DAY 1- WASHINGTON D.C.
We depart our
international flight from Washington D.C. aboard Ethiopian Airline new Boeing
777 non-stop to Addis Ababa. Dinner and breakfast are served.
DAY 2- NAIROBI, KENYA
Early morning arrival
into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a convenient connection for a short flight to
Nairobi, Kenya. Meet and Greet service with transfer to the Nairobi Safari Club
Hotel. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure at the centrally located
all-suite hotel.
DAY 3- TO ABERDARES NATIONAL
PARK
After breakfast you depart Nairobi and drive north, passing
near Thika which boasts the world's third largest pineapple plantation and home
to Del Monte, and Karatina with its colorful market. Soon you'll be at Nyeri,
one of Kenya's major towns and then on to the Aberdare Country Club. Here you'll
enjoy a bounteous buffet lunch amidst the beautiful gardens before you are
transferred to the newly renovated Ark Lodge Hotel, a uniquely shaped lodge.
This afternoon and evening enjoy overlooking a floodlit waterhole and salt lick
which attracts a host of awesome wildlife.
(B, L, D)
DAY 4- TO LAKE NAIVASHA
The morning
start takes you to Nyahururu, still known to many as Thomson's Falls for its 237
foot cascade. Then travel in a southerly direction to your next destination, the
spectacular Lake Naivasha. Arrive at the Lake Naivasha Country Club, your home
for two nights in time for lunch. This afternoon enjoy a safari walk on Crescent
Island Wildlife Sanctuary, in search of giraffes, gazelles, waterbucks and
countless bird species.
(B, L, D)
DAY 5- LAKE NAIVASHA (LAKE NAKURU)
Enjoy a
full day game drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, the most densely populated
wetlands of Kenya. With a large population of flamingoes be on the lookout for
both the black and white rhino. The Rothschild giraffe is another highlight as
well as a fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra and lion.
(B, L, D)
DAY 6- TO MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
After an
early breakfast, you'll travel across the bottom of the rift escarpment and head
southeast, passing the dormant Longonot volcano. Then you'll turn off the main
road across the Rift Valley and travel across the "breadbasket" of Kenya,
covered with acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Mara and the Mara
Leisure Tented Camp, home to some of the greatest concentrations of game in
Africa. After lunch enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara Game
Reserve, returning to the camp as the sun sets.
(B, L, D)
DAY 7- MASAI MARA
Early morning
Hot Air Balloon (Optional). Enjoy morning and afternoon game
drives on the vast plains of Masai Mara. This Reserve is an extension of
the Serengeti ecosystem to the south. Game abounds here! The Mara is noted for
its abundance of lions - particularly the superb black manned males. You'll see
lots of elephants often in large herds, as well as, if you're lucky, leopard,
cheetah and rhino. All of the Big Five are residents. You're sure to see the
African buffalo. The huge expanse of grassland covers 320 sq km and is dotted
with distinctive flat-topped acacia trees are watered by two rivers, Mara River
and Talek River. It is also home to the nomadic Masai people, who can be seen
grazing their cattle, usually brightly dressed in red chequered capes. Enjoy a
Sundowner Cocktail Event before dinner.
(B, L, D)
DAY 8- TO NAIROBI/USA
After an early
breakfast you'll depart the Masai Mara and head across acres of rolling wheat
and barley farms to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand.
From here cross the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley whilst keeping
an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle before heading up the rift
escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners during World War II. You'll
arrive into Kenya's bustling capital around mid day, proceed for lunch and then
transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your afternoon flight to Addis Ababa for a
convenient connection to your overnight flight aboard Ethiopian Airlines to
Washington D.C.
(B, L)
DAY 9- ARRIVE WASHINGTON D.C.
Arrive early
this morning into Washington D.C. (Dulles Airport)
OPTIONAL POST EXTENSION - 3 Nights 'A Taste of Imperial
Ethiopia'
DAY 8 - ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
After your
Kenya Wildlife Safari fly from Nairobi to Ethiopia.
Early evening arrival
into Addis Ababa and transfer to the Jupiter Hotel (Bole).
