Highlights

• Snow-capped Mount Kenya
• The "Big Five" of wildlife: rhino, leopard, elephant, buffalo and lion
• Luxury tented camps and thrilling game drives
• Lake Nakuru, home to millions of flamingos
• Maasai Mara, premier wildlife reserve to see the great migration
• Optional sunrise hot air balloon to see the migration
• Kiss a giraffe
• World-famous lemurs and other wildlife of Madagascar
• Baobabs of Andasibe National Forest
• Blue iguanas of Nosy Be beach
• Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar

Where the wild things are

Kenya is a startlingly beautiful land, from its low-lying coastal region to the lofty heights of its most prominent geographical feature. Above all, Kenya is a place for safaris. Between these two extremes is the rolling savannah that is home to game parks such as Amboseli, and the Maasai Mara; the lush, agricultural highlands with their sleek green coat of coffee and tea plantations; and the most spectacular stretch of the Great Rift Valley, the giant scar across the face of Africa. One-tenth of all land in Kenya is designated as national parks and reserves.
This region of Africa has dozens of ecosystems that give rise to a host of different species of mammals and birds. Here you can find everything you hope to see on Safari, including wildebeest, elephant, buffalo, hippo, zebra, leopard, cheetah, lion, giraffe, impala, oryx, monkey, baboon, rhino, dik-dik, waterbuck, jackal, gazelle, hartebeest, topi, ostrich, flamingo, heron, kingfisher, egret, ibis, stork, crested hawk eagle, and many more.
The countryside itself is part of the drama: bulbous baobab trees with their massive trunks, kopjes (granite outcrops) that stand alone on vast plains, the Great Rift Valley punctuated with soda lakes covered white with salt, golden savannah to volcanic highlands, and lush, green hills. The altitude ranges from sea level to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at a lofty 19,340 feet, which contributes to the startlingly diverse landscape.
Here, you won’t have to share your experience with buses carrying dozens of overexcited tourists. This region has more National Parks and protected land than any place on the continent. It is to this remnant of an Africa that once existed but is quickly vanishing that we take you on a classic Wildlife Photo Safari. We are going to do it in style, giving up none of the comforts of home by staying in beautiful lodges erected in the most striking settings to be found on earth.
Our days are spent enjoying close-up game viewing from the comfort of our four-wheel drive vehicles. Every passenger has a window seat, and the pop-up roof allows one to stand for unimpeded views in every direction. Awake to the gentle cooing of the African Dove, marvel at the vast and unspoiled landscape illuminated by the African sun. Witness in awe thousands of wildebeest racing across endless plains, the majesty of an elephant only yards away and the supple strength of a lioness stalking her prey.
Come and enjoy the unsurpassed safari experience only Kenya can promise, and if you wish, continue to explore the mysteries of Madagascar! You will feel like you have been cast in a dramatic episode of The Wild Kingdom. Grab your khakis, your pith helmet, your camera and binoculars, and let’s go on Safari!

Includes

Eight (8) nights hotel or lodge accommodations; one group airport transfer at the beginning and end of the tour, timed to accommodate the greatest number of arriving and departing participants; all meals and activities as indicated in the tour itinerary; services of safari guides and drivers in four-wheel drive safari vehicles customised with pop-up roofs, limited to six passengers per vehicle so everyone has a window seat; all guided excursions described in the itinerary (except those listed as “optional”); all park entry fees; and bottled water available in safari vehicles. This is a fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included

Round-trip airfare from your home city to Nairobi (NBO), Kenya; visa fees; airport transfers if necessary at times other than the "included" transfers, charged at $30 per transfer for 1-2 persons; beverages other than the bottled water provided during game drives; meals and any optional activities (such as hot-air ballooning) not specifically listed in the itinerary; insurance; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers and guides are not included; tipping guidelines for our group tips will be provided prior to departure.

