefing and orientation before embarking on your dream adventure safari.  Overnight: Silver Spring Hotel or similar  B www.silversprings-hotel.com

Day 2: Nairobi- Samburu Gama Reserve
After breakfast, meet your safari guide then head north through breathtaking scenery dotted with rushing mountain streams and fields of tea and coffee. Before Nanyuki town, you will stop at THE EQUATOR for a memorable EQUATOR BRIEFING and water demonstration. On different hemispheres water spins different directions.  After Nanyuki town, you will reach the outpost known as Isiolo, the last major stop on the journey into the remote northern frontier. Descend from the lush highlands to the arid Laikipia Plains and the small oasis of the famed Samburu Game Reserve. Samburu lies on the fringe of the hot and sparsely populated northern region of Kenya. In the afternoon, there will be a game drive returning to your lodge as the sun sets. Dinner and Overnight: Samburu Sopa Lodge or similar www.sopalodges.com  L, D   Distance Approx. 350 km.- 3hrs drive

Day 3: Samburu – Aberdare National Park
After breakfast proceed to Aberdares which is within the equator line with dense forests which harbor lots of elephants, rhino, leopards, bush buck, elusive Bongo or giant forest hog. You will check in at Aberdare Country club hotel, this is base hotel where you check and deposit your luggage ready to go to Aberdare National Park. NOTE: Only overnight hand luggage is allowed at treetops. This park is made famous by Queen Elizabeth the 2nd who ascended to the throne in 1952 while on a holiday visit. Here animals come for salt lick and you view them from the Balcony of the lodge. Dinner and Overnight: The Ark – (www.thearkkenya.com)    Distance Approx. 210 kms – 3 1/2 hrs drive

Day 4: 2011: Aberdare –  Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast climb the Western Escarpment of the Rift Valley and head towards Masai Mara.  With its vast open plains and distinctive flat-topped acacia trees, acacia trees, no visit to Kenya would be complete without a visit here. Enjoying views of picturesque Masai tribesmen herding cattle on the way, you arrive in time for lunch or have a picnic lunch box and a short rest Afternoon game drive includes searching for the Big Five, elephants, Buffalos, lions, Rhinos and leopards, before returning to your lodge as the sun sets! Dinner and overnight – Mara Ashnil Tented Camp or similar  (BLD).www.ashnilhotels.com Distance Approx. 450 kms – 7 hrs drive B,L,D  (Poor road network- Half of the way roads are in poor state and with potholes and it may take more time than the estimated.)

Day 5:  Masai Mara Game Reserve
Pre-breakfast morning game drive in the reserve, a great opportunity to explore the vast flora and fauna of this magnificent reserve.  After a rewarding game drive, return to your lodge for late morning breakfast. Later just relax till afternoon game drive or visit the nearby Masai Mara village as optional excursions. OR a full day game drive with picnic lunch boxes which includes visits to Mara River, Kenya -Tanzania Border Post and a great chance to view the “Big Five”.  You will have your picnic lunch at Hippo Pool as you watch the crocodiles living in harmony with hippos. Return to your lodge late in the afternoon   Dinner and Overnight –  Mara  Ashnil Tented Camp or similar (B,L,D)

Day 6:  Masai Mara – Lake Victoria

Check out of your Hotel with packed picnic lunch boxes and have a game drive enroute to Isibania border. (Kenya- Tanzania border). Arriving at around 14h00 and you will change vehicles and drivers as well. Then proceed for a hour drive to the shores of Lake Victoria with good views of picturesque Tanzania tribesmen. You will be transferred to our boat for Lukuba Island where you arrive in the afternoon. Rest of the day will be at leisure to explore the beautiful lodge. Dinner and Overnight: Lukuba Island Lodge B,L,D. Distance Approx: 170 kms 4 hrs drive

Day 7:  Lake Victoria –Serengeti National Park-

Check out early and proceed with the stunning views of country side. Along the way enjoy your picnic lunch.   Continue your drive across the treeless plains of Serengeti and be prepared for a few bumps and bounces along this unpaved road to the famous Serengeti. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing en route to your lodge.  An afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park introduces you to one of  Africa’s premier game sanctuaries. Dinner and Overnight: Seronera Wildlife Lodge  www.hotelsandlodges-tanzania.com  B,L,D. Distance Approx: 370 kms 6 hrs drive (Poor road network- Half of the way roads are in poor state and with potholes and it may take more time than the estimated.)

