LONG TRAIL TO EAST AFRICAN EXPEDITION:
Number of Days: 13 Days/12 nights
Safari Departure and Arrival timings:
Departs on Day 02 0730hrs approx.
Returns on Day 13 1600hrs approx. (onward flights to be booked 2000hrs onwards)
Pick up point: Safari Park Hotel
Drop off point: Kilimanjaro International Airport
An Africa safari touches something deep within all of us, for it is an experience that will never be forgotten. The following safari combines intriguing cultures, beautiful landscapes and an excellent opportunity for spotting the Big-5. The driver-guides are all very experienced and will certainly make this safari feel special.
Day 1 Nairobi
Upon arrival into Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to the Safari Park Hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at the Safari Park Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you’ll travel towards Kenya’s fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment. You’ll pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Masai Mara and your lodge in time for lunch. There will be an afternoon game drive.
Overnight at Mara Simba on a full board basis.
Day 3 Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, clients will depart for a visit to a Masai village and a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch and perhaps a siesta before setting off for an afternoon game drive, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Mara Simba on a full board basis.
Day 4 Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru
Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, you’ll travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mau Escarpment, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. The waters here are often coloured shimmering flamingo pink, from thousands of the beautiful birds lining its shores. After lunch, depart for an afternoon game drive in Nakuru National Park.
Overnight at Lake Nakuru Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 5 Lake Nakuru – Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride. Later, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi, collect a picnic lunch and then head south towards Amboseli arriving at your lodge by late afternoon.
Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 6 Amboseli National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Ol Tukai Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 7 Amboseli – Lake Manyara
After breakfast, you continue the journey to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. Afternoon , you depart Arusha and pass through the Masai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni you turn North West and continue the journey up through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.
Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena on full board basis.
Day 8 Lake Manyara – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park that returns to the lodge for lunch. Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Day 9 Serengeti National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park.
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Day 10 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, after a picnic lunch you continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis.
Day 11 Ngorongoro Crater
A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Day 12 Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park
Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east en route to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu village and Tarangire beyond. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a game drive en route. After lunch and perhaps a swim, the remainder of the afternoon will be spent on a game drive.
Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 13 Tarangire National Park – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Depart Tarangire after breakfast and drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch you will be transferred Kilimanjaro International airport for your return flight.
END OF OUR SERVICES
