One of Nairobi’s most popular hotels, the 165-room Fairmont The Norfolk has been a center of city life since its founding in 1904. The Tudor-style hotel with a traditional safari atmosphere sits in private tropical gardens a short distance from the city center; it was renovated in 2004 in honor of its centennial. Hotel amenities include six restaurants (including the renowned Lord Delamere Terrace & Bar); health club with fitness facilities, spa, sauna, and steam room; heated outdoor pool; and business center with Internet access. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Reservations:
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Classic Safari: Kenya & Tanzania
Tour membership limited to 12-18 guests
17 days from $6,842 total price from New York
($6,195 air, land & safari inclusive plus $647 airline taxes
and departure fees)
"On safari" ... it’s one of the most alluring phrases in all of travel. And Kenya and Tanzania count among the most alluring places to be “on safari.” As our small group travels from grasslands to highlands, to reserves and national parks, we enjoy intimate game drives, see stupendous landscapes, stay in excellent accommodations, and meet gracious local people.
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Nairobi, Kenya
Day 2: Arrive Nairobi After arriving in Nairobi, we transfer to our hotel. As arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities or meals planned.
Day 3: Nairobi We see highlights of Kenya’s cosmopolitan capital city today, including the Giraffe Center and the house and museum of Danish writer Karen Blixen, who as Isak Dinesen wrote Out of Africa. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner at our hotel. B,D
Day 4: Nairobi/Masai Mara This morning we drive via Narok to Masai Mara, Kenya’s – and Africa’s – premier game reserve rich with animal life and traditional homeland of the native Maasai people. Known especially for its annual wildebeest migration, the Mara comprises 200 square animal-filled miles of vast plains, acacia forests, grass-covered hills, and rivers. B,L,D
Day 5: Masai Mara We spend today “on safari,” venturing out on early morning and late afternoon game drives during prime viewing hours to glimpse some of the lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, wildebeest, elephant, buffalo, hippo, rhino, and other wildlife that call the Mara home. B,L,D
Day 6: Masai Mara On safari. B,L,D
Day 7: Masai Mara/Amboseli After a morning visit to a local school, we fly to Nairobi then drive to Amboseli National Reserve in the shadow of snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Maasai’s “white mountain.” Known for its large elephant population, Amboseli boasts wide dry plains also teeming with herds of wildebeest, zebra, impala and giraffe – as we may see on this afternoon’s game drive. B,L,D
Day 8: Amboseli Early this morning we visit a nearby Maasai village. Later: more game drives and time for relaxing at our lodge in the foothills of Kilimanjaro beneath a copse of feathered acacia trees. B,L,D
Day 9: Amboseli/Ngorongoro Conservation Area Leaving Amboseli this morning, we cross the border into Tanzania at Namanga. This afternoon we reach spectacular Ngorongoro, a UNESCO Conservation Area, International Biosphere Reserve, and site of Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. On the crater’s floor is Africa in microcosm: grassland, swamps, lakes, forests, mountains, and unparalleled wildlife, including the rare black rhino, hippos, wildebeest, zebra, eland, gazelles, and black-maned lions. B,L,D
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater On our morning tour of the 100-square-mile crater we have our only chance to see all of Africa’s “Big Five” – elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, and leopard – in one place. We also may see semi-nomadic Maasai tribespeople grazing their cattle alongside the animals. B,L,D
Day 11: Ngorongoro/Serengeti National Park We’re bound this morning for the Serengeti, the Maasai’s 5,700-square-mile “endless plain” considered Africa’s finest park and one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges. En route we visit 31-mile Olduvai Gorge, where in 1959 anthropologist Mary Leakey discovered the 1.8 million-year-old skull of Australopithecus boisei – and revolutionized the study of human evolution. Reaching our lodge, we embark on an afternoon game drive. B,L,D
Day 12: Serengeti Twice a year, some 1.3 million wildebeest, 200,000 zebra, and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle migrate to new grazing lands between Masai Mara and the Serengeti, sparking one of nature’s most spectacular sights. But the Serengeti’s vast treeless plains teem with animal life year-round, and this is the best place to see lion and cheetah up close. Perhaps we will on today’s two game drives. B,L,D
Day 13: Serengeti/Lake Manyara We travel today by minibus to peaceful Lake Manyara. Bordered by the dramatic Western Escarpment of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is notable for its abundant bird life, diverse vegetation, tree-climbing lions, and hippos. We take an afternoon game drive. B,L,D
Day 14: Lake Manyara On today’s two game drives we’re sure to see hippos, blue monkeys, lions, elephants, giraffes, impalas, zebras, and plenty of birds. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at our lodge. B,L,D
Day 15: Lake Manyara/Nairobi Today we re-enter the urban world as we return to Nairobi. B,L,D
Day 16: Nairobi/Return to U.S. After a morning at leisure, we transfer to the Nairobi airport and board our connecting flight to the U.S. B
Day 17: Arrive U.S. We reach New York this morning and connect with our flights home.
