11 Nights, Extended 14 Nights Grand Circle Safari

Depart on safari after breakfast. Leave Nairobi, heading north enjoying scenic views of coffee plantations and small farms towards the Aberdare Mountains located in the Kenya Highlands. Gaining altitude, the scenery becomes lusher, the air cooler and the roadside adorned by a fascinating ribbon of small shops and stalls. En route, stop at Karatina Market. Continue deep into the forests of the Aberdares for an overnight stay at The Ark Forest Lodge. Safe in the comfort of the lodge, guests can watch the animals gathering to drink at the floodlit waterhole well into the night. With luck, it may be possible to see elephants and rhinos vying for the same piece of salt deposit while buffalos, water bucks, wart hogs, bush buck, dik-dik and perhaps the rare kudu wait their turn.

Descend from the lush highlands into the Rift Valley with its stunning volcanic landscapes. Lunch at a Lodge overlooking Lake Nakuru. Afternoon birdwatching around Lake Nakuru, seasonal home to great flocks of Flamingo lining the shores and a multitude of other exotic birdlife. Lake Nakuru also contains prolific wildlife and is one of the best places in East Africa to see rhinos. Dinner and overnight stay at Nakuru Sopa or Lion Hill Lodge.

A morning drive to Masai Mara game reserve, passing by the dormant Longonot Volcano and arriving in time for lunch at a lodge. Continue through the reserve, game viewing en route. The next two nights are spent at Mara Serena Lodge with its wonderful views across paradise plains.

A full day game viewing at the Mara, Kenya’s finest wildlife reserve. Elephants and buffalos abound in the riverine forests, while out on the grasslands impalas and Thompson's gazelles can be seen together with their attendant predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals. The Mara is, in fact, the northern part of the Serengeti ecosystem and plays host to vast herds of wildebeest and zebra during the months of July to October. Lesser known species such as topi, hartebeest, waterbuck Eland and many small mammals create a kaleidoscopic picture of wildlife. An optional balloon safari, guided nature walk or breakfast in the bush may also be booked in advance.

An early breakfast and drive to the shores of Lake Victoria, crossing into Tanzania at Isebania. Picnic lunch en route and remainder of the afternoon free to relax at the lodge overlooking Lake Victoria. Dinner and overnight stay at Speke Bay Lodge.

After breakfast clients will be picked by local fishermen in their canoes for a trip to a nearby village, accompanied by a guide from the lodge. Explore the village, meet the people and listen to the fishermen singing as they bring in their overnight catch. Return to the lodge for lunch. Drive 10 minutes from the lodge and enter Serengeti Park for an afternoon drive through the Western corridor, game viewing en route. Spend the next two nights at Serengeti Sopa or Serena Lodge.

Morning and afternoon game viewing at the Serengeti, perhaps the greatest symbol of African wildlife heritage. Being centrally located, Serengeti Serena Lodge is an ideal base for exploring this hugely diverse park. The short grass plains dotted with rock outcrops "kopjes" dominate the south and supports a combined population of more than 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle during the wet season December to April. As drier weather approaches in May, the wildebeest migrate to the center and Western corridor of the park where acacia savannah predominates and giraffe are more likely to be found. Don't forget to look out for leopards and hippos along the riverine forest. By July, the herds arrive in the north where the plains give way to densely wooded hills and elephant country. Here they remain until the coming of the short rains in November signal the start of the Great Trek south again.

Morning game viewing at the Serengeti. Lunch at the lodge and afternoon drive to Ngorongoro, stopping en route to visit the small Archaeological Museum at Olduvai where Louis and Mary Leakey found the fossilized remains of some of man’s oldest ancestors. Spend the next 2 nights at Ngorongoro Sopa or Serena Lodge.

Drive down to the crater floor for day game viewing with picnic lunch. Once a huge volcano, probably larger than Kilimanjaro, it is now a vast circular amphitheater, spectacularly beautiful and a Garden of Eden for huge numbers of wildlife. The animals are resident throughout the year including all of the "Big Five" elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard. Centerpiece of the extensive floor is Crater Lake with its pink mantle of flamingo and other birdlife.

Morning drive to Arusha for lunch. Transfer to Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport for departure.

Grand Circle Safari optional extension

Continue to Tsavo West Park, crossing back into Kenya at Taveta. Dinner and an overnight stay at Kilaguni Serena Lodge.

Early morning game viewing including a visit to Mzima Springs where hippos and crocodiles can be seen from an underwater hide. Lunch and afternoon drive to Amboseli Park, situated right at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight stay at Amboseli Serena Lodge.

Morning and afternoon game viewing at Amboseli Park. Amboseli is a unique and fascinating park combining dry open plains with a lush green oasis of swamp and acacia woodlands watered by underground springs and a favorite hiding place for giraffes, lions, cheetahs, hippos, and myriad bird life. Amboseli is also an ideal place to see elephants close up. Where else can you find the opportunity for those memorable photographs of elephant herds with the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro as a backdrop?

Morning drive back to Nairobi and drop off at a hotel or the airport where the tour ends.