East African Explorer

• Day 1:

  Nairobi Upon arrival into Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to the Ole Sereni Hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Ole Sereni Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis Ole Sereni Hotel Deluxe Rooms Ole Sereni hotel is amongst the leading hotels in Nairobi for business and leisure travellers and for events, conferencing and weddings. With the stunning greens and golds of Nairobi National Park’s landscape punctuated by giraffe, zebra, antelope and buffalo lounging near our waterhole, the views alone make Ole Sereni one-of-a-kind. Add to that the convenience of our location, between Nairobi’s international and regional airports, and our world-class restaurants, conferencing facilities and spa, and you get a hotel that perfectly complements the experience of East Africa, whether you’re enjoying the area’s natural beauty or vibrant business environment. Ole Sereni’s Deluxe Rooms boast a beautiful design, with an African feel complemented by stunning dark wood accents and all the modern amenities you’d expect from a world-class hotel. Offering a serene base for your explorations of Nairobi.

• Day 2:

  Nairobi - Masai Mara National 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 the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge on a full board basis Mara Sopa Lodge The lodge is set in the Oloolaimutia Valley and built into the surrounding hillside landscape. The accent around the lodge is on the indigenous Masai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife and natural flora seen in every direction. The lodge is luxuriously appointed with all the mod cons one would expect from a Sopa styled lodge in the bush. The bedrooms are spacious, the large pool has wonderful views and there’s evening wildlife films and CNN to enjoy during the down-time. All this ensures that your stay will be blissfully comfortable.

• Day 3:

  Masai Mara National Reserve After an early breakfast, clients will depart on a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. After a siesta set off for an afternoon game drive and visit to the Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement) Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

• Day 4:

  Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast, travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now 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 Mai -Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. Once in the park, view game en route to the lodge. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingos. It is also home to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe. Overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge on a full board basis. Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge Located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the newest member of the Sopa family, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa. Overlooking Lake Nakuru and its surrounding National Park, it is a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife lovers alike. Only a two leisurely hours' drive from Nairobi, through beautiful forested uplands and passing a series of lake, on the outskirts of the bustling market town of Nakuru, lies a truly remarkable national park which has achieved international fame. Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park - and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is over 50 and continuing to multiply. The Rothschild’s giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion.

• Day 5:

  Lake Nakuru - Amboseli National Park After an early breakfast continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride. Later, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch dependent on road conditions). Later head south towards Amboseli arriving at your lodge by late afternoon. Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge on a full board basis Amboseli Sopa Lodge Set on 200 acres of private land on the foothills of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge is perfectly poised to provide a luxurious base from which to explore the park and get some great pictures of this incredible mountain. The lodge is also close to where Ernest Hemingway lived whilst writing his famous novel, The Snows of Kilimanjaro. Each of the 47 rooms has their own private veranda on which to relax, sunbathe and take in the views. All rooms are en suite, with walk-in shower, lavatory, wash basin and shaving socket – they’re all modern, spacious and comfortable. Meals are a cosmopolitan combination of European, African and Asian dishes, all made with fresh produce and served from a colourful buffet. There are also several bars, a great pool, TV lounge and many other small niceties that make this a superb location.

• Day 6:

  Amboseli National Park Depart the lodge after a sumptuous breakfast for a full day game drive, enjoy a picnic lunch at a picnic site returning to the lodge at 1600hrs. Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

• Day 7:

  Amboseli – Lake Manyara After breakfast, you continue the journey to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. After lunch, drive across the Masai Steppe to the Great Rift Valley. Here, your hotel is perched high on the rim overlooking the park below. Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge OR Lake Manyara Kilimamoja Lodge on a full board basis

• Day 8:

  Lake Manyara - Serengeti After breakfast enter your safari vehicle and spend the morning exploring and driving through Lake Manyara National Park. About midday return to the lodge for lunch and then depart for Serengeti National Park with some game viewing en route arriving at your lodge as the sun begins to set. Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis Serengeti Sopa Lodge The Serengeti Sopa lodge is located in the Nyarboro Hills in the south west of the Serengeti National Park and is the only tourism development in this section of the park. Year round water and the acacia woodland in this area create an ideal environment for the wide variety of wildlife seen in the immediate vicinity of the lodge. Looking out over the seemingly endless Serengeti plains, this hill side lodge is a tranquil oasis set in thousands of square kilometres of Serengeti National Park. The lodge can accommodate around 170 guests in 79 suites, each enjoying wall-to-wall carpeting, a private lounge with a mini bar, a bedroom with two queen size beds and ample room for a third guest. Each has a private veranda which offers stunning views over the plains. As the sun sets, you may enjoy sundowner cocktails by the pool, and in the evening, after a 4-course dinner, traditional dancers entertain guests. Slide presentations are also held daily by resident naturalists.

