Red
Rhino Tours
SAMPLE ITINERARY
"Explorer
Tour"
Wildlife and Cultural exploration
Visit
authentic villages, markets, schools, and more!. Experience African
tribal culture as seen in dance, storytelling, music, and village
life. Discover the rich Swahili culture on the island of Lamu.
View wildlife like nowhere else in the world in some of the greatest
parks in East Africa including Masai Mara, Ngornongoro Crater,
Lake Nakuru, among others. Travel through savanna grassland,
lush farmland, arid landscapes, and finish your journey relaxing
on the white sand beaches of Lamu Island.
Duration:
21 Days
(Duration and Itinerary can be modified to fit your schedule)
____________________________________________________________________
Tour Highlights
Safari
Highlights: Masai Mara National Reserve on the northern
Serengeti Plains s Lake Nakuru National Park s Samburu National
Park sTarangire National Park
s Ngorongoro Crater, and more! s Camping in permanent tented/pitched camps,
and night in premier lodge (Ngorongoro Crater Rim). Overland travel in custom
safari mini-buses (Kenya) and custom safari land rovers (Tanzania) with guarantee
of window seat with knowledgeable, English-speaking African safari guides and,
of course, the magical sights and sounds of the African wild!
Cultural
Highlights: Nairobi's Kigombe Market, National Museum,
nightclubs, and restaurants. Masai villages, Kenyan schools,
coffee plantation visit with hike through farmland (optional),
overnight train experience on the Nairobi-Mombasa Express,
Lamu Island cultural smorgasbord, and so much more!
Why
Red Rhino, East Africa?
Personalized,
exceptional service with attention to detail
Un-paralleled diversity of itinerary at a relaxed pace s small group size s
comfortable hotels s comprehensive pre-trip packet with language and health
guides s experienced group leaders/guides and services of our local guides
for private escort around Nairobi and Lamu Island. We are dedicated to showing
you the "real Africa" off the beaten track in a safe, fun, and personalized
fashion. Join us and bring back memories (and stories) to last a lifetime!
A 21 Day Sample Itinerary
Day
1
Depart USA/Canada
Day
2
Europe to Nairobi, Kenya
Arrive at your European transfer point for your flight connecting to Nairobi,
Kenya, which arrives this evening at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport. You will be welcomed at the airport by our Red Rhino Staff and taken
to your hotel to relax and sleep for the night.
Day
3
Nairobi
Wake up in Nairobi, Kenya. Arise for breakfast and an introductory meeting.
Spend the day getting acquainted with Nairobi on our City Tour. There's never
a dull moment in this dynamic and bustling city, and it is a great place to
shop, people watch, and to get ready for our adventures around East Africa.
The tour starts with a visit to the National Museum with its excellent displays
of East African flora and fauna, cultural artifacts, art, and other insights
into the East African world. Today we also visit KiGombe Market--off the tourist
track and an extremely active market pulsating with African life. Here you
will see the crafts of Kenya actually being made and the prices are at times
less than half the price of goods sold in Nairobi central.
Day
4
Nairobi to Masai Mara
Leave Nairobi and set out along the floor of the Great Rift Valley for Masai
Mara National Reserve, located on the Kenyan side of the Serengeti Plains.
Here there is the possibility that we will witness one the greatest spectacles
in nature: the annual migration where millions of animals cross into Kenya
from Tanzania and enter the Masai Mara Reserve--situated in tree-studded grasslands
with rolling hills. "The Mara" is well-known for its great herds
of plain's game, black maned lion, leopard, cheetah, and elephant, as well
as virtually every other kind of animal found in Kenya. Culturally, the reserve
is extraordinary because of the proud and colorful Masai who inhabit this area.
The drive to Mara from Nairobi is long but utterly fascinating and there is
plenty of game to see along the way. At camp dinner is served and the evening
campfire provides a chance to chat with fellow travelers. Before retiring for
the night see an authentic dance around the campfire performed by the Masai
Warriors who guard the camp at night. (Game Lodges are available for those
who prefer not to camp)
Day 5
Masai Mara
Awake to the magical sounds of Africa at first light. An early breakfast is
followed by the first of our African safaris. The light in the morning is magical,
the animals are active, and photographic opportunities abound. Today you will
be stunned at the number of wild animals you will see. A highlight today is
a walk along the banks of the Mara River where hippos and crocodiles are often
seen in great numbers. A picnic lunch is served on a hill under a tree overlooking
the Serengeti Plains. The game drive continues after lunch, and back at camp
dinner is served and the evening is yours to enjoy.
