Eastern Odyssey

Day 1: Nairobi

Today is an arrival day, so you may arrive at any time. A pre-departure meeting takes place at 6pm at the hotel. You may choose to eat at the hotel restaurant this evening or venture out to one of the many fine restaurants that Nairobi has to offer (own expense).

Day 2: Nanyuki

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) Our journey to the town of Nanyuki, located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, takes us through the green hills and fertile tea plantations of the lush Central Highlands. On a clear day, Nanyuki affords us one of the most commanding views of the spectacular Mt Kenya, soaring into the clouds at a height of 5199m. Our campsite near Nanyuki is a veritable oasis of nature. It has a dam, a river, incredible mountain views and spacious grass camping areas shaded by ancient trees that are frequented by cheeky, white colobus monkeys.

Day 3: Samburu National Park

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) Departing Nanyuki we travel further north into the semi-arid ochre plains of Samburu National Reserve in time for lunch. We set up camp along the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river where it is not uncommon to see families of elephants crossing or drinking from the shores. A little later in the afternoon we set out on our first game drive. We follow the winding trajectory of the river in search of lion, buffalo and the famous 'red elephants of Samburu' - named for the red dust that that coats their hides. The trees along the riverbanks also conceal a sizeable leopard population. We return to our campsite in time for dinner.

Day 4: Samburu National Reserve - Thompson's Falls

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) The picturesque reserve of Samburu is also renowned for supporting several species that are found nowhere else in Africa. These include the beautiful but quite shy Grevy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe and the odd-looking gerenuk - a browsing antelope with an improbably long neck! The park also hosts a sizeable population of the elegant beisa oryx (similar to the gemsbok). We spend our morning game-driving through the park in search of some of the park's most famous inhabitants. In the afternoon we reach Thompson's Falls, located in the southwestern corner of Laikipia, in the foothills of the Abedare Ranges. Here the Ewaso Narok River drops a sheer 243 feet over a ledge of volcanic rock, to create a magnificent waterfall. We set up camp near the base of the falls. There is a nature trail nearby, taking you through a gorge, where you are likely to spot endangered colobus monkeys, baboons and colourful birdlife. You may also like to take a refreshing swim at the falls themselves.

Day 5: Thompson's Falls - Lake Nakuru National Park

(Driving time: approx 6 hours; game drive times variable) An early start sees us depart Thompson's Falls enroute to Lake Nakuru National Park which we reach in time for a late lunch. Lake Nakuru is one of several soda lakes in the Rift Valley. Rich in algae, it attracts large quantities of flamingos and at times the surface of the lake resembles a moving carpet of pink feathers. The lake varies in size, depending on season, changing from 5 to up to 30sq km in area. We depart on an afternoon game drive in the hope of meeting some of the huge herds of waterbuck, zebra and buffalo as well as the endangered Rothschild giraffe. We stay at a lovely campsite at the edge of the park, where cheeky vervet monkeys may descend from their lookouts high in the tree branches, to come and say hello.

Day 6: Lake Nakuru National Park - Masai Mara National Reserve

(Driving time: approx 8 hours plus; game drive times variable) This morning we enter the adjacent Lake Nakuru National Park for an extended game drive. Lake Nakuru is particularly noted for its populations of white and black rhino, Cape buffalo and the elusive leopard. Many other animals abound here including the Masai giraffe, which is often sighted quite close to the many roads in the park. Leaving the park we drive through the Great Rift Valley to plains of the Masai Mara. We stay two nights in a tented camp right on the boundary of the reserve. As dusk falls we may see a variety of animals in the vicinity and listen to the sounds of the African night from our camp.

Day 7-8: Masai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi

(Driving time: approx 7 hours; game drive times variable) We explore the expansive grasslands of the Masai Mara on morning and afternoon game drives and witness the wonderful procession of wildlife that inhabit this area. Wildebeest, zebra and gazelle are plentiful and, with luck, we may spot lion or cheetah keeping a casual eye on their movements. Elephant, giraffe and eland are also commonly sighted, along with plenty of bird life. Whilst in the region, we also have the time to experience some of the Masai culture and you may choose to take an optional visit to a local village, where you may experience the dancing and singing for which the Masai are renowned. After breakfast on Day 8 we are driven back to Nairobi, where we apend a night before continuing to Tanzania. Tonight we farewell some fellow travellers who are departing here and welcome new travellers joining us to Tanzania. A tour briefing for the Tanzanian sector of our trip takes place at 6pm at the hotel.

Day 9: Nairobi - Arusha

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) We depart from Nairobi at around 9am. We cross the border at Namanga and enter Tanzania, before travelling on to Arusha. Arusha, also known as the Safari Capital of Tanzania throbs with activity, and you can expect to see several safaris heading off - or returning after a week in the bush. Here, we set up for our first night of camping in Tanzania.

