19 days – 18 nights

Day ONE - Welcome to NAIROBI, Kenya’s capital city

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport & after you clear the mandatory Immigration & Customs procedures, you will be met directly outside the International Baggage Claim by a representative of Sundance Spirit who will be holding a signboard with your surname clearly written on it.
This person is the transfer chauffeur who will convey you in a private air-conditioned vehicle to the resplendent grand ´old-lady´ of British Colonial times – the Norfolk Hotel.

Here you will check in to a double room, with a private en-suite bathroom for two (2) nights on a B&B basis.

Set in tranquil gardens, the Norfolk Hotel is only a short distance from the Nairobi city centre. Offering a choice of accommodation units, this property is Nairobi's only true ´country house´ hotel with links directly to its colonial past.
All of the accommodation units are well-equipped & luxuriously appointed to ensure you a comfortable stay. Guests can dine at the on-site restaurant, which is both informal & tranquil. You can also sip your favourite drink at the cocktail bar.

Day TWO - NAIROBI highlights sightseeing

After breakfast you will be met at the Norfolk Hotel & from here, head out on a full days sightseeing. First it is off to the Kenya Railways Museum, with many static exhibits of old steam engines, including the one used in the motion picture Out of Africa. There is also an extensive series of exhibits dating back to the days of the late 1890´s construction of the Mombasa to Uganda railway.
From here on out to the Karen Blixen Museum; the old historic mansion where Karen Blixen once resided. The mansion is a ´living´ memorial to the opulent times of old East African safari country.

From the Karen Blixen museum, a lunch stop will be made at the renowned Carnivore Restaurant where exotic game species meats are the order of the days menu. After lunch we will visit the elephant orphan rehabilitation center & the Giraffe project where one can stand at eye level with African’s tallest & most graceful mammal. Both of these exhibits allow for interaction between the guests & the animals.
At approximately 5.00pm, you will be returned to the hotel where the remainder of the evening is yours to relax & dine at your own pace & venue of choice.

Day Three - NAIROBI overland to TSAVO NATIONAL PARK

An early breakfast is the order of the day & is available in the Norfolk Hotel grand dining room. We then depart by road in comfortable Landcruiser or Landrover vehicles driven by a professional safari guide, heading south from Nairobi towards

Tsavo National Park in the far southeastern quadrant of Kenya. Lunch will be taken upon arrival at the luxury 5 star Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp.
Finch Hatton’s Luxury Safari Camp is located in the western portion of Tsavo West National Park, which itself takes up the south-western section of the border of Kenya & Tanzania. In the distance one can easily see of the ´Roof of Africa´ - Mount Kilimanjaro which is a giant strato-volcano reaching an elevation of 19,335 ft. (5,895 m).

Finch Hatton’s was voted the 'Best tented camp in Kenya' for several years in a row by readers of Travel News. The reason is quite simply because even though it is deep in the bush of Tsavo west, it offers unsurpassed colonial luxury and an authentic 'Out of Africa' experience.

This afternoon YOU will head out on the first of the safari game drives on this amazing itinerary within Tsavo West National Park – a region famed for its elephants & predator cat population.

Finch Hatton’s is a truly timeless romantic place providing the highest possible standards of food and service in the middle of the bush.

It offers you a 'Classic Safari' experience under canvas with every 5-star luxury. This extraordinary lodge is named after Denys Finch Hatton - a great white hunter of colonial Kenya who introduced Royalty to the bush.
The lodge reflects Finch Hatton's impeccable style with crystal glasses, damask tablecloths & silver service dinners.

Each huge East African safari tent is equipped with deluxe beds and all the amenities of a room in a five star hotel, including a supply of electricity, a fully stocked mini-bar, en-suite toilet, wash basin and generous slate walled shower room, complete with hot & cold running water.

The main lodge comprises of a dining hall, lounge/bar and the terrace, where breakfast is served overlooking the hippo pool against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will enjoy excellent cuisine with top quality service. Tables are decked with silverware, cut crystal and porcelain to service your five-course dinner in style.

Finch Hatton became a by-word for stylish & successful safaris & his clientele included many American, many European aristocratic tycoons in both 1928 &1930´s, amongst those was Britain’s Prince of Wales (later the Duke of Windsor).

At Finch Hatton’s they have preserved the ideals that Denys lived for- a dedication to elegance & style combined with a passionate love of the Kenyan wilderness & a long lost way of life.

