TOUR DURATION: 14 DAYS
Destinations visited: Kenya, Masai Mara. Tanzania, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Zanzibar
A romantic East African odyssey taking in the Masai Mara, the teeming herds of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater & the spice island of Zanzibar.
Day to Day Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Kenya
- Days 2 – 4: Adventures in the Mara
- Days 5 – 7: Into the Serengeti
- Day 8: Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro
- Day 9: Into the Ngorongoro Crater
- Days 10- 13: Zanzibar bliss
- Day 14: farewell…
14 DAYS EAST AFRICAN SAFARI & BEACH HOLIDAY
Day 1: Arrive in Kenya
On arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to the House of Waine boutique hotel.
Situated in the quiet, leafy and secure up market neighborhood of Karen, the House of Waine is an elegant retreat set in a beautiful tropical garden, and is the ideal place for you to unwind after your journey to Kenya. Designed in a timelessly stylish manner incorporating European and East African décor themes, there are several inviting lounge areas and a delightful pool garden in which to unwind. In the evening a sumptuous dinner will be served in the dining room, providing you with your first taste of top-class Kenyan cuisine.
Days 2 – 4: Adventures in the Mara
After a delicious breakfast, you are taken to Wilson Airport for your flight to the Mara.
Landing at the airstrip, you are met by your guide and taken for the short game drive through the Olare Motorogi Conservancy to Mara Plains Camp. The conservancy was borne of a partnership between the Maasai landowners and the safari operators in order to create a vast region bordering on the Masai Mara where both the wildlife and the people of this region may enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. The result is that the wildlife has flourished, and the local herdsmen are prospering from being custodians of the game. Utilising a low-density and low-impact tourism model, the conservancy only allows certain numbers of visitors, ensuring an exclusive and authentic safari experience.
Arriving at Mara Plains Camp, you find an exquisitely designed lodge blending in perfectly with the forest crowding the banks of the Ntiakatek River. Teak decking supports stretched canvas structures supported by carved wooden beams, and the décor is reminiscent of the early campaign style, with brass and leather touches accentuating sumptuous and colourful furnishings with a distinctly East African pioneer theme.
Your enormous suite is tucked away among the trees a short distance away from the main building, and the open-plan design incorporates a huge bed swathed in mosquito netting, a lounge area and bathroom with a free-standing copper bath. The interior flows seamlessly to the expansive outer verandah, where a tremendous view is laid out before you.
Soon after, it is time to set off on your first game drive. Equipped with a complimentary professional camera, zoom lens and a pair of Swarovski binoculars, all you need to do is find the wildlife for which this area is famed.
The Olare Motorogi Conservancy has the lowest vehicle density in the Mara region, coupled with the highest lion population. This translates into an incredible sense of freedom as you traverse this untrammelled wilderness, along with a palpable sense of excitement as to what you may encounter. Here, the lion prides are strong, numbering in excess of a dozen, while leopards stalk the rocky koppies and deep woodlands.
Herds of zebra, wildebeest and gazelles graze peacefully in the open plains, watched closely by cheetahs on the lookout for the unwell, the old and the unwary.
As the first stars appear in the sky, you take the drive back to the lodge while your guide uses a spotlight to pick out the glowing eyes of nocturnal animals as they emerge into the night- bushbabies leap acrobatically from tree to tree and genets glide like quicksilver through the boughs of the acacias.
Arriving back, the lodge is warmly aglow in lantern and firelight, and delicious aromas waft from the kitchen. A sumptuous dinner is served shortly thereafter, and as you indulge with an appetite sharpened by the fresh air, the sounds of the African night reverberate around you.
On one of your mornings, you are able to take to the sky on a balloon safari, which ranks as one of the most amazing ways to experience this wondrous landscape as you silently drift above it. With a bird’s eye view, your sightlines command a vast area of the plains, woodlands and river, while herds of zebras, wildebeest and elephants dot the landscape and slowly drift by below you.
Days 5 – 7: Into the Serengeti
Enjoy your final breakfast on the terrace, then bid Mara Plains farewell as you head to the airstrip. A short flight delivers you to MIgori, where a representative meets you and drives you across the border into Tanzania, assisting you with the immigration procedures. You then board another light aircraft for the short hop into the Serengeti.
Although you are not a great distance from the Mara as the crow flies, the landscape is distinctly different. Below you are the endless, rolling plains known to the Maasai as Siringitu, ‘the place where the land moves on forever’. Arriving at the airstrip, your guide meets you for a game drive to Serengeti Safari Camp.
This one of the planet’s last remaining natural migration corridors and one of the oldest ecosystems on earth, the climate, vegetation and fauna have remained mostly unchanged over the past million years. The natural instinct that drives the annual Wildebeest Migration of more than a million gnu, gazelle and zebra is so powerful that neither drought nor crocodile-infested rivers can halt it. Outside of the migration period, a host of wildlife remains to be seen. This is classic Big 5 country set in an epic landscape of vast proportions.
