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 elephant, 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 elephant, as well as zebra and wildebeest, 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-scenes 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 baboon,
dik-dik that forage for food beneath acacia trees and large
herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, 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 lion, ascending branches for a cool breeze.
After lunch, continue to a local village, 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 lion, elephant, hyena
and gazelle. 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 elephant as well as the countless
other species that roam the crater’s 100-square-mile floor. You
may even sight flamingo (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 lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, giraffe 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 iconic species, such as lion, leopard, Cape buffalo and elephant, as
well as giraffe, gazelle and zebra. Along the rivers and rocky
outcroppings, you may also spot some of the Serengeti’s more
diminutive denizens, such as leopard tortoise and rhinoceros
beetle.
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 classic 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 crocodile basking
in the sun, see ever-alert hippo wallowing in muddy water
and catch the antics of mischievous monkeys overhead.
Watch, too, as African elephant rumble along the forest edge
and giraffe 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.
Create Your Own Jewelry with the Maasai, using beads
provided by the tribal members who made them.
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