KENYA & EGYPT SAFARI

Take Kenya Airways flight KQ…. departing Cairo at ….. hrs.

Overnight on board.

Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – Nairobi on board flight…… at ……hrs, 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 Nairobi Serena Hotel and check in. Rest of the day at leisure.

The Nairobi Serena is a beautiful garden hotel. The hotel’s clean white silhouette rises at the edge of Nairobi’s extensive Central Park. Surrounded by its own tropical garden, the hotel’s rather stark lines are softened by cascades of plants and flowers growing on terrace areas and individual balconies. From the gardens, terraces, swimming pool, and many of the rooms, there is a striking view of modern Nairobi’s distinctive skyline, especially beautiful at night.

The Mandhari is one of Nairobi’s finest a la carte restaurants. The elegance of the food, fine linens and silver is perfectly complemented by the inspired use of Kisii stone from western Kenya. The popular and more informal Café Maghreb is North African in style with arched recesses displaying pieces of brass and copper, and colourful tapestry screens separating tables. The Kisima Bar is decorated to reflect the importance of water themes in Swahili coastal life. ‘Kisima’ means watering hole in Swahili. There are low divans and stools, Swahili implements and murals on the walls.

Overnight at Nairobi Serena Hotel – bed and breakfast.

After breakfast drive from the airport to Serena Sweetwaters Camp for lunch.

Sweetwaters Tented Camp managed by Serena hotels has been expanded with the addition of nine new luxury tents. The camp is located in the expansive Ol Pejeta ranch in Nanyuki, Laikipia district. A new wing in the restaurant has also been added; with the resident lounge and the bar area redone with new furnishing that will allow travelers great ease and elegance to enjoy a truly personal service. A massage and beauty room has also been introduced with direct game view and a stunning scenic backdrop of Mt. Kenya.

Visit the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the information center. Visit the tame Rhino, Morani and do a boat ride if the weather permits.

Depart on a gamedrive in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp – fullboard.

After a sumptuous breakfast at the Thorn Tree Café drive north. Drive past the densely populated central province. Cross the equator at Nanyuki, drive by the western side of Mt. Kenya, then down to Isiolo and further to Samburu Nat. Reserve.

Arrive at Samburu Sopa Lodge for lunch.

Samburu Sopa Lodge has thirty cottages forming buffalo horn pattern converge at the public facilities area, leaving the open end to free movement of the wildlife to access the waterhole.  The architecture blends in with the area, to keep up with the style of the housing by the local Samburu people. Each cottage has two tastefully appointed bedrooms, each with two queen size beds, shower and private verandah. Local material has been used in the construction, furnishings and interior decoration. High ceilings and space ensure that the rooms are airy and comfortable.
Two rooms next to the reception and public areas are designed for the physically challenged.
The bar is located next to the lobby, it has a an uninterrupted view of the surrounding area.
The dining room has a beautiful view and once again the same theme is carried through, including the furniture which is unusually carved, and the chairs have a cow horn shape on the back rest. Local stones and materials are tastefully displayed bringing nature into the lodge.

Depart on an afternoon game drive.

Dinner and overnight Samburu Sopa Lodge – fullboard.

This day is dedicated to game viewing in Samburu National Game Reserve.

The Samburu National Game Reserve extends for an area of 105 square kilometers north of themeandering Ewaso Ngiro or ‘Brown’ river. It is part of a lava plain that includes a varied landscape of red dirt, thorn scrub, broken volcanic rock, dried river beds, steep hills, and rocky outcroppings, some large enough to be called mesas. Following the river curves, a riverine forest of doum palms, acacia, and tamarind is a magical contrast of cool green. It is attractive to the region’s wildlife and visitors alike. There are elephants, hippos, crocodiles and leopards, as well as plains game, other small mammals and birdlife. The region is home to the rare Grevy Zebra with large furry ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with their distinctive blue legs, and the shy oryx beisa.

Lunch and dinner at the club. Overnight at Samburu Sopa Lodge – fullboard.

After breakfast drive to Isiolo which is 40kms away on the rough dirt road. Head back towards Mount Kenya passing by large wheat farms before arriving at Nanyuki town. Continue to Outspan Hotel in Nyeri for lunch.

The rest of the afternoon at the lodge.

Serena Mountain Lodge is located in the indigenous forest 7200 feet up in the foot hills of the Mount Kenya National Reserve. The lodge is a four storey boxlike structure built in 1970. It overlooks a natural waterhole and salt lick surrounded by dense forest. On a clear day, you can see the jagged peaks of Mt. Kenya’s summit through the trees.  Each of the bedrooms faces directly over the waterhole. This is what makes Mountain Lodge appealing. You can view the game in the comfort and privacy of your own room – no need for a midnight dash to a public are in order to see the animals. Each room has a private bathroom and either an open balcony or a large picture window.

Game most frequently seen include: buffalo, elephant, rhino, forest hogs, suni, red duiker, spotted hyena, genet cat, and if you are lucky, a leopard or the big male lion who makes his appearance every now and then. Since the lodge was deliberately located beside a route animals travel between Mt. Kenya and the lowlands, it is not uncommon to see very large herds of animals. At night the waterhole area is lit by floodlights.

Dinner and overnight at Serena Mountain Lodge – fullboard.

Drive along the Aberdares Ranges to Thompson’s falls at Nyahururu for a short break. Continue down the Great Rift Valley to arrive at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge for lunch inside the Lake Nakuru National Park.

Depart on an afternoon game drive.

