This safari is an ingeniously tailored program offering both Kenya and Tanzania in less than two weeks away from home. For travellers with a limited timeframe, yet who desire to see both countries, it is the ideal safari. The focus is on wildlife and the big herds, visiting four of East Africa's most renowned game viewing areas: the Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, plus Lake Manyara . Six flights make the programme as comfortable as it is comprehensive.

 

Our adventure begins in Nairobi with exciting events: a Safari Briefing, A city tour follows during which we see the most interesting elements of Nairobi , including the home of Karen Blixen. A highlight is our private luncheon at the homestead of Kenya 's oldest tea plantation, hosted by the original settler's granddaughter. During a tour of Giraffe Centre, we enjoy an exclusive briefing by a resident warden. The day includes dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.

 

Then the bush! Light aircraft takes us to Tanzania's stunning Lake Manyara National Park . This gem of a reserve is known for its visually striking wilderness of ancient baobab trees set on rolling grasslands, huge herds of elephants and tremendous birdlife. Next we journey to Ngorongoro Crater and our remarkable lodge. Perched on the rim of the crater, it offers an awesome panorama of the enormous caldera below. Prides of lion, black rhino and elephant share this land with the legendary Maasai tribesmen who tend their cattle here.

 

From Ngorongoro Crater we travel to the vast expanse of the Serengeti's rolling savannahs. This legendary reserve stretches to the Maasai Mara on the Kenyan border and almost to the shores of Lake Victoria . Supporting a large population of lion, leopard and other predators that follow the great migrating herds, it also teems with hippo, elephant, giraffe and a dazzling variety of exotic birds. Along the way we stop at Olduvai Gorge , where the Leakey family unearthed the fossil Homo habilis who lived 1.75 million years ago.

 

And no trip to Africa is complete without a visit to the spectacular Maasai Mara. The Mara is home to the legendary Maasai tribesmen and we visit a Maasai village, meet a tribal Elder and learn about the Maasai's unique co-existence with wildlife. The reserve is also legendary for its tremendous variety of big game. In addition to elephant, antelope, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and the rare black rhino, the Mara is treasured for its dramatic scenery.

 

A splendid event brings our safari to a spectacular close: an elegant cocktail party high atop the Mara Escarpment. And it is here, in this astonishing setting, that we truly understand the golden joys of safari. Panoramic views are breathtaking as the flaming African sun sinks slowly beneath the horizon. Soon, the natural world is a dark velvet cape around us with only the firelight and the stars in the ancient African sky to light the night. Bidding our fond farewells to Africa , we feel the exhilaration of having truly experienced the heart and soul of Kenya and Tanzania .

 

THE HEART OF KENYA AND TANZANIA ADVENTURE SAFARI - 12 Days

 

Day 1 - United States - Europe
Our Spice safari begins today as we fly to Europe .

 

Day 2 -Nairobi
Welcome to Kenya 's capital city. An awaiting Spice Safari Director accompanies us to the elegant Nairobi Serena Hotel or Norfolk Hotel where our rooms are ready and waiting.

 

 Day 3 - Nairobi
The first day is always a busy and exciting one. It begins with a Safari Briefing and Safari Outfitting if you so desire, followed by a city tour, including a private luncheon at the homestead of Kiambethu Farms, hosted by the granddaughter of the original settler. A visit is also made to Giraffe Centre, an elevated treetop aerie where we may hand feed giraffes, quite literally face-to-face. Here a resident expert also presents a private briefing on the Centre's work to save the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Our sightseeing also includes the home of Karen Blixen, author of the inspired autobiography, Out of Africa . Tonight our dinner is hosted at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.

 

Day 4 - Lake Manyara National Park
We take to the air over the tapestry of East Africa to Kilimanjaro International Airport enplane and proceed to Lake Manyara National Park, a scenic gem, with a setting extolled by Ernest Hemingway as "the loveliest I had seen in Africa". And with a permanent water source, Lake Manyara National Park is virtually guaranteed excellent game viewing at all times, including lion (some tree climbing!), leopard and elephants . Manyara provides the perfect introduction to Tanzania 's birdlife. More than 400 species have been recorded, and even a first-time visitor to Africa might reasonably expect to observe 100 of these in one day. We stay at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge or at the Gibbs Farm.