Arriving at Lemala Kuria Hills, you notice this intimate but contemporary camp is permeated by a sense of adventure. Game drives here are varied and exciting, and with thousands of hectares of wilderness available to explore with your expert guide, nature will hold you enthralled as you witness the dramas that unfold around you. As the sun starts to lower in the sky, lending a golden tinge to the landscape, toast the setting sun as it slowly disappears over the far-flung hills beyond the great open plains before you. This is a magical time in the African bush, as the day gives way to the evening stars above you and a fitting end to your first day in the Serengeti.
A spot-lit night drive back to the camp reveals lesser-seen nocturnal creatures emerging to forage and hunt; their shining eyes in the darkness spotted by your observant guide.
Settle into the ancient rhythm of the land around you, an endless drama that unfolds in patterns as old as time itself. You rise with the sun, eager with the anticipation of what the morning’s game drive will bring. The dew glitters in the grass, the air is cool, animals are still active. The tracks and spoor on the ground tell the tale of the night before. Your guide reveals the marvels that surround you, the myriad secrets of the bush that show themselves to the careful observer. A drag-mark in the grass leads you to the tree where a leopard hid his kill the night before. You revel in the thrill of knowing that he may be somewhere nearby. As you breathlessly take in the scene, the lazy flick of a tail suddenly reveals the majestic cat, supine on a branch, perfectly camouflaged by his beautifully spotted coat.
Day 8: Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro
Bidding Lemala Kuria Hills farewell in the morning, you set off for the airstrip where your flight awaits to wing you to Manyara.
Your guide meets you at the airstrip, and you set off into Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive. This small but important park is incredibly diverse in habitat, giving a home to a great variety of species – famous for its tree-climbing lions; with herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra that congregate on the grassy plains, while the forests are home to impressively tusked elephants. The birdlife on the lake is spectacularly prolific, and sometimes huge flocks of flamingos turn the shores pink with their plumage.
You drive through huge stands of fig, mahogany and acacia trees where monkeys shriek and chatter above; drift out into the open plains, where the lake shimmers blue in the heat haze. Elephants moving toward the water take on a dreamlike quality as they shift in and out of focus in the distance. Moving closer, you watch as they plunge into the water to drink and bathe. Their sense of enjoyment is almost palpable as they splash water over their huge bodies, slurp up great trunkfuls to drink, and the youngsters cavort playfully in the shallows.
As the afternoon wears on, you ascend the towering escarpment to and proceed to the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, where Lemala Ngorongoro sits deep in a forest of ancient acacia trees.
Day 9: Into the Ngorongoro Crater
An early start sees you enjoying a light breakfast on the terrace before you set off to descend the crater walls.
The Ngorongoro Crater ranks as one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations on earth. This long-extinct volcano is the world’s largest intact caldera, and its walls contain an incredible array of habitats, which in turn support an astonishing population of game. With springs and streams to support their water needs, the animals need never leave the crater, and the natural barricades of its walls have protected a population of elephants with enormous tusks, black rhinos and black-maned lions.
With a density of game rarely seen elsewhere, combined with breathtaking scenery, the magic of Ngorongoro will begin to work on your senses. One of the few places in Africa where the Big 5 can be seen in one game drive, there is also so much more to absorb. Herds of gazelle, wildebeest and zebra are resident here, while smaller predators like caracal and serval are also seen, along with the spotted hyena. The Lerai forest and the marshes below it are the domain of enormous tuskers, where sightings of these beautiful animals are enhanced by spectacular scenery as a backdrop.
After a thrilling afternoon, you ascend the crater walls and return to camp, just in time to view a spectacular sunset view over the caldera.
Days 10 – 13: Zanzibar bliss
You depart Lemala Ngorongoro in the morning and make your way back to the airstrip for your flight to Zanzibar. You fly east over the vastness of Tanzania, and on a clear day, you might see Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance, its snowy cap rearing up from its cape of clouds.
Soon, the Indian Ocean comes into view, and you land at the airport outside Stone Town. A representative will meet you, and take you on the short drive up the west coast to Zanzi Resort.
As you drive through the warm tropical forests, the aromas of spices, frangipani and bougainvillea drift in through the windows – alluring, enticing and exotic: the essence of Zanzibar.
Arriving at the lodge, you find it perched on the ocean’s edge, a collection of Crusoe-chic makuti-roofed buildings set in expansive grounds planted with tropical gardens below palm trees gently waving in the breeze. This is the place you want to kick off your shoes, hide your watch and settle into the blissful pace of island life.
