14 Days Egypt Tour and Kenya safari: People and Nature
Egypt Route: Cairo-Aswan-Kom Ombo-Edfu-Luxor-Cairo
Kenya Route: Nairobi-Aberdare-Mt kenya- Lake Nakuru- Masai Mara
Day 1: Arrival Cairo
When you arrive at the Cairo International Airport, you will be met by Hallmark Travel Planners representative. After the immigration and customs procedures, you transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel for check in. Dinner on your own account. Overnight in Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel in Cairo – Meals None.
Day 2: Tour of Cairo City. Overnight train from Cairo - Aswan
Today, you do a tour of Cairo. After your breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet with you to begin the tour. You visit the Egyptian Museum and, then the Pyramids of Giza, where you will also see the Sphinx. These form part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You may enjoy a camel ride round the Pyramids as you contemplate the achievements of Ancient Egypt. In the late afternoon you transfer to the station to take the Sleeper Train to Aswan. Dinner & overnight on board Sleeper Train.
Day 3: Sail from Aswan to Kom – Ombo
You walk up on the train in time for your breakfast. You arrive Aswan and transfer to the Nile Cruise liner. You will be introduced to your guide on board the cruise line. Lunch will be served as you sail. This afternoon, you will visit the Aswan High Dam, the Old Dam, The Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae. The Granite Quarries are the site of the giant Unfinished Obelisk. The Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, an important figure in Egyptian mythology. After this tour, you will sail to Kom Ombo. Dinner on board. After dinner you may enjoy music and dance. Overnight on board Presidential Nile Cruise.
Day 4: Sail from Kom Ombo to Edfu
Breakfast on board. After breakfast, you visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. The Graeco-Roman Temple located at Kom Ombo consists of 2 separate temples. Each of the temples has its own entrance, colonnades, hypostyle hall and sanctuary. The southern temple is dedicated to the crocodile god known as Sobek, while the northern one honours the falcon god known as Horus. After the tour of the temples at Kom Ombo sail on to Edfu while enjoying your afternoon tea. After an oriental dinner, you will enjoy a Galabiya and costume party. Overnight onboard the Presidential Nile Cruise.
Day 5: Sail from Edfu to Luxor
Breakfast on the boat. After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Edfu was the cult centre of Horus - the falcon god. This temple is perhaps the best preserved of all the ancient temples of Egypt. Two majestic granite falcons adorn the entrance and some of the walls bear reliefs depicting Horus. After this tour, sail to Esna while enjoying your lunch on board. And then sail further on to Luxor. After dinner enjoy a disco party. Overnight on board Presidential Nile Cruise.
Day 6: Tour of Luxor . Overnight Train Luxor to Cairo
Breakfast is served on the boat. After breakfast, visit the West Bank Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon.
The city of Luxor is the highlight of the Nile cruise tour. The range, magnificence and diversity of the monuments in the Luxor area is unsurpassed in all of Egypt. The Valley of Kings is where the rulers of the period historians refer to as the New Kingdom period (BC 1550-1070) awaited the afterlife. Over 60 tombs have so far been excavated in this valley. Among the best tombs to visit are those of Ramses I, Tuthmosis III and Ramses VI. Tutankhamun's is the most famous today.
On the other side of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Deir el-Bahri. This temple was built by Queen Hatshepsut. It is very impressive from a distance and is a great place to take photos. You will also take more photos at the Colossi of Memnon. These are 2 huge statues that are the sole legacy of the temple of Amenhotep III. After this tour, you thereafter disembark from the boat and transfer to take the Sleeping Train to Cairo. Dinner & overnight on board Sleeper Train.
Day 7: Day in Cairo. Evening Flight from Cairo to Kenya
Breakfast will be served on board Sleeper Train. After arrival at Cairo, transfer to your hotel. This day is free for your relaxation or shopping in Cairo. You are booked on bed and breakfast basis. Evening flight to Kenya. On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, you are met by Hallmark Travel Planners representative. You transfer to Nairobi Serena Hotel for overnight. Booked on Bed and breakfast mealplan.