• Day 9:

  Serengeti National Park Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park exploring this famous park and all that it has to offer. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari at a supplement) Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

• Day 10:

  Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, after a picnic lunch you continue towards the crater with a short visit of a Masai Village. Late afternoon continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater for dinner and overnight Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge The lodge is located on Lemala Hill on the uppermost eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, making this the only tourist development on the eastern rim of the crater. The views into the crater floor from here are spectacular and sunsets magnificent. Another major advantage here is that guests can enjoy a safari begins within five minutes of leaving the lodge, as the park gate is very close. The lodge is tastefully decorated, spacious and all the bedrooms are modern, comfortable and equipped with everything one would expect from a hotel of this class. With an altitude of 2,375 metres, the lodge experiences cool and even cold weather, especially during the winter months of June and July when temperatures can get as low as 10' C. However, guests enjoy sunshine during most of the year and must take care when sunbathing by the pool due to the altitude. The food and service here is stylish with meals being a massif collection of delicious international and Tanzanian dishes.

• Day 11:

  Ngorongoro Crater A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater 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 and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis

• Day 12:

  Ngorongoro Crater - Tarangire National Park Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east en route to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu village and Tarangire beyond. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge. After lunch and perhaps a swim, the remainder of the afternoon will be spent on a game drive. Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on full board basis Tarangire Sopa Lodge Tarangire is recognised as one of the best parks on the northern circuit for elephant viewing during the dry season and Tarangire Sopa is ideally placed to experience this. The lodge welcomes guests to its vast marble-floored reception area with cold flannels and iced juice. In the pretty gardens a large circular pool with a central island, a pool bar and elegant wooden loungers demonstrates the lodge's commitment to comfort. Delicious barbecue lunches are often served here. A broad veranda wraps itself around the lodge and gives prime viewing for the waterhole below, which is filled during the dry season and becomes a magnet to wildlife. The rooms at the lodge are simple, comfortable and spacious and arranged in groups of four, in African-style buildings. Large sliding doors open to a private balcony.

• Day 13:

  Tarangire National Park - Nairobi Depart Tarangire after breakfast and drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch you continue the journey by road to Nairobi arriving in Nairobi late afternoon and proceed for dinner in Nairobi city centre before drop off at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Nairobi city centre hotel. END OF OUR SERVICES Minimum 2 passengers to operate. Maximum 7 passengers in each vehicle. Price for sole participant supplements will apply as per information below. We can only accept a single traveller when at least 2 other travellers are confirmed.

 

	16 Dec 20 – 31 Dec 20	01 Jan 21 – 28 Feb 21	01 Mar 21 – 31 Mar 21	01 Apr 21 – 20 May 21
Per person sharing	5659.00	5,559.00	5,299.00	4,599.00

 

	21 May 21 – 22 Jun 21	23 Jun 21 – 31 Oct 21	01 Nov 21 – 15 Dec 21
Per person sharing	5,299.00	5,899.00	5,399.00

 

*Travel must end by 15 December 2020

Child/Third Adult Rates*

• Children younger than age 7 are not permitted on our seat in vehicle safaris. We welcome young children on private safaris.
• One child aged 7-11 years sharing with 2 adults pays 55% of safari cost
• Two children aged 7-11 years sharing their own room pay 75% of adult rate
• Children under 12 pay full festive supplements
• Third adult rate, same as per person sharing

**Luggage

Due to limited luggage space in vehicles, suitcases are unsuitable for scheduled road safaris. We recommend luggage packed in inexpensive barrel/sausage bags or soft sided bags not exceeding 15kgs and 65×46 cm.

Should clients have excess luggage that needs to be transported to Arusha, Pollmans is only able to assist clients to get in touch with a courier company. Due to security reasons Pollmans are unable to take responsibility to courier the excess luggage on behalf of clients.  Costs incurred to transport the luggage to Arusha must be paid directly on the ground to the courier company who will be able to give costs only once they look at the dimensions and weight of the luggage. For this reason, clients need to travel with limited luggage on this safari. Additional costs will also be payable directly to Ranger Safaris, who will then have to hand over the luggage to clients once received from the courier company.

Please note this is not possible to arrange for luggage transfer to Zanzibar.

Luggage left in Nairobi will be handed over to clients at the end of their safari on DAY 13 in Nairobi, and a supplement of USD 40.00 NETT will apply to hand over the luggage.

Cost Includes

• Meet and greet services with assistance at the airport or border
• All transport on the safari sector in Kenya and Tanzania will be in 4×4 safari vehicles (with seven window seats) with an English / Bilingual (French, German, Italian or Spanish) speaking driver-guide on shared basis
• All Airport transfers in Kenya and travel between Kenya and Tanzania may be in coach or safari bus
• Maximum of 7 passengers per vehicle
• Meals and accommodation as specified
• All park fees and government taxes
• Filtered water will be provided in our safari vehicles.  Travellers must bring their own reusable water bottle that can be refilled in the vehicle during the safari.

Cost Excludes

• Visas and international flights/regional flights
• Airport taxes (clients pay direct)
• Driver-guide gratuities, drinks, dining rooms tips and porterage
• Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance
• Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature
• Extra transfer requests – applicable as per contract

Additional remarks

• We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
• Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes park fees and government taxes may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.
• The tour is modular and combines with other tours so there may be need for clients to change vehicles on occasion

Passenger Information

• Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris.
• Passengers arriving to East Africa may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
• Travellers’ cheques generally are not accepted in East Africa. US bank notes cannot be older than 2008 and must have the most current security markings (large portrait of the presidents).