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LAND OF THE MASAI:
EAST AFRICA WILDLIFE SAFARI

Year-Round Departures (except April and May)
Depart virtually any day of the week

T R I P  B A C K G R O U N D

East Africa offers one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth amidst a dramatic setting of endless savannas, volcanic calderas and snow-peaked equatorial mountains. On this special safari, you will study and photograph wildlife in seven of the finest game parks in Kenya and Tanzania. You’ll also experience, first-hand, the cultural richness of the Masai and Samburu peoples.

Your "private" safari will offer an almost unending succession of highlights: unparalleled wildlife viewing in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater; hot air ballooning over the Masai Mara (optional); a heart-warming visit to an animal orphanage where elephants and rhinos are reared and rehabilitated; bushwalking, horseback riding or driving through beautiful Aberdare National Park; bushwalking, camel riding or horseback riding through Sweetwaters game sanctuary; observing chimps up-close at Jane Goodall’s Chimp Sanctuary; visiting Samburu and Masai villages; observing hippos in the lively hippo pool of Lake Manyara; visiting a secondary school and village to experience local culture; meeting with a local historian and storyteller; and learning of the origins of man at Olduvai Gorge. These are but a few of the the experiences you'll never forget!

Choice of optional lecture (s) from the topics listed below. Delivered by a regional specialist, these lectures will supplement the information conveyed by your top-notch guide. Some lectures may not be available on certain departures.

– Overview of Kenyan history
– Tanzania's peoples and cultures
– East African art
– Spiritual & religious beliefs of the Masai people
– Kenya's peoples and cultures
– Wildlife lecture on mammals or ornithology
– Overview of Tanzanian history
– Geology and wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater
– Body ornamentation of Kenyan peoples
– Rehabilitation of orphaned Elephants and Rhino
– The life of Julius Nyerere
– The life of Jomo Kenyatta

I T I N E R A R Y

Note: We will gladly customize an itinerary to meet your preferences.

Fly from the U.S. to Nairobi, arriving on the evening of day 2. Private transfer to your hotel, where you may rest after your international flights. Norfolk Hotel.

Note: Depending on airline schedules, you may arrive on the morning of day 3.

Today you will enjoy a private tour of Nairobi.  This morning you will visit the Daphne Sheldrick’s Animal Orphanage, located in the Nairobi National Park.

This afternoon, you will visit the Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Center.  Located in Karen, the beautiful Nairobi suburb that was once part of Karen Blixen’s vast coffee estate, ‘Mbogani’ was Karen’s home from 1917 until 1931.  The house and grounds were made famous by the film ‘Out of Africa’ and have been restored by the Danish community of Kenya.  You'll get a glimpse of typical colonial life in Kenya at the turn of the twentieth century.  And from the beautiful gardens, you'll enjoy magnificent views of the Ngong Hills, held dear by Karen and described so tenderly in her writings.   

Note: You have the option of skipping the Nairobi touring altogether and proceeding immediately to your safari.

Morning drive to Aberdare National Park, situated in the central highlands region and one of Kenya’s only virgin forest reserves. Views in the park are spectacular and you may well see leopard, elephant, bongo, buffalo, rhino, serval, colobus monkeys, and a host of other animals. Stop to enjoy lunch at the Aberdare Country Club.

This afternoon, you'll enjoy a guided hike or horseback riding excursion through a game sanctuary!

Late afternoon transfer to The Ark, a lodge situated beside a waterhole that is frequented by a wide variety of animals. Throughout the night, animals come out of the forest to drink; if you so choose, the staff will notify you when your preferred animal arrives at the hole! The waterhole is illuminated. The Ark. (B,L,D)

Morning game drive through Aberdares National Park. You will then drive north through Kikuyu Territory past the slopes of Mt. Kenya into Samburu country at the edge of the Northern Frontier. The permanent water and forest shade on the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River attract plentiful wildlife. On your game drives, you will probably see cheetah, lion, leopard, beisa oryx, gerenuk, dikdik, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, crocodile, and hippo. Semi-arid Samburuis also home to a variety of birdlife, including the Somali ostrich, weavers, hornbills, falcons and goshawks. You’ll also visit a Samburu village to meet with these friendly people, experience their semi-nomadic lifestyle, and learn about their beliefs and customs. Serena Samburu Lodge or Intrepids Camp (B,L,D)

Today you’ll drive to Sweetwaters Reserve, a private 24,000 acre sanctuary for chimpanzees, the endangered rhino, leopard, elephant and zebra. The reserve is situated within the sprawling Ol Pejeta ranch with magnificent views across the plains to the peaks of Mount Kenya.  A variety of plains game is found within the reserve and the big cats may also be seen.  As Sweetwaters is a private reserve, it is possible for visitors to enjoy activities such as escorted bush walks, night game drives and camel riding.  Orphaned rhino and warthog (one of which was the model for Pumba, from the movie the Lion King), which have been reared by hand, provide a wonderful treat for children, as does the chimpanzee sanctuary.  The sanctuary hosts chimps mainly from the Jane Goodall Institute in Burundi, where a great many were placed after being rescued.  The sanctuary is a non-profit venture, which aims not only to cover the investment and operating costs of the sanctuary, but also to channel funds into the Jane Goodall Institute for conservation projects for chimpanzees in the wild throughout Africa.