When To Go On Safari
Aside from during the rainy season (Apr-May), you’ll enjoy outstanding game viewing and warm, comfortable temperatures year-round. Some highlights:
• December: Wildebeest migration from Masai Mara to the Serengeti; abundant plains game
• January to March: Dry season; masses of game on the plains. Migration within the Serengeti towards Lake Ndutu. February in Tanzania is the calving season
• June to October: Wildebeest and plains game start arriving in the Mara with plenty of young calves; majority of predators have given birth to cubs/pups in time for the migration - the time of plenty! Wildebeest migration is in full swing by mid to end July, with great chances of seeing some fantastic river crossings and kills
• November: Short rains season, still plenty of game on the Mara plains
Included
- Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi
- 14 nights’ accommodations: 11 nights in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels and lodges; 3 nights in luxury tented camp
- 39 meals: 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 13 dinners
- Extensive game viewing as described, including all park entrance fees
- Mineral water while on safari
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
- Private minibus transportation throughout your trip with guaranteed window seating
- Luggage handling for one bag per person
- Gratuities for driver/guides, dining room servers, and airport and hotel porters
- $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours)
Dates & Prices
2012 Tour Dates & Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Oct 31 Nov 7 |
Sep 5 Sep 19 Sep 26 Oct 3 Oct 17 |
Jul 11 Jul 18 Jul 25 Aug 1 Aug 8 |
|
| New York | $6,842 | $8,042 | $8,542 |
| Balt, Boston, Chi, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Wash, DC |
$7,142 | $8,342 | $8,842 |
| Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleve, Detroit, Minn |
$7,242 | $8,442 | $8,942 |
| Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Ang, Phoenix, Port (OR), San Fran, Seattle |
$7,342 | $8,542 | $9,042 |
Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $647, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
Single travelers please add $1,595 Jul-Oct; $1,295 all other dates. Your $375 deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days prior to departure. All 2012 tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees) are guaranteed.
An overnight stay at the Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel on departure is available for $145 per person (single supplement: $95). Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure cities may require an overnight stay at your expense.
Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: $6,495 per person
Accommodations
-
Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi / Days 2-3, 15 / Deluxe
-
Sarova Mara Game Camp, Masai Mara / Days 4-6 / Superior First Class
Located within Kenya’s richest game reserve, Masai Mara, the Sarova Mara Game Camp features 73 well-outfitted tents for a comfortable bush experience in keeping with the natural surroundings. The camp sits atop a slight elevation flanked by two streams, offering outstanding views of the Mara’s vast plains. Camp amenities include an indoor/outdoor restaurant, bar with fireplace, Internet access, outdoor pool, and massage and spa services. Guests can enjoy such activities as game drives, bird watching, nature walks, traditional Maasai entertainment and cultural lectures, and optional game-viewing balloon rides (at additional cost of $450 per person; cash or credit cards are accepted). Private tent accommodations all have en suite bath with shower, permanent roofs, zip-up fronts, and electricity.
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Amboseli Serena Lodge, Amboseli / Days 7-8 / Superior First Class
Set against the backdrop of stunning Mt. Kilimanjaro in the midst of Amboseli’s rolling grasslands and savanas, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge offers a classic safari experience. The lodge, built with eco-friendly materials, blends in the natural environment and reflects traditional Maasai motifs, colors, and textures. Amenities and activities include dining area, outdoor pool (fed by the waters of ice melt from Kilimajaro), natural timber game viewing decks, watering holes for the animals, jogging trails, nature walks, bird watching, cultural talks, massage and spa services, library, gift shop, Internet access, and laundry service. Guest rooms, outfitted in traditional Maasai style featuring beadwork, gourds, and hand-painted murals, have private bath with shower, hair dryer, in-room safe, ceiling fan, mosquito nets, and offer uninterrupted views over the ever-changing vistas of the game-filled plains.
