GREAT TRAIL SAFARI - 2007.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS.
Day 1 - The Nairobi Serena Hotel - Nairobi
Day 2 - Kilaguni Serena Lodge - Tsavo West Nat. Park
Day 3 - Amboseli Serena Lodge - Amboseli Nat. Park
Day 4 - Amboseli Serena Lodge - Amboseli Nat. Park
Day 5 - Serena Mountain Lodge - Mt. Kenya Nat. Park
Day 6 - Samburu Serena Lodge - Samburu Nat. Reserve
Day 7 - Samburu Serena Lodge - Samburu Nat. Reserve
Day 8 - Sweetwaters Camp - Nanyuki
Day 9 - Sarova Lion Hill Lodge - Lake Nakuru Nat. Park.
Day 10 - Mara Serena Lodge - Masai Mara Nat. Reserve.
Day 11 - Mara Mara Serena Lodge - Masai Mara Nat. Reserve.
Day 12 – Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel - Mombasa
Day 13 – Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel - Mombasa
Day 14 – Nairobi and departure.

DETAILED ITINEARY.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI, THE NAIROBI SERENA HOTEL.

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport - Nairobi on board flight…… at ……hrs, go through the passport control then down to the luggage collection hall. Collect your luggage from the conveyor belt and walk out to the arrival concourse. Someone shall be waiting for you holding a folder written 'TRAVEL CONNECTIONS'.

Drive from the airport to Nairobi Serena Hotel and check in. Rest of the day at leisure.

The Nairobi Serena is a beautiful garden hotel. The hotel's clean white silhouette rises at the edge of Nairobi's extensive Central Park. Surrounded by its own tropical garden, the hotel's rather stark lines are softened by cascades of plants and flowers growing on terrace areas and individual balconies. From the gardens, terraces, swimming pool, and many of the rooms, there is a striking view of modern Nairobi's distinctive skyline, especially beautiful at night.

The Mandhari is one of Nairob's finest a la carte restaurants. The elegance of the food, fine linens and silver is perfectly complemented by the inspired use of Kisii stone from western Kenya. The popular and more informal Café Maghreb is North African in style with arched recesses displaying pieces of brass and copper, and colourful tapestry screens separating tables. The Kisima Bar is decorated to reflect the importance of water themes in Swahili coastal life. 'Kisima' means watering hole in Swahili. There are low divans and stools, Swahili implements and murals on the walls.

Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel - bed and breakfast.

DAY 2 - NAIROBI TO TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK (300 KMS - 4 HOURS).

Depart after breakfast for Tsavo West arriving at the Kilaguni Serena Lodge in time for lunch.

Tsavo West National Park was gazetted as Kenya's second national park, two years after Nairobi National Park was so declared. There are only two permanent rivers in this vast area, the Tsavo which begins its life on Kilimanjaro and is greatly supplemented by a huge underground river flowing from Mzima Springs and the Athi River in Tsavo East which begins in Nairobi.

Poachers and drought caused tremendous devastation among the Park's elephant and rhino populations but both species are now recovering. An aerial count of elephant in Tsavo East and West in 1991 revealed nealy 7,000 elephant - by far the largest population in any Kenyan park. Poaching has all but ended - 1991 there were no elephant poached in Tsavo and only 18 in the whole of the republic. This figure compares with an average of 5,000 elephant killed by poachers every year in the period 1973-1989.  Tsavo is a model national park in both layout and its geophysical, animal and plant diversity. Tsavo West has more than 2000 km of well maintained, all weather roads.  Chief among these must rank the marvel of Mzima Springs, replenished with two hundred and twenty million litres of crystal-clear water every day, from the underground streams stemming from the lava massif known as the Chyulu Hills, 45 km away. Mzima forms a haven for a rich wildlife pageant with elephant soaking half immersed in the waters, light footed but ponderous looking hippo, apparently weightless, tip-toeing across the bottom, crocodiles basking on the bank or swirling through the water.

Depart on an afternoon game drive.

Dinner and overight at Kilaguni Serena Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 3 - TSAVO WEST NAT. PARK TO AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK (120KMS - 2 HOURS)

Do an early morning game drive in Tsavo West. After breakfast drive to Amboseli Nat. Park.

