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Kenya/Tanzania

The Best of Kenya & Tanzania: A Safari & Cultural Experience

Program No. 18783RJ
Discover great national parks and rarely explored reserves as you search for big cats while learning about and photographing elephants, rhinos, zebras and more.
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Most PopularAnimals & WildlifeMicro Group
Length
16 days
Rating (4.96)
Activity Level
Starts at
8,299
Flights start at
1,200

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
16 days
15 nights
What's Included
37 meals ( 13B, 13L, 11D )
7 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
14 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Evening:
Depart on overnight flights from the USA.
Evening:
Arrivals in Nairobi in the late evening. Meet your Study Leader on arrival and check in to the hotel.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; during the rainy season, streets can be muddy and slippery. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, your Study Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Indicated times are approximate. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices. We will then depart by bus for the Nairobi National Museum. As described, this Museum presents all different aspects of culture, history, arts and nature. The museum has different permanent galleries from the cradle of human kind, story of mammals, snake park and the Kenyan history. You will enjoy guided field trip through out museum that will be your first insight into African culture and history.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
During a special presentation, learn about the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya efforts to increase the numbers of endangered Rothschild Giraffe at the Giraffe Center, where you will have the rare treat of hand-feeding these gentle giants and face them eye-to-eye from an elevated viewing platform. Return to the hotel in early afternoon.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
The drive from Nairobi to Amboseli will take approximately 4 hours and part of the road is unpaved. The game drive will be 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge, but if needed our staff will find them for you.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check-out of our hotel and depart in the morning by jeep for Amboseli National Park. Check-in to the lodge and the first stop in your safari journey. Settle into your rooms and enjoy the gorgeous view of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance from the lodge grounds.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Afternoon After down time, join your Study Leader for an orientation to game viewing and the wildlife of East Africa. Then put your new knowledge to work as you set out on your first game drive in the park. NP Amboseli is known for its great elephant population, over 1600. You will learn how they live, communicate and what we can do to preserve them for healthy future and growth.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
As the sun rises, head out to continue the search through the varied wildlife habitats of the park. Later after a brief rest and before lunch join your Study Leader for a presentation: "Understanding the Tribes of Kenya and Tanzania" with a focus on the culture and customs of the Maasai.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
After lunch, head back out in search of big game. Before dinner, meet with an expert from the Amboseli Elephant Trust (ATE) to learn about the majestic East African Elephant. You will learn about research and help done by ATE.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. The drive from the lodge in Amboseli to the border will take at least 3 hours and most of the road is unpaved and can be rough some times of the year. The border crossing procedures may take up to an hour. We will change jeeps upon entry to Tanzania, and the drive from the border to Arusha will take 2 hours and is paved.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
This morning we leave early, enjoying a scenic game drive through the western part of Amboseli to the Tanzanian border. Late in the morning we stop at the border for formalities and to change vehicles. We continue our drive from the border to the city of Arusha. The drive offers an excellent look into rural life in Kenya and Tanzania.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country. Guests embarking on the popular northern safari circuit all stop in the ‘Geneva of Africa’ to prepare for their journeys into the African bush. From its two-lane streets, the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru stands over the town like a majestic sentinel, its crater strewn with thick clouds, its slopes dark with verdant forest. Arusha’s ideal location near the major national parks and its highland setting make it a peaceful idyll of relaxation before the start of an exciting journey. Built by the Germans as a center of colonial administration in the early 20th century, Arusha was a sleepy town with a garrison stationed at the old boma and a few shops around a grassy roundabout. From its backwater status amidst the farmlands and plantations of northern Tanzania, today Arusha is one of the country’s most prosperous towns. The site for the United Nations Criminal Tribunal on the Rwandan genocide and the headquarters for the Tripartite commission for East African Co-operation, Arusha is a major center of Tanzanian diplomacy and international relations.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. The drive from the lodge in Arusha to Mto wa Mbu will take at least 2.5 hours and the road is mostly paved. The excursion at the village will include walking up to 2 miles over uneven dirt ground; during the rainy season, the ground can be muddy and slippery. The drive from the village to lodge in Ngorongoro will take about 3 hours is mostly paved. However, please note that the small stretch of unpaved road can be rough some times of the year.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast we will head towards Ngorongoro Crater and stop at a small Tanzanian village to learn about local everyday life. Mto wa Mbu is a bustling village at the base of the Rift Valley wall, near the shore of Lake Manyara, who has evolved over the years into a trading post for many local tribes. Because of this, the village is often surrounded by local farmers, skilled artisans and craftsmen, as well as traditional and contemporary artists. During our visit, we meet a local guide for an excursion through banana plantations, rice fields, local craft and fresh fruit markets. During the walk we will learn about dual farming and the innovative ways local farmers water, care for and pick their crops. There are several types of bananas grown here, but pay special attention to the red bananas popular in East Africa. We will pass through areas with villagers going about their daily activities, including the local school and artisan workshops, and we encourage you to give a polite “jambo” in greeting as we walk by.
