Surfing the Great Rift
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Overview
Don't leave East Africa with trying: chipsi mayai (omlette stuffed with chips), nyama choma (barbecue) or ugali na mchicha (starchy stuff with spinach). Wash it down with a Kili or Serengeti beer or maybe a shot of konyagi (local gin) if you're brave.
(Was East Africa Safari)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Nairobi
No activities planned, so head to the Kenyatta market and grab some choma from one of the little stalls at the entrance.
- Arrive at any time and get acquainted with this Kenyan hive of activity
- An arrival transfer can be booked 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 Nairobi has to offer
Day 2 - East Africa Mission Orphanage - Nakuru
(Approximate driving time: 4 hours)
Your time at EAMO will always hold a special spot in your heart. Yeah, we know that sounds corny, but when you've got a giggly, cuddly, loveable kid wrapped around each limb it's hard not to speak in cliches.
- Head to the East Africa Mission Orphanage and camp on its grounds
- Meet the children and share dinner with them at the orphanage
- Answer the children's questions about the wider world over dinner
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3 - Lake Nakuru National Park
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours; game drive times variable)
Settle in for a full day of game drives. This means wildlife. Lake Nakuru is a soda lake (not that kind of soda) which is usually full of flamingos. These creatures aren't born fabulous, they actually start life a boring grey, but then gradually turn pink from all the plankton.
- Travel to the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park for a full day of game driving
- Perhaps spot populations of white and black rhino, Masai giraffe, Cape buffalo and the elusive leopard
- View flamingos on the lake, which sometimes resembles a moving carpet of pink feathers
- Return to camp at the orphanage
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4 - EAMO - Lake Naivasha
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
Back to EAMO, where you can sit in on a class and see what a great job the Aussie owners are doing here. Drive to Lake Naivasha for a boat cruise and a wander with zebras and giraffes.
- Spend time with the children of the orphanage in their classrooms
- Sit in on class with the children and join some of them in their lessons
- Head to the freshwater Lake Naivasha and set up camp on the banks of the lake
- Perhaps choose to visit Elsamere, the former home of writer Joy Adamson of ‘Born Free’ fame
- Why not take a cycling tour into Hell's Gate National Park - a safari on two wheels
- Optional nature walk in Crescent Island Sanctuary
- Fall asleep to the sound of grunting hippos
Please note: Today's activities will be offered if time permits. Time may be reduced according to road conditions and hours of daylight (season).
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5-6 - Masai Mara National Reserve
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours; game drive times variable)
After passing the Masai mamas selling their goods at the gate ("mzungu, mzungu" means "foreigner, foreigner", by the way), it won't take long for your first wildlife sighting.
- Spend two nights in the Great Rift Valley and the Masai Mara region
- Explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives
- Witness wildebeest, zebra, elephant, giraffe and gazelle, and with luck, even lions or cheetahs
- Perhaps choose to visit a local village, where you can experience Masai dancing and singing
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7-8 - Kenyan Highlands - Lake Victoria
There's a great little gift shop at our campsite in Kericho - Masai blankets and woven baskets are handy gifts and they're super cheap. Grab a Tusker beer and a plate of chipsi at the bar overlooking the garden, where you'll realise it's impossible to get tired of African sunsets.
Day 7 (Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
- Head into the western highlands - the agricultural heart of Kenya
- Enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the tea industry in Kenya on a tour
- Camp in the midst of a tea plantation
Day 8 (Approximate driving time: 8 hours)
- Cross the border into Tanzania and witness the change in the landscape
- Catch your first glimpse of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake
- Relax and watch the sun go down before dinner is served at camp
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9-11 - Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
Don't be that person who is constantly shoving and elbowing their way into the prime wildlife position, just wait your turn. If you forgot to bring your binoculars you'll be kicking yourself by now.