Tsavo National Park is the traditional home of the African Elephant & all the 'Big 5' can be found here. The terrain switches from rich golden savannahs & riverine forests to hills, mountains, striking lava outcrops offering spectacular panoramas & In places such as Mzima Springs , mineral water bubbles forth out of the rock & forms three huge hippo pools. Some say this is paradise.
The Finch Hatton’s lodge is unfenced & animals wander through as they please. An askari (guard) accompanies you to your lodgings but you should always be aware that you are a guest in wild animal country. The lodge's secluded kidney-shaped pool offers you privacy from the game.

Please note there are very strict security regulations regarding individuals moving about after dusk & before sun-up as this area is unfenced & wild animals will enter the surrounds at will during darkness.
It is mandatory that guests are escorted by your professional askari should you wish to go out of your luxury tented bungalow during this time. This is not a regulation to trifle with as with hippo within the camp, they & other large predators are not to be trifled with.
We will be returning to the camp after dusk from the game drive, with time to freshen up for one of their famed gourmet dinners.
You will overnight here for the coming two (2) glorious nights at the 5 star FINCH HATTONS LUXURY TENTED CAMP.

Day Four - TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK – safari game drive activities

After an early breakfast your activities today include both morning & afternoon game drives with views of majestic snow capped Mt Kilimanjaro in the back ground. Pray for a clear day. Kilima Njaro as it is known to the Maasai tribes’ people means ´shining mountain´ in Swahili.
The volcano's highest & youngest cone is named Kibo. The two other cones called Shira to the west & Mawenzi in the east at the summit are older cones.
Kibo has not been active in modern times, but steam & sulfur are still emitted. At the top of Kibo's summit is a 1 &1/2 mile (2 &1/4 km) wide crater.
A typical day at Finch Hatton’s is as follows:

0600hrs: as the first rays of sunlight, grazing hippos slide back into the water as a dawn chorus of birds slowly gathers momentum. For those opting for a dawn game drive, time for wake up call, tea & coffee served on the terrace before they begin to explore the National Park.
1000hrs: Animals begin to disappear into the undergrowth, those on game drives begin heading back to camp for breakfast. Sumptuous breakfast served on the terrace. After breakfast those guests that are not taking day trips freely choose to either relax on their sun beds on their tent balconies or enjoy by the pool.
1300hrs: Lunch is served on the terrace. The hippos stir in the springs & crocodiles lounge in the sun at the water's edge.
1500hrs: Afternoons at Finch Hatton's are an ideal time to take an optional escorted nature walk with a trained naturalist/guide. This is an absolute must for bird watchers.
1600hrs: The cool of the afternoon sees Tsavo stirring to life & a game drive through the park will reward you with plenty of opportunity for game viewing. Return to the camp just on dusk to freshen up.
2015hrs: Pre-dinner drinks accompanied by snacks are served under the stars on the terrace & the art of dinner itself becomes a very special affair.

A six (6) course gourmet meal, served on fine china & crystal by waiters dressed in traditional Kanzu & Fez, as the gentle strains of Mozart play softly in the background. Then it is time for guests to retire for the night.
The TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK covers 7065 sq km, which is approximately 30% of Kenya's dedicated total area of National Parks & it contains a diversity of habitats, wildlife & a mountainous scenic landscape.
It is most noted for its big game, including lion prides, cheetahs, & troops of baboon.

Tsavo West National Park is perhaps most renowned for many incidents late in 1896 when the notorious "Man Eating Lions of Tsavo" preyed on the railway linesman building the great Uganda Railway. The carriage from which they pulled a traveller is on display in Nairobi Railway Museum.

It also has important historic connections as a major battleground in World War I where British and German troops battled for supremacy.
Here today visitors are more likely to see particularly large herds of elephant - in fact the region is often referred to as the ´Land of Giants´. Most frequently sighted here are breeding herds made up of older cows & their youngsters.
The young bulls remain with their mothers until approximately 15 years of age when they show the first signs of becoming sexually active, at which stage they are usually kicked out of the herd environment, to forage & take care of themselves. The breeding herds maintain a very strict hierarchy with the matriarch cow making most all of the decisions as to where to forage & where to find reliable year round water.
Returning to the camp to freshen up & have a drink before heading to the table for a lavish dinner under the inky black, star-filled African night sky.
The service is impeccable, the cuisine first-class & the ambiance such that after dinner a peaceful nights sleep comes easily at FINCH HATTONS LUXURY TENTED CAMP.

