Wildlife Tours to Kenya & Northern Tanzania KENYA & NORTHERN TANZANIA
Lioness and cub, Samburu 2009 © Papyrus Tours
| Tour Ref. | Days | Dates | Party Size |
Cost |
Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTZ1/11 | 23 | Wednesday 12th January to Thursday 3th February 2011 | 6 plus leader | TBA | TBA |
*Single room supplement.
Tour Destinations :
- Kenya Highlands
- Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha
- Samburu/Buffalo Springs Game Reserve
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area
- Serengeti National Park
- Tarangire National Park
Tour Summary
Kenya & Northern Tanzania
This tour provides perhaps the most comprehensive and diverse East Africa safari experience possible. The contrasts between the temperate forests of Mount Kenya, the arid bush lands of Samburu, the dramatic settings of the Rift Valley lakes, the rolling plains of the Serengeti and the awesome splendour of the Ngorongoro Crater could not be greater. By incorporating Samburu we should see a variety of species typical of northern Kenya that will not be encountered elsewhere, for instance, Grevy’s Zebra and Gerenuk, and numerous birds such as Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl and Golden-breasted Starling.
The annual migration of wildebeest and zebra from the Masai Mara to the southern Serengeti is one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Out tour is timed to coincide with the arrival of the herds on the southern short grass plains, where they give birth to their calves. The number of animals is awe-inspiring and with each successive day further columns arrive. Of course, where there is prey, predators are very evident – Lion, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena are all regularly seen and sightings of Leopard are good as well.
Yellow-billed Stork and Nile Crocodile, Samburu 2009 © Papyrus Tours
Equally famous is the Ngorongoro Crater – an enormous natural amphitheatre where each day a complete cast of characters act out the struggle for life: in short, this is East Africa in microcosm. Black Rhino are often seen and huge bull Elephants – impressive ‘tuskers’ over 40 years old – also roam the Crater floor. However, the mammals content in all the other parks is very high, and of course in East Africa wherever there are mammals there are also large numbers of birds. The various parks also offer a large range of habitats from rolling grasslands to bush lands, temperate forests, evergreen forests and lakes which maximises the diversity of species we might see. Where possible, we have also chosen to stay in smaller, more secluded venues like Ndutu Safari Lodge and Tarangire Safari Lodge, which pride themselves on personal service, privacy and a sense of privilege.
Elephant, Tarangire 2008 © Papyrus Tours
Itinerary
Day 1 : Overnight flight from London to Nairobi
We will depart London in the evening on our overnight flight to Nairobi.
Days 2 and 3 : Lake Naivasha
Following our overnight flight from London, we will transfer to the shores of Lake Naivasha for a relaxing stay in this restful environment. The freshawater lake offers a wealth of bird life which we will have the opportunity to enjoy both within the grounds of our lodge and when we take a boat trip on the lake close to the shore.
Days 4 and 5 : Lake Nakuru
After breakfast we make the short transfer to Lake Nakuru National Park, the last part of our journey involving a game drive as we approach our lodge. After lunch, we will take a game drive around the northern sector of the park. On day 4 we will spend our time circumnavigating the alkaline Lake Nakuru when we will explore the extensive acacia woodland and lake shore taking in the vast gathering of flamingos and other water and shore birds as well as many mammal species. These include Rothschild's Giraffe and Bohor Reedbuck in addition to the Park's White and Black Rhino population.
Defassa Waterbuck, Nakuru 2008 © Papyrus Tours
Days 6, 7 and 8 : Samburu/Buffalo Springs Game Reserve
After breakfast on Day 6, we transfer via Thomson’s Falls to the Samburu/Buffalo Springs Game Reserve, our base for the next three nights. The reserve will be explored by morning and afternoon game drives, whilst the heat of the day can be used to explore the wide variety of animal and bird life in the Lodge grounds. By varying the timing and length of game drives, it will be possible to explore the best parts of the Reserve in some detail.
