Join us for our third annual President’s Group Adventure, this time to East Africa. Our President’s Group Adventures are accompanied by Big Blue Sky Adventure’s president, Stuart Nicholson, and specially tailored to his exacting specifications, yet still reasonably priced.

Alternatively you may want to use this as a design for your own trip to Africa. We can customize this itinerary or any other in Africa (or the world for that matter) as you wish. Please contact us for more information.

      

East Africa Safari

13SEP DEPART HOME (Inflight meals)

Overnight onboard the aircraft.

14SEP ARRIVE IN NAIROBI (Inflight meals)

Jambo and welcome to Kenya! On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta airport this evening, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The balance of your evening is at leisure.

Nairobi, Kenya’s capital is a well–planned modern city of over one million inhabitants. It is justly described as a garden city as its broad avenues are lined with flowering plants and shrubs. Situated at an altitude of 5,500 feet, it enjoys hot sunny days and cool evenings.

15SEP NAIROBI TO THE ABEDARES (BLD)

After breakfast and our safari briefing, we depart Nairobi for the Abedares. The Central Highlands are the heartland of the Kikuyu people. It is a very fertile region, well-watered, intensively cultivated, and thickly forested. The land was coveted by the Europeans who began arriving in ever-increasing numbers once the railway through the area was completed. The settlers established coffee and tea plantations on the eastern slopes and cultivated wheat on the western slopes. The higher regions of the slopes are left to the leopard, buffalo, lion and elephant. Tonight we overnight at a "Tree-Style" lodge, uniquely designed and situated to provide one with an often extremely close-up view of a wide variety of wild animals as they come to drink and cavort.

About your lodge: At the height of 7,200 ft., on the slopes of Mount Kenya, is our lodge. The lodge is ringed by a dense forest which comes alive at dusk with the myriad sounds of animals. It is the closest "tree lodge" to Nairobi and can be reached by a good road passing through coffee, sisal and pineapple plantations. Each of the Lodge's rooms has private showers and toilets. Once in the snug surroundings of the lodge, with its spacious public verandahs or from one of the bedroom balconies, the visitor looks beyond the branches of the tall trees to witness the endless parade of game animals. A specially constructed viewing bunker, connected to the lodge by a short tunnel, affords a spectacular close-up view of the game at the waterhole. Constantly towering over the scene, at their clearest in the early morning or late afternoon, are the rocky peaks of Mount Kenya, with half a dozen glaciers.

16SEP THE RIFT VALLEY TO LAKE NAKURU (BLD)

We travel through the spectacular Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park. Enjoy lunch at the lodge before departing down to the lakeshores for our afternoon game drive.

Lake Nakuru National Park should not be regarded only as a flamingo sanctuary – particularly as these birds migrate from Nakuru to other Rift Valley lakes. It is an outstanding place for watching a variety of birds including other brackish water species and birds of prey. Herds of waterbuck, gazelle, impala and reedbuck graze in the pretty, surrounding acacia woods and grasslands of the Lake Nakuru National Park, the environs of which are constantly being extended with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund. Lake Nakuru is now the home of numerous leopard and rhino, which have been placed in the park for safety – the park has recently been designated a rhino sanctuary.

About your lodge: Set on a plateau in the Rift Valley, overlooking one of the world’s greatest ornithological spectacles, Lake Nakuru, stands our lodge. Chalet type bedrooms face the lake, all offering porticos and private bathrooms. Beautifully landscaped with natural foliage and a startling variety of flowers, the Lodge offers comfortable accommodation complemented by delicious cuisine. The panoramic view from the lodge reveals a shimmering pink glow across the lake, created by millions of flamingo, pelicans and Marabou storks. The park is also the sanctuary for the rare black rhino, leopard, waterbuck and many species of bird. Amenities include restaurant, bar, swimming pool, sauna and curio shop.

17SEP TRAVEL TO THE MASAI MARA (BLD)

We continue via the town of Narok and head into the famous Masai Mara. Time for lunch before heading off on our afternoon game drive.

About your tented camp: To capture the true spirit of East Africa, there is nothing quite like the experience of adventure in Kenya’s Masai Mara; the richest game sanctuary in Kenya. Situated on a natural elevation between two streams, our camp is the ideal base for safaris to the “Lion and Elephant” country which is also populated by cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, giraffes and buffalo. The area is world renowned for its annual wildebeest migration from the Serengeti in Tanzania. Optional early morning hot air balloon safaris with champagne breakfast on landing offer unrivalled views of the game from the skies. The Camp is set amidst wide gardens with manicured lawns and exotic flowers. Facilities include a restaurant serving cuisine of the highest international standards, bar, a well stocked curio shop and a sparkly swimming pool. The viewing deck of the Panorama Bar provides magnificent views of the surroundings as you enjoy a refreshing drink. This special ‘camp’ offers you a chance to see one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth in superb comfort; truly “Out of Africa”.

