Plains, Cranes & Bumpy Automobiles

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi

Nairobi airport can be a little intimidating so just go with the flow to get through customs and the visa line. This means you should keep your angry pants zipped inside your backpack.

• Arrive at any time and get acquainted with Nairobi
• An arrival transfer from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport can be pre-booked through Geckos
• There is a pre-departure meeting tonight at 6pm
• You may choose to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening or venture out to one of the many fine restaurants that Nairobi has to offer

Day 2: Nairobi - Arusha

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Approximate driving time: 8 hours)

Ever heard a giraffe moo? Keep your ears open (yes, that's a thing) because they've also been known to hiss, roar and whistle.

• Cross the border from Kenya to Tanzania before travelling on to Arusha - the Safari Capital of Tanzania, throbs with activity and you can expect to see several safaris heading off or returning after a week in the bush
• Set up for a first night of camping in Tanzania

Day 3: School of St Jude's

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Approximate driving time: 2 hours)

"The School of St Jude we love you so much (clap-clap), the School of St Jude we love you so much (clap-clap)." You'll have this stuck in your head for weeks.

• Visit The School of St Jude in Arusha, a school for orphans and very poor children of the area
• Take time to visit children in class, before joining them for lunch

Day 4-5: Serengeti National Park

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Approximate driving time: 8 hours; game drive times variable)

You can drive around the Serengeti for hours and not see another vehicle, because it covers a whopping area of about 14,763sq km. That's around 30,000 football stadiums.

• Stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara
• Game drives within the Serengeti National Park
• Spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or 'kopjes' - a favourite for predators
• Enjoy two nights camping inside the park - and be serenaded by the sounds of the African savannah

Day 6: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Approximate driving time: 8 hours, including game drive)

One last game drive before we set up camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. Look out for the Masai with their herds of cattle on the roads. The more cattle, the wealthier the warrior and the more wives he's allowed to take.

• Traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park and cross over into the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area
• Perhaps visit the small museum at Olduvai Gorge

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Approximate driving time: 8 hours)

After you've gotten up close to plenty of Simbas and Pumbaas, pick a restaurant in Arusha and get your BBQ on. Start with Kuku choma na mbuzi mbavu choma na ndizi choma na chipsy (grilled chicken, goat ribs, bananas and chips) and a Kili baridi (Kilimanjaro beer).

• Transfer into 4WD vehicles and head down to the crater floor
• Spend the morning exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary - be lucky to see the rare black rhinos
• Leave the crater and return to the campground in Arusha

Day 8: Arusha - Nairobi

Meals included: 1 breakfast

(Approximate driving time: 8 hours to Nairobi, excluding time spent at the border)

Take one last look at the organised chaos or Arusha, where piki-pikis (motorbikes) and dala dalas (public taxi vans) share the dusty roads with mamas in their brightly coloured kangas (sarongs).

• The trip ends in Arusha after breakfast

Please note: If you are travelling with the vehicle back to Nairobi you will arrive in the late afternoon, where you will be dropped off at the downtown hotel. Flights out of Nairobi tonight should not be booked before 9.00pm. Transfers to Nairobi Airport are available and at an additional cost.

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Your Trip

Nuts and Bolts

• Geckos experienced English-speaking local safari leader, professional driver, and camp cook who will prepare all included meals.

• Geckos specialist English-speaking local site guides in Ngorongoro Crater.

• Transport in a custom-built safari vehicle with large opening windows for unrestricted game viewing (maximum of just 22 clients).

• 6 nights camping in dome tents, with mosquito netting and a foam mattress provided. Camp sites include: inside Serengeti National Park; on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and in Arusha

• 1 night in a basic hotel

• 2 days in the Serengeti National Park and 1 day in the Ngoronogoro Crater Conservation area (including all park entrance fees, where applicable).
• Game drive in a 4WD vehicle in the Ngorongoro Crater

• Guided tour at the School of St Jude's

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• 4WD vehicle
• Custom-built safari vehicle

Accommodation

• 6 nights Camping
• 1 night Budget hotel

Meals

• 7 breakfasts
• 6 lunches
• 6 dinners

Equipment Included

• camping equipment
• sleeping mat

Not Included

International flights, kitty, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre-tour or post tour accommodation, all other meals, drinks, sleeping bag, pillow, all optional tours during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips, laundry, items of a personal nature and flights (unless specified).

Optional Extras

• Arusha - Camel Ride
  from US$10 per hour
• Arusha - City Tour
  US$10
• Arusha - Coffee Plantation Visit
  US$8
• Arusha - Masai 'Museum Visit
  US$10
• Arusha - Snake Park
  US$6
• Geckos Nairobi Half Day Tour
  US$65
• Serengeti Balloon Safari
  please contact us for price

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Local Payment

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About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

1 May 2013

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