East African Safari in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Zanzibar tour holiday

KENYA, TANZANIA & UGANDA SAFARI - BEST OF EAST AFRICA TOUR

23 DAYS DISCOVER EAST AFRICA SAFARI - Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar & Uganda gorilla tracking
Departs daily. Minimum 2 people sharing.

Day 1: Arrival - Nairobi
Upon arrival, transfer from Nairobi airport to Nairobi Serena Hotel (a member of the Leading Hotels of the World) for an overnight on bed and breakfast.

Day 2: Nairobi - Sweetwaters Tented Camp

Day 3 + 4: Nairobi - Samburu Game Reserve
After breakfast, drive through ever changing landscapes to the plains of Samburu for game viewing drives in this area of dramatic scenery and unusual animal species. You will be hosted to a total of three game drive sessions. In Kenya's semi-arid, rugged central region about 215 miles north of Nairobi lies the Samburu Game Reserve, a small oasis that is home to many rare animals, including Grevy zebras, long-necked gerenuk antelopes, Somali ostriches, Beisa oryxes and reticulated giraffes. You might also spot lounging crocodiles or elephants bathing in the Uaso Nyiro River, which runs through the reserve. Meals and overnight Samburu Serena Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 5: Samburu - Mount Kenya National Park
After breakfast morning drive to Mount Kenya National Park to Mountain Lodge Serena, the premier tree lodge ever to be constructed in Mount Kenya. Afternoon is free for an optional nature walk - US$ 30 per person. From the safety and comfort of the famous forest lodge, guests can enjoy night game viewing of animals gathering to drink at the floodlit waterhole. Dinner and overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 6: Mount Kenya - Great Rift Valley Lake: Lake Nakuru
After breakfast, descend from the lush highlands into the Rift Valley with its stunning volcanic landscapes. Arrive at Lake Nakuru for lunch and afternoon game viewing. The lake attracts thousands of lesser and greater flamingos among other tens of species of birds. There are a variety of bird species to watch in this lake. Not only does this lake boast of being a bird’s paradise, it is also a rhino sanctuary for the highly endangered black and white rhinos. Other animals found here include cheetahs, leopards, lions, waterbucks, zebras, gazelles, Rothschild Giraffe amongst many other others. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 7, 8 & 9: Great Rift Valley - Masai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast drive to the Masai Mara to arrive in time for lunch. Prolific in its wildlife, Maasai Mara is Kenya’s finest game reserve. Elephant and buffalo abound in the riverine forests, and herds of antelope and unusual lesser species may be seen on the endless plains together with attendant predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard. Meals and overnight Mara Serena Lodge, B,L,D.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is Kenya's finest wildlife reserve. Everything about this reserve is outstanding. The wildlife is abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure that animals are never out of sight. Birds, too, are prolific. Including migrants, well over 450 species have been recorded, among them, 57 species of birds of prey. The climate is gentle, rarely too hot and well-spread rainfall year round. Rain, when it falls almost always chooses the late afternoon or night. Between July and October, when the great wildebeest migration is in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the sensation is unparalleled. Masai Mara is one of the best plains' game reserve where you can actually encounter a live Discovery Channel, a haven for viewing a congregation of all sorts of animals in a five-mile radius: A pride of lions can be spotted ready to make a run for a gazelle (actually, the last time we visited the Masai Mara we saw a lioness take down a giraffe), a cheetah and its cub taking a nap on a rock, a pair of ostriches walking the open stretches of the savannah or a gazelle giving birth.

Although July, August and September are the months when the Masai Mara plains are filled with migrating wildebeest and zebra, there is much resident wildlife year round. Apart from the better-known species there are numerous opportunities to add some of the rare and less frequently seen animals to the visitor's checklist. In the southwestern sector, you may be lucky enough to see roan antelope, a handsome creature regrettably rare countrywide. Bat-eared foxes peer from their burrows and there are thousands of topi, an antelope not found in other major parks save Tsavo National Park. The combination of a gentle climate, scenic splendor and untold numbers of wildlife makes the Masai Mara Kenya's most popular inland destination park.

A well worth it and recommended activity in the Masai Mara National Reserve is the hot air balloon safari. Early in the morning, you will be woken and driven to the departure site. Once in the air, the view of the surrounding landscape, the rising of the sun between the mountains and the congregation of the animals at the river is beautiful. This all concludes with a champagne breakfast and memories of a lifetime.

Day 10: Masai Mara - Nairobi - Lake Manyara National Park
Morning game viewing. After breakfast, enjoy a scenicflight over the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi. Connect with another flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. Lunch at Mountain Village Serena. Drive to Lake Manyara. Enjoy panoramic views over the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. Meals and overnight Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 11 & 12: Lake Manyara - Serengeti National Park
A morning game drive in the Lake Manyara National Park with its variety of habitats ranging from dense forest, to groundwater swamp and open savannah. Lunch at the lodge, after which continue to the Serengeti plains. Morning and afternoon game viewing drives in the Serengeti. Look out for the vast herds of wildebeests, zebra, lion and cheetah that may be spotted on rocky outcrops. Meals and overnight Serengeti Serena Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 13 & 14: Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast retrace your steps by driving to Ngorongoro Crater, Stopping en route to visit the small archaeological museum at Olduvai Gorge where Louis and Mary Leakey found the fossilized remains of man’s oldest ancestors. Lunch and the afternoon enjoying the awesome view of the Ngorongoro crater 600 meters below. After an early breakfast the next day, descend to the crater floor for a full day's game viewing in the crater with picnic lunch. The wonderful variety of wildlife and stunning landscape make Ngorongoro one of the natural wonders of the world. Meals and overnight Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, B,L,D.