Lunch:
At a local village.
Afternoon:
After our visit we will continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where agriculture, wildlife conservation and tourism co-exist in one of Africa’s first experiments of multiple-land use. Upon arriving at the park gates learn more about the larger conservation area from your Study Leader. Prior to dinner take the time to enjoy the view of the crater floor from your rooms or from the terrace. The crater rim is a perfect viewpoint to observe the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Today the game drive will be all morning approx. six + hours long. We will have late lunch and will provide some snacks for you during morning. is six hours long and the descent to Ngorongoro Crater is steep and bumpy, over uneven dusty terrain. There are restroom facilities in the picnic area of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Descend the slope into the Ngorongoro Crater in 4-wheel-drive vehicles to spend the morning observing wildlife on the floor of the crater. The 102 square miles of the Ngorongoro Crater are home to 25,000 mammals, many of which are resident due to the geographically enclosed nature of the crater. The crater is also home to the last population of black rhino in northern Tanzania. Enjoy the early morning drive through the amazing vegetation down the crates and experience the beauty of the crater and very rich area of wild animals but also spectacular views.
Lunch:
It will be late lunch today. We will provide picnic lunch or late lodge lunch depending on season and hotel schedule. Your Study Leader will inform you on the day schedule in advance
Afternoon:
We will return to the lodge for late lunch after long day game drive or, if picnic lunch, enjoy the drive back to the lodge through the unique Ngorongoro crater on a game drive before returning to the lodge. Both ways we will experience the Sun, that makes a dramatic exit as it sinks below the crater rim. Later enjoy an early evening Presentation: "The Crater Ecosystem and Conservation."
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. The drive from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge to Olduvai Gorge is 2 hours on a non-paved, very dusty road. The drive from Olduvai Gorge to the lodge varies according to how much game is seen en route. Depending on the time of year, roads can be very rough and very dusty.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Depart early, with luggage, leaving the Crater Rim and make your way to the Serengeti. En route, visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum and learn about the Leakey’s research and discovery of the earliest known species of humanoids. Apart from the museum visit we will enjoy a stunning view of the gorge that shows fantastic layers of geological history of our planet.
Lunch:
Lunch box at Olduvai or Naabi gate before entering Serengeti park.
Afternoon:
As you continue driving to the lodge enjoy a game drive though the plains of the Serengeti. Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site. The name of the plain is often said to be derived from the Maasai language, meaning "endless plains". This area can get very crowded with Zebras, Wildebeest and Gazelles often with young newborns. Serengeti is the most know wildlife stage of Africa. Apart for predators there are so many other animals, birds. The land’s beauty is amazing vast plane of grasslands that builds into everybody’s memories for ever.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
Weather permitting, you will enjoy a late evening presentation titled "Stargazing: A Unique Night Under the African Sky" led by your Group Leader.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
Get out early to search for game and perhaps a fresh kill just as the sun rises over the Serengeti. Look for fresh tracks and see the Park come to life with the first morning light.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch en route.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon before going back out on safari, stop at the Serengeti Visitor Center to experience an illustrated presentation about the "Circle of Life". After the presentation, return to the plains to follow the watering holes along the Seronera creek in search of antelope, and other creatures gathering to re-hydrate.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. The drive between Moru Kopje and Speke Bay Lodge takes up to 5 hours and the roads can be particularly rough and dusty. There are no toilet facilities outside the lodge, but your Study leader will schedule a couple of stops to break this enduring journey.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