The Amboseli Serena Lodge is the nicest and most interesting lodge in Amboseli National Park. The rounded terra-cotta shape of the lodge resembles a Masai dwelling, and wildlife and Masai themes are repeated throughout the lodge. To enter, you walk across a wooden bridge over running water, a pleasant contrast to the hot dusty roads of the park. Hanging gardens and water lilies contribute to an impression of a return of Eden. Rounded spaces, windows and doorways combine with a certain cool dimness to take you away from the straight sharp edges of modern life. The emphasis is on smooth, natural harmony with environment and the wildlife in it.

Dinner and overight at Amboseli Serena Lodge - halfboard.

DAY 4 - AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK.

This day is solely reserved for game viewing in the park.

Besides being a renowned refuge for wildlife, especially elephants, Amboseli National Park also has perfect views of Mount Kilimanjaro. At 5895 meters, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain, its perfect caldera crowned with one fifth of all the ice in Africa. Although it often seems suspended between low-lying clouds and the deep blue sky, it is actually the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Thanks to movie makers and visitors from around the world, the picture of this magnificent mountain with animals grazing under thorn  trees below has become well-known symbol for Africa. The park includes grassy savanna, the seasonal Lake Amboseli, three primordial green swamps and various viewpoints.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 5 - AMBOSELI NAT. PARK TO MT. KENYA NAT. PARK - (450 KMS - 5 HRS)

After breakfast drive to Nairobi for lunch at the Vision Plaza Restaurant. Continue in the afternoon to Serena Mountain Lodge at Mt. Kenya Nat. Park.

The rest of the afternoon at the lodge.

Serena Mountain Lodge is located in the indigenous forest 7200 feet up in the foothills of the Mount Kenya National Reserve. The lodge is a four storey box like structure built in 1970. It overlooks a natural water hole and salt lick surrounded by dense forest. On a clear day, you can see the jagged peaks of Mt. Kenya's summit through the trees.  Each of the bedrooms faces directly over the water hole. This is what makes Mountain Lodge appealing. You can view the game in the comfort and privacy of your own room - no need for a midnight dash to a public area in order to see the animals. Each room has a private bathroom and either an open balcony or a large picture window.

Game most frequently seen include: buffalo, elephant, rhino, forest hogs, suni, red duiker, spotted hyena, genet cat, and if you are lucky, a leopard or the big male lion who makes his appearance every now and then. Since the lodge was deliberately located beside a route animals travel between Mt. Kenya and the lowlands, it is not uncommon to see very large herds of animals. During the night the water-hole area is lit by floodlights.

Dinner and overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 6 - MT. KENYA NAT. PARK TO SAMBURU NAT. RESERVE (200KMS - 3HRS)

After breakfast drive further north to Samburu Nat. Reserve. Arrive for lunch at Samburu Serena Lodge.

Depart on an afternoon game drive.

Dinner and overnight Samburu Serena Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 7 - SAMBURU NATIONAL GAME RESERVE.

Whole day is dedicated to game viewing in Samburu National Game Reserve.

The Samburu National Game Reserve extends for an area of 105 square kilometers north of the meandering Ewaso Ngiro or 'Brown' river. It is part of a lava plain that includes a varied landscape of red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried river beds, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings, some large enough to be called mesas.

Following the river curves, a riverine forest of doum palms, acacia, and tamarind is a magical contrast of cool green. It is attractive to the region's wildlife and visitors alike. There are elephants, hippos, crocodiles and leopards, as well as plains game, other small mammals and birdlife. The region is home to the rare Grevy Zebra with large furry ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with their distinctive blue legs, and the shy oryx beisa.

Lunch and dinner at the club. Overnight at Samburu Serena Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 8 - SAMBURU NATIONAL PARK TO SWEETWATERS CAMP, NANYUKI (180KMS - 3 HRS)

After breakfast drive to Isiolo which is 40kms away on the rough dirt road. Head back towards Mount Kenya passing by large wheat farms before arriving at Nanyuki town. Continue to the foot of Mount Kenya arriving at Sweetwaters Camp for lunch.

Sweetwaters is a luxury tented camp on a game ranch previously belonging to Adnan Kashoggi. This Lonrho Hotels operated camp has 30 well-appointed double tents all facing towards a waterhole, with Mt. Kenya dramatic in the background.

Visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the information center. Visit the tame Rhino, Morani and do a boar ride if the weather permits.

Depart on a gamedrive in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Sweetwaters Tented Camp - fullboard.

