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Day 1: (MON) NAIROBI - SAMBURU
0800 hrs - depart Nairobi and drive north to Samburu National Reserve. You enjoy
a game drive en-route to Samburu Serena Lodge, where you arrive at around 1400
hours in time for lunch. After lunch at the lodge, you have the early afternoon
free, before going for an afternoon game drive, from 1530 hrs till dusk.
Samburu National Reserve is a wildlife haven. Here you will spot Africa's big
cats - lions, cheetahs and the elusive leopard. Some animals are unique to this
northern Kenya park: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, kudu and gerenuk. The
The Ewaso Nyiro River, the boundary with the neighboring Buffalo Springs National
Reserve, is where the elephants, buffalo and other animal species gather for
a drink. You will find the scenic semiarid landscape quite dramatic. The reserve
is located within the lands of the colourful semi-nomadic Samburu tribesmen.
Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge
Day 2: (TUE) SAMBURU
Start your day with an early morning game drive starting at 0600 hrs. Return
to the lodge for breakfast at 0800 hrs. You spend the period before and after
lunch at leisure at the lodge. At 1530 hrs you go for your afternoon game-drive
till dusk.
Dinner and overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge
Day 3: (WED) SAMBURU - ABERDARES
After breakfast checkout and head to the Aberdares Country Club where you will
have lunch at 1200 hrs. At 1400 hrs, take the short transfer to the Aberdares
National Park for an evening of game viewing from the unique tree hotel, The
Ark.
Aberdares National Park has a diverse topography that includes icy rivers,
spectacular waterfalls and rain forests. The flora and fauna is quite unique
and is not found elsewhere in the country, expect on Mount Kenya. Leopard, elephant,
serval, waterbuck, reedbuck, dikdik, rhino and the rare bongo can all be found
here. You are sure to see elephants, buffalos and some other animals at the
floodlit waterholes of The Ark.
Dinner and Overnight at the Ark
Day 4: (THUR) ABERDARES - NAKURU
After breakfast at the Ark, transfer back to the Aberdare Country Club. Then
drive to Lake Nakuru in time for lunch at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge. At 1530 hrs
proceed for an afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park.
Lake Nakuru's claim to fame is anchored on its flamingo's and the over 400
species of birds found here. The lake itself is a soda lake on the floor of
the rift valley. The sight of the at times millions of flamingos is quite spectacular.
From a distance the lake appears ringed in pink. The Lake has also earned a
reputation as an important haven for endangered species- particularly the Rothschild
Giraffe and the black and white rhino. Lions, waterbuck, buffalo and baboons
are all residents here.
Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Day 5: (FRI) NAKURU -MAASAI MARA
0800 hrs- Drive to via the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Maasai Mara in time
for lunch at Mara Sopa Lodge. 1530 hrs- go for an afternoon game drive till
dusk.
The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult
to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily
see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo,
warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes
and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the
natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest
and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following
on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal,
hyena and vultures.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge
Day 6: (SAT) MAASAI MARA
0900 hrs - morning game drive after breakfast. After lunch at the lodge you
will have early afternoon at leisure. 1600 hrs - Afternoon game drive till dusk.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge
Day 7: (SUN) MAASAI MARA - NAIROBI
0630 hrs- take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a Hot air Balloon provided
at extra cost. If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon
is an unforgettable experience.
After breakfast return to Nairobi arriving around 1400 hrs. You will have lunch
at the Thorn Tree Restaurant then transfer to Panafric Hotel for ovenight.
Day 8: (MON) NAIROBI -JOHANNESBURG PRETORIA &
MPUMALANGA (Lunch & Dinner)
Have an early breakfast then transfer to the airport for your 7am flight to
Johannesburg. On arrival meet and assist from the airport.
After lunch, Leave Johannesburg's distinctive skyline and head for Pretoria,
South Africa's capital city. On to the world famous Premier Diamond Mines, which
produced Africa's biggest dia-mond, The Culminant, from which the 'Great Star
of Africa' was cut to grace the scepter of the British Crown Jewels. After lunch
we leave for Mpumalanga, dropping several hundred feet into the lush subtropical
region of the Lowveld.
Accommodation: Royal Hotel or similar
Day 9: (TUE) PILGRIM'S REST & THE KRUGER NATIONAL
PARK (Breakfast & Dinner)
Explore living history in the form of Pilgrim's Rest, the old mining village
where gold was first discovered; gasp at the glory that is God's Window, a boundless
view of forested mountains and fertile plains, and visit the spectacular Blyde
River Canyon, one of the natural wonders of Africa. We arrive at our Kruger
National Park camp in time for a welcome sundowner in the African bushveld.
Accommodation: Kruger Rest Camp or similar
Day 10: (WED) A FULL DAY 'BIG FIVE' GAME VIEWING IN
KRUGER (Breakfast)
Set off before breakfast in open safari vehicles in search of lion, elephant,
buffalo, rhino and leopard, and all manner of wondrous wildlife, birds and plant
species. Savour the magic of this enormous wilderness.
Accommodation: Kruger Rest Camp or similar
Day 11: (THU) KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND (Breakfast, Lunch
& Dinner)
Drive to the tiny Kingdom of Swazi-land, a former British Protection Territory,
now ruled by King MsWati III. Enjoy a Swazi cultural experience, then visit
the famous Ngwenya Glass Works to see master craftsmen fashion collectable figures
and functional art out of molten glass. Our next stop is the capital city Mbabane,
known for its vibrant markets packed with woven baskets, beadwork and carvings.
Spend the night in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley.
Accommodation: Ezulweni Sun or similar
Day 12: (FRI) KINGDOM OF THE ZULU'S (Breakfast)
Visit the Swazi Candle Factory, teeming with exquisite wax artworks in every
shape and colour imaginable. Then on into Zululand, passing traditional round
huts and endless vistas. Arrive mid afternoon at the town of St. Lucia, a World
Heritage Site and home to hippo, crocodile and no less than 367 bird species.
Accommodation: Elephant Lake Hotel or similar
* You have the option to purchase an exciting afternoon open vehicle game drive
into Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.
Day 13: (SAT) DURBAN (Breakfast)
This morning enjoy a cruise on Lake St. Lucia before departing for Durban. Hug
the lush KwaZulu-Natal coastline en-route to Durban, watching the sugar cane
fields do their own version of the Mexican wave at the urging of the wind. End
the tour before lunch, either at the airport or at a central Durban hotel.
Please Note
Should pre or post tour accommodation be required, please refer to the notes
below.
Visa conditions apply for Swaziland and passports are required.
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