Madagascar Extension

LAND OF THE LEMUR
We are so close, why not hop out to the exotic island of Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. Separated from the African continent 135 million years ago, the island has become its own cauldron of evolution, serving as the breeding grounds for species of plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet. You may see the world’s largest butterflies, long-nape giraffe beetles, hedgehog-like Tenrecs, vibrant chameleons, and enormous land turtles. However, Madagascar’s most famous residents are the lemurs, which seem to inhabit every nook and cranny of the island. From arid bush in the south to luxuriant forests in the east and northeast to the stocky towering baobab trees, Madagascar also looks like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
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ITINERARY
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Conclusion of Kenya Tour / Late Flight to Madagascar
Arriving at the airport after our Farewell Dinner, our flight departs Nairobi at 10:15pm, and arrives in Antanarivo (also known simply as Tana) on the island of Madagascar at 1:35am tomorrow. As soon as possible we arrive at our hotel for a very late check-in. (All meals)

Monday, September 17, 2012
Andasibe National Park
Since we are basically checking into our hotel in the early morning hours this morning, we grab a precious few hours of sleep before launching into a day of excitement in exotic Madagascar.
We transfer to Andasibe National Park, also known as Perinet National Park. The distance from Tana to Andasibe is just 86 miles, but it will be a leisurely four-hour drive over curving tar roads. Along the way we make a stop to visit one of the insect and reptile reserves at Peyrieras. On a guided walk through this quiet reserve hidden in the jungle, our local guide will point out many examples of beautiful butterflies, moths, chameleons, giant centipedes, pill bugs, crocodiles, geckos and frogs. We will take time for lunch at the restaurant here (on your own), before proceeding on our way.
We make another brief stop at the town of Moramanga to see the local open air market. Finally, after reaching our destination of Andasibe, we check into our rooms and enjoy some time for rest and relaxation. In late afternoon our driver and guide accompany us on a game drive to Vakona Reserve, also known as Lemurs’ Island. The evening is free. (All meals)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Andasibe National Park to Nosy Be Island
After breakfast we check out of our room and pack our luggage in the vehicle. Then we will have a morning tour of Andasibe (Perinet) Park with a local guide. Andasibe hosts 11 species of lemurs, of which the biggest, the Indri Indri, is easily spotted because of its impressive shrieks. Hearing them we can understand why this park is sometimes called "The Music of the Forest." The lemurs cannot bear being in captivity, so they can only be admired only in their natural setting. The park also shelters several species of birds, reptiles, insects and batrachians (amphibious reptiles).
In the afternoon we drive back to Antananarivo (Tana), where we catch a flight Nosy Be, an island just five miles off the northwest coast of Madagascar. This volcanic island is the country’s biggest tourist resort, known for its sandy beaches, warm tropical breezes and spectacularly coloured chameleons. Overnight at Andilana Beach. (All meals)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Nosy Be Island to Tana
After breakfast enjoy a free morning to pack your bags and spend some time relaxing on the beach. In the afternoon we fly from Nosy Be Island back to the Tana on mainland Madagascar and enjoy a city tour. This evening we celebrate the conclusion of our exotic adventures in Africa with a celebratory Farewell Dinner. (All meals)

Thursday, September 20, 2012
Departure
Enjoy a free morning before transferring to the Tana airport to catch our flight back to Nairobi. Our flight departs at 12:40pm, and arrives back in Nairobi at 4:00pm. Tour services conclude upon arrival at the Nairobi Airport. You should book your flight out of Kenya to depart late tonight / early morning tomorrow. (Breakfast)

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ACCOMMODATIONS
Tana (2 nights - one at beginning and one at end): Mellis Hotel

Andasibe National Park (1 night): Vakona Lodge

Nosy Be Island (1 night): Hotel Andilana Beach

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THE BOTTOM LINE (tour prices per person)
Price: $1,995 per person in double occupancy accommodations

Private Room: $200 additional, for a total of $2,195.

Itinerary

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