In the afternoon, take a camel ride, game drive or bushwalk through the reserve for more wildlife viewing.  After dinner you’ll enjoy a night game drive!                          Sweetwaters Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Morning flight to the Masai Mara, one of the finest game reserves in the world. An extension of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the Mara is famous for its vast herds and wide variety of animal species. For the next two days, you’ll explore this marvelous region in a private safari vehicle, and you may also have an opportunity to go for a bushwalk along the Mara or Telek rivers to look for hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds. Another option (not included) is to view the plains and wildlife from a hot air balloon! Floating over the plains, peering down at the abundant wildlife, is an unforgettable experience.

Each year, approximately two million wildebeest, gazelle, and zebra (as well as pursuing predators) move from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara as dry weather sets in. Migratory wildlife is concentrated in the Mara from July-October, and is found in the Serengeti from November-June. However, the plentiful quantity of resident wildlife makes the Masai Mara special year round. (Clients who prefer to visit Lake Nakuru National Park instead may do so.) Serena Lodge or Kichwa Tembo Camp (B,L,D)

Deluxe tented camp upgrade available for a surcharge.

Morning flight to Nairobi, connecting with your flight to Arusha, Tanzania. Transfer to Lake Manyara, stopping en route to visit Mto Wa Mbu village and Ganako secondary school to learn about the local culture. Set in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is a lush green park famous for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, monkeys, hippos, and its incredible birdlife, which includes flamingoes. Despite its small size, Lake Manyara offers a diversity of habitats including open grasslands with rocky outcrops, forests, swamps, and the lake itself. Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (B,L,D)

Upgrade to Kirurumu Tented Camp available for a surcharge of $100 per person.

Morning game drive in Lake Manyara. Then proceed to Gibbs Farm, a former coffee plantation with lush gardens, for lunch and a guided nature walk. You'll also meet (schedule-permitting) with Daniel Tewa, a local historian and storyteller. Then it's on to Ngorongoro Crater, a 2000-foot-deep caldera created by the collapse of an extinct volcano. Ngorongoro is a self-contained “Garden of Eden” which is home to some thirty thousand large mammals: wildebeest, elephant, black rhino, zebra, eland, gazelle, waterbuck and hartebeest, as well as predators such as lion, hyena and jackal. Birdlife is also plentiful and varied. Ngorongoro is truly one of the great wildlife wonders of the world, and staying at the Crater’s edge (two nights) will be one of the major highlights of your safari. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (B,L,D).

Note: You may upgrade to the Serena Lodge or Ngorongoro Crater Lodge for a surcharge.

On your way to Serengeti, you’ll enjoy a fascinating visit to Olduvai Gorge, the “cradle of mankind” where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the earliest human fossils after 28 years of searching. You’ll then head to the world-renowned Serengeti, a 5,600 square mile park which offers perhaps the most spectacular array of wildlife on earth. During your two full days of exploration, you will likely see lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, jackal, hippo, baboon, dik dik and many other animals. The Serengeti is the site of one of the greatest animal migrations in the world (see Masai Mara); however, resident populations of animals are plentiful and varied year-round. On your game drives, you will have excellent opportunities for observing and photographing these fascinating animals. You may also decide to take a hot air ballooning trip (optional). Serengeti Sopa Lodge (B,L,D)

Note: You may upgrade to the Serena Lodge or to a deluxe tented camp (Kusini, Migration Camp, Grumeti, Kirawira) for a surcharge.

One final game drive in the Serengeti. Fly to Arusha, where you will connect with your flight to the U.S. (B)

Extension options to Malindi, Zanzibar and the Seychelles Islands. Call for details.