Day Five - TSAVO overland via Arusha to the amazing NGORONGORO CRATER

Breakfast will be served at the Camp following which we will pack up & drive to the Taveta border crossing point in the 4x4 vehicles.
Here you will be assisted to clear the Kenya exit controls & Tanzania Immigration formalities. This could take some while as officialdom in the region is typically operated at a distinctly ´African´ pace. Passports & individual Yellow Fever vaccination documents will be required to be checked.
Thereafter you will be welcomed on board into a Tanzania vehicle, & set off to drive to the town of Arusha where we will be arriving in good time for lunch at the Arusha Hotel which is the renowned commencement point for most Kilimanjaro climber groups.

After lunch we will head straight to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is also dubbed as ´Africa's Eden´ is home to the greatest density of wildlife to be found on Tanzania safaris.

Each morning Ngorongoro Safari participants descend in 4x4´s nearly 600m into the extinct Ngorongoro volcanic crater to observe large herds of zebra, wildebeest, gazelle & a myriad of their predator followers.
Our next two overnights are at the 5 star Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, which is the undisputed ´flagship´ property operated by the premier safari specialists, Conservation Corporation Africa. It is perched on the edge of the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater at the eastern edge of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania.

Inspired in design by the Maasai mud-&-stick manyatta (homestead), Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is without doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular safari lodges in the whole of the African continent.
Upon our arrival we will check-in & be escorted to our individual bungalow rooms. There are 12 private bungalows in each of North & South Camps & you will be assigned accommodation in one of these glorious 5 star facilities.

Steeped in romance, each mud & thatch bungalow suite is reminiscent of a bygone era, with the stilted, handcrafted structures adorned in graceful antiques, grand chandeliers & African treasures. The bedroom, sitting room & en-suite bathroom boast floor-to-ceiling glass windows, overlooking the magnificent Crater below.
Your personal butler will discreetly tend to your every need, should you wish bringing you tea in bed, stoking your fireplace & drawing your bath.
Described as Maasai meets Versailles, each of the three extraordinary camps at Crater Lodge operates independently with its own central living & dining areas & viewing decks.
Early settler-style interiors combine silver, gold & ruby colours under banana-leaf ceilings & grass roofs. Beaded chandeliers hang above large gilt mirrors & antiques, plump cushions, voluptuous raw silk curtains & leather-backed chairs blend harmoniously with African art elements.
The domed dining room, with its fireplace, crystal, silver & massive wooden platters, makes every meal a special occasion. Delicious Pan-African cuisine may also be enjoyed on the outdoor dining deck.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers 2286 sq km of pristine African wilderness & encompasses the volcanic area around the Ngorongoro Crater - including the still active volcano of Oldonyo Lengai & the famous Olduvai Gorge.
Its centerpiece, the Ngorongoro Crater, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world & the first sight of it is breathtaking. The floor of the crater is only 100 sq miles but is home to around 30,000 animals with a high concentration of predators.
Please note there are very strict security regulations regarding individuals moving about after dusk & before sun-up as this area is unfenced & wild animals will enter the surrounds at will, during darkness, so it is mandatory that guests are escorted by a professional Ranger should they wish to go out of their bungalow from sundown to sunrise.
Dinner & overnight accommodation for the coming two (2) nights will be here at the 5 star North or South Camp of NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE

Day Six - Exploring the NGORONGORO CRATER - a classic safari game drive

This morning you will rise early & have breakfast at Crater Lodge, prior to our descending into the crater floor in 4x4 vehicles escorted by a professional guide for a very special safari game drive experience.
Some three million years old, the ancient caldera of the once-volcanic Ngorongoro shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth.
It is ringed by towering walls & sheltering forests, grasslands, fresh springs & a large soda lake.
The crater today supports up to some 25,000 large mammals. Hopefully we will get to encounter one of the rare & still highly endangered Black Rhino.
The Black Rhino is clearly distinguishable from the White Rhino by virtue of the hooked lip & sharper facial features. Black Rhino are mainly ´browsers´ feeding off bushes, whereas the White Rhino are grass grazers.
There is also a vast difference in temperaments with the Black Rhino being highly aggressive & very ´flighty´ with human or vehicle presence.
Grazers dominate the Ngorongoro Crater floor: zebra, wildebeest - accounting for almost half the animals - gazelle, buffalo, eland, hartebeest & wart hog.
Giraffe for example stay away, as there is insufficient food at tree level. It is also very uncommon to spot Topi as they compete directly, but are in far lesser in numbers, are than wildebeest.

