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Day 1: Arrival/Nairobi
Collection from the Jomo Kenyatta Airport where you will be met by a Safari Line Africa representative who will transfer you to Fairview set in 5 acres of beautiful gardens located just outside the city centre. The luxurious suites offer comfortable rooms with en-suite facilities and modern facilities including personal electronic safes, television and internet access. Amenities to include restaurant, health centre fitted with the latest cardiovascular equipment with an outdoor swimming pool. Accommodation will be booked on bed and breakfast basis (BB).
Day 2: White Water Rafting
Collection from the hotel at 0800 hrs for the 1.5 hours drive to Sagana Camp where white water rafting trip will commence. This will be an exciting day of thrills (and often spills) with a great mix of high action white-water (up to grade V) interspersed with scenic calm water. The trip is either 16km (high water season) or 8km (low water season) and lasts approximately 4hrs. This varies greatly due to the water levels. Solar heated shower will be available at the camp before enjoying a three course barbeque lunch.
Not enough? Why not leap feet first into a big surfing hole, jump a 30ft waterfall or swim ‘The Devils Toilet Bowl’ (water level dependant). Accommodation will be at the Sagana Camp where dinner will be served.
Day 3: Sagana/Ark
Collection from the hotel at 0800 hrs and depart to the Ark set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park for overnight. This unique game lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick which attracts a host of wildlife such as Elephants, Rhino, Leopard, Bushbuck and occasionally an elusive Bongo. The Ark comprises of three decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage for game viewing. Comfortable en-suite cabins are fitted with buzzers to announce the arrival of one of the "big five" at the waterhole. Lunch will be provided at the Aberdare Country Club and dinner at the Ark (FB).
Day 4: Ark/Lake Nakuru
Depart after breakfast to Sarova Lion Hill, a beautiful retreat set in Lake Nakuru National Park which boasts a rich concentration of wildlife and also a Rhino sanctuary where the endangered White and Black Rhino's have been given a new lease of life. Game drive will be available en-route to the Sarova Lion Hill where you will spend the night. Meals will be served at the lodge restaurant (FB).
Day 5: Lake Nakuru/Masai Mara
Collection from the hotel at 0800 hrs and depart to the Masai Mara to check in time for lunch at Mara Serena Lodge set on the saddle of a hill overlooking the 1,800sq-km of the Masai Mara Triangle. It is on this very terrain stretching endlessly before the lodge where the annual migration of Zebra and Wildebeest followed by predators cross the Mara River from Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya from June to September take place. During your stay you will enjoy morning and evening game drives in the reserve not only to view the "big five" but also take in the bird life for which this reserve in famous. All meals will be provided at the lodge restaurant (FB)
Day 6: Masai Mara
The following day there will be two game drives; early morning and late afternoon in the Masai Mara arguably the world's most famous game reserve with unrivalled natural beauty and wildlife concentration. It forms part of the Great Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and is home to all the big five (Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, and Rhino). Over 95 species of mammals and 350 bird species are found in this great reserve. All meals will be served at the lodge to include breakfast, lunch and dinner (FB)
Day 7: Masai Mara/Naivasha
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast back at the lodge before departing to Naivasha Simba Lodge set on the shores of Lake Naivasha, an ideal holiday venue. The lodge's park-like grounds are visited by a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Game drives will be undertaken at the famous Hell's Gate National Park with its spectacular gorges and hot springs in the afternoon. Lunch, dinner and overnight at the lodge (FB)
Day 8: Naivasha/Amboseli
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge before departing to Amboseli National Park on the foothill of Africa highest mountain. Despite its sometimes dry and dusty appearance, it has an endless water supply filtered through thousands feet of volcanic rock from Mount Kilimanjaro's ice cap. The principal attraction of Amboseli is its vast herds of Elephant, plentiful game including Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Impala and Leopard and birdlife. There is a chance of seeing the elusive Caracal and Serval Cats. In the afternoon there will be a late afternoon game drive in the park in search of the animals. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight rest (FB)
Day 9: Amboseli
Accommodation for the next two nights will be at Amboseli Serena Lodge hidden beneath a copse of giant acacia trees and beside a gently flowing natural spring. Inspired by local Masai architecture, the design of the lodge is in total harmony with the environment and is furnished with authentic African Murrals and has a swimming pool filled with fresh water from the spring.
Day 10: Amboseli/Arusha
Early morning breakfast at the lodge before proceeding to the Namanga border between Kenya and Tanzania where you will undergo immigration formalities . This will involve change of vehicles and driver/guides. Proceed to Arusha. Overnight in Arusha at Mountain Village Lodge with time for rest and acclimatisation (FB).
Day 11: Arusha/Mandara Hut
Transfer to Marangu gate at an altitude of 1860m. The path to Mandara Hut your first overnight stop, passes through rain forest and will take up to four hours. Rest in A-frame huts, eat dinner and relax (FB).
