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
Drive 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
Set 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
Cross 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
Drive 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
This 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
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
Today, 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
Fly 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
Explore 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
Venture 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
Return to Nairobi. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in a reserved dayroom before
your international departure flight home.
Nairobi Serena Hotel (dayroom)