DAY 9 - SWEETWATERS CAMP TO LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK (200 KM - 3 HRS)

After breakfast drive along the Aberdares Ranges to Thompson's falls at Nyahururu for a short break. Continue down the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge for lunch inside the Lake Nakuru National Park.

Depart on an afternoon game drive.

Created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru National Park features more than 400 species of birds, many from Europe and East Asia. The park includes a large savanna area to the south. A shallow blue-green alkaline lake famous for its flocks of pink lesser and greater flamingoes. The tilapia grahami fish has been introduced to provide food for the pelicans who also call Lake Nakuru home. The blue-green color is because of the presence of blue-green algae called spirulinga. The level of the lake goes up and down with the amount of rainfall and the color is dependent on the conditions for the growth of algae. There have been up to two million flamingoes on the lake at one time. When disturbed the birds lift gracefully into the air in a solid moving pink carpet.

Nakuru has proven to be an excellent and safe sight for the Rothschild giraffe and black rhino. It is an excellent spot also to photograhp the hippo, reedbuck and defassa waterbuck.

Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 10 - LAKE NAKURU  TO MASAI MARA SERENA LODGE (320KMS-5HRS).

After an early breakfast drive via Narok to Masai Mara Nat. Reserve to arrive in time for lunch at the Sarova Mara Camp. Continue in the afternoon with a leisurely game drive to arrive at the Mara Serena Lodge late in the afternoon. 

This popular lodge is set high on a ridge within the reserve. It commands magnificent uninterrupted views down across the Mara plains and over two water holes. The Mara Serena's unique architecture and décor suggest a fantasy Masai manyatta - rounded spaces, earth tones, natural furnishings and tribal touches. A swimming pool has been positioned to take advantage of the wonderful view.

Depart in the afternoon on game hunting.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 11 - MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE.

Whole day is solely reserved for game viewing in the vast Masai Mara National Reserve.

The Masai Mara is the most popular game reserve in Kenya. It is an extension of the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania, and offers the best game viewing in Kenya. On these wide open rolling grasslands you can often see an incredible variety of different animals at one time. Perhaps a cheetah mother sits on a termite mound with her punky-looking cubs, while beyond, gazelle, antelope and zebra placidly graze. Giraffe might peer curiously through the trees, while elephants pass on silent feet and vultures circle above. Every year millions of wildebeests migrate north from the Serengeti to the green grass of the Mara. This exciting spectacle usually occurs sometime between July and August.

Even when animals are not highlighting the scene, the views by themselves are worth the trip. Visits to a Masai manyatta can be arranged between you and the driver. Another popular 'excursion' is a romantic hot air balloon trip where you view animals from above and then touch down for an extravagant breakfast in the bush.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at Mara Serena Lodge - fullboard.

DAY 12 - MASAI MARA TO NAIROBI (350KMS – 5HRS) THEN TO MOMBASA SERENA BEACH HOTEL (BY FLIGHT - 1 HR)

After breakfast drive to Nairobi. Take afternoon schedule flight to Mombasa.

Pick up at Moi Int. Airport Mombasa and transfer to your beach hotel; Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel in the north coast.

Imaginative arabesque architecture makes the Serena Beach one of the most interesting hotels on the coast. The buildings are a delight of whitewash, arches and grillwork. There are lush gardens courts, and a spectacular arrangement of pools. Water is a major theme of the hotel. A free-form swimming pool sparkles in the sun, there is the sound of fountains and cool garden pools compliment white marble and colourful flowers. Beyond, the sea laps the beautiful with sand of Shanzu Beach.

Although the hotel has space for more than 300 guests, its spacious grounds and rambling low layout mean that you never get the feeling of being in a large busy hotel. The management limits the size of tour groups. Serena Beach Hotel has been accepted as one of the 'Leading Hotels of the World'.  There is something extra special about the appearance of this hotel and the services it offers.

You shall spend the rest of the afternoon at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel - halfboard.

DAY 13 - MOMBASA SERENA BEACH HOTEL.

This day is solely reserved to enjoy your stay at the beach of the warm Indian Ocean with sea activities like Scuba driving and swimming.

Mombasa is Kenya's second largest city. It has recorded history stretching back nearly 2000 years and was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a pilot's guide to the Indian Ocean written by one Diogenes, a Greek living in Egypt, around the end of the first century AD.

