Kenya and Tanzania Discovery
14 Days: Kenya, Tanzania
Fully Guided Self Drive
Lake Naivasha, Nakuru NP, Lake Baringo, Lake Victoria,
Serengeti NP, Lake Manyara, Meserani Masai Village
Itinerary
This safari is for the wildlife enthusiast promising outstanding game viewing in Kenyan and Tanzanian World famous parks. Our journey begins in Nairobi with a visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant orphanage before departing for Lake Naivasha. While in Lake Naivasha we enjoy high tea at Elsamere - the home of "Born Free" and an early morning walking safari. We continue to Lake Nakuru NP for a rewarding game drive and a rare chance to see white Rhino before spending some time at Lake Baringo watching King Fishers hunt while hippos and crocs wallow in the shallows. We cross into Tanzania, explore the shores of Lake Victoria and the game drive in World renowned Serengeti NP and seek out tree climbing lions at Lake Manyara NP. Before returning to Nairobi we spend some time learning about Masai life at the Masai Cultural Centre in Arusha. We make our way back to Kenya returning to our start point Nairobi.
Sunday - Day 1: (driving distance 80km)
Our journey begins in Nairobi, the Capital of Kenya and transport hub of East Africa. After a quick meet and great and look around our vehicles we drive a short distance to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, a rare opportunity to see elephants as young as 6 weeks old playing and slurping huge bottles of formula. The David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage is a unique project where orphaned elephants are hand-reared and taught skills normally taught by their mother before being released back into the wild.
We enjoy a hearty lunch before bidding farewell to Nairobi for the short 2 hour drive to Lake Naivasha. As we leave Nairobi and start our climb to the top of the Rift Valley - a brief stop at top to really appreciate the views is a must - we continue to the base of the Rift Valley and arrive in good time to set up camp before arriving at Elsamere.
Elsamere is the home of "Born Free", Joy and George Adamson lived in this house before their deaths. The residence has been transformed into a museum and a popular place to enjoy high tea while overlooking Lake Naivasha.
Lake Naivasha was Nairobi's first airport! In bygone years there were no airstrips therefore only sea planes were used throughout East Africa, and the lakes of the Great Rift Valley were the landing strips.
We enjoy our high tea before returning to the campsite and our home for the next 2 nights. Fisherman's Camp, on the shore of the Lake is the perfect spot to enjoy a cold drink while watching hippos graze on grass by the lakes edge. Fisherman's Camp is managed by Val and Brendan, these two characters are well-known throughout the overlanding community in Africa.
Fisherman's Camp has a well stocked bar, restaurant, large grass camping area, steaming hot showers, western toilets. (Lunch and dinner included)
Monday - Day 2 (driving distance 50kms)
We drive a short distance to Green Crater Lake for an early morning walking safari. A rare chance to view game while strolling through the park. It is not unusual to see eland, zebra, giraffe, gazelles and warthogs to name a few. The animals move to the crater in the early morning to graze on the sweet moist grass; as there are no predators in the area the animals are relaxed and not particularly fazed by our presence.
We return to camp and enjoy a full cooked brunch. The afternoon is free time. There are many activities on offer, game drive through Hells Gate NP, hire Mountain bikes for the more adventurous and bike through the Park, visit one of the many stalls selling local souvenirs, or take a boat ride out on the lake. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Tuesday - Day 3 (driving distance 80kms)
It will take us approximately 2 hours on good tar to drive to our next destination of Nakuru. Nakuru is a large town next to Lake Nakuru NP and our first real game drive. Lake Nakuru is a very small park however extremely rewarding. The park resembles scenes from Jurassic park - a large lake in the centre surrounded by rough sharp cliffs and dense forest. The setting is as dramatic as the game viewing. As we enter the park we are presented with thousands of pink flamingoes happily perched in the shallows of Lake Nakuru; around the edges of the Lake it is not unusual to see Rhino, buffalo, zebra, gazelles, waterbucks, families of warthogs and lone hyenas all within a short distance of one another.
We spend the afternoon spotting game before arriving at our campsite for the night. The campsite is in the centre of the Park, very basic with cold showers and drop-toilets. It is common for Baboons to great us and try to steal whatever is left lying around.
We set up camp, light the fire, cook a hearty meal and listen to the sounds of Africa. It is not unusual for buffalo to occasionally wander into camp at night. Our fire keeps them at a safe distance. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Wednesday - Day 4 (driving distance 80kms)
An early morning game drive to spot lion, zebra, gazelle, flamingoes, hyena, rhino, giraffe, baboon, vervet monkeys and warthog to name a few of the more common animals in the Park. We enjoy a cooked brunch at the top of Baboon Cliff with stunning views of the Lake and surrounding cliffs with animals wandering by - the view is breathtaking. We depart the park and stop at the curio market (local souvenir) in Nakuru town. A few hours of browsing and haggling over souvenirs before driving a short distance to our night stop in Njoro.