(Yes, this is a “tent”)          

18SEP GAME DRIVES IN THE MASAI MARA & VISIT MASAI VILLAGE (BLD)

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Mara. The Masai Mara National Reserve offers wonderful scenery and an abundance of big game. With its rolling plains and grasslands it is reminiscent of “Hemingway Country”. There are very large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and various antelope. In addition hippo, giraffe, elephant, cheetah, and leopard are frequently seen. The Mara is renowned for its magnificent black-maned lions with their large prides who spend most of the day sleeping in the shade of the Acacia trees. The Mara is also the scene of the spectacular Wildebeest migration, which passes through the Mara between June and September on their annual trek from the southern plains of the Serengeti.

Your guide will also take you to a traditional Masai Village. Learn how the women build their mudhuts, where they cook, sleep and raise their families. They will explain their traditions and customs, and you will have the opportunity to walk around the village and take photographs.

19SEP MASAI MARA TO AMBOSELI (BLD)

After breakfast at the camp, we travel back to Nairobi. Stop for lunch at the Intercontinental hotel in Nairobi, after which we continue the drive to Amboseli. (this will be a fairly long day driving)

About your lodge: Lying at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro and among dotted yellow barked acacia trees and cream slate, our lodge blends perfectly into the African savannah. The lodge has luxury guest bedrooms, decorated in chalet style and built from gum trees, local river stone, and slate. All rooms provide uninterrupted views of the wetlands or Mount. Kilmanjaro. Each room has a private bathroom and terrace. The outdoor swimming pool offers cooling fun in the sun or a refreshing break under the shade of the Acacia trees. Guests can relax in the lounge and read or play board games, which are available from the reception. Lectures, hosted by researchers from the nearby Elephant Research center, are offered regularly. Guests can also reference numerous nature books in the lodge's library

20SEP GAME DRIVES IN AMBOSELI (BLD)

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Amboseli National Park. Amboseli lies below the most famous symbol of Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro 5,895m (19,340 ft) the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free standing mountain in the world. The surrounding area is flat, covered by savannah and acacia scrub and the animals stand in silhouette against this towering majestic giant, its snow-clad peak floating in the stark blue African sky. Kilimanjaro was once part of Kenya, but on the marriage of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany Queen Victoria gifted it to her beloved grand son, whose colony Tanzania then was, as the perfect wedding present. The mountain now provides water for the park, wonderful views and, of course, the most glorious background for animal photography.

21SEP CROSS THE BORDER & TO NGORONGORO CRATER (BLD)

After breakfast at the lodge, we depart for the Namanga border town between Kenya and Tanzania. We will change vehicles here as we proceed through customs and immigration and cross the border into Tanzania. We stop in Arusha for lunch before continuing on to the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

About your hotel: The lodge is located on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater in the volcanic highlands of Northern Tanzania. It is the only resort at Ngorongoro with a pool and enjoys the best sunsets. It is an all-suite lodge with 100 suites, all of which enjoy magnificent views into the crater. The spacious bedrooms contain two queen sized beds to ensure a comfortable night's rest. The fully tiled bathrooms are equipped to a very high standard with baths, showers, WCs, bidets, hand basins, hair driers and shaver sockets. Each suite has an enclosed 'solarium' with comfortable rocking chairs - the perfect place to relax.

22SEP HALF DAY GAME DRIVE IN THE CRATER (BLD)

Designated as a World Heritage Site, Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact volcanic crater, has one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. An estimated 30,000 animals make it the principal attraction on the Northern Tanzanian Safari Circuit. This cross-section of wildlife is as diverse as you will find, dispersed amongst an amazing array of ecosystems within the Natural Amphitheater.

It is home to one of the few remaining populations of Black Rhino in Tanzania and just about every other East African mammal. Another distinct phenomenon of the Ngorongoro region is the successful co-existence of the Maasai tribe with the wild animals. It is not uncommon to see Maasai Moran (young male warriors) walking their cattle herds to the waters of the crater carrying a spear for defense against the animals.

23SEP OLDUVAI GORGE AND THE SERENGETI (BLD)

Between Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti plains lies the narrow fifty kilometre long (31 mile) strip of the legendary Olduvai Gorge - where some of the most important fossil humanoid remains have been unearthed. It was here that the Leakeys discovered the partial skull of the now famous Zinjanthropus “Lucy”, who lived some 175 million years ago. Continue on to the Serengeti for lunch at the lodge and an afternoon game drive.

About your lodge: Built within the last few years our lodge has a commanding view over the plains from its hill location. The hotel blends in well with its surroundings, has impressive public areas, a large swimming pool and spacious rooms, each with two double beds. Each room in the lodge has its own private verandah from which guests may enjoy the view.

24SEP GAME DRIVES IN THE SERENGETI (BLD)

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the Serengeti. The name comes from the Maasai 'siringet' which means 'endless plains', and the Serengeti is just that. Within its 14,763 square kilometres (5,000 square miles) dwell an estimated 3 million large animals - this is one of the world's last great wildlife sanctuaries. It is from here that the famous army of grazers begins its legendary trek in search of new grazing lands.

25SEP TO LAKE MANYARA PARK (BLD)

After breakfast at the lodge, we depart for Lake Manyara. Enjoy lunch at the lodge before an afternoon game drive will show you the magnificent animals of this amazing reserve.

