Day 3
Nairobi
Exciting special events are planned. A Safari Briefing answers questions and creates excitement, followed by a lecture by Maasai Elder Rakita. Next, delightful city sightseeing, lunch at Kiambethu Farms—hosted by the granddaughter of the original settler—a visit to the former home of Karen Blixen who penned Out of Africa and a stop at Giraffe Centre, an elevated treetop aerie where we hand feed Rothschild giraffes. This evening, we enjoy the delightful hospitality of Felix and Jane Pinto at their home for cocktails and dinner. Fine food, good conversation and warm camaraderie top the evening. Upon returning to our hotel, we already feel like old African hands.

Day 6
Tarangire National Park
Today we drive to Arusha, Tanzania, for lunch and fly to Tarangire. With a permanent water source, the park is virtually guaranteed enormous herds and excellent game viewing including cheetah, lion (some tree climbing!), leopard and hyena and a herd of 3,500 elephants. The park is also host to a number of rare species including eland, oryx, kudu and gerenuk. Our accommodations are at Tarangire Sopa Lodge, a tranquil oasis overlooking the rolling plains.

Day 7 – Day 8
Ngorongoro Crater
A lovely drive takes us to Ngorongoro Crater, where our lodge sits dramatically on the rim of the crater, revealing an awesome panorama of the world’s largest, unflooded and unbroken caldera. On our second day, we descend into the crater and spend the morning hours tracking animals. This magnificent natural amphitheatre is said to have the largest concentration of animals in all of Africa, including a high density of lions and thousands of flamingos. The everchanging mood of this great amphitheatre will hold our

Day 9 – Day 10
Serengeti National Park
A visit is made to renowned Olduvai Gorge where the Leakey family uncovered the fossil Homo habilis (the handy man), the first tool user, living over 1.75 million years ago. Then we reach the Serengeti, deep in the heart of the largest and most diverse migration corridor in the world. Wild beasts, creatures of every size and description, flood the savannah in droves…herds of mammoth elephant, the stately giraffe and the lumbering rhino all mix together alongside their more diminutive inhabitants…the delicate antelope, bulky wildebeest and the comical warthog. And we hope to see it all! Serengeti Sopa/Serena Lodge.

Day 11 – Day 12
Maasai Mara
We fly to the Mara via Arusha and Nairobi, and here we find the Old Africa of the movies, with rolling grasslands dotted by acacia trees and sweeping plains teeming with wildlife. No matter how much you have thought about Africa, this is more than you expected—and the ideal backdrop for a hot air balloon expedition. Also during our stay we visit a village of the Maasai people to witness the singing and dancing that are part of their daily lives and sacred rituals. A glimpse into their homes and social structure is a poignant experience. But the greatest highlight will be the stunning Bush Sundowners—a glorious al fresco cocktail party overlooking the savannah at sunset. Mara Safari Club/Kichwa Tembo Camp.

Day 13 – Day 14
Mount Kenya Safari Club
Today we fly to Nairobi and begin a pleasant drive through Kenya’s fertile Central Highlands—reminiscent of the English countryside—to the Mount Kenya Safari Club. Sprawled on the slopes of majestic Mount Kenya, this historic club offers luxury and relaxation, including such activities as golf, trout streams, horseback riding and tennis, as well as a charming animal orphanage. Our upgraded accommodations are in the original cottages of the club’s founders or in riverside bungalows. A two-night stay here provides ample time to explore surrounding game reserves including Ol Pejeta, home to Ol Morani, a habituated black rhino who we may touch, as well as the Jane Goodall sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees.

Day 15
Nairobi –Departure
Flying to Nairobi, a hotel room is ours while we explore, shop or pack until departure for the airport tonight. As we leave Africa we know in our hearts that the old adage is true: You may leave Africa, but Africa will never leave you.

Day 16
Europe –United States
We arrive in Europe and connect to our return flights home.