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There are a number of tour options that can be included or substituted for suggested features in this tour. Please contact us for more information.
Day 1 DEPARTURE FROM USA
You depart for Europe and begin the trip of a lifetime!
Day 2 EUROPE
Upon your arrival in Europe, you connect with your onward flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon arrival this evening, you will be met by your safari director and assisted with your transfer to your hotel.
Day 3 NAIROBI
After breakfast, your safari team will host a pre-safari briefing prior to your visit to a suburb in the outskirts of Nairobi named “KAREN” after Karen Blixen of “Out of Africa” fame. You will hear fascinating stories about her life, while enjoying a tour of her home. Then you travel to the GIRAFFE MANOR where you can hand feed the endangered Rothschild giraffe. You will also have the opportunity to hear a presentation by a resident expert and learn delightful facts about this amazing animal — did you know that every step an adult giraffe takes is 15 feet long? Or that they can attain speeds of over 35 miles per hour? Next, you will tour the KAZURI BEAD FACTORY, where you will see first-hand how local craftspeople make and string these stunningly beautiful beads. This cottage industry was developed in order to provide a trade for local women. Today, Kazuri beads are sold around the world, often at prices upward of $80.00 per necklace. Here, you will have the opportunity to purchase these beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations for a fraction of the retail price. After time to freshen up back at the Serena, you will depart for your special Welcome-to-Africa dinner at the famous CARNIVORE RESTAURANT.
Day 4 THE ARK
After breakfast you depart Nairobi on your safari which means “journey” in Swahili driving through lush tea and coffee plantations to the beautiful ABERDARE COUNTRY CLUB. Here, you will enjoy a delicious buffet luncheon. This afternoon, you will be part of a special group that will travel into the ABERDARE NATIONAL FOREST bound for your “tree hotel” for the evening, THE ARK. This unique hotel is built on stilts deep in the heart of the forest. The flood-lit waterhole permits all day and all night game viewing from the comfort of the lodge’s many decks. There is also an underground bunker which will bring us virtually eye-to-eye with the big game that gathers at the waterhole. This is an excellent spot to see warthog, rhino, cape buffalo, bushbuck, and elephant. Elephants especially love this natural salt lick and may spend up to an hour on their knees digging in the ground with their tusks! If you choose to retire, a buzzer in your room can alert us to sightings of special game animals.
Day 5 THE EQUATOR, SAMBURU, SHABA, BUFFALO SPRINGS
As the sun rises over the jungle like terrain of your tree hotel, it is time for breakfast and to depart with our driver/guide to your next destination. After meeting at the ABERDARE COUNTRY CLUB, you will depart and cross the LINE OF THE EQUATOR, crossing from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. If you’re lucky you will have views of Mt. Kenya, the second tallest mountain on the African continent along the way! The terrain begins to change as you descend in elevation and continue into the northern areas of Kenya and the semi-arid bush country of Shaba/Buffalo Springs and Samburu Reserves. You arrive at your safari lodge located on the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River in time for lunch. This afternoon you enjoy your first game drive in the bush! Samburu/Shaba and Buffalo Springs Reserves are some of the most interesting game parks in East Africa. In addition to elephant, you can expect to see species that are unique to Samburu, including the reticulated giraffe, beisa oryx, Grevy’s zebra, and the graceful long-necked gerenuk. Another reward of your visit to Samburu is the opportunity to spot leopard, the most elusive of cats. Tonight, as you sit and reflect on the wonderful sightings of the day with your fellow travelers, you can observe crocodiles as they lie silently (but always alert) along the riverbank — a sound or movement will reveal how very quickly they can move and snap into life!