In the early morning depart the lodge to enjoy a scenic drive through the Western Corridor to the shores of Lake Victoria. As we drive west watch for the abundant resident wildlife stopping along the way to observe new sightings. Keep a lookout for animals as you finish the drive to Lake Victoria. Arrive at your lodge on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax in your rooms, perhaps take a relaxing walk around the lodge grounds or just enjoy the lake view. Lake Victoria is one of the world’s largest tropical lakes and it is divided among three countries: Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. It is very rich in fish but you can easily spot a hippo or sometimes crocodiles. There is also a large population of birds around the lake and you will have opportunity to spot some. Later in the afternoon we will meet once again for a presentation by our Study Leader.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Participants must be able to get on and off canoes on their own; the ride to Mwaburugu is approximately 15 minutes each way. Total walking today will be up to 3 miles, over uneven dirt ground.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will be picked up in the morning by local fishermen and taken via canoe to their village of Mwaburugu, on the shores of Lake Victoria. Get an opportunity to explore the village on foot and learn about local fishing techniques as well as get an insight into everyday village life. Meet local people and medicine men and learn local healing technics and the way of village life. Return to the lodge again via canoe.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Enjoy an afternoon bird spotting walk around the grounds of the lodge led by an expert guide. Over 240 species of bush, swamp and water birds have been spotted on the lodge’s 100 hectares of savanna. Many of these birds are indigenous to this area, and are rarely if ever seen in the Serengeti. During sunset, both the sky and lake glow together in a magnificent explosion of light.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. The drive between Speke Bay Lodge and the Kenyan border takes 3 hours and the roads are tarmac. The border crossing procedures could take up to one hour. There are no toilet facilities outside the lodge, but your Study leader will schedule a couple of stops to break up this journey. The flight will take from Migori airstrip (HKMM) to Maasai Mara Olekiombo airstrip (OLX) and is approximately 1 hour long.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast continue north to Kenya. As you drive on the main road, you will notice completely different local architecture passing through local villages. After crossing the border, continue to the local air strip in Kenya where a charter flight awaits to bring you to the Maasai Mara. When you arrive in the Maasai Mara, the trip to the lodge is a game drive. Search for the creatures of the Mara before arriving at your lodge.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon set out on a game drive from your lodge keeping a watch for many resident lion prides or the fastest of all, cheetahs.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Each game drive is 2-3 hours long, with no restroom facilities available. While not required, participants are welcome to bring donations of clothing and school supplies for the children of the Maasai Village visited in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
As the light brightens over the Mara, head toward the river to observe hippo, crocodile and birdlife. Depending on the migration, you may see wildebeest attempting the dangerous crossing. Later in the morning before lunch join a local Masai Moran on a nature walk through the edges of the Maasai Mara Park. Learn about local plant life and maybe observe some insects and lizards.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
There is a possibility that you will visit a Maasai Village en route today. It is truly a journey into timelessness, back to the way things have been for thousands of years. Some Road Scholars remain forever touched by the experience, the apparent purity, hopefulness, discipline, and pride of the Maasai people they share this time with. However, we would like to prepare you for the reality of this visit. We hope you will understand that there is a chance you will be asked to buy their wares, trinkets, wood carvings, etc. at an improvised village market. The goods offered do not have prices on them. The offered prices could be much higher for similar items found elsewhere. We have asked the Maasai elders to price the goods several times, however, they have not done so yet and do not understand why we are asking them to - to the extent where they think we are trying to westernize them. At this time, we want to preserve the experience, however, we ask that you resist the selling pressure and stand firm and refuse purchase of any goods if you feel uncomfortable at any time. In the afternoon set out on your final game drive. Enjoy the sounds and sights as you say farewell to the Maasai Mara. Later join your Group Leader for a final wrap-up session and presentation.
Dinner:
Final dinner in the Maasai Mara at the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. The morning game drive is 2-3 hours long, with no access to a restroom. The flight to Nairobi will take place from Maasai Mara Olekiombo air strip (OLX) and is 1 hour long. We will land at local Wilson Nairobi Airport (WIL), 15 min drive from our hotel. Please note that the hotel in Nairobi is only reserved for the day room stay, you must check out by 6:30 PM.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
At dawn, embark on a drive toward the river to observe hippo, crocodile and birdlife. Depending on the migration, you may see wildebeest attempting the dangerous crossing. In the late morning, we will drive to a local air strip and board a small plane back to Nairobi.
Lunch:
At the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to rest and pack prior to your flight. You have the use of your day room until 6:30 PM. We will be leaving the airport shortly after this time.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
Coach departs to the airport with luggage.
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