An odd feature of the crater elephants is that they are almost exclusively bulls. Breeding herds - comprising large numbers of females & young with a few attendant older males - are probably unable to find sufficient quality food in the crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is also certainly considered a haven for the quantity of carnivore species, drawn there by the large herds of prey animals.
It has the densest population concentration in Tanzania of large predators, mainly lion, - of which there are about 100 & in excess of 400 spotted hyena, living in eight clans raging between forty & sixty individuals.
Each Hyena clan has strict hierarchy & the bigger females rule the roost.

Both lions & hyenas are eternal enemies & will aggressively fight & scavenge from each other, depending on weight of numbers & of course, how driven they are by hunger.

Unlike the mammals it supports, most of the birdlife in Ngorongoro is seasonal but the Crater Lake literally teems with a dazzle of thousands of pink flamingos year round. Also influencing the variety of bird species on display is the ratio of soda water to fresh water.

Lake Magadi which is comprised of soda water dominates the crater floor.
The lake is alkaline due to deposits of volcanic ash thrown out by surrounding volcanoes.
During the midday hour (12h30) we will likely ascend out of the crater unless our application for an all day permit has been granted, in which case we would enjoy a picnic lunch, but we will not know the outcome of the permit application until the evening prior.
So to err on the side of being conservative we will say that lunch will be served at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
After lunch you have the choice of free leisure time to read, snooze, take a dip in the pool or, perhaps go on an optional excursion to a local Maasai village to sample their unique culture & lifestyle.
The choices this afternoon are many & entirely yours to make as the specific whim takes your fancy.
We will all have a sumptuous dinner & stay overnight again this evening at NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE

Day Seven - NGORONGORO CRATER overland across to the western SERENGETI

You will need to rise relatively early to breakfast at the lodge as we have a reasonably long day ahead.
It is time to pack-up & head out in the 4x4 vehicles on what effectively is a fairly interesting ´game drive´ into & crossing through the Serengeti National Park. We travel via the Olduvai Gorge – an area christened ´The Cradle of Mankind´ where you will receive a very important informative briefing given on the subject of the origins of the first homo-sapiens, who are after all our very distant ancestors.

Above is a general view of Olduvai Gorge in the dry season. This area has produced some of the most significant fossils of extinct hominids. It was in Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge, where Louis & Mary Leakey discovered the skull fragments of the 1.75 million year old Zinjanthropus, aka Australopithecus.
A museum here has an interesting exhibit including a reproduction of the famous hominid's skull which is shown alongside the photo of the Gorge.
En-route we will have picnic lunch boxes to be served. Just like school day excursions, only a whole lot more interesting & exotic!
As we go remember this is quite literally a game drive as we head north & west towards the Mbalageti Luxury Tented Camp.
The Mbalageti Serengeti is located in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park, at the Mwamyeni hill. The luxurious lodge consists of 26 luxury tented chalets & exclusive tented suites spread out to ensure privacy. Sunset or sunrise, each side of the hill accommodates 12 of the 24 luxury tented chalets.
Each has full en-suite bathroom & a private veranda from which you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Serengeti plains & the Mbalageti River.

The design is modern, incorporating local materials from the area combined with comfort & luxury.

The thatched roof on the verandah is working as an extension to your bedroom in the wild & the chalets are all furnished & finished with attention to the smallest detail.
The lodge restaurant offers both local & international cuisine. Here they serve themed lived cooked dinners, al la carte lunches & breakfast buffet.
In the bar area & on the lounge loft guests can relax with games, magazines & books. For the creative traveler an aisle with water paint is provided.
The swimming pool with its 360 degree view of the Serengeti is a real oasis in the wild. A massage & dip in the pool will relax you after a long, dusty day of safari game drives.

The camp also offers bush breakfast, nature walks in the surrounding landscape, sun downers & dinner in the bush. I am sure that although we are miles away in a world of safari there will be some comforted by the fact that internet services is provided here.
We will have dinner & overnight here for three (3) nights inclusive of daily game drives at the 5 star MBALAGETI LUXURY TENTED CAMP

Day Eight & Nine - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK - safari game drives

This two full day will be undertaken with game drives in the vast Serengeti National Park. Between the Ngorongoro Highlands, Lake Victoria & Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya stretches one of the world’s last great wildlife refuges - the Serengeti - the name comes from the Maasai “siringet,” meaning “endless plains”.

