Heartbeat of Kenya and Tanzania

Jambo! Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, you will be met by Classic Journeys Africa customer care representative who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel. Before checking in at hotel, you will be briefed on your program ahead and introduced to the driver guide who will be with you throughout the safari. Today, only breakfast will be included in the package. Tonight, you will stay at Eka Hotel.

This morning, after a short briefing, you will drive to Lake Nakuru National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch followed by a late afternoon game drive. You will stay at Flamingo Hill Camp tonight.

The park itself boasts a huge variety of animals, including leopard which is often found snoozing on the branches of the magnificent yellow-barked acacias, lion, buffalo, hippo, waterbuck, warthog, baboon, the endangered Rothschild's giraffe only found in this park in Kenya, white rhino, and the rare black rhino which is protected and guarded there.

After breakfast and a short briefing by your driver guide, you will drive to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest. You will arrive in time for lunch at your camp. You will then spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya's most popular reserve. You will arrive back at your lodge for the night, Ashnil Mara Camp, in time for campfire cocktails and dinner.

Your day will be spent on safari in Africa's richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya's largest lion prides and elephant herds. Other predators include leopard, cheetah, and spotted hyena, while in the Mara River, you will see fat pods of hippo and vast Nile crocodiles. Other highlights include giraffe tops, gazelle, zebra, buffalo, and over 550 species of birds.

Take the opportunity to fly over the Mara in a hot air balloon at an extra cost. The balloon package includes a champagne breakfast in the wild. If you can spare the money, viewing abundant game afloat a balloon is an unforgettable experience. Alternatively, visit a Masai village and learn the Masai culture at an extra cost. Tonight, you will still stay overnight at Ashnil Mara Camp.

After breakfast, this morning you will be transferred to Keekorok Airstrip at 9:10 a.m., where you will fly to Migori via Air Kenya, arriving at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival at Migori, you will have a 30-minute road transfer to Isebania immigrations and customs office then clear with the immigration officials.

At 10:45 a.m., you will depart from Tarime airstrip arriving Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti at 11:05 a.m., where your Tanzania guides will be eagerly waiting for you. You will be transferred to Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp with a game viewing en route. Lunch for the day will be at your camp followed by relaxation. Later, enjoy an afternoon classic safari supper in the Serengeti National Park.

After breakfast, enjoy game driving (meals taken in true safari style "in the bush") in the vast and sensational Serengeti, which covers 14,763 square kilometers of endlessly rolling savanna. Venue for the greatest wildlife show on Earth, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest, the park is also renowned for its lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and plains' game. You will stay overnight at Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp.

This morning, you will depart for Ngorongoro Conservation Area with picnic lunch boxes, stopping en route at Ol Duvai Gorge. Known as the "cradle of mankind", this is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. Pioneered by famous paleontologists, Louis and Mary Leakey in the 1950s, it offers a glimpse into life two million years ago.

The famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area features rolling plains, lakes, craters, mountains, and dormant volcanoes. You will arrive at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge in time for dinner and relaxation, or an optional cultural village visit.

After breakfast, you will descend into the eight wonder of the world, a unique biosphere that has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. Enclosed within its towering walls are grasslands, swamps, forests, salt-pans, a fresh water lake, and a glorious variety of bird life. There too, are all the members of the big five (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo), as well as a large cast of plains' game and one of Africa's densest populations of predators.

You will enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before climbing back up to the lodge in time for relaxation before dinner. Tonight, you will still stay at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

After breakfast, you will drive to the beautiful Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that shimmers in a cleft in the Great Rift Valley. Enjoy lunch and check in at your lodge. You will then enjoy an afternoon game viewing in Lake Manyara National Park famous for its tree climbing lions. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. You will spend the night at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.

Today, you will drive to Arusha. Following lunch on your own arrangements or spend time doing last minute shopping, you will then be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight back home. Say good bye to the wonderful country and promise to come again for another expedition!