Created as a bird sanctuary, Lake Nakuru National Park features more than 400 species of birds, many from Europe and East Asia. The park includes a large savanna area to the south. A shallow blue-green alkaline lake famous for its flocks of pink lesser and greater flamingoes. The tilapia grahami fish has been introduced to provide food for the pelicans who also call Lake Nakuru home. The blue-green color is because of the presence of blue-green algae called spirulinga. The level of the lake goes up and down with the amount of rainfall and the color is dependent on the conditions for the growth of algae. There have been up to two million flamingoes on the lake at one time. When disturbed the birds lift gracefully into the air in a solid moving pink carpet.

Nakuru has proven to be an excellent and safe sight for the Rothschild giraffe and black rhino. It is an excellent spot also to photograhp the hippo, reedbuck and defassa waterbuck.

Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge – fullboard.

After an early breakfast drive via Narok to Masai Mara Nat. Reserve to arrive in time for lunch at the Masai Mara Serena Lodge. 

This popular lodge is set high on a ridge within the reserve. It commands magnificent uninterrupted views down across the Mara plains and over two water holes. The Mara Serena’s unique architecture and décor suggest a fantasy Masai manyatta – rounded spaces, earth tones, natural furnishings and tribal touches. A swimming pool has been positioned to take advantage of the wonderful view.

Depart in the afternoon on game hunting.

Dinner and overnight at Mara Serena 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 Serena Lodge – fullboard.

After breakfast, drive back to Nairobi arriving around 13:00hrs.

Transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Int. Airport for your Kenya Airways flight KQ … departing to Cairo, Egypt at …..hrs.

Arrive at Cairo Int. Airport at ….hrs where you will be met by your escort who will assist with immigration, luggage and customs, and then you will be transferred to your hotel, overnight.

The stunning Le Méridien Pyramids resort, nestled between the city and the wilderness, boasts unparalleled views of the majestic, ancient splendor of the Giza Pyramids. A mere glance out your window reveals the secrets of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Le Méridien Pyramids is surrounded by luxuriantly landscaped gardens, providing a respite of greenery amidst golden sands. 

With a peerless choice of restaurants and cuisines, a Royal Club floor, wireless connectivity and magnificent swimming pool and spa amenities, Le Méridien Pyramids is conveniently located only twenty minutes from Cairo’s city centre and the ideal place to explore the ancient mysteries of Egypt.

Overnight at Le Meridien Pyramids Resort (rooms with pyramid view)  – bed, breakfast and lunch.

After breakfast at your hotel you will visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities housing the largest collection of Egyptian monuments in the world 250,000 items.

Also see the jewelry of the famous King Tut Ankh Amun, dates back to 1352 B.C.

In the afternoon visit Giza Pyramids to see one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Giza pyramids built by the IV Dynasty Kings Cheops, Chephren and Mycrinus 2559 B.C.

Experience a 10mins camel ride at the Panorama.

Proceed on tour to see the Valley Temple where they used to mummify the body of the dead King also to see the mysterious Sphinx guarding the cemetery for almost 5000 years.

In the evening visit the sound/lights show.

Back to your hotel for overnight.

Overnight at Le Meridien Pyramids Resort (rooms with pyramid view)  – bed, breakfast and lunch.

Breakfast at hotel and check-out, transfer to airport for a short one hour flight to Luxor.

Meet and greet at Luxor Airport then escort to your Nile cruise which will be your home for the next 4 nights.

In the morning you will Cross the River Nile to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings housing tombs of the Kings of the XVIII Dynasty. Continue on tour to El Dier El Bahari Temple of Queen Hatshipsut one of the strongest women in the Egyptian history that went against the rules and ruled Egypt for more than 18 years.  On your way back to the East Bank stop by the Colossi of Memnon of King Amenophis III, once stood in front of his Temple.

Lunch on board (the boat)

In the afternoon visit the great Temples of Karnak the largest temple man ever made to view the Avenue of the Sphinxes, the many Pylons, the Hypostyle Hall with it’s. 134 gigantic columns and the Sacred Lake.
Continue on tour to visit the Temple of Luxor built by King Amenophis III (The magnificent) one of the greatest Kings of XVIII Dynasty, overnight and dinner on board.

Overnight on the cruise – fullboard (breakfast, lunch & dinner).

Sail to Edfu crossing Esna lock.

Overnight on the cruise – fullboard (breakfast, lunch & dinner).

In the morning you will go by horse carriage to visit the Temple of Horus The Falcon God of protection, that beautiful temple which is considered the only well preserved temple in a perfect condition dates back to the Ptolemaic period.

Board the horse carriage back to your boat and continue sailing to Kom Ombo

In the afternoon arrive at Kom Ombo, walk to the beautiful unique double Temple of Kom Ombo, which was, dedicated to the two Gods Sobek the Crocodile God. And Horus the Falcon God, This is a Greeco Roman Temple, where you will view the oldest Calendar in history, as well as the surgical instruments used in operations in ancient Egypt.

Back to your boat and sail again to Aswan.

Overnight on the cruise – fullboard (breakfast, lunch & dinner).

Morning is free.
 
Afternoon you will have a Felucca (sailing boat) paste Aswan islands; where you can view the. Mausoleum of Agha Khan and Aswan Islands while sailing, rest of day free.

Overnight on the cruise – fullboard (breakfast, lunch & dinner).

Disembarkation and check-out after breakfast then tour to see the High Dam, the Temple of Isis in Philae Island and the granite quarries where you will see the unfinished obelisk.

Transfer to airport to fly back to Cairo.
Arrive at Cairo Int. Airport and transfer to your city hotel.

Free time to do some shopping this afternoon.

Overnight at Le Meridien Pyramids Resort (rooms with pyramid view)  – bed, breakfast and lunch.

Transfer to Cairo Int.Airport for your flight ….. departing for home.