The Serengeti’s 14,763 square km & contains about three million large animals, most taking part in seasonal migrations, unparalleled on our planet.
Twice a year & going on since time immemorial, triggered by the annual rains which herald new grass growth some 1.5 million plus wildebeest, 300,000 zebra & 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle gather to undertake the long trek to new grazing lands.
The migration of the herbivores roughly defines the boundaries of Serengeti National Park, which is the central zone of the Serengeti ecosystem, an area that also takes in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area & the Maswa Game Reserve in the west.
As much as this timeless life-cycle focuses particularly on the plains & array of hoofed beasts, the predators enjoy a time of immense plenty as the following sequence of cheetah photos depict.

But in the dry scrublands of southern Africa, the fast felines are falling behind in the most important contest they've ever entered: the race for survival.
Cheetah bodies are uniquely built for speed. Their small heads offer little wind resistance, while their exceptionally long legs allow them to take huge strides.
During sprints, the cheetah spine acts like a giant spring coil, storing energy that is released in giant explosive surges. And the cheetah's enlarged heart, lungs, & liver help deliver bursts of oxygen and energy, while specially ridged foot pads & non-retractable claws provide traction.

This is a dangerous & unforgiving world for prey & predators alike, where only the strongest survive - which in turn, fosters the survival of the species.

Within the Serengeti’s vast & varied landscape, thirty-five plains game species, fourteen predator species & 500 known species of resident & migratory birds live.
Day Ten - SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK overland to LAKE VICTORIA
We will breakfast at the Mbalageti Luxury Tented Camp then pack-up & head out, driving overland to the Speke Bay Lodge Hotel in Mwanza, on the shores of Africa’s biggest body of freshwater & the acknowledged source of the Nile – the world’s longest river - Lake Victoria

Arrive in time for lunch Speke Bay Lodge Hotel & justifiably you have earned an afternoon without any activities whatsoever planned, at leisure.

The property is rated 3 stars, so by comparison to where you have been already, please keep your expectations ´modestly low´. The hotel however is perfectly comfortable & moreover, necessary to break our overland safari between the Serengeti & the Masai Mara.
Speke Bay is part of Speke Gulf, named after the famous explorer John Hanning Speke, who, in 1858, discovered Lake Victoria to be the source of the Nile River.

It is 15km from the Serengeti National Park & 125 km north of Mwanza.
Speke Bay Lodge activities include walking, canoeing, fishing from the beach for Tilapia, or go out in a boat to catch Nile perch & this classic lake - wetland environment also affords awesome bird watching.
Please note for those who may wish to try their hand fishing game fishing rods & tackle are available for hire at modest prices.

Embraced by savannah, the Lodge looks like a small village, stretched out along the shore of the lake.
The main buildings & our accommodation which will be in individual traditional rondavel styled chalets are built to perfection, painted white & thatched with a grass roof in the traditional style of the local tribe, the Sukuma.

All eight chalets are situated along the shore of the lake. Each one is a separate structure designed to ensure your privacy. The custom-made furniture in solid Mkola wood adds to the warm & elegant atmosphere.
An entrance hall gives access to a bathroom & a reasonably spacious main room. This room has a sleeping area with a large lockable cupboard (for your clothes & valuables) & a writing table. The sitting area has a huge French window opening on to a bougainvillea & passionflower shaded veranda where your breakfast can be served.
The adequate bathroom has a large table with a built-in basin, a spacious shower & a hygienic wall mounted toilet.
For hot water solar panels are used, but thermostat steered electrical elements have been installed, for use on cloudy days. The water system is state of the art, with a large sand filter, UV-treatment, & Ozone-injection. Bottled drinking water is available. Since the Lodge is outside but close to the Serengeti National Park, it is the ideal place for us to end our Serengeti safari & break the journey for one short night stay, before continuing on into the ´Mara´.

