Day 1 – Sarova Panafric Hotel – Nairobi
Day 2 – Amboseli Sopa Lodge – Amboseli Nat. Park
Day 3 – Amboseli Sopa Lodge – Amboseli Nat. Park
Day 4 – Naivasha Sopa Lodge – Naivasha
Day 5 – Mara Sopa Lodge – Masai Mara Nat. Reserve.
Day 6 – Mara Sopa Lodge – Masai Mara Nat. Reserve.
Day 7 – Mombasa and departure.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Kenya money is called Kenya Shillings, abbreviated as Kshs. 100 cents makes 1 shilling. 1 US$ is equivalent to about Kshs. 70/= but this may change from more to less from bank to bank and lodge to lodge depending on the percentage of the commission taken.
Most banks in Kenya open between 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs. There are however bureau de change in every urban center and the open as earlier as 08:00hrs and close at 17:00hrs. Hotels and lodges change currencies as well.
Most lodges and hotels included shops accept the use of Visa/Master cards.
On the whole safari, it is recommended that you use only mineral water for drinking. Tap water may be used for shower and brushing of teeth, but we do not recommend that you drink it. The hotels and lodges have enough mineral water and you may also purchase this en-route when you make short breaks between the destinations.
July is the cold in Nairobi with little or no rains at all. South Eastern Kenya and Northern Tanzania would have cool evenings and a spell of sun during the day. Temperatures would range from 20 to 24 degrees Celsius during the night and as high as 27 degrees Celsius during the day. You will require warm clothing during the evenings i.e. jackets, long sleeved blouses and shirts, trousers etc. For the day, you may need casual clothing as t-shirts and shorts.
Generally, photography is allowed in Kenya and Tanzania. The animals get a monthly wage for posing for the photos, so you are encouraged to take a much as you wish. Do not take photos of strangers, police officers, military personnel, presidential motorcade, masai herdsmen and women or any other traditionally dresses persons. You may seek permission first before taking shots of strangers and masai people. Your driver will be at your service for any assistance that you may need.
All regions in Kenya and Tanzania are supplied with 240 volts. Almost all sockets you will find on safari are those that take in the rectangular prongs plug. You may however need to carry an adaptor just in case the two bottom holes are too wide apart for the charger prongs to go in. Most lodges and hotels will provide you with an adaptor if you do not have one. It will be very rare to find sockets with rounded prongs.
As a sign of appreciation, you may offer some tips to those who offer services at the hotels on the entire safari. However, tipping remains entirely on you. Should you feel like tipping for services rendered, we recommend that porters and waiters be given at least US$ 1.- For the driver-guide, we recommend a tip of between US$ 5.- to US$ 7.- per person per day.
Travel Connections Ltd wishes you an unforgettable African safari.
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – Nairobi on board flight KQ 513 at 05:35hrs, go through the passport control then down to the luggage collection hall. Collect your luggage from the conveyor belt and walk out to the arrival concourse. Someone shall be waiting for you holding a folder written ‘TRAVEL CONNECTIONS’.
Drive from the airport to Sarova Panafric Hotel and check in. Rest of the day at leisure.
Sarova Panafric is imposingly set in a quiet residential suburb, overlooking Kenyatta Avenue, thus commanding a panoramic view of Nairobi ‘s skyline. This 152-roomed hotel has in additional 45 fully serviced apartments and four themed suites. The finest restaurant in town, Flame Tree has its home at the Sarova Panafric. The other restaurant is Pool Garden where conference clients have their lunch plus succulent barbeque. The swimming pool is open to both resident and non resident guests.
Overnight at Sarova Panafric Hotel – bed and breakfast.
After breakfast, drive to Amboseli Nat. Park.
Lunch at Amboseli Sopa Lodge.
Nestled in 190 acres of wooded Masai land, the lodge sits on the foot hills of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. Mature wooded gardens with a variety of trees and plants, from thorn trees and acacias, to fragrant frangipanis, colourful bougainvillea and giant cactus plants thrive in these surroundings.
Different species of birds build their nests while monkeys with babies clinging under their bellies and squirrels dart through the gardens.
Do afternoon game drive.
Dinner and overight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge – halfboard.
This day is solely reserved for game viewing in the park.
Besides being a renowned refuge for wildlife, especially elephants, Amboseli National Park also has perfect views of Mount Kilimanjaro. At 5895 meters, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain, its perfect caldera crowned with one fifth of all the ice in Africa. Although it often seems suspended between low-lying clouds and the deep blue sky, it is actually the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Thanks to movie makers and visitors from around the world, the picture of this magnificent mountain with animals grazing under thorn trees below has become well-known symbol for Africa. The park includes grassy savanna, the seasonal Lake Amboseli, three primordial green swamps and various viewpoints.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge – fullboard.
After breakfast drive to Naivasha Sopa Lodge to arrive in time for lunch.
Naivasha is a Masai name given to the area where the resort is located, denoting the characteristics of the lake including size and its tendency to roughness when windy.
The history of the area has always been important as it formed the main route of the slave trade from Uganda and the highlands of Kenya, including in 1884, the Scottish explorer Joseph Thompson’s epic journey through Masai land – where he writes in his journals of his time in Naivasha.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Naivasha Sopa Lodge – halfboard.
Drive to Narok then to Masai Mara Nat. Reserve to arrive in time for lunch at the Mara Sopa Lodge. Do afternoon game drive.
Mara Sopa Lodge is located on the slopes of Oloongams Hills, it is one of the first lodges to be built in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Guests are drawn to this lodge built in an ethnic design, surrounded by a rich landscape, covered in fauna, from huge desert cacti to sweet smelling jasmine flowers, all within the fabled Masai Mara game reserve. It has 50 traditional round buildings with thatched roofs, each with 2 rooms. The rooms with parquet floors and wooden paneled ceilings have 2 double beds with a mosquito net around them, ornamental fire place, en-suite bathroom with a shower, chairs and a coffee table and dressing table. Each has a verandah with two safari chairs.
Dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge – fullboard.
This day is solely reserved for game viewing in the vast Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Masai Mara is the most popular game reserve in Kenya. It is an extension of the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania, and offers the best game viewing in Kenya. On these wide open rolling grasslands you can often see an incredible variety of different animals at one time. Perhaps a cheetah mother sits on a termite mound with her punky-looking cubs, while beyond, gazelle, antelope and zebra placidly graze. Giraffe might peer curiously through the trees, while elephants pass on silent feet and vultures circle above. Every year millions of wildebeests migrate north from the Serengeti to the green grass of the Mara. This exciting spectacle usually occurs sometime between July and August.
Even when animals are not highlighting the scene, the views by themselves are worth the trip. Visits to a Masai manyatta can be arranged between you and the driver. Another popular ‘excursion’ is a romantic hot air balloon trip where you view animals from above and then touch down for an extravagant breakfast in the bush.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge – fullboard.
After breakfast drive back to Nairobi to arrive around 13:00hrs.
Departure as per your flight details.
