East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, are very popular.
EXPERIENCE THE CLASSIC EAST AFRICAN SAFARI
We invite you to a land that will find a place in your heart: East Africa.
East African Safari! A Swahili word, "safari" is a term synonymous today with any journey, but a true safari can only take place where the word was born. Under the limitless blue sky of East Africa lives a wild animal population that is staggering in sheer numbers and variety. Try to imagine the hundreds of thousands of big game animals that roam the plains of East Africa. Whether a novice traveler or world explorer, nothing stimulates the senses and ignites the imagination with the same intensity as a safari to East Africa. Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda each possesses their own unique and extraordinary stage for developing wonder. There are many beautiful landscapes to experience — the sheer cliffs of Kenya's Great Rift Valley, the vast acacia-dotted Serengeti plains, the snow-mantled grandeur of Tanzania's Mt. Kilimanjaro and the lush mountainous terrain of Rwanda. Close proximity gives us the chance to observe individual animal characteristics and marvel at the complicated web of life that exists in East Africa. Elephant, Zebra, Lion, Rhinoceros and more than 1,000 species of colorful birds make their home in these expansive plateaus, while only in Rwanda and Zaire can we observe the magnificent Mountain Gorilla. The feeling of a tented camp immersed in open air and sounds of the wild creates a genuine safari atmosphere never to be forgotten. With the romantic setting of the "Dark Continent" as our stage, we would like to invite you to join us in the drama of a truly incredible safari adventure.
Enjoy reading one of our client's itineraries.
Sue & Rick EAST AFRICA
Please arrive at Terminal E at Logan Airport by about 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 9.
Northwest Airlines 038 Thursday, February 9, 2006
Depart Boston 6:20 pm
Arrive Amsterdam Friday, February 10 7:15 am
6 hours 55 min, Seats 30AB, Dinner, Snack
Northwest 8383 operated by KLM 569 Royal Dutch Friday, February 10, 2006
Depart Amsterdam 10:35 am
Arrive Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 8:50 pm
8 hours 15 min, Seats 38AB, Lunch, Snack
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania, proceed to Customs and Immigration, your Visa is on Page 11 of your passports. Please use your Park East / International Expeditions flight bags and look for a representative from Tanzania Photographic Safaris, see page 3 of the Park East itinerary.
Park East Transfers to: The New Arusha Hotel
Located in the heart of town, near the clock tower, the New Arusha Hotel is an ideal base to start or end any safari. The hotel is modern, clean, spacious and very friendly. With a total of around 65 rooms and 6 suites, bar/café, plus a swimming pool and 3 acres of tropical gardens, it provides a comfortable stay in town.
Saturday, February 11, 2006, Confirmed, Half-day excursion to Arusha National Park with a picnic lunch is pre-confirmed. You will be notified the night before of the hour to be ready. See page 7. You will be transferred to the Mountain Village Lodge.
You will join up with your group at the Mountain Village
Lodge in the evening.
Park East/International Expeditions African Tour Saturday, February 11 to Saturday, February 25, Tour #P1054. Confirmation #’s
Sunday, February 12
Arusha / Lake Manyara National Park
This morning we drive to Lake Manyara National Park, one of Africa’s jewels. In the park’s north is an extensive area of forest populated by baboons, monkeys and flocks of noisy hornbills. Further south is an area of umbrella thorn trees where we find impala, zebra, giraffe and wildebeest. We visit Manyara’s hippo pools and search for the most famous residents: tree-climbing lions.
We spend the night at the beautiful Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, perched almost 2,000 feet above Lake Manyara. (B,L,D)
Days 4-6 • Monday-Wednesday, February 13-15
Serengeti National Park
This morning we drive to one of the grandest settings in all of Africa — the Serengeti Plains, home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth. The migratory herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle roam widely, searching for green grass and water. They face challenges from predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs who must hunt to survive. We spend three nights at our private mobile tented camp, situated where wildlife viewing is likely to be best. (B,L,D Daily)
Park East's Classic Mobile Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park
An exclusive private camp featuring large, cabin-style walk-in tents with en suite facilities including hot-water showers and beautiful verandahs. The camp's location near the park makes wildlife viewing extremely easy. Reminiscent of the classic safari accommodations made famous by Hemingway and Roosevelt, this private tented camp creates an atmosphere not easily forgotten.
Days 7-8 • Thursday-Friday, February 16 and 17
Olduvai Gorge / Ngorongoro Crater
We drive to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, first visiting Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakey family did important work that shed light on early human development. We drive down into Ngorongoro Crater, where an abundance of food and fresh water provides a permanent home to more than 30,000 large mammals. This is also the only place in East Africa where one can easily observe a natural population of black rhino. Spend the night at the magnificent Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, located on the crater’s rim. (B,L,D Daily
Days 9-10 • Saturday-Sunday, February 18 and 19
Amboseli National Park / Your Kenya visa is on page 13 of your passports.