So tonight you have dinner & will stay here at SPEKE BAY LODGE HOTEL

Day Eleven - SPEKE BAY LODGE HOTEL overland to Kenya’s MASAI MARA

This morning start your day with an ample breakfast at the Speke Bay Lodge Hotel. Then pack-up & drive to the Tanzania & Kenya border where, upon arrival we will be met at the Isebenia crossing point & after assistance in clearing Customs & Immigration formalities, drive on in new Kenyan registered vehicles to the much renowned Governors IL Moran Camp in Masai Mara Game Reserve where undoubtedly a much welcomed five star lunch will be served. That first beer or thirst quenching soft drink just isn’t going to touch the sides on the way down !

Time to settle into your luxury lodging, then it is off on a late afternoon game drive. The Masai Mara National Reserve simply stated is a ´awesome´ place.
The Mara, as it is referred to, covers some 1100 sq km & was established as a sanctuary in 1961. BBC film their award winning ´Big Cat Diary´ from Governors Camp & the predators that feature on that program are regularly daily sightings for guests of the Camp.

As the Luxury Camp that Africa’s old hands swear by Governors’ IL MORAN casts its spell over all who visit from honeymooning couples to Presidents. "Our favourite camp in the Mara" according to the guide ‘Kenya’s Best’. You will be here five (5) nights, all meals included.
Intimate in character, there are just 10 luxury tents tucked around the Mara River that teems with animal & bird life. From every veranda the view changes daily: giraffe, zebra, wildebeest & lion, cheetah, elephant, warthog & the ever stealthy but equally lethal leopard.
Yet another gourmet dinner will be served & tonight we will bed down here at the 5 star GOVERNORS IL MORAN CAMP.

Day Twelve, Thirteen & Fourteen - MASAI MARA game drives

OK, look at it this way - somebody has to do it & you are here, the time is ideal, so those ´somebody’s´ must be you!
You will all be required to be up just prior to the bursting dawn for a ´cuppa before heading out on our first Mara game drive.
More often than not, one doesn’t have to venture too far as the game practically comes to you!
The Masai Mara supports all manner of the major predator ´culprits´ but none more so special than packs of free-ranging & highly endangered African wild hunting dog that pass through on what is for them, an endless pursuit of individual survival & their next meal.
The area close to the Mara River where Governor’s camps are located is a perfect habitat haven where the stealth ´killer´ of the predator species lurk – panthera pardus - better known as leopard.
Leopards are very opportunistic animals & have an extremely flexible diet. They will consume protein in almost any form, from beetles up to antelopes twice their own weight. Pound for pound leopards are supreme predators.
They are ´ambush killers, typically using dense cover & stealth to sneak within a few meters of unsuspecting prey before bursting forward to pounce before their prey has time to flee.

Leopards kill by suffocating their prey with a vice-like grip usually applied to the throat or nose of their victims.
They readily eat carrion & for protection of their hard-earned food source, cache sizeable kills such as impala, in trees, returning nightly to feed on them.
Their main diet consists of over 30 species.
It includes medium sized antelopes (reedbuck, impala, Thompson gazelles) & the young of larger species (topi, hartebeest, wildebeest, zebra) as the primary food sources, with hares, birds & small carnivores rounding out the list. They have even been known to include the occasional baboon in their diet, although a big male baboon is certainly a match for all but the really bold leopard. Returning as the heat of the day rises at around 1000hrs there’s time to freshen up & relax prior to lunch being served.

This camp for those who want that little extra bit of luxury, Governors’ IL Moran Camp without excess has been kept as small as possible, with added touches that make this the ´pinnacle of the range´ as the prime address on any Mara based safari.
Governor’s IL Moran has recreated the atmosphere of the original hunting camps epitomized by the movies such as Out of Africa – sorry ladies, Robert Redford isn’t in residence !
IL Moran Camp´s five star luxury tents line the winding banks of the Mara River which features annually as a crossing of great significance in the lives of every hoofed migrant trekking endlessly on a journey of life & death in pursuit of fresh grasses.
This afternoon we dedicate time to savour what is undoubtedly going to be a superb game drive.

Each evening after dusk you will return to the Camp to freshen up, there’s ample opportunity to have a drink prior to gear up for yet another gourmet dinner & then retire for a well earned sleep overnight here in the glorious ambience at the 5* star Governors IL MORAN CAMP.
This is as surreal as if we were on a movie set, but it is most certainly very real & we’re here with the privilege for these next three days to enjoy morning, afternoon & early evening game drives in the Masai Mara.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is probably the most famous & most visited Reserve in Kenya.