Mombasa is a steamy, tropical, low-rise city with asymmetrical streets, a languid pace and diverse and intriguing population. Mombasa is mostly a Swahili city. Women chatter by in dark bui-bui or wrapped in brilliant muticoloured kanga. There are dozens of intricate mosques and temples, pungent open markets, mazes of narrow lanes crowded with street stalls. Mombasa is a port and a commercial center. It is rather seedy and romantic, not slick and efficient

The rest of the afternoon shall be spent at the hotel.

Dinner and overight at Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel - halfboard.

DAY 14 - MOMBASA TO NARIOBI (BY AIR) THEN DEPARTURE.

After breakfast transfer to Moi Int. Airport for your flight to Nairobi then depart as per your flight details.

COST:
LOW SEASON – 01 APRIL TO 31 MAY 2007.
USD 2,727.- PER PERSON
USD 114.- SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

HIGH SEASON – 03 JANUARY TO 31 MARCH AND 01 JUNE TO 15 DECEMBER 2007.
USD 3,309.- PER PERSON
USD 811.- SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

Cost includes-
·         All transfers
·         Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
·         Safari vehicle with pop-up-roof-top.
·         Experienced English speaking driver guide during the safari
·         Game drives
·         All park entrance fees.
·         Flight Nairobi-Mombasa-Nairobi incl. taxes

Not included-
·         International flights and taxes
·         Visa fees
·         Personal insurance policy
·         Personal effects and toiletries
·         Laundry and telephones.
·         Drinks
·         Tips.

END OF SAFARI ITINERARY.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CURRENCY
Kenya money is called Kenya Shillings, abbreviated as Kshs. 100 cents makes 1 shilling. 1 US$ is equivalent to about Kshs. 75/= but this may change from more to less from bank to bank and lodge to lodge depending on the percentage of the commission charged.

Most banks in Kenya open between 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs. There are however bureau de change in every urban center and the open as earlier as 08:00hrs and close at 17:00hrs. Hotels and lodges change currencies as well.

VISA/MASTER CARDS
Most lodges and hotels included shops accept the use of Visa/Master cards.

WATER
On the whole safari, it is recommended that you use only mineral water for drinking. Tap water may be used for shower and brushing of teeth, but we do not recommend that you drink it. The hotels and lodges have enough mineral water and you may also purchase this en-route when you make short breaks between the destinations.

WEATHER
July is the cold in Nairobi with little or no rains at all. South Eastern Kenya and Northern Tanzania would have cool evenings and a spell of sun during the day. Temperatures would range from 20 to 24 degrees Celsius during the night and as high as 27 degrees Celsius during the day. You will require warm clothing during the evenings i.e. jackets, long sleeved blouses and shirts, trousers etc. For the day, you may need casual clothing as t-shirts and shorts.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Generally, photography is allowed in Kenya and Tanzania. The animals get a monthly wage for posing for the photos, so you are encouraged to take a much as you wish. Do not take photos of strangers, police officers, military personnel, presidential motorcade, masai herdsmen and women or any other traditionally dresses persons. You may seek permission first before taking shots of strangers and masai people. Your driver will be at your service for any assistance that you may need. 

POWER VOLTAGE
All regions in Kenya and Tanzania are supplied with 240 volts. Almost all sockets you will find on safari are those that take in the rectangular prongs plug. You may however need to carry an adaptor just in case the two bottom holes are too wide apart for the charger prongs to go in. Most lodges and hotels will provide you with an adaptor if you do not have one. It will be very rare to find sockets with rounded prongs. 

TIPPING
As a sign of appreciation, you may offer some tips to those who offer services at the hotels on the entire safari. However, tipping remains entirely on you. Should you feel like tipping for services rendered, we recommend that porters and waiters be given at least US$ 1.- For the driver-guide, we recommend an average tip of USD 4.-  per person per day.

DO'S AND DON'TS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVES.
Do not throw litter or leave litter. There are litter bins at designated places or you may leave them in the bus.
Do not feed the animals, i.e. monkeys, baboons etc
Do give the animals the right of way and do not disturb wildlife
Do not take any plant or animals, dead or alive.
Do not start fires or throw cigarettes
Do stay in your vehicle except at designated viewing points
Do not shout, laugh loudly, play radio or cassettes as this will keep away the animals.
Do enjoy yourself to the fullest

Travel Connections wishes you all an unforgettable Africa safari.