Above all, this four night stay will allow you to savour one of Africa's most appealing habitats – dry bush lands with seasonal rivers. The pattern of wildlife behaviour is controlled by the endless search for water and, where it is found, wildlife is present in great abundance. Herds of Elephant, Buffalo and species of antelope will compete for prime position for water, alert to the predators which may be present. Lion, Cheetah and Leopard can all be seen here. Birds are prolific - almost anywhere we will encounter several species of shrikes, bee-eaters, babblers, barbets, hornbills, weavers, larks, doves, waxbills, sunbirds, warblers and many others, not least birds of prey, including the majestic Martial Eagle.
Rosy-patched Bush-shrike, Samburu 2008 © Papyrus Tours
Day 9 : Mountain Lodge, Mount Kenya
After breakfast, we will take a leisurely drive to Mountain Lodge, retracing our steps to Isiolo and passing through the Kenya Highlands, skirting the west side of Mount Kenya. The agriculture of the region provides much of interest en route, coffee and pineapple plantations contrasting with local style agriculture.
We climb to over 2,200m (7,200ft) to our lodge set in a clearing in the Mount Kenya Forest. It provides superb opportunities to view a whole range of mammals and birds and to watch their social interactions. Activities will include viewing the waterhole and its constantly changing visitors from the comfort of the lodge. We will also take a guided walk in the forest.
Day 10 : Arusha
We will depart from Mountain Lodge after breakfast, travelling to Namanga on the Tanzanian border, where there will be a change of vehicle and driver. We will then travel on to our lodge on the outskirts of Arusha. Although this is a long journey, there will be frequent breaks for wildlife watching en route.
Day 11 : Lake Manyara
After breakfast, we will depart for our next destination, a lodge on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment. Following lunch at the lodge, we will enjoy an afternoon game drive in Lake Manyara National Park where a combination of ground water, tropical hardwood forest and the river and lake shore are bound to provide some exciting wildlife watching.
Days 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 : Serengeti National Park
After breakfast we will drive across the Ngorongoro Highlands then down on to the Serengeti Plains. We stay in the heart of the best game viewing areas for six nights.
Bordered by Kenya’s Masai Mara to the north and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the south, and covering 14,500 sq km (5,600 sq miles), the Serengeti National Park supports the greatest concentrations of grazing animals in the world. The park holds a wide variety of habitats from bush land to grasslands interspersed with rocky outcrops to seemingly endless open plains.
At this time of year on the short grass plains to the south and west, we hope to see the arrival of herds of Wildebeest, Zebra and other plains game. The exact movements of these herds are difficult to predict, as they tend to follow rains that vary from year to year. However, during our time we should locate a good number of these herds moving through.
Masai Giraffe, Serengeti 2008 © Papyrus Tours
This is also an excellent area to look for Cheetah, which tend to be found in the more open areas and are often seen sitting on top of termite hills. In the bush land, prides of Lions may also be encountered, sometimes waiting in ambush around small lakes and marshy areas. This area also supports healthy populations of Bat-eared Fox, Serval and the elusive Caracal.
Days 18 and 19 : Ngorongoro Crater
On Day 18 we will re-cross the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where there will be much to see en route. We will call at Olduvai Gorge, famous for the prehistoric remains of early man found by the Leakey family, before arriving at our accommodation on the Crater rim in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive in the Crater. On Day 19 we will take a morning game drive in the Crater, where we will undoubtedly experience some unforgettable game viewing.
Great White Pelican, Ngorongoro Crater 2008 © Papyrus Tours
Days 20 and 21 : Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we will depart for Tarangire National Park arriving for lunch. In the afternoon and on Day 21, we will explore a small part of this magnificent 1,600 sq km (620 sq miles) national park. Its principal features are grasslands and floodplains which comprise acacia parkland and woodland, and drainage line woodland along the tributaries of the Tarangire River, characterised by Kigelia, Tamarind and Doum Palm. There is a definite wilderness atmosphere about this Park, which will provide a fitting end to the tour.
Days 22 and 23 : Tarangire to Nairobi, Return flight to London
We will transfer from Tarangire via Arusha to Nairobi where there will be some time at leisure and to freshen up prior to our evening departure for London. We will arrive in London in the early morning of Day 23.