16 Days Kenya Tanzania Elephant Country & Big Cats Safari

$6,900.00

Description

This is a 16-day Africa Safari visiting Kenya and Tanzania. The focus is mostly on tours to areas with large herds of African Elephants and the African Big Cats – Lion, Leopard, Cheetah.  While on this safari, the nationals parks and game reserves visited include Samburu Game Reserve, Amboseli and Masai Mara – in Kenya. The itinerary goes to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti while in Tanzania. There is a night at the Aberdare National park in Kenya. Enjoy a safari with up close encounters with the gentle giants in Kenya and Tanzania. Accommodation is in mid-range safari camps and lodges with transport in comfortable safari vehicles.

Day Activities Hotels and Meals
Day
1
Arrival Meet & Greet Nairobi
Meet & Greet – Transfer to Hotel
Sarova Panafric Hotel
Breakfast
Day
2
Road Transfer Nairobi Aberdare National park The Ark Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
3
Road Transfer Aberdare – Samburu Ashnil Samburu Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
4
Safaris and Photography in Samburu Ashnil Samburu Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
5
Road Transfer Samburu to Ol Pejeta Conservancy Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
6
Road Transfer Ol Pejeta to Maanzoni Amazing Kenya Retreat
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
7
Road Transfer Maanzoni –  Amboseli Kibo Safari  Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
8
Safari Activities in  Amboseli Kibo Safari camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
9
Road Transfer Amboseli to Tarangire Maramboi Tented Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
10
Morning Safaris in Tarangire
Evening transfer to Ngorongoro
Rhino Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
11
Full Day Crater Tour at Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
12
Road Transfer Ngorongoro to Serengeti Serengeti Mawe Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
13
Safaris in Serengeti Serengeti Mawe Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
14
Road Transfer to Masai mara Mara West Tented Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
15
Safaris in Masai Mara Mara West Tented Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day
16
Road Transfer to Nairobi – Depart Breakfast

Day1: Arrival Nairobi – Transfer to hotel

Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. You are met by Hallmark Travel Planners representative and transfer to the Tamarind Tree Hotel  for your overnight stay.
Tamarind Tree hotelTamarind tree Hotel Nairobi
Overnight:  Tamarind Tree Hotel,  Nairobi.

Day 2: Drive from Nairobi to Aberdare National Park – 3 hours

After breakfast, depart Nairobi past the rich central Kenya agricultural lands towards the Aberdare National park.   Drive north West through the town of Thika, known for its beautiful pineapple plantations. This is the home of the kikuyu community. They are known for their devotion to the agriculture and have excelled in the business world too. Mt. Kenya, Kenya’s highest and Africa’s second at 5,189 meters is to your right visible on a clear day. The Aberdares Ranges are to the left. Drive to The Ark Lodge, a tree Lodge inside the park.
The Ark Lodge KenyaThe Ark Lodge room
The Ark lodge resembles and is named after Noah’s Ark, the Ark is designed with ‘decks’ from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. The Ark has four viewing areas from which to observe the ever-present animal activity. There is also a ground level bunker – the perfect hideout for the discerning photographer. This is a circular pillbox-like structure, and it is from this vantage point that pictures of animals on the saltlick only yards away may be taken through the view holes in complete safety.

Day 3: Drive from Aberdare to Samburu  4 hours

Depart Aberdare in the morning and drive north to Samburu National Reserve to arrive at around 1200 hours in time for lunch at Ashnil Samburu Camp.
Ashnil Samburu Campashnil Samburu Camp
After lunch proceed for a game drive to view the reserve’ abundant game. Dinner and overnight at Ashnil Samburu camp.

Day 4: Day in Samburu – Village visits and safaris

Morning and afternoon game viewing. Samburu National Reserve is famous for the semi-nomadic tribesmen, the reticulated giraffe, the gravy zebra, gerenuk, beisa oryx and a host of the big game including elephant and Africa big cats- leopard, cheetah and the lion.
Meals and overnight at Ashnil Samburu.

Day 5: Drive from Samburu to Mt Kenya  – 3 hours

After breakfast, depart southwards heading toward the Mount Kenya region.  Lunch will be served at the Rhino Watch Lodge.  Possible activities while you are at the Rhino Watch Lodge include, Giraffe walk in a nearby sanctuary, Coffee farm safari, Fishing, Hiking to the Aberderes and Mount Kenya. After lunch, we start with a visit to the endangered Rhinos at Solio Ranch.  Dinner and overnight at Rhino Watch Lodge

Day 6: Drive from Mt Kenya to Maanzoni  – 3 hours 30 minutes

After breakfast, depart for  Maanzoni area near Nairobi. You expect to arrive in time for lunch at The Amazing Kenya Retreat,   located in the middle of Maanzoni, which is a beautiful Savannah Grassland estate in the heart of Lukenya.

The large variety and large number of animals in Maanzoni range from Giraffe, Zebra’s, Elands and Antelopes to many different East African Bird species. Amazing Kenya Retreat has a lot to offer. You can relax and enjoy the direct vicinity of the Retreat or you can participate in one of many different activities available from the lodge.   Overnight Amazing Kenya Retreat

Day 7: Drive Maanzoni to Amboseli – 4 hours drive

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Amboseli. You’ll always be able to see your next destination in the distance, with  Amboseli’s wonderful views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s snowcapped peaks in neighbouring Tanzania. Today you’ll arrive in time for lunch at Kibo Safari Camp, surrounded by open plains in some of the finest elephant-watching country in the world. Then you’ll set off on a game drive in this park that is known as ‘the land of giants’. Stay:  Kibo Safari Camp.