Call 1-800-869-0639 Request Information

Land Cost Includes:
o Accommodations for 13 nights in first class safari lodges/hotels and a deluxe tented camp
o All elective soft adventures (hiking, horseback riding, camel trekking)
o Private safari vehicle with naturalist guide/driver
o 36 meals
o All transfers and land transportation
o Entrance/park fees

2008 Land Cost (per person):

2 Travelers:

March, November: $5,760 (check) or $5,940 (credit card)

January, June: $5,960 (check) or $6,145 (credit card)

February, June-October: $6,160 (check) or $6,355 (credit card)

Note: please add $425 for hot air ballooning

4 Travelers:

March, November: $5,160 (check) or $5,320 (credit card)

January, June: $5,360 (check) or $5,525 (credit card)

February, June-October: $5,560 (check) or $5,730 (credit card)

Note: please add $425 for hot air ballooning.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Trip Grade: Easy. Emphasis is on "off the beaten track" experience. All adventures are elective and low-intensity. Physical activities are not rigorous but travel conditions can be demanding. Activities include game drives, hiking, horseback riding, camel riding, bushwalking. Hot air ballooning is optional. Accommodations are in first class safari lodges and a deluxe tented camp. Because you will be travelling into remote areas, some discomfort may result from the elements, cultural differences, rough roads and schedule changes.

Land Cost Includes: All vehicle transportation and transfers as stated in the itinerary; accommodations in first class safari lodges and a deluxe-tented camp based on double occupancy; all included soft adventures; private guide/driver; 36 meals; entrance/park fees; service and handling charges; instruction and leadership.

Land Cost Does Not Include: Airfares (quoted separately); meals as indicated in itinerary; tips to camp staff, or drivers; excess baggage charges; supplemental lecture (s); alcoholic beverages; laundry, passports or visas, personal insurance, other personal items; airport departure taxes; hotel nights en route or return from Africa.

Land Transportation: Ground transport in East Africa is provided by minibuses (land cruisers incur a supplemental fee) with roof hatches for wildlife observation and photography. Passengers will be guaranteed a window seat. Each guide/driver is a professional with an in-depth knowledge of the wildlife.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy of a room in first class safari lodges and hotels and a deluxed tented camp. Singles who sign up will incur a single supplement charge.

Climate: East Africa has one of the most agreeable climates in the world with warm, sunny days of 70-85 degrees F and cool, pleasant nights dropping to 50-60 degrees in the dry season of June through October and December through February. The warmest months are December through February with clear blue skies and daytime temperatures of 75-90 degrees in most game parks. The short rains occur in November and the long rains in April and May.

Itinerary Changes: In order to take advantage of animal migrations, this itinerary may change with the seasons, focusing on the Serengeti of Tanzania and Lake Nakuru in Kenya in our winter (December-March), and the Masai Mara in Kenya and Tarangire in Tanzania from June-October. Other modifications may occur due to airline schedule changes and permit/national park restrictions.

Accommodations: Accommodations are based on double occupancy in first class hotels/lodges and delxue tentedcamps. Singles who sign up will be paired with a roommate. If none is available, there will be a single supplement charge.

Reservations and Payments: A deposit of $500 with the completed reservation form will ensure you a place on this trip. Departures guaranteed with a minimum of two travelers. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellations and Refunds:If you need to cancel your trip, please notify us in writing or by fax immediately. The cancellation penalty is calculated from the day we receive cancellation notice. (For those persons who do travel, there are no refunds for any unused meals, accommodations or other trip activities.) In certain cases, the cancellation policies of NEI's subcontractors will supercede NEI's policy. The cancellation penalty is calculated based on the schedule below.

Number of days prior to departure. Cancellation fee per person:
    61+days         $500 plus applicable airfare penalties
    45–60 days    30% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    30–44 days    60% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties
    0–29 days     100% of land/cruise price plus applicable airfare penalties

Insurance: Trip cancellation, accident and baggage insurance are recommended and will be offered to all participants. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly advised; this will protect you in the case of cancellation due to personal or family illness.

Responsibility: Nature Expeditions International is responsible for conducting this trip as outlined in the published itinerary. It reserves the right, however, to cancel the trip should it become affected by conditions beyond the company’s control. In such an event, NEI will return all monies paid to it by the affected participants as full and final settlement.

NEI also reserves the right to substitute other lodging during the trip or to change the trip leader(s), itinerary, or travel arrangements if the staff believes it is in the best interest of all participants. In addition, NEI may decline to accept or retain any member or prospective member of an announced trip. Full refund for the unused portion of the trip will be paid to the affected participant in such an event.

Airline Clause: All arrangements for airline transportation are made by the respective airlines, which companies shall not have or incur any responsibility or liability to any person taking an trip except their liability as common carriers. Nor shall such carriers be or be held responsible for any act, omission, or event occurring after the passenger has disembarked from the conveyance. The usual passage contract in use by the carrier, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between said carrier and the passenger. All rates are based on tariffs currently or those tariffs to be placed in effect and are subject to adjustment in the event of changes therein. The air transportation services of any IATA/ARC member may be used.