Welcome to East Africa Migration Discoverer Reverse Package - 15 days
Join our East Africa Migration Discoverer lodge safari and follow the famous wildebeest migration! Travel through Tanzania and Kenya and discover all the secret highlights that East Africa holds.
This East Africa accommodated safari is a small group safari where you will spend all of your nights in lodges/chalets or permanent tented camps. This safari starts and ends in Nairobi and includes all of the major highlights in Tanzania and Kenya.
Country(s): Kenya, Tanzania
Duration: 2 - 3 weeks
Type: Small Group Lodge Safaris
Small-group East Africa lodge safari starting and ending in Nairobi – 15 Days
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Masai Mara National Reserve – Visit the traditional traversing grounds of the Maasai tribe, also home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are plentiful in the rivers here, and the bird life is also abundant.
Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest lake by area, Lake Victoria is also the largest tropical lake in the world. Stay on the shores of the the lake or take a boat trip a local fishing village.
Serengeti National Park – Truly an iconic park, the Serengeti’s abundance of wildlife has numbers estimated at well over 3 million. Spend two days exploring the great plains and home to the largest annual animal migration – every year, over 2 000 000 wildebeest migrate from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya
Ngorongoro Crater – The Crater belongs to the Crater Highlands, with vast plains and stretches of bush and woodland areas – creating complex and interrelated ecosystems. The entire Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers about 8300 km2 and next to the famous Crater is the Olduvai Gorge – an area were many fossils have been unearthed.
Lake Manyara National Park – The major landmark of the Lake Manyara National Park is actually the spectacular rift wall, where the plains give way to the cultivated uplands of Mbululand. The Great Rift Valley is part of a fault in the earth’s crust. This fault stretches 8,000 km from Turkey to the mouth of the Zambezi River.
Mto wa Mbu Village – Here, engage a variety of cultures during a visit to this cultural town, and enjoy a traditional lunch as well.
Tarangire National Park – Enjoy a full day game drive in Tanzania’s 6th largest national park, host to massive herds of elephant, wildebeest and zebra.
Arusha – Visit the bustling safari town which acts as a gateway to Tanzania’s national parks.
Marangu – Hike to stunning waterfalls located in the lush landscape at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Amboseli National Park – The most attractive aspect of Amboseli is its distinctive terrain – dry lake beds amongst oases of swamps offer travellers the most amazing Kenyan contrasts. There are quite a few roads that run through the Amboseli National Park that travellers can drive along while taking pleasure in some amazing game viewing!
Nairobi – Nairobi is the Capital of Kenya and here you will be able to enjoy the culture and vibrancy of this popular city! It’s worth visiting the National Museum – it offers a good introduction to Kenya, and the cool, peaceful interiors will give relief from the hot, busy streets outside. As you walk quietly around, you’ll see displays of fossils, tribal artefacts, and a bird gallery with more than 900 stuffed and mounted specimens.
On your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel for relaxation and overnight.
ITINERARY
After breakfast if time allowing, we visit the Kazuri Beads Centre and workshop for those interested in shopping. Kazuri means “small and beautiful” in Swahili and it describes each striking ceramic bead which is shaped by hand by the women employed at the Kazuri workshop. Afterwards we head to the Masai Mara, the traditional land of the Maasai people, who are permitted to graze their cattle in this area. The Masai Mara covers an area that includes the riverine forests along the banks of the Mara and Talek Rivers, acacia forests and the open plains of the savannah.
ITINERARY
Today we spend the whole day game viewing in the world famous Masai Mara National Park. Here, the various habitats are home to a great variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and elephant. Hippopotamus and crocodile are also plentiful in the rivers and the bird life is very abundant.
ITINERARY
This morning we continue our journey southwards across the border into Tanzania and on to Lake Victoria. Some leisure time in the afternoon, or to possibly take a bird walk along the lake shore. Kindly be advised there will be a change of Guide and Vehicle at the border crossing into Kenya.
ITINERARY
This morning you have the opportunity to take part in a boat excursion to one of the local fishing villages, before we bid Lake Victoria farewell and continue our journey Southwards to Serengeti National Park. We pass through the villages of the Sukuma tribe, who grow ground nuts, sorghum and cassava as well as keeping livestock. Life carries on here simply as it has done for ages, but with a few poignant reminders of the 20th century. We head towards the Serengeti through the stunning central Plains. This is the area that the Serengeti is best known for – the endless, undulating grass savannah with rocky outcrops that serve as isolated wildlife refuges.
ITINERARY
Today you will be spending a full day game driving around the Seronera area of the Serengeti. The Serengeti is divided into three main areas: Seronera is the most central and accessible region and this is where the Park HQ is based, as well as most of the larger lodges and communal campsites. This part of the Serengeti is characterised by open plains of grassland, packed with animals. The Seronera River is the lifeblood of the Serengeti and this area is renowned for great game viewing all year round. It is also particularly good for lion and cheetah sightings, as well as the most elusive of all big cats, the leopard.
ITINERARY
We have another exciting day of exploring the Serengeti National Park ahead of us. With lunch boxes provided we continue with game drives throughout the afternoon, scanning the endless plains, spotting many animals and truly realizing just why this national park is so famous. In the late afternoon we drive back to the lodge for overnight.
ITINERARY
This morning we have an early departure through stunning Southern Plains of the Serengeti. We continue for a game drive in the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater. For many, this wildlife spectacle is the pinnacle of their safari experience. The Ngorongoro Crater boasts all of the ‘Big 5’, including a small population of endangered black rhino. In the late afternoon we arrive in the small village of Karatu for overnight.
