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A Tours by Norm EXCLUSIVE

 

Classic Safari: Maasai Mara / Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater/ Lake Manyara / Arusha / Dubai

 


KENYA AND TANZANIA SAFARI ITINERARY

 

Thursday December 20, 2007:

·      Leave early morning in route to Nairobi.  Routing is JFK/Dubai/Nairobi

 

Day 1- Friday 21st December 2007 -Arrive Nairobi

·      Upon your arrival at the Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta international Airport at 14h15, met and transferred to Nairobi Serena Hotel. Rest of the afternoon will be at leisure. Lunch not included at the hotel

·      Dinner will be at the Carnivore restaurant

·      Overnight at the Nairobi Serena Hotel

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Day 2- Saturday 22nd December 2007 –Nairobi to Masai Mara

·      Breakfast at the Nairobi Serena hotel. 09h00 transfer to the Wilson airport to catch the scheduled flight to Mara Serena to arrive at 10h45. Met on arrival and continue on morning game viewing drives in the Masai Mara game reserve. Lunch at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge. After lunch, afternoon game viewing drives in the Masai Mara game reserve.

·      Dinner and Overnight at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge

Mara Serena Safari Lodge. Perched on the saddle of a hill, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge has one of the most spectacular views imaginable across the vast plains, forests and rivers that make up the Masai Mara – one of the world’s richest wildlife sanctuaries. It is on this very terrain that the annual migration takes place when millions of zebra, wildebeest and gazelle cross the plains below, on their way to the rich new grasses of the Serengeti. This is a spectacle that should be witnessed at least once in a lifetime.

 

The hotel has been designed to mirror a traditional Masai village or Manyatta and all the guest rooms are located in individual domed huts grouped in a circular manner. The furnishings of each room have been inspired by traditional Masai art and each one has a private balcony with views that stretch over the vast African landscape.

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Day 3- Sunday 23rd December 2007 -Masai Mara

·      A full day at the Masai Mara game reserve. Morning and afternoon game drives across the plains. Vast herds of wildebeest and zebra wander across the Mara grasslands in huge numbers during this period of the annual migrations take place, when millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle traverse the landscape to feed on the rich new grass and give birth to their young.

·      Lunch, dinner and Overnight at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge.

 

Day 4- Monday 24th December 2007 -Masai Mara to Western Serengeti

·      Early morning wake up followed by breakfast. 07h30 depart for Isebania/Sirari Kenya/ Tanzania border to immigration and customs formalities and vehicle exchanges between the Kenyan and Tanzania drivers. Then depart for the Kirawira Camp- Western Serengeti to arrive in time for late lunch followed by afternoon game viewing drives in the park.

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·      Dinner and Overnight at the Kirawira Camp- Western Serengeti 

Kirawira Tented Camp – Western Serengeti

Close to the Grumeti River, famed for its giant crocodiles, perched on a hill with uninterrupted views of the plains of the Western Serengeti, Kirawira Camp offers its guests a luxurious tented African safari.

 

Kirawira is a reincarnation of a Victorian tented camp and guests enjoy luxurious accommodation, a valet service, superb house cuisine, fine wines and the best of East African hospitality. Throughout the camp, native wood, African art and tented canvas are combined with typical Victorian and colonial furniture to recall a bygone era of explorers, pioneers and the early colonial settlers. The accommodation is housed in de luxe individual tents set on wooden platforms. Each has a spacious double bedroom and bathroom, styled from the Victorian period with African art, and a private verandah from which there are spectacular views over the endless Serengeti.

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Day 5- Tuesday 25th December 2007 -Western Serengeti

·      Breakfast at the Kirawira Camp- Western Serengeti. Morning and afternoon game viewing drives. The wildlife defines the Serengeti-countless zebra, buffalo, gazelle, wildebeest, and other species make it their home. The terrain is the main stage for the great wildebeest migration, an awesome spectacle involving millions of these beasts.

·      Lunch, dinner and Overnight at the Kirawira Camp- Western Serengeti

 

Day 6- Wednesday 26th December 2007 -Western Serengeti to Central Serengeti

·    Breakfast at the Western Serengeti. This morning depart from Western side of the vast Serengeti National park to central side of the park. Lunch will be at Serena Safari Lodge. After noon game viewing drives in this side of park.

·    Dinner and Overnight at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Set high on the saddle of tree-clad ridge commanding panoramic views over the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of the Serengeti, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge is the ultimate fusion of traditional African architecture and world-class style. Drawing its inspiration from the circular ‘Rondavel’ dwellings and winding paths of a traditional Maasai village, the Lodge features thickly-thatched, stone-built rooms, spaciously set amongst groves of indigenous trees that are cooled by sparkling streams and papyrus-fringed ponds.

The circular bar, its roof supported by massive carven figures of warriors, maidens and elders, looks out over the sky-blue, ‘vanishing horizon’ swimming pool towards the miles of lion-gold savannah that lie below, wherein is enacted the thunderous theatre of the million-strong wildebeest migration. As for views, from lilac-streaked sunrise, to diamond-domed night, the searingly sensational Serengeti delivers a series of timeless volcanic vistas that are second to none.

