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Experience the quintessential African safari
12 days • Air & land
9 days • Nairobi/Nairobi
17 days • Air & land
14 days • Nairobi/Nairobi
- Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Nairobi when Brendan issues the
tickets
- Services of a professional safari guide
- Hotels and lodges as listed or equivalent. Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower (no
private facilities at Aberdares tree hotel); hotel taxes, service charges, and tips for baggage handling
- Full English breakfasts (FB), lunches (L) and dinners (D) as detailed in the itinerary,
including farewell dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant
- Carefully maintained safari minibus not older than 24 months; maximum 6 tour members per
vehicle; guaranteed window seat; pop-up roof hatch for photographers; experienced driver/game spotter
- Flight Masai Mara-Nairobi (tours QX & QXE) and Arusha-Nairobi (tour QXE) including
airport transfer
- Sightseeing program and game drives as described in the itinerary, including Karen Blixen’s
Museum, Utamaduni, game watching in the various parks and reserves as described in the program, Lake Naivasha
boat cruise
- Flying Doctor’s insurance coverage
- Brendan flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Day 1, Thu. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day 2, Fri. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND / DEPARTURE FOR NAIROBI, KENYA.
For tour members with air tickets issued by Brendan: Day rooms have been provided near the
airport if your connecting flight does not depart until evening; if your connecting flight departs for Nairobi in
the late morning or early afternoon, your Nairobi hotel room will be available upon arrival.
Day 3, Sat. ARRIVAL IN NAIROBI.
Welcome to Africa! Settle into your hotel, enjoy breakfast, then maybe shop for a safari
outfit. An afternoon drive takes you through Kenya’s modern capital. Visit Karen Blixen’s farm at the foot of
the Ngong Hills, the museum dedicated to the author of Out of Africa; feed the gentle Rothschild’s giraffes at
Giraffe Center; finally admire authentic African art and crafts at Utamaduni. Tonight a briefing about your safari
and a welcome dinner at your hotel. (FB,D)
Day 4, Sun. NAIROBI / ABERDARES.
Head north into the fertile area where the Kikuyu tribe grow corn, bananas, pineapples,
coffee, and tea. After lunch at the Aberdares Country Club, pack an overnight bag. Your game-watching career starts
in the Aberdares National Park at a tree hotel overlooking a flood-lit water hole and salt lick. (FB,L,D)
Day 5, Mon. ABERDARES / MT. KENYA / SAMBURU.
Cross the equator on the way to Mount Kenya, a dormant volcano with a glistening cap of ice
and snow. Lunch is at the renowned Mount Kenya Safari Club. This afternoon, proceed to the grassland area which
forms the bridge between Kenya’s lush south and parched north. Watch out for herds of impalas, Grant’s
gazelles, and African buffalo as you enter Samburu National Reserve. (FB,L,D)
Day 6, Tue. SAMBURU.
Enjoy a full day of game drives. Today you stay close to the Ewaso Nyiro River where vast
herds of plains game come to water, braving lions in the grass, leopards in the trees, and giant crocodiles. (FB,L,D)
Day 7, Wed. SAMBURU / LAKE NAKURU.
Visit the Nyahururu Falls, and then make your way down the eastern escarpment of the Rift
Valley. After lunch, drive through Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its pink flamingoes. Drive to the edge of
the lake to view thousands of birds feeding in the alkaline water. (FB,L,D)
Day 8, Thu. LAKE NAKURU / LAKE NAIVASHA / MASAI MARA.
Lake Naivasha is the highest and purest of the Rift Valley lakes. A boat cruise here takes
you to the breeding grounds of pelicans, fish eagles, and cormorants. Spot hippos lurking in the water and zebras
and antelopes grazing on Crescent Island. This afternoon, cross the Rift Valley and ascend its western rim.
You’re in Masai country, where red-clad, spear-wielding Masai warriors tend their herds among the wild animals of
the Loita Plains. (FB,L,D)
Day 9, Fri. MASAI MARA.