Our campsite is situated in the centre of a working Kenyan farm with hot showers, cosy bar and large grass area for camping. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Thursday to Friday Day 5 - 6 (driving distance 150kms)
We start our day with a tour of the farm and local women's weaving project before departing Njoro for Lake Baringo. The driving time is approx. 3 hours on good tar roads. Lake Baringo is a bird lovers paradise as it is home to over 450 different species. One of the great spectacles most tourists travel to Lake Baringo to see are the Fish Eagles hunting early in the morning. We have a free day to enjoy nature at natures best - a morning boat ride to explore the Lake, hopefully spot Fish Eagles hunting and take some time to explore one of the islands. The afternoon can be spent on an organized bird watching walk or explore the area on your own and see how many different species you can spot.
Our home for two nights is Roberts Camp on the shores of Lake Baringo. A shady well maintained campsite with a well stocked bar and restaurant; clean environmentally friendly long-drops, and cool showers. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Saturday - Day 7 (driving distance 180kms)
We depart Lake Baringo for a bumpy drive on broken tar to Kericho. As we travel through the Western highlands we pass the primary area in Kenya for tea plantations. The climate in this part of the country is perfect for growing tea; the soil is perfect, climate consistent and rainfall just enough to ensure productive crops.
We spend the night at Kericho Tea Hotel, a snapshot of colonial architecture set amongst lush green gardens. The Tea Hotel has a well maintained campsite, bar, restaurant and hot showers. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Sunday - Day 8: (driving distance 420kms)
We continue through Tea Plantation country before crossing into Tanzania and camping on the shores of Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and second-largest fresh-water lake in the World. Sitting on the shoreline one would think you were gazing out over the sea. Late in the afternoon the local fisherman arrive from the days fishing expedition. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We camp in Mosoma, a small port town on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Monday to Thursday Day 9-12: (driving distance 400kms plus game driving)
The following morning we depart for the Worlds most documented and photographed game park - Serengeti National Park. We spend our time in the wild savannah plains amongst the African Big 5 wildlife; our days are spent game driving and photographing wildlife like: lion, leopard, wildebeest, rhino, warthog, cheetah, gazelle, zebra, hyena, jackal, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, hartebeest, reedbuck plus many more. If we are lucky we may also spot the African Little 5. As the sun goes down we make camp amongst the wildlife, eat a hearty meal and fall asleep listening to the sounds of Africa. Your reservation awaits you at the 1000000 star Hotel (the breath taking African skies).
While in the Serengeti NP we camp at one of the designated public campsites in Seronera - the campsites have fresh water and flushing toilets.
The tracks are slow going through the Serengeti allowing plenty of time to fully absorb and appreciate the beauty of these wondrous lands.
We continue out of the park to the little town of Mto Wu Mbu where we spend the night at a well equipped campsite before entering Lake Manyara NP. Lake Manyara NP is another hidden treasure. Tree climbing lions were discovered in this park recently; we spend the morning seeking them out but if we don't see them not to worry the curious Elephants, active hippos, numerous bird life and several varieties of cheeky monkeys will keep us well entertained for a few hours. We spend the morning in awe of this amazing place before departing for Meserani near Arusha. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Friday - Day 13: (driving distance 0 kms)
We enjoy a rest day at our campsite in Meserani. Arusha is only 25kms away for anyone who wants to go into town for a spot of Tanzanite shopping. We take a guided walk to the local Masai Village to meet local Masai before visiting the local clinic, adult education centre and Masai cultural centre. A visit to the local Masai market for some curio shopping is an absolute must. While in Meserani we also visit the local Snake Park to spot some rare snakes, crocodiles of all sizes and various bird life.
For those looking for the perfect gift to take home to a loved one; Arusha is the perfect place to purchase Tanzanite - a blue diamond 100 times rarer than diamonds. There are several places to purchase certified rocks; your crew will be happy to assist.
We camp at Meserani Snake Park, the owners Ma and BJ came to Meserani from South Africa over 15 years ago. They have dedicated their life to serving the local Masai community contributing funds and labor to build schools, adult education centre and a clinic. Ma and BJ have plans to build a kindergarten and a larger clinic. The campsite has hot showers, flushing toilets and a well-stocked bar. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Saturday - Day 14: (driving distance 300kms)
Heading back toward Kenya we pass the snow cap peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing mountain in Africa. Our journey ends back in Nairobi after a 6-8 hour drive through Masai plains. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
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