It offers breathtaking views (as seen in the blockbuster movie "Out of Africa", much of which was filmed here), an extraordinary density of animals including "the Big Five" (lions, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros) & a multitude of varieties of plains game.

Although never a guarantee as their movements are determined by the rains bringing on much needed new grass growth, what we are hoping to witness is the annual migration of wildebeests, zebras & gazelles trekking relentlessly from the plains of the Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border.
With each step they run the risk of death by crocodile in the rivers to reach the Mara's grasslands from late June through August, all the while being tracked mercilessly by predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, & hyena, & circled by vultures as their journey unfolds.

Their dramatic river crossings dependant on seasonal rains that spurn the new grasses, are a reality for visitors from early July through August.
The wildebeests & zebra crossing the Mara River is comical, yet sad.
The long rains flood the rivers & yet the wildebeests senselessly force their way upstream & their timeless urge causes many deaths & injuries quite aside from the timed assaults by massive centurion Nile crocodiles.

But that is natures way of dealing with it all; the wildebeests fresh death bring lions, vultures, jackals & hyenas who complete the food chain part of the overall annual migration package.
Quite apart from the seasonal migration, game viewing is excellent year round. Game includes elephant, black rhino, buffalo, plains zebra, hartebeest & all Africa’s big cat species.
The rivers are home to hippo & crocodiles, in all, the region are home to 452 species, 53 of which are raptors such as the majestic African Fish Eagle, which is closely related to the American bald eagle.
It is virtually impossible to forget the shrill haunting cries of this glorious raptor ringing out across any of its territorial waterway habitats.

Now in addition to the safari game drives here in this vast plains landscape of the Mara an optional recommended highlight activity is the hot air balloon safari which is available subject to wind & weather conditions, each morning. If you are not thinking you will be coming back to the Mara, the experience by far & away outweighs the cost.
For those who are keen to experience this aerial view as the sunrises over the grasslands very early morning with the winds permitting, you will be woken & driven to the launch site.

Here the massive envelope canopy of the balloon is being filled with hot air by way of hot-air propane blowers.Once this procedure is complete guests alight into the wicker basket & the ropes are slipped as the balloon rises aloft in the air to a birds-eye view of the surrounding landscape with the rising of the sun kissing the waving savannah grasslands.

The flight concludes with a champagne breakfast & memories of a lifetime.
Other lesser spoken of species of wildlife you can expect to see in the Mara include warthog, three species of jackals, diurnal cerval cat, bat-eared fox, buffalo, topi, hartebeest & the ever present, gracious giraffe.
With an eye to birds, look out for a number of different raptors – especially a wide variety of vultures - black backed; white faced; griffon – all of which at this time of year whilst they are literally in plague proportions, play an enormous part in natures fastidious cyclic cleaning of the open plains.

There too we will likely see Brown Snake eagles, Marshall eagles, Bateleur eagles a variety of kites, falcons & principally ground dwelling birds of prey such as the Secretary bird & the sinister looking black Ground Hornbill.

Ground Hornbills & Secretary birds compete for similar food sources.

Both take great pleasure in devouring snakes & nature has adapted both species with long extremely long, tough & powerfully clawed legs that are devoid of soft meaty tissue so a venomous snakes bite is rendered harmless.
They also both delight in preying on terrapins & leopard tortoise & they are adept at turning tortoises over on their back & prying open the shell exteriors with their evil scythe-like probing beaks.
For lovers of colourful birds, lilac breasted rollers, a variety of different bee eaters, weavers, shrikes, glorious teal starlings & regal storks.
All of your three times daily game drives are undertaken in IL Moran camp safari 4x4´s in the company of a specialist game guide who is a local expert on all aspects of the Mara & its flora & fauna. Hopefully we will be fortunate to have many amazing animal & bird encounters as this region is blessed as a safari lover’s paradise & a photographer’s nirvana.
Your gourmet dining experiences & four (4) luxurious overnight stays will be here at this truly 5* star GOVERNORS IL MORAN CAMP