Day 6 SAMBURU, SHABA, BUFFALO SPRINGS NATIONAL RESERVES
Today features both morning and afternoon game drives to see more of Samburu’s typically northern species, such as the Somali ostrich and the vulturine guinea fowl. The variety and beauty of the bird life here is astonishing and is sure to convert even those who think they have little interest in birds. In fact, over 300 species call Samburu their home. The vivid colors and sharp contrasts among bush, sky, and sand make Samburu a photographer’s favorite. Today, a fascinating and unique opportunity awaits— a visit to a Samburu village! You will be allowed to enter a Samburu hut (built only and entirely by the women), as you enjoy a tour guided by one of the villagers. You will learn about the daily life and customs of the tribe, as you enjoy the chanting and dancing (even the littlest children participate!) and admire their elaborate beaded necklaces. This village experience is truly not to be missed!
Day 7 SAMBURU, GREAT RIFT VALLEY, LAKE NAKURU
You depart Samburu by road this morning bound for the Great Rift Valley. You arrive at your safari lodge in time for lunch. After time to relax you depart in the afternoon for a game drive. Lake Nakuru is home to one of the most spectacular bird shows in the world. If you are lucky you will see thousands of greater and Lessor flamingos on your game drive as well as have the opportunity to spot the endangered rhino and the rare reticulated giraffe! Dinner is served this evening at your lodge as you visit with fellow guests about the sights and sounds of the day on safari!
Day 8 MAASAI MARA
After breakfast this morning you continue on into the world famous Maasai Mara of Southern Kenya. The “Mara” as it is known here is home to the largest population of wild animals in Kenya. In fact, Matt Lauer of the Today Show termed the Maasai Mara the “Eighth Wonder of the World!” This is the Africa of your dreams and imagination. This is the land of the Maasai, a cattle-herding people who still remain proudly aloof from you stern civilization. You arrive at your luxury tented camp which will be your home for the next two nights. After lunch and time to relax at your camp, a game drive is planned in search of the Big Five: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and leopard.
Day 9 MAASAI MARA
Today, you get a closer look at the Mara, with two extensive game drives. On the plains, with their endless vistas and enormous herds of grazing animals, you will find the predators hidden among the acacia trees: lion, hyena, and cheetah. You never know what to expect from each and every game drive on your safari! During the middle part of your day you have time to enjoy the pool or write notes in your safari journal. Your luxury tent might surprise you! They feature comfortable beds, a full bathroom, and all of the romance and unique atmosphere of an original safari of years gone by. Want to try a balloon safari? Those of us that choose to take this optional your will thrill to a bird’s eye view of the spectacular world that lies at your feet, as the mist rises over the land. The rivers fan out in every direction and giant herds graze silently beneath us, as you drift slowly above. Your reluctant return to earth is celebrated with a champagne breakfast right there on the veldt, a glamorous and most fitting conclusion to your romantic flight.
Day10 NAIROBI
After breakfast and two enchanting nights in the Mara, you depart for your return trip to Nairobi. Your safari team will assist with your transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Europe. Asante rafike! (Thank you, friend.)
Day 11 ARRIVAL IN USA
You arrive in Europe and connect with your onward flight to the United States Airport. The memories of your safari to this amazing land will last a lifetime. Welcome Home!
INCLUSIONS:
· Full Time Escort from start to finish
· Round-trip international airfare from Cleveland to Nairobi, Kenya
· 8 Nights Accommodation in all versions of safari accommodation (city hotel, tree hotel, safari lodges and tented camps)
· All Park Fees throughout Kenya
· Safari Briefing in Nairobi with a Swahili lesson
· Dinner at the World Famous Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi
· Giraffe Manor Visit to fee the Rothschild Giraffe
· Kizuri Bead Factory Visit which has begun as a women’s self-help project for single mothers in the Nairobi area. Now a world known handmade Kenyan jewelry line.
· Visit to Karen Blixen’s home from “Out of Africa” fame.
· Private driver/guides for each safari vehicle for your entire time in Kenya
· Visit to a local girls school in Nanyuki and the spinners and weavers project in Nanyuki
· Visit to a local Samburu Village where you are in the middle of life as it is for the Samburu tribe in Kenya
· All meals while on safari (breakfast only in Nairobi and Carnivore dinner)
· A Bottle of Water per person per day
SJ 061612 ks/dh
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