DAY 1 (WED)- 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 (THUR)- SEYCHELLES ISLANDS
Early
morning arrival into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a short lay-over and continue on
a your flight to Victoria, Seychelles Island. Early afternoon arrival with meet
and greet transfer to the Bliss Hotel in sea-view rooms. Enjoy the balance of
the afternoon and evening at leisure.
DAY 3 (FRI)- SEYCHELLES
Enjoy a full day
Reef Safari by boarding your boat to Sainte Anne Marine Park and immerse
yourself in the teeming underwater ecosystem on board a semi-submersible. After
your underwater adventure, climb on-deck to hand feed the fish and don on a
lightweight snorkeling vest and equipment and get close to the fascinating
underwater world. Enjoy a mouth-watering Creole Barbeque and spend the afternoon
relaxing and swimming before heading back to Victoria and be transferred to your
hotel.
(B, L)
DAY 4 (SAT)- SEYCHELLES
Enjoy a full day of
leisure relaxing or going to the town of Victoria. People who love exotic flora
should visit the Victoria Botanical Garden. The Victoria Museum of History will
take you back in time of Kings and Queens. There is also the Natural History
Museum to view the most unique and ancient artifacts. Also not to be missed is
the Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market for those interested in shopping and buying antique
items.
(B)
DAY 5 (SUN)- TO NAIROBI
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(MON): 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
Simba Lodge in time for lunch. Following lunch, there is an afternoon game drive
into one of the most prominent game reserve in Africa.
(B, L, D)
DAY 07(TUE): 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(WED): 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(THU): TO NAIROBI/RETURN USA
Depart
this morning and head south to Nairobi to visit the Giraffe Manor and have an
opportunity to hand feed these tall splendid animals. Visit and stay for lunch
at the Karen Blixen home a pioneer coffee farmer an 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(FRI): ARRIVE WASHINGTON D.C.
Arrive
early morning into Washington D.C. Dulles Airport.
OPTIONAL POST EXTENSION - 3 Nights 'A Taste of
Imperial Ethiopia'
DAY 9(THU) - 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(FRI)- 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(SAT)- 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 12(SUN)- 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
Trinity Church built to commemorate Ethiopia's liberation from Italian
occupation. It is also the burial site of Emperor Haile Selassie. 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)