A Kenya / Tanzania Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Fly into Nairobi and overnight at the famous Norfolk
Hotel in the heart of this bustling, exciting city
Day 2 - 5: Fly to Elsa's Kopje - Meru National Park in North
Eastern Kenya. Elsa's Kopje is a luxurious oasis in the wilds of
Meru National Park and was named after Elsa the lioness raised
and set free here in Meru National Park; by George and Joy
Adamson in the film Born Free. The lodge blends into the
hillside of Mughwango Hill, site of George Adamson's original
camp. Here game drives will be provided by the lodge in their
open vehicles for a romantic African safari, reminiscent of
bygone days. Meru is vast with arid, open plains dotted with
Doum Palms and Baobab trees and lush vegetation along 13 rivers,
like green ribbons, bisecting the Park. Here visitors will see a
diverse range of species, many animals differing from their
counterparts in Southern Kenya and Tanzania. Regular sightings
include Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Elephant, Grevy's Zebra,
Reticulated Giraffe, Lesser Kudu, Grant's Gazelle, Leopard,
Lion, Cheetah, Rhino and the rare, elusive Greater Kudu. Meru is
famous for its bird life, including riverine and forest species
as well as the arid dry country species
Day 6: Return flight to Nairobi's Wilson airport and connection
flight to Arusha in Northern Tanzania. Today and overnight is
spent Coffee Lodge a lovely luxury lodge set in a working coffee
plantation.
Day 7 - 9: Tarangire National Park: Transport 4 x 4 'safari'
Land Cruiser to Swala Camp. Swala's nine private, permanent
tents feature en suite bathrooms with showers, complemented by
fittings and fixtures crafted from local materials to mirror the
understated elegance of the time-honored safari style.
Nestled in a remote pocket of Tarangire National Park, Swala is
sited in a copse of majestic acacia trees at the edge of the
Gurusi wetlands and the unfurling savannah beyond. The stands of
ancient baobab trees, large family herds of elephants, prolific
bird life and dry season concentrations of wildlife make
Tarangire the classic Africa of lore - feted by explorers,
immortalized in documentaries and sought after by the discerning
traveler. This picturesque safari hideaway is exclusive in the
southwestern corner of Tarangire National Park, affording guests
private game viewing, wilderness luxury, and a privileged
glimpse of an Africa, unspoiled by tourism.
Day 10 - 11: Ngorongoro Crater: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge consists
of three adjacent, glamorous camps with 30 Maasai-inspired
suites perched on stilts on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
>From the outside, this unobtrusive lodge resembles a magical
Maasai village. Set in classic crescents, each stone and thatch
suite has spectacular views of the crater from large glass
windows in the bathroom, lounge and bedroom, yet is almost
invisible from the crater floor.
Day 12 - 14: Central Serengeti: Your lodge will be Serena
Serengeti Lodge conveniently placed for your early morning
ballooning safari over the serengeti. At dawn take off, rising
as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the winds of
the morning take us. Your pilot can precisely control the
altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height,
sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great
photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.
Day 15: Return flight from the Serengeti in light aircraft to
Arusha for onward flight to Pemba or Mafia Island