Full day of game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya’s best and most scenic
game park. The Masai Mara has a thriving, permanent population of plains game, augmented in the dry season by the
migration of 2 million gnus and zebras. Of the “big five,” elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard are quite
common. (FB,L,D)
Day 10, Sat. MASAI MARA / NAIROBI.
Another early morning game drive before your flight back to Nairobi. Afternoon at leisure.
Tonight, a farewell dinner at the most famous of African restaurants, the Carnivore. (FB,D)
Day 11, Sun. DEPART NAIROBI.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to visit the renowned National Museum or
take a dip in the hotel’s swimming pool. If your flight leaves late, your room will be available until 6 p.m.
(FB)
Day 12, Mon. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES TODAY.
On safari, the baggage allowance is 20-30 lbs. per person. You
may carry one soft-sided suitcase and one Brendan travel bag per person. Excess luggage is stored in Nairobi.
Your travel agent will have the latest visa, passport, and health requirements for Kenya and Tanzania. As of
January 1, 2003, a visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting Kenya and Tanzania. Non-U.S. citizens should check with
their respective consulate. It is prudent to consult your physician regarding anti-malaria pills.
As some East African roads and game park trails can be very rough, we do not recommend this tour to people with
back problems.
For a good performance, it is customary to reward your safari guide and your driver/game spotter with a gratuity of
about US$4 to US$5 each per day per tour member. All arrangements in Kenya are under the management of Pollman’s
Tours and Safaris.
Tour QXE • 17 Days
Days 1-9, Thu.-Fri. Like tour
QX.
Day 10, Sat. MASAI MARA / AMBOSELI.
Another early morning game drive. On your flight back to Nairobi, fly over the great Rift
Valley. After a brief break, drive over the Athi Plains, enjoy a picnic lunch and enter Amboseli National Park, at
the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (FB,L,D)
Day 11, Sun. AMBOSELI / LAKE MANYARA, TANZANIA.
Your best chance to spot a black rhino is on this morning’s game drive. Motor south to the
border town of Namaga and meet your Tanzanian driver/guide. Lunchtime break at Mountain Village Lodge in Arusha.
Arrive at your hotel in Lake Manyara National Park. (FB,L,D)
Day 12, Mon. LAKE MANYARA / NGORONGORO.
Spend a full morning on a game drive. See the Simba River, populated by hippos and bird life.
Lunch at the hotel before ascending towards the 7,500-ft high Ngorongoro Crater. (FB,L,D)
Day 13, Tue. NGORONGORO CRATER.
The Ngorongoro conservation area is certainly the most famous game park in the world. The
caldera, 2,000 feet below the rim and covering 102 sq.miles, hosts a variety of wildlife. Descend to the crater
floor in 4-wheel drive Land Rovers. (FB,L,D)
Day 14, Wed. NGORONGORO / TARANGIRE.
After an early breakfast, motor to Tarangire National Park in time for lunch at your lodge.
In the afternoon, start your final game drive in the area of river flood plains. Spot the strange “upside-down”
baobab trees, stately eland antelopes, and huge tuskers as your guide picks an interesting route out of the park.
Return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight. (FB,L,D)
Day 15, Thu. TARANGIRE / NAIROBI, KENYA.
Scenic drive back to Arusha. After your included lunch, fly back to Nairobi. Tonight, enjoy
dinner at the most famous of African restaurants, the Carnivore. (FB,L,D)
Day 16, Fri. DEPART NAIROBI.
If your flight leaves late, your room will be available until 6 p.m. (FB)
Day 17, Sat. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES TODAY.
NAIROBI - Hilton (D)
ABERDARES - The Ark (ST)
SAMBURU - Samburu Serena Lodge (F)
LAKE NAKURU - Sarova Lion Hill (F)
MASAI MARA - Mara Sopa Lodge (F)
Tour QXE:
AMBOSELI - Serena Lodge (F)
LAKE MANYARA - Serena Lodge (F)
NGORONGORO - Sopa Lodge (F)
TARANGIRE - Sopa Lodge (F)
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