Kenya & Tanzania: Wildlife & Human Origins in East Africa

Tuesday, January 7, 2025: Depart home
Depart home on flights to Nairobi, Kenya.

Wednesday, January 8: Arrive Nairobi, KENYA | Transfer to hotel | Welcome reception
Upon arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), meet your driver and transfer to our hotel. For those whose flights arrive before 5:00pm, gather this evening for welcome cocktails and an informal meet and greet. Dinner will be on your own, and restaurant suggestions will be provided by the tour manager. Overnight at the 5-star Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel for two nights. (R)

Thursday, January 9: Nairobi National Park | National Museum of Kenya | Welcome dinner
After an early breakfast and a trip briefing, we visit Nairobi National Park, home to some of the most endangered species and one of the best places in Africa to see rhino. The Park is also home to lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, and antelope. After lunch we tour the National Museum of Kenya, including the Hall of Early Hominids and (pending permission) we may see inside the fossil vault. Return to our hotel and gather for a festive welcome dinner. (B,L,D)

Friday & Saturday, January 10 & 11: Hells Gate National Park | Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Depart this morning for Ol Pejeta Conservancy, stopping en route at Hells Gate National Park, which is known for its geothermal activity. Spectacular scenery, including towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes, and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most impressive parks in Africa. Arrive at our camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa and home to the last remaining northern white rhinos, where we will spend the balance of these two days on safari drives. The Conservancy also includes an Endangered Species Enclosure which is home to Africa’s “big five” (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo), and a 300-acre, rehabilitative chimpanzee sanctuary. Overnight at the 4-star Sweetwaters Serena Camp for two nights. (B,L,D daily)

Sunday, January 12: Lake Naivasha
Depart our camp this morning and drive to Lake Naivasha which, at 6,181 feet, is the highest elevation lake in the Great Rift Valley, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a scenic boat ride. Be on the lookout for wildlife, including hippopotamus and more than 400 species of birds. Check-in to our resort, set on 150 acres of grassland, and have dinner. Overnight at the 3-star Lake Naivasha Sopa Resort. (B,L,D)

Monday & Tuesday, January 13 & 14: Amboseli National Park
On Monday morning we drive approximately five hours to Amboseli National Park, located in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Spend the balance of Monday as well as Tuesday on safari drives in the Park, where may be found an estimated 80 species of mammals, including not only its famed elephants but also buffalo, impala, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle; plus approximately 400 species of birds. Overnight at the 4-star Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli for two nights. (B,L,D daily)

Wednesday, January 15: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, TANZANIA
Today we bid farewell to our Kenyan guides, cross the Namanga border into Tanzania, and meet our new Tanzanian guides. After a stop for lunch, we continue driving to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and check-in to our beautiful lodge set right on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight at the 4-star Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge for three nights. (B,L,D)

Thursday & Friday, January 16 & 17: Ngorongoro Crater | Olduvai Gorge
Thursday we descend into Ngorongoro Crater by safari vehicle for a chance to spot all five of Africa’s famous mammals – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. You can also expect to see a variety of other mammals, birds, lakes, lush forests, and savanna vegetation. The Crater is home to 26,000 big mammals and 500 species of birds. On Friday we visit Olduvai Gorge, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage (mixed natural/cultural) Site of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Olduvai Gorge was the site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s famous hominin fossil discoveries. We will visit the site museum to see some of the specimens. Then, choose to spend the balance of the day at leisure with a chance to relax and enjoy the amenities of our lodge OR take part in a walk along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. (B,L,D daily)

Saturday through Monday, January 18 through 20: Serengeti National Park | Farewell dinner
After breakfast on Saturday we depart for world famous Serengeti National Park, spending these three days traversing the savanna on safari drives, witnessing the annual wildebeest migration from Kenya into Tanzania. Enjoy a farewell dinner on January 20th. Overnight at the 4-star Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge for three nights. (B,L,D daily)

Tuesday, January 21: Bush flight to Arusha | Fly home or begin Zanzibar extension
This morning we transfer to the airstrip for a bush flight to Arusha, arriving in the early afternoon. Transfer to our hotel, where day rooms have been arranged. Relax around the pool or gardens, or explore independently. This evening, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for independent flights homeward (your international flight departure must be after 5pm) OR continue on a group flight to begin the Zanzibar post-tour extension. Day room at the 4-star Four Points by Sheraton Arusha hotel. (B)

Optional Post-tour extension

Zanzibar
January 21–24, 2025 (4 days)

Relax and enjoy the luxurious facilities of Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa, situated on the finest white, sandy beach on Zanzibar’s east coast. Enjoy three nights at this resort, set amid 30 acres of tropical gardens with over 1,000 palm trees; fine food and wine highlighting local ingredients; and access to the sports and leisure facilities and the Oasis Spa (at additional cost).
Included in your program is a guided, half-day tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the events that shaped the deep history and culture of Zanzibar while exploring the former Slave Market, Anglican Cathedral, Old Arab Fort, and Old Dispensary. While tracing the steps of the past in Stone Town, you also have a window into modern life. Explore the markets, with seafood and fish piled high in the fish market, fresh bread in wicker baskets, and neat stacks of fruits and vegetables as traders sell their wares from their stalls.
This is a lovely, mostly independent, rejuvenating way to spend a few days before returning home from your East African adventure. Overnight at the Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa for three nights. (B,D daily)