This trip combines a classic Kenyan safari with four days on the exotic island of Zanzibar. We travel across the ancient tribal lands of the Maasai and into the Great Rift Valley to the world’s finest game reserves. We take a safari around the shores of Lake Nakuru National Park - home to thousands of flamingos – and travel to the fertile oasis of Lake Navisha in the valley to watch grazing hippos. We also travel to the magnificent Maasai Mara wildlife park where we hope to observe the great elephants, lions and leopards in their natural habitat. Each night we will stay in the heart of the game parks to enhance the experience of the African wilderness. From Nairobi we fly to Zanzibar for some rest and relaxation on its beautiful beaches. We can snorkel to the colourful reef, roam through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways or learn about the island’s history with a Spice Tour. This provides a wonderful addition to an already extraordinary holiday.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Nairobi
Arrive into Nairobi and check-in to our hotel.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2:
Drive to Lake Nakuru; game viewing
Today we head to Lake Nakuru National Park. Established as the first bird sanctuary in Africa in 1960, Lake Nakuru is 199 sq km. It is forested uplands and swamp and dry savannah surrounding the lake. The park is home to an abundant diversity of wildlife. This area has one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Kenya. After lunch we’ll make a game drive around the lakeshore searching for the elusive leopard, as well as black and white rhino, and lion. The following morning we’ll make an early start to visit the flamingo population on the lake. Greater and Lesser flamingo are both in abundance here along with pelicans which are seasonal, and the spectacle of seeing hundreds of thousands of these birds is an impressive sight and not one you will forget easily!
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
Drive to Lake Naivasha, boat ride into Crescent Island
Before leaving Lake Nakuru this morning we take a morning game drive and then head back up Africa's most important physical feature, the Great Rift Valley, toward Lake Naivasha. Naivasha means “rippling waters” in Maasai, and the lake lies on the floor of the Rift Valley, dominated by nearby Mount Longonot. The Rift Valley is more than 9656km long, stretching from Jordan down to Mozambique. It was created by the rifting of the great continental masses of Africa and Arabia. The southernmost area of Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes is a fertile oasis with fresh water and the lake itself, is a picturesque setting with grazing hippos and floating islands of papyrus. This afternoon we will visit Crescent Island where we can explore this great bird and wildlife sanctuary on foot and hope to see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and some of the 350 bird species that have been recorded here. It was also a location for some of the scenes in the film ‘Out of Africa’.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Drive to Maasai Mara
The Maasai Mara Game Reserve, arguably Kenya’s finest wildlife park, is situated at the northern end of the Serengeti Ecosystem. There is almost every species of animal native to East Africa here and during our game drives in this park we may well find the ‘Big Five’ of elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. There are also the herds of wildebeest, zebra, topi and gazelle that roam in large numbers across the grasslands. The forested banks of the Mara and Talek rivers are an excellent place to view hippos, crocs and waterfowl and the reserve is also home to some 450 species of bird, including Denham's Bustard, Black Coucal, Yellow Bellied Hyliota and Magpie Shrike.
Overnight Lodge (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 to 6:
Exploring Maasai Mara; game viewing and optional balloon safari
One of the most memorable and unique spectacles of this area is the annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle as they move between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti Plains. This annual trek costs the lives of many of the old and the sick who are picked off by the predators that thrive here, both on the plains and in the muddy waters of the Mara river. During our time in the reserve, we will venture out on several game drives experiencing a little of this natural struggle as it unfolds before our eyes. There is also the option of a balloon safari to view the spectacle from the air. The area teems with herbivores, predators and over 450 species of birds including 57 species of birds of prey. Maasai Mara is not a park, it is a game reserve and as such the Maasai people have been able to retain their traditional way of life. It is unchanged through the centuries and tribesmen are often seen herding their cattle along the many cattle trails outside the reserve.
Overnight Lodge (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
Drive to Nairobi
Today we head back to Nairobi, where, we will have the rest of the day for any last minute shopping or for a final look around this vibrant city.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8:
Fly to Zanzibar
Today we fly into the exotic and friendly island of Zanzibar and transfer to our hotel on the north coast.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9:
At North Coast
Your time is free for personal exploration and relaxation. Spend time watching the fishermen bringing in their catch or go out in one of the dugout canoes with them and try your hand at line fishing. Stroll or cycle along the beach or visit nearby villages. Alternatively, with a mask and snorkel, you can explore the colourful reef offshore, teeming with tropical fish. You may even choose to explore the surrounding area by mountain bike. Scuba diving is available.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Drive to Zanzibar Town
This moring is left free for you to relax and enjoy your surrounding before transferring to the capital. Zanzibar Town has white washed houses and labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Filled with colourful bazaars and hawkers selling a myriad of goods, and everywhere the atmosphere is permeated with the smell of spices.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11:
In Zanzibar Town
Today those who wish can take a tour of Stone Town followed by the Spice Island Tour (including lunch) and learn more of Zanzibar’s history, visit the Sultan’s palace and see clove plantations established by the Sultan in the 19th century.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12:
Tour ends Zanzibar
Included meals: Breakfast