Days 9-10 (Approximate driving times: 8 hours; game drive times variable)
- Explore the fishing village of Musoma
- Take a game drive through to the next campsite, located in the middle of Serengeti National Park
- Experience and explore the astounding open plains of the Serengeti and see vast range of wildlife
Day 11 (Approximate driving time: 8 hours; including game drive)
- Enjoy a final early morning game drive
- Traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park and then cross over into the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Camp on the rim of the crater in the early evening, which is often frequented by buffalo, elephant and zebra
Please note: The campsites in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are national park campsites. These are the only public campsites available and the facilities are very basic. There are no fences surrounding the campsites and wildlife is free to roam at leisure. The toilets are basic flush toilets and there is limited water for cold showers or for washing up. As a result the water tank on the vehicle will be required for cooking. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour. However the opportunity to camp in the middle of the Serengeti Plains and on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater are real highlights and incredible experiences that you are unlikely to forget.
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12 - Ngorongoro Crater - Meserani
(Approximate driving time: 8 hours; game drive time variable)
Our big truck gets a rest today as we take 4WDs down to the crater floor. With pop-top roofs and easy access to your driver (and all their stories), you'll love this change for the day.
- Transfer into Land Rovers 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 travel through Karatu and Mto Wa Mbu
- Perhaps explore Katuru's curio and fresh produce markets
- Set up camp at Meserani campground
- Visit Meserani's comprehensive snake park on an optional guided tour
- Why not visit the Masai museum and purchase some local crafts
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13 - Arusha - St Jude's
(Approximate driving time: 2 hours)
With a bit of spare time, why not catch a dala dala (mini bus) to the centre of town and head to the craft market for beaded jewellery and paintings.Then hit up Khan's barbecue for a feed. Next it's onto The School of St Jude, which is changing the lives of more than 1600 kids in Arusha.
- Visit The School of St Jude in Arusha, a school for orphans and very poor children of the area
- Take a guided tour of the school and learn more about how it operates and the success that it has achieved
- Take time to visit children in class, before joining them for lunch
- Sit in on the weekly assembly
Breakfast | DinnerDay 14 - Arusha - Nairobi
(Approximate driving times: 8 hours; including time spent at border)
You can either finish the trip in Arusha or drive back to Nairobi on the truck. Nyama Choma Place on Milimani Road is the perfect spot for a final group barbecue.
- The trip ends today in Arusha, though you can continue on to Nairobi in the truck if you wish
- If you are travelling with the vehicle back to Nairobi you will arrive in there 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 at an additional cost.
Breakfast -
What to Know
What's Included
An experienced driver, safari guide and camp cook whilst on safari; local specialist guides in Ngorongoro Crater and Masai Village; all park fees; all camping equipment; 10 nights camping, 2 nights tented bush camp, 1 night hotel; transport in custom built safari vehicle, 4WD vehicles and on foot.
Not Included
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price Kitty Payment Total Price 30 Jun 2013 - 13 Jul 2013 7+ Request US $1,455 US $550 US $2,005 Book Now 28 Jul 2013 - 10 Aug 2013 7+ Available US $1,650On Sale Sale: US $1,403 US $550 US $1,953 Book Now 01 Sep 2013 - 14 Sep 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 US $550 US $2,200 Book Now 20 Oct 2013 - 02 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 US $550 US $2,200 Book Now 29 Dec 2013 - 11 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 US $550 US $2,200 Book Now 12 Jan 2014 - 25 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 US $550 US $2,200 Book Now 23 Feb 2014 - 08 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,455 US $550 US $2,005 Book Now 16 Mar 2014 - 29 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,455 US $550 US $2,005 Book Now 18 May 2014 - 31 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,455 US $550 US $2,005 Book Now 22 Jun 2014 - 05 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 US $550 US $2,200 Book Now Kitty payment is required in cash. It needs to be paid before the end of your trip, in the local stated above. It is generally paid on Day 1, and covers most on-ground expenses. Kitty payments calculated using exchange rates valid on 1 Jan 2012.
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