Day 8:  Safari Activities Amboseli

Enjoy the full day discovering Amboseli on early morning, mid-morning and afternoon game viewing drives. Amboseli is one of Kenya’s smaller parks, but it’s a popular one that’s packed full of big sights, with over 1000 elephants including some of the largest bulls in Africa. The ecosystem here is primarily savannah and the low-lying vegetation makes the wildlife here easier to spot. Though largely dry and dusty, Amboseli is also home to swamplands, fed by underwater springs from the  meltwaters of Mount Kilimanjaro.  Stay: Kibo Safari Camp.

Day 9: Amboseli to Tarangire via Arusha

After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll transfer to the Kenya/Tanzania Namanga border. Once you have cleared immigration, you will change vehicles and guides and continue on to Arusha for lunch, and then on to  your lodge, nestled close to one Tanzania’s best national parks. Stay:  Maramboi Tented Camp.

Day 10: Morning Tarangire – Afternoon Village visits  Evening to Ngorongoro

Early morning game drive in Tarangire National Park. Breakfast.  Further game drive till lunch.  After lunch depart for via Mto wa Mbu village before heading to Ngorongoro Crater, arriving at your lodge in the early evening.  The lodge is located close to the crater rim and enjoys spectacular views and sunsets. Stay:  Rhino lodge.

Day 11: Full day Ngorongoro Crater Tour

Today you’ll depart early on a morning game drive down into the crater. Discover the diverse areas of forest, swamp lands, lakes and open grasslands in this volcanic caldera that’s home to the densest concentration of wildlife in Africa. There is good game viewing year-round, as most animals do not leave the crater. You might also spot Maasai tribesmen guiding their cattle down the steep crater walls to graze. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight : Rhino Lodge.

Day 12: Ngorongoro to Serengeti  – Visit to Ol Dupai Archaelogical site

After breakfast you’ll set off for the Serengeti, stopping en route to visit Olduvai Gorge – a rich archaeological site where evidence of the first signs of human life was found. Travel on to the Serengeti your lodge for lunch followed by your first game drive in one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife-viewing areas. Hope to spot the national park’s resident big cats as well  as the Big Five amongst its rolling plains. Return to the lodge for the night. This unique lodge is earthy in colour on the outside, with a flat roof offering the optimum spot for sundowners, and houses a vibrant interior and spacious  rooms. Stay:  Serengeti Mawe Camp.

Day 13: Safaris in Serengeti – Hot Air Balloon

Today you will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti. There’s also the option for a hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti plains. You’ll rise early and take off at dawn in order to witness sunrise over the vast savannah. Stay:   Serengeti Mawe Camp.

Day 14: Serengeti to Masai Mara Reserve

We plan to depart very early today. It is going to be a relatively long day, and drive. We leave with picnic lunch boxes.

After an early breakfast depart for Kenya-Tanzania border at Isabania (300 KM/approximately 5 hours), where we cross back into Kenya and head for the breathtaking beauty of the Masai Mara Reserve (100KM/approximately 3 hours – travelling time depends on game viewing opportunities). On arrival transfer to the  Mara West Tented Camp  a stay of 2 nights. Dinner and Overnight  Mara West Tented  Camp

Day 15: Hot Air Balloon , Safaris in Masai Mara & Village visits

With almost every species of animal great and small in the park, this is one of Africa’s premier wildlife areas and today we enjoy both morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Cats and the  ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant  and rhino).

The heartland of the Masai, presents a landscape where Africa is laid bare in all its majesty. Here the endless struggle for survival is played out across the vast open plains and riverine forests of this captivating land. Each year the Mara explodes into life, as the annual migration of great herds of wildebeest journey from the Serengeti to fresh pastures in the north. Between July and October the Mara River becomes the setting for the crossing of some 1.3 million animals, bringing with them the inevitable predators and the inevitable dramas. Dinner and Overnight  Mara West Tented Camp.

Day 16: Drive to Nairobi. Depart

Breakfast at your camp.  Morning options lake activities.  Depart for Nairobi to arrive early afternoon. Transfer to the airport and check in for your international flight out of Africa.

–End of Our Services—

Tour Price Per Person

Dates 2 People 4 People 6 People
02 Jan to 31 Mar 2024
01 Nov to 15 Dec 2024
 $8850  $8192  $7973
01 Apr to 30 May 2024  $8176  $7420  $6990
01 Jun to 31 Oct 2024
16 Dec to 03 Jan 2025
 $9430  $8573  $8353

Rates are subject to change with notice.

Important to Know

  • This tour can’t be booked by solo travelers.
  • Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
  • Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.

16 Days From USD 6,900 Per Person

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION
Starts and ends from Nairobi Airport

DEPARTURE TIME
Flexible

INCLUDED:

  • Park Entrance fees
  • All activities (unless labeled as optional)
  • Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)
  • All accommodation (unless listed as upgrade)
  • Accommodation on the day before the tour departs
  • Round trip airport transfers
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT

NOT INCLUDED

  • Accommodation on the last day
  • International flights (from/to home)
  • Tips
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day)

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