We depart our international flight from Washington D.C. non-stop to East Africa. Dinner and breakfast are served.

Early morning arrival into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a short lay-over and continue on a short flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Meet and Greet service with transfer to the Nairobi Safari Park Hotel. Unwind with an afternoon and evening at leisure at this old colonial style hotel with beautiful gardens.

Travel toward Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch at the Sopa Lodge. Following lunch, enjoy your first of many safari game drives. (B, L, D)

The Masai Mara is one of the largest and most well known wildlife reserves in Africa. It has an abundance of the “Big Five” wildlife. Enjoy an early morning game drive and a late afternoon game drive, the best time for viewing the animals. During your leisure time lunch will be served at the lodge and have an opportunity to relax by the large pool offering wonderful views. (B, L, D)

Leaving the Masai Mara travel across the “breadbasket” of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok. From here travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mau Escarpment, before arriving at Lake Nakuru Lodge for lunch. This afternoon's game drive highlights the lake which is often colored with shimmering pink flamingos and thousands of the most beautiful birds lining the shore line. In addition both black and white rhino roam this area including the Rothschilds giraffe and a fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra and lion. (B, L, D)

Depart the Rift Valley and continue towards Nairobi and collect a picnic lunch and then head south towards Amboseli. Enjoy a picnic lunch and afternoon game drive at Amboseli National Park before checking into the Amboseli Sopa Lodge. The lodge is set on the foothills of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Each of the 100 rooms has their own private veranda. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a full day game safari and commence your search finding groups of elephants with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop; a true Kodak moment. Amboseli is one of the smaller game parks and the vegetation ensures that the animals are easy to spot. Lions can be seen occasionally stalking their prey. Enjoy a hot picnic lunch and continue your safari game drive in search of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and other plains game. With water streams and swamp channels in the Park you have an opportunity to view pods of hippos. (B, L, D)

After breakfast drive to the border of Tanzania, a colorful experience with an up-close view of the locals and Masai tribe members selling their artifacts as you clear custom formalities. Travel to the town of Arusha, well known as one of the location shots for the John Wayne movie Hatari. After lunch, drive across the Masai Steppe to the Great Rift Valley. Here the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge is perched high on the rim overlooking the Park below. (B, L, D)

This morning enjoy a game drive in the Lake Manyara region where there are a series of fascinating and beautiful lakes. Every imaginable East African animal is found here. Great herds of buffalo, zebra and several varieties of gazelle. Some of the most amazing pods of hippos congregate at the rivers emerging into the lake; birdlife is plentiful! Return back to the Lodge for lunch and continue your adventure travelling to Serengeti National Park with some game viewing en route to the Serengeti Sopa Lodge. With its excellent location and year round water and acacia woodland it is an ideal environment for a wide variety of wildlife that you may see crossing the property from your lodge room verandah. (B, L, D)

Today offers you an early morning game drive followed by lunch at the lodge. Enjoy some leisure time at the lodge to relax before embarking on a late afternoon game drive. The Serengeti offers magnificent wildlife viewing with an estimated three million animals that roam the plains. Once again, a very good chance to view the Big Five. (B, L, D)

During your transfer continue to be on the lookout for game, stopping off at Olduvai Gorge. The Gorge is about 30 miles long and 300 feet deep. Dr Louis Leakey and his wife in 1959 found humanoid remains, an early form of man dating back 1.8- million-years. After a picnic lunch visit a typical Masai Village to be enlightened about their culture and lifestyle. Travel to Lemala Hill on the eastern rim of Ngorongoro Crater, this is your home for the next two nights at the Sopa Lodge. The views into the crater floor from the lodge are spectacular and the sunset magnificent. (B, L, D)

Full day safari game drive as you descend 2,000 feet into the crater commonly referred to as the “Garden of Eden”. This is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland some sandy dunes. It's an awesome wildlife experience! (B, L, D)

Drive south-east and travel through the highlands and the Karatu district where you will view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations. Enter Tarangire National Park; be on the lookout for wildlife as you proceed to the Sopa Lodge. Beautiful landscaped gardens and a large circular pool offers an area for relaxation and barbecue lunch. This afternoon's safari game drive will reflect that this is one of the best parks for elephant and giraffe viewing. Keep a close eye on the Tarangire River as in the late afternoon animals commence to migrate to the watering hole. (B, L, D)

Depart Tarangire Park and drive to the town of Arusha for lunch, before proceeding to Mt. Kilimanjaro airport. Fly to Addis Ababa for your connecting evening flight to Washington D.C. (B, L )

Early morning arrival into Washington D.C. (Dulles Airport).

After your Tanzania Wildlife Safari fly south to Zanzibar Island. This was a major Indian Ocean trading center but today it appears to have been frozen in time from two centuries ago. Your resort hotel (or similar) is located just outside of Stone Town and the first class Mbweni Ruins Hotel is an excellent base for the next three nights. Hotel upgrade available at the Sea Cliff Resort.

This morning enjoy a walking tour of Stone Town and visit the Old Dispensary the home where Dr. David Livingstone lived before his famous expedition. Visit the Peace Memorial Museum for an interesting look at Zanzibar history. Visit the Palace Museum which in 1911 was the residence of the Sultan of Zanzibar. Before lunch visit Arab Fort with its castellated battlements built in 1701. This afternoon appreciate why Zanzibar was known as the “The Spice Island”, the result of being one of the world's most important producers of clove, nutmeg and cinnamon in the 19th century. Experience a taste of rural life and meet the locals. See how spices are grown in the wild. An opportunity for tasting spices, herbs and tropical fruits. (B, L)

Enjoy a full day of leisure to enjoy the amenities offered at the resort. Perhaps re-visit Stone Town to further uncover the mystery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B)

Enjoy a morning of leisure before your early afternoon transfer to the Zanzibar Airport. Fly to Addis Ababa to connect with your flight to Washington D.C. (B)

Arrive early this morning into Washington D.C. Dulles airport.

After your Tanzania Safari fly from Kilimanjaro to Addis Ababa. Early evening arrival into Addis Ababa and transfer to the Jupiter Hotel (Bole). Note: This program is also available for client purchasing the Zanzibar post optional.

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 into the Florida International Hotel. (B, L, D)

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)

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)

Early morning arrival into Washington D.C. (Dulles)