Itinerary Details
Abercrombie & Kent: Kenya & Tanzania Wildlife Safari
DAY 1 Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive in Nairobi, where you are met and transferred to
your hotel. A microcosm of the African continent, this
capital city is your gateway to a dramatic procession of
natural spectacles in Kenya and Tanzania, among the most
thrilling destinations in the world.
Nairobi Serena Hotel
Meals:
DAY 2 Amboseli National ParkDrive to Amboseli National Park, known for its thriving
big-game population, especially elephants, more than 1,000
of which live in the park. From a distance, take in views of
the highest mountain in Africa, the snowcapped Mount
Kilimanjaro, with its impressive Uhuru Peak soaring to
19,341 feet. Arrive at your lodge set beneath acacia trees in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. After lunch, explore the acacia
woodland, freshwater swamps, scrub brush and open plains
in search of wildlife. Part of the park is composed of a dried-up
lake bed, where mirages rise from the shimmering heat.
This evening, share in a special welcome dinner with your
fellow guests.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 Amboseli National ParkSet out on early morning and afternoon game drives,
crisscrossing the landscape in search of the park’s large
herds of elephants, as well as zebras and wildebeests,
along the salt pan trails. Prepare for predator sightings as
opportunistic animals begin roaming the plains in search
of prey. Return to your lodge for dinner followed by a
relaxing evening under African skies.
Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Arusha, TanzaniaCross the border into Tanzania and continue to your hotel on the picturesque slopes of Mount Meru. This afternoon, stop at the kennels of the Canines for Conservation training center for a special behind-the-scene visit with the K-9 cadets trained to detect illicit wildlife products in cargo and luggage. Return to your hotel, enjoying a refreshing Scenic Sundowner on the edge of Lake Duluti before gathering for dinner.
Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Ngorongoro CraterDrive from Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park for a
morning game drive, searching for nonchalant baboons,
dik-diks that forage for food beneath acacia trees and large
herds of buffalo, wildebeests and zebras, which gather on
the grassy, sun-drenched plains. Along a narrow belt of acacia woodland, you may even spot the region’s storied
tree-climbing lions, which ascend branches for a cool breeze.
After lunch, continue to the village of Mto wa Mbu, where
you Ride Like a Local on a tuk-tuk, viewing rice fields and
the local community as you go. Then, travel to Ngorongoro
Crater, ascending its outer wall through dense vegetation.
Ngorongoro is the largest unbroken ancient caldera in the
world and a likely place to view lions, elephants, hyenas
and gazelles. This afternoon, participate in a Chef ’s Table
demonstration in the hotel kitchen, preparing and sampling
local dishes.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 Ngorongoro CraterThis morning, descend into the crater, arriving ahead of most
visitors — thanks to the ideal location of your accommodations
on the crater’s rim — to view the resident wildlife at its most
active time of day. The prairies of this “Lost World” are
great spots for watching buffalo and elephants as well as the
countless other species that roam the crater’s 100-square-mile
floor. You may even sight flamingos (when in season) or the
rare black rhino. Following lunch, visit a Maasai village to gain
a better understanding of the nomadic cattle-herders’ daily life
and culture.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Serengeti National ParkDrive to vast, wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park and
through its spectacular mix of savanna grassland and
volcanic hills, stopping en route for a privately guided tour of
Olduvai Gorge, one of the key sources of prehuman hominid
fossils. Renowned paleontologists Mary and Louis Leakey
made many notable finds here, including “Nutcracker Man,”
who lived approximately 1.75 million years ago. Visit the
on-site museum, take in views from the lookout point and
examine the excavations, which revealed 3.7-million-year-old
footprints and the 1.8-million-year-old skull of a human.
Continue to your lodge, which is framed by commanding
views of this land of lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs,
giraffes and topi. The park also serves as a setting for the
Great Migration when it passes through each year. Enjoy
your room’s blend of elegant and contemporary design with
influences from the traditional Maasai culture.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 Serengeti National ParkToday, revel in true safari country, searching for the Big Five (lions, leopards, Cape buffalo, elephants and rhinos),
along with giraffes, gazelles and zebras. Along the rivers,
plains and rocky outcroppings, you may also spot some of
the Serengeti’s more diminutive denizens, such as leopard
tortoises and rhinoceros beetles.
Meliá Serengeti Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 Masai Mara Game Reserve, KenyaFly to the vast Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya’s finest
wildlife spectacle, offering excellent game viewing year-round.
The unending landscape hosts some 450 bird species,
95 animal species and all of the great predators, including the
country’s largest lion population. After familiarizing yourself
with your luxurious tented accommodations, ideally situated
at the confluence of the Mara’s four game-viewing regions,
drive through the famed reserve.
Mara Intrepids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Masai Mara Game ReserveExplore a region bestowed with over 500 square miles of
savannas, woodlands and tree-fringed rivers on morning and
afternoon game drives. You may observe crocodiles basking
in the sun, see ever-alert hippos wallowing in muddy water
and catch the antics of mischievous monkeys overhead.
Watch, too, as African elephants rumble along the forest edge
and giraffes snatch leaves from branches high above.
Mara Intrepids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Masai Mara Game ReserveVenture forth on a morning game drive. After lunch, enjoy
one of these Design Your Day activities:
Set Out on a Guided Bird Walk for the opportunity to
spot some of the nearly 500 species of birds in the region.
Make Beads with the Maasai, learning the craft of beading
from tribal members and creating your own jewelry.
Throw the Rungu with Maasai Warriors, testing your
skills with their traditional wooden hunting club.
Then, go on a late-afternoon game drive for a final look at the
Mara’s treasures. Later, enjoy a Scenic Sundowner, sipping
traditional cocktails while marveling at the incredible open
plains just before dusk — a relaxing prelude to a memorable
farewell dinner with your fellow guests.
Mara Intrepids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12 NairobiReturn to Nairobi. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in a
reserved dayroom before your international departure flight
home.
Nairobi Serena Hotel (Dayroom)
Meals: Breakfast