KENYA, TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR

A superb combination offering some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa along with Africa's finest beaches. The safari starts with a flight to the luxury tented camp of Kicheche Mara Camp on the plains of the Masai Mara.

Wildlife viewing starts from the camp itself as the area is surrounded with a vast array of plains game and predators. There are also escorted bush walks available from the camp. Leave the Mara late in the morning on day 4 on a flight to Nairobi where you connect with a flight to Arusha in Tanzania. After spending a night n Arusha you travel to the Ngorongoro Crater for 2 nights and continue onto the Serengeti for a further 3 nights and finishing of with 4 night on Zanzibar Island.

On Zanzibar you have two nights in the historic Stone Town followed by two nights on the beautiful beach of Kiwengwa.

Altogether making one wonderful private safari.

Day 1 - Masai Mara
Transfer from your hotel or JKIA International Airport to Wilson Airport for your 10am flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. The scenic flight takes just under an hour and you will be met at the airstrip by your Kicheche Camp guide.

Game drive en-route to the camp where you can sit down to enjoy an al-fresco lunch whilst gazing over the plains of the Masai Mara. Relax at camp until afternoon tea then set off for a game drive until sundown. Overnight at Kicheche Mara Camp Kicheche Mara Camp is a luxury bush camp hidden away in a grove of trees on the Aitong plains of the Masai Mara.

There are a maximum of 20 guests, all staying under canvas in this intimate camp situated in prime wildlife habitat The Masai Mara Game Reserve, is probably the most famous in Africa. Rising grassland nearly 2000m above sea level, watered by the Mara river and covering an area of 1500 sq. km. The Mara is well known for the part it plays in the seasonal (June/Sept) migration from the Serengeti of 200,000 Zebra, 300,000 Thomson Gazelle and 1.3 million Wildebeest following the annual rains. The Mara region however provides for wonderful game viewing year round. In all 95 mammal, amphibian and reptile species plus 485 flying species excluding insects inhabit the Mara eco-system.

Days 2 & 3 - Masai Mara
Two full days to explore this incredible area and witness the interaction of wildlife on the plains. Each day you'll be woken up just before dawn with a hot drink brought to your tent. Set off on a game drive just as the sun rises and animal activity is at it's highest. We stop out on the plains to have a light breakfast and we return to camp mid-morning for a hearty brunch. The next 4-5 hours are at leisure to relax around camp. There is always plenty of bird life to observe around camp whilst relaxing in a hammock. You may wish to spend time in the Nyati Tent, our wildlife library and relaxation zone. Visits to the local Masai manyattas (villages) are available for those with an interest in Masai culture. The afternoon game drive will start around 4pm until sundown.

Upon returning to camp you may wish to freshen up before joining us for an aperitif around the campfire. Dinner is served under the stars with the tables and surrounding trees being illuminated by candles and hurricane lamps. Overnight at Kicheche Mara Camp.

Day 4 - Nairobi
Enjoy an early morning game drive before taking the 11am flight to Nairobi where you will connect with the flight to Arusha in Tanzania where you spend the night at the Arusha Coffee House.

Days 5 & 6 - After breakfast at the Arusha Coffee House you continue to the Ngorongoro Crater, descending into the Crater for a game viewing drive. Packed lunch served in the Crater. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. The Ngorongoro Highlands are situated between the Serengeti and the Great Rift Valley - the recent geological formation of which resulted in the building of the Ngorongoro Highlands. To the south is Lake Eyasi and to the north Lake Natron. Overlooking Lake Natron and the volcano Oldoinyo L'Engai (the only remaining active volcano in the chain, and the only active carbonatite volcano in the world) is Embakai Crater. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.

Ngorongoro Serena Lodge is a very strange looking hotel is one of the Serena Group's flagship hotels. The hotel has been built out of riverbed rocks and provides an interesting spectacle for the first time observer. Apparently the rocks used for the hotel were lifted from a local riverbed in an attempt to maintain a balance in the local eco-system. We do not know what the effect may have been on the river though.

The hotel is situated on the rim of the crater and has spectacular views of the crater below. It is a large hotel so do not expect intimate evenings around a fireplace. You will however be treated like royalty by staff who are very friendly and eager to assist you in any way they can. They have a large double story public area with a cozy bar and lounge area downstairs and the restaurant upstairs. Breakfast certainly is a treat as you watch the roaming wildlife in the crater below and plan your day ahead. The rooms There are a total of 75 rooms all perched on the rim of the crater and all with spectacular views of the crater below. The rooms are fairly plain but very comfortable. All have en suite facilities with a walk in wardrobe, hairdryer for guests and a balcony where you can sit and view the action in the crater below. Central heating facilities help alleviate those cold nights you might experience in the crater.

Day 7 - After breakfast you drive to the Serengeti National Park with packed lunch served en-route. Dinner and overnight is at Ikoma Safari Camp.

Sleeping in a tent is part of one's wildlife experience in Africa. When you arrive back at the camp after a day of game viewing, the day doesn't end. There is still the night skies to look at, the camp fire to sit around, and even night game drives. During the day, walks can be arranged. The camps have their own ambiance and very different attractions to the lodges. They have much more of a feel for what is envisaged of Africa. Ikoma Safari Camp is situated five minutes (two kilometres) from the gate to the Serengeti National Park in a part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem known as the Ikoma Wildlife Area.

