Itinerary
Day: 1 | Arrival, transfer House of Waine
On your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be warmly met by our representative who will transfer you into the vibrant Nairobi. Spend the night at the House of Waine.Immersed in the leafy surrounds of Kenya’s beautiful Karen Forest is the elegant House of Waine – an upmarket retreat, which offers guests intimacy and superb accommodation. Guests can unwind in one of 11 individually decorated suites —each with a spacious, marble en-suite bathroom, satellite television, a complimentary personal non-alcoholic mini-bar, TV with satellite and local channels, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Appreciate colourful fresh flowers and delicious cookies delivered to your room each day.
House of Waine offers a wonderful selection of menus, served in various locations on the property, which reflect the diversity of flavours found in Nairobi. There are also two bars, which are exclusively for the use of guests and a sparkling heated swimming pool for those quiet hours between sightseeing. Must-see attractions include a visit to Kazuri Beads, the Karen Blixen Museum, Matbronze Art Gallery and Foundry, Giraffe Centre (to hand feed giraffes and for nature walks), the Daphne Sheldrick Wildlife Sanctuary – where you can interact with (and perhaps adopt) elephants and rhinos – and the renowned Nairobi National Park.
Days: 2-4 | Fly Maasai Mara Game Reserve
After breakfast, you will be driven to the local airstrip for your scheduled flight to Masai Mara. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. Explore the wilderness on foot and get a different perspective on every aspect of the African river, from its smallest insects and plants to the immense river creatures after which the trail is named. Set off from your lodge in the company of an experienced Maasai naturalists, who can predict the behaviour of any wildlife that you meet, interpret ever birdcall and introduce you to the natural uses of the a multitude of plants. The trail dissects a variety of landscapes, from plains to riverine forest, open grasslands and scrubby bush. The hike takes from one to three hours.
Game drives in the Masai Mara are unforgettable due to the abundance of wildlife and the spectacular landscapes. With gently rolling hills and wide open plains, this is the quintessential African safari experience. Travellers can expect to encounter large numbers of animals year round, with big herds of elephant, buffalo and other plains game. It is also common to see predator interaction.
Days: 5-7 | Serengeti National Park
Depart the Masai Mara on a flight from Mara Kichwa Airstrip to Nairobi Wilson Airport where you will connect on to a flight from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Kilimanjaro International Airport is the gateway to connecting to and from Tanzania. After clearing customs and immigrations, you will board a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Serengeti Lobo Airstrip.
Check in at the Namiri Plains Camp. Namiri Plains is all about wildlife. For 20 years, this area of the eastern Serengeti was off limits to tourists and now Namiri Plains is the sole property within a 45 minute radius, making your safari feel extremely private and game-rich. Namiri Plains is a simple and exclusive camp that offers nothing less than a fabulous wildlife experience and lovely and tasteful accommodation. Eight safari tents (one of which is for honeymooners and one for families) face out onto the open plains of the Serengeti, ever so slightly interrupted by small rock formations and kopjes. The tents are extremely comfortable and we love how the tent flaps open to provide nearly 360-degree views of the plains.
Escape the crowds on this private concession with access to the Serengeti. This strategic wildlife sanctuary borders the Serengeti, with wildlife moving through these areas. Engage on thrilling sightings and with sensitive off-road driving, you will have close encounters with wildlife. For those looking for an active thrill beyond the excitement of Big Five sightings on a game drive vehicle, a guided bush walk offers an opportunity to connect with the African bush, learning about its fascinating fauna and flora.
Days: 8-9 | Ngorongoro
Take a scheduled flight to Manyara Airstrip where you will be welcomed by a member of our team, you will be assisted transfer to Lake Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge. This beautifully designed tented lodge is situated in Ndutu in the southeastern Serengeti plains within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a prime location for game drives and an ideal stopover to the neighboring Serengeti National Park. The lodge has 20 well appointed sleeping tents with a combination of Family Suites and individual Guest Tents offering a top- notch true African safari experience.
The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Some maintain that before it erupted, it would have been higher than Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. Go on a game drive to search for endangered black rhino, giant tusked elephants wander the forests, big-maned lions and flamingos which seasonally crowd the soda lakes. An estimated 25 000 large mammals are resident in this bowl of plenty, including a population of approximately 6 000 resident wildebeest, 16 highly endangered black rhino and around 70 lions. Cheetah move in and out of the Crater, while leopard are most often encountered in the spectacular Lerai Forest. Book a Crater Floor Banquet, a gourmet feast served in one of the most unique settings in Africa. Descend into the scenic landscape of the Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy the incredible density of wildlife before making your way to a private picnic spot on the Crater floor.
Days: 10-12 | Zanzibar Island
You will fly directly to Zanzibar and spend the day in Stone Town where a thousand years of history and culture play out on its mazy streets. Sounds will echo down lanes of coral houses, and smells entice with everything from stone-baked bread to small barbecues and intoxicating spices. At the Old Fort, you will hear tales of Zanzibar’s history from Omani rulers to Chinese traders and Arabian influence. The House of Wonders will share more modern stories, mostly from the 16th to 19th centuries. There is a majestic beauty at the Sultan’s Palace, which is a beautiful Zanzibari style. You will finish your alluring day at Darajani Market, which is the main bazaar that proves to be a hive of activity late in the day with everything from slabs of meat to sandals and spices.
The Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort will be your home for 3 nights and it is all about sprawling outdoor pools and fine-dining on the beach. Four outdoor pools twist their way through this resort complex. The infinity pool overlooks the Indian Ocean, with luxury daybeds and a swim-up bar. There's a fitness centre for active guests, and sports activities are held on the sand. Couples looking for romantic dining can reserve a private table* on the beach. The resort's right on the beach in Nungwi – a fishing village at the northern end of Zanzibar. Aquatic excursions leave from points along the shore, so guests can go for a snorkel, try out scuba diving or embark on a dolphin-watching boat trip.
These 3 Nights at the Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort will be at your leisure, and the main highlight will be just relaxing. After some busy days on your safari, it is nice to have downtime before your journey home. The safari will have relaxed you and helped you connect to the natural world and leave your modern stresses behind. Zanzibar will complete your feeling of personal serenity with little but the Indian Ocean and white sand to keep you company. So, laze beneath the palms, sip cocktails on the sand, and reflect on your safari that took you across Tanzania and Kenya.
Day: 12 | Fly JRO, Departure
Today, we wave a fond farewell. After a palatable breakfast, you will be collected for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Lake Manyara Aistrrip, where you will board your flight home.
Customize this itinerary
The above itinerary can be custom made using Budget, Midrange and Luxury accommodation options to cater for different budgets based on one's financial strength and accommodation preferences. Let's tailormake for your this itinerary free of charge. - info@wavelanesafaris.com
