Day 1: Arrival Nairobi Depart by overnight flight to Nairobi. Arrive meet and transfer to Nairobi Serena Hote
lDay 2: Nairobi/Amboseli National ParkSet off on safari this morning, driving south towards Amboseli, a park famous for its big game and superb views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. After lunch and a chance to settle in, your afternoon is spent game viewing in this photogenic area. This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner and safari briefing.
Day 3: Amboseli National Park - Leaving your lodge early this morning, you have a full day of game viewing in this area. At dawn, all the animals are moving, making this the most exciting time to view wildlife. Watch for elephant, zebra and wildebeest along the saltpan trails. Swamps and springs form permanent watering places for the wildlife in times of drought. The middle of the day is at leisure to relax before setting off in the late afternoon for a game drive. This is an ideal time of day to see predators as they begin to stir from the shade and roam onto the plains in search of prey.
Day 4: Amboseli/Arusha, Tanzania/Lake Manyara National ParkDrive across the border into Tanzania, arriving in Arusha in time for lunch. Later, continue on to your next lodge, located in the Lake Manyara region. Lake Manyara, one of a chain of lakes in Africas Great Rift Valley, is nestled at the foot of a spectacular 2,000-foot escarpment decorated by magnificent forests of towering mahogany trees and giant figs.
Day 5: Lake Manyara/Ngorongoro Crater - This morning, enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. With its verdant foliage and variety of bird life, the park resembles a tropical rain-forest. At the conclusion of your game drive, continue by road to quaint Gibbs Farm for a farm-fresh lunch. Afterward, continue on to one of the most magnificent wildlife arenas in all of Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 6: Ngorongoro CraterDrive down into the Ngorongoro Crater. The entire Conservation Area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geological and ecological importance. Up to 12 miles in diameter, the craters grass prairies are an ideal haven for animals, and you may see lion, elephant, hyena, wildebeest and gazelle. Even the rare and elusive black rhinoceros, one of Africa's most endangered species, is a resident here. Following a picnic lunch in the crater, visit a Maasai Village to gain insight into this fascinating culture.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti National Park - This morning, drive to the vast Serengeti plains. On your way, stop at Olduvai Gorge where the Leakey family discovered many fossilised remnants of human ancestors. Descend to the gorge and enjoy a privately guided visit of this renowned archaeological site. From here, continue your drive into the arid and spectacular country of Serengeti National Park.
Day 8: Serengeti National Park - The Serengetis breathtaking panorama of plains, rivers and rocky outcroppings reveal resident populations of wildlife. Spend your day on morning and afternoon safaris searching for large predators including lion, leopard, cheetah and their herbivorous prey.
Day 9: Serengeti/Arusha/Nairobi/Masai Mara Game Reserve - Board your flights to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenyas finest wildlife spectacle. A vast expanse of the Serengeti plain rich in wildlife, the Masai Mara is the height of your safari. The action never seems to stop, and the chain of command begins with the Maras lion population, the largest in the country, which presents excellent photographic opportunities.
Days 10: Masai Mara Game Reserve - Spend two days in the Mara, an essential part of the Serengeti ecosystem and the destination of the annual wildebeest migration. Your final evening in the Mara concludes with a special farewell dinner. You will also have an opportunity to visit and support a local primary school.
Day 11: Masai Mara Nairobi - return to Nairobi, stopping at the famed Carnivore Restaurant for lunch, with free time prior to this evenings international flight. Nairobi Serena Hotel (day room).
magoma@highpeaks-expeditions.com