DAY 9- TO GONDAR (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITE)
This morning board your flight to Gondar. Gondar was once the
old imperial capital founded in the 17th century by Emperor Fasilides who built
a palace and seven churches. The subsequent five Emperors built their own
respective palaces and Gondar became known as the Camelot of Africa. Visit the
royal enclosure containing six castles, a complex network of connecting tunnels
and raised walkways. Proceed to the fascinating Debre Birhan Selassie Church
with its walls and ceiling decorated with scenes of Biblical lore and medieval
history. Check- in to the Hotel Goha, which stands on the crest of a hill with
commanding views of the ancient castles and churches of Gondar.
(B, L, D)
DAY 10- TO LALIBELA (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
SITE)
This morning a short flight takes you to Lalibela, a
destination considered one of the best kept secrets of rock churches, nicknamed
the “Petra of Africa”. Ethiopia's Emperor Lalibela, who had visited Jerusalem,
attempted to build a New Jerusalem in response to the capture of Jerusalem by
Muslims in 1187.Only its relatively remote locations and international obscurity
keeps Lalibela from seeing the same levels of visitors to Petra. Visit the
twelve majestic rock hewn churches, which are still used as places of worship.
Check-in to the Mountain View Hotel.
(B, L, D)
DAY 11- TO ADDIS ABABA/USA
Depart
late this morning arriving into the capital city of Addis Ababa. Visit the
National Museum, whose most important exhibit is a replica of the skull of Lucy,
a woman who had lived in Eastern Ethiopia about 3.5 million years ago. Continue
to Mt. Entoto for a breathtaking view of the city and continue to the Merkato
Outdoor Market. This evening enjoy a traditional Ethiopian meal, dance
performance and coffee ceremony. Transfer to the airport for your
overnight
flight to Washington D.C.
(B, D)
DAY 12- ARRIVE USA
Early morning arrival
into Washington D.C. (Dulles)
POST EXTENSION TO THE PRISTINE WHITE BEACHES OF MOMBASA - 3
NIGHTS
DAY 8- NAIROBI TO MOMBASA
After your
Kenya Wildlife Safari fly to the second largest city in Kenya; Mombasa. Be met
at the airport and transfer to the deluxe Sarova Whitesands Hotel. Situated
north of Mombasa this hotel is located on one of East Africa's most stunning
white sand beaches. Set on 22 acres of natural landscaped greens with lily
ponds, five free form swimming pools, the resort has a unique
ambience.(D)
DAY 9- MOMBASA
This morning embark on a
Mombasa City tour which dates back to the 12th century when spice traders arrive
from Arabia. Visit the old quarter, dominated by the medieval Fort Jesus built
by the Portuguese in the 16th century. After your visit to the fort view the
ancient mosques, the narrow bustling streets, the old dhow harbor and central
market. Visit the Akamba wood carvers where you have the opportunity see the
carvers at work. This afternoon enjoy the amenities of the resort whether it is
snorkeling, glass bottom boat cruise or simply laying by the pools or
beach.
(B, D)
DAY 10- MOMBASA
Enjoy the unspoiled
Kenya Coast aboard an Arab Dhow. Cruise turquoise seas to the ecological
mangrove islands and a people to people experience with the Shirazi tribe.
Cruise to Funzi Island to visit an historic fishing village, which was formerly
connected with the slave trade and lies in ruins. From here visit the
village school, a private house and the market place. Continue to a unique
sandbar, where one can swim or simply wander over the pure white sand in the
middle of the sea. Sail to the uninhabited island of Kinazini for a sumptuous
sea food lunch. Then board canoes to explore the mangroves of the Ramisi
River to view crocodiles and various species of birds.
(B, L, D)
DAY 11- MOMBASA/TO USA
Enjoy a morning
of leisure before your early afternoon transfer to the Mombasa Airport. A short
flight takes you to Adis Ababa to connect with your flight to Washington
D.C.
(B )
DAY 12- USA
Arrive early this morning
into Washington D.C. Dulles airport for a connecting flight to your home
city.