Day
6
Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru
Rise early for a visit to an untouristed Masai village. Kijellijelli village
is as fascinating and otherworldly as can be. We are able to take as many photos
as we want of the Masai and their village. Next we proceed to a local Masai
school: talk to teachers, visit classrooms, and interact with students in all
grade levels. Many former Red Rhino Tour members mentioned this morning as
one of the highlights of their entire trip. Depart on a long and interesting
overland trip to Lake Nakuru National Park, stopping for a picnic lunch en
route. Lake Nakuru is a shallow soda lake that is one of the most famous bird
sanctuaries in the world as seen in the movie "Out of Africa." At
times vast concentrations of more than one million pink flamingos live on the
lake, forming one of the most incredible spectacles in nature. Lake Nakuru
National Park comprises both the lake and the surrounding area. The landscape
of the park is a mixture of rocky hillsides, marshy grasslands, and acacia
woodlands. The wildlife at Nakuru is ample: besides the often teeming bird
life you may see rhinos, zebras, waterbucks, buffalos, hippopotami, reedbucks,
impalas, baboons, and other game. Dinner and overnight accommodations at our
tented camp just a few yards outside of the parks entrance.
Day
7
Lake Nakuru to Samburu
After breakfast spend the morning watching and photographing birds and wild
animals in the park. A morning walk along the shore of the lake is a refreshing
experience and it is here that you can photograph flamingos relatively close
up. Departing Nakuru we make a brief stop at Thompson Falls, the highest falls
in Kenya. Pass through some of the lushest farmland in Kenya--stopping at a
coffee and a tea plantation roadside before crossing north above the equator.
We then set our sights on Samburu National Reserve, located in the arid northern
frontier of Kenya. Samburu, located along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River,
is much less traveled than many of the other Kenyan Parks. The Ewaso is a permanent
river, and the area boasts a wide variety of animals rarely found elsewhere--Grevy's
Zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, Gerenuk, for example. You will
also have the chance to see lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, Guenthers Dik-Dik,
and crocodiles along the river banks. Bird enthusiasts will be happy to hear
that it is possible to spot as many as one hundred species of birds in a single
day. Samburu is named after the colorful local tribe who dye their hair with
ochre--the same color as the soil found in the landscape. We will view game
en route to our camp at sunset. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day
8
Samburu
Rise early and go on a pre-breakfast game drive. During the day relax at the
extravagant Samburu Lodge, just a fifteen minute walk from camp. In the late
afternoon we head out once again on safari, taking advantage of this excellent
time for animal sightings. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 9
Samburu to Nairobi
Depart early for the ride back to Nairobi, stopping for a hot lunch along the
way. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you can rest and shower before dinning at one
of Nairobi's finer restaurants. Afterwards, you can dance and listen to popular
Western and African music at the Florida 2000--a fun place to celebrate your
return to Nairobi after days on safari.
Day
10
Nairobi
A day of leisure in Nairobi. It is a good place and time to get things done:
mail off post cards, buy film or rent additional camera gear, do laundry, make
phone calls or e-mail home, and so on. Today is also a great day to spend some
time checking out the various markets and shops of Nairobi as you'll find enticing
gifts to buy from all over East Africa. Mailing gifts home is relatively inexpensive
and easy to do, and we can help you arrange this. You may also spend the day
sightseeing and visiting such places as the Giraffe Manor, the Bomas of Kenya,
and a host of other possibilities. Back at the hotel you will have a pre-Tanzanian
safari briefing before dinner.
Day
11
Nairobi to Tarangire (Tanzania)
Early morning departure for the border town of Namanga where, after clearing
customs, cross into the world of Tanzania. The drive from the border to Arusha
is through the land of the nomadic Masai . After lunch in Arusha, drive to
Tarangire and spend the late afternoon game viewing along the course of the
Tarangire River. The area is dotted with magnificent baobab trees and the park
is one of the most beautiful in Tanzania. There are large herds of elephant
that inhabit the region, especially in the dry season (July-September) and
there is a host of other kinds of animals including lion, giraffe, impala,
gazelle, waterbuck, buffalo, zebra, among others which can often be seen in
abundance. Dinner and overnight at campsite.
Day
12
Tarangire to Ngorongoro Crater
At first light you may pay a visit to a nearby untouristed village (this is
an optional excursion). After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro Crater for a
afternoon of game-viewing. Ngorongoro has been compared to the Garden of Eden--the
100 square mile crater is packed with just about every species of wildlife
found in East Africa. The drive from the rim of the 1900 ft. crater wall down
winding dirt tracks brings us to one of Africa's largest permanent concentrations
of wildlife. Some 30,000 animals live here and, because the grasses are short,
game is easily spotted and can often be approached quite closely. It is also
one of the few parks in Africa where rhinos are relatively easy to locate.
