DAY 01: DEPART HOME CITY
Board your
Ethiopian Airlines brand new Boeing 777 for a non-stop overnight flight to
Addis Ababa.
DAY 02: ARRIVE RWANDA/VOLCANOES NATIONAL
PARK
Arrive early morning into Addis Ababa, with a convenient
connection on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Kigali, Rwanda. After clearing
customs, continue this afternoon for a scenic 2-hour drive through rain forests
towards Volcanoes National Park to the town of Musanze and check-in to the
Gorillas Hotel. This new hotel is centrally located in the town and has 31
comfortable rooms.
(D)
DAY 03: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Early
this morning meet with your respective park rangers, who know the various
Gorilla families quite well. These rangers know where the gorillas were the day
before you arrived. It is then a simple matter of going to that spot and
picking up their trail. The object is to meet up with the family about
mid-morning, a traditional time when they cease feeding and rest for about an
hour. Some Gorilla families are found in one hour but there are known cases
where the trek lasted for as long as 8 hours. After returning to the hotel for
lunch, enjoy the afternoon of leisure by visiting nearby markets in the town of
Musanze.
(B, L, D)
DAY 04: VOLCANOES NATIONAL
PARK/KIGALI
Return to the entrance of the Park early this morning
to see the Golden Monkeys. It is now believed the only feasible population of
these Golden Monkeys resides only in Volcanoes National Park. They are
beautiful and endangered primates which have become quite habituated to humans,
making it possible to observe them closely. After lunch at the Lodge, return to
the capital city of Kigali for a city tour. You will visit the Kigali Genocide
Memorial built in April 2004 on the 10th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.
This Centre is built on a place in Kigali where over 250,000 people were buried
after the genocide. Check-in at the Golf Hills Residence and enjoy the evening
at your leisure.
(B, L)
DAY 05: TO NAIROBI, KENYA
Late this
morning board your flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Upon early afternoon arrival, you
will be met and transferred to the Nairobi Safari Club Hotel. Enjoy the balance
of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
(B)
DAY 06: TO MASAI MARA GAME
RESERVE
Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you'll travel towards
Kenya's fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by
Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they
built at the foot of the escarpment. You'll pass the impressive Longonot earth
satellite station as you head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel
across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach your home for two nights at
the Mara Sopa Lodge in time for lunch. The accent around the lodge is the
wildlife, spacious bedrooms and a large pool with wonderful views. Following
lunch, there is an afternoon game drive into one of the most prominent game
reserve in Africa.
(B, L, D)
DAY 07: MASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
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., Lion, Leopard, Black Rhino,
Elephant and Cape Buffalo. 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.
Note: Departures in
July, August and September will witness the popular Mass
Migration.
(B, L, D)
DAY 08: TO LAKE NAKURU
Leave the Masai
Mara and 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 Rothschild giraffe and a fair share of buffalo,
leopard, zebra and lion.
(B, L, D)
DAY 09: TO NAIROBI/RETURN USA
Depart
this morning and head south to Nairobi to visit a giraffe orphanage.
Visit and stay for lunch at the Karen Blixen home a pioneer coffee farmer and
acclaimed author, famous for her book “Out of Africa”. The home has been
converted into a museum and will provide you an opportunity to step back in
time and gain insight into this remarkable woman's life. Proceed to the airport
for your late afternoon flight to Addis Ababa and convenient connection for
your overnight flight to Washington D.C.
(B, L)
Day 10: ARRIVE WASHINGTON D.C.
Arrive
early morning into Washington D.C. Dulles Airport.
Return Home or Go on the OPTIONAL POST
EXTENSION - 3 NIGHTS 'A TASTE OF IMPERIAL ETHIOPIA'
DAY 9 - ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
After your
Kenya Wildlife Safari fly from Nairobi to Ethiopia. Early evening arrival
into Addis Ababa and transfer to the Jupiter International Hotel (Bole).
DAY 10- 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 11- 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 12- 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 13- ARRIVE USA
Early morning arrival
into Washington D.C. (Dulles)
Return Home or Go on the OPTIONAL POST
EXTENSION - 3 NIGHTS 'PRISTINE WHITE BEACHES OF MOMBASA'
DAY 9- 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 10- 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 11- 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 12- 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 13- USA
Arrive early this morning
into Washington D.C. Dulles airport for a connecting flight to your home
city.