Day 8: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater

This morning drive via Olduvai Gorge. The history of mankind is explored on a visit here, where in 1959, famed archeologists Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of the earliest known man, believed to be about 1.8 millions years old.  Enjoy the colourful lecture. Later drive to Ngorongoro Area arriving on time for lunch.  Ngorongoro crater is at the depth of 2,000 feet, this is caldera, created by the collapse of an extinct volcano, contains what might be called “LOST WORLD” of wildlife and in co-existence
of cattle herding Masai. Dinner and Overnight Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge www.hotelsandlodges-tanzania.com  or similar. Distance: approx 150kms  3 hrs drive. B,L,D

Day 9: Ngorongoro – Manyara – Tarangire National Park

Breakfast with a view before head to Lake Manyara National Park  with picnic lunch boxes for half day game drive of this diverse park with its abundance, if your luck you may see the famous tree climbing lions, resident elephant population plus Manyara also boost the troops of baboons and of Aquatic birdlife depend on migration trend. Later drive to Tarangire for afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight: Tarangire Sopa Lodge (www.sopalodges.com). Distance: approx 145kms  3 hrs drive. B,L,D

Day 10: Tarangire- Arusha

Morning game drive and return for breakfast, late check out in the afternoon and drive to  Arusha for overnight. Overnight:  Impala Hotel or similar . Distance Approx: 210 kms 4 hrs drive. BL

Day 11: Nairobi

Breakfast and free until your transfer  to airport for your flight to Nairobi. Arrive and transfer to hotel for short rest. Overnight: Silver Springs Hotel. B  Distance: Approx flying time 1hr

Day 12: Departure

You will be transferred to airport at 01h30 with packed breakfast for your outbound departure flight back home or at your hotel in Nairobi. B

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Cost – Contact us

Hot Air Balloon Safari – extra cost

The early morning calm air of the Masai Mara has made possible the introduction of Hot Air Balloon flights, available as an optional extra, from leading lodges and camps in the reserve.  (Please reserve early to avoid disappointment for this adventure!).Tour of a hot air balloon ride to see the park from a bird’s eye view.

Masai Village visits – extra cost
Taking pictures, dances, Traditional lectures and learning their way of life

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES

–     All transfers to and from Airports/Airstrips

–     Arusha – Nairobi flight

–     All Conservation  fee/charges

–     All transportation as mentioned in a special six sitter safari van in Kenya and 4WD Jeep in Tanzania with window guaranteed seats and pop up roof for game viewing

–     Accomplished English speaking driver/guide

–     Drivers allowance/salary during the entire tour

–     Gift from Hirola Tours & Safaris

–     Accommodation and meals as mentioned in itinerary i.e  Breakfast, Lunch, dinner,

–     Bed and breakfast in Nairobi and Arusha

–     24/7 Flying Doctors emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital

–     A complimentary bottle of mineral water – 1 bottle per person per day during safari

–     All hotel and government taxes

NOT INCLUDED

–     International ticket

–     Telephone and/or Fax

–     Beverages excluding bottled water

–     Tips / gratuities for driver / hotel staff

–     Any extras that are not mentioned above.

–     Airport Departure Tax for International Flights

–     Items of personal nature i.e laundry, souvenirs etc

–     Travel insurance including damage or loss of luggage and/or personal injury

–      Extra cost incurred if change in DATE, reduction in number of Persons or deviation from   above   itinerary.