The area covers approximately 450 sq kms as a buffer zone to the Park itself. Ikoma Bush Camp has the concession for the area to operate game viewing drives and walks. The camp works in close collaboration with the local villages. Fort Ikoma is 17 kms to the west and is now the headquarters of the Serengeti National Park. The camp is small, comfortable and secluded. Tents are spacious with their own bathroom. There is hot and cold running water and flush toilets. Electricity is provided by solar power as also is the hot water. There is a dining room and bar under traditional style thatched grass.

Game Drives Ikoma Bush Camp is well situated for numerous game drives. Game viewing drives include the Seronera River valley, and what is probably the nicest game drive in the Park the circuit along the western corridor via Banagi, the Grumeti River, Kirawira and back to Ikoma.

Days 8 & 9 - Breakfast at the Camp. Game viewing drives in the Ikoma Wildlife Area, or Game Walks from the Camp, or visit the Local Ikoma Village. Optional night game viewing drive available from the Camp. Dinner and overnight at Ikoma Safari Camp.

Throughout the year there is a constant to and fro movement of gnu in the woodland areas. In the intermediate periods when the herds are not on the Serengeti Plain or in the Mara, they will be found in large numbers in the central, western and northern Serengeti. The years 1999 and 2000 were very unusual in that the big herds were not on the plains for long periods in January and February as they normally are, but instead were concentrated in the woodlands surrounding the plain. Apart from the Serengeti Plain, the remainder of the Park is a mixture of acacia woodland and savannah grassland. It is through this area that the animals migrate on their way to the dry season grazing areas in the larger Serengeti Ecosystem; it is also primarily where the hotels and permanent camps are situated and where there is excellent game viewing throughout the year. Your driver normally knows the latest bush news and even the most recent dining-out place of the local lions.

Day 10 - After breakfast you fly from the Serengeti to Arusha to connect with your flight to Zanzibar. On arrival in Zanzibar you are met at the airport by a representative of Tembo Hotel and transferred to the Tembo Hotel in the Stone Town. Rest of the day is available to visit areas of interest in the Stone Town.

Tembo Hotel is located in the Stone Town and overlooks the water. The hotel is furnished with an oriental Zanzibar feel and the rooms all have en-suite facilities. Facilities include a swimming pool and a restaurant.

Day 11 - Zanzibar
A whole day in which to explore the historical Stone town wandering through the maze of streets. Alternatively a tour of the Spice farms and plantations around the island is a popular excursion. Overnight Tembo Hotel

Day 12 - Zanzibar
This morning you will be collected from the Tembo by a representative from the Shooting Star. The transfer to Kiwengwa on the north-east coast takes approximately 1 and a half hours. Your accommodation is built to a high standard in traditional Zanzibari style with white limewashed walls, high beamed ceilings and large windows. The Sea View Cottages all contain beautifully hand-carved wooden Zanzibari beds draped with tailored mosquito net canopies. Cottages and Lodge rooms are also equipped with electric fans to complement Kiwengwa's cool sea breezes.

The Shooting Star has six spacious en-suite rooms with private verandahs overlooking the sea. The cottages are set apart from the bar and restaurant to enable residents to relax and enjoy the perfect peace and tranquility. All rooms have breath-taking views of Kiwengwa beach, the coral reef and the ocean. Overnight Shooting Star.

Day 13 - Zanzibar
A day to relax at Kiwengwa. There are some activities available such as snorkeling, visiting Kiwengwa village, the limestone caverns or a seaweed farm. If you wish to visit any of these places please ask your hosts for assistance. Overnight Shooting Star

Day 14 - Homeward Bound
Depart the Shooting Star transfer to the airport in Zanzibar town for your flight to Nairobi. Flight timings will be determined by your date of travel.

Price Guide

Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar
Safari starts and finishes in Nairobi.
Includes: 13 nights full board accommodation, game drives in 4WD vehicles with an experienced guide, airstrip transfers, Nairobi - Masai Mara Nairobi - Arusha return flights and Serengeti - Arusha - Zanzibar - Nairobi one way flights and Reserve entrances fees.

Excludes: International flights to and from Africa, Visas, airport taxes, tips and items of a personal nature.

Safari Costs from £2,795.00 Per Person
based on 2 people travelling together

(Excluding all flights to and from Africa)
Safaris subject to availability and prices

To check availability for this safari, please contact us on
UK - 08707 662 993International - 44 8707 662 993
Priority is given to people who call us, due to the number of e-mails we receive.
holidays@safari-africa.co.uk

The Kicheche Mara Camp is closed during the
Rainy Season of April and May.

Additional nights available at all properties,
please contact us for further details.

Pictures in this column were taken in Kenya and Tanzania.

To make a booking please contact us with a depature date that you would like. We will then check availablility for you.

Flights to, from and many within Africa are not included in the cost of the safari, you can check flight prices On-Line by going to our Flights page or by contacting your local travel agent or flight specialist.

If you need any assistance please contact us,
by phone or e-mail.