Each of the seven villas is perfectly positioned for privacy, set in its own garden leading down to the limpid sea below. A private pool and sala area are set out at the front, and within your villa you find a huge lounge, bedroom with a 4-poster romantically swathed in mosquito netting, and an en suite bathroom.
You settle into the gentle rhythm of island life, where you can be as active or as relaxed as you choose. After a delicious breakfast of fresh pastries and tropical fruits on your terrace, you decide the programme for the day, and your private concierge will happily arrange whatever you choose.
You can enjoy a host of water sports from right on the premises, with a coral reef perfect for snorkelling just metres away from the shore, or you can go scuba diving, kayaking, kite surfing or fishing if you are feeling active. Bicycles are on offer if you wish to explore the island at your own pace, or perhaps join a guided tour that takes in the spice plantations and the gorgeous historic streets of Stone Town.
The Spa at Zanzi is the ideal retreat if you wish to be pampered, spending a blissful afternoon or even a day indulging in a variety of treatments guaranteed to soothe your body and spirit, especially if you combine it with a yoga class, led by their experienced on-site instructor.
Day 14: Farewell…
You enjoy a final breakfast on your terrace, gazing at the limpid ocean before you regretfully have to depart. A driver returns you to the airport for your flight to Dar Es Salaam, where you connect with your onward journey.
This marks the end of what we hope will be an adventurous trip- Thank you very much!
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Sun Africa Expeditions Terms & Conditions
Luggage
PLEASE be reminded that the luggage allowance on our inbound schedule flights is strictly 15KGS PER PERSON and that SOFT BAGS are highly recommended, if not essential. In light aircraft the baggage area and weight allowance is limited. Hard Samsonite type suitcases do not fit into the cargo compartment easily, if at all. Due to limited space available for storage in safari vehicles, we strongly recommend use soft duffle bags rather than hard suitcases.
Your contract
A binding contract will come into existence once Sun Africa Expeditions and yourself agree on the itinerary and quote provided for the same. The booking will then be considered confirmed when an invoice is issued. Your contract for the services chosen will be direct with the relevant supplier(s). Your supplier contact will be governed by the laws of the country in which the supplier is located and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of that country.
Reservations, Payment and Deposits
When Sun Africa Expeditions has accepted your booking, the date of the confirmation invoice activates the terms and conditions of the contract. Confirmation of services is subject to payment of a non-refundable deposit of 15% of the total invoiced amount. The balance is to be paid not later than 30 days prior to commencement of the services. When bookings are made within 30 days prior to the departure date, full payment is required immediately on written confirmation.
All bookings are subject to availability at the time of booking and cannot be guaranteed except for scheduled departures.
Prices
Prices are quoted in US dollars. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. Should prices or costs from suppliers increase due to inflation, currency depreciation and fuel surcharges, then Sun Africa Expeditions will not have any other option than to pass on the same to you. All suppliers reserve the right to increase prices at any time of the year when costs increase outside the control of the supplier. Please note that when the clients’ itinerary overlaps two seasons, the price will be prorated over the two seasons.
Rates include but are not limited to the following services specified in the itinerary. Accommodation with meals, tours, transport, driver/guide, park entrance fees, hotel taxes and service charges.
Rates exclude (Unless otherwise specified), Medical Air Rescue services, Porter-age, domestic Air Charters, Visa fees, beverages, laundry, telephone calls, scheduled flights, gratuities and all expenses of personal nature.
NB: Flying doctor services are Optional at USD 25 per pax (Subject to change and vendor terms & conditions).
Child rate: – is only applicable to one or two children under 12 years sharing a room with 2 adults. In the case of 02 children sharing a room with parents, the two children will share a bed, as most hotels/lodges cannot accommodate a fourth bed. 01 child sharing a room with 01 adult will be charged full adult rate.
Single Room Policy
Single rooms are available at supplementary cost but the suppliers do not guarantee singles. Single rooms are scarce and cannot be guaranteed even if paid for at twin sole use rate. Where this occurs an appropriate refund will be made by the supplier to the client. Suppliers will only allow a maximum of 3 single rooms per group at a single room rate except for high end luxury camps where single rooms are limited to only 02 singles.
Cancellation Policy
Should you wish to cancel your confirmed booking, you must advise the company in writing.
Reservations that are cancelled, reduced in length of stay or reduced in numbers (hereinafter collectively called a CANCELLATION) are subject to Cancellation and No Show fees if cancelled within 30 days of the arrival date:
55 days to 41 days prior to arrival: 25%
40 days to 22 days prior to arrival: 35%
21 days to 15 days prior to arrival: 50%
14 days to 07 days prior to arrival: 65%
06 days to 03 days prior to arrival: 80%
Within 48 hours and after commencement of holiday: 100%. Once the holiday has commenced no refund will be made. The figures expressed are percentage of the total tour price.
