HPE: 335 True Taste of Africa

Duration: 17 Days and 16 Nights
Price: Please Contact us about the price of this Itinerary


Day 1: Nairobi – Tsavo National Park (pronounced Savo)

Arrive in Nairobi transfer flight to Finch Hatton Lodge This is your ultimate traditional 5* lodge noted for its legacy of luxury in the ‘bush with Mozart and crystal” continuing the style of Finch Hatton. Situated within Tsavo National Park 10 million acres of untouched wilderness where you rarely see another vehicle. This beautiful camp among the thorn trees has three springs with a resident pod of hippos who wallow all day and graze at night. Each luxury tent has twin bed /en suite breakfast/lunch served on the open air terraces with panoramic views. A superb African safari location to unwind

Day 2: Finch Hatton Lodge -Tsavo National Park

Enjoy early morning and evening game drives, this area is noted for it herds of ‘red’ elephants, you will also see buck, giraffe. A trip can be organized to the rail bridge, historically famous area of the ‘man eating’ lions The bird life is spectacular with over 200 species. picnic sundowners, bush breakfasts,

Day 3: Drive to Tanzania

After early breakfast drive to Taveta Border crossing into Tanzania, stopping at Mzima Springs where it is possible to view the underwater antics. This drive is breathtaking with Mt Kilimanjaro looming above the dry Savannah, and sisal estates.

Now in Tanzania we meet our Tanzanian guides and settle into the open topped Land cruisers which we use for the safari. We travel around the base of Kilimanjaro into Chagga country then the dry Maasai lands before we reach Arusha we past through coffee /banana plantations. Spectacular view of Kilimanjaro can be seen on the way.

Overnight at New Arusha Hotel which is the central position of the historical Cape to Cairo route. Beautifully restored this hotel offers a central location to walk about this ultra busy ‘safari capital’ large gardens /pool.

Day 4: Lake Eyasi – Tented Camp

We have an early start with picnic lunch, we drive across the dry Maasai plains passing Lake Manyara with it scores of pink flamingos climbing up to the Rift Valley to Mto wa Mbu passing through some fertile pockets of farming then heading west to Lake Eyasi. – home to the Hadzabe and Datoga people, some of the last hunters and gatherers, they survive on their ability to blend into and subsist through their surroundings You will have the opportunity to join a hunting trip. This small camp is on the lake shore among palms and acacia trees with a colossal rock backdrop Some of the wildlife you will see include the tiny Dik Dik ,velvet monkeys, buck, the fish eagles, and hippos.

Day 5: The Ngorongoro Crater

Today you will drive into the Ngorongoro Conservation area, across to the crater through the lichen hung forest along the rim and down into the ‘floor’ with its own eco system. The soda lake shimmers with flamingos and dotted with pods of hippos The zebras mingle with the wildebeest, buffalo, ostrich, jackal, and hyena. Warthogs dart about, the lions laze about between hunting, sight the rhino, impala, bush buck Today we have a picnic lunch in the crater enjoying being among the wildlife and late afternoon we make our way up to the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge tucked on the rim 2000ft above the crater The view is stunning as the sun sets

Day 6: Serengeti National Park

The scene changes today vast open spaces , we are into the Serengeti through the Naabi Hill gate viewing large herds of Impala, Thompson’s gazelle, giraffe, buffalo, and enormous numbers of wildebeest and zebra. The lions, cheetahs, Elephants, hippo and all the birds We stop at the Seronera Resource center then travel to Mbalageti Tented Camp.

Day 7: Serengeti National Park – Mara and Grumeti River

Again, early game drive, the animals are stirring at this time often the lions are hungry and are out hunting we return for breakfast relax about the camp observing the lesser animals birds and bugs. There is a great park resource center to visit In the evening again we go out to view the animals then returning for dinner at Mbalageti. The Migration moves through these areas at changing times throughout the year we are situated centrally to allow the best viewing.

Day 8: Serengeti National Park

Today we are out all day with picnic lunch exploring the vast Serengeti going further north and staying at Klein’s camp tonight. Kleins is situated near the Kenyan border in the Mara region.

Day 9: Tarangire

Sighting game all the way we will take a detour to Olduvai gorge and museum where evidence of mankind was first found by the Leakey family If the wind is right we can view the shifting sands in the area. We then continue on to Tarangire River Tented lodge and from the wide terrace enjoy the sunset and animals at the river below.

Day 10: Zanzibar

Early game drive your last. Tarangire is noted for its Elephants, baobab trees and numerous species of birds .We drive to Kilimanjaro Airport early afternoon to fly to Zanzibar accommodation Tembo a traditional coastal hotel right on the sea wall in the heart of Stone Town

Day 11: Stone Town –Zanzibar

Explore this wonderful African/Arabic town of narrow cobbled streets, historic experiences, the slave areas, Sultans palace, Old Fort, shopping, taarab music and spices great evening dining choices Stone Town is magic, easy to walk about.

Day 12: Zanzibar

After breakfast depart on a Spice Tour a great experience visiting small farms, learning about cloves, cinnamon, Black and white pepper, nutmeg, cocoa, all spice, coconuts, banana, and mango and sampling the foods. We travel to our accommodation on the beach in the south an area less frequented by tourists Hakuna Majiwe.

Day 13: Zanzibar

A day of leisure at the beach The sea is clear and the sands are white, swimming pool/sea, fishing, dhow trips, very relaxed with beach walking.

Day 14: Zanzibar

Drive back to Stone town via the Jozani Forest where the rare red colobus monkeys live accommodation at Zanzibar Serena Inn. You can travel by dhow out to Prison Island to view the large turtles or just relax taking the walks about Stone town ,shopping etc.

Day 15: Zanzibar

Drive back to Stone town via the Jozani Forest where the rare red colobus monkeys live accommodation at Zanzibar Serena Inn. You can travel by dhow out to Prison Island to view the large turtles or just relax taking the walks about Stone town ,shopping etc.

Day 16: Zanzibar – Dar es Salam

This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam. You will be meet and taken on an informative tour of the town on the way to Sea Cliff Hotel a delightful site high on the cliffs

Day 17: Dar es Salaam – Fly out

Morning at leisure, opportunity to visit site of Mkonde carvers, Magogoni fish market, Tinga tinga painters and the Slipway for that last minute shopping . Later transfer to the Airport.

Details: TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Transport:

  • Kenya – minivan’s with pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography
  • Tanzania – Safari Land Rovers/cruisers all fixed with 2 way – HF Radios.
  • English speaking driver/guides
  • Accommodation with private facilities – as specified
  • Game viewing, drives and park entrance fees as indicated
  • Sightseeing as specified
  • Breakfasts daily
  • Dinners as specified
  • Airfares Nairobi-Arusha-Zanzibar-Nairobi

TOUR EXCLUSIONS

  • Personal Expenses
  • Insurance (compulsory)
  • Departure and airport taxes
  • Late check out
  • Gratuities and tips.