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Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro / Days 9-10 / Superior First Class
Perched on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater itself, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge offers endless and unparalleled views from its clustered boulder-built buildings. Ethnic Maasi handcrafts – bright-beaded robes, intricate carvings, iron spears – decorate the lodge, and sensitivity to the environment marks all aspects of development here. The lodge offers a dining room and bar; traditional music, culture, and dance; guided walks; massage and beauty treatments; Internet access; laundry service; and a gift shop and boutique. Guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, private balcony, and phone.
-
Serengeti Serena Lodge, Serengeti / Days 11-12 / Superior First Class
Set high on the saddle of a tree-clad ridge with panoramic views over the vast Serengeti, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge fuses traditional African architecture with contemporary amenities. Circular “rondavel” dwellings with thatched roofs and the winding paths of a traditional Maasai village mark the lodge that sits amidst groves of indigenous trees surrounded by streams and ponds. Amenities include an outdoor pool; two-tiered dining room dominated by a central barbecue area; traditional music and dance; massage and spa treatments; laundry service; Internet access; and safari boutique and gift shop. Guest rooms, in individual rondavel huts, feature private bath with hairdryer, in-room safe, wildwood balconies, intricately carved furniture, and phone.
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Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, Lake Manyara / Days 13-14 / Superior First Class
Sitting high above the waters of Lake Manyara, this 54-room lodge reflects the stellar birdlife that abounds here, with an architectural motif of swooping avian curves and the traditional concentric patterns of traditional Maasai boma (encampments). Lodge facilities and amenities include an outdoor pool, massage and beauty services, gift shop, library with books on Africa, Internet access, board games, safe deposit boxes, and laundry facilities. Guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, private verandas with lake views, and phone.
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Zanzibar Serena, Zanzibar / Extension / Deluxe
Well-located on the waterfront of ancient Stone Town, the 51-room Zanzibar Serena Inn offers a tranquil haven amidst the bustle of the city, which is just a short walk away. Antique clocks, crystal chandeliers, Persian rugs, and brass-studded doors enhance the hotel’s gracious tropical colonial décor. Hotel facilities include an outdoor pool and sun deck; two restaurants, coffee shop, and bar; boutique; gift shop; Internet access; laundry service; beauty and spa treatments; and nightly entertainment featuring traditional music, dance or cultural performances. Air-conditioned guest rooms, designed in the style of a typical Swahili house, feature arched niches, brass lamps, carved furniture, and louvered doors leading to a private wrought iron balcony. Amenities include private bath with hair dryer, mosquito nets, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
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Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
Extension
Post-Tour Extension
Zanzibar, Tanzania
4 days/3 nights for $1,509 total price
($1,395 air & land inclusive plus $114 airline taxes and departure fees)
Single Supplement: $395
Taste the exotic flavor of this legendary East African island known for its vivid history, stunning beaches, and colorful spice markets.
Your Tour Price Includes
- Air transportation Arusha/Zanzibar; Zanzibar/Nairobi
- 3 nights’ accommodations in Stone Town at Zanzibar Serena (Deluxe)
- 6 meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Included sightseeing: walking tour of Stone Town, UNESCO World Heritage site; visit to several spice and fruit plantations
- Services of an Odysseys Unlimited representative
- Gratuities for dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers
Please note that guests on this extension will leave the tour on Day 15 then return to Nairobi following the extension for a final night at the Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel (Deluxe)
Please see the Accommodations tab for hotel information.
Small Group Tour Highlights
- Masai Mara's unparalleled game viewing
- Amboseli National Reserve
- Serengeti National Park, Africa's best game viewing site
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area, wildlife haven and Maasai homeland
- Olduvai Gorge
- Diverse bird life at Lake Manyara National Park
- Top-rated game lodges
What people are saying about us
“It was the perfect combination of luxury and affordability.”
Sally Mooney
Tucson, AZ
For reservations, click here or call toll-free, 1-888-370-6765
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Eastern Time
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