Cancellation: Although it rarely happens, and Sun Africa Expeditions will do their utmost to avoid doing so. Sun Africa Expeditions must reserve the right to cancel tours and other arrangements. Where your holiday is cancelled (other than due to your default in payment) due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control e.g. Natural disaster or over booking, Sun Africa Expeditions will offer you the choice of purchasing an alternative holiday.
Force Majeure
The expression “force majeure” means any event which the supplier(s) in question could not have foreseen or avoided even with all due care. Such events may include war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, government action and all similar circumstances outside the suppliers’ control. In these circumstances the suppliers shall not be liable to pay any compensation or otherwise be responsible for any expenses or losses you incur where supplier is forced as a result to cancel, delay, curtail or change your holiday arrangements in any way or where the performance or prompt performance of the supplier’s contractual obligations is prevented or affected.
Complaints
In the unlikely event that a tour member has a dispute whilst on safari this must immediately be brought to the attention (and put on record) of the local representative, Hotel, Lodge or Camp management. It is likely that the tour member’s complaint will be satisfactorily resolved there and then. If, however, this is not the case and the tour member wishes to pursue the matter on their return from safari, it is essential the complaint be communicated in writing to Sun Africa Expeditions within 21 days of the end of tour quoting tour reference, destination and departure date.
Responsibility of Sun Africa Expeditions
Sun Africa Expeditions acts only as the Agent for the suppliers and shall not in any event be liable for any negligence, breach of contract or acts of omission on the part of suppliers, their employees or any other Agent, it shall be the responsibility of all customers including (without limitations) Tour members, Tour Operators and Travel Agents, to read and familiarize themselves with the terms and conditions of suppliers. Sun Africa Expeditions liability for its own negligence or breach of contract shall be limited to the Tour price.
Transportation
Safari Minibuses, Cars, Land Cruisers and coaches will be provided according to the route and number of participants. Sun Africa Expeditions reserves the right to employ services of sub-contractors. Multi-lingual driver guides are provided on request. For flying packages, clients will share vehicles with other guests booked at the hotel. For exclusive use, please check with Sun Africa Expeditions for supplements, which will be subject to availability.
Insurance
The hazards of travelling in Africa may inevitably rise to some risks and dangers. It is therefore a condition of booking that all tour members must have sufficient and appropriate travel insurance for the duration of their tour. Such insurance (which is not supplied by Sun Africa Expeditions) should fully cover all personal requirements including death, personal injury, medical expenses, and repatriation in the event of accident or illness, cancellation or curtailment of the tour members’ personal property.
Special Requests
Any special requests (e.g. for single rooms or particular diet) must be notified in writing when the booking is made. Whilst the supplier will endeavour to meet such requests they cannot be guaranteed and any failure to comply will not be a breach of contract.
Sun Africa Expeditions services include flight re-confirmation and airport assistance within Africa if clients are provided all services by Sun Africa Expeditions. In cases whereby Sun Africa Expeditions is providing part of the services and the clients have other arrangements of their own, then Sun Africa Expeditions will only reconfirm where forwarding address or contacts are provided.
Itineraries
Demand for safaris can be high and may lead to shortage of lodge/hotel accommodation. All bookings will be confirmed, but no occasions changes may be necessary. Hotels/Lodges/camps, here specifically named are given as an indication of the category and rooms may be reserved at similar lodges/ hotels/camps. We undertake to advise you of any changes known to us prior to departure, but the possibility of change without notice, must be acceptable when booking. Where ever possible we book rooms with private baths showers throughout on the basis of two persons sharing a double room. Single rooms are available at supplementary cost but neither single rooms nor rooms with private bath/shower can be guaranteed.
Safari minibuses cars, four wheel drive vehicles or coaches will be provided according to the route and number of participants. The right is reserved to employ the services of subcontractors. Multi-lingual chauffer/guides are provided. Occasional mechanical problems, changes of lodge or adverse road conditions may in turn lead to a change of routing or game viewing without prior notice being given. We reserve the right to offer substitutes of equal value or to cancel the operation of any tour. In practice, very few itineraries are affected but a little flexibility on your part will ensure the tour is unique and rewarding.
Website and Brochure Description
Descriptions of accommodation facilities and services in our brochures are shown in good faith, it is however possible that certain facilities or services may be unavailable or limited due to maintenance , adverse weather, local conditions, seasonal restrictions etc.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this website/e-brochure at the time of printing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. You must therefore check all details of your holiday booking with your travel agent or supplier at the time of presentation.
The company cannot therefore accept responsibility for any information not contained in this brochure, being confirmed verbally by its staff or representatives unless subsequently reconfirmed in writing by the company.