Described by Hemingway in the "Green Hills of Africa", this once prime hunting ground is today a national park of unsurpassed beauty. Lying on the floor of the Eastern Rift Valley, Lake Manyara spreads out in a shallow depression, dominating the scene and standing out starkly against a backdrop of the sheerred cliff of the western escarpment. One enters Manyara from the village of MtowaMbu or 'Mosquito Creek' - the only place in Africa where one can hear the four major language groups. The entrance of the park is dominated by a rich groundwater forest. Here elephants feed on the fallen wild figs and blue monkey, vervet, baboon, bushbuck, waterbuck, nocturnal aardvark, civet, pangolin and leopard can be seen. Buffalo and hippo wallow in the nearby Hippo Pool where most of the park's 380 species of birdlife can be spotted.

The vegetation eventually merges into flat-topped acacia woodland where, in the heat of the day, entire prides of lion can be seen stretched on the branches of these trees - a habit only endemic to Manyara lions. Along with these amazing tree-climbing lions there are the usual browsers and grazers as well as the interesting banded mongoose. Two thirds of the park is dominated by the slightly alkaline lake which is home to a seemingly endless variety of waterbirds.

About your lodge: It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting for a lodge - on the edge of the escarpment, overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the stunning Manyara soda lake. Tree-climbing lions are but one lure. Beyond the superb standards of hospitality offered, there is a spirit of tranquility that prevails. All rooms have private balconies overlooking the escarpment and the lake beyond.

26SEP TO KILIMANJARO & FLY HOME (BLD)

After breakfast at the lodge, drive back to Arusha for lunch and a dayroom. Later this evening, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home or to Zanzibar (see below).

Many travelers are mesmerized by the very name Zanzibar. The island has the mysterious quality of a Timbuktu or a Casablanca, conjuring up exotic images. It has a colourful history and the mystery of Stone Town that set Zanzibar apart from the many beautiful islands that circle Africa. Here you can combine the pleasure of deserted sandy beaches & palm trees with the heady mix of Stone Town's Afro-Arab Swahili culture. Zanzibar gleams in the afternoon sun. It is a fairytale set in a harbour of aquamarine and the scent of cloves is intoxicating. Palm trees lean beside white Arabic houses, men walk by wearing long white robes, women wrap the black bui-bui around bright dresses and in the harbor white Dhows glide by.

26SEP FROM KILIMANJARO TO ZANZIBAR (BD)

After breakfast at the lodge, drive back to Arusha for lunch. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your resort.

About your resort: The Beach Resort & Spa is situated along the famed sparkling white sandy beaches of the East Coast of Zanzibar. It takes you a leisurely 50 minute drive from the Airport – and the ancient Stone Town that is today a World Heritage Site - to get to this tropical paradise. The Resort is on the most beautiful 30-acre site with its bedroom cottages located on rising ground overlooking verdant gardens, the public areas, the pool, the more than 1,000 beautiful palm trees, the sparkling white beach and the azure seas beyond

27SEP ZANZIBAR CITY & SPICE TOUR (BLD)

We start our tour with a visit to Zanzibar's colourful market, which exudes a heady smell of herbs and spices. Other sites visited on our city tour include the Anglican Cathedral, which stands in silent testimony on the site of one of the last open slave markets in the world, the residence of the late Sultan of Zanzibar; 'Tipu Tip House'. The Old Fort and the House of Wonders - all locations rich in antiquity and full of intrigue from the days of long ago. The city tour ends with a romantic stroll along the narrow lanes of the Old Stone Town. Enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants before we start our drive through the countryside to visit spice plantations - with an opportunity to pick, smell and savor exotic fruits and spices. The spice tour is guaranteed to sharpen your senses!

DAY 28-29 AT LEISURE IN ZANZIBAR (BD)

Two full days at leisure to relax on the beach and enjoy the resort facilities or explore the island at your own leisure.

30SEP DEPART ZANZIBAR (B, Inflight meals)

After a leisurely morning, transfer back to the airport this afternoon and your flight to Dar Es Salaam where you connect to your flight home.

01OCT ARRIVE HOME (inflight meals)

Welcome home!

PRICING Group prices are in CAD dollars LAND ONLY PRICES -- VALID FOR SEP 2010

1. MAIN TOUR KENYA & TANZANIA CAD$5368.00 per person

Single Room Supplement: CAD$ 994.00 per person

Inclusions in above land only prices:

• 3 to 4 Star hotel accommodation as per itinerary based on twin share

• All transfers and transportation by private, luxury air-conditioned coach with driver/guide

• Arrival Meet & Greet guide assistance, Departure guide assistance

• Sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary

• Local taxes on accommodation and sightseeing tours

• Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-full breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

• Hotel porterage

• travel bags and neck pillows

2. OPTIONAL ZANZIBAR EXTENSION CAD$1084.00 per person

Single Room Supplement: CAD$235.00 per person

Inclusions in above land only prices:

• Arrival and departure transfers in Zanzibar

• 4 Nights accommodation at Blue Bay Beach resort on a half board basis (breakfast/dinner)

• Full day Zanzibar city & Spice tour including lunch

• Local taxes on accommodation and sightseeing tours

• Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-full breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)