We spend the afternoon and early evening tracking animals. Tonight camp on
the crater rim and eat dinner around a coal fire.
Day
13
Ngorongoro Crater
A full day in the crater is yours to enjoy. Tonight you are in for a bit of
luxury by staying at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge--situated right on the rim
of the crater. For those who prefer a day of sedentary activity, you have the
option to spend today in and around the lodge writing postcards, reading, and
enjoying one of the most spectacular and comfortable lodges in East Africa.
This luxury lodge is built on the edge of the crater rim and massive widows
allow for awesome views of the Ngorongoro caldera. Today we offer you an optional
excursion for those of you who would like to spend the day on a bush walk.
Those interested will travel to Lake Eyasi and join up with the Eyasi Bushmen
who will then take you on a trek in the forests around Lake Eyasi. The lake
is a two hour drive from Ngorongoro.
Day 14
Ngorongoro to Arusha
Depart Ngorongoro after breakfast and arrive at Arusha town before lunch. Explore
lively Arusha town before we drive to a coffee plantation for a fascinating
tour (optional). From the plantation we depart on a beautiful hike through
lush farmland to picturesque Lake Duluti. Or, you may decide to rest in Arusha
to explore and shop around this interesting town. Overnight at selected Arusha
Hotel.
Day 15
Arusha to Nairobi and the Nairobi-Mombasa Train
Early morning departure from Arusha to Nairobi via shuttle. Day rooms will
be waiting for you in Nairobi so that we can organize and rest up before our
final leg of the trip. In the evening board the romantic Nairobi-Mombasa Express,
bound for the coast of Kenya. Travel 1st class in clean, two-berth compartments
supplied with wash basin, clean sheets, and drink service. Dinner and breakfast
in the dining car are included. The train ride is a remarkable journey through
the Kenyan countryside. The journey is through Tsavo National Park and you
can sometimes see animals such as giraffe and zebra through the window of your
cabin at first light in the morning. Pass villages throughout the journey and
young children rush up to the train and wave and sell snacks and goods as the
train winds its way to the coast.
Day
16
Mombasa to Lamu Island (short flight)
Enjoy breakfast in the dining car as we approach the port city of Mombasa.
From the train station taxi to the airport and board the short flight for Lamu--Kenya's
oldest living town. Lamu has not changed much over the centuries and has been
described as the Kathmandu of Africa; it is the place where the Swahili culture
remains in its purest form. The local people are almost entirely Muslim and
men wear white robes and the women cover themselves with black bui-buis. Stay
in Shela--a quiet village a couple of miles from Lamu Town. Shela is situated
next to white sand beaches that stretch for miles. It is a lazy, relaxing place.
The hotel is near the water and through the palm trees that are blown by the
trade winds one can watch as dhows ( traditional Swahili boats) pass slowly
by. Inexpensive custom meals are made at your request consisting of fresh lobster,
crab, and a host of other wonderful Swahili delicacies. After a busy year of
work behind you, and a couple of weeks on the road in Africa, relaxing in this
paradise is a feeling truly beyond words. Several of our tour members have
actually cried when they had to leave the island for the flight back to Nairobi!
Selected Shela Hotel
Days
17, 18, and 19
Lamu Island
These days are spent at your leisure. Strolls through Lamu town (a 20 minute
motorized dhow ride from Shela), sunbathing, water-skiing, snorkeling (in season),
fishing, long walks along white beaches, and swimming are just some of the
things that you can do during your stay. A definite highlight of Lamu Island
is taking a dhow trip for the day. There are more dhows (traditional Swahili
boats) here than anywhere else along the coast of East Africa, and spending
an afternoon on one is a delightful experience. The dhow trip can last as long
as you want it to and a barbecued fish lunch is provided on a neighboring island.
Our Red Rhino Associates in Lamu are at your service to arrange any of the
activities that you are interested in such as additional dhow rides, water
activities, or tours of Lamu Town and surrounding villages. Most of all, however,
Lamu Island is a place to relax, people watch, and absorb the Swahili culture
at its finest.
Selected Shela Hotel
Day
20
Lamu to Nairobi (via air) and Departure Flight for Europe
After breakfast you can wander around Lamu or spend the morning on the beach
before the flight back to Nairobi. Upon arrival in Nairobi, you will be shuttled
back to the hotel. Time permitting, you will be able to wander around Nairobi
one last time to purchase any last minute gifts. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at
CARNIVORES Restaurant. If you are so inclined you can sample an assortment
of meats from zebra to crocodile to hartebeest (vegetarian meals are an option!).
After dinner taxi to airport for onward flight to your European transfer point.
Kwaheri Africa!
Day
21
USA/Canada arrival
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