 

Day 5 - Ngorongoro Crater
Daybreak over the rolling plains is transcendentally lovely as viewed from our room's private verandas. Then we're off on the next leg of our journey to Ngorongoro, the eighth wonder of the natural world. Along the way we drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area-a region created to accommodate the grazing needs of the Maasai people and a unique test of the idea that humans leading a pastoral lifestyle can coexist with wildlife. We arrive at Ngorongoro in time for lunch at our stunning lodge, situated on the rim of the crater. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa/Serena Lodge.

 

Day 6 - Ngorongoro Crater
This morning we descend 2,000 feet into the giant caldera of this extinct volcano. This magnificent natural amphitheatre contains the largest concentration of animals in all of Africa . Prides of lion, black rhino and elephant share this land with the legendary Maasai tribesmen. Because the grasses are short, game is easily spotted and can be approached quite closely. We spend a splendid morning on the floor of the crater observing wildlife in this ageless World Heritage Site.

 

Day 7 - Day 8 - Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is our destination today. En route we stop at Olduvai Gorge , the "cradle of mankind," where the Leakey family uncovered the fossil of Homo habilis who lived 1.75 million years ago. Arriving at our lodge in time for luncheon, we find ourselves deep in the heart of the savannah on the famous migration corridor. With its wide-open spaces, bright blue skies and creature filled landscape; over the next two Days we will discover why the fabled Serengeti typifies everyone's dream of "Old Africa." Morning and afternoon game runs are planned. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa /Serena Lodge.

 

Day 9 - Day 10 - Maasai Mara
We wing our way across the Great Plains to the Maasai Mara via Arusha and Nairobi . A game reserve shared with the Maasai people, the Mara is considered to have the finest game viewing in Kenya , making it excellent country to opt for a Balloon Safari. During our time here we also visit a Maasai village in the company of an insightful tribal Elder. And, romance awaits-an extraordinary cocktail party will be set up in the bush exclusively for us, overlooking the Great Rift Valley at sunset. We stay in one of the most exclusive and exciting luxury tented camps of the Mara. Overnight at Mara Safari Club/Kichwa Tembo Camp.

 

Day 11 - Nairobi - Departure
We fly to Nairobi this morning. A dayroom has been reserved at a hotel for our comfort while we enjoy a final day to shop or revisit a favourite site. Later this evening we proceed to the airport. As we bid farewell to East Africa , we know this has been a journey to remember for the rest of our lives-a journey that the Spice team have been pleased and proud to share with you every step of the way.

 

Day 12 - Europe - United States
Arrive in Europe and continue to homebound flights.

 

PRE OR POST SAFARI OPTIONS THAT COMPLEMENT THIS SAFARI (PER PERSON):

• Ballooning in Maasai Mara (One spectacular morning):USD 425
• Zanzibar (4 Days 3 Nights/roundtrip Airfare included):USD 1,425
• L. Victoria (4 Days 3 Nights/roundtrip Airfare included):USD 2,650
• Mombasa (4 Days 3 Nights/roundtrip Airfare included):USD 1,300

DOMESTIC AIRFARE
(Nairobi - Manyara; Serengeti - Maasai Mara - Nairobi) Connections may apply.

 

RATES APPLICABLE

Land Arrangements (per person)

 

WHATS INCLUDED  

• 6 Time saving domestic flights
• 3 meals a day while on safari
• Bottle water while on safari
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Accommodation in luxurious lodges and tented camps throughout your safari
• Detailed Safari briefing and orientation before the safari departure
• Hospitality personnel at your service in your Nairobi Hotel
• Farewell Bush dinner on the plains of the Maasai Mara
• Expertise help on shopping, packing and shipping
• All game park and conservation fees
• Complete pre-tour documentation
• Twin bedded rooms with private bath or shower
• A visit to a Maasai cultural Village
• Multiple daily game viewing in custom made minivans driven by accomplished non-smoking driver guides
• Services of an Expert African Spice Tour Director
• Guaranteed departures for two or more passengers upon booking this safari
• All gratuities for meals, porterage for 2 bags per person at every hotel / camp and airports
• Membership in flying doctors services
• Bush walks with an expert naturalist
• Sundowner bush cocktails at twilight on the African plains
• Bush dinner under the African stars
• All Airport transfers.
• African spice Heart of Kenya and Tanzania Adventure safari is limited to less than 24 travelers

NOT INCLUDED

• Personal expenses such traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include, emails, faxes and phone calls or meals not indicated or included in the itinerary
• Gratuity for your expert Tour Director and professional Driver Guide
• Optional Night game drive game drives
• Cost of obtaining passport and visas
• Luxury champagne and luxury spirits
• Departure tax from Tanzania