After breakfast, drive to Namanga, Kenya, and continue to Tortilis Tented Camp, located on private property just outside Amboseli National Park. Amboseli is one of East Africa’s best locations for spotting elephants and provides awe-inspiring views of magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro. (B,L,D Daily)
Tortilis Tented Camp, Amboseli National Park
This deluxe, permanent tented camp, named after the local acacia tree, sits amid the gently rolling plains of Masailand, just outside Amboseli National Park. This intimate and exclusive camp features fifteen extra-large, well-appointed tents, each with a verandah, providing spectacular views of snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro. Five-star menus, hilltop cocktails at sunset and superb service enhance this exclusive safari experience.
Days 11-12 • Monday-Tuesday, February 20 and 21 Nairobi / Samburu Game Reserve
This morning we fly to Nairobi and connect with our flight to Samburu, located in Kenya’s Northern Frontier District. Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk and reticulated giraffe are characteristic of this harsh yet picturesque region. Morning and afternoon game drives allow ample time to explore this unique area and observe its abundant wildlife. We spend two nights in the beautiful Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 13 • Wednesday, February 22
Mount Kenya Safari Club
Following breakfast, we navigate the slopes of Mount Kenya and wind our way through picturesque, rolling hills to the Mount Kenya Safari Club. Built at the base of Mount Kenya, this luxurious country home has become a Kenyan tradition. The original house, with its many guestrooms, was converted to an inn in 1948 and later purchased by actor William Holden, who established it as one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. The views are spectacular: from the main house, the sweeping lawn stretches to the dark-green, forested foothills brushing the base of snow-capped Mount Kenya in the distance. We have the afternoon free to swim, golf or visit the wildlife nursery located on the grounds. (B,L,D)
Days 14-15 • Thursday-Friday, February 23 and 24
Masai Mara Game Reserve
This morning we transfer to Nanyuki to board our flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve. This northern extension of the Serengeti ecosystem is one of the world’s most rewarding wildlife observation sites. The rich savannah is famous for its concentration of plains game and predators, including leopard, cheetah and hyena. Our next two days include morning and afternoon game drives. You may choose to skip a game drive and instead take an optional hot-air balloon safari over the Mara. We overnight at the Mara Intrepids Tented Camp. (B,L,D Daily)
Friday, February 24, 2006
Hot-Air Balloon Safari over the Masai Mara Game Reserve, page 5, Park East Itinerary.
During your stay in the Masai Mara, you will see East Africa from a unique perspective: the gondola of a hot-air balloon. Your balloon safari, a gentle hour-long ride above the treetops gives you a bird’s-eye view of the diverse plains animals of East Africa. After you land, you’ll enjoy a spectacular Champagne breakfast in the African bush.
Day 16 • Saturday, February 25
Masai Mara Game Reserve / Nairobi
After breakfast and a morning game drive, we fly to Nairobi. Upon arrival, we travel to the Norfolk Hotel and check into our dayrooms, which are available until 6 p.m. We join our safari guides for a farewell dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant before your transfer to the Giraffe Manor. (B,L,D) Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi
The world-famous Norfolk Hotel opened in 1904, and soon became the most important gathering place for newly arriving settlers. It was from the Norfolk that Teddy Roosevelt began the first of his famous safaris. With its excellent cuisine and international reputation for hospitality, the Norfolk is considered one of the leading hotels of the world.
Park East will transfer you to the Giraffe Manor after the farewell dinner.
One double room, half board, February 25 / One double room, full board, February 26
The Giraffe Manor, built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan, is situated on 120 acres of land just a few miles from the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city. In 1974 Jock Leslie-Melville, grandson of a Scottish earl, and his wife Betty, who also founded the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), bought the Manor. They then moved five babies of the highly endangered Rothschild giraffe to their property where they have been successfully reared and they now have their own babies.
Giraffe Manor will transfer you to the airport after breakfast on the morning of February 27th.
Flights:
KLM Royal Dutch 4340 operated by Kenya Airways Monday, February 27, 2006
Depart Nairobi, Kenya 10:55 am
Arrive Amsterdam 6:10 pm
9 hours 15 min, Seats 31AB, Lunch ( You might want to bring something you like from Giraffe Manor for the flight, the food on this flight may not be very good)
Transfers provided by Amsterdam City Tours.
Hotel New Amsterdam, Use WorldBy voucher
Evening walking tour
Morning mini-van tour
Airport transfers.
KLM 6037 operated by Northwest Airlines Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Depart Amsterdam 2:15 pm
Arrive Boston 4:15 pm
8 hours, Seats 31AB, Dinner
Welcome back to Boston!