Description: http://www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/images/serengeti/serengeti_home.jpg

 

Day 7- Thursday 27th December 2007 -Serengeti to Ngorongoro

·      Early morning balloon ride and marriage of Norman and Susan followed by morning game viewing drives in the Serengeti national park. Lunch at the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge. After lunch depart via the Olduvai Gorge to Ngorongoro highlands and through the Serengeti plains climbing to the altitude of 8,000 feet. You continue to ascend to the exterior of the crater reaching its rim and here your first glimpse of what has often been referred to as the “Eighth wonder of the World.”

·      Dinner and Overnight at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Often described as the ‘Eighth’ Wonder of the World, the Ngorongoro crater is so spectacular that it touches all the senses. A volcanic crater of over 259 square kilometres with surrounding walls rising 609 metres above it, the crater is a natural sanctuary for over 25,000 animals, including the black rhino. It is also a conservation area inhabited by the Masai tribe.

 

The Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is built onto the rim of this amazing natural phenomenon, a stunning plant and local creeper covered stone lodge where guests co-exist in perfect harmony with the surrounding natural environment and wildlife. Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, close to some of the earliest dwellings of man in Olduvai Gorge, has taken their cave paintings as inspiration. It is built of stones and boulders and is literally hidden in the vegetation of the crater’s rim, disappearing completely from view from the crater’s floor.

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Day 8- Friday 28th December 2007 -Ngorongoro crater

·      Early breakfast at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. Then descend to the floor of the crater for an opportunity to view the delicate balance of predator and prey in the endless quest for survival. Picnic lunch boxes will be served by the hippo pool. As the sun sets on the western side of the crater rim ascend and return the Lodge

·      Dinner and Overnight at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

 

Day 9- Saturday 29th December 2007 -Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara

·    Breakfast at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. After breakfast you will be transferred to Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, balance of the day you could participate on nature walk offered by the lodge. Lunch at the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge. After lunch afternoon game viewing drives at the Lake Manyara National park. The extraordinary birdlife and the tree climbing lions are but one of the lures. The place is world renown amongst the ornithologists, who come to observe the masses of pink flamingos and great bird of prey.

·    Dinner and Overnight at the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge

Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge is perched on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment with one of the greatest views over the Great Rift Valley and its soda lake. It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting.

 

The lake is renowned among ornithologists for its birds of prey and the famous tree-climbing lions that inhabit the woodland that nestles between the lake and the Rift Valley.

 

The lodge glows with tranquillity and peace. The design was inspired by the area’s abundant bird life: swooping curves are complemented by soft, geometric patterns and stylish plaster mouldings adorn the walls. Accommodation and public areas are housed in individual thatched circular buildings and are a tribute to local architectural traditions.

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Day 10- Sunday 30th December 2007 -Lake Manyara to Arusha onto departure

·    Breakfast at the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge. After breakfast depart to Arusha and onto the Arusha Serena Mt village for lunch. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro international airport to catch the scheduled precision air flight departing 19h00 to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta international airport and connect with your departure flight home at 23h00.

 

December 31:

·      Arrive in Dubai at 5:35 am and go directly to the SAS Radisson Dubai Deira Creek.  After resting in the morning spend the afternoon seeing the vast buildings under construction, tour the city museum, go skiing at the largest indoor ski hill and take in High Tea at the Burj, a 7 star hotel.  From the upper floor look down on the “World” and the “Palms”.  Take a boat ride up the creek, visit the Spice market and Gold Souk.  Spend New Years Eve watching the fireworks at midnight. 

 

January 1, 2008

·      Leave the hotel at 5:00 AM to start your journey home, arriving the same day. 

 

The package will include following services:

·      Nairobi and Kilimanjaro Airport transfers

·      1 night on bed and breakfast accommodation at the Nairobi Serena Hotel

·      8 nights on full board basis at the Mara Serena, Serengeti Serena, Ngorongoro Serena, Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodges and Kirawira camp western Serengeti.

·      Ground transportation in 4 x 4 exclusive vehicles for carrying 6 people only both in Kenya and Tanzania, and services of English speaking driver guide

·      Game viewing drives as per the itinerary, and game park entrance fees

·      Local Airfare from Nairobi to Mara Serena and Kilimanjaro to Nairobi - including airport taxes

·      Balloon safari at the Serengeti Serena safari Lodge on the 27th December

The package excludes following services:-

·      International Airfares and Visa entry charges to Kenya and Tanzania, which is US$ 50.00 per person for each country.

·      All items of personal use i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, personal travel insurances etc

 

GENERAL INFORMATION:

 

Visa payments:

§  Visa fees for entry to Kenya and Tanzania will be of US$ 50.00 per person per entry.

Currency:

§  These vary tremendously from country to country. Traveller cheques and foreign currency must be changed at the bank, hotel, or safari lodge. Most countries will accept any traveler’s cheques when making payment of service or goods. The Kenya Shillings (Kshs) is Kenya Currency and Tanzania Shillings (Tshs) is Tanzania currency.

Clothing:

§  Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.

Baggage:

§  Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or holdall per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.

Airport  Tax:

·      These taxes are payable on final departure day from the country and practically all African countries (currently US$ 30.00 per person in Kenya and US$ 30.00 per person in Tanzania). There are also domestic taxes (average US$ 6 per person).

Water:

§  You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local bottled mineral water.

Health

·      Remember to take your Malaria medication and protect yourself from sun with sunscreen or safari hat.

 

For further questions or to RSVP write to Norm@ToursbyNorm.com