EAST AFRICA

Departures

Female looking for a share - Call for details!

The lands of East Africa are often described as being the world’s best destination for game viewing, as they are home to the world’s most extensive national parks and game reserves, including Samburu, the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. These are lands noted for their magnificent natural beauty - wide open plains, the Great Rift Valley, spectacular mountains, the Ngorongoro Crater and much more. They are also home to the last major migratory herds of wildebeest and zebra that travel each year between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti. Birders will be fascinated by the highest concentration of bird varieties in the world.
Each day we will find new and exciting vistas spread before us: the rolling grasslands of the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti Plains; the rugged peaks of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro; the unique landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater; the bushlands with their endless varieties of game and bird life.

Membership will be strictly limited on this exciting adventure. Earlier departures to East Africa have sold out quickly and we expect that once again our allocation for this group will fill very quickly - we urge you to enrol early!

Itinerary

February 19, Friday: Depart CANADA
Tour members fly overnight to Amsterdam.

February 20, Saturday: NAIROBI
On arrival in Amsterdam, we make direct connections to Kenya. Arriving Nairobi in the evening, we are met and taken directly to our hotel which is ideally located in the city centre. Nairobi Safari Club (2 nights)

February 21, Sunday: NAIROBI
We begin our day with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum dating back to 1914. We will be taken back in time with a visual impression of early settler life in Kenya. Next, a visit to the Giraffe Centre, a wildlife conservation centre built in 1979 in a bid to save the endangered Rothschild giraffes. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant, followed by a stop at the Utamaduni Craft Center for a unique shopping experience.
[BL]

February 22, Monday: SAMBURU
Heading north we pass through a rich agricultural region, home to the Kikuyu tribe before entering a transitional region that divides the populous southern region with the arid north, an area known for its extensive game. After settling into our comfortable surroundings, we will take the first of several game drives in this exciting game reserve, home to herds of impalas, lions, leopards and crocodiles. Animals to watch for include the long-necked gerenuk antelope, elegant Grevy’s zebra and the unique reticulated giraffe. Samburu Lodge (2 nights)
[BLD]

February 23, Tuesday: SAMBURU
Enjoy a full day of game viewing with drives in the early morning and late afternoon when light is at its best and animals are most active. Our drives will follow the Ewaso Nyiro River, an area popular with game due to the dryness of the surrounding plains and in spite of the ever present predators – leopards and lions, among others.
[BLD]

February 24, Wednesday: GREAT RIFT VALLEY
Our morning drive takes us through the Aberdare Mountains and into the Great Rift Valley, a massive fault line that extends through the heart of Africa and the area thought to be the cradle of mankind. Today the region is known as a Birder’s paradise. Lake Nakuru National Park is known for its colourful flocks of Lesser Flamingos as well as its larger game including lion, leopard, rhino and hyena. After lunch we will be taken on a game drive around the lake before settling in for the night. Lake Nakuru Lodge (1 night)
[BLD]

February 25, Thursday: GREAT RIFT VALLEY / MAASAI MARA
This morning we continue down the valley and into the heart of the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most famous national reserve, known for its extensive grasslands and huge population of nomadic animals. Later, we enjoy an afternoon drive through this exciting reserve. Mara Keekorok Lodge (2 nights)
[BLD]

February 26, Friday: MAASAI MARA
Blessed with permanent water, the park is home to wide varieties of game including the nomadic wildebeest, antelope and zebra. During our stay we hope to find ample game including many predators - the very swift Cheetah and the cheeky hyenas as well as the big five - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and even the occasional rhino. There may also be an opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon (extra cost).
[BLD]

February 27, Saturday: MAASAI MARA / SERENGETI
After breakfast at the lodge, we begin a full day drive which will take us across the width of the Maasai Mara with game viewing opportunities to the border crossing into Tanzania. After a picnic lunch, we will join our Tanzanian driver/guides and proceed into the remote western Serengeti to our deluxe tented camp. Kirawira Tented Camp (1 night)
[BLD]

February 28, Sunday: SERENGETI
Enjoy a morning game drive and lunch before we continue into the heart of the southern Serengeti. It is in this area that we are most likely to find the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra associated with the migration. Serengeti Sopa Lodge (2 nights)
[BLD]

March 1, Monday: SERENGETI
Enjoy a full day in the reserve, surely the most famous of all the names in game viewing, with game drives in 4x4 Safari vehicles (with open tops to ensure great game viewing) in the early morning and late afternoon. It is in this region that we may find the Great Migration (vast herds of zebra and wildebeest plus related predators) as well as the rare black rhino.
[BLD]

March 2, Tuesday: SERENGETI / NGORONGORO
Today enjoy a game drive as we leave the park and make a visit to Olduvai Gorge, thought by many to be the cradle of humanity. Here we can see footprints made over 3 million years ago and other evidence of man’s early existence in this area. This evening we are on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (2 nights)
[BLD]

March 3, Wednesday: NGOROGNORO CRATER
This amazing caldera, located some 2000 feet below the surrounding plains and covering just over 100 square miles, is home to an unbelievable density and variety of game. We will spend the full day exploring its interior, taking a picnic lunch with us, as we travel in search of the rare and elusive rhino plus the rest of the Big Five.
[BLD]

March 4, Thursday: NGORONGORO / TARANGIRE
This morning, we will drive to Gibbs Farm, a genuine colonial farmhouse and coffee plantation where we may experience of a part of colonial Africa, followed by a visit to the Axwesso Iraqw Cultural Home where we shall learn about the lifestyles, crafts and culture of the local people. Our final two nights will be spent at a deluxe lodge, located on the banks of the Tarangire River and surrounded by magnificent baobob trees. (2 nights)
[BLD]

March 5, Friday: TARANGIRE
Blessed with a permanent supply of water, this region is noted for its herds of elephant, variety of bird life and opportunities for seeing herds of game on the wet plains. Today we will enjoy morning and evening game drives. Enjoy lunch by the pool and relax with a sundowner on the terrace.
[BLD]

March 6, Saturday: ARUSHA / EUROPE
This morning we drive to Arusha, Tanzania’s major interior city where we have a relaxing lunch at the Arusha Hotel (there will also be an opportunity for last minute shopping). Later we fly north to Europe.
[BL]

March 7, Sunday: EUROPE / CANADA
After an early arrival, we catch our continuing flights to our homes across Canada

Tour Costs (CDN$/person)

*Land only price includes all services from the first hotel in Nairobi through the final lunch in Arusha.

Rates from other cities are available on request.

CT Rating THREE - Members should be aware that travel in Africa is often on rough dusty roads, in small 4x4 vehicles with difficult access. Members will require immunization against yellow fever and to take precautions against malaria. The itinerary may be affected by local conditions and late adjustments may be required. All members will need to be in good physical condition.

Members benefit from excellent group rates for included services – if group numbers do not reach the set minimums, supplements may apply.

Prices are based on airfares, fees and exchange rates effective May, 2009 and are subject to change. Tour price is per person based on sharing a twin-bedded room at hotels and lodges. Singles are extremely limited - book early.

Tour cost and deposit includes the cost of comprehensive insurance ($285 pp) for passengers less than 86 years of age at time of travel. Cancellations of any booking prior to October 21, 2009 will be subject to an Administration Fee of $50pp – this fee will not be covered by our insurance. Insurance coverage will begin on the above date and will cover penalties from that date forward. Contact our office for full details. Final payment will be due on December 17, 2009.

Inclusive Features

To enroll on this tour simply complete our online enrollment form or alternatively complete the enrollment form found at the back of our brochure and return it with your deposit of $1200 per person to Craig Travel's office.