Day 15: Ngorongoro Crater - Zanzibar
After breakfast return to Arusha for lunch and afternoon flight to The Spice Island of Zanzibar. Met and assisted to your cultural Stone Town Hotel, Zanzibar Serena Inn for the night on half board, B,L,D.

Day 16 - 17: Stone Town - Zanzibar Beach Stay
After breakfast, enjoy tour of the Cultural Stone Town and Spice Tour. Later transfer to your beach resort for leisure and relaxation for three nights stay on half board accommodation, Ocean Paradise Beach Resort, B,D.

Situated on Zanzibar’s picturesque North East coast, overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean, Ocean Paradise Beach Resort is as the name suggests - a little piece of paradise.

From your arrival at Zanzibar Airport, the resort is a meandering 45 minute journey through un-spoilt scenery, passing typical African villages where the way of life has changed little for hundreds of years.

At Ocean Paradise Resort Zanzibar, you will be greeted by a blaze of colour as you sweep down the imposing driveway, saluted by a Masai warrior as you pass through the entrance gate and be captivated as you arrive in reception and look out over the resort and the azure blue sea. Mature coconut palms swinging in the breeze, white sandy beach, beautiful landscaped gardens, traditional style round chalets with pitched makuti roof, a stunning waterfall feature and the largest swimming pool in Zanzibar are just some of the sights that await you. A big smile and the greeting of "Jambo" will be the first words you hear, as you begin to feel the warmth that the people of Zanzibar are famed for.

Day 18: Zanzibar - Nairobi - Entebbe - Kampala

Transfer to the airport for your departure Kenya Airways/Precision Air flight back to Nairobi from where you will connect with your Kenya Airways flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Met and assisted. Transfer to Kampala Serena Hotel for the night on bed and breakfast, B.

Day 19: Bwindi Impenetrable, Uganda

Morning breakfast then take a 5 hour road transfer on a very good road to the edge of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Home to the Mountain Gorillas. In the evening, take to the Munyaga Trail to explore the Freshness of the Forest on a Nature walk along the River Munyaga. Dinner and overnight at the Gorilla Forest Camp or Lake Kitandara Safari Camp, B,L,D.

Day 20: Bwindi Impenetrable (gorilla tracking in Uganda)

After an early morning breakfast, you will be given briefing and set off for your Gorilla tracking activity in the forests of Bwindi. Gorilla tracking can be strenuous, you will need to carry a packed lunch, drinking water, wear comfortable boots or jungle shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes ,put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with jungle sounds and take a rain jacket. Walking sticks will be made available for those that require one by the park rangers. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp or Lake Kitandara Safari Camp, B,L,D.

Day 21: Bwindi Impenetrable - Mbarara

Travel to Kabale for lunch at the Agip Motel where you could also take a Canoe ride to explore the many Islands. Later, depart to Mbarara arriving for dinner and night stay at the Rwizi Arch Hotel, B,L,D.

Day 22: Mbarara - Kampala - Nairobi - Departure

An early breakfast, drive back to Kampala and transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight back to Nairobi where you will connect with your departure flight back home after an extensive discovery and touring East Africa, B.

Tour Cost, valid for 2008:

-Using safari van in Kenya: US$ 7,875 per person sharing

-Using safari land cruiser all through: US$ 8,630 per person sharing

Tour Cost Includes:
•Guarantee price/guarantee safari on confirmation
•All ground transport on safari in a comfortable safari Land cruiser in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
•Full board accommodation whilst on safari except in Nairobi and Kampala where it is on bed and breakfast

•Meal plan as described, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
•Accommodation in double/twin/triple room.
•All park entrance fees to include government taxes
•Full escorted tour with the service of an English speaking professional driver/guide
•All game drives as detailed in the itinerary
•All local airport transfers
•Bottled mineral water whilst on safari
•Guided Stone Town and Spice tour
•Local airfares, Masai Mara - Nairobi - Kilimanjaro -Zanzibar - Nairobi
•Temporary enrolment with Flying Doctors for medical evacuation only (excludes hospitalisation etc)
•Flight from Nairobi to Entebbe and return using Kenya Airways

•Bwindi Impenetrable gorilla permit for single tracking as shown

•All accommodations and transfers in Uganda

Tour Cost Excludes:
•Tips
•Departure tax in Zanzibar - US$ 25 per person value
•Laundry
•Beverages/Drinks
•International flights
•Visas to Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda
•Optional extras and items of a personal nature
•Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary

Important Remarks:
Gorilla permit prices are subject to change without any prior warning and reference as park authority may deem necessary. When this occurs, you will be notified immediately and additional cost passed to you. The permits are sold on first come first buy basis and even with the purchase, the Park Authority reserves the right to cancel them at any time without any reference. Should such a situation occur, which is beyond our control, African Sermon Safaris and its staff, agents/operators or associates will not be held responsible.

Please bring the following for tracking gorillas:
-Hiking boots- ankle level boots are okay but make sure it is something handy.
-Gloves
-A warm cardigan
-Thick trousers and a long sleeved top are ideal for tracking.
-Rain Coat
-Video- filming is allowed in the parks though not outside the park
-Water proof container for their cameras
-A pair of binoculars if you are a keen bird watcher.
-If you prefer wearing a hat, a baseball cap is recommended.

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East African Safari in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Zanzibar tour holiday with Uganda gorilla tracking