East African Explorer featuring Serena Lodges (Kenya and Tanzania) CS1301A

Day 1 : Nairobi

Upon arrival, clients will be met and transferred to the Nairobi Serena Hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel on bed and breakfast basis (excludes other meals, drinks and laundry)
(Check in time is 1400hrs and will be adhered to. Clients arriving in the middle of the night must book a pre-night as they will not be permitted to wait in the hotel lobby for check-in at 1400hrs.)

Nairobi Serena Hotel
The Serena group is renowned for offering excellent hotel facilities throughout East Africa, and the Nairobi Serena is no exception. A member of the Leading hotels of the World, the Nairobi Serena enjoys a location on the edge of the Central Park and the City Centre. Shaded by the glorious Jacaranda, Bougainvillea and Acacia trees and surrounded by lush manicured gardens, the hotel provides a peaceful and luxurious retreat to travellers, business people and famous dignitaries in a bustling city.

Day 2 : Nairobi - Masai Mara National Reserve

Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you travel towards Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the rift escarpment on the road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. On the way spot the charming chapel built at the foot of the escarpment. Pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the valley to Narok; continue your travels across acres of wheat and barley, before reaching the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch set off on your first game drive, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Mara Serena Safari Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Mara Serena Safari Lodge
A masterful interpretation of a traditional Masai village, Mara Serena Lodge seemingly floats on a sea of savannah. A beautiful pool looks out over the wide plains. The rooms are Masai-influenced in style yet extremely comfortable. The main dining room, where delicious meals are served, has three large domes and three small ones depicting Maasai manyattas (villages). Occasionally an African al fresco barbecue is served by the pool overlooking the Mara plains. Fresh fruit juices and cocktails, wines, spirits or liqueurs are available at the bar until late in the evening. At Serena, the views are stunning. It is on this very terrain, stretching endlessly before the lodge, that the annual migrations take place. Millions of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle pass through on their way to and from their alternative feeding grounds in Tanzania.

Day 3 : Masai Mara National Reserve

Following an early breakfast, depart on a morning game drive, returning to the camp mid-morning. After lunch, and perhaps a siesta, set off on another game drive and visit to the Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sunsets.
Overnight at Mara Serena Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Day 4 : Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru - Lake Elementaita

Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, stop en route for a picnic lunch. Keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai -Mahiu, before arriving Lake Nakuru National Park for a game drive. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingoes. It is also home to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Late afternoon, depart to your camp situated in Soysambu Conservancy.
Overnight at Lake Elementaita Serena Camp on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Lake Elementaita Serena Camp
This Luxury Camp is located on the Soysambu Conservancy, right on the shores of Lake Elementaita. Offering a blend of exclusivity and adventure, the new camp will comprise 25 luxury tents, a dining and lounge area, spa and swimming pool enjoying magnificent views of the Lake. Soysambu Conservancy is a wildlife sanctuary that offers uniqueness whilst boasting a broad range of wildlife and bird species, it is also home to the Rothschild giraffe and is East Africa’s only breeding ground for the Great White Pelican.

Day 5 : Lake Elementaita - Amboseli National Park

Following an early breakfast, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch dependent on road conditions) and continue south towards Amboseli, arriving at your lodge by late afternoon.
Overnight at Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
Lying in the shadow of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli Serena is surrounded by a thick forest of acacia trees and exquisite gardens. Brightly decorated in an African motif, the lodge's 96 comfortable rooms emulate the architecture of a Maasai village with its manyattas or homes. In the late afternoons and evenings, relax on the beautiful lounge terrace adorned by gardens, pool and paths. From here, watch the nightly ritual of wildebeest, antelope, elephant and other animals coming into graze.

Day 6 : Amboseli National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli, returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge on a full board basis.

Day 7 : Amboseli Arusha Lake Manyara

After breakfast, you continue the journey to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. After lunch you depart Arusha and pass through the Maasai Steppe filled with many picturesque African villages as well as maize, coffee and banana plantations. At the town of Makuyuni you turn North West and continue the journey up through a scenic escarpment that brings you to your lodge, perched on the edge of the Rift Valley with stunning views over the distant Lake Manyara.Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Grouped around a central vanishing horizon' pool, this highly unusual lodge features a simple timbered reception area, built in traditional African style, which is accessed via a bridge over a small stream. Beyond reception, lies the central dining room, bar and veranda, below which lies the pool. Perched on the very edge of the cliffs, with stunning views over the lake is the pool bar and observation point. Dotted around the grounds, all with views over the lake, are a series of circular two-storey rondavels', which house the rooms.

Day 8 : Lake Manyara Serengeti National Park

After breakfast there is a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park that returns to the lodge for lunch. Leaving Lake Manyara behind, the journey continues North West across the stunning hilly countryside of the highlands which is filled with wheat and coffee plantations, and then into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here lie the vast plains of the Serengeti, where you’ll hopefully start spotting game well before you get into the park. Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Serengeti Serena Lodge
Centrally located adjacent to the famous Western Corridor and Grumeti River, the lodge has been designed to blend completely into the living landscape. A series of traditional domed ‘rondavels' are widely spaced throughout the grounds, which are cooled by groves of acacia trees and watered by sparkling streams. On the very edge of the ridge is a ‘vanishing horizon' pool, which looks out over the ‘endless plains' after which the Serengeti is named.

Day 9 : Serengeti National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement)
Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Day 10 : Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, after a picnic lunch you continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on full board basis (with picnic lunch box) (excludes laundry and drinks)

Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Hugging the contours of the jagged Crater rim, the lodge takes its inspiration from the so-called ‘Cradle of Mankind', the prehistoric site of Olduvai Gorge, which lies close by. Linked by arched stone passages and timbered decks, its walls are decorated with stylized prehistoric cave paintings and lit by flaring torches. At the stone heart of the lodge burns a glowing fire, which is kept constantly alight. Decorated with cave paintings, the rooms are strung around the Crater rim. Each has its own rock- enclosed balcony, and all enjoy completely uninterrupted views of the volcanic amphitheatre far below.

Day 11 : Ngorongoro Crater

A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on full board basis (with picnic lunch box) (excludes laundry and drinks)

Day 12 : Ngorongoro Crater - Tarangire National Park

Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east en route to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu village and Tarangire beyond. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma Road and into the park. From here to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a game drive en route. After lunch and perhaps a swim, the remainder of the afternoon will be spent on a game drive.
Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on full board basis (excludes laundry and drinks)

Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Hidden among the kopjes of Tarangire National Park lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge. The lodge is surrounded by ancient baobab trees. Tarangire National Park is the home of one of the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive leopard. Over 400 bird species can be spotted here as well. With water constantly available in the area, the greenery is lush providing a wonderful contrast to the burnt ground.

Day 13 : Tarangire National Park – Nairobi

Depart Tarangire after breakfast and drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch you continue the journey by road to Nairobi and onto a Nairobi City Centre Restaurant for dinner before drop off at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or city centre hotel.
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