Day Fifteen - MASAI MARA - departure flight to Nairobi & connect to ZANZIBAR

The safari portion of this Great Migration experience which has taken us from Nairobi south through Amboseli, on across the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania & up into the Masai Mara is about to come to an end, certainly this time round at least.
Breakfast will be served at the camp, then time to pack-up, drive to the airstrip & fly this morning to Nairobi, landing at Wilson domestic airport.
The flight is scheduled to depart the Masai Mara at 1115hrs getting into Wilson airport in Nairobi at approx 1215hrs. On arrival you will be picked up & taken to the Nairobi International airport, this time for your flight to Zanzibar.
Upon our arrival to Zanzibar you will be met & transferred some 35km to Breezes Beach Club & Spa Resort, located practically right on the Indian Ocean’s front doorstep. Your are confirmed here four (4) nights on a breakfast & dinner inclusive meals basis.
Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar & Pemba Islands, located in the Indian Ocean some 40km from the Tanzanian coast & 6° south of the equator with Zanzibar Island being 85km long & 32km wide.

It is characterized by a tough pirate & Arabian influenced past, adorned by beautiful white sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs & the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.
Zanzibar's local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds, indicative of the colourful history. Islam is the dominant religion, practiced by most citizens, although there are also followers of Christianity & Hinduism.
The overall population of the Islands is estimated at 800000, with the largest concentration being Zanzibar City which has approximately 100,000 inhabitants. Locals speak Swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), a language which is spoken extensively throughout East Africa.
When most educated folks hear the word Zanzibar, they think Spice Island, that tropical paradise east of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. It appears today as it did more than a century ago when famed missionary/explorer Dr. David Livingstone lived just before his last safari into deepest, darkest Africa.

Day Sixteen, Seventeen & Eighteen - ZANZIBAR – just as you like it.

After the safari savannah landscapes have dominated this adventure you now have three days of pure luxurious beachfront relaxation time.

Situated on the south east coast of the Island of Zanzibar, Breezes Beach Club & Spa Resort is defiantly categorized as superior first class & ranked as one of the best beach resort on the Island.
The hotel is beautifully decorated in relaxed elegance with a wonderful mix of hand carved furniture, unique Zanzibar antiques, beautiful fabrics & innovative use of natural materials. The hotel has a unique charm & has become renowned for its great attention to detail & tasteful décor.
Breezes Beach Club is a family owned & run hotel with an ethos that offers all guests a relaxed retreat for those souls in search of peace & quiet place to get away from it all.
All the rooms are spacious & beautifully decorated in relaxed elegance.
They are identical in terms of size & décor, have full air-conditioning with en suite bathrooms, a refrigerator & personal safety deposit box. All of our rooms are located in landscaped gardens with the suites & deluxe rooms being located on the upper floor of the bungalow with a large balcony closer to the sea. Meals are served in the main dining room or on the terrace. Food is styled A la carte, Buffet, Seafood, International Cuisine, European & Zanzibar Style food, African Menu. Dress code for evening restaurants is stipulated as smart casual; please no bare feet or tee-shirts.
We have a dedicated Fitness Centre & Spa equipped with anaerobic & aerobic machines. It also offers massage & for those who enjoy tennis, a flood lit tennis court.
In addition they provide optional in-house full diving scuba facilities, deep-sea fishing, Dhow cruises, windsurfing, snorkeling, & sea canoes.
A sampling of optional excursions from BREEZES BEACH CLUB includes:
• The Spice Plantations including local Villages
• Tour of historic Stone Town a world heritage site
• Prison Island guided tour
• Jozani Guided Forest Walking
• Swim with the Dolphins
• Traditional Boat Building Trip at Local Village.
Whatever you may decide exactly what fits the bill for you as the choice is entirely yours to make. For instance, you can visit the ruins of the palaces created with "spice" wealth for the Sultans of Oman.
Each day we have here is for pure relaxation in whatever shape or form that takes.

Day Nineteen - ZANZIBAR to Nairobi & connect to your International departure flight

All good things have to come to a conclusion & this morning marks the end of what has been an amazing fun-filled safari & beach resort adventure in East Africa. It’s going to be a very early start as you transfer to the Zanzibar airport to check-in for the scheduled flight to Nairobi.
Here it is likely you will be connecting to an International flight & your transfers have been arranged to enable you to be in good time to check-in for & departure at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your homeward bound flight.
On behalf of our entire team of specialists at Sundance Spirit & the wonderful local on-ground support provided by our representative office in Nairobi we wish you safe travel on your homeward journey.
We trust you are taking with you a lifetime of stirring memories, stories to recount & dine out on, photos to catalog & souvenir trinkets which will ensure the moments spent here live-on in your hearts for many years to come.