ITINERARY
After breakfast, we set out to experience the cultural diversity of Mto-wa-Mbu, starting at the market and visiting a Chagga family producing banana beer and passing by many different farms. On the way, your guide will introduce you to the various fruits and vegetables growing in the area and explain the irrigation system that sustains local crops. After having a delicious, home-cooked meal in a local Mama’s home, we enjoy a visit to the Maasai Boma for the cultural encounter of a life time. The Maasai people are semi-nomadic herders, who choose to live a traditional lifestyle and are known for their distinctive traditional attire. In the late afternoon we embark on a walking tour to Lake Papyrus. Here clients can view this magnificent lake filled with abundant birdlife and hippos. If time allows we can do some light trekking up to the waterfall. From here you will view the lake on top of the Rift valley wall; then onto the banana plantation and rice field, ending off the tour with a local village visit. On completion we return to the lodge for dinner & overnight.
ITINERARY
After breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and set off towards Lake Manyara National Park. The spectacular reserve is located at the north-western corner of Lake Manyara, a hallow soda lake, which lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. We enjoy a scenic drive in the park known not only for its large flocks of flamingos, but also for the elusive tree climbing lions.
ITINERARY
After breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and set off towards Tarangire National Park for a half day’s game drive. The breath-taking views of the Maasai Steppe, and the mountains to the south, make a stop at Tarangire a truly memorable experience. Tarangire is as well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the centre of an annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephant, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebra. In the late afternoon we arrive in the town of Arusha – the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park.
ITINERARY
This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we make our way to the border and then onwards to Amboseli. En route, we pass the Marangu waterfalls – which is a moderately strenuous walk (we do recommend sturdy shoes and a degree of walking fitness). We continue north to Amboseli National Reserve, arriving in the afternoon. Kindly be advised there will be a change of Guide and Vehicle at the border crossing into Kenya.
ITINERARY
Today we will head into the Amboseli National Park for a full day of game viewing in one of Kenya’s most famous parks. Amboseli is known for its huge elephant bulls with their magnificent tusks, which make for the ultimate safari picture with the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
ITINERARY
After breakfast, we continue back to Nairobi. After Lunch we visit the Karen Blixen Museum. The museum is the beautiful and historic farmhouse where Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”, lived between 1917 and 1931 until she left Kenya after a series of personal tragedies. Thereafter, we head to the Giraffe Centre and the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage for a visit. The institution is named after the wife of the late famous Naturalist, David William Sheldrick who was the founder warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya from its inception in 1948 to 1976. The baby animals are brought from the national park for a mud-bath at the orphanage, where for an hour you will be around them. In the late afternoon arrive at your hotel.
ITINERARY
The tour ends after breakfast this morning and you will be transferred to the airport for your outbound flight.
ACCOMMODATION
We make use of typical, mid-range African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps, all with en-suite facilities. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
Day 1: The Boma Nairobi Hotel or similar
Day 2 & 3: Mara Eden Safari Camp or similar
Day 4: Serenity on the Lake or similar
Day 5 – 7: Kisura Kenzan Tented Camp or similar
Day 8 & 9: Karatu Simba Lodge or similar
Day 10: Tarangire Simba Lodge or similar
Day 11: African Tulip or similar
Day 12 & 13: Kibo Safari Camp or similar
Day 14: The Boma Nairobi Hotel or similar
INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
INCLUDED
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
All transport in fully kitted vehicle
Game drives and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Park entrance fees (quoted seperatly)
Experienced local guide
EXCLUDED
Flights
Pre and post tour accommodation
Optional activities
All drinks
Personal expenses such as telephone calls, curios and tips
Travel insurance and visas
PARK FEES & ACTIVITIES
This fee will be payable prior to travel together with the main tour fee. The fee is used to pay for some of the day-to-day operational costs that are incurred while groups are on the road. Examples include fees at most of the national parks, entrance fees to some attractions, local guides and any food markets we visit to stock up on fresh produce during the tour.
Park Fees & Activities: US$ 975
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Group Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 12 (Guaranteed departures with no minimum pax available).
Accommodation: For this fully accommodated lodge safari, we make use of typical, mid-range African standard lodges. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps, all with en-suite facilities. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.
Transport: Jenman Safaris uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Sprinters and 12-seater 4×4 Safari vehicles (Chosen vehicle determined by Jenman African Safaris).
Travel Times and Distance: All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner will be prepared by the lodge where you are staying. They will also prepare lunch or a lunch pack depending on the itinerary for the day. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.
Visas: The onus is on the client to organize all visas required for a visit to Tanzania and Kenya prior to departure.
Travel Insurance: Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with Jenman African Safaris. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.
Making your Travels Meaningful: The Grow Africa Foundation (163-738 NPO) is the responsible tourism initiative started by Jenman African Safaris and Hideaways. The focus of Grow Africa is to make a positive impact on the environment, society and economy in the places we travel to. We do this by instigating and supporting local social and environmental projects.
Your booking makes a difference: With every booking to the value of R10,000 / US$1,000 / EUR1,000 or more a donation of R50 / US$5 / EUR5 will go to the Grow Africa Foundation. Click here to see the projects your booking is. We are also proud members of Pack for a Purpose, a global initiative that allows you to make a lasting impact on the communities you visit.