Day 8: Day in Nairobi
Visit the Nairobi National Park, animal orphanage, the Giraffe Centre. Dinner at Carnivore. Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel.
Day 9: Drive from Nairobi to Aberdares National park
Breakfast at your hotel in Nairobi. After breakfast, depart driving to Aberdares National Park. You expect to arrive in time for lunch. After lunch, transfer to the main treehotel inside the park.
Aberdare National park lies within a beautiful mountain range in the central highlands of The park is a fairy tale place of dense forest, misty moorlands and alpine plants where icy rivers plunge in glorious cascades and waterfalls. Enjoy overnight game viewing from the comfort you’re your room at The Ark.
Day 10: Drive from Aberdares to Ol Pejeta
Breakfast at the treehotel or base hotel. After breakfast, join up with your guide and drive to Ol Pejeta conservancy. You will get to the ranch in time for lunch at the Sweetwaters Tented camp.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a 90,000-acre private wildlife conservancy. It is situated on the equator, between the foot hills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kenya. The conservancy boasts an astounding variety of animals, including the “Big Five” (the endangered black and white rhino , leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion), Grevy’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, cheetah and chimpanzee. The combination of amazing wildlife and stunning views across the open plains of Ol Pejeta guarantees an unforgettable safari experience. Dinner and overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp or similar.
Day 11: Drive Ol Pejeta to Lake Nakuru
Early morning game drive in Ol Pejeta Ranch followed by breakfast. After breakfast, leave the camp and drive towards the rift valley to arrive in time for lunch at Lake Nakuru National park.
Lake Nakuru National park is one of the finest ornithological sights in the world, famous haunt of thousand of flamingoes which feed on the algae in the 40 cm deep lake. Superb example of conservation at work in the wild, Lake Nakuru is now, with the assistance of the World Wildlife Foundation, providing sanctuary for Rothschild Giraffe, Black and White Rhino and Leopard who live in perfect harmony in this aquatic landscape.
The edge of the lake is frequently a crimson ribbon of Greater and Lesser Flamingoes, while pelicans and other water birds swim and fish in majestic flotilla formation. After lunch relax at the lodge till 1630 hours. You then go on game drive till sunset. Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge or similar.
Day 12: Drive from Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara
Early morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National park before breakfast. After breakfast, depart for the famous Maasai Mara Game reserve. You arrive in time for lunch at the Mara. Check in at the lodge. After lunch, relax till time for the late afternoon game drive that goes until sunset.
The Maasai Mara Game reserve is Kenya’s leading game reserve. It is situated in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, with an area of 1,812 sq. km, limited to the East by the Talek river and Loita plains and lies on the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The Mara is the northern extension to the renowned Serengeti plain. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge or similar.
Day 13: Day in Maasai Mara
0630 hours early morning game drive followed by breakfast at your lodge. Further game drive in the Mara with picnic lunch if you wish. Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge or similar.
Day 14: Drive to Nairobi – Depart
Early morning game drive will be followed by breakfast before you depart and return back to Nairobi. You arrive in the early afternoon and drive to Tamarind Restaurant for late lunch. Transfer to the airport for your home-bound flight.
In Egypt:
- Arrival meet and greet and transfer to the hotel in Cairo
- 2 night accommodation in Cairo at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel (Garden view Rooms) first stay or similar hotel.
- 3 nights Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan 5* Deluxe boat one of presidential Nile cruises.
- 1 Night accommodation in Cairo at Cairo Marriott hotel second stay
- 2 nights sleeping train from Cairo to Aswan and from Luxor back to Cairo.
- All transfers as per the above mentioned itinerary.
- All entrance fees for the above mentioned sightseeing.
- Meals as mentioned above (B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner.
- English speaking tour guide during sightseeing.
In Kenya:
- Arrival & departure transfers to and from international Airport at the destination.
- Bed & breakfast accommodation on the first day where applicable.
- Use of customized safari vehicle with Pop up roof for game viewing & photography
- Guaranteed window seats for every participants.
- All entry fees where applicable in the parks, reserves and sanctuary
- Full board meal plan while on Safari – breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Qualified local English - Speaking driver guide
- All government taxes applicable