Day 12: Mandara Hut/Horombo
Leaving the forest ascend on a path through open moorland and alpine meadow. As you are climbing to over 12,140ft today, you may start to feel the effects of altitude and that you get breathless more easily. The mountain guide will make sure that you take your time and have plenty of rest stops; giving many opportunities to take in the views. Later, above Podocarpus Hill, the scenery changes again; rocky volcanic ravines covered with dense shrubbery, giant lobelia and groundsels, as well as many other wild flowers peculiar to Kilimanjaro. If the weather is clear you should get views of the giant peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Arrive at Horombo Hut (at 12,200ft) and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the surroundings. There is plenty to do, but you may prefer to conserve your energy for the days ahead. About 5-6 hours walking. Hut accommodation with all meals (FB).
Day 13: Horombo/Kibo
The sun rises dramatically from behind Mawenzi Peak, lighting up the sea of cloud, which shrouds the lower reaches of the mountain. After the rest continue ever higher, past huge cactus-like groundsel and the last spring water (you now rely on porters to carry supplies). Breathing becomes noticeably more difficult and the climb now begins to test even the fittest. Climbing above 13,500ft you will get clearer views of Kibo and the almost lunar landscape of the saddle. Here you'll find only the most hardy forms of vegetation amid the sand and rocks. Temperatures may vary dramatically and strong winds can whip up in a very short space of time. Despite the seemingly inhospitable terrain, you may meet herds of Eland at this altitude. Continuing for 2-3 hours across the plateau, we finally reach Kibo Hut, at the base of Kibo Peak. The air is considerably cooler here and once the sun drops, temperatures often fall to below freezing. If you are finding that the altitude is having a bad affect on you, you may have to make a tough, but wise decision, to go no further than Kibo hut (15,430ft). About 5 hours walking. Overnight hut with all meals (FB).
Day 14: Kibo/Horombo
Set very early in the morning, in darkness, to attempt the summit, walking past icy crevasses and giant boulders, to the final ridge. You will be ascending to 18,570ft in just a few hours to reach Gilman's Point on the rim of the crater. Although at times you may be able to walk for only 10 paces before you have to stop and rest, there is no doubt that it is all worth it when you reach the top. Gilman's Point is perhaps the most spectacular in Africa, where the whole of East Africa seems to spread out below you; the Masai Plains; the Rift Valley; Mt. Meru; Amboseli and Tsavo of Kenya. From Gilmans Point, you may continue around the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340ft. Descend down scree and via Kibo Hut, where you'll have a rest and then continue down to Horombo Hut. About 13 -15 hours walking. Overnight hut with all meals (FB).
Day 15: Horombo/Arusha
After a good long rest at Horombo, pass the moorland once more, enjoying the increasing warmth and richness of the mountain air. Stopping for a short time at Mandara hut, continue down through the forest to the park entrance. From there you will be transferred to Arusha for hot showers, cold drinks, and an overnight stay at the Mountain Village Lodge with all meals included (FB)
Day 16: Arusha/Tsavo
Collection from the hotel and depart to Namanga border where you will change vehicles and proceed to Tsavo National Park and check in at Kilanguni Lodge located on the ridge that commands magnificent views of the Chyulu Hills at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. This was the first lodge ever to be built in a national park and has long been a favorite for international clients. The hotel has 56 rooms and a fabulous terrace from which you can witness spectacular African sunset. Late afternoon there will be game drive in the park. Meals will be provided at the lodge restaurant (FB)
Day 17: Tsavo
Early morning and late afternoon game driveat the world renowned Tsavo National Park covering an area of 20,720 square kilometres that boasts a huge population of Elephants. Activities includes a visit to Mzima Springs, with its crystal clear water welling up from volcanic rocks and its Hippos and Crocodiles, the Chaimu Lava floor, Shetani Lava and the Rhino Sanctuary if time permits. Return to the lodge at 1830 hrs for refreshment before taking dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at the lodge (FB).
Day 18 to 21: Tsavo/Mombasa
Early morning game drive followed by breakfast at the lodge before leaving for Mombasa and check in at Whitesands Hotel where you will be staying for the next three nights. The hotel is located north of Mombasa on one of the finest beaches and is set among 22 acres of tropical gardens, swaying palm trees and fish ponds. All rooms have balconies and offer ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and in room safes and offers wide varieties of activities such as scuba diving, goggling and snorkeling which can be arranged with the hotel reception at an extra cost as part of your leisure activities (HB)
Day 22: Mombasa/Nairobi
Collection from the hotel to transfer to the airport for the flight to Nairobi. If time permits you will be taken to the "Carnivore Restaurant" famous for its barbeque game meat although they also serve vegetarian meals for complimentary dinner in Nairobi before transferring to the airport for the international flight back to UK after no doubt an enjoyable safari. |