Day 10: School of St Jude - Arusha

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) This morning we visit a very special school in Arusha. The School of St Jude was founded in 2002 by Gemma, a young Australian woman, for orphans and very poor children of Arusha. The school was founded on Gemma's belief that not only was a good and accessible education a right for all children in the world but without it, Africa's rate of development would continue to lag behind the rest of the world. Under the banner of 'Fighting Poverty through Education' the school provides a totally free education to over 90% of the pupils, including supplying transport, uniforms, stationery, snacks, water and a hot meal. The opportunity for sponsorship at St Jude is given to the brighest and most ambitious children of extremely poor families, after a series of tests designed to measure potential and poverty levels. Whilst on a guided tour of the school we are given more information on how it operates and the success that it has achieved. We have time to visit children in class, before joining them for morning tea. We may hear some singing and see some of the children displaying special skills. This is a morning that is certain to touch our souls and fill us full of optimism. Leaving Arusha we will travel on to Meserani where will stop for lunch. There is the opportunity to explore a snake park or visit an excellent Masai museum, as well as purchase crafts from the local Masai women (time permitting). We will then continue on to our campsite at Mto Wa Mbu.

Day 11-12: Serengeti National Park

(Driving time: approx 8 hours; game drives: variable) Continuing toward Ngorongoro, we stop on the top of the Rift Valley escarpment for an incredible view out over Lake Manyara before continuing to the Serengeti Plains. These massive grasslands seem to stretch as far as the eye can see, and even beyond! Over a million wildebeest roam through the park, along with a multitude of antelope species and a significant populations of lion and cheetah. We spend two days exploring the plains on game drives as well as checking out the rocky outcrops, or 'kopjes', which are a favourite resting spot for the predators. We spend two nights camping inside the park - perfectly situated for the opportunity to hear the night time serenade of the African savannah. Please note that the campsites in Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater are national park campsites and have no shower facilities. These are the only public campsites available and the facilities are basic in the extreme. There are no fences surrounding the campsites and wildlife is free to roam at leisure. The toilets are pit toliets and are not cleaned regularly. As mentioned, there is no water for showers or for washing up. As a result the water tank on the vehicle will be required for cooking. You will need to purchase bottled water at your own expense for this part of the tour. However the opportunity to camp in the middle of the Serengeti Plains and on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater are real highlights and incredible experiences that you are unlikely to forget.

Day 13: Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Conservation Area

(Driving time: approx 8 hours (incl. game drive)) We enjoy a final early morning game drive, before heading back to break down camp. We then traverse the southern part of Serengeti National Park and then cross over into the adjacent Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the way to our campsite there is the option of visiting the small museum at Olduvai Gorge (time permitting), which documents the discovery of 1.8 million year old human-like fossils. We arrive at our campsite on the rim of the crater in the early evening - be warned that it gets very cold up here! This campsite is another government campsite and has equally primitive facilities, but is often frequented by buffalo, elephant and zebra.

Day 14: Ngorongoro Crater - Arusha

(Driving time: approx 8 hours) At the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the crater, which is a volcanic caldera some 20 kilometres wide that contains an abundance of wildlife and bird life. Ngorongoro is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa, with forest and grasslands, as well as freshwater and soda lakes. We transfer into Land Rovers and head down to the crater floor, where we spend the morning exploring this outstanding wildlife sanctuary. The crater is home to several black rhinos and, with luck, we may have the opportunity to seeing some of these highly endangered animal. (National park regulations stipulate that vehicles are only allowed a maximum of six hours in Ngorongoro Crater.) After an exciting morning in the crater we head through Karatu to Mto Wa Mbu and return to our campground in Arusha where a hot shower and cold drink awaits!

Day 15: Arusha - Nairobi

(Driving time: approx 8 hours to Nairobi) This morning our tour officially ends in Arusha. You may choose to take a free transfer with the safari vehicle, as it continues back to our Nairobi hotel. Alternately you may join our Mount Kilimanjaro trek in Marangu today. If climbing a mountain is not the challenge you are after, then you may choose to join our 'Zanzibar Revealed' tour which begins in Zanzibar today. These additional tours should be pre-booked with us to ensure availability. Linking flights and transfers to join these tours can also be pre-booked and arranged through us. If you are travelling with the vehicle back to Nairobi you will arrive in there in the late afternoon, where you will be dropped off at the downtown hotel. Flights out of Nairobi tonight should not be booked before 9.00pm. Transfers to Nairobi Airport are